Loading...
The Citizen, 2005-10-13, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2005. PAGE 19. Huron East man loses money on e-Bay auction A Huron East man contacted OPP, Sept. 26 regarding an e-Bay auction purchase that didn't arrive. According to police, earlier in the month, the victim had won the hid on a 1999 Grove Scissor lift, which is an elevation device used lor construction. Communication was done through e-mails with the owner of the item, who supposedly lived in New York State. The victim sent $3,800 U.S. in total to cover the purchase and delivery charges. On-line auctions are becoming very popular with more than 35 million people participating daily. However. OPP say that four in 10 buyers and half of the sellers said they've encountered problems with auction transactions. “To make the most of this exciting new marketplace. auction participants need to know how to protect themselves against fraud and other problems." said Sr. Const. Don Shropshall. Most auction bidders are looking for bargains, hard-to-find items or things they collect. The average purchase is $100 or less, but some people spend much more. Many buyers pay be sending a cheque, cashier's cheque or money order directly to the seller. "That's fine if everything goes smoothly, but it there's a problem by the time you discover it your money is gone." said Shropshall Some auction sites have “feedback lorums" where buyers can post messages about their experiences with sellers, but only hall ol the bidders surveyed said they always check that information Few bother to contact other sources or information about complaints against sellers such as consumer agencies or Better Business Bureaus. The most common problem for buyers is late delivery. Other problems they experience include receiving items that are different than promised, items arriving in damaged condition, or never getting the items at all. Sellers also report problems such as late payments, non-payments, buyers changing their minds, cheques bouncing, or buyers using stolen credit cards. Whenever you pay in advance for something or ship an item before you've been paid there is some risk. One way to reduce the risk is to use credit cards for payment, as an increasing numberof on-line auction buyers are doing. That enables sellers to get their money faster and avoid bad cheques (stolen credit cards accounted for only one per cent of sellers' problems). Buyers can dispute the charges if the merchandise was misrepresented or never delivered. liven small lime sellers can arrange io receive credit card payment through programs offered on some auction sites Another option is to use an escrow service, which holds the buyer s payment and forwards it to the sellei when the buyer has received and approved the item by the agreed- upon time. Either buyer or seller can pay the small fee •involved. Unfortunately, the survey showed that many people aren't familiar with the escrow services. Shopping on-line safely means following these six steps. First use a credit card. This is the safest way to pay because you have the legal right to dispute charges for goods or services that were never ordered, never received, or misrepresented. Second, ask for “substitute” or single-use credit card numbers. Some credit cards now provide substitute or single use numbers, linked to your account that you can use for one purchase only, (sometimes they can also be used for regular payments to the same company.) Since you never put your real account number on-line your financial information is safe from abuse by hackers or dishonest i ompany employees. Third look lor clues about security When you provide information, the http at the beginning ol (he address bar should change to https or shltp. Your browsei may use a symbol to show whether the information is encrypted or scrambled as it is being sent. See what websites say about how they safeguard your information in transmission and storage. Don't provide sensitive information by e mail. Fourth, know the real deal. More than half of the consumers surveyed thought they have three days to cancel an on-line purchase. There is no automatic cancellation, so get all the details before you buy. a complete description of the items, the total price, including shipping, the delivery time, warranty information, the return policy and what to do if you have problems. Fifth keep proof handy. Print and file the information in case you need proof later. Sixth, get the scoop on the seller. More than a quarter of (he survey’s respondents believed that companies must be screened before they can put up websites. Not so. It's important to check the complaint records at your local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau. Get the physical address and phone number m case you must contact the seller off-line. Look for sellers that belong to programs that encourage good business practices and help resolve complaints. Network Classifieds:“Advertise Across Ontario or Across the Country!” For more information contact Your local newspaper MOTOR VEHICLE dealers in Ontario MUST be registered with OMVIC. To ver­ ify dealer