Consumer Organizations
Suppliers
of Goods and Services
Recycling Services
If you're looking
for consumer resources in countries other than Canada, this
page may not be
very helpful. Consumer resource pages that didn't appear to offer
anything useful to a resident of British Columbia are generally not
listed
here. Sorry 'bout that.
Organizations
Consumer Information
Check out the organizations you plan to deal with
and research the industry and the goods you plan to buy before you have a
problem. That done, you're much less likely to run into defective goods
or a dishonest supplier.
"Marketplace,
CBC's award-winning consumer affairs program, is one of the
highest-rated current affairs shows on CBC." Like other
media-based consumer programs, their approach is sometimes slanted
against suppliers and manufacturers, but they do offer some valuable
cautions. And forewarned is fore-armed—if you know the tricks
and traps in the industry, you're better equipped to avoid them. (9/09)
"Our mandate
is to inform and educate consumers on marketplace issues, to advocate
for consumers with government and industry, and work with government
and industry to solve marketplace problems." Independent and
non-profit; lots of resource links and information. (9/09)
Consumer
opinions of a huge range of consumer goods. Comprehensive and detailed
reviews are encouraged here. There are also links to the manufacturers'
sites and other sources for purchase of those goods. Organization of
the site is good, and useability is even better. (9/09)
Good
information for consumers and insurance professionals alike. (9/09)
Consumer Protection
Now you've got a problem,
and you haven't been able to work it
out with the sales rep or his/her boss? Here are some other
possibilities. But when you're looking at the complaint sites, keep in
mind that they present a distorted picture of the supplier. You won't
find the supplier's success stories there, and they may far outnumber
the complaints. Not all complaints are reasonable; most present only
one side of the story.
Oh. You're looking for
someone to go to bat for you and bang a few heads? None of these
organizations will do that for you. What you're looking for is an
advocate, and you spell that this way: "l-a-w-y-e-r". You can find a BC
lawyer here. If a supplier has ignored
existing legislation, you can approach the government agency that
enforces that legislation and/or the supplier's licensing body (if there is one),
but keep in mind that the government
agency's job is to enforce the legislation, and the licensing body's
job is to determine whether its licensee is competent enough to hold the licence. Neither agency
will resolve your complaint
for you.
The
BBB provides a well-run mediation service for resolving complaints. Start here.
But keep in mind that it's a mediation process. The BBB is a
neutral facilitator in that process. However, the complaint you file
goes onto the supplier's record, along with the resolution. (9/09)
Formerly
known as the Consumer
Protection and
Business Practices Authority, but that was too much of a
mouthful even if
it was a good description of what it does. It is an independent agency
of the
Province of British Columbia, and has legislative authority to enforce
several provincial consumer protection statutes. Check out the Consumer Assistance Directory for
links to a wide variety of trade associations and licensing bodies for
specific industries. (9/09)
"The CRTC
is an independent public organization that regulates and supervises the
Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications systems." It also
regulates telemarketers. It's website is not the clearest in the world,
but sometimes government is like that. (9/09)
"econsumer.gov
is a portal for you as a consumer to report complaints about online and
related transactions with foreign companies." Government
consumer agencies in 24 countries are the members of econsumer.gov;
several Canadian bodies appear to be actively involved. It is hosted by
the U. S. Federal Trade Commission. (9/09)
The
CMA is a trade association that represents direct marketers and which
fosters wholesome marketing practices. It provides
a "do-not-mail/do-not-call"
list to warn its members off from consumers who do not want
solicitations. However, the CRTC's National
Do Not Call List applies to all telemarketers in Canada, not
just CMA members. (9/09)
"Bust the
junk messages out of your
life.'' Unfortunately, it's American and refers to American resources
that probably aren't available to residents of Canada other than with
respect to junk coming from the US. However, the site offers tips on dealing with
unwanted telemarketers, spam, junk faxes, etc, that can be useful. (9/09)
Sailings,
space already reserved, and waiting times; weather conditions and
parking status. Yes, schedules and fares too. Updated with every
sailing. Utility websites don't come any better than this one. It's
fast and easy to use. (9/09)
Translink
will get you to and from the ferry,
but the PCL coach is much faster and more comfortable. Service also to
Whistler and Nanaimo. And tours. (9/09)
Schedules,
route maps, and other information for all Lower Mainland public
transportation links. Lots of useful information for users of the
Greater Vancouver transit system. The Trip
Planner and the Next Bus services are particularly helpful. And they're
right on the home page. (9/09)
Of
course, this link takes you to the Canadian site. Either way, it's a
great way to buy a book. And books isn't all they sell, by a long shot.
You can buy what you want in your pajamas if you want to. And you won't
have to wait long for the book, either. (7/07)
Shears,
scissors, secateurs—the best. Not the cheapest; the best. But that's
what we expect from Switzerland. You can order them on-line here
if your favourite tool supply store doesn't carry them. (Lee
Valley does; their order service is great.) (9/09)
"Canada's #1
Site for General Classifieds." Available throughout western Canada.
It's offering free ads now—competition with CraigsList is getting
tough, it seems. (9/09)
Probably
the best-known (and best?) "on-line buy & sell". It has lists
for most of the civilized world. Go here
if you want a Craigslist for somewhere other than Vancouver, BC. It's a
free service—if you can ignore the rather
unobtrusive ads. (9/09)
Buy
it for your car. Or buy a wacky bumper sticker. Or whatever. The
religious right will NOT thank you for it. (9/09)
Recycling &
Reclamation
Computers
The organizations
listed below have at least a presence in the Greater Vancouver area of
British Columbia. Sorry — you'll have to do your own searches
for organizations that do this stuff in other regions.
"Not having a computer in our modern world is
on par with illiteracy in days past. Our mission is to provide
computers to those who would otherwise not be able to afford one." (7/07)
"We provide affordable, refurbished computers
and training programs to needful individuals and organizations locally
and worldwide. Our main project focus is our work with the "Smile Africa
Foundation" to provide computer labs to schools throughout
Africa." (7/07)
"...collects, repairs and refurbishes donated
surplus computers from government and private sector sources and
distributes them to schools, public libraries and not-for-profit
learning organizations throughout Canada." It has placed over 750,000
used computers since inception. (7/07)
"Electronic Recycling Association is a non-for
profit organization working with the public and private sector helping
companies and the public deal with unwanted electronic items. We are
the only non profit organization that actually donates computers at no
charge to local schools, charities, non profit groups, libraries,
elderly homes, and other community based organizations." It recycles
parts and materials from components that are too obsolete to be
re-used. (7/07)
They'll take any computer equipment—of any
age. What they can't re-use in refurbishing older systems for
non-profit organizations or for sale to the public, they'll recycle.
Responsibly. (9/09)
"When individuals or companies upgrade their
systems or software, the OFTDF welcomes them to donate their used
computer equipment and/or software in exchange for a valuable
tax-deductible donation receipt." (7/07)
"Our fundamental purpose is to provide
Complete, Zero Waste electronic recycling whereby nothing goes into
landfill. We provide our services to all sectors of the public,
business and government." (7/07)
"Over the past 13 years Tradeworks has offered
trades training, sports programs, computer courses, return to work
programs and more." I'm also told that they also provide
low-cost or free computers to organizations and individuals but charge
a $15 recycling fee for monitors. (7/07)
"Call2Recycle®
is the only free rechargeable battery and cell phone collection program
in North
America." If it was rechargeable, they probably can tell you where to
offload it. Landfill isn't for rechargeables and electronics—those
things are toxic. (9/09)
"...helps
home owners, building managers, and construction contractors in
Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond and the North Shore to rid themselves of
unwanted items. Deals with almost anything, including e-waste. (7/07)
"Presenting
Vancouver's Finest Restaurants." Restaurants are listed by region and
cuisine, but there
is no search engine to speed the process. Links to the restaurant's
website are sometimes provided. And that's all you get—just the
listings and a web address. No reviews. (9/09)
