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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1969-11-06, Page 13Gi Ceasv*ers' news What to do about unsolicited Most of us receive mail we do • not want -•- such as advertising leaflets, magazine subscription forms and record or book club offers. Sending this kind of mail is a perfectly legitimate way of doing business, and it is strictly up to us whether we want to Its read it or not. But what do you do if you receive a credit card you never- asked for;- a C:0:1). parcel you never ordered, or a package of Christmas cards you did not, request? Unsolicited mail is annoying and, in some cases, it is illegal. Here are some business mailing practices which you should know about: Record and book clubs — The common complaint here is getting records or books that were not wanted. In the case of those advertising a free trial or free offer, the first shipment contains a message saying, in effect, "If you don't want more, send a card saying so ... if you would like more, do nothing." Often the recipient does not read or understand these conditions and fails to return the card. In some cases, when the consumer has cancelled his membership, the record or book club fails, to stop sending merchandise usually due to clerical errors. In other cases, pranksters have sent in coupons and orders in another person's name. Deceased persons — A particularly objectionable practice is that of sending merchandise by C.O.D. to persons 'Who have recently died. A survivor in the household often accepts the goods believing they were actually ordered by the deceased before death. It is against the law to send any article. by C.O.D. which has not been ordered or requested. Charity mailings — Items such as Christmas and Easter seals, key tag services, etc. are sent to households unsolicited with a request for a donation in some cases, or a definite sum in others. This is a generally accepted •method Of raising funds for charitable purposes, and therefore results in few complaints. Clip and paste — This scheme involves sending a business firm a document which 'looks like a « bill or an invoice `'but which is actually a solicitation 'or an advertisement for the operator's service. These documents can be for .legitimate bills and paid in error. The Post Office now requires that any • invoice -type document must clearly indicate it is a solicitation, that it is not a bill, and that payment. is not required unlessnthe Offer is accepted. Credit cards — There is nothing` illegal about sending unsolicited credit' cards through the mail. But'you should note an • now requires that a notice be ,included with the shipment stating that you do not have to pay the return postage and in fact, you are under no legal obligation either to purchase the cards or to return them. Other unsolicited goods reported range from religious music sent to_ churches, to miniature cameras ,anent to dames chosen frprrilocal telephone directories. The Canada Post Office Department does not have legal. authority to interfere with ordinary business carried out by mail Certain mailings, however, are considered offences under the Criminal Code. Thes% include, for example, mailing anything that is obscene, indecent or immoral; information regarding book -making: betting or wagering; false or fraudulent advertising; any article concerning schemes to deceive or defraud the public, or to obtain money under false pretences. The Post Office investigates all complaints dealing with illegal or objectionable use of the mails, and has the- authority to discontinue mailing privileges where there is evidence of illegal use. From the individual consumer's point of view, the food Outlook NOVEMBER, 1969 BEEF — Prices may show little change _ from late September levels.,,, PORK — Prices may weaken in response to in slaughter. EGGS — Plentiful supplies with some easing of prices. POULTRY MEAT — Broiler chickens will be in plentiful supply. at lower prices. Large supplies of roaster chickens will be available_ at lower prices. Turkey hems and broilers will be in relatively scarce supply at firm prices; heavy turkeys, 16 p funds and ,up, will be in adequate supply at' advancing, prices. POTATOES — Ample supplies with prices remaining low. APPLES — Supplies will be large and prices mainly unchanged. t. PLM•RS=S'appiterteavyWith prices unchanged. CRANBERRIES .— 'Good supplies at seasonal prices. CABBAGE, CARROTS, RUTABAGAS — Heavy seasonal supplies at moderately firm. prices. ONIONS — Adeq.uatesupplies a seasonal increase important condition that almost invariably accompanies each card in words such as these: ng "The card holder named hereon agrees to pay for all purchases made by any person IP-- using this card until the company has received written notice of its loss or theft." It is entirely up to you to decide if .you should keep the card. If ydu do not want it, then destroy it so that'no one else can • use it. Keep in mind your ability to meet monthly payments if you use the card. In some cases a credit card may be stolen before it reaches you. You Will be billed if someone else uses it. If so, notify the company • immediately. • Greeting cards — Packages of cards are mailed to the home and the recipient is requested