Stamp out hoaxes arriving by mail

By NANCY PARADIS

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 14, 2000

I recently received a letter which said that Madalyn Murray O'Hair's atheist organization is trying to get all Bible readings and worship services off the airwaves, as well as all Christmas programs, songs, etc., removed from the schools. I think this is a hoax. Is it? Marsha White

Response: Ah, yes, it's about time for this hoax to reappear. It was last addressed in this column in January 1993, and before that by Pat Fenner in November 1987, who called it "another sophomoric hoax" periodically revived by "some pea-brained insomniac."

Hoaxes that are taken seriously waste huge amounts of time and money. Pat's answer referred to 16-million letters the FCC received as a result of this hoax, which began circulating in 1975. At 22 cents a stamp back then, the mailing cost alone was more than $3.5-million. Add millions more letters at 33 cents a stamp today. . . . well, you do the math.

Anyone who receives this hoax can do us all a favor by promptly pitching it in the trash.

The elusive service call

On March 29, we had a fence installed by West Coast Fence. Everything was fine with the installation of the fence and gate. On May 11, I made a call to West Coast Fence because the gate had shifted along with one of the fence posts. I was told that someone would come out to check it. On May 18, I called again to find out the status of the service call and was told by the secretary that the serviceman had been out there on May 17. I said I had been home but had a do not disturb sign up as the kids were napping. However, I felt the serviceman could have used the cell phone; I had shut the ringer off in the phone but left the recorder on, so I could have heard him had he called. A service call was rescheduled for Friday or Saturday, May 19 or 20.

I was home both of those days, and no one showed up. I called the company at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 22, and was told that since an order had been put in, I didn't have to wait around, because I would be called before the serviceman came out. I was gone one hour, during which the serviceman called and left a message on the phone. When I called the office, I was told the service call would have to be rescheduled.

The following day, I called and got the foreman, Tom. He said if I wanted to make a scheduled appointment it would cost me $130. Why should I have to pay for a service call when the contract clearly says "2-year limited warranty on pressure treated pine"? What company doesn't schedule service calls with people? All I want is the gate to my yard fixed and all the boards that have popped out renailed. I would appreciate anything that you can do. Janet Smith

Response: Thomas Gavaghan, president of West Coast Fence in Pinellas Park, said his company's policy on service work is that it does not set appointments for service calls. It does them free of charge when the crew that installed the fence originally is working in the area again. He said the company's service report shows that you called on May 11 and 17. The installer went to your home to do the service work, and there was a note on the door saying, "Do not disturb; I am napping," so out of courtesy you were not disturbed.

On May 19, you called again and tried to pinpoint an exact time for the service work to be performed. You were told this was not possible and that you would be called before the servicemen went out to make sure you were home.

On May 22, at approximately 10 a.m., the installer called you and got the recorder instead. Again, no work was done, said Gavaghan.

You called the following day and were told the company was doing its best to accommodate you, but that if you wanted an exact time and date to do your service work, you would have to pay the minimum labor charge of $150. If you didn't want to pay it, you would have to wait till a crew was in the neighborhood again.

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