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Entry bubble National Consumer Protection Week

By: Jess | March 04, 2010 | Category: General

Consumer Action HandbookNational Consumer Protection Week is almost here. You may remember a few months ago when Nicole wrote a guest post introducing the National Consumer Protection Week blog, which shared great consumer tips leading up to and through NCPW. Well starting Sunday, the big event is finally here.

To celebrate, there are all kinds of consumer awareness events  taking place all over the country. Check out the list to see if there's one in your area. If not, you can check out tips for promoting NCPW in your community to raise awareness about things like identity theft, scams and fraud.

Another way to get involved is to check out the 2010 Consumer Action Handbook. The Handbook and ConsumerAction.gov websites are your go-to guides for handling consumer problems. You'll be armed with the tools and strategies you need to file a complaint. There's a sample complaint letter as well as the contact information for tons of businesses and service providers so you know you're sending your complaint to the right place.

So tell me, how do you plan to celebrate National Consumer Protection Week?

| Post a Comment | View Comments [1] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: consumer   jess   protection  

 

Entry bubble A Successful Consumer Complaint

By: Jess | September 17, 2009 | Category: General

Woman using wireless Internet

You may remember that a few weeks ago I was having horrible problems with my Internet service so I turned to the Consumer Action Handbook to figure out how to file a complaint. Many of you also commented that after I filed the complaint I should ask my provider to reimburse me for the time I had been without service.

I just wanted to take a quick minute to thank you all for that advice. I did request to be reimbursed for service lost, and my provider agreed. I'm waiting to get my next bill to make sure the credit went through. If it does, I'll be reimbursed for about half the cost of the bill and—for all the trouble they put me through—they also offered to cut my monthly bill in half for the rest of the year.

The company was also quick to respond to the complaint letter I sent to the vice president of customer relations. A very nice woman called me and listened to my problem. Since a technician had just been to my house to fix the problem, she told me to call her if we had problems again and she gave me a direct number and her normal work hours.

When my service dropped less than an hour after the tech had been there, I called her right back and she immediately called a supervisor and got a technician out to solve the problem.

My Internet hasn't been perfect since then, but it's been better and I'm happy that I have a person I can contact directly with future problems.

So thanks to all of you for your great advice and I encourage you to use the resources at ConsumerAction.gov if you ever need them.

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: complaints   consumer   consumer_action_handbook   consumer_complaint   jess  

 

Entry bubble Free Publications for You!

By: Joanne | January 27, 2009 | Category: General

protect your move

Times are tough, and we’ve got some great, free, consumer publications to help you get along and make smart choices in your life. Check out the free packages below, and don’t forget that we have many, many more free or low cost publications on a variety of consumer topics.

  • Guide to Taking Medicine – Anyone who regularly takes prescription drugs can tell you that it’s hard to keep all the side effects and drug interactions straight. This free package can help you make sure your medications are working their best.
  • Money Tips for All Ages – You might be going through difficult financial times, but now is the perfect time to start practicing financial habits that will serve you well no matter your age or the state of the economy.
  • Fraud Protection for Seniors – As much as I hate to even think it’s true, there are fraudsters out there that prey on the elderly. It’s tough to recognize an investment that sounds reasonable and legitimate but is actually a con. This free package will help you learn to make sound investment decision.
  • Caring for Sports Injuries – Spring is on it’s way and soon we’ll be spending more active time outside.  Learn how to recognize injuries and how to heal faster once they happen.
  • Menopause and Your Bones – Just yesterday I was lamenting to a friend that I don’t do enough weight-bearing exercise to keep my (aging) bones healthy and hopefully avoid osteoporosis down the road.  Learn how to take care of your bones during menopause, as well as how to manage osteoporosis and back pain.
  • Investing Basics – Whether you’re 25 or 55, you should be saving money for your future. Get started saving and set financial goals with this free kit.
  • Moving 101 – Moving? Order this free package to get tips on finding and choosing the right mover.

| View Comments [1] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: consumer   free   joanne   pamphlet   publications   pueblo  

 

Entry bubble Car Repair Problems

By: Joanne | December 09, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

overheating car

Last week I told you the sad story about my car trouble. It’s going to take some effort to reach the happy ending.

The good news is that the Ford is happily rolling down the road with a shiny new water pump. The Subaru has not been so lucky. I mentioned last week that we mistakenly took the Subaru to an unfamiliar garage, and now we’re paying the price. We racked up $500 in charges for parts and labor and it appears that in the course of the repair (and I use the term loosely) the mechanic actually damaged the engine.

The Subaru was towed to a dealer. I didn’t think that I should have to pay for the ($200!) tow and calmly and politely told the garage the same. They said no.

This garage just doesn’t know that I work for the people that wrote the Consumer Action Handbook.

I let them know that I had already been in touch with the state Attorney General’s office and would file a consumer complaint. They immediately backed down and took care of the tow. One minor victory for the informed consumer.

The Subaru is with the dealer. I’ve given the service manager instructions to figure out what’s wrong with the car and if it’s the result of normal wear and tear or if it was damaged by the previous mechanic.

I’m prepared for the worst. If it was damaged by the mechanic, I’ll talk to the shop manager and ask them to pay for the repair. If that doesn’t work, I’m going to write a complaint letter to document the problem, and fill out the consumer complaint form that the Attorney General’s office sent me so we can begin mediation. Any other advice?

| View Comments [5] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: car   complaint   consumer   garage   joanne   mechanic   repair   tow  

 

Entry bubble Read the Fine Print

By: Nicole | August 29, 2008 | Category: General

Mouse DetectiveHave you ever wondered about the full page of microscopic text that flashes for .02 seconds at the end of a car commercial? Well, the folks behind MousePrint.org certainly have. In fact, they have taken the time to review lots of ads to see what information is hidden in the fine print, and they’re willing to share their discoveries.

The website doesn’t just cover car ads either. Their retail section can keep you up-to-date on which companies are downsizing their products to hide rising costs, and their sweepstakes section can give you the skinny on unlikely giveaways.

If you have a complaint about a misleading advertisement, you should contact the company first. If that doesn’t work, there are steps you can take to resolve the issue.

And while we’re on the topic, I have some fine print to share about myself. I’ve accepted a new position at the Federal Trade Commission. Don’t worry. I will still be hard at work empowering consumers, and I will be leaving you in very capable hands. Our new Friday blogger, Ginger, is sure to keep you on your toes.*


*Nicole cannot be held accountable for Ginger's ability to keep you on your toes. All previous claims from Nicole expire as of August 29, 2008. Sorry, no refunds.

| View Comments [4] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: ads   advertisements   cars   claims   complaints   consumer   nicole   retail   shopping   sweepstakes  

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