Action: House has only a 2-year warranty

I purchased a 2-year-old home in July 1996. We began seeing spots on the wall in the kitchen nook two years ago. The outside stucco cracked from roof to ground. Inside, the drywall started to fall apart.

I contacted the builder in Tampa in August and was told that because we are not the original owners and the warranty only covers two years, we are out of luck. My point is that the problem was caused by the construction of the home and that water from rain has been manifesting itself inside the wall since 1994 and did not become apparent until the cracks and mildew spots started.

I have left messages that haven't been returned and finally wrote to the corporate office. In the meantime, I have contacted the insurance company and am having it fixed. It will cost me $1,037.77 out of pocket ($500 deductible plus $537.77 for the uncovered expense of repairs to the roof).

I would like the builder to cover my expenses since its shoddy construction is at fault. Rick Hyatt

Response: Unfortunately, a 7-year-old house is no longer warranted by the builder -- two years is the standard -- and any repairs are the owner's responsibility. We're sorry we couldn't help.

Refunds are on the way

You helped me once, and I hope you can help me again. I placed an order with Deer Creek Products in Pompano Beach on Aug. 15 for $20.92 for two items. The company sent one item, which was a substitute for one of the items I had ordered. I researched the product because it was a natural herb and found I was not happy with some of the contents. I explained this when I shipped the product back. Next I received a postcard saying the company was pleased to inform me that my order had been shipped on Oct. 5 and to allow 10 to 25 working days for its delivery.

I have still not received either of the products. Now I'm fed up and all I want is my money back. Georgetta Swafford

Response: The company has responded that one refund for $6.95 has already been issued and a second one for $13.97 is in the works.

By the way, we commend you for researching the substitute product that was sent before taking it. Many people nowadays turn to herbal products for any number of reasons. These are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and some can cause problems down the road. It is also important to let your doctor know of any such products you are taking, especially if you are taking any prescription medications.

The meaning of TriBeCa

Could you find out what section of New York City is known as TriBeCa?It seems that everyone, including residents of New York City, is in the dark about this. W.S. Goodwin

Response: We're not sure who you asked, but every New Yorker we asked, and we know quite a few, knew exactly where TriBeCa was. TriBeCa refers to Triangle Below Canal Street, the area between Broadway and the Hudson River south of Greenwich Village. According to the Web site nycvisit.com, TriBeCa "is a neighborhood that has been recycled from a manufacturing and warehouse district into a community of art galleries and some of the best restaurants in town."

Resolving a credit issue

I read with interest your column of Nov. 16. I, too, am having trouble resolving a credit issue with Alltel. I canceled service with it in December 2000, or January 2001. I made the last payment as requested and have since been receiving credit bills for the last 10 or 11 months. I am enclosing the last bill, and, as you can see, Alltel is saying that I have a $9.04 credit balance. After numerous phone calls and letters, I am no closer to receiving a check for this balance than I was at the beginning of the year. For a communications-based company, it is very lax in communicating with past customers.

I would appreciate anything you can do to resolve this issue and get me a check for the credit balance. Constance Garcia

Response: David Murdock, Alltel's customer service director in Tampa, said the check is being cut and you will get it soon. He said there is no record of the company's having received any correspondence from you, for which there is no explanation.

You didn't send us any copies of the letters you sent. In the future, it's always a good idea to keep a copy of any business correspondence.

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- 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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