Action: Cell phone can always call 911

We have a cell phone that is no longer activated. Is it possible to use that phone just to call 911? I have heard that if it is charged, any cell phone can be used for emergencies. I don't know who else to ask. Judith Piotter

Response: The short answer is yes, per Federal Communications Commission rules, you don't have to be a subscriber to make 911 calls. According to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (http://www.ctia. org), to which the FCC referred us, if you must make a 911 call from a wireless phone, be prepared to give the following information:

Your name and wireless phone number
The nature of the emergency
The number of victims and nature of their injuries
The exact location, including identifying landmarks or mile markers, if possible.
Do not hang up unless the operator tells you to.

Refund issued

On Oct. 2, my son and I met with an agent from John Casablancas Modeling and Career Center. I signed him up for 10 weeks of modeling classes starting on Oct. 14. The classes were to meet every other week. Payment of $1,055 was made in full by credit card.

My son attended the first class on Oct. 14. After a week, it was decided that he no longer wanted to attend this class. As stated in the refund policy, a certified letter was sent and signed for on Oct. 26. I then received a call from the agent who signed us up, and I told her I wanted a refund. Since then, I have called John Casablancas numerous times and left messages. To date, my credit card statements show that the charge has still not been credited. Please help me get my money back. Debra Brandt

Response: James Gans, president of John Casablancas Modeling and Career Center in St. Louis, Mo., said he has spoken to you and your refund has been issued. The problem with issuing it earlier, he said, was that the company did not have your credit card number. Apparently the credit card processing service had changed its procedures without notifying the company and no longer had a record of your card number.

Nylons arrive

On Oct. 17, I ordered some nylon panty hose from J.D. Marvel. The check was cashed Oct. 27, but I have not received the order. There was no phone number on the catalog that I could call, so I wrote to the company twice. Still no nylons. Mrs. Ruth Walker

Response: We were glad to learn that you finally got your order.

T-shirt, plus bonus

On Nov. 22, my 10-year-old son wanted to get his mother a Christmas present, and he saw the T-shirt "Who Let the Dogs Out" on Warren Sapp's Web site, http://www.Big99.com. I ordered the shirt using my Visa card, and the printout of the order form showed it was accepted.

After three weeks, the T-shirt had not arrived, so I tried calling. The recorded message said questions about orders were not handled by phone, they had to be e-mailed. So I e-mailed the company twice but never received an answer. My son was disappointed when we went over to his mother's house and he did not have a present to give her.

It would be greatly appreciated if Action could help us get the T-shirt. Richard Rounds

Response: Chris Davis of Big99.com's shipping department said that the T-shirt was shipped out two days after the order was received. UPS does not have a signature on file for proof of delivery, so it is reimbursing the company for the merchandise. Davis said the T-shirt was reshipped on Monday, along with a Warren Sapp beany baby to make up for the delays in receiving it.

Working for a refund

My grandson, who lives with me, ordered "shoes for crews" through KFC while he was employed there. The sole came off within a month. I called and was told to send the shoes by FedEx, which I did. My grandson ordered a different pair of shoes that were sent to KFC. In the meantime, my grandson had quit working there, so the shoes were returned. I called and was told that a refund was sent to KFC in Kentucky. I wrote to the KFC in Kentucky on my grandson's behalf. No response, no refund, nothing. I hope you can help us. Lydia Patrick

Response: Thanks for letting us know that your grandson received the refund for the shoes.

Mistake rectified

Blockbuster Video claims that I did not return two videos I had rented and charged me $6.40 in extended viewing fees. I disagreed and said that one of Blockbuster's employees had located the videos at another store from the one where I returned them.

My account has been turned over to a collection agency for refusal to pay an outstanding debt, disregarding past notices and violating the terms of the rental agreement. I do not owe Blockbuster anything. Can you help? Dwight Lawton

Response: Blockbuster offers its apologies. The debt is canceled, and you have let us know that you received a phone call with the same news. We're glad we could help.

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Action solves problems and gets answers for you. If you have a question, or your 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, (800) 333-7505, ext. 8171, to leave a recorded request for Action. Names will not be omitted except in unusual circumstances. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

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