DEAR SUN SPOTS: We would like to let people know that we almost got scammed with a company in Auburn. We are senior citizens and trustworthy people and thought this company was the same. We put money down in good faith for a down payment on a snowplow. The company didn’t honor us in getting the snowplow and said they are not giving us our money back and that they do not have to give the money back when it is a down payment. We were lucky, when I checked with my bank, that the check hadn’t cleared yet so we stopped the check.
We just want to warn people to never put money down on anything until you get the item first. There are a lot of dishonest people out there so buyer beware. Thank you Sun Spots for giving us a voice to warn other people to not make the same mistakes as we did. — No name, no town.
ANSWER: It is good advice to never put money down without a contract or at the very least, some kind of purchase agreement in writing.
In Maine, the consumer has no right to cancel contracts or purchase agreements and whether you can receive a refund is dependent on the retailer’s return and refund policies. Always check the retailer’s refund policies before making a large purchase because it may state that down payments are nonrefundable. If it is plainly stated and that is a practice that causes concern for you, then you can feel confident about taking your business elsewhere.
If the retailer could not supply the product as promised, contact Maine’s Attorney General by calling 207-626-8800 or send a letter to 6 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 or contact a consumer advocate or attorney for further legal advice.
It was lucky that your check hadn’t cleared, but be careful. According the Office of Maine’s Attorney General, if you intentionally give a bad check (e.g., pay with a check that you intend to stop-payment on) you could be committing a criminal offense.
The best way to protect yourself from losing money in a big purchase is to have everything in writing. If the seller does not provide a contract, make sure that you fully understand all of their refund policies.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I noticed in your Feb. 15 column that there are some area residents looking for instruction in how to play the ukulele. They might be interested to know that the Auburn Public Library is hosting an “Introduction to Folk Guitar” class starting next month which will provide basic strumming and picking techniques useful for playing uke as well as guitar. Over the course of eight weeks — Tuesdays, 3:30 to 5 p.m. from March 28 to May 16 — participants will learn how to play an assortment of traditional and classic children’s songs, making the class of particular value to those who interact with youth, from schoolteachers to grandparents. Those interested may go to the Senior College website at usm.maine.edu/seniorcollege/catalog for information on how to register. Contact the Senior College office at the USM Lewiston-Auburn campus at 207-753-6610, or contact the guitar class instructor, Cindy Larock, at 207-782-0386. The deadline to register for the class is Tuesday, Feb. 21. — Cindy Larock, no town.
Use the QR code to go to Sun Spots online for additional information and links. This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com, tweeted @SJ_SunSpots or posted on the Sun Spots Facebook page at facebook.com/SunJournalSunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots. We’ve joined Pinterest at pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.
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