Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-01-23, Page 28RONA CASHWAY 28 Times -Advocate Wednesday, January 23, 2008 Are you a smart consumer? Try this quiz (NC) -So you think your consumer skills are up to par? Try our quiz and find out if you're a real market- place wizard. 1. Collection agencies have the right to call you any time, concerning the money you owe a business. T/F 2. There is no such thing as a cooling -off (cancellation) right for contracts signed in your home. T/F 3. Your bank can check your credit -bureau records any time they wish. T/F 4. It's all right to give a credit-card number to a tele - marketer over the phone, so long as you're sure you want the item you're ordering. T/F 5. Stores have to take returns and provide refunds/exchanges. T/F 6. If a roofer gives you the names of some customers who'll give references, you don't need to check them. The company must be honest. T/F 7. It's a good idea to buy something you don't really want to get a free gift you'd like. T/F 8. You should always get a written estimate before allowing a repair shop to work on your car. T/F 9. Fitness clubs can renew contracts automatically at the end of the one-year term without notification to the consumer. T/F 10. Merchants can still sell a gift card with an expiry date printed on it after October 1, 2007. T/F Answers: 1. False - Collection agencies have specific hours of the day they may contact you. And on certain days, col- lection agencies cannot contact you. 2. False - you can cancel any contract you sign in your home, up to 10 days after receiving a written copy of the agreement 3. False - Banks are allowed to check credit records if you're involved in a credit transaction with the bank. 4. False - if you have any doubts about the telemar- keter calling you, ask them to send their offer in writing. 5. False - stores set their own return and exchange policies - ask before buying! 6. False - always check references. You can also check the company's reputation with the Better Business Bureau, or consult Ontario's online Consumer Beware List. 7. False - you don't have to accept the first offer, you can always ask the vendor to sell you the item you want. 8. True - it is always a good idea to get a written esti- mate. Ontario consumer law prohibits motor vehicle repairers from charging for a repair unless a written Who is taking care of the caregivers? (NC) -Seek out family caregivers and one can find people who feel well supported, enriched by the experi- ence and who have achieved balance in their lives -while oth- ers are stressed, depressed, financially drained and socially isolated. It is estimated that three million Canadians care for family and friends at home, or in assisted living or long- term care facilities. Care recipients range from children with chronic diseases or dis- abilities to aging spous- es, parents and friends. At some point in life, most people will either provide care for a loved one or require a care- giver themselves. Many family caregivers face increasing stress, health and financial burdens as they try to cope with the demands of caring for relatives or friends while balanc- ing work and family. There has been recent progress to sup- port caregivers through Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefits that provide income support and job protection for workers caring for gravely ill family members, and short-term home care coverage for people who are acutely ill. However, these pro- grams do not address the long-term needs of care recipients or their caregivers. While advocates and the national and provincial governments examine the public pol- icy issues, what can family caregivers do to help themselves? Penny offers this advice: • Caregivers need to focus on their strengths and ask for the assis- tance they need to pre- vent social isolation and role strain. • They need to moni- tor their emotional, social and physical health, including their sleep, diet and exer- cise. • Caregivers who seek the assistance of family and friends, and look to organizations such as the Alzheimer Society of Canada, home support agencies, support groups or online caregiver chat groups for information, education and support fare better in their roles than those who try to cope alone. estimate was given. Furthermore, repairers cannot charge an amount that exceeds the estimate by more than 10 per cent. 9. False - your fitness club must contact you within 30 - 90 days before the contract expires, and you can advise the club that you do not want to renew at any time prior to your expiry date. 10. False - Expiry dates are prohibited on gift cards sold on or after October 1, 2007. Old gift card stock may have expiration dates on them, but the retailer must let you know that they no longer apply. The rules apply to pre -paid and reloadable gift cards and gift certificates sold by retailers. How did you fare on the quiz? You can get more infor- mation about your rights under Ontario's consumer pro- tection legislation, by going to www.ontario.ca/con- sumerprotection or calling toll-free 1866-351-5655. 