Working Draft for:
Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday November 28th 2019 8:35 am
With GX94's Craig Wallebeck > see him @ http://www.gx94radio.com/craig-Wallebeck
This week we focus on: Tips For Newcomers
Saskatchewan Consumer Tips For Newcomers To Canada
Released on November 26, 2019
"The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA) wants to
inform newcomers to Canada about Saskatchewan’s marketplace and their rights as
consumers.
“Moving to a new country can be overwhelming,” Consumer Protection Division Deputy Director Denny Huyghebaert said. “We want to provide newcomers with information so they can make informed financial decisions.”
“Moving to a new country can be overwhelming,” Consumer Protection Division Deputy Director Denny Huyghebaert said. “We want to provide newcomers with information so they can make informed financial decisions.”
Tips for newcomers:
Be cautious of door-to-door sales
In Saskatchewan most people who come to your door trying to sell something need to have a direct sellers license. You should ask to see their license or visit www.fcaa.gov.sk.ca/fcaa411 to check their license status.
If the person says they do not need a license, you can call us at 1-877-880-5550 to see if they should be licensed or visit www.fcaa.gov.sk.ca. Sometimes a sales pitch sounds too good to be true. Take time to think things through and do not be pressured to act quickly.
If you decide to buy something (valued at more than $100) from a direct seller, make sure to get a contract in writing. You can cancel the contract without reason within the first 10 days of signing it.
Gift card rules
Gift cards, also called “pre-paid purchase cards” can be used to buy items or services from a specific store or related business. A gift card does not expire unless you receive it after making a donation to a charity or nothing of value was provided to obtain the card. Use your gift cards quickly. If a retailer goes out of business, it is unlikely you can use the card or get back the money on the card.
Returning or exchanging items
Saskatchewan retailers are NOT required by law to have a return or exchange policy, but many offer the service. Retailers can set the terms and limitations of a return policy, but if a policy is brought to the consumer’s attention at or before the time of purchase, retailers have to honour it.
What to know when buying a vehicle
If purchasing a vehicle, make sure to check to see if it’s registered in Saskatchewan by using the SGI VIN search. Make sure there is no existing debt on the vehicle. You can check to see if there is debt through the Saskatchewan Personal Property Registry. You should also check Carfax Canada to see the vehicle’s history. If you are buying from a dealership, they need to be licensed with FCAA. Check to see if they are licensed with FCAA. If you are buying from a private seller, they do not need to be licensed.
Understand your credit report
Equifax and TransUnion are the two main registered credit reporting agencies in Saskatchewan that collect financial information and create credit reports for consumers. A credit report is generally a report that summarizes an individual’s credit history. Information collected for the report may include loan repayment history, the number of credit cards held, outstanding debt, court judgments and places of employment. These reports are often used by lenders, insurers, employers, businesses, landlords, and voluntary non-profit organizations to assess if an applicant is suitable for a loan or other services. They may also be used to set premiums or fees.
Insurance companies also access your credit report information and collect information about your places of residence, property (in some cases, depending on the type of insurance you are buying), health history (in some cases) and other personal information such as marital status, number of dependents, age, education, and places of employment. The companies then use this information to assess rates and premiums."
For more information about consumer rights and financial literacy, visit https://fcaa.gov.sk.ca/financial-literacy/adults/financial-literacy-for-newcomers.
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For more information, contact:
Shannon McMillan, Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority, Regina
Phone: 306-798-4160 Email: shannon.mcmillan@gov.sk.ca
Be cautious of door-to-door sales
In Saskatchewan most people who come to your door trying to sell something need to have a direct sellers license. You should ask to see their license or visit www.fcaa.gov.sk.ca/fcaa411 to check their license status.
If the person says they do not need a license, you can call us at 1-877-880-5550 to see if they should be licensed or visit www.fcaa.gov.sk.ca. Sometimes a sales pitch sounds too good to be true. Take time to think things through and do not be pressured to act quickly.
If you decide to buy something (valued at more than $100) from a direct seller, make sure to get a contract in writing. You can cancel the contract without reason within the first 10 days of signing it.
Gift card rules
Gift cards, also called “pre-paid purchase cards” can be used to buy items or services from a specific store or related business. A gift card does not expire unless you receive it after making a donation to a charity or nothing of value was provided to obtain the card. Use your gift cards quickly. If a retailer goes out of business, it is unlikely you can use the card or get back the money on the card.
Returning or exchanging items
Saskatchewan retailers are NOT required by law to have a return or exchange policy, but many offer the service. Retailers can set the terms and limitations of a return policy, but if a policy is brought to the consumer’s attention at or before the time of purchase, retailers have to honour it.
What to know when buying a vehicle
If purchasing a vehicle, make sure to check to see if it’s registered in Saskatchewan by using the SGI VIN search. Make sure there is no existing debt on the vehicle. You can check to see if there is debt through the Saskatchewan Personal Property Registry. You should also check Carfax Canada to see the vehicle’s history. If you are buying from a dealership, they need to be licensed with FCAA. Check to see if they are licensed with FCAA. If you are buying from a private seller, they do not need to be licensed.
Understand your credit report
Equifax and TransUnion are the two main registered credit reporting agencies in Saskatchewan that collect financial information and create credit reports for consumers. A credit report is generally a report that summarizes an individual’s credit history. Information collected for the report may include loan repayment history, the number of credit cards held, outstanding debt, court judgments and places of employment. These reports are often used by lenders, insurers, employers, businesses, landlords, and voluntary non-profit organizations to assess if an applicant is suitable for a loan or other services. They may also be used to set premiums or fees.
