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Consumer resources for all occasions; Easter deals this week
To be a truly informed consumer, you need to know how to get the facts from trustworthy, knowledgeable sources.
Recently, I attended the inaugural Ohio Consumer Protection Summit in Columbus, and came away with a multitude of information that may be of help to Miami Valley readers.
One of the keynote speakers at the conference, Bob Sullivan, was particularly resource-rich. Sullivan is the author of “Gotcha Capitalism: How Hidden Fees Rip You Off Every Day And What You Can Do About It,” and “Stop Getting Ripped Off: Why Consumers Get Screwed, and How You Can Always Get a Fair Deal.”
He spoke about ways consumers get fleeced for cash by hidden surcharges and deceptive pricing, as well as how unnecessarily confusing mortgage and dealership documents can be.
Sullivan said it is his intention to renew peoples’ confidence in themselves.
“I want to more than educate them; I want to deputize them,” he said.
In addition to his advice in his books and on his Web site (www.redtape.msnbc.com), Sullivan recommended that consumers stay informed by regularly checking in on Web sites that detail consumer complaints.
His suggestions included the following sites, which note scams, consumer complaints, recalls and other useful information: The Consumerist (www.Consumerist.com), The Ripoff Report (www.RipoffReport.com) and Consumer Affairs (www.ConsumerAffairs.com).
Also at the conference, multiple consumer groups provided reams of information to address a variety of consumer needs.
Here are some of those groups, what they do and their phone numbers and Web sites that may be of help to you:
Federal Trade Commission: Information about protecting the American consumer on a variety of topics, including health, security, credit and more. (877) 382-4357. www.ftc.gov.
Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel: Provides assistance and answers questions about utilities. (877) 742-5622. www.pickocc.org.
Internal Revenue Service: Tax information and services. (800) 829-3676. www.irs.gov.
Office of the Attorney General: Advice on how to protect yourself from consumer fraud. (800) 282-0515. www.SpeakOutOhio.gov.
Ohio Department of Aging: Looks out for the needs of older Ohio residents. (800) 266-4346. www.Aging.Ohio.gov.
Ohio Department of Commerce: Its mission is to oversee fair, efficient and consistent commercial regulation for Ohio citizens. (800) 788-1194. www.com.Ohio.gov.
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services: Its role is to help Ohio families find solutions and assistance during challenging economic times. (877) 852-0010. www.jfs.Ohio.gov.
Ohio Means Jobs: This is a state-based site is a resource in locating jobs and finding qualified employees. www.OhioMeansJobs.com.
Save the Dream Ohio: Information on what to do when facing mortgage delinquency or foreclosure. (888) 404-4674. www.SavetheDream.Ohio.gov.
Smart Money Choices from the Ohio Treasurer of State: A variety of consumer questions are addressed regarding spending, assistance, banking, fraud and identity theft. (800) 228-1102. www.OhioTreasurer.gov.
Social Security Administration: Valuable resources about all Social Security programs. (800) 772-1213. www.SocialSecurity.gov.
Better Business Bureau: Information about area businesses, including ratings and contact numbers. (800) 776-5301. www.Dayton.BBB.org.
Ohio State University Extension: Info on managing money, identifying con artists. (800) 589-8292. www.Extension.OSU.edu.
Cash for Appliances detailed next week
It was announced recently that the Ohio Cash for Appliances program, or the Ohio Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program as it is officially known, will begin March 26.
It allows Ohio residents to get $100 to $250 cash back for their purchases of Energy Star-qualified appliances.
Next Sunday in this column, I will define what consumers need to do to participate, and what sales at area stores will help you get the best deals overall.
In the meantime, if you are considering taking part in this program, you can help yourself by figuring out what appliances you might want to purchase. That will help you move most efficiently when the funds become available.
The program does not work retroactively, so if you purchase one of the qualified appliances before March 26, you will not be eligible for these rebates.
For more information on the program, visit the U.S. Department of Energy site at www.energy.gov/ohio.
Lucky for us, Easter sales in gear
Although Wednesday, March 17, is St. Patrick’s Day, retailers are largely leaving that little sales springboard alone and jumping all over Easter, which is April 4.
Candy is on sale at multiple area drugstores, with chocolate Easter bunnies for as low as 79 cents (at Rite Aid) and 99 cents (at Walgreens).
Soft little plush bunnies and duckies, which fit so nicely into Easter baskets, are $1.99 to $12.99 at Rite Aid, $4.99 to $7.99 with card at CVS/Pharmacy and three for $10 at Walgreens. If you want to veer off the bunny trail, CVS also has Zhu Zhu Pets for $7.99.
As for baskets, Discount Drug Mart has a good deal in which you can get a custom-made Easter basket for $12.95 to $17.95.
Premade baskets are $7.99 to $19.99 at CVS with card.
Rite Aid also has Easter socks for two for $5.
Toys R Us bridges Easter and our less-pastel offerings for the week by having 40 percent off all Easter Jelly Beans, Peeps and egg dye kits, and deals on video games and other toys.
DS games are buy one, get one for $10 off, and Step 2 sandboxes, climbers, sports toys and more are 25 percent off at Toys R Us this week.
JCPenney and Kohl’s both started three-day sales today, with up to 50 percent off spring fashions through Tuesday.
JCPenney has extra deals on bras and handbags, and Kohl’s has half off bath towels, pillows and blankets.
Elder-Beerman continues its Goodwill Sale through March 24, which combines in-store and online savings with the collection of donations to Goodwill and other local charities.
Customers bring in gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothes or home textiles to the donation desk in the store, and get a 20 percent off coupon for each item donated.
Target also is having a Dollar Power sale, offering Vitamin Water, Lunchables, Colgate toothpaste and more for a buck.
And fishing gear is on sale at Dick’s Sporting Goods, with up to 66 percent off spinning combos and up to 35 percent off rods and reels.
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