Action: Blowout predates recall period

I had Firestone tires on a Ford Explorer, and, like many other Ford owners, experienced a blowout. Fortunately I was able to retain control and pulled off the road.

I had the vehicle taken to the closest shop and had all the tires replaced. The shop told me that the original tires were the ones that Firestone had been having problems with. I decided that I did not want Firestone tires on my vehicle and purchased other tires.

I had an additional cost. The shims/cams had to be replaced and an alignment done because of the pulling from the blowout. The total cost was $731.23, but I asked Firestone to reimburse me only for the tires at $577.71.

The company refused because it was not within the recall period. My blowout was in February 2000, and the start of the recalls was in August 2000.

I have written to Ford and Firestone, but both refuse a refund. I now feel that I should receive a refund of the total cost of $731.23.

Because my incident happened six months before Firestone's recall does not mean that I was not driving around with its faulty tires.

I do not know where else to turn for help. I hope you can help me. Valerie Sableski

Response: Unfortunately, since your tires fall outside the time frame for replacement or reimbursement, we are unable to help you. Since nothing you sent us indicates exactly what tires you replaced (size and code), we cannot determine if yours were included in the expanded recall, although it does appear that they fall outside the specific dates.

You may want to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at toll free 1-800-424-9393 or 1-888-327-4236 for more information and possible help.

Door-to-door sales

I wish you would print this letter to warn others to be careful about buying magazines from college students selling door-to-door. I have been trying to get my magazines for a couple of years.

The $40 check I wrote to the American Fulfillment Center in Los Angeles cleared. I am sending you the letter I sent to the center; it came back marked "box closed, unable to forward, return to sender."

I called many times, and all I got was a recording; now I can't even get a recording.

You are my last hope. Please help me get my money back or my magazine. Benita Hallam

Response: We hate to be the ones to dash your hopes, but you're unlikely ever to see your money or your magazines. According to the report of the (Los Angeles) Better Business Bureau of the Southland, mail sent to this company was returned by the post office as "moved; left no forward address," "forward order has expired" or "unable to locate," and the bureau cannot trace addresses of companies or principals.

The company, which also went by the names American First Amendment, American Fulfillment Agency, First Amendment Publishers, First Amendment Inc. and Subscription Services Inc. has a history of complaints with the bureau alleging delays in receiving orders, nondelivery of ordered merchandise, billing disputes, unauthorized charges, unsatisfactory merchandise, poor customer service and difficulty obtaining refunds.

The company did respond to some complaints by making adjustments, but many others remain unresolved or unanswered. Not surprisingly, the bureau rates it as having an unsatisfactory business record.

In general, we do not recommend ordering magazines from folks who appear at the door. Action has received a number of complaints over the years concerning door-to-door magazine sales. As in your case, the checks are often cashed but the magazines fail to appear.

In the future, keep in mind that, by law, you have the right to cancel any home solicitation sale of $25 or more within three days of purchase and that sellers are required to provide notice of your rights in this regard. Just be sure to put your cancellation in writing and send it by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you have proof of its receipt.

-- 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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