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Show 6 HILL TOP TIMES Friday, December S, 1986 editorials Tooling off rule lets buyers change their minds By John B. Solan Judge Adovocate Office Have you ever felt you were talked into an expensive, unplanned purchase and later wished that you could cancel the sale? In most cases, you cannot change your mind. But if you made the purchase at salesperson, the Federhome, from a rule often gives al Trade Commission's "cooling-of- f you three days to change your mind. The rule only applies to purchases of $25 or more, made away from the seller's regular place of business. Under the FTC rule, the salesperson must inform you of your cancellation rights at the time you agree to the sale. The salesperson must also give you two copies of a cancellation form (one to keep and one to send), and a copy of your contract or receipt. The contract or receipt should be dated, show the name and address of the seller, and explain your right to cancel. You do not have to give a reason for canceling. No explanation of any kind is required. Under the law, it is your right to change your mind. The rule applies not only to sales made in your home, but also to sales made anywhere other than the seller's normal place of business. For example, it applies to consumer product "parties" given in private homes and to sales made in rented hotel rooms door-to-do- or If you cancel your purchase, the merchant must within 10 days: 1. Cancel and return any papers you signed 2. Refund your money and tell you whether any product left with you will be picked up 3. Return any trade-i- n Within 20 days, the merchant must either pick up the items left with you, or, if you agree to send back the items, 'reimburse you for mailing expenses. Some exceptions: You do not have three days to -- -- or restaurants. The rule also applies if you invite a merchant into your home or into someone else's home, or if you meet on a street corner. In all these cases, you still I W cancel all types of contracts. The cooling-of- f rule does not cover sales that are: 1. Made at the seller's regular place of business 2. Made totally by mail or phone 3. Under $25 4. For real estate, insurance, or securities 5. For emergency home repairs If you have questions on this or any other legal matter, call the Legal Assistance Office at Ext. 76625 for an appointment. yMlnow your rights: have your cancellation rights. Have your own business? Don't use military postal service By Tom Joyce American Forces Information Services Many service men and women have found that running mail order businesses selling everything from detergent to shampoo after duty hours is a good way to bring in a few extra dollars. But they should know that using the military postal system to conduct a personal business of any sort is strictly prohibited. The military postal system overseas is merely an extension of the United States Postal Service," said Army MSgt. Leonard N. Winnings, Staff Postal Service Agency in Alexandria, Va. Under a formal agree- ment between the U.S. Postal Service and the 71 HILLTOP dimes Published by MorMedia, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Hill Top Times are not necessarily the official vjews of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or MorMedia, Inc. of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Office of Ogden Air Logistics Center.1 Hill AFB Editorial Staff: Public Affairs Officer . . .Lt. Col. Larry P. Summers Editor Chris Balerschmidt Ernie Shannon, Ralph Jensen Staff Writers A1C Jay A. Joersz Deadlines: Editorial: 4 p.m. Monday week of publication "Around the Hill" items: 10 a.m. Monday week of publication Classified ads: 2 p.m. Wednesday week of Department of Defense, DOD customers can get the same service in overseas areas as they do stateside." But the reason service members are prohibited from conducting personal business through the military postal system is that DOD pays for the movement of mail to and from overseas areas. "In effect, the DOD would be paying part of the expense of running your business if you used the military postal system," said Sergeant Winnings. Army and fleet post offices are exclusively for personal mail, cautioned the sergeant, and there are no provisions for prorating business mail. However, there are alternatives. Sergeant Winnings suggested that people look into the possibility of using air or sea freight. He said some countries have services much like those of Federal Express and United Parcel Service. However, he said, those shipments would have to be sent to a civilian address in the country in which you are located. The sergeant said international mail is one way of sending shipments to another country. Each alternative is subject to customs assessments, as applicable. Sergeant Winnings said anyone found to be using the military postal system to conduct a personal business could be subject to military administrative or judicial action depending on the scope and size of the incident. Anyone who has a question concerning this subject can reference Appendix A of Department of Defense Directive 4525.-M. Fill glasses with cheer, not alcohol Editor's note: This is the second of three articles submitted by the Social Actions office about the risks associated with drinking too much alcohol over the holidays. Tips for hosts and hostesses 1. Don't make drinking the main focus of activity of your social event. Plan stimulating activities to avoid letting people cluster into groups of heavy or y drinkers. 2. Provide nutritious and appealing food when alcohol is served to slow down the effects of alcohol. 3. Don't push drinks. Respect an individual's decision not to drink. Provide equally attractive and accessible nonalcoholic drinks when alcohol is served. Recipes for exciting nonalcoholic drinks are available from ths National Clearinghouse for Alcohol Innon-heav- formation. ; 4. Carefully measure all drinks so that a person can know exactly how much she or he has drunk. Be aware that open bars encourage heavy drinking. 5. Avoid carbonated mixers in favor of drinks such as fruit juice?. Carbonation speeds alcohol absorption. 6. Avoid serving after-dinndrinks -- serve coffee, or other nonalcoholic beverages instead. Cut off tea, er drinks at least one hour before the party ends. 7. Know that drunkenness is neither healthy, safe or amusing. Excusing unacceptable behavior just because someone has had "too much to drink" serves no purpose; accepting drunkenness only rewards alcohol misuse. 8. When entertaining, assume responsibility for your guests. If someone does drink too much, provide transportation home, a taxi, or overnight accommodations. Friends don't let d friends drive. 9. Some states have laws which state that servers of alcoholic beverages may be held liable for injuries caused by those who consumed alcoholic beverages in your home, office, or other establishment. Play it safe and don't let your guests drink too much. 10. At parties with youths, be conscious of the drinking age. In most states it is illegal for youths to consume andor purchase alcoholic beverages. alcohol-impaire- A womdl ffoir the wl e "eTOinglh'' Don't drink too much of a good thing. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. Il.i ' Km I II ... Wuktmfhm. .' |