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NEWARK
– Planning a wedding can be fun and
exciting, but it can also be a monumental
task. Hiring a photographer, booking a reception
hall, arranging for entertainment, making
hotel arrangements for overnight guests
– these may all be elements in making
the day a success.
With
wedding season fast approaching, the State
Division of Consumer Affairs today launched
a two-page Consumer Brief brochure, “Planning
Your Wedding: Tips to Avoid Scams,”
available at www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/brief/wedding.pdf
. The announcement is made as part of National
Consumer Protection Week.
“At
the Division of Consumer Affairs, our top
priority is to empower New Jersey consumers.
Couples put enormous amounts of time and
effort into planning the perfect wedding.
Consumer Affairs is reminding them to take
precautions to help ensure they create a
day they’ll remember as one of the
best in their lives – a memory that
will not be marred by shoddy services or
outright fraud,” said Thomas R. Calcagni,
Acting Director of the Division of Consumer
Affairs.
Important
tips found in the new Consumer Brief include:
-
Contact the Division of Consumer Affairs
to find out whether any potential vendor
– such as a photographer, videographer,
DH, band or caterer – has a history
of consumer complaints, or has been cited
for violating any consumer protection
laws.
-
Take the time to carefully review every
contract before signing. Note the terms
of cancellation.
-
Remember that paying by credit card, as
opposed to cash or other means, can generally
help you resolve any future disputes.
-
Beware of wedding scams, such as phony
exhibitions. Before paying to attend a
bridal show, try to verify that the event
is real by checking the organizer’s
credentials or checking with the owners
of the venue.
-
Before buying engagement or wedding rings,
conduct your own research to learn about
precious gem quality and ring settings.
This will help you find the best deal
to match your budget and your style.
-
Before buying a wedding gown, learn whether
the seller is following Federal Trade
Commission requirements on providing information
about the garment’s fiber content
and country of origin.
For
more information, view the full Consumer
Brief at www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/brief/wedding.pdf
.
National
Consumer Protection Week (NCPW)
is a coordinated campaign that encourages
consumers nationwide to take full advantage
of their consumer rights and make better-informed
decisions. NCPW 2011 takes place March 6
through 12, 2011.
More
information designed to help consumers protect
themselves is offered free of charge at
the State Division of Consumer Affairs NCPW
website at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov
. Information is also available at the official
National Consumer Awareness Week website,
www.NCPW.org.
Consumers
who believe they have been cheated or scammed
by a business, or suspect any other form
of consumer abuse, can file a complaint
with the State Division of Consumer Affairs
by visiting its website, www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov,
or by calling 1-800-242-5846
(toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.
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