to mail his payment to the firm. Often the request for payment subtly hints that it:;„ -will benefit • handicapped persons. In this case, howeverr•,the Post Office Post Office Ac1t states that once an article is posted it- becomes the property of the addressee. However, any individual has the privilege of refusing mail. Just mark it "refused," sign it; and return it to the Post Office where it will be disposed of in accordance with postal regulations. Itis entirely up to the consumer to decide whether he should keep or return unsolicitecV material. In your ,own best interest,. however, it would be wisest in most cases to return ,the material to the Post Office. The following important mail t..M points should be kept in mind: ' — Read all otfrs carefully. -- Understand the conditions of acceptance. f any unsolicited. proposition. — You are not required to pay for unordered merchandise..: - It is against the law to send unordered -merchandise by C.O.D. _ — Check all invoices carefully. — If you do not wish to retain unsolicited material mark it "Refused" and return it to the Post Office. — Report any suspected, misuse of the mails to the Post Office Department, Ottawa. OFA.,, expects ministers at November conference As many as seven government ministers may attend this years annual convention of the On t a-rio Federation of Agriculture in Toronto Nov. 10-12. William. A. Stewart, Ontario's minister of agriculture and food, has accepted an invitation to attend the convention banquet on Monday, H. A. "Bud" Olson, minister of agriculture and food for Canada; has been invited to address the banquet gathering. Five other Ontario government ministers have been invited to attend an after -breakfast question period the last day of the convention where all attending would have the opportunity to have government representatives reply to direct examination• Darcy McKeough, minister of municipal affairs, has agreed to attend. Also invited are William G. Davis, minister of education; C. S. MacNaughton, treasurer of Ontario; Thomas L. Wells, minister of health; and George • • with prices unchanged. 1 Before you turn the key... fasten your • A. Kerr, minister of energy and resources management. The Rev. Sister Thomas Moore, a sure -witted, well-informed critic of farm organizations in the United States, has been invited to give an address either Tuesday or Wednesday. It is hoped that she will be able to come from Wisconsin for the engagement. Crop report Harvesting of grain corn is progressing well although yields in some areas of the County are below normal. The turnip harvest is almost completed with prices remaining favourable. Winter wheat appears to be making good growth. Recent rains should help with the large acreage of fall ploughing which remains, to be completed. ' Western feeder cattle are beginning to arrive in the County. Some herds of dairy cattle are being stabled. Stored feed supplies should be adequate for. the approaching winter season. D. S. Pullen, Agricultural „Representative for Huron County. STEW A RT A L UMINUM SALES a.• 4-H Homemaking Club Achievement Days are soon to be held in Huron County. This fall the project has been "Needlecraft" and the club members who are involved in this project have learned seven basic embroidery stitches, and have experimented with colour and design. Each -club member -has -made -- a learning stitches article and a free choice article, which has provided opportunity for the girls to• use their own colour scheme in an original design. These articles will be on display along with their record books for the project. The Achievement Days will be held in Seaforth District High School, November 8; Auburn Community ,Hall; November ,15; South , Huron District High School, Exeter, November 22; Zurich Community Hall, November .29; Lucknow Public School, December 6; Howick Central School, December 13. The afternoon prograinme commences after 1:00 P.M. and features skits, demonstrations -and exhibits by -each- -club-. Do plan on attending this worthwhile event in your area. The girls put a . great deal of effort and imagination, into the programme and it will prove to be an enjoyable afternoon. Mrs. L, G. R. (Susan) Wheatley, Home Economist for Huron County. For Your INSURANCE • see or call— MacEwan & MacEwan 44 North St. — 524-9531 . Donald G. MacEwan immomavie Peter S. MacEwan REAL ESTATE LISTINGS AND ENQUIRIES INVITED Peter S. MacEwan — Realtor Donald G. MacEwan — Salesman tf '1' a OD 1 R.ICi SJON.A STAR., THURS 1, `, NOVEMBER 6, $69 a A ENJQV THE FINEST" P000 'IN TOWN Wins prize at Internutional Chine" Food Piowing Mach Stan McGrat'ien"of' 104 Elgin Avenue was winner of a $25 cash draw held at the Canadian Channing Corporation Ltd. booth at the .International Plowing Match held last month near Paris, Ontario. our Specialty' , ALSO TAKE OUT ORDERS9• OPEN DAILY 8 a.my to '10 p.m. Open Friday, and 'Saturday Until 1.2 Illildmight The E. ui Restaurant . "524.9P41" ARTS AND CRAFTS AND GIFTS UNIQUE FROM AROUND THE WORLD CANDLES FOR- ALL ---OCCASIONS ITEMS FROM SPAIN, PORTUGAL, U.S.S.R., WESTERN ONTARIO, INDIA; SASKATCHEWAN, BELGIUM AND MANY MORE. THE WAXWORKS g30uiiqlte 20 Water Stree seat belts! EXPERIENCED .. 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