New Year, New Consumer

As we end another year, I can only say that it has been very eventful. Watching several banks collapse, some countries go bankrupt, car companies asking for money to continue operating, and pretty much leaving the taxpayer to pick up the tabs.

A new year is coming and as consumers, we hope that change (for the better) is in the works for us, but as we all know it's up to us to make the little changes that will take us and our dollar farther.


Happy New Year and Happy Shopping!!!!

Canadian Tire Money

I was at Canadian Tire the other day, and bought almost $100 in merchandise. I only received $0.05 back in Canadian Tire money. I thought the cashier had made a mistake and made a mental note to call Canadian Tire when I reached home. I spoke with customer service who informed me that when paying with a credit card at Canadian Tire, you get almost nothing back in their "money". Only paying by cash earns you big Canadian Tire "bucks". Good to know.

Happy Shopping!!

Me vs. The Bank - Part 1

Background - I took a business cheque into my branch to have cashed. I had received it from a part-time job. It was for the amount of $1330. The bank told me they could not cash the cheque and if I deposited it, I would receive my $500 cashback and the rest would be on hold. I have asked my bank on several occasions to increase my cashback limit or decrease the hold time on our account (currently 5 business days), they have refused. (Cashback is the amount the bank will "free" up to you when you deposit a cheque with the teller or at the ABM.)

I have been banking with this certain bank (they shall remain nameless - the red and white guys) for 2 1/2 years. I have both mine and my husband's paycheques directly deposited into the account. I also hold a mortgage with their subsidiary company. Most of our debit transactions and bill payment are done through this account. My bank has not attempted to even meet me halfway regarding this issue. I have been told fraudulent activity (which doesn't apply to me) and the "banking crisis" as excuses for not increasing my cashback amount.

How inconvenient is it, when you have bills to pay and you are waiting for cheques to clear. Therefore, I have had no choice but to write to their Ombudsman and the Canadian Bankers Association to get this issue resolved.

Wish me luck and I will keep you posted.

Happy Shopping!!

Smart Shopping

As we fast approach the holiday shopping season, millions of transactions will be processed using debit. It's important to remember that while buying all your goodies, when paying by debit, to protect your PIN (personal identification number).

As a frequent debit card user, I've always thought I looked kind of weird when shielding the screen as I am paying for a purchase, however, I cannot begin to tell you the amount of debit card fraud stories I have heard. Although in most of the cases the victims were re-compensated by their financial institutions, the process they had to go through before getting their money back was very time consuming. Shielding your PIN not only applies to debit purchases, but also to withdrawing funds at an ABM (automated banking machine.) It's also extremely important to check your financial statements on a regular basis and to notify your financial institution immediately if you find any discrepancies.

If you become a victim of debit card fraud, you are protected by the Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Debit Card Services. Under this Code, victims of debit card fraud will not suffer any financial losses.

For more information about debit card safety, please visit www.protectyourpin.ca
(courtesy of 2008 Smart Consumer Calendar)

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Happy Shopping!!

2009 Smart Consumer Calendar

Get valuable monthly tips on everything you need to know about being a smart consumer:

• What you need to know about home repairs and renovations
• Your rights when dealing with an energy supplier
• How to protect yourself when buying a used car
• Steering clear of auto insurance scams
• What to remember about buying or selling a home
• How to protect yourself from telemarketing fraud
• How to help fight health care fraud – and much more.

Smart consumers are good for business.

Available this year in English, French, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese and Punjabi.

Order your calendar today at http://www.serviceontario.ca/publications Call toll-free at 1-800-668-9938 (TTY toll free at 1-800-268-7095)

(Courtesy of Government of Ontario website - Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services)

Happy Shopping!

National Do Not Call List

NATIONAL DO NOT CALL LIST

(In effect Tuesday September 30, 2008)

The National Do Not Call List (DNCL) gives consumers a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls. The National DNCL Rules introduce new responsibilities for Canada’s telemarketers.

If you are a consumer you can choose to reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive by registering your residential, wireless, fax or VoIP telephone number on the National DNCL. You can also check your registration, find out how to from the National DNCL, and file a complaint about telemarketing calls.
(Courtesy of CRTC Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, 2008)

https://www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca/

I tried several times before I was able to register. I registered not only my home phone but my cell phone as well. If you can't get through the phone lines or the website is busy, keep trying.


Happy Shopping!!

Coupon Crazy

I love my coupons. Any opportunity to save a few cents, a couple of bucks or get an item or two free...I'm there. My thrill is finding them and then using them. To those clippable, printable money-savers, I say...bring it on!




There are several places to find coupons online.

To find coupons:

-check online:
Smartcanucks
Canadian Free Stuff
Pricenetwork.ca
Frugal Shopper
Save.ca
Red Flag Deals
P&G Brandsaver

- check your local newspapers for inserts like Smartsource and Shop 'n' Save

- magazines (ie. Glow magazine by Shoppers DrugMart, always has bonus Optimum Points coupons)

- check your mail

- in-store (I walk up and down the aisles of my favourite grocery store)
Fresh Obsessed (A&P / Dominion)

If all avenues have been exhausted and you can't find a coupon for your product, email the company and simply ask for them (don't forget to mention how much you love the product.)

Also register online with the manufacturers of some of your favourite brands to receive product updates - Pampers.ca, Nestle.ca, Procter & Gamble, Colgate Palmolive, Unilever,


Happy Shopping!!