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In An Established VIcHENRY Consumer Forum Z&*M*̂ X%\%%*%X%X%%%X%%X%%X%%%%XXS&3tXXXXXX: V By niinois Attorney General William J. Scott It is not always easy to be a door-to-door salesman, and there are many honest, reputable men and women engaged in this business. And it is for their benefit, as well as yours, that I am writing today's column For the efforts of honest door-to-door salesmen often are thwarted by the actions of fraudulent salesmen in the same business. Now obviously, no one is going to ring your doorbell and say, "Hi, I'm a fraudulent door- ^IjMloor salesman; Would you like to buy an all-purpose gadget?" So it's up to you to be cautious about any purchases you make or contracts you sign as the result of an unsolicitated door-to-door sale. Door-To-Door Sales The first thing to do is to be certain the salesman properly identifies himself and the purpose of his visit: his name, his company's name and address, and the produce he wishes to sell. There are many cartoons of door-to-door salesmen wedging a foot in your door, or throwing dust on your carpet to demonstrate the powers of a vacuum cleaner. A reputable salesman won't use these tactics to gain entrance to your home. But a word of caution - especially to women at home alone. Don't open your door to anyone you do not know who cannot produce proper identification. If you have a screen or storm door or a chain latch, keep them locked until you see proper identification and decide you wish to talk further with the person. Once a salesman has entered your home, he will do his utmost to convince you to purchase his product. After all, that's his job. So it's up to you to THINK! Do you really NEED what he's selling? Is today the day to buy all those reference books...that vacuum...those kitchen aids...beauty aids...the twenty years of photographs of the family? They all may be good products - or services - sold by honest salesmen. But do you need them, TODAY? What if you regret your decision tomorrow? In Illinois there IS a way out (and I'll get to that), but is impulse buying fair to you, your family, - or the salesman? Can you afford it? Is it worth the financial argument with a husband or relative at dinner that night? What is the TOTAL price, including any credit or finance charges? Does the price cover extras? If you buy a vacuum, for example, how many attachments, if any, are included? Can you get the same product or the same service from a neighborhood firm for the same amount of money - or less? What about repairs? Who's responsible? What are the/ guarantees? Can th< equipment be repaired locally, or do you have to ship it somewhere? Who pays shipping costs? How long does it usually take? Is the item you are being shown the same model you'll get? Beware if the salesman uses words like "similar," or "Close-out," or "repossessed," or "one^of-a-kind," or "sample" for the product you'll be getting. Are you really going to get what you're paying for? If you're ordering something in a soles, like books, for example, do you understand how long it will take to obtain the whole set? What are your monthly payments? How much more money, if any, is that than if you were to buy all the books at once? Is it worth it? Is the sale for charity? Beware of this. If a child says he's getting a scholarship, for example, for selling you something...is that a "scholarship" in the generally accepted sense? Or is it a small amount of cash based on the child's sales? And where does the rest of the money go? To charity? Or into a promoter's pocket? Does the salesman tell you that you'll get a big price discount for each neighbor or friend, who's name you give him, who buys his product? That's against the law in Illinois. Beware of that salesman. He CAN give you a discount in exchange for a list of names, if he wants. But that discount cannot be based on the number of those persons on the list who ultimately purchase his product. If you decide to make a purchase, get everything in writing: guarantees, repair agreements, financial terms, annual percentage of interest, total cost...Any terms the salesman has agreed to orally, get in writing before you pay! Now, what if that evening, or the next day, you don't want the item? Under Illinois law you have the right to cancel any UNSOLICITED door-to-door sales contract or purchase - on any item or service costing $25 or more - within THREE full business days following the date of the sale. For example, if you buy an item on Friday, you have through the following Wednesday to cancel the sale. The item, if received, must be returned in its original condition, of course. And in turn, the seller is required to return, IN FULL, any money you have paid him. He can't hold back even a small amount for "administrative costs," or the like. Hie contract or receipt you are given must contain this "Notice of Cancellation" as well as the address or phone number at which such notice of cancellation can be given. A telephone call to the company or representative is all that's required of you to cancel an unsolicited sale. But I would strongly advise that you send a certified letter and request a return receipt. That way you'll have a permanent record for your files. There are many pitfalls of which to be aware in dealing with door-to-door salesmen. But the reputable salesmen respect your caution and will answer all questions and provide all proper documents without hesitation. If you have any questions or feel you may have been the victim of fraud in an unsolicited door-to-door sale, please get in touch with my Division of Consumer Fraud and Protection. WDAI'sJ^URMON Easter Another year has gone by an it is East^f again. Why not make Easter really something special in your life this year. This Easter change the direction of your life. Bring your soul back to God. Let Him be the light of your life. How many times in the past have you thought "I'll come back to God," and then discovered yourself back on the road to de­ struction days (or maybe hours) after you "tried" to change. Well now is the time. There is no bet­ ter moment. Ask God for His help and you will receive it. Maybe the reason you've failed at trying to change was because you left God out of it. Maybe you just mumbled a few words and really didn't ask God to enter your life and to be your life's inspiration. God is always ready to welcome you back. But you must ask for His help, because it is dfficult to do it on your own. Come back to God this Easter. And reside with him always. LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR FREE Parrelam Ifutr China 5-PIECE PLACE SETTING McHenry Savings W AMO LOAM AMOCIATMM^^ 1209 North Green Street • McHenry Illinois 60050 • 815/385-3000 I. XUlfii'lS iLIklLk S*»'nQ* a l ..in J'Su'*' c Co'p Homes Are Engineered And Designed For Buyers Of ALL AGES And Built For Lasting Quality By A BUILDER YOU CAN TRUST I FINANCING AVAILABLE a the ROBINO"LADD company BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS +L v ~ --i Prestige Community Large Fully Improved City Lots A Most Picturesque Area, Wooded, Rolling Hills With Boone Lake And A Winding Creek At Your Back Door Your Choice Of 8 Contemporary Styled Homes Starting At $35f900.00 Are you planning to "beat the heat" this summer by having a swimming pool installed in your yard? It's a fine idea - if you can afford it! But before you sign a contract and buy new bathing suits for the family, be sure you know all the facts. PERMITS FOR POOLS REQUIRED Many counties in Illinois require a permit from the Building and Zoning commission before a residential pool can be installed. In some cases this is true for above-ground pools as well as those in the ground. Also some counties (for example, Cook County) require similar permits from the County Health department before pool construction can begin. A pool that is installed without the owner holding the required permits, which includes inspection of plans, is in violation of the law and could be ordered dismantled by the courts! And, though possible, it usually is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to obtain permits AFTER the pool is installed. Last summer several families in Illinois were ordered by the courts to dismantle their pools becausp the pools had been installed without permits. This not only is expensive and messy, but very frustrating to someone who has promised his family- and himself-a glistening new pool in the yard! Judges tell me they don't wish to be "bad guys" in ordering a family to dismantle a pool that has been constructed without a permit. But they say they'd rather do that than see a consumer hurt or killed in a faulty pool that they-the judges- had allowed to be used without proper permits. There are a number of reputable swimming pool contractors throughout Illinois, registered with the proper agencies. But a pool installed by a disreputable, fly- by-night pool contractor, unregistered with the county, could be so shoddily constructed that improper wiring, grounding, and other faulty assemblage could lead to injury or death to the consumer. Therefore, if you plan to have a swimming pool installed this year, be sure you know the permit requirements of your county. It is YOUR responsibility to obtain the permits, and you should not assume that your contractor will do so for you. Then, adhere to the good, common sense rules for signing any contract. Know the reputation of your contractor. Has he installed pools for any of your friends? Did they like his work? Is he located within your community? Is he properly registered with the county? What exactly are you paying for? Is all support equipment included in the price quoted, or will you be billed later for extras? Are filters, pumps, etc. adequate for the size pool you want? What are the guarantees? What about a fence: Do city ordinanaces require one? If so, does it come with the pool package? Does the contractor demand a big downpayment? Is a reasonable completion date promised? Also, beware of so-called "bait and switch" pool advertisements. Is the picture on the ad the model youTl get? Or does the low price quoted go with a smaller pool - one not pictured? Read the fine print! It can be^artOTKrveyour own pool. BuH>e sure you go about acquiring one with your eyes open, knowing the laws, and remembering safety at all times. I l l Introducing EXHIBITS ART WORK -- Joseph Rybacek, instructor of art at McHenry County college, is exhibiting his works at College of Lake County through March 30. The exhibit, entitled "Motorcycle", will be on display in the student union building gallery at CLC (19351 W. Washington street, Grayslake). Visit Our Models Daily At 409 Kensington Dr. McHenry, Illinois Or Phone: (815) 385-8830 Take U.S. Rte. 12 to Illinois Rte. 120. Go west on Illinois Rte. 120 thru McHenry to Crystal Lake Road It mile to Fox Ridge. One Block South Of McHenry High School-West Campus. Phone: 815/385-8830. Connally critical of Nixon Postmaster in Michigan and Congress. town is a nun. Turbulent period expected in European markets.