Follow these simple guidelines to prevent consumer problems before they begin:

• Understand the store's return or exchange policies before you buy. Stores are not legally required to give your money back or provide exchanges when you change your mind.
• Always get several estimates for any major purchase or service contract. Shop around and don't feel pressured to sign or purchase anything you are not comfortable with.
• Get some background about the supplier and check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) before closing a deal. The BBB can tell you whether complaints have been lodged against the company and, if so, how the complaints were handled.
• Never sign a contract before reading it. Never sign a blank contract that a salesperson says will be filled in later.
• Always keep your receipts, cancelled cheques, warranties, estimates, contracts, instructions and so on. It is your responsibility as a consumer to keep these items when they are provided to you.