DEAR SUN SPOTS: Please advise your readers not to order anything from the Paragon catalog at P.O. Box 4068, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025. I assumed IN was Indiana; however, they are in India.

Their merchandise is always out of order, and they keep your money forever. I have had the experience. It has been since June 8 of my money order and after five phone calls still no money back.

Their phone number is 855-733-9257. I doubt they will cooperate, but by advising someone else, maybe they will not have the same thing done to them. Thank you. — Cecile, Auburn

ANSWER: The Paragon catalog company is not in India. They have a call center in India that takes the overflow calls when the call centers in Indiana and Ohio can’t handle the calls. The Paragon and Paragon Me catalogs are based in Indiana.

If you call and get someone you can’t understand, just hang up and call again. Lunchtime is a good time to try.

Sun Spots spoke to a very nice representative, who was able to look up your account from your name and address. She said the problem was the dresses you wanted were so back-ordered that they decided to issue a refund instead of making you wait until they came in.

She said the check was cut July 17 and would have been mailed a week after that, so hopefully you have your money now. If not, she said to call back, and they will trace your check.

Sun Spots highly recommends always using a credit card when you buy anything, especially from a catalog or online. Then if there is a problem, you just call your credit card company, file a dispute and receive a credit on your card.

The financial institution handles all the hassle of dealing with the company and tracking down your money. However, if you are found to be in the wrong (for example, misused an item, then returned it), the credit may be reversed.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am curious about the construction of the new Hobby Lobby store in Auburn. The last I knew it was supposed to open in the fall. There doesn’t seem to be much going on at the construction site. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots called the Auburn Planning Department and was told that the foundation permit has been issued and construction has begun. Hard to say how long until the store is built and actually opens. It is not listed on the Hobby Lobby website for 2014 store openings (www.hobbylobby.com/stores/).

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for the wonderful service you provide.

This response is a big thank-you to Donna Childs of Wales and L.B.G. of Lewiston. I now have the yearbook I was looking for.

I went to the school two weeks ago, as suggested, and they had one copy of the yearbook I wanted to purchase.

I never gave up trying to find it. I called the library, Josten’s American Yearbook Co. No luck.

Getting it made my day. I now have all my high school yearbooks. 38 years was worth the wait. — C.G., Lewiston

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For those of you inquiring about magazines, I am the one who asks for recent magazines in good condition.

The preferred magazines are Woman’s World, Family Circle, Woman’s Day, Reminisce, Country and Country Woman, Better Homes and Good Housekeeping.

I ask for these magazines, as I deliver them to various nursing homes, and these magazines are what the patients like.

If you have these magazines and are willing to give them up, please call 207-784-3803.

I have done this for a few years now, and the response has been outstanding. I do not pick up. God bless. — V., Auburn

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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