registration or seek help with a complaint, visit www.omvic.on.ca or 1-800-943-6002. If you're buying a vehi­ cle privately, don't become a curbsider's victim. Curbsiders are imposters who pose as private individuals, but are actu­ ally in the business of selling stolen or damaged vehicles. OWN YOUR OWN STORE - Country Depot, TrueValue Hardware, V&S Department Store Dealerships available. New & existing locations. No Franchise Fees - receive Yearly Dividends. Call TruServ Canada TODAY 1-800-665-5085 www.truserv.ca FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY - Liberty Tax Service seeking entrepreneurs to be part of the fastest growing international tax service EVER! Call Toll-Free 1-877-902-7089, www.libertytaxcanada com YOUR DOLLAR STORE WITH MORE, Canada's largest & fastest growing Dollar Store franchise with over 180 stores is currently offering franchise opportunities Franchise information: Toll-Free 1-866-673-4968, www.dollarstore.ca/franchise THE PERFECT HOME BUSINESS! Simply returning calls NO Selling or Explaining! Car Bonus! ATTENTION: Stay at Home Parents. Business Minds Wanted wwwPowerToEarn.com, 1-877-329-9490 TRAVEL AGENT OPPORTUNITY Work from home Earn extra income. Experience preferred, will train For fur­ ther information, contact Lynda at Massey Travelplus 1-800-387-8747 or lynda w e s 11 a k e @ t r a v e I p I u s ca www.gbc.travelplus.ca UNIQUE & LUCRATIVE business oppor­ tunity Start your own plaster moulding & accessories business Huge earnings, low overheads, no fees You're the boss Canadian Call 1-888-373-2278 HOME BASED BUSINESS Well estab­ lished, franchise network, serving the legal profession, seeks aggressive, self motivated individuals to take on our fran­ chise No up-front costs Royalties only applied to accounts when paid Exclusive territories Continuous opera­ tional and advertising support Complete training Contact Lormit Management Systems Inc , 1-800-459-7468; www lormit.com WORK FROM HOME ON YOUR COM­ PUTER Full or Part Time No Experience Required Start today. Visit our website now www MyHomePCJob com Code A1 SELL YOUR BUSINESS AT THE HIGH­ EST PRICE! We specialize in selling small & medium businesses using our 3- Steps-To-Selling method www.sellingyourbusiness.ca, denvy@sellingyourbusiness.ca 905-502-3476 YOUR LIFE STARTS HERE! Jump start your career with CDI College & graduate in months - not years! Business, Technology, Health Care & much more We have locations throughout Canada & classes are starting all the time! Call today toll-free 1-800-993-4713 EDUCATIONAL OPPS. BE AN INTERIOR DECORATOR with our great home-study course Call today for your FREE brochure 1-800-267-1829. www.sheffieldschool.ca Sheffield School of Interior Design, Ottawa, ON MOUNTAIN PARK Lodges. Located in Jasper, Alberta seeking: Line cook, dish­ washer, front desk agent, maintenance, room cleaner, server Please apply www.mpljasper.com or hire@mpljasper.com. fax 780-852-5813 CHOCOLATE SALE !! Deluxe Chocolate. Here's a great opportunity to make extra income to buy extras for yourself. Managers Wanted For infor­ mation call toll-free 1-800-383-3589 PHONE DISCONNECTED? Summer Special 1st month only $13. + hook up Get reconnected with Easy Reconnect We've been saving customers money for years. Call 1-877-446-5877 2ND YEAR, 3RD YEAR, Journeyman Welders required for oilfield fabrication shop, Nisku, Alberta Journeyman shop rate $25 /hour Fax 780-955-0282 Phone 780-955-0280 Ask for Jeremy. NEED A PHONE? Only $49.95/month and low connection fee! Superior serv­ ice, no gimmicks. Lowest monthly rates guaranteed! Phone Factory Reconnect - Where talk is cheap 1-877-336-2274; www. phonefactory ca EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC water treat­ ment salesperson/contractor to sell needed innovative patented products to local rural well water market. Excellent earmngsl Abundance of leads Phone 1-800-BIG-IRON; www bigirondrilling com FINANCIAL SERVICES DEBT STRESS? End the worry. Avoid bankruptcy. Reduce payments by 30- 40% & consolidate into one. End those phone calls & achieve peace of mind! Contact us online www.mydebtsolution com or toll-free 1-877-556-3500 FRANCHISE OPPS. DISCOVERY COMPUTERS, one of Canada's fastest growing companies, seeking qualified fanchisees in your area, turn key, full training, proven model, low investment. 519-273-5777 www discoverycomputers.com FOR SALE SAWMILLS from $3,495.00- LumberMate-2000 & LumberLite-24 Norwood Industries also manufactures utility ATV Attachments, Log Skidders. Board Edgers and forestry equipment www.norwoodmdustries.com - FREE Information: ' 1-800-566-6899 Ext 400 OT EVERYONE’S APPROVED*' Get a loaded MDG Computer with an Intel P4 3Ghz starting from 99 cents/day Includes everything you need: 512MB RAM, FREE Printer/Scanner/Copier, 17" Thin LCD Monitor, Windows XP (‘Call for details/conditions) Toll-Free 1-800-236-2504 NEED A HOME PHONE? LOWEST PRICES! Low Activation Fees, Low Monthly Fees, Transfer for free. No Deposits, Call Us Today! One Stop - Phone Shop 1-866-9-925-925 HOT TUB COVERS Best Price, Best Quality, All Colours, All Sizes, Delivered Within 2 Weeks, Factory Direct