Action: TV station not included in contract

On Nov. 23, I signed a contract with Satellite Solution in New Port Richey to receive a complete installation of a satellite "Dish Network" and two receivers at my home. The total monthly cost was $52.99, including taxes. The contract clearly stated that for that amount I would get reception of "DHP top 100 plus locals, plus RAI (an Italian station)." I paid for the first month with a check.

When I received the first billing from Dish Network, in addition to the contracted cost, there was a $9.99 charge for reception of the Italian RAI. I called Satellite and a certain "Jeffrey" told me that the difference would be absorbed or split. Instead, last month's billing again shows the RAI charges. Vincent Lucifora

Response: According to Satellite Solutions, you were never told that the Italian channel would be free. The offer was made to split the first month's charge, but the company never heard from you again.

The handwritten notation on your contract, specifying what you were to receive, reads "DHP Top 100+ locals @ 49.99+ RAI." Although there is no mention of a monthly cost for RAI, it's not clear that it is included in your base fee. It appears that if you want the channel, you will have to pay for it.

Recent recalls

The following products, distributed nationwide and in Florida, were recalled between Feb. 15 and 21:

Tropicana Pure Premium Calcium orange juice sold in Sam's Club stores by Tropicana Products; may contain a cleaning solution. Only the 128-ounce size with a "best before" date of April 15 is affected. Return to Sam's Club where purchased for refund.

8.8-ounce packages of Caravelle brand "Preserved Ginger Sliced" by Anhing Corp.; product contains undeclared sulfites. Return to place of purchase for refund. Call (323) 221-8003.

39,000 copies of Monsters in the Closet children's board books by Random House Inc.; the snap that secures the book could detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. Cut off the snap from these books and mail the snap to: Tri-State, c/o Marie Corsello, 325 Rabro Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788, to receive a free replacement book. Call toll-free 1-800-493-0009 between 9 a.m and 5 p.m. weekdays. Web site: www.randomhouse.com.

75,000 pedal cars by Alpha International Inc., also known as Gearbox Pedal Car Company; the paint coating on some of them contains high lead levels, which could pose a lead poisoning hazard to children who ingest it. Seventeen models in a variety of colors (three fire trucks, four police cars, eight sedans, one yellow taxi and one dump truck) are included in the recall. Return to place of purchase for refund. Call toll-free 1-800-368-6367 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays to receive replacement.

About 4-million plush, cream-colored Snuggle bears by Unilever Home and Personal Care USA; the eyes and noses can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children. The 5-inch bears come in four styles: Pajama Bear wears blue, one-piece pajamas with a yellow moon and star design; Nightcap Bear wears a blue nightcap with a yellow moon and star design; Purple Blanket Bear holds a purple blanket; Pink Blanket Bear holds a pink blanket. The 8-inch bean bear is made of terry or plush fabric. The 10-inch plain stuffed bear is in a sitting position and has tan paws and ears. The bears were distributed with the purchase of Snuggle fabric softener or upon submission of proofs of purchase of the fabric softener. Other Snuggle bears are not affected. Call toll-free 1-800-896-9479. Web site: www.Snuggletime.com.

13,000 stainless steel kettles by Calphalon Corp.; the kettle's cover traps steam inside of the kettle, causing an increase in pressure which forces hot water to rise and escape through the spout, posing a serious burn hazard. The recalled 2-quart kettles are stainless steel with a glass cover and model number 4302 on the bottom. Kettles with a green sticker next to the bar code on the bottom of the box contain retrofitted covers and are not included in this recall. Call toll-free 1-800-233-0753 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays to receive a free replacement cover.

Sources: SafetyAlerts at www.safetyalerts.com; Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov, toll-free 1-800-638-2772; Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov.; government food safety information at www.foodsafety.gov.

- Action solves problems and gets answers for you. If you have a question, or your own attempts to resolve a consumer complaint have failed, write Times Action, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, or call your Action number, (727) 893-8171, or, outside of Pinellas, toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 8171, to leave a recorded request.

Requests will be accepted only by mail or voice mail; calls cannot be returned. We will not be responsible for personal documents, so please send only photocopies. If your complaint concerns merchandise ordered by mail, we need copies of both sides of your canceled check.

We may require additional information or prefer to reply by mail; therefore, readers must provide a full mailing address, including ZIP code. Names of letter writers will not be omitted except in unusual circumstances. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

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