On Your Own; Your Legal Right @ Eighteen On Your Own formatted final version | Page 21

your joint credit rating is not very good, federal law requires creditors to
consider any information you offer that shows that the unfavorable
information in your joint account does not accurately reflect your ability
to pay. Even if you’re not applying for credit at the moment, you can still
send a letter to those credit bureaus with reports on you explaining these
facts and have that letter placed in your file.
SMART BUYING
If you’re in the market for any product or service - things like clothes,
electronics, vehicles, educational courses - there are several simple rules
you should keep in mind. If you follow them, your dollars will go a lot
farther and you’ll be a lot more satisfied with the results .
Shop and Compare
Compare products on the basis of features, warranty protection and price.
The best buy isn’t always the least expensive.
Don’t fall for deceptive advertising. Advertisements can provide useful
information. Too often, though, ads appeal to your emotions rather than
your intelligence. While there are laws against deceptive advertising
enforced by the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, it’s still best to avoid
a problem by watching out for deceptive ads rather than getting snared
by them and having to rely on a law or someone else to get you out of a
mess.
Ask for promises in writing. Contracts don’t have to be in writing to be
binding (it’s easier, of course, to make someone stick to something that’s
in writing than something that’s based on your recollection of the
agreement). If a salesperson makes important claims about a product that
are not in your contract or warranty, try to get them in writing.
Read the terms of your contract or warranty carefully. Know what you can
expect and what’s expected of you. If you don’t understand something,
ask questions or seek help from a friend, parent, teacher, or lawyer.
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