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- I'LA I \ DEALER-WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1975 Consumer Forum aSX\.V%.%V by . V^%^%^*3^SXXXSKS«3CKX3C^%*30W«?63«CMC I'll cite two examples of "bait .ind switch" A "hurry and get one while they last" stove is offered for sale at an extremely low price. The consumer arrives at the store only to be told by the salesperson, "Oh. I'm so sorry, but we just sold the last one. However, we do have several other models which, frankly, are quite superior to the ad­ vertised stove...and they're only a 'bit' more expensive " The consumer who falls prey to this " bait and switch" technique likely will end up buying a stove at a price he normally would have paid had he taken his time and checked several retailers. Or, he may even end up paying more. But he will have been put "in the mood to buy a stove" by the BAIT low-price ad. A s«cond example is that of a carpet and promising, for instance, "250 sq. ft. wall-to- wall carpeting for your living room, dining room and hall at $149." Illinois Attorney General William J Scott The term "bait at^d switch" is familiar to persons engaged in consumer protection. But it 's meaning still may not be clear to all consumers. Many of us fall prey to forms of "bait and switch" every day Stated as simply as possible: "Bait and switch" is offering one product or service at a too good to be true price in order to peak the consumer's interest - to BAIT him into the.place of business. And then, once he's there, either claiming the last too good to be true item was "just sold, BUT there is a slightly more expensive model..." or, showing the of­ fered item - usually of very poor quality-- and then quickly showing, light next to it, a "better,but more expensive" version of, the same item hoping to SWITCH the consumer's mind to this superior offering. When the salesperson arrives at the consumer's home he shows samples of carpeting so unattractive and of such poor quality that they are. in and of themselve, disparaging. Then, quickly, he shows, side-by-side, a "better quality" sample that is "slightly more expensive." Naturally, he hopes the con­ sumer will SWITCH to the superior carpeting. Even if the consumer does stick with the original poor- quality sample, he may find that installation and padding are "extra." The consumer ^also may not have looked closely enought at the original ad to realize that the carpet company advertised its carpeting in SQUARE FEET rather than square yards, as is the custom: 250 sw. ft. is a lot less than 250 sw. yd! "Bait and switch" ad­ vertising is illegal. The key to its illegality is the "intent" of the seller. In the first "stove" exampl^, was an adequate number of the advertised stoves really available for the a n t i c i p a t e d c o n s u m e r response, and did the consumer demand merely exceed a normal supply? or, were only a few of the advertised stoves available and was the intent of the seller primarily to entice -- BAIT - buyers into his store so he could "sell" -- SWITCH " them into deciding to buy a more expensive model? Or. in the second example, was the intent of the carpet company actually to sell the advertised carpeting; or was it the seller's intent to get a salesperson into the con­ sumer's home in response to the BAIT ad, then SWITCH the consumer to buying mere expensive carpeting? Remember, intentional "bait and switch" is illegal. There are no guaranteed ways to avoid this deplorable advertising and selling prac tice. But if you respond to a merchandise or service offer and hear pitches like or similar to those described above: Beware! You may be on the way to becoming the victim of "bait and switch." If you feel you already have been the victim of intentional "bait and switch," please contact my office: in Chicago, Attorney General Wm. J. Scott, Consumer Fraud and Protection Div., 134 North V.A. NEWS EDITOR'S NOTE: Veterans and their families are asking thousands of questions con­ cerning the benefits their Government provides for them through the*,Veterans Ad­ ministration. Below are some representative queries. Ad­ ditional information may be obtained at any yA office. Q -- Will my wife's income help me qualify for a GI home loan from the Veterans ad­ ministration? I was honorably discharged from the