European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - May 3, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 16 the stars and stripes May Comill Herwatt consumer experts speak out by Mary Neth consumer editor when it comes to problems Ameri cans have with landlords unethical its the same Story time and time that the picture that emerged at a Consumers week meeting sponsored by the Darmstadt Germany army Community services the organized by Judy Darmstadt consumer affairs included talks by members of the Darmstadt International affairs and Legal assist Ance offices and the local  con Sumer counselling office and Miele Verein renters Union two German organizations whose assistance extends to a German Law yer who works with the Darmstadt renters explained that the organization is a National nonprofit institution supported Only by membership in americans Are offered a reduced membership said who noted that the office has 500 american americans generally arc unprepared for Many of the German rental Laws which include quiet periods and in some Case apartment he Lucy Robertson of the Darmstadt International affairs office spoke about the problems of buying Mer she said the biggest problem areas involve paintings and used she that Many of the problems could be avoided if people would be More receptive to the information offered people just dont seem to listen to the advice we give she she said few members of the military Community take advantage of the free Legal Aid they Are they dont ask us to Check out contracts before they sign they dont comparison the result too often they end up with pasteboard overpriced original works of and secondhand cars that com Mand sky High repair she said that Many military families buy furniture from Cata logs which give no real clue to the Type of material or she also noted that they Are eager buyers of old used cars with status names such As Mercedes and Bow that Are terribly costly to Robertson finds that generally members of the Amer ican Community Are too trusting of claims made by she said that she and Paula Juba of the Legal assistance office Are currently flooded with complaints from people who want to get out of con tracts Treyve made to buy original Oil the paintings involved were expensive and were sold Doort door in the military family housing after some of the customers had already signed instalment they claimed they saw the very same paintings being sold at half the they dont want to one said even took the trouble to have his painting evaluated by an Art the dealer told him the Frame was Worth about 50 the painting itself about 200 he had paid close to under German there is a Cooling off that allows the customer to cancel an instalment con tract within seven to the customer should Send the company a registered letter stating that he is cancelling and demand the return of any Money he May have for his own he should also keep a copy of the some aware of the Cooling off contract make the of believing they Only need Call the Salesman and Tell him the Deal is off to cancel the it is not that some of the angry would be Art collectors who made such phone Calls were surprised when the Bills began to because they believed they already had cancelled the they tossed the Bills before a Bill arrived that could not be the americans found themselves with German court orders demanding said is about the time the customer finally decides he should visit his Legal assist Ance if Only people would come to us she Gertrud Schwerdtfeger and Ursel representatives from the German Consumers counselling also offered advice on Wise included were the Fol lowing rules on avoiding High pressure dont give salesmen an Opportunity to enter your putting a Security Chain on your front door is a Wise dont buy at the dont buy from Street resist Telephone dont be pressured into buying in a group setting one of those so called manufacturers be aware that there is generally a catch to free in dont take part in Coffee these Are cheap excursions that include sales presenta the excursion is less than promised and the goods Are dont be taken in by the Promise of a prize such a Promise is Only a sales be wary of being asked to contribute to a Charita ble dont give contributions at the in any ask to see an official paper or card and Check its be aware that in credit institutions have a ceiling on How much interest can be this ceiling is 12 if your yearly rate is More than 12 see your Legal or a member of the  office youll find them under this listing in local Telephone books for help in legally cancelling the most of these German consumer offices have in Glis speaking employees and on certain Days Many offer free Legal Schwerdtfeger also advised As under american you Are neither obligated to return nor to pay for unordered there is a in a time period is if you receive the firm that sent them can demand return or payment anytime within one no can be made for anything sent to what if you have not ordered anything but receive a Cash on delivery cod package better not to if you do pay for unordered you will have to write to the sender to regain your besides helping Consumers who have the German consumer offices also can give advice on prod a monthly supported by the non profit rates products on the basis of tech Nical standards and customer ease of the similar to those put out by the american consumer reports Magazine Are kept on file in the local consumer r Book orders the american women club of the Hague Nieuwe Duenweg 2587 the which is in charge of publications of the federation of american women clubs overseas announces that it can not provide books published by member clubs of the can provide the addresses where such publications can be of