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PAGi: 18 - PLAINDEALER-FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1975 Consumer Forum t%xssxxssx9sxsxxxxxxxxxsc%xxxx^e%sexxxxsssxKssxxxxi oy Illinois Attorney General William J. Scott Once again I begin a column with the tried and true advice: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Specifically, today I want to discuss buying clubs. These are consumer-oriented clubs aimed at selling goods, merchandise and-or services to members at considerable savings. Sounds good? Yes; there «re some reputable buying clubs which offer real savings to thein^ members. But there are many more cf these clubs which are disreputable and bring only# real headaches to their members. In this inflation-ridden time we all look for the most our money will buy. And this is one of the biggest questions you should ask yourself before joining a buying club: Will I continually get the most -- and the best -- for my buying dollar? Many buying clubs promise up to 50 percent reductions on brand name merchandise. But does the buying club have signed agreements to this ef­ fect with the legal distributors of the brand named items described in its brochure or by its salesmen? Or, if l&w factory prices are promised because of the "group" buying volume, are there similar signed agreements with the factory distributors? Many buying clubs require initial -"membership" fees. These fees can go as high as $1,500, with an average of from $400 to $500 The prospective 250 88 ANNUAL INTEKST BATE A six year invest ment of as l i t i le as $1.000 earns a 7.50' < annual interest rate - the maximum rate al lowed by law. I n t e r e s t c a n b e p a y a b l e m o n t h l y , q u a r t e r l y i > r s e m i - a n n u a l l y . S u b s t a n t i a l p e n a l t y r e q u i r e d f o r e a r t v w i t h d r a w a l . THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF McHENRV McHenry, Illinois 60050 3814 West Elm Street • member is promised ^lie'll recoup that investment in one or two big purchases. But will he? Could he do as well, or almost as well on individual items, by checking the sales of reputable, established mer­ chants in his area? Some consumers have in­ vested large sums of money in buying clubs only to wake up one morning and discover that the club officials have vanished, naturally taking the consumer's money with them...and leaving no for­ warding address. Here are some guidelines and warnings to consider carefully if you are thinking about joining a buying club: 1. Is the firm reputable? Does it have signed agreements with the legal distributor of the merchandise or service it advertises at a savings? (Check this YOURSELF with those merchants or distributors!) « . 2. Has the buying club been in business long? Do you PER­ SONALLY know any satisfied members? 3. Do you have to pay a large sum in advance? What are the fees? Beware of "lifetime" memberships. 4. Are the goods, brands or services offered those you really would buy in individual, non-club purchases? If "seconds" or discontinued models are being offered, are they clearly marked as such? 5. Can you SEE what you're buying before you pay for it? Do you have to drive scores of miles to a showroom or warehouse? 6. JHow do you KNOW you're getting the discounts ad­ vertised? 7. Are you being pressured to "sign now" to get a free gift or a lower membership fee? Beware of this tactic; it can spell trouble. Also beware "celebrity" endorsements. - 8. Are the purchases you intend to make major enough that you are SURE you'll save money? And don't forget to include in your tally any membership fee and-or monthly dues you may have to pay 9. Has the Illinois Attorney General's office ever filed suit against the club and-or its officers? 10. IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS! Hqld Analysis Seminar TAX FACTS Taxpayers who have dif­ ficulty preparing their income tax return can get free assistance from the Internal Revenue Service by contacting any local IRS office. Charles F. Miriani, IRS district director for northern Illinois, said "the IRS is en­ couraging taxpayers to make use of its toll-free numbers listed in the tax package if they need help in completing their tax forms." In Chicago call 435-1040. Elsewhere in northern Illinois ^llllllllllllllllllllllllimilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllltlllti FOR WOMEN ...SHAGS ...NATURALS ...LAYER CUTS JAXE'S You CAN Tell The Difference = STYLING FOR MEN By Appointment = = 3317 W. Elm St., McHenry 815-385-7771 = TiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimimiiimiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin: call 800-972-5400 toll-free. In addition, Miriani said that more than eighty free publications can be obtained simply by calling the IRS toll- free or by mail on the order blank included in the tax forms package. These publications cover in detail some of the most commph questions taxpayers have. Taxpayers who find that their tax questions are so involved that referring to a jjublication or even a telephone query is inadequate, are invited to visit an IRS office for free help in completing their return. He asked taxpayers who come to IRS offices for help with their returns to list all income and deductions on a separate sheet of paper, which he said, "makes it easier for our employees to provide the necessary assistance." Many parents will learn much by helping Junior with his school homework. * * * * Winter weather isn't very bothersome ... so long as you go to Florida. Sue Halaska, counselor at McHenry County College is pictured above during a Transactional Analysis seminar held Feb. 5, at the Bethany Lutheran church in Crystal Lake. "I want to learn more about myself." That was the goal stated by one of the sixteen transactional analysis seminar participants. The seminar was held through McHenry County college at the Bethahy Lutheran church in Crystal Lake with Sue Halaska, counselor at the college, ser­ ving as instructor. Attending were residents of the entire college district. The purpose of the seminar was for people to get better acquainted with themselves. Ms. Halaska said, "One of the basic principles of the T.A. is !hat each of us has three ego states - parent, adult and child. By understanding these con­ cepts and others we can change destructive life patterns. The ego states are also involved in communication with other people so as we become aware of the flow of energy between our own ego states, we can understand and direct our communication process more effectively." The next seminar on T.A. will be held on two consecutive Thursdays, April 24 and May 1. Anyone interested in attending may sign up at the registration office at the interim campus in Crystal Lake. For more in­ formation on the seminar, call the Office of Community Services at the college. im(m, Shop And Save At Your Nearby Jewel! PRICES ON THIS PAGE EFFEC­ TIVE UNLESS OTHERWISE INDI CATED, THURS , FEB 13, THRU SUN , FEB 16, 1975, AT ALL JEWEL STORES IN COOK, LAKE, DUPAGE & McHENRY COUNTIES (EXCLUDING RIVER OAKS AND ELGIN) Check Jewel's Aisles For These Grocery Specials KLEi JUMBO ROLL -- REG 55' Me**** Boutique Towels BOX OF 200 -- REG 49< Facial Tissue BOUTIQUE -- ASS'T OR PRINT -- PKG OF 2 ROLLS -- Bath Tissue"'46 PKG OF 140 -- REG. 51' Family Napkins Y(fcn CHOICE teached 44 EACH JEWEL MAID -- REG. 79' Flour HILLFARM -- SMALL OR LARGE CURD -- REG. 89' 5 LB. BAG Cottage Cheese 59* 69 Good Food Deserves A Perfect Setting . . . Hearthside