military service last month, and plan to buy a home using my VA loan entitlement. A - Yes. VA since July 1973 has been giving full recognition to income of both veteran and spouse in determining ability to repay GI loans. Q - I've been having trouble lately with a stomach condition LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602; in Springfield, Attorney General Wm. J. Scott, Con­ sumer Fraud and Protection Div., 500 South Second Street, Springfield, Illinois 62706. developed during military service. Since I've been out of service three years, I wonder if I can still apply for disability compensation from the Veterans administration? A -- Yes. There is no deadline for veterans to file claims for service-connected disabilities. Q -- Will the Veterans Ad­ ministration pay tran­ sportation costs to the place of burial for a veteran who died of a non-serviee-connected disability while in a private hospital? A - VA is authorized to pay transportation costs to a burial site only when a veteran dies while being treated in a VA hospital, or while being treated at the agency's expense. Q -- I'm a service disabled veteran with Veterans ad­ ministration Mortgage Life Insurance coverage on a specially adapted home. How long will I be protected under this coverage? - A - Until the morgage is paid off, the home is sold, or until you reach age 70. Q - I was just discharged from military service and plan to study under the GI Bill. How SPRINGTIME SAVINGS WEDNESDAY THRU SATURDAY ft p •j c q 1 Prices effective through March 22nd. Right reserved to limit quantities. Due to space limi­ tations some stores may not carry all advertised items. $uMMj0ptiM4 REG. 1.09 4-WAY NASAL SPRAY nasal spray Relieves congestion, with decongestant and anti- histaminic. 1 /? oz. mtabltts REG. 1.09 SINE-OFF TABLETS--24 PACK 69 Relieves sinus headache and sinus congestion. Save 37% now! These Items Available At Holiday Sun Discount Only!! TAMPEX REGULAR OR SUPER 40's $ io 12-HOUR RELIEF CONTAC CAPS 10 s REG. 1.95 LIMIT 2 NOXEMA SKIN CREAM P i noxzema v SKIN CREAM A 10 0Z. REG. 2.25 $1 19 OLD MILWAUKEE 6-12 0Z. CANS :: - I Ml' '•*" I'."* "" \ 19 WILKENS0N STAINLESS DOUBLE EDGE RAZOR BLADES 3«»99* 4512 W. RTE. 120 BAN ROLL 9 ON !i ban 1.5 0Z. REG. 1..36 LISTERINE 20 0Z. REG. 1.75 95* IVORY LIQUID 22 0Z. REG. 89' 65' NyQuil 6 OZ. REG. 2.19 99* [Sr^Ml LIMIT 1 FASTEETH DENTURE POWDER 4V4 0Z. A 89* REG. 1.69 $MN VALUE COUPON JOHNSON BABY SHAMPOO < 39 i 1.79 WITHOUT COUPON 1 LIMIT 1 Won't irritate eyes. 16 oz. Good at Sun only. BARNES HIND WFTTIMCSOIUIIO" Contact lerseS Cleaning & Sodking Solution REG. 2.19 WETTING SOLUTION--2 OZ. Good through Morch 22nd _ By law w« mutt charg* tai on regular pric« ^ CASH VALUE COUPON • CASH VALUE COlfrON • 1 44 For hard lenses. Barnes-Hind. 2.19 CLEANING AND SOAKING SOLUTION 1 44 With carrying case. 4 oz. REG. 1.59 ANACIN TABLETS--100'S 1 19 Relieves pain from headaches, colds, body aches and neuralgia. REG. 1.99 GREEN MAGIC CLEANER REVLON FLEX BALSAM HAIR CONDITIONER Reg. 2.29. Regular or extra body instant protein formula. 17 oz. FREE 4-oz. shampoo purchase. Save now! 1 66 Will gently clean ovens, ceramic tile, bathtubs, baking dishes, chrome. REG. 89c SPARKLE GLASS CLEANER 69 Cleans windows, kitchen appliances, Leaves no streaks. 20 ounce spray. lC-126-12 or C-110-12 2 FILM PRINTS OF EACH PRINTABLE NEGATIVE PHOTO DEVELOPING SPECIAL AVAU&E AT H™AY » DCC0U,IT °»Y long do I have to complete training? A -- A law enacted in July, 1974, extended GI Bill eligibility for veterans from 8 to 10 years after date of discharge. The extension also applies to eligible spouses, widows and widowers of veterans who train under the Veterans Ad­ ministration Dependents' Educational Assistance program. Q - I draw Veterans ad­ ministration compensation for a service-connected disability. Am I entitled to the agency's $150 annual clothing allowance? A - Your eligibility would depend upon the nature of your disability. You are eligible if you wear one or more prosthetic or orthopedic devices which tend to wear out or tear your clothing. You must apply for the benefit, however. The Law Serves You Formal Offer To Buy A Home Is A Binding. Legal Contract Warm weather brings out prospective home buyers by the droves. But before making an offer to buy a home, a person should be sure that