Ask the Watchdog
Watchdog columnist Dave Lieber helps you stand up for yourself against the system.
Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 21 - 40 of 167 (Page 2 of 9)Submitted by Barbara Brooks from Fort Worth, Tx
Q: PUBLIC BEAWARE OF FOOD POISONING My story begins after purchasing a frozen Swanson’s Beef Pot Pie that I purchased from a Food Store here in the DFW area. I made this purchase on January 29, 2009. Well it turns out this pie had expired in November, 2008. I prepared and consumed this Beef Pot Pie on February 21 ,2009, and this is when my nightmare began I felt so ill that I thought I was going to die. I was vomiting had abdominal cramping, diarrhea sweating, I also felt very weak. I went to a local hospital where a series of test was ran and was diagnosed with a several things related to Food Poisoning such as; Hypokalemia that occurs when people vomit or have diarrhea, Dehydration which occurs when the body loses too much fluid from the body. I contacted them and was given information to speak with one of their Food Store claims adjusters who came out to visit with me and get some information from me about the incident. After asking a few questions, he told me that he would get back with me. After not hearing from him I decided to contact him. It was then I was told that my claim was denied and my hospital bill would not be paid. I decided I would call and speak with a supervisor, I spoke with the Manager over claims Adjusters and was then told that no one had any of my information about the incident. I then sent my medical records, hospital bills, receipt for proof of purchase. They denied my claim again stating that the reason for denial was that my medical report did not state that I had eaten a beef pot pie. But the report states clearly what I had eaten, I am now stuck with a bill totaling 11,773.29 I have no health insurance. I have been shopping their for many years now and feel very let down as a customer. I want to make all shoppers aware of my experience. Dave what can I do about this situation?
Answered 07/