TURNING OIL TO WEAPONS / AFT IWB^WKIW. PEAL03S %L Consumer Rights For Elderly At Holiday Time •A •v VM « "The holiday shopping season can be a much more pleasant experience for the felderly if they understand and exercise their consumer rights," says Peg E. Blaser, director of the Illinois Department on Aging. Ms. Blaser said increas ed public awareness of consumer rights can help elderly consumers Erotect themselves from aving to accept shoddy merchandise, billing errors or high pressure tactics from door-to-door salespersons. Facts for consumers compiled by the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection include: ...Beware of "as is" clauses or other warranty disclaimers. ...Check and compare warranties before you buy. If the product costs more than $15, it's your right to read the warranty prior to purchase. . . . R e m e m b e r t h a t warranty rights do not run out for problems you com plained about during the warranty period but were not satisfactorily resolved. ..:Report lost or stolen [credit cards promptly. In 'any event, your maximum liability is limited to $50 if the du*d wa§ used frior tb notification. ...Protect yourself when protesting or correcting billing errors on your credit cards by writing a letter rather than phoning. You're not protected under the law unless you send written notice of the error. ...Take advantage of the three-day "cooling off" or cancellation period on most door-to-door transactions totaling $25 or more if you decide you no longer want t h e m e r c h a n d i s e . Remember, though, that the "cooling eff" period does not usually apply if the sale was made at the merchant's regular place of business. ...If you don't receive merchandise ordered by mail in the time period promised, you can generally cancel your order and receive a complete refund. ...Remember that a new FTC rule requires eye doctors to give their patients a copy of their prescription immediately after an eye exam. They can't charge extra for this service, either. With more consumers shopping by mail, Blaser said, it is important for persons to beware of mail fraud schemes. "If something sounds too good to be true," she said, "it generally is. Consumers should exercise caution when buying by mail and learn to question and in vestigate before sending money or signing con tracts." Blaser said persons who believe they have been a victim of a mail fraud scheme should send details and all pertinent documentation to Postal Inspection Service, Con sumer Protection Program, in care of their local post master. "Consumer complaints form the principal basis for investigation by postal in spectors," she said, "but victims rarely complain because the amount of money involved is small or they feel foolish about being taken. We need to reverse that attitude and encourage consumers to complain to the postal authorities." Blaser said work-at-home schemes and medical quackery by mail are two frauds generally directed at the elderly. Persons can obtain more information on their con sumer rights by writing Regional Office, Federal Trade Commission, 55 East Monroe Street, Chicago, 111., 60603. Accidents will happen. That's why you need the protection that American Family's Special Homeowners Package Policy provides. It's the most complete home owners coverage we've ever offered. Call me today for all the details. TONY CHUCK IEWANDOWSKI •y CALL US FN DETAILS 385-2304 AMERICAN FAMILY I N S U R A N C T TUN MM MAMTS MAITMM * Am#iictn f ftmtly Muluftl InSu'AnceCo We reserve the right to limit quantities while they last Sale beer not iced. LIQUOR PRICES EFFECTIVE DEC. 11-14 u. WALKER'S VODKA STROH'S 12-12 OZ CANS 12-12 OZ 1 LITER CANS FLEISCHMANN'S KINL J. BAVET IBRANDYI () PASSPORT DON Q IRUMI CRAWFORD "AH-1* •!? REFUND -' 0V 1.75 LITER 1.75 LITER 1 LITER HARVEY'S ({CALIFORNIA BRISTOL CRE AM II CELLAR ROSE BOX 750 ML PETER HERRING p'DARBY S IRISH CREAM L.fOZ PAGE • - PLAINDE ALER - WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER It. 1S80 It won't be Christmas at Spiess ...without you You can't separate * • ' the men from the boys when choosing a fine shirt Arrow knows how to dress a shirt, for success. The Kent is tailored of easy-care polyester/ cotton that needs no ironing. In blue, ecru, white. 14^-17. 16.00 Kaynee understands growing boys. Their unique nex-spander collar grows with them thanks to an elastic tab. No iron polyester/cotton, solid colors. 8 20. 9.00 %A\v\v Classically rugged yet refined. The Chevella by Arrow in tasteful plaids. Quite comfortable in a lightly brushed blend of cotton and woven polyester twill. Assorted plaids. S,M,L,XL. 20.00 Plaids have become a tradition. Arrow tpnslates them into hand some, cotton flannel shirts. So comfortable and easy to care for, he'll wear them year round. Fall tones. S,M,L,XL. 15.00 Men's Store, Elgin on 1, Crystal Lake & St. Charles We welcome your Spiess CharjJPTVisa and MasterCard. Free Parking: St. Charles Mall, Crystal Point Mall, Elgin Plaza