Preventing Consumer Problems: Difference between revisions
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{{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [[People's Law School]]|date= March 2017}}{{Consumer Law Essentials TOC}} | {{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [[People's Law School]]|date= March 2017}}{{Consumer Law Essentials TOC}} | ||
When you buy something or hire someone, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of legal problems down the road. | |||
== Do your research == | == Do your research == | ||
If you’re buying a product, gather information on the product from credible sources. For example, if you’re buying a car, try the | If you’re buying a product, gather information on the product from credible sources. For example, if you’re buying a car, try the [http://www.canadianblackbook.com Canadian Black Book] or [http://AutoTrader.ca AutoTrader.ca] to learn the average price of the vehicle models you are considering. | ||
Read reviews from trustworthy sources. | Read reviews from trustworthy sources. [http://www.consumerreports.org Consumer Reports] is an independent, non-profit source of product reviews. | ||
If you’re hiring a service provider such as a contractor or tradesperson, ask for the names and phone numbers of people they have worked for in the past. Phone these references and ask them: what was the quality of the work, was it done on time, and was it within budget? | If you’re hiring a service provider such as a contractor or tradesperson, ask for the names and phone numbers of people they have worked for in the past. Phone these references and ask them: what was the quality of the work, was it done on time, and was it within budget? | ||
Contact the Better Business Bureau to find out what they know of the service provider or company you’re thinking of doing business with (see the | Contact the Better Business Bureau to find out what they know of the service provider or company you’re thinking of doing business with (see the "[[Where to Get Help for Consumer Law Essentials|Where to Get Help]]" section for contact details). | ||
See what other people are saying about the service provider or company by searching online for their name and the word | See what other people are saying about the service provider or company by searching online for their name and the word "reviews" or "complaints". | ||
== Negotiate with confidence== | == Negotiate with confidence== | ||
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== Have a contract== | == Have a contract== | ||
Even when the law doesn’t say that you have to have a written contract, you should have one if you are exchanging something that is worth a substantial amount of money. For example, a written contract is a good idea if you are: | [[File:Consumer_Law_-_Contents4.png|thumb|275px|right| link=| <span style="font-size:50%;">Image via www.istockphoto.com</span>]] Even when the law doesn’t say that you have to have a written contract, you should have one if you are exchanging something that is worth a substantial amount of money. For example, a [[Making a Contract|written contract]] is a good idea if you are: | ||
* buying or selling a car | * buying or selling a car | ||
* hiring someone to do home improvements | * hiring someone to do home improvements | ||
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{{PLSTipsbox | {{PLSTipsbox | ||
| text = A contract doesn’t have to be pages long and full of legal terminology. In fact, it’s better if the contract is concise and in language all parties understand. See www.peopleslawschool.ca under | | text = A contract doesn’t have to be pages long and full of legal terminology. In fact, it’s better if the contract is concise and in language all parties understand. See [http://www.peopleslawschool.ca www.peopleslawschool.ca] under "Consumer" for contract templates and tips on how to write a legal contract. | ||
}} | }} | ||
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* Go over every section of the document, including any text on the reverse side of printed pages. | * Go over every section of the document, including any text on the reverse side of printed pages. | ||
* Ask the other party to explain what things in the agreement mean if you don’t understand them. | * Ask the other party to explain what things in the agreement mean if you don’t understand them. | ||
* Fill in all areas of the document or put a line through them if there are blank spaces. | * Fill in all areas of the document or put a line through them if there are blank spaces. | ||
== Don't rush the decision== | == Don't rush the decision== | ||
