“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