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Show Take precautions if you Christmas shop by mail including the name and address of the company, the date you placed the order, and the number of the money order or bank check. When your order arrives, thoroughly examine ex-amine it to make sure it's what you ordered and that it has not been damaged. If you decide to cancel your prepaid order, the seller must mail your refund within seven business days of receiving your notice of cancellation. If you charged your purchase, the seller must adjust your account within one billing cycle. cy-cle. r If you are planning to do your holiday shopping early so you will have more time to enjoy the festivities fes-tivities of the season, you may be considering the convenience of shopping by mail from your home. Although most mail order companies com-panies are legitimate, each year Better Business Bureaus receive thousands of complaints against companies that sell merchandise through the mail. To avoid mail order problems, consumers should follow these tips before placing an order. Carefully read the product description in catalogs or brochures. Don't rely on a picture; it may make the product look larger or of better quality than it actually is. For example, is a product wood or printed plastic painted to look like wood? For clothing, check the fiber content so you'll know how it must be cared for. Find out about the company's return policy, and if it isn't stated, ask before you order. Complete the order form as directed. If it's not complete, your order may be delayed. If your merchandise is intended as a gift, note the promised delivery date. Order in plenty of time before the holidays so you won't be disappointed. disap-pointed. A recording of Christmas music or sweater with Santa Claus on it won't mean much if it arrives in January. According to the Federal Fed-eral Trade Commission's Mail Order Rule, the company must ship your order when promised. If the company doesn't specify a shipping time, it must send the merchandise mer-chandise within 30 days. If there will be a shipping delay, the company com-pany must give you the option to either agree to the delay or cancel the order. Always pay by check or money order, never send cash through the mail. Keep a record of your order, |