We often get questions from consumers who are asking about the legitimacy of a certain business. There can be a wide variety of choices in any sector and sometimes it can be hard to know which business to frequent.  We know that here are many legitimate businesses out there who are commited to raising the bar in their industry and we want to help you make an informed purchasing decision.

Many of us rent or rent out homes, but how many of us are actually familiar with the Residential Tenancy Act? This Act is BC’s renting legislation that is overseen by the Residential Tenancy Branch.  While this is not an area we oversee here at Consumer Protection BC, we always feel that it’s important for all consumers (both renters and landlords) to understand their rights and obligations under the law, in order to make informed decisions.

Recently I was furniture shopping and found a perfect dining room suite. I thought to myself that even though it was expensive, if I purchased it on credit I wouldn't have to pay interest for a whole year. It sounded like a great deal but was there a catch? What did the interest start adding up and what was I responsible for?

“What’s your return and refund policy” is a question you should always ask before paying for your purchase at a store.  Retail sales aren’t bound by law to provide mandatory returns or refunds. There are dozens of different return policies that can exist at stores and in order to be a savvy consumer, asking that one question can save you a lot of frustration if you decide that outfit you splurged on last week really isn’t as amazing as you thought.

Whether its for $5 or $500, gift cards make great little stocking stuffers and are the perfect gift for those hard to buy folks.  In British Columbia, since 2008,  gift cards for a monetary value are not allowed to have an expiry date.  There are exceptions for when a gift card can have an expiry date however, such as for a specific good like a hair cut or for a mall card, where the card is good at more than one store.  If you are planning on giving a gift card this year, keep reading to see more information and tips we have about gift cards!

According to news sources, over 82% of Canadians purchased something online last year.  The pros of shopping online include having the ability to easily browse interesting products and compare prices.  The cons include being extremely frustrated if something goes wrong.  Here are some tips on how to ensure sure your online shopping experiences are positive.

Now that Halloween is behind us, there is no denying it, we have entered into the holiday season.  This can be a challenging time for consumers as we tend to overspend.  November is also Financial Literacy Month. Many Canadians still struggle with debt and a recent national Ipsos Reid survey revealed that six in 10 Canadians say they need help with their financial management skills.  I have to admit that I always tend to overspend during the holiday season so I thought it might be helpful to share these tips and ideas on ways to help stay on budget and save a little money this year.

As we are now full blown into the holiday shopping season, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about one of the most commonly asked questions about retail sales:  Are stores required to offer return, refund, or exchange policies?

Can you believe it’s December already?  The holiday season is upon us and stores are beginning to look cheerful and festive. I always feel a bit overwhelmed going to crowded shopping malls and battling the parking lot warzone.

If you are a last minute shopper like me, prepaid purchase cards (aka gift cards) can be a lifesaver for those difficult to buy for people. In fact, a survey done by Maritz Research Canada says that more and more Canadians say they are choosing to purchase gift cards (49% in 2010 over 45% in 2009).  They also make great stocking stuffers. How could you go wrong?