SeniorNet has lost its space at the JCC in Boynton Beach due to the coming closing of the JCC in West Palm Beach. This created a snowball effect that resulted in the need for additional space by the JCC at the Boynton Beach location, hence SeniorNet is being evicted.

SeniorNet began in 1995 with three students in a basement classroom. In 2003, ‘04 and ‘05 they taught 1,000 students each year. In 2008 attendance went down to 500.

SeniorNet, which has educated literally thousands of seniors in computer usage south Palm Beach, is in need of a new rent free home.

Contact SeniorNet at 561-306-4947 or Ed Ostrowski, President at 561-306-4947. See what they are about at their website: www.SeniornetBoyntonBeach.org.

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Consumer Traps & Tips from the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division
Topic: Gold Parties

Trap: Mark from Boynton Beach couldn’t resist the invitation. A gold party! It sounded fun, and his wife had a big box of discarded jewelry. He went to a stranger’s house across town and met a lot of people selling their gold. There was a professional looking lady weighing the gold and writing checks. Mark handed over his bag of jewelry and made more than three hundred dollars! He even got a tip on how he could start his own gold party business. Later that night he wondered if he got such a great deal. Mark’s wife was also not happy about him selling her high school pendant.

Tips: The gold bullion exchange industry is largely unregulated and Florida does not require licensing. There are ways to avoid a gold party nightmare:
• First, decide if you really want to sell your gold. Jewelry can often be worth more than its salvage weight when you include artistic or sentimental value.
• Gold parties may be fun and convenient, but may not give you the best deal. It is important to know the karat of your gold and to get it appraised beforehand. Call a local jewelry store or go to www.goldprice.org.
• Keep in mind nobody does business to lose. Gold parties operate with many costs such as host commissions, the buyer’s time and the refiner’s costs. These expenses mean your gold may be bought at up to half of what it is really worth.
• Be wary of buyers who lump your gold into one pile. Sort your gold by karat weight beforehand, and be cautious if told your gold is of a different karat.
• Understand the scales. Gold is measured in Troy ounces (31.1 grams). Shady buyers will weigh gold in what’s called pennyweight (1.555 grams) and pay you in grams. Make sure you are paid the right price for the unit of measurement.

Need more information? - Call Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs at 561-712-6600 or visit www.pbcgov.com/consumer to see if complaints have been made against the company you are considering.
Dennis Moore, Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division, 561-712-6600
Boca/Delray/Glades toll free: 1-888-852-7362. Fax: 561-712-6610
50 So. Military Trail, Suite 201, West Palm Beach, FL 33415
Check out our website at: http://www.pbcgov.com/consumer

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