“for

‘HOW DO ‘you ‘take back a
‘purchase without a hassle?

FASHION STATEMENTS

The. few. weeks after Christmas
and Hanukkah is the busiest'time

“of. the year for: returns, and stores ;

May. be,,’ more” lenient: . because’
"_ many ‘of: those returning: gifts do:
not -have. receipts.’ Bear-in mind,--
however, ‘that credit rather than -
“cash‘is.often the’ rule, especially’
7 “smaller or
: retailers. ” Le

fully ‘you. left ‘all tags. on.
;. price ‘tag - for easier. identification *
* by ‘stores. If you are the: tecipient

returning ° a! “gift, without’ receipt or,

> tags,,. bring ‘ in «the* packaging» or’
‘gift: box which may help the ‘store.
identify... the » Merchandise as’ its

3 Remember : to keep’ your : “cool,
but be persistent if you are not
getting help’ from your ‘initial
phone call or store visit. 26.
Stores are: free “to ‘set their own
return: policies. . Well-known na-
ional.‘ chains, ; -whether they | ‘are’:
department:,- stores <2 or ‘specialty,
boutiques, « ioffer “liberal : ‘return :.
policies: with: reasonable “ grace.
periods’and : offer refunds in ‘the~
manner the payment was made,
ciclf you ‘ere. given a’ gift or you.
buy something from any store that
s. a, final | sale;”?., you : are: “not

turn; : But . that ° does not mean,
“you should not try...
TES the» merchandise ”

parton the second wearing, you.

may. “still: eet satisfaction: by. retu

Ifyou’ are: aitempting ¢ ‘to return ;-
‘an item:on the’ 11th:day:of a;10-.
* day, return -policy, you may’ also:
“> be issued. a\credit. note, especially
‘ifit was a gift.-Return’the: em to
the’: department - where * you" pu
‘chased ‘it: (or. where ‘the giver did)’
and,if the sales: clerk. is ‘unsym-'
pathetic,’ sk to. speak, with” the

wo ‘

obligation to-accept your mer-
’ chandise, even with proof of pur-
‘chase, if the return time has laps-
ed, or you havz.worn it, some will
issue a credit or exchange in the
interest of good customer rela-
tions.
In Canada and the U.S. there is
an implied’ Warranty. law which
requires that a product function as
intended’. Therefore,
bought the clothing item labelled
‘as is,’ -your request to return
faulty merchandise is reasonable if
. it; indeed, , has a. construction
flaw... i
“ If-the store manager does not
‘accept. the return, you have a few
options to obtaining satisfaction.
First,’ call. the. head -office’s cus-
tomer: service-department. and ex-
plain your problem.
_ «Contact the manufacturer of the
purchase directly. You should be
able to get the name: and phone

number. or address from‘ the ‘store -

buyer or manager. where you puy

‘independent® ;

“Holicy at the

counter before
the purchase is
‘made.99.

: chased ‘it:. Address your complaint
to the president.
« Most }'manufacturers ~ assume
“some kind . of . responsibility . if -
there is a production flaw such as
“an improperly - sewn: seam, dye
which is rubbing: off, _or a collar
that does‘not lie flat..
“Since the manufacturer wants to
be reimbursed from the contractor

that. made the defective ‘merchan-.

dise or, materials, it, will want the
yfament as'soon as possible from
the time you bought ite.
- A’ smart shopper. asks a store’s °
return ‘policy at. the counter before *.
‘the purchase: is.“made. “This: in-
-cludes ‘finding out the manner. of |
‘reimbursement, The information
is usually posted close to the cash ”
register. or. printed on the receipt.
If. you don’t like a:store’s return -
» policy, either don’t’ shop there or
take’ into. consideration . that
everything: you buy, even if it is a.,
sift, will bea, final sale. ‘

“System ‘Green ‘Pern’: 100%: Natural,
biodegradable; ammonia free, not tested .,

‘on ‘animals.

"BEVERLY HILLS:
210 "CUTS":

unless . you,

. It is SIDE WALK SALE time in the:
_mall: Jan.,°14 “to Jan. 24 ‘and.

MARIELLE i is clearing some “CAN'T

DO WITHOUT” items. Come in and