Action: Ticket blanks look like no-shows

On Jan. 20, I ordered 1,000 blanks for producing tickets from Easy Computer Systems in Branson, Mo. My check for $43.45 cleared my credit union on Feb. 1. The merchandise did not arrive. I called the company, and a representative said he would have the shipping representative call me. Subsequent calls were futile. I am interested in receiving the merchandise in lieu of a cash refund. LeRoy Edwards

Response: We're afraid you're probably going to have to write off your $43.45, because we were unable to contact the company by either phone or mail. The second letter we sent, by certified mail, return receipt requested, was returned marked "unclaimed." The Better Business Bureau in St. Louis has no information on the company.

Our standard advice is to check out a company before you do business with it. No record of a company at the Better Business Bureau can sometimes be a red flag. We also urge folks to contact local consumer protection agencies, where they are available.

Sorry, steakhouse is done

Our son purchased a $25 gift certificate for our Christmas gift. We went tonight for dinner, and the restaurant was closed. Is this a chain where we might (a) find another St. Andrews Steakhouse in the Tampa Bay area, (b) find a sister restaurant that will honor our son's $25, (c) write the headquarters for our money back? Please help us out. We have not told our son of this problem. He will be very heartbroken. Jim and Betsy Wood

Response: Oh dear. We're afraid the news is all bad. St. Andrews Steakhouse was not part of a chain, and we use the past tense because it is no more, having filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, as reported in the Times on March 12. The chances of your recovering the money are virtually nil.

If it is of any consolation to your son should he find out, you are not the only one out a meal, however. Barbara Eaton's grandson gave her a $25 gift certificate to the steakhouse for Christmas as well.

We're sorry that we don't have any favorable solutions to offer.

Burial benefit's not due

I have a problem I've been puzzling over for the past eight years. Perhaps you can unravel the mystery for me so I can understand it. All Social Security does is confuse me; it's very good at that. My mother passed away on Jan. 1, 1998. I assumed all burial expenses. I understand there is a $255 death benefit that is payable to the next of kin. Social Security says I'm not entitled to it, and I don't understand why. I'm her son. I buried her. I paid for everything. Can you explain this to me? I sure would like an answer I can understand. Arthur Conley

Response: Sorry, but we have to side with the Social Security Administration on this one, just as we did the last time we answered this same question on Oct. 14, 1998. You are correct that there is a death benefit of $255. It is payable to the spouse, and if there is no spouse, then it is payable to a child of the deceased person, but only if the child was receiving benefits based on the parent's earnings. To put it another way, if you were an independent adult child at the time of your mother's death, you are not entitled to the death benefit.

Magazine miscue is fixed

I ordered a subscription to Family Circle magazine from a high school student in November. I paid $24.95 to Magazine Network in Miami. I have never received a single issue. I called the magazine and was told it never received my subscription. I've written to Magazine Network, but it never responded. I called Family Circle again on March 25. Still no subscription. Please help me if you can. Audrey Giaquinto

Response: We received an unsigned letter from Magazine Network in Miami stating that it appears your order was incorrectly entered into its system. It is now being entered with the correct information. For your inconvenience, you may select a bonus magazine from a list that accompanied the letter. You are asked to allow 90 to 120 days for processing. Since it appears we received the original letter and list, we are forwarding it to you.

-- If you have a question for Action, 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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