References Available www.homeandleisure ca Call Paul 1-866 972-6837 or 905-259-4514 RESTLESS LEGS or leg cramps gone overnight! Sleep peacefully the first night! Guaranteed Information, ordering, call All Calm 1-800-765-8660 or visit www allcalm com OLYMEL, Red Deer, Alberta's largest employer is now hiring FOOD PRO­ CESSING WORKERS. Starting Salary $10.55/hr Plus Premiums And Earn As Much As $17.45/hr; Extended Health & Dental After 3 Months; Free Bus Service Within The City; NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Please send your resume to: OLYMEL Human Resources 7550 - 40th Avenue, Red Deer. Alberta T4N 6R7 Fax: (403) 309-7547 apply@olymel com. www olymel.com HELP WANTED NOW HIRING. Earn an extra $100 - $200 a week! Join Canada's premier home party company for our busiest sea­ son Visit www.homeandgiftcollection.com or call 1-866-378-4331 (toll free) to request information A CAREER TEACHING ENGLISH INTERNATIONALLY begins with profes­ sional training. A 5-day certificate course will be held at Windsor University October 19-23 (Open House October 11), Wilfrid Laurier University November 9-13 (Open House October 19), McMaster University November 9-13 (Open House October 13) & at Western University November 16-20 (Open House October 18) To register for an Open House CALL 1-888-246-6512. www INTLcollegeoflmguistics.com MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Become a Jolica Gift Consultant today and sell jew­ ellery & accessories hanomade by arti­ sans around the world to generate your own income. Visit www jolica.com; email: info@jolica.com *** CRUISE SHIP JOBS *** Up to $500 - $2000+ US/week. Free benefits: meals, room, flight, uniform, world travel. 613- 741-5801 / 613-764-6209. www.cooljobsinparadise.com A-Z DRIVERS WANTED OUTSTANDING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES for Experienced AZ drivers at Stevens Transport, Van Division. Competitive pay & benefits Dedicated equipment & runs. Cdn & US exposure/border crossing experience, clean abstract required CALL 1-800-263-7461 & Join the Stevens team! TRUCKING'S 'BEST KEPT SECRET’ Our top drivers earned over $85,000 Our drivers earn on average $62,000 per year The best new pay package in the business! Late model equipment, weekly home time, family values, flexibility Call now to find out more. 1 -800-668-9691 ext 214 McArthur Express Inc Located in Cambridge LARGE FUND---Borrowers Wanted Start saving hundreds of dollars today! We can easily approve you by phone 1st, 2nd or 3rd mortgage money is avail­ able right now Rates start at Prime Equity counts. We don't rely on credit, age or income CALL ANYTIME 1-800-814-2578 or 905-361-1153. Apply online at www capitaldirect ca MORTGAGES MORTGAGES - FREE INFORMATION - INSTANT PRE-APPROVALS BY PHONE FOR ALL PROPERTY TYPES Bank turndowns OK. Bankruptcies OK, No/Low Income OK. 1st, 2nd, 3rd Mortgages, Construction/Renovations, Debt Consolidations, Purchases, Refinancing. Easy Low Monthly Payments. Good/Baa Credit If you have sufficient "Equity" ... YOU'RE APPROVED!! Servicing Ontario for over 20 years. CALL Toll-Free. 1-866-996-8226 - Seven Days a Week "Anytime." New Haven Mortgage Corporation. PAY TELEPHONE SERVICES CANADA'S TOP PSYCHICS...Are You Ready to Believe in Psychics Again? Call Now, You Won't Be Disappointed! 1-900-451-7070. $2 95/mm 18J PERSONALS Are drugs and alcohol affecting your life? Information about treatment services is available Call the DRUG AND ALCO­ HOL TREATMENT INFORMATION LINE (DART) toll-free 1-800-565-8603. www.dart.on.ca Gambling too much? If you or someone you know has a problem with gambling, call the ONTARIO PROBLEM GAM­ BLING HELPLINE (OPGH) toll-free 1-888-230-3505. www opgh.on.ca CRIMINAL RECORD? Seal it with a PARDON! Need to enter the U.S.? Get a 5 year WAIVER! Call for a free brochure. Toll-free 1-888-9-PARDON or 905-459-9669. STEEL BUILDINGS STEEL BUILDINGS Canadian Manufacturer Direct Since 1980. Order now for fall or spring delivery and beat next price increase. Manv sizes and shapes. Pioneer 1-800-668:5422. STEEL BUILDINGS selling for balance owed with Canada stamped drawings CALL NOW only 3 left (866) 77-UNION (86466) for size and price, ask for Andy STEEL BUILDINGS: FACTORY DIRECT - BLOWOUT SALE! While Supplies Last. 25x24 $3,790, 30x50, $7/75; 40x60, $9,36i 50x109, $15,612 (jail Now! Toll Free 1 <877)728-4807* ALL INCLUSIVE HOLIDAYS Cheapest Airfares and Package Prices in Canada Discounted Cruises, Hotels Cars. Book online now and Save www.canadatravels.com or Call TOLL- FREE 1-800-563-5722 TIMESHARE RESALES - Sell-Buy-Rent- Exchange World's largest timeshare resale broker. Stroman Realty - since 1979 World-wide selection of resort properties. Call today toll-free 1-800-201-0864 TIMESHARE RESALES - 60-80% off Retail! Best Resorts and Seasons! Call for FREE catalogue! 1-800-496-5964 Browse online for over 400 worldwide properties - www hclidaygroup.com/ocn • It’s Affordable • It’s Fast • It’s Easy • It’s Effective • One Bill Does It All • Northern Ontario $79 • Eastern Ontario $140 • Western Ontario $130 • Central Ontario $136 • All Ontario $395 • National Packages Available!