Before you decide to buy a gift card, you need to know what to look out for. If the retailer that issued the card files for bankruptcy or goes out of business, the person you gave the card to may get caught up in red tape. Here are some things you need to know to help you make sure retailers and issuers don’t cash in at your expense.
Common gift scams can leave consumers wrapped up in red tape. Before you decide to buy a gift card or sign up for a gift registry, you need to know what to look out for so retailers and issuers don’t cash in at your expense. There are very specific state laws regarding gift cards and certificates, but you still need to worry about hidden fees and charges that could wipe out the value of your gift! For instance, in Massachusetts, the law requires gift cards to be good for seven years from the date of issuance. What isn’t clear, however, is whether the value of the card has to remain good for seven years before any fees can reduce its value or whether the law even applies to a card that could be redeemed anywhere or issued by a seller who is out-of-state.
Think you’ve got a good deal with your credit card company? Maybe you do – or maybe you did – but unless you regularly read those notices the company mails out every now and then or understand the legalese on the back of your monthly statement you probably don’t have a clue what your credit card company is up to. And for most people, the truth is a real downer. So, what do you need to know to discover the facts about your credit cards?
If you’re looking to hit a homerun in this season’s housing market, you need to cover all your bases. And the first base you need to cover should be legal! Whether you’re a first time home buyer, trading up or down sizing, buying a home is a major financial investment, maybe one of the largest of your lifetime – so you can’t afford not to be legally savvy! Before you start house hunting, check in with an attorney to find out what language needs to be included on the standard “Contract to Purchase” or “Offer to Purchase.” There are several different standard versions of the “Offer” form out there – all of them are legal, but not all of them provide the protection you as the buyer need to have. For instance, you need to make sure the deal is contingent upon you having a thorough home, pest, lead and radon inspection. Make sure the Offer spells out that if you aren’t happy with the inspections results, for whatever reason, you can rescind your offer. Buyers are often under the misperception that the only thing they stand to loose is the deposit they put down when they make the offer – but that’s not the case! An Offer is a binding contract and you could be on the hook for the entire purchase price if you don’t leave yourself an out. Make sure the Offer spells out all the terms and conditions of the deal. If you want the appliances to be part of the purchase price, say so up front. (more…)
Lexington attorney Gina M. Ghioldi knew that when she scored Sherman Hemsley of “The Jeffersons” for an interview, she was movin’ on up to bigger things.
See, she didn’t just want to feature Hemsley on her year-old radio show, “The Brass Ring.” So Ghioldi joined forces with Barbara Brilliant, who was hosting a local cable access show in Newton, and the pair co-produced “Brilliant People.” Coupled with an interview of Pat Morita of “Karate Kid” fame, the Hemsley episode earned the media mavericks first prize for best talk show from the Northeast Region of the Alliance for Community Media.