In the spring and early summer each year, vendors might appear in your area, selling ineffective chemicals at seemingly cut-rate prices. Rule of thumb: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture receives many complaints in the spring from consumers who have purchased ineffective chemicals over the telephone or on the Internet because the sellers claimed they were comparable to well-known national brands.

Ken Franks of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture works with licensed pesticide retailers throughout the state and said before buying a chemical product via the phone or Internet, you should ask the seller the questions in the box at left.

Beware of pressure tactics, i.e., if the seller tells you to buy his product now or the deal will be gone forever. Be sure to compare labels of the “comparable” chemicals that the seller names before purchasing, and never buy a product that requires cash upon delivery