Insurance companies also access your credit report information and collect information about your places of residence, property (in some cases, depending on the type of insurance you are buying), health history (in some cases) and other personal information such as marital status, number of dependents, age, education, and places of employment. The companies then use this information to assess rates and premiums."
For more information about consumer rights and financial literacy, visit https://fcaa.gov.sk.ca/financial-literacy/adults/financial-literacy-for-newcomers.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Shannon McMillan, Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority, Regina
Phone: 306-798-4160 Email: shannon.mcmillan@gov.sk.ca
Financial Literacy for Newcomers
Newcomers to the province have to make many complex
decisions facing cultural, linguistic and other accessibility barriers as they
try to access financial information, products and services.
Here are some tips to help newcomers navigate Saskatchewan’s
marketplace.
Visit the credit
report webapge to learn about viewing your credit report, fixing
inaccurate information and counselling and repayment services.
Buying privately
If you buy a vehicle from a private seller, you have limited protections under the law.
If you buy a vehicle from a private seller, you have limited protections under the law.
Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself in a
private deal:
- Make sure there are no existing debt on the car. Contact Information Services Corporation toll free at 1-866-275-4721 or by email at ask@isc.ca for a lien (debt) search through the Saskatchewan Personal Property Registry (SPPR). There is a nominal fee for the service. If there is a lien against the car, it may be seized to pay off the previous owner's debt.
- Check to see if the vehicle is registered in Saskatchewan. A SGI VIN search is free and looks up the status of the vehicle, the registration expiry date, damage history and whether Saskatchewan PST is payable.
- Take the car for a test drive to see how it performs.
- Take the vehicle to a trusted mechanic to have it checked for mechanical and safety problems.
Licensed vehicle dealers
If you’re buying a vehicle from a dealer licensed with FCAA, they have to follow specific rules.
Visit the purchasing and repairing a vehcile webpage for more
information about buying a vehicle in Saskatchewan.
Many retailers have a return/exchange policy. Saskatchewan
retailers are NOT required by law to have one, but many offer the service.
Retailers can set the terms and limitations of a return policy, but if a policy
is brought to the consumer’s attention at or before the time of purchase,
retailers are obliged to honour it.
If a return/exchange notice is not posted anywhere, ask the retailer
if there is a policy. Retailers can write the policy on your receipt and sign
and date it at the time of purchase if it is not publicly posted. Do not forget
to keep the receipt as proof of purchase.
If you are having problems with returning a purchase and you cannot resolve it with the retailer, contact the FCAA at consumerprotection@gov.sk.ca for more information or to file a formal complaint.
If you are having problems with returning a purchase and you cannot resolve it with the retailer, contact the FCAA at consumerprotection@gov.sk.ca for more information or to file a formal complaint.
Vist the returns and exchanges webpage for more information.
Gift cards, also called “pre-paid purchase cards” can be
used to buy items or services from a specific store or related business.
No expiry
Gift cards bought and sold in Saskatchewan cannot legally expire. If a business sells gift cards, they cannot put expiry dates on them and the balance cannot expire. The only exception to this rule is for charitable purposes or nothing of value was provided to obtain the card). An expiry date is allowed for pre-paid purchase cards that are issued for charitable purposes, or nothing of value was provided to obtain the card.
Gift cards bought and sold in Saskatchewan cannot legally expire. If a business sells gift cards, they cannot put expiry dates on them and the balance cannot expire. The only exception to this rule is for charitable purposes or nothing of value was provided to obtain the card). An expiry date is allowed for pre-paid purchase cards that are issued for charitable purposes, or nothing of value was provided to obtain the card.
Retailer goes out of business
Use your gift cards promptly. If a retailer goes out of business, it is unlikely you can reclaim the value on your card.
Use your gift cards promptly. If a retailer goes out of business, it is unlikely you can reclaim the value on your card.
Visit the gift card webpage for more information.
In Saskatchewan most people who come to your door trying to
sell something need to have a direct sellers license. You should ask to see
their license or visit FCAA411 to check their license status.
If the person says they do not need a license, you can call
FCAA at 1-877-880-5550 to see if they should be licensed or visit the door-to-door sellers requirements webpage.
Sometimes a sales pitch sounds too good to be true. Take
time to think things through and do not be pressured to act quickly.
If you decide to purchase something, make sure you:
- Get a contract in writing.
- Understand the cancellation rights. You can cancel a contract without a reason within the first 10 days of signing it.
- Keep a copy of the contract.
- If there is a down-payment required, be comfortable with the amount.
Viist our door-to-door seller webpage to learn about complaints,
cancellation rights and downpayments.
Events:
Bingo 606 Harvard Preeceville Air Cadets Squadron Sponsoring Committee BINGO. Every Thursday at Club 60. Doors open at 7pm, first game starts at 8pm.
- Preeceville & District Lions Club Chase the Ace - Minimum Jack-Pot is now at a $3,423
Draws every Thursday night at the Curling Rink.
Watch for their Ad's. Follow the ACE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PreecevilleChaseTheAce/
The Preeceville Walking Club has started again at the Preeceville Community Legion Hall. They walk Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week from 9:00am till 10:00 am. The Program runs till the end of April each year. Cost is $20.00 and everyone is welcome. Contact Jackie at 306-547-2842 for further information.    |
- And as always if you wish to have an event promoted visit and post it to our Community Events Calendar at www.townofPreeceville.ca
Follow the Mayor on blogspot at http://mayorharris.blogspot.ca/
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