it is right for his family and his bankbook, advises the Illinois State Bar association. * A person's written offer to buy a home becomes a binding legal contract as soon as he signs it and the seller accepts it, according to the ISBA's pamphlet, "Buying A Home." The pamphlet suggests that a formal offer or purchase agreement should include the following provisions: (1) Your offer-the amount you are willing to pay for the property. (2) The amount of money deposited with the contract as evidence of your good in­ tentions. " (3) Arrangement for paying off the balance, including a statement as to the interest rate, term and amount of any mortgage loan which is to be sought. (4) A cancellation clause releasing you from the agreement and prbviding for return of your earnest money if financing cannot be obtained on the desired terms. (5) A request for proof that the seller has a clear title and owns the property free of en­ cumbrances such as unpaid taxes or liens for unpaid ser­ vices of contractors or sup­ pliers. (6) The proration of taxes and other charges. The offer should specify who is going to pay taxes, assessments and other charges which may have accrued when the buyer takes possession. (7) The dates for closing the transaction and possession by the buyer. (8) A list of personal property included in sale. An itemized list of all movable articles which go with the house, in­ cluding carpeting, drapes, awnings and storm windows. (9) Provision for fire and extended coverage insurance protecting the buyer's interest up to the possession date. If you have retained a real estate broker, he may prepare the purchase agreement for you by adapting a printed form to your particular transaction. The broker's obligation- is performed once the buyer and seller sign this document. There is nothing to prevent a PLUS ALL FOR ONLY *4.49 COUPON EXPIRES REG. 29c BOOK MATCHES--50'S 2 FOR 29 All purpose household matches convenient to have on hand. Save! A .. -- REG. $2 ART LINE BIRD FEEDER--SAVE! 1 29 Hanging feeder. Easy to fill. 9" * 9" assembled. iiSfe M' I \ 1.03 SHOWER TO MENNEN PROTEIN 29 REG. 1.31 ORA FIX REG. 1.39 NOXZIMA SHOWER TALC--8 OZ. HAIR SPRAY--7 OZ. \C 69 Deodorant protection. 99 Reg. 1.49. Dry control. DENTURE ADHESIVE SHAVE CREAM--11 OZ. " 99" 2-3/4 oz. tube. Save! • Reg., menthol, lime. 99 We Reserve The Right To Limit Quantities While They Last RS - Dailv 9-10, Sun. 9-9 buyer or seller from acting in his own behalf. However, there is a danger of jeopardizing the sale or the interests of one or both parties if the persons closing the transaction lack a thorough knowledge of the laws relating to real estate, taxes, insurance, contracts and other subjects. For a free copy of the "Buying A Home" pamphlet, write to the Illinois State Bar association, Illinois Bar center, Springfield, 62701. SJTW T? 3284* 10-19 The Ascot Blouse This blouse wi th scarfed neckl ine is perfect fo wear wi th your sui ts and with your pants No 3284 comes in s izes 10 »o 18 Size 12 (bust 34) takes 2' /< yd of 44 in. fabr ic A smart shir t a lso comes in the pattern Crocheted Stele Stoles are the rage again and this one is especial ly pret ty. I t 's easi ly crocheted and is a pract ical i tem to hove in your wardrobe Send (or Pattern No 990 Send 5Ot for each dress pattern, 30t for each needlework pattern ladd 15 t fo r each dress pa t te rn , I0< for each needlework pattern for moi l ing and hand l ing) to AUDREY LANE BU REAU,Morr is Plains, New Jersey 07950 INCREDIBLE Friend to friend: "1,'m going to be late getting home tonight and I don't have an excuse. What do you suggest I do to close the credibility gap?" A REPLACEMENT ROLL OF KODAK FILM { I MARCH 25th "Grand Sale Opening**' Still in Progress! SPECIAL GRAND OPENING PRICES NOW ON TOP QUALITY PRODUCTS FOR YOUR HOME! WUKfS PANELING *•, PLUS for ALL Your Home Improvement Needs. • PANELING over 300 styles to choose from KITCHEN CABINETS we feature a complete kitchen design service • VANITIES and BATH PANELS • BRICK VENEER • DECORATOR SHADES • WINDOWS and DOORS • CEILING TILES and SUSPENDED CEILINGS • FLOOR TILE and HARDWOOD FLOORING • LIGHTING FIXTURES • FREE professional Home Remodeling Council GRAND 0PBIIN6 ENDS MARCH 2«k ANELING LUS 6319 NORTHWEST HIGHWAY, Route 14 Just East of Montgomery Ward CRYSTAL LAKE 815-455-3000 I t x i