7THE\ HOME OF THE WEEK HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST F(oorsFirst Innovative Flooring *Armstrong Vinyl * Ceramics * Pergo *Carpet * Hardwood *Area Carpets PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATIONS 519-235-4401 457 MAIN ST. S. EXETER www.floorsfirst.comlinnovativeflooring MUNICIPALITY OF NOTICE �r Special OPEN HOUSE Jan. 24, 2008 sO11T> ON from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM 7,• in the Olde Town Hall Council Chambers 322 Main St. S., Exeter The public is invited to attend an Open House presented by the Municipality of South Huron and the Design Engineer to provide information and to answer any questions or concerns with regard to the following proposed street reconstructions in the Exeter Ward: Anne St. from Carling St. to Marlborough St. Albert St. from Simcoe St. to Sanders St. Ken Betties, Road Superintendent MUNICIPALITY OF SOUTH HURON 519-235-3351 WEo+TEC( Heating & Cooling Limited Gas Furnaces • Fireplaces • BBQ Plumbing • Electrical • Hot Tubs Geothermal Heating & Cooling Hwy 21 & 84, St. Joseph.519-236-4770 Suncoast Mall, Goderich•519-524-4199 1-888-GEO-TECK (436-8325) www.geo-teck.com GNS. PLANS AND RENDERINGS © COPYRIGHT JENISH HOUSE DESIGN LIMITED •, THIS DESIGN INCLUDES AN UNFINISHED BASEMENT MAIN FLOOR PLAN 1371 SQ. FT. (127.4 M') 9'-0" CEILING HEIGHT WIDTH -35'-0" (10.7 M) DEPTH -62'-0" (18.9 M) • PLAN NO. 1-2-612 TOTAL 1371 SO. FT. (127.4 M') JENISH HOUSE DESIGN LIMITED STRAIGHT ENTRY Plan Number 1-2-612 APPEALING ONE BEDROOM HOME This appealing design for a one -bedroom -plus -den family home, tailored for a lot that slopes to the back, will allow plenty of room for expansion, thanks to the unfinished basement included in the plans. Entry is up two steps to a covered porch, welcome protection in inclement weather. The porch's angled sidewall echoes the shape of the den or second bedroom, with its attractive bayed -out, partly -mullioned window. The foyer extends in two directions. To the left are a coat closet and powder room, ideally located for guests, and straight ahead, past the den, is the open-plan living area, including a great room, dining area and kitchen. The great room's corner fireplace will attract family members in the cooler months, while the dining room's access to a covered deck and the back garden will make the space equally pleasant during the warmer months. The kitchen is separated from the rest of the space by a six -sided prep island and eating bar, so the cook will never feel isolated. An L-shaped counter configuration promises efficiency. There's a window over the double sink. The master suite, located at the back of the home for privacy, includes a generous walk-in closet, as wet as an ensuite with a tub and a shower stall. The linen closet is also located in this room. The laundry room enjoys access to the double garage. All ceilings are nine feet high. Exterior finishes include painted trim, horizontal siding and decorative garage doors. This home measures 35 feet wide and 62 feet deep, for a total of 1,371 square feet. Plans for design 1-2-612 are available for $520 (set of 5), $580 (set of 8) and $628 for a super set of 10. B.C. residents add 7% Prov. Sales Tax. Also add $25.00 for Priority courier charges within B.C. or $45.00 outside of B.C. Please add 5% G.S.T. or 13% H.S.T. (where applicable) to both the plan price and postage charges. Our NEW 39th Edition of the Home Plan Catalogue containing over 300 plans is available for $13.50 (includes taxes, postage and handling). Make all cheques and money orders payable to "Home Plan of the Week" and mail to: HOME PLAN OF THE WEEK c/o Exeter Times Advocate, Unit 7, 15243 91st Avenue, Surrey, B.C. V3R 8P8 OR SEE OUR WEB PAGE ORDER FORM ON: www.jenish.com AND E-MAIL YOUR ORDER TO: homeplans @ jenish.com MOFFATT&POWEII LUMBER STORE "YOU CAN SHOP WHERE THE BUILDERS BUY" MITCHELL - #8 Highway CALL WAYNE PEARCE 519-348-8437.1-800-663-6977 Mon.-FRI.7:30-5:30 SATURDAY 8-5 P.M. HURON CONTRACTORS INC. DESIGN & BUILD 280 Thames Rd. W. P.O. Box 13 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 DEAN DUCHARME Call 519-235-4726 Fax: 519-23S-0618 hu rcon@cablet.r.on.ca FURNITURE FACELIFTS FURNITURE REFINISHING WITH PRIDE • finish trim, doors/cupboards, colours to match • antiques & unfinished furniture • hand stripping • hand -rubbed stains • choice of finishes • repairs • pick-up & delivery • free estimates STEPHEN FINKBEINER 519-234-6371 RR#2 Crediton mail: fumiturefaceliftsesympatico.ca i CONSTRUCTION • Houses • Additions • Renovations • Farm Buildings • Siding • Bathroom & Kitchens • Replacement Windows & Doors RAY MILLS 519-228-6704 Fax: 228-7001 Centralia Ont. NOM 1K0 �► T.N.T. STAND-BY\ G8� POWER INC. GENERATORS: PTO, Diesel, Portable SWITCHES: Grade Level, Pole Top, Automatic KILOWATT KING DIESEL CONVERSIONS www.kilowattgenerators.com tntstandby@hccl.net DON TRIEBNER R.R. #1 Exeter, ON NOM 1S4 519-237-3641 Toll Free 866-383-3641 Fax: 519-237-3522 • Cell: 519-871-3641 J EAVESTROUGHING LTD. • Seamless Eavestrough • Soffit • Fascia • Siding • Asphalt • Steel Roofing • Shutters • 40' Boom Truck SINCE 1990 BONDED & INSURED FREE ESTIMATES CALL GERRY 519-228-6295 Fax 519-228-6534 STAN LAKE _ a CEMENT CONTRACTOR • Concrete Forming • Foundations and Floors • Colored & Impressed Concrete • Driveways and Sidewalks R.R. 2 GRAND BEND Dan 519-243-3261 Bruce 519-238-2522 CCNSIMAMCN `STAMPCRETE DECORATIVE CONCRETE" • Installation • Cement Finishing • Patios • Sidewalks • Driveways • Pools FREE ESTIMATES MOBILE 519-521-3271 SHAWN RAU JOE RAU BLUEWATER WINDOWS S. COORS Sales • Service • Installation _y rp Natm Srn. www.bluewaterwindows.ca e-mail: salesebluewaterwindows.ca 394 HURON RD. GODERICH, ON PHONE 519-524-1520 • FAX 519-524-9705 Hwy. 84, 265 Main St. N. ZURICH EXETER Tel: 519-236-4393 Tel: 519-235-2081 Your Project Partner... • Pa'nts • Cedar Lumber • Lumber • Patio Stones • Hardware • Decks • Fences • Kitchen Cabinets • Bath Fixtures