Stoneware From Jewel! U.S.D A. CHOICE BEEF CHUCK U S D A CHOICE Blade Pot Roast ROASTS GOV'T. INSPECTED PORK LOIN LOIN OR RIB SAME LOW PRICE U S D A CHOICE mJ^L.SMOKfD WEATS 4^ch"Ia_ts POULTRY Center Cut Pork Chops 09 GOVT INSPECTED -- THIN SLICED Pork Chops U.S.D.A. CHOICE BEEF -- SMALL END $|19 Rib Roast $|29 U S D A GRADE "A" -- POPULAR BRANDS EXCLUDING SELF BASTING -- 5-13 LBS OSCAR MAYER -- WIENERS OR Uc Beef Franks n U S D A C H O I C E -- BEEF CHUCK 98' Arm Pot Roast ' U S D A. CHOICE -- BEEF CHUCK-- (BOSTON CUT)_^ $139 Cross Rib Pot Roast s79c THIS WEEK Hlarthside Cereal Bowl Small Turkeys U S D A . C H O I C E ( B O N E L E S S ) Beef for Stew U S D A CHOICE -- BEEF -- SMALL END Rib Steak Take Home Fine. Fresh Produce From Jewel WITH EACH *3 PURCHASE ONLY PRODUCE PRICES EFFECTIVE THRU SAT FEB 15 ONLY U.S. # 1 Wisconsin Russet Potatoes 3718 W. ELM STREET McH^RY, ILLINOIS HOURS: 8 AM to 9 PM SUNDAY: 9 AM to 6 PM LB. BAG 140 SIZE 110 SIZE Lemons 7C Green Peppers SUBURBAN CHICAGO Step Right Up, Folks, To Jewel's Winter Carnival Off Coupons CHEF S KITCHEN GOOD THRU SUN FEB 16 GOOD THRU SUN . FEB 16. 1973 SAVE 40 -- , ON 8 16 OZ BOTTLES OF 918 I REG OR SUGAR FREE | Seven Up WITH THIS COUPON - '• I GOOD THRU SUN., FEB 16, 1975 SAVE 15* SAVE 20 ON A I LB PKG OF FARMLAND. ARMOUR RATH OR CHIF CUT Sliced Bacon WITH THIS COUPON PRICE WITHOUT COUPON M 4 w *E KG OF 10 12 JIWIl MAID All BUTTIR. ^Hamburger Or 815 ^ Hot Dog Buns 1 5 W I T H T H I S C O U P O N ""PRICE WITHOUT COUPON 59 PRICt WITHOUT COUPON M 49 'I 59 - d. LOVABLE ... To another tiger, it may be a loving lick and caress, but San Francisco Childrens' Zoo manager Landes Bell, grimacing, isn't quite sure it is a painless process. The cat doing the loving is Troika, a 5-months-old new Siberian tiger cub female at the zoo. END OF SEASON SALE START CONSERVING ENERGY TODAY! Put a VaporAII HUMIDIFIER in your home. With proper humidity you can set your thermostat at 68 , to conserve precious •ue1 and sHI have "72 comfort!" ^ WEST BEND FONir^oOD THRU SUN FEB 16. 1975 SAVE 20' . •> , ON A 14 "RiAl PIZZERIA" n„c , V \ Cheese & 925 1 ,;.'^Sausage Pizza ; *40* WITH THIS COUPON PRICE WITHOUT COUPON '2 59I Lock For More Coupon Values In Jewel'z Thursday Chicago • Newspaper Ad! 'jg GOOD THRU SUN , FEB 16 1975 SAVE 15' 954 | ON A OUART JAR OF REGULAR OR ICICLE jClaussen Dill Pickles WITH THIS COUPON PRICE WITHOUT COUPON 93' ^MR) ^^JGOOD THRU SUN FEB 16, 1975 i SAVE 20' --i [ ^ ON A 32 OZ JAR OF KRAFT 855 j i CV Mayonnaise | Wty J WITH THIS COUPON PRICE WITHOUT COUPON '1 69Mil GOOD THRU SUN FEB 16 1975 SAVE 35' ^ ON A 16 OZ -- 3 PACK ' CHEESE OR SAUSAGE i 4 ^John's Pizza I 'ypr WITH THIS COUPON 1 PRICE WITHOUT COUPON M 35 NSilWtiMjp GOOD THRU SUN FEB 16 1975 SAVE 40' ON A 3 LB BAG OF 929 j MICHIGAN Red Delicious Apples i WITH THIS COUPON I PRICE WITHOUT COUPON 'I 09 / )9 mttEm 2-speed HUMIDIFIER adds moisture (and comfort) automatically Humidifies up to 2,500 sq. ft. Winter-dry air con make your home uncomfortable. West Bend's console humidifier moisturizes up to 2,500 square feet with two-speed output control 900 RPM for super-quiet operation, 1100 RPM for maximum efficiency. Turns on and off automatically; shuts off automatically if reservoir goes empty. "Water wheel" action . . . reliable gear box drive. Removable rustproof reservoir holds 9'/2 gallons. Walnut-tone vinyl bonded to steel cabinet with corrosion-resistant chassis. Features: INDICATOR LIGHT tells when water refill's needed AIR FLOW FROM TOP directional control cuts drafts CONVENIENT FILLING front panel tilts forward WATER WHEEL ACTION filter rotates in reservoir REMOVABLE RESERVOIR rustproof, too . . . easy to clean Lee & Rty Bectric Sales & Service 1005 N, Front ( South Rte. 31 ) McHenry, III. 385-0882