Complaint resolution service publishes case studies, recall information and consumer news.

After the federal government received reports of hundreds of complaints and news of 14 motor vehicle accidents related to braking problems in 2005 and 2006 Ford F-150 and LIncoln Mark LT vehicles, the auto maker has quickly issued a recall.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defect Investigations ruled that Ford’s actions were sufficient to close the case and will not be taking further action.

The iconic Ford F-150 is one of Ford’s best-sellers and most profitable vehicles.  Ford had surprised Wall Street with unexpectedly higher earnings last quarter, but the fallout over a big recall potentially affecting safety may cut in to the compamy’s third quarter profits.

To correct the problem, dealers will replace a hose inside the braking assembly. Ford announced that the program would start right after the July 4 holiday and said concerned owners could call the company toll-free at (800) 392-3673.

Posted under Recalls

We’re proponents of “opt-in” marketing — email and other contact a consumer requests.  Unfortunately, as unwanted email continues to flood consumers’ Internet services, the Federal Trade Commission has just tightened up email restrictions.

Four new provisions to the federal government’s CAN-SPAM rule were approved by a 4-0 vote yesterday.  The plain English version of the new provisions:

1)  Someone sending email cannot require payment or additional information beyond the email address for a consumer to demand that their email be removed from the organization’s future efforts.

2)  There are new ways to identify who sent an email if multiple organizations are advertising in that same email.

3)  One for the businesses (and a good one too that we use):  Organizations can provide a mailing address that is a post office box or similar postage handling service to identify the company’s location.

4)  When is a person not a person?  When a “person” is an email recipient.  Email addresses, not people, are protected by CAN-SPAM.

On a related note, the folks at StopPoliticalCalls.org continue to do great work with their free list to tell politicians not to call.  While the country’s attention is naturally focused on the presidential race, there will be many races in local and state governments and candidates who use “robo-calling” to automatically call consumers.  These calls are NOT covered by the federal Do Not Call Registry.

When we last checked in with the folks at the free don’t call me registry, multiple political candiates and members of Congress had taken the organization’s pledge to not call consumers on the list.  Those candidates are in states as diverse as Missouri, North Carolina, Kansas and Idaho.  Even one of the companies supplying the service has agreed to honor consumer wishes.

It’s not too late to register free and make sure your phone number is protected from unwanted political spiels during dinner.

Posted under Privacy

Consumer goods giant SC Johnson repeated its consumer warning that a letter sent to consumers is not from the company.

The first warning was issued two weeks ago by the maker of Windex, Pledge, Glade and more cleaning products. The letter is from a “Consumer Rewards Program” allegedly being administered by MBT Financial Services.  Recipients are sent a fake check with a false signature from the company’s founder.  The company is now reporting a second letter is making the rounds, this one from an entity called “Domino Financial Trust”.

As is often the case with email, this paper phishing scam asks consumers to supply banking information.  The company has asked consumers to contact their local law enforcement office.  Calling US postal inspectors isn’t a bad idea either.  Save the envelope and all inserts, and please don’t send anyone your banking information unless you already have a financial arrangement with them.

Posted under Privacy

A Chinese manufactured baby bottle and food warmer appliance marketed under the name Munchkin has been recalled because it may overheat and cause a fire.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission said that that the units could overheat and potentially posed a fire hazard.  The agency reported receiving word of nine such incidents without injury or substantial damage.

The warmers (sample pictured right) were sold from last summer through April 2008 for approximately $20.  Consumers who purchased one of the 5,000 units involved in the recall should immediately stop using the unit and contact the company for a replacement.

How To Tell If Your Baby Bottle Warmer Was Recalled

Take a look at your unit.  If the word “Munchkin” appears with the lot number “TP-1487 on the bottom, you have a recalled unit.

Consumers who have a recalled unit can call Munchkin customer service toll-free at (866) 619-8673 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.  If you prefer to handle the matter online, visit Munchkin’s site for more information on the recall.

Posted under Recalls, Safety

We’ve often written about the fortunes trapped in the wallets of consumers who carry around gift cards for months.  In many ways, this is almost as bad as getting large tax refunds every year.

What makes this practice especially dangerous is what happened Friday.  Home furnishings giant Linens ‘n Things announced they were filing for bankruptcy protection.   That filing is a danger sign, but not especially problematic. The true problem came in the details of the filing when the company said that it would close 120 of its less than 600 stores.  About 15% of those stores are in California.

What does that mean for you?  If you’re in a California community with a Linens ‘n Things store due for closing, you might find some amazing deals.  After all, it is cheaper to sell products at a deep discount than to pack and move them.

But don’t hesitate.  You may very well find that the store in your town and surrounding towns is closed before you know it.

Reminder:  The email function on this blog is in the top right corner.  Be sure to send this to anyone to whom you’ve given a Linens ‘n Things gift card or someone you know who has one.  Smart consumers stay aware of trends, and gift card holders need to know if and when their local store is closing.

Posted under Finance

The US Department of Agriculture announced a recall today for poultry and beef. Some media outlets reported that as much of a quarter-million pounds of food were involved, but the official announcement only states that 6,970 pounds are involved. The meat was processed by Gourmet Boutique and is marked as such.

The recalled products bear the production code of “GBD 08058″ on the package. The meat and poultry products were produced on Feb. 26 and 27, 2008, and were sent to retail establishments in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin, and distribution centers in New York.

This food is in consumer-sized packs and includes USDA approval seals. There is a PDF series of images available at the USDA site. No illnesses have been linked to the meat although a risk of listerios exists.

Posted under Recalls