Re: OT: Consumer Revolt!


A SHORT COURSE IN CONSUMER SELF DEFENSE.

MSO LARAMIE wrote:
>           I'm writing the United
>           States Post Office Fraud Division, the California Consumer
>           Affairs Office, etc.  
>
>           BillSmoot - stepping off the soapbox!

Al Limberg, taking Bill's place on the soapbox . . . 

Bill, and all you guys out there who've been "had" by someone by mail, 
I have spent 34 years in Consumer Protection Law Enforcement and here
are a few up to date tips on getting a remedy.

There are three must visit websites. Bookmark them for future use.

1:  <www.fraud.com/repoform.htm> . . . a report form linked to the
Federal Trade Commission, one agency that has regulatory authority in
this area.

2:  <www.usps.gov> . . . the U. S. Postal Service Home Page.  Follow the
links to the Postal Inspection Service where you can get the address and
telephone number of your nearest Postal Inspection Service office.

3:  <www.pueblo.gsa.gov/1997crh> . . . a downloadable Consumer Resource
Handbook that will give the names addesses of all known consumer
protection or consumer fraud agencies in the US of A. This a large
document that is offered in four or five segments. You can download all
of it or only that [those] portion[s] you need.

If you live in California, you can contact the Secretary of State's
Office of Corporations and obtain the name and address of the
out-of-state company's registered-agent-for-service-of-process.  All
companies doing business in California must have a registered-agent. 

Then go to Small Claims Court and file the appropriate claim papers for
service on the registered agent.  A court representative will help you
fill out the form and walk you through the process.  It works, I've done
it.  And to a New York company.  I collected $750. In California Small
Claims Courts no lawyers are allowed and you plead your own case. Been
there three or four times and never lost a case. If you think you don't
stand a chance because these guys are all sharks here's a confidence
building tip. In Small Claims Court, they are swiming in YOUR pond.

If you do not live in California, check with you local District Attorney
for guidance.  Most DA's have a Consumer Fraud Unit and most are quite
helpful. My father-in-law had a run in with Michigan Bulb Company more
than ten years ago.  The reason they are still around and still gouging
is that no one gives them enough hell.  

The only way to put a stop to this kind of gouging and fraud is to make
the perpetrators lives a living legal hell and force involvement of
state and local regulatory agencies.

It works . . . if only YOU make the effort.

Good luck. Let us know how things work out.

Al Limberg
Concord, CA



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