Going online to rent a car? Check agencies

Dear Heloise: I read info that said to rent a car online for the best deal. I would like to help educate the public that most travel agencies have equal or better rates than most online sites, and our services are free for hotel and car bookings made for any client (at most agencies).

Most travel agents’ services are free to the client for hotel, car, cruises and any and all tour packages. In general, most agents charge a fee only for air-only bookings, and the majority of online booking sites now add that fee to the price of tickets as well. In fact, many times we are able to beat the prices for airline tickets found online because of our vast experience in finding the best rates.

Thank you for helping to educate the general public regarding the free services that most agents provide. Diane P., Springfield, Ill.

Diane, how right you are! Folks, check with several travel agencies to see what the fee structure is — you might find out it’s a bargain. This is especially true if you have a multicity or long trip. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I read a gripe about people who fail to take down garage-sale signs after the sale is over. You might suggest that the date and time be included on signs. It will keep people from wasting their time chasing after an old event. Ed Chambers, Wailuku, Hawaii

Ed, how smart of you, and thanks for taking the time to pass along this hint. If folks would do as you suggest, it sure would make things a lot easier! Aloha to my friends in Hawaii, where I lived for several years as a young child. Mahalo. Heloise

Dear Readers: Here are two good hints from M. Burke, via e-mail:

Prescription face creams from dermatologists often have peroxide in them. Please warn parents that teens using these creams should not use colored face cloths, towels, etc., as the color will be removed. It would be great if druggists would include warnings in these prescriptions.

In Europe, plastic shopping bags are not used. You must bring your own bags when food shopping. If you must use plastic bags from the store, save them and return them on your next trip. Most supermarkets now have places to drop them off. If everyone pitched in, we would have a cleaner, greener country.

Dear Heloise: I have found multiple uses for plastic laundry-detergent scoops that come in boxes of detergent. I place them in bags of ice melter so I can scoop it out instead of pouring from the bag.

I even use them in the kitchen to hold soap pads. This way, the soap pad does not leave a rust stain on the sink. They also work great for adding water to the automatic fabric-softener dispenser in the washer. Mark Quesenberry, Hilliard, Ohio

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