Consumer File - Orlando Sentinel

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08/24/11--07:54: Sad state of our state (chan 1608034)

     From another victim of  the jungle known as the free market in Florida:    I contracted with a company to install solar panels in the end of 2009 when there was rebate money available from the state of Florida.  I met the solar contractor through the Greens Fair in Dania Beach.  I looked into their background and [...]


08/25/11--05:49: Is your dryer a fire hazard? (chan 1608034)

I have no earthly. But Rick Raines does. Read on: My name is Rick Raines. I am owner/operator of a small business called “The Dryer Vent Sweeper” located in Saint Cloud. The person stated the clothes were hot even when the dryer was working and concerned of having a fire. It did not mention in the article [...]


08/25/11--06:03: Beware ethanol tools no marked as such (chan 1608034)

Live and learn from James (below): Dear Greg, This may too big for you because it has to do with the damage caused by ethanol in all gasoline engines. In Oct. of 2010, I purchased a fine Poulon gas leaf blower for $100.00 after realizing that the cheaper blowers cost almost as much to have fixed as [...]


08/29/11--05:18: Big box compassionate (not!) (chan 1608034)

This story of corporate “care” from reader Debbie: Your story about Publix finally paying the hospital expenses of a shopper injured because of poorly stacked juice cans in one of its stores reminded me of what happened to me in a leading big box store:   A couple of years ago, in March, I took a big fall in [...]


08/30/11--05:33: Airlines and Irene (chan 1608034)

From a recent study…… Average call hold times of ten largest airlines during Hurricane Irene (hours:minutes:seconds) 1.         U.S. Airways 0:02:38 2.         Southwest Airlines: 0:08:10 3.         Continental: 0:08:15 4.         United  Airlines: 0:12:04 5.         Spirit Airlines: 0:24:07 6.         JetBlue: 0:24:16 7.         AirTran: 0:27:52 8.         Frontier Airlines: 0:29:54 9.         Delta Airlines: 0:33:43 10.       American Airlines: 1:32:39 Average Twitter response times of ten largest airlines during Hurricane Irene (hours:minutes) o          Delta Airlines: [...]


08/31/11--05:26: American Airlines doth protest (chan 1608034)

  American Airlines issued this statement rebutting  a survey of customer service during Hurricane Irene which concluded, “Count yourself lucky”  if you were not flying American Airlines: “We disagree with the findings of the study. We believe it is highly inaccurate and based on an insufficient sample size – eight calls and 12 tweets on average – [...]


08/31/11--07:52: United/Continenal Airlines also cry foul (chan 1608034)

United/Continental Airlines joined American Airlines in contesting a survey on customer service during Hurrican Irene: United responded to more than 200 Irene-related inquiries on Twitter alone, *including* the six actionable ones that STELLAService sent to our inactive @Continental account. As you may know, United and Continental have merged and now use a single active twitter handle, @United. [...]


09/01/11--06:56: A truly moving story (chan 1608034)

  Earlier this week in my column about a moving company, I said I had never heard any HAPPY moving stories. Here is one from reader Robert Kemp:              Upon retiring in 1988, decided to move to Northern Ireland. from where I met my wife in 1943 during WW 2.              We flew over, found a builder, contracted for [...]


09/02/11--05:19: Beware 9-11 terrorist, er, scammer attacks (chan 1608034)

 Here is some solid advice on how to keep from being scammed or otherwise vioalated by 9-11 profiteers from Identity Theft 911, a provider of personal-touch identity management, identity protection services, and data risk management solutions:  The tenth anniversary of 9/11 is fast approaching.  As Americans stay glued to their laptops, mobile devices and TV to honor [...]


09/08/11--06:31: Just say no to gift certificates (chan 1608034)

Dear Greg: My wonderful husband bought me a $200.00 gift certificate for a Salon and Spa in Winter Springs on December 21, 2010. There is no expiration date on the certificate.  Well, life has kept me busy and I finally got time to make an appointment. I called last Wednesday and it’s still a spa, but now [...]