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Golden Rules
- When someone wants to come and view your item for sale, it is wise to agree for a convenient time and take the buyer’s phone number in case you need to re-confirm or cancel the appointment.
- Most private advertisers sell their goods from home. To ensure personal ease and safety: buyers take a friend with them and sellers make sure you are not alone in the house when the buyer visits.
- When a buyer comes to view your goods at home, make sure you do not leave valuables lying around.
- When it comes to exchanging money, be on your guard. You could ask for the cheque to clear before you part with your goods, and offer a receipt as proof of purchase.
- Don’t waste people’s time. If you can’t keep an appointment, directly say no.
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Golden Rules for Vehicles
Buying a Car - Whatever type of car you’re looking for buying; remember to check the following basics:
- Ask to see the original registration documents of the vehicle. On no account should you accept a photocopy of documents.
- Always ensure that the person selling the vehicle is the same as the person named on the registration document. You can do this by asking the seller’s name and checking it against the document. Don’t accept the excuse that the seller is selling on behalf of a friend.
- Check that the engine and chassis number of the vehicle and match those stated on the registration documents.
- Also check that other details on the registration documents match what you can see of the vehicle. If they don’t, make sure there is an acceptable explanation for the difference.
- When buying a nearly new car, eg. One which is a year or two old, it is advisable to confirm whether or not there is any outstanding finance owing. Many people buy cars on hire purchase offered by private finance companies or through a private loan from a bank. The term of the loan is usually over a two or three year period, sometimes longer, and the car remains the property of the finance company until the hire purchase loan is fully repaid. Anyone selling a vehicle owing finance needs to inform the finance company of their intentions.
- Consider getting a motor inspection report from a garage. Alternatively, ask a friend who is knowledgeable about cars or give the vehicle a thorough check.
- Always test drive the car yourself to make sure it really does suit your needs.
- If the full service history is available, check whether the mileage on the clock is close to the figure given on the service history documents.
SELLING A CAR IN getitFREEADS
- Never allow prospective buyers to test drive it by themselves, unless you are holding a full asking price for the vehicle prior to handing over the keys. Don’t accept the keys to the car that the buyer arrived in as security. If you do allow a buyer to test drive your car, make sure you are insured for them to do so.
- When someone wants to come and see your car, it is wise to agree a convenient time, and take the buyer’s phone number in case you need to confirm or cancel the appointment.
- When it comes to exchanging money, be on your guard. You could ask for a personal cheque to be cleared before you hand over the keys, and offer a receipt as proof of purchase. In the case of banker’s draft it is wise to go to the bank together and watch it being drawn up. Likewise, with large amounts of cash, it is wise to visit the bank together with the buyer and a friend or relative and deposit the money in your account.
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Golden Rules for Health & Holidays
Whether you’re buying or selling goods through getitFREEADS there are a few basic guidelines you need to follow to ensure the smooth progress of your transaction:
- When someone wants to come and view your item for sale, it is wise to agree on a convenient time, and take the buyer’s phone number in case you need to confirm or cancel the appointment.
- Most private advertisers sell their goods from home. To ensure personal ease and safety: buyers, take a friend with you and sellers, make sure you are not alone in the house when the buyer visits.
- When a buyer comes to view your goods, make sure that you do not leave any valuable lying around.
- Check the condition and working order of the goods thoroughly before you buy-there are no consumer laws governing private transactions if the goods turn out to be faulty. Ask if the buyer still has the receipt or guarantee if appropriate.
- When it comes to exchanging money, be on your guard. You could ask for a personal cheque to be cleared before you part with your goods, and offer a receipt as proof of purchase.
- If you are buying a musical instrument for the first time, seek advice from an experienced musician or teacher before you buy. Ideally, take them with you to inspect the instrument.
- Before you make a booking with any company or individual advertising holiday accommodation, ask them to send a copy of their brochure or written details plus a photograph of the accommodation you wish to book. Be sure that you like what you are being offered before you part with any money.
- Ask if the advertiser has been approved by the relevant tourist board, or any other official body. You can always double check in case of any doubt.
- Make sure you get a receipt and confirmation of your booking.
TRAVEL
- Flight prices: bear in mind that a price given in an advertisement might be for a one-off cancellation rather than the standard cost of a flight to a given destination. But there are some new regulations governing flight prices.
- It is wise to use a travel agent who is a member of IATA. That way if the worst happens and the agent is busted, you can be doubly sure that your money is safe.
- If you are buying holiday/travel vouchers, make sure you have read and fully understood the terms and conditions for the use of the voucher, especially when it concerns the transfer of the voucher from one person to another, BEFORE you pay.
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Golden Rules for Household Items
If you’re buying or selling goods through getitFREEADS, there are a few basic guidelines you need to follow to ensure the smooth progress of your transaction:
- Check the working condition of the equipment/goods thoroughly before you buy. There are no consumer laws governing private transactions, if the goods turn out to be faulty. Ask if the seller still has the receipt of guarantee; receipts, guarantees and instruction manuals, if appropriate. [e.g.] Take a CD, Cassette, Video Tape etc. with you and ask if you can try it out. Ask if the equipment has ever been repaired. Most people will be quite happy for you to test the equipment and ask questions.
- When buying and selling pets, ensure that all necessary certificates are produced. If you are buying from a breeder, you should request a pedigree certificate as well as worming and vaccination details. Young animals should always be seen with their mother. Before you consider buying any pet, make sure you understand fully what is involved in its care. Can you afford to keep it? Do you have time and space to exercise it? Register your new pets with a local vet as soon as possible, and have them checked.
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SAFETY TIPS FOR PERSONAL ADVERTISERS
To make sure that you are safe, it is worth considering the following personal safety tips:
- Arrange meeting in a public place.
- Tell a friend whom you are intending to meet, and where.
- Make your own way to and from a meeting. It is probably better not to accept a lift on the first meeting.
- Keep some personal details to yourself. It might be better not to give your home address until you are sure you want to get to know the person better.
- If the person you’re meeting is right for you, he/she will appreciate your caution.
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Thinking of setting up a Business?
- If you’re looking for premises in getitFREEADS, consider the location. Many businesses do not need to be in an expensive, central location with the high costs and difficult travelling involved. Be prepared to hunt for the right place.
- Before you lease premises, make sure you are familiar with the small print on the contract - you need to be sure that the site is compatible with the day-to-day running of your business.
- If you are on a budget there is no need to splash out on brand new office furniture. Check the ads in getitFREEADS for good quality second hand furniture, or place a “wanted ad”. Be aware that desks and chairs need to be comfortable and safe for the people who will be using them - especially for staff who spend long periods working on keyboards and monitors.
- Any advertiser who wishes to place an ad seeking investment may be asked to provide authorized approval or past records etc. Use getitFREEADS to recruit your staff. It’s free!
MULTI-LEVEL MARKETING (MLM)
- getitFREEADS takes care to ensure that all ads or agents, MLM and franchise jobs are legal and honest. However, when responding to these ads make sure you are satisfied that any job description or offer is valid. In case of doubt, seek professional advice before you make any commitment.
- MLM schemes which generate income solely through recruiting new members are not eligible for publication in getitFREEADS.
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Consumer Advice
Job Seekers
- While answering a job ad in getitFREEADS, remember that first impressions always count. YOUR TELE-PHONE MANNER IS IMPORTANT.
- You can, of course, place a job-seeking ad in Free Ads. But remember that it is unwise to describe your physical appearance and to state “anything considered” in the wording of the ad. It is best to be specific about the kind of work you are seeking.
Employers
- It is advisable to be specific in areas like Qualification, Age group, Sex, Salary, Area of work etc.
- Also check our “Job Wanted” classifications for a choice.
- Ask candidates to send resumes, shortlist them and only then call for interviews. Remember: Time is important.
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Golden Rules for Real estate
Renting a Property
- If you are going to view a flat, take someone with you. To avoid the possibility of a wasted journey, it’s probably also worth contacting the landlord before you set out to reconfirm your appointment.
- The rental market is extremely fast-moving in some locations. Therefore, it is important to act quickly when answering an ad in Free Ads, so that you don’t miss out on any opportunities. Rented accommodation may go in a matter of hours, if you are not able to view the property without delay. It may even be worth taking time off work, if necessary, in order to have the ‘upper hand’!
- You should not agree to rent a property without a full and legally binding agreement between you and the landlord. Read the documents of the agreement carefully. getitFREEADS advice you to take help of a solicitor in case you do not understand anything related to the terms of the tenancy.
- If you are looking for accommodation through a property agent, you may be asked for payment to see a list of the properties on their books, however not for registering your needs.
- When you have found a suitable place to rent, one of the first things the landlord will ask you for (before contracts are exchanged), is a deposit to cover any breakages or unpaid rent during the period of your contract. The amount varies among landlords, but it is quite common to be asked for a deposit or a few months’ rent in advance.
- In most cases the deposit amounts to a considerable sum of money. It is therefore important in the case of private rentals to verify the identity of the landlord before you hand the money over. Make sure that you are dealing with the actual owner of the property, especially when you are asked to pay a large deposit before occupying the premises. It really should not be difficult for the owner to provide documented proof. Always ask for a receipt as proof of money exchanged, together with the landlord’s address and phone number for further contact. If you are dealing with an accommodation agency, it would be advisable to pay the deposit to the agency, rather than to the landlord.
Selling a Property
- Be realistic about the price you set. Too high and you will get no interest, too low and you will lose out.
- Compare with similar properties on the market in your area, and take into account any repairs or necessary work which needs to be done.
- If you decide not to get necessary work done yourself, get a quote to show prospective buyers. Remember that being ‘upfront’ about details which are bound to come up in a survey will be appreciated.
- Arrange for your partner or a friend to be with you when people come to view your home. Avoid showing people around on your own.
- When showing people around, remember not to tempt fate by leaving valuable personal items or money on display. If viewers want a few moments alone for discussion, leave them in the kitchen or living room - not in the bedroom, where you put might keep your jewellery and other valuables.
- Only show people around if they have previously made an appointment, and you have taken their personal details. If someone turns up on your doorstep unannounced, take their details (including address and the phone number) and set a time for them to come back later. If they are genuine house hunters, they will not be put off by this.
Buying a Property
- When you go to view a property, try to be objective. While the ‘feel’ of a place is very important to some people, it is usually outweighed by the practical necessities of everyday life such as space, convenience and financial outlay.
- Avoid going to view a property alone. Apart from the personal safety aspects, two separate opinions give a more balanced view.
- For each potentially suitable property you view, make up a checklist of information to help you make a decision.
- Ask about the vendor’s position in terms of the property chain – have they started looking for a new property (and if so, have they arranged finance), would they be able to move out reasonably quickly, etc. The more information you have, the better decision you can take.
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COMPUTER EQUIPMENT
- Make sure that the advertiser’s equipment is compatible with your own and it matches the description in the ad.
- It might be a good idea to do a bit of research before you buy, to ensure you get exactly what you need from second hand computer equipment. Remember that manufacturers update equipment so frequently that the second hand computer market is excellent for nearly-new bargains.
- Manufacturer’s names and product codes are often complicated. When advertising equipment in getitFREEADS, please ensure you spell out difficult names and codes clearly to avoid confusion. In some cases it might be best to write your ad out, and fax or post it to us.
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Consumer Advice
- If you are seeking an admission test, interview for higher studies in Schools, Colleges, Institutes, Training Centers etc. first confirm whether the institute is recognized and whether the Certificate/Diploma they issue is valid.
- Those seeking for postal courses must verify whether the study material, contact classes etc. are recognized.
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