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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-05-04, Page 11Wednesday, May 4, 2016 • Huron Expositor 11 Beware high-pressure door-to-door sales agents Every year when the weather warms up Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) sees an influx in calls for service related to suspicious door-to-door sales agents. Whether it be an "Energy Advisor" requesting to see your hot water tank or an out of town paving crew that has some "left -over" asphalt at a bar- gain price, you need to be on your game if you answer the door. Here are some tips to pro- tect yourself when the next door-to-door salesperson shows up at your doorstep. Ask for Identification - Reputable companies use photo ID. Don't let the salesperson start their pitch until you have seen photo ID. Get the name of the business and the name of the salesperson. Search online and complete Better Business Bureau checks on the company. If they don't have identification with them they are likely scam artists. Get the Info in Writing - Ask about the rental fees, installation, repair and extra service charges. Review the warranties and insist on getting the details in writing. Keep copies of this informa- tion. Get a detailed written estimate. Once you have a written estimate, the sup- plier cannot charge you more than 10% above the quote unless you ask them to do more work. A contractor that fails to provide paper- work such as estimates, con- tracts, professional licences, permits and invoices is quite likely a scammer. Don't Sign on the Spot- If the salesperson pressures you to sign on the spot, don't. Shut the door or insist that you need additional time to read and understand the agreement. Reputable salespeople will carry bro- chures about their products or services. A "deal" is never only good for that visit. Take your time and do your homework. Down Payments- If a deposit is required, keep it to a minimum. Ten percent should be adequate in most cases. Never pay the full amount of the contract before the work is all done. Remember, legitimate home renovation companies have enough credit to buy the materials they need to com St. James Cemetery, Seaforth, Ont. NOK 1 WO has submitted proposed amendments to its ByLaws to the Registrar of the Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Services Act 2002. Any interested parties may contact Greg O'Reilly, Secretary/Treasurer, at 519-522-1992 or email goreilly@tcc.on.ca for information, or to make copies. ByLaw amendments may be copied and reviewed at 43048 Huron Road in Huron East, These ByLaw amendments are subject to the approval of the Registrar. Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Services Act 2002. Bereavement Authority of Ontario (Tel: 1-844-493-63561 i) Page 1, Introduction, 6° paragraph, as directed by BereavementAuthority of Ontario, should read: The By-laws may at any time be changed, amended, altered, repealed, rescinded or added to, upon approval of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario. ii) Page 3, #3.2 should be deleted, and #3.3 should be changed to #3.2. Hi) Page 4, #3.7, as directed by Bereavement Authority of Ontario, 3rd sentence should read: All changes to the By-laws are subject to the approval of Bereavement Authority of Ontario. iv) Page 4, #4.4 should be changed to read: No person shall consume refreshments in the cemetery or carry same upon the premises unless prior approval has been obtained from the Cemetery Board. v) Page 8, 7"' point should read: No interment equipment except that provided through or contracted by the Cemetery shall be used, except when concrete vaults are used, which shall be installed by the supplier who will use his own equipment. vi) Page 8, an additional point before "Correction of Errors" should read: Burials may be permitted during winter months with the approval of the Cemetery Board, and all additional costs associated with such burial will be the responsibility of the Interment Rights Holder. vii) Page 9, 4'h point should be changed to read: No inscription is allowed on the back of upright monuments unless family burials are on both sides (front and back) of the marker/headstone, except beginning with Row BC (2016). viii) Page 9, move the 6th point to being the last point in this section, and replace the last 2 points in this section to read: The Cemetery reserves the right to determine the size of Memorials and their location on each gravesite. Memorials must not be of a size that would interfere with any future interments, and the maximum size including base shall not exceed — (T = thickness; D = depth; W = width; L = length) Ground markers/footstones — 4"T x 12"W x 18"L Row BC (2016) & beyond Pre -Row BC Single grave — 12"T x 36"L x 42"H 12"T x 21 "L x 24"H Double grave — 12"T x 60"L x 42"H 12'T x 42"L x 36"H Cremation (only) grave — 12"T x 36"L x 42"H 12'T x 21"L x 24"H Note: It is the responsibility of the Interment Rights Holder to verify with the Cemetery, the maximum size of any memorial prior to making arrangements with a memorial supply company to manufacture and place such memorial. ix) Page 10, create a #8.9 to read: Artificial flowers (ie saddle arrangements) must be removed from the gravesite by Nov. 30th. plete the job. Trying to Save a Buck- Be wary of a price that is well below the industry standard. It could be a sign of lower - quality work or you may see higher charges later. Be careful with suppliers that offer to do the work without charging tax or demanding to be paid in cash. Some- times this is a sign of unpro- fessional work and if you have a dispute over terms of payment you may find your- self unable to enforce your agreement. Don't Give out Personal Information- There is a chance the stranger at the door is "fishing" for informa- tion that could be used for illegitimate purposes. Remember, they are at your door trying to provide infor- mation about a product, do not give up personal infor- mation about yourself or your property. Understand the Agreement- How long does the agreement last? Are there any other costs other than the monthly rental? Are there any fees if you can- cel the agreement? Will the company renew the rental agreement without your prior written consent? Know Your Consumer Rights- The Ontario Con- sumer Protection Act pro- tects people who enter into rental contracts from door to door salespeople. You are entitled to a 10 day cooling off period to change your mind and opt -out of any contract you sign. All charges within the contract must be exactly as they are stated. For example, a com- pany is not allowed to add a surcharge that is not noted unless it is a tax. It's Your Home! - You do not have to let a salesperson inside your home and you have every right to ask any- one to leave your property. If they do not leave, call the police. An unwanted person in your home or on your property can be removed, arrested if necessary, and charged under the Trespass to Property Act. Please follow and share these tips with family mem- bers that may be vulnerable. Remember, reputable sales agents and companies com- ply with the law. If you believe the business or salesperson made a false, misleading or deceptive statement you may have further remedies under the Consumer Protection Act. Further information can be found at: www.ontario.ca/ ConsumerServices If you encounter a suspi- cious sales agent at your door please use this infor- mation to keep your money in your pocket. Should you have any concerns or ques- tions about a recent suspi- cious door to door sales agent or transaction you may call Huron County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. -sr ir 10:rcentrai Huron Central Huron Donation Fund The Municipality of Central Huron is pleased to announce their annual Central Huron Donation Fund. The Municipality will again set aside funds to assist and promote community-based non-profit organizations. To Qualify Organizations must be non-profit. Proposed programs or events must clearly demonstrate a direct social or economic benefit for residents of Central Huron. Successful organizations will be required to submit a post project report identifying the use of the funds. When applying please include complete description, budget and date of the program or event, also supporting information including statistics for previous similar projects and the amount of funding requested, specifying whether a cash or in-kind donation is required. The Municipality reserves the right to fund only programs or events as deemed appropriate. Deadline for applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 20, 2016 in person, by email: info@centralhron.com fax: 519-482-9183 or by mail and are to be addressed as follows: "Central Huron Donation Fund" Attention: Brenda Maclsaac, Clerk Municipality of Central Huron P.O. Box 400, 23 Albert Street Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0 For further information please look for details on the website www.centralhuron.com.