Choosing a Travel Agency

Are you traveling this holiday season? Confused about all the different online resources? Maybe you want to have a travel agent do all the work for you? While most travel agencies are reputable and guide consumers honestly and competently, there have been cases where consumers have paid for tickets which were never received. Consumers should follow the following steps before selecting a travel agency:

Find out how long the agency or tour operator has been in business and whether there are any complaints or legal action against the merchant.
Check to see if the agency is a member of these trade associations:

• The American Society of Travel Agents at http://www.asta.org/
• The United States Tour Operators Association at http://www.ustoa.com/
• The Association of Retail Travel Agents at www.artaonline.com

When paying for travel, pay with a credit card rather than by check or cash. Certain “chargeback” protections apply to credit card purchases. For more information on choosing a travel agency see the Federal Trade Commission’s website:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/shop/travel.shtm

Regular Chimney Inspections Help Avoid Chimney Fires and Clogged Flues

Chimney fires and clogged flues can take their toll in lives and property damage, but these tragedies can be prevented by regular chimney inspections and cleanings.

o Contact a licensed/certified chimney sweep to have your chimney inspected. Signs of a dangerous chimney include cracks in masonry, poor updraft, broken flue sections, and creosote accumulation. Cracks can lead to chimney fires and further chimney damage. Clogged flues and poor updraft can increase the threat of carbon monoxide buildup in the home. Annual inspections are recommended, particularly for older chimneys.
• Check to see if the chimney sweep is licensed. In Maryland, chimney sweeps who perform repairs are required to be licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission. Make sure the sweep is licensed before agreeing to any repairs. Ask neighbors for referrals to chimney sweeping services. Check the company’s complaint record. Check local consumer protection agency's complaint records along with local Better Business Bureau’s records. Also, ask the company for references, and find out how long it has been in business as well as how many years of experience the technician has.
• Have the chimney cleaned on a regular schedule. This will vary from several times a year to once every several years, depending on how often the fireplace is used and what kind of wood is burned. Fireplaces used three times a week during the heating season will probably need to be cleaned at least once a year. Schedule an annual inspection, and the chimney sweep can advise on whether the chimney needs to be cleaned.
• Don't make choices based on price alone. Some companies may offer a low price, but will only perform a cursory sweep of the chimney and no inspection, leaving you to clean up the dirt and with possible dangerous cracks that have not been discovered. Ask for specific details of the cleaning and inspection. Find out if the company is going to seal off the fireplace so that dirt and soot stay out of the home; if the technician will also inspect the furnace flue; and if the technician is going to vacuum the smoke shelf, the damper and the firebox. Make sure the company provides a written report, stating what was done and detailing any repairs needed.
• Only burn dry, seasoned hardwood in the fireplace. This will cut down on creosote buildup so that less frequent chimney cleaning is required.
• Consider installing a chimney cap. Caps can help prevent water damage and will keep animals out of the flue. Caps also reduce the danger of flying sparks.
• Check the draft before lighting a fire, and make sure the damper is open. Don't start a fire while an exhaust fan is running, as this can create a downdraft.
• Never leave a fire unattended. Always remove ashes to a metal container and put them outside.

Buying Furniture for the Holidays?

Having family and friends over for the Holidays and thinking of buying new furniture to spruce up your home? Furniture is one of those products that can be very difficult to shop knowledgeably for—how can you really tell what the frame looks like on a sofa? Do some research online and then head out to the stores to sit on and inspect the furniture. Choose your store carefully—if they go out of business before you get your furniture, you may be out of luck for the deposit. Check local consumer protection agencies and Better Business Bureaus for complaints on the store. Put the smallest amount possible down and use a credit card for the down payment (if the furniture is not delivered, you have dispute procedures with your credit card company). If the store calls and tell you the furniture is delayed, call the manufacturer to confirm that they have received the payment for your order. It’s very common for a struggling store to use your money to pay for a previous order and wait until another consumer orders to pay for your furniture. Upon delivery of new furniture to your home, inspect all pieces for damage, content and quality. If there is a problem, do not accept the pieces in question and make a notation of the reason for refusal on the delivery inspection sheet. Be sure to obtain a copy of this sheet and follow up with the merchant on the unsatisfactory items.
For more information,

Bank rate.com article:
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/advice/20000523b.asp

Maryland Attorney General Consumer Protection Division:
http://www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/edge115.htm