European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 22, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse Page 16 the stars and stripes consumer watch Friday november 22, 1985 americans advised to read those contracts by Mary Neth staff writer a americans report that som insurance companies in Germany have been hitting them with a Surprise he charges for their annual automobile coverage come there is an extra in the envelope a Bill Dunning them to pay for unordered Recht Schutz Legal insurance. When Selling Auto coverage. It appears that some insurance agents Are slipping in forms for customers to sign that make them liable for Legal insurance payments too. In Case of a German lawsuit or court Case Legal insurance will pay a percentage of the costs for the German attorney and other Legal fees that might be involved. However americans who can receive free Legal advice from military lawyers Aren t As Apt to be involved in German court actions As would a citizen of the country. The insurance agent did t say anything about it when i put my signature on the papers in his office reports one member of the military. I did t know i had it until i got the 112 Mark at 2.55 Marks to a Dollar $43.92 said another american i thought the extra papers i was Given to sign were just for joining an automobile club. Now i have both automobile club membership which i wanted and Legal insurance which i did t want at complained an angry american civilian i renewed my car coverage by phone so i was really angry when i got a Bill for late payment of Legal coverage. I had t signed anything extra at he contacted the company and asked what the Bill was about. He was informed that he had ordered it at the time he renewed his Auto insurance. When i told the woman that i had taken care of the whole matter Over the Telephone at first there was a dead silence. Then she told me just to ignore the Bill the other two americans who unwittingly signed the paperwork ordering Legal insurance will probably have to pay to avoid ills happening follow that age old advice. Never sign anything before you have read it carefully. Ii a document is in another language Don t Trust a Salesman s interpretation. Have someone you know who understands the language Check it Huffor you or ask for a copy to take to your Legal office or to the local american Community services office. Those who have signed for Legal insurance they did t want should ask their local Legal officer or advice on the possibility of cancelling. It is important to note that under German Law the seven Day Cooling Olf period that enables a person to cancel an instalment contract does not apply to these insurance contracts. In fact these Type of insurance contracts can be written to stay in effect from one to 10 years. They renew themselves automatically. To cancel the customer must do so in writing within three months of the end of the contract. This should be done by registered mall. Making a complaint count by Mary Neth staff writer shopping can be an exciting an rewarding experience most of the , however despite the mos careful approach including dealing with reputable firm and Reading a contract carefully before signing something goes wrong. The product May be faulty or All to live up to promised operation. If this should happen Here Are some tips on the Steps you should take to solve the matter. First identify the problem and what you believe would be a fair settlement for example getting your Money Back having the product repaired or receiving an Exchange. Have documentation available to substantiate your complaint such As a sales receipt repair order warranty of cancelled Check. Contact the person who sold you the item or performed the service and calmly state the problem and what action you would like taken. If this person is not helpful ask for the supervisor or manager. Repeat the complaint. According to Tho White House office of consumer affairs approximately 88 percent of All consumer problems Are resolved at this level. But what if you Are not satisfied with the response you have received Don t give up. It the company operates nationally or internationally write a letter to its consumer official or the company president. First Check to see if the company has a local office. If it does Call and ask for the name and address of its president. If it is an american form a Book Standard when use by dates Aren t useful though the overseas commissaries follow manufacturers freshness or use by dates these dates Don t apply to All items. These Are items that Are sold chilled in the United states. In european commissaries however these items Are sold Frozen. Luncheon meats butter Ole Margarine poultry products and Many other items Are sold chilled in the United states. Because of the Long Supply lines from the United states Many of these items Aro Frozen then transported and sold Frozen in european commissaries. Some packers Oscar Mayer for example do nol Dale items which they pack for freezing. Unfortunately other packers freeze items in the packages with Date labels that apply to Selling the product chilled. The Frozen products therefore carry use by dates that no longer Are applicable. This can Lead to customer contusion. Some examples include land 0 lakes butter Armour hot dogs Hormel Pepperoni and Hormel cure 81 Ham. To explain the situation some commissaries now Post signs at their Frozen food counters. The signs inform customers that in the Frozen food Section they will find some luncheon meals Butters Margarine hams and other hems with a sell by or freshness Date that May have expired. This Date was Correct if the item was sold chilled rather than Frozen As it would have been in the United states. However the Date does not apply to an item that has been Frozen and shipped to Europe. & poor s Register of corporations. Directors and executives is a a cod reference source which lists More than 37,000 american business firms. The Book can be found in most libraries. If you know the name of the product but not the name of the manufacturer another Book Tho Thomas registry lists thousands of products and manufacturers. It also can be found in Many libraries. After you have located the appropriate name and address you Are ready to write your letter. Type it if possible. If it is Handwritten be sure it is neat and legible. Include your name address and Home and work phone numbers. Make the letter Brief and to the Point. State your Purchase naming the product and serial or Model number. Include the Date and location of the Purchase and any other details of the transaction. State the problem and its history. Ask for satisfaction. Enclose copies of All the documents involved keep the originals. Ask for action within a reasonable time. Include your address work and Home phone numbers. Keep copies of your Letler and All related documents and information. Remember the person Reading your letter is not personally responsible for your problem but May be responsible Tor resolving it. Therefore avoid writing a sarcastic threatening or angry letter. Keep a copy of the letter Lor your records. Ii you Are not satisfied with the company s response or never receive a response you May now wish to Contact other sources for help. Members of the military have a Boon Here in the form of free advice from their local Legal assistance offices. Transformer misuse most americans overseas own several transformers to run 110 Volt appliances tvs Etc Dick Ziegler chief of cafes Europe Quality Assurance warns that improper use can cause damage to the american made item. Don t Teave an appliance or to set plugged into the transformer and then disconnect it by unplug Aalto the transformer Cord he warns. To protect your stereo. To. Iron radio toaster or other appliances you should unplug them from the transformer first. The same goes a u9fl th6m " of St connect the plug in the appliance. T
