Action: Slow-moving refund suddenly picked up speed

I canceled my subscription with Dish Network on Aug. 30 because the reception was bad. I had called about three times during a two-week period, but the company was no help. I had paid for a year in advance on March 17, so when I called to cancel, I asked for a refund for the remaining months. I was told $193.10 would be mailed to me. I have written three times since asking for the refund, but there has been no reply. Thank you for your assistance. Robert E. Lee

Response: That was a quick turnaround. Thanks for letting us know that two weeks after you contacted Action, you received your refund check.

Disappointing purse

I purchased a leather pocketbook for $62.60 from Hide Out at the Pier in St. Petersburg at the beginning of October. On Oct. 29, I noticed the handle had separated from the pocketbook. I called the store and was told to bring the purse in. I did so Nov. 1, but I was told nothing could be done by anyone except the owners, Fred and Merle, who were usually there on the weekends.

On Monday, Nov. 4, I received a call from Fred and explained the situation with the pocketbook. He informed me that my only recourse was to have it repaired. I explained that I did not have any confidence in the pocketbook, which had been used for only about three weeks, and would appreciate a refund.

At the time of purchase, my husband and I were told that no refunds or exchanges were made without proof of purchase, which I understand and brought to Fred's atten tion. I suggested he could send the purse back to the manufacturer and was told this was not an option for him. His only suggestion was that there was a store in John's Pass to which I could take the pocketbook for repair if it would be easier for me.

I want a refund. I did my part by purchasing in good faith a leather purse that should have lasted for years without any problem. Susan Zaffater

Response: Fred Snook, owner of the Hide Out stores at the Pier and Madeira Beach, said he regrets the problems you are having with your handbag. The store's posted exchange policy is that unused merchandise may be exchanged for up to 15 days with a store receipt.

Occasionally products can be damaged and need to be repaired, he said, and the offer to repair has repeatedly been made to you. He said the store has used the same repair facility in Orlando for about 12 years, and it produces quality work.

At the time he received Action's letter, Snook said, he was under the impression that you had finally decided to take up the store on its repair offer, and he continues to hope you bring the purse in.

Recent recalls

The following products, distributed nationwide and in Florida, were recalled between Nov. 22 and 27:

About 24,700 Oceanic CDX first stage regulators used for scuba diving by Oceanic USA; extreme vibration can occur within these regulators, which can cause an air leak underwater. Divers could run out of air and drown. The recalled CDX regulators, sold with the Alpha 7, Delta 3, Gamma 2 and Zeta second stage regulators, have serial numbers 9200001 to 9205622, 9800013 to 9801711, 0200001 to 0213294, 0D0001 to 0D3046, and 9D0001 to 9D3273. Take them to any authorized Oceanic dealer for free repair. Call toll-free 1-866-723-2642 between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. weekdays; Web site: www.OceanicWorldWide.com.

6,702 pounds of PINNA brand Ricotta Salata cheese by Schratter Foods; possible contamination with listeria monocytogenes, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail and elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. The recalled precut pieces have sell-by dates of Jan. 4, 2003, through Feb. 20, 2003, stamped on the outer plastic wrapper of each piece of cheese. Recalled bulk cheese is coded on the outer shipping carton as "PD 5-23-02." Return to place of purchase for full refund.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that many recalled toys are still in circulation. Though the recalled products may be off store shelves, they may still be lurking in garages, attics, basements, toy boxes or closets and be given as holiday gifts. For a list of recalled toys, call the commission toll-free at 1-800-638-2772, or visit its Web site: www.cpsc.gov.

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.; USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at toll-free 1-800-535-4555; government food safety information at www.foodsafety.gov; National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline, www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hotline; toll-free 1-888-327-4236.

- 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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