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TERRACE BAY/SCHREIBER NEWS Wednesday, June 21, 1989 THAT'S HOW MANY CANADIANS ARE SQUASH PLAYERS - Research can prevent vacation from becoming a headache Whether traipsing the globe or nestling into the same favorite holiday retreat every year, vaca- tioners have to watch out for expensive pitfalls. é Timeshare holidays, long-lease campsites, cottage rentals and even traditional tours can each pose particular problems for unwary consumers, says Ontario Travel Registrar Hal Burns. "Ontario vacationers are shel- tered by extensive travel regula- tions and various companion con- sumer laws, but there are risks in every marketplace," says Burns of the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations (MCCR). "People have got to take the time to protect themselves." To help consumers plan vaca- tions, MCCR has compiled a list of advice and resources related to common travel concerns. Unsolicited "bargain holiday" offers - Telephone offers of cheap or free vacations, continue to ~ Capture your family, your child - even your pet in living color or black and white Team pictures, action shots, portraits, weddings, passports Call Dave Chmara 825-9751 or 825-9713 nes ay Infants Diaper Set Cotton/Polyester y flood into Ontario from opera- tions based largely in the United States. Most are outright scams in which unwary consumers are tricked or misled into giving their credit card numbers to the callers, says Burns. "Service charges" or "membership fees" sometimes involving hundreds of dollars are then put through on the cards. "The solution is simple," Burns says. "Never give out your credit card number over the telc- phone unless you initiate the call and are sure the company involved is reputable." 'Timeshare resorts -- A legiti- mate and increasingly popular practice, timesharing involves buying the right to occupy a par- ticular vacation property annually during a specified pcriod for a certain number of years. "You might, for example, buy the use of a two-bedroom California condo for the first three weeks of June from now until 2005," says Marilyn Gurevsky of MCCR. "For some people that kind of arrangement is perfect, but these deals can be so - complicated, I wouldn't sign without getting legal advice." Many timeshares are marketed at high-pressure sales meetings. Potential customers are often recruited with direct mail offers of "fabulous prizes" or free trips to tour the resort. Never sign up at the sales meeting, Gurevsky warns. Look around at other time- shares and weigh all the implica- tions. Do you really want to commit to spending every vacation in one place? Don't count on assurances that timeshare trades can be arranged al other resorts, says Gurevsky. How much are maintenance fees? Is the company financially sound? If it goes bankrupt, cus- tomers can lose everything. Cottage rentals -- Consumers renting private cottages in Ontario have complaincd to MCCR about unacceptable condi- tions, lost deposits, and mislead- ing advertising. Advisors with the ministry suggest getting references and checking them out. Ask for a rental agreement providing details about the accommodations and keep deposits to a minimum. Contact the Ministry of Tourism and Recrcation's nearest office for further advice. A cottage rental directory is available. Buying cottages-- Never buy land sight unseen, Gurevsky cau- tions. Inaccessible lots and swamps continue to be sold in Ontario every ycar. Insist on an up-to-date survey. Check right-of-ways, easements and access to waterways. Municipal staff can often quickly assess potential problems. Always get a legal opinion of the offer to purchase before sign- ing. Try to find a lawyer who works in the area where the land is located. Long-lease campsites -- With leases ranging up to 20 years, BABY WEEK Sale Ends June 24th Toddlers Pants 100% Cotton these campsites can give vaca- tioners long-term stability or long-term headaches. Don't sign up in arush, Gurevsky warns. If the landlord goes bankrupt, Icase holders can be forced to move out. Annual maintenance fee increases can also cause prob- lems, along with restriction on landscaping and access to facili- tics. An MCCR brochure on campsites provides further infor- mation. Traditional travel holidays -- Ontario's travel industry is exten- sively regulated to protect con- sumers. Safeguards include a compensation fund, strict adver- tising rules, and disclosure requirements.TheMCCR brochure on travel was recently updated to cover many new regu- lations. "The brochure should be mandatory reading for anyone buying travel services," says Burns. Consumers who feel they have been misled or unfairly treated should contact the nearest Consumers Services Bureau of MCCR. For copies of any MCCR brochures, contact the Consumer Information Centre at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M7A 2H6 -- (416) 963-1111 or toll free at 1-800-268-1142. Ontario resi- dents with an 807 area code may call the 416 number collect. The TTY/EDD : line for»: the hearing/speech impaired is (416)963-0808. Blue, Yellow, Pink 4.77 Infants Short Sleeve T-Shirts Cotton/Polyester White with assorted prints 4.97 Infants Overalls 100% Cotton Royal, Blue, Aqua 9.97 Infants 2 pce Fleece Sets Assorted colours with prints 9.97 All Infants & Toddlers Dresses In stock 30% OFF Receiving Blankets Loom Weave 100% Acrylic 3.47 Jolly Jumper 24.97 All Strollers In stock 25% OFF Safe-T-Ryder 3 in 1 Car Seat Super Swing Reclining Baby Swing 49.97 Sudsons Bay Company ll ee SS 69.97. 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