Action: Fees for canceled trip are common

On Aug. 28, I made a reservation for a vacation package to Freeport, Bahamas, on Sept. 10. I had to cancel this reservation and did so within the allowed time. When I made the reservation, I was never told I would be charged $25 if I canceled the trip. I later saw it on the back of the confirmation in small print. In my book, the company should have told me upfront about this cancellation fee and not snuck it on the back of the reservation after making me pay in full. Can anything be done about this? Andrew Bischoff

Response: We're afraid not. Since the terms were stated, there is nothing we can do. It's always wise to check on cancellation or refund policies beforehand. In Action's experience, cancellation fees are usually, if not always, charged for canceled vacation and other travel packages.

Company is bankrupt

I bought a house and went to Flooring America to get some tile. I picked some out and gave a deposit of $250. About three days later, someone from the store called me and said the tile I had picked out was no longer being made and asked if I would like to choose another. I said no and that I'd like my deposit back.

Well, I got a check for the amount and put it in my bank account. The check bounced twice. I took a day off work to go to the store by cab. I have no car. The store was closed. Another address was on the door, so I went to that location. Guess what? That store was no longer open either. I tried the two other stores, and they were closed as well. Could you please help me? I just want my money back. Kristine Adams

Response: We wish we could help you, but Flooring America has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and there is nothing we can do. You can file a claim with the bankruptcy court in Atlanta, where the bankruptcy was filed, but there is no guarantee that you will be able to get your money back. You can pick up a claim form at an office supply store or from the court. Mail the completed form to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Richard B. Russell Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 75 Spring St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. The case number is 00-68370.

Recent recalls

The following products were recalled between Oct. 6 and 12:

Outdoor extension cords (sold under Woods LockJawand Yellow Jacket LockJawbrand names) and cord reels (sold under Woods ACDelco and LumaPro brand names) by Woods Industries; the plastic housing of the locking plug can separate or break, exposing live wires and posing shock and electrocution hazards. Call (888) 755-6535 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays.

Lawn-Boy power mowers (1998 SilverPro Series and GoldPro Series Mowers with 2-cycle engines); blade can crack and break off, possibly causing serious injury. Call (800) 444-8676 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. weekdays. Web site: http://www.lawnboy.com/recall.htm.

Certain hockey face guards by I-Tech Sport Products; face guards can become dislodged and fall off, leaving the user's face exposed to possible injury. Call (800) 361-5595 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.

Certain front suspension bicycle forks by RockShox; compression rods can fracture, resulting in loss of control and possible serious injury to the rider. Call (866) 888-6192 or write to RockShox Inc., Attn: Recall Task Force, 1610 Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO 80907. Web site: http://www.rockshox.com.

Battery chargers (model DW9116, for 9.6- to 18-volt batteries used with DeWALT cordless tools) by DeWALT Industrial Tool Co.; metal clips inside the chargers could come loose and stick through the chargers' vents, possibly resulting in an electrical shock. Call (888) 388-3273 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Sources: SafetyAlerts at http://www.safetyalerts.com; Consumer Product Safety Commission at http://www.cpsc.gov; Food and Drug Administration at http://www.fda.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, 893-8171, or, outside of Pinellas, (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. Names of letter writers will not be omitted except in unusual circumstances. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright