If you receive a gift certificate for your birthday or the holidays, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that you do not have to use it immediately. The gift certificate law provides additional protection for those who either buy or receive a gift certificate. The law states that any restaurant or other party involved ...
Read More Gift Certificate Law
General Retail Information
...
Read More Buying Merchandise Because consumers rely heavily on ads for information and to help them comparison shop for merchandise, it’s important that advertisements be correct and accurate. The Office of Consumer Protection, a division of the State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, has developed advertising rules as guidelines for businesses to follow when they advertise products ...
Read More Buying Merchandise
...
Read More Warranties A warranty is the manufacturer’s and/or seller’s promise to stand behind the product and a commitment to correct problems should the product be defective. A warranty is a specific promise about the product. It is usually accompanied by an oral or written commitment to remedy defects for a limited time. The smart shopper will ...
Read More Warranties
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 ...
Read More Refunds and Exchanges
...
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 ...
Read More Door-to-Door Sales
...
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 ...
Read More Buying by Phone
...
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 ...
Read More Buying by Mail
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 ...
Read More How to Buy Services
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 ...
Read More How to Buy Products