Consumer Dial Information

1/15/13 ...
Read More Refunds and Exchanges When shopping in Hawaii, don’t assume that every gift you buy can be returned for a full refund. Merchants can set their own policies within the bounds of the state law. Look for the store’s policy which should be posted on a conspicuous sign at a place where you can find and read ...
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Read More Door-to-Door Sales A door-to-door sale is a sale of goods or services, solicited in person, and bought or signed for by the buyer at a place other than the seller’s business address, as shown on the sales contract. Under Hawaii’s law on door-to-door sales, a buyer is entitled to a full refund, if a cancellation notice ...
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Buying by Phone

Posted on Apr 2, 2013 in General Retail Information, OCP

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Read More Buying by Phone When buying a service or product over the phone, consumers should take the following precautions: when you are solicited over the phone, don’t be pressured into buying anything “on the spot.” And, ask for written material to be sent. If it is costly, or a “large ticket” item, ask for references. Ask how long ...
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Buying by Mail

Posted on Apr 2, 2013 in General Retail Information, OCP

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Read More Buying by Mail According to the mail order merchandise rule, a seller must ship your order when promised. If no specific delivery time is given or agreed upon, the seller must ship the merchandise no later than 30 days after receiving your order. If the promised shipping date or the 30-day period cannot be met, the seller ...
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1/15/13 ...
Read More How to Buy Services Buying a service from a person licensed to do professional or vocational work is very different from buying merchandise in a store where you can see the product on the shelf and know exactly what you are getting. Buying a service requires that you have as accurate as possible, an understanding of what ...
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1/15/13 ...
Read More How to Buy Products It pays to comparison shop and to spend the time and effort that is required to be a smart consumer. So, before buying a product, especially if it costs more than just a few dollars, read up about it first. Consumer magazines can give you a good idea of what’s on the market ...
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1/15/13 ...
Read More Banks, Escrow Companies, Money Transmitters, Mortgage Loan Originators, Mortgage Servicers The Division of Financial Institutions ensures the safety and soundness of state-chartered and state-licensed financial institutions, and ensures regulatory compliance by financial institutions, escrow depositories, money transmitters, mortgage servicers, mortgage loan originators and mortgage loan originator companies required to be licensed, by fairly administering applicable statutes and rules, in order to protect the ...
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Loans

Posted on Apr 2, 2013 in Financial and Consumer Issues, OCP

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Read More Loans Most financial institutions will approve or deny loan applications on the basis of information they receive from national and local credit reporting agencies. These CRA’s, as they are commonly known, gather and sell data that show how consistently you’ve paid your bills, whether you have any judgements against you, and whether you’ve filed for ...
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Credit Cards

Posted on Apr 2, 2013 in Financial and Consumer Issues, OCP

3/15/13 ...
Read More Credit Cards Before applying for a credit card or accepting an offer of one, learn what credit terms and conditions apply. A credit card usually involves a charge for the convenience of borrowing, plus other costs. Consider the following when you shop for a credit card. The ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE is expressed as a yearly ...
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Credit Tips

Posted on Apr 2, 2013 in Financial and Consumer Issues, OCP

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Read More Credit Tips When borrowing money or applying for credit, it’s important to comparison shop first by getting full information on the credit and lease terms of different lenders. The Truth In Lending Act prohibits “bait and switch” tactics in advertising consumer credit and leases. No advertisement may state that a specific amount of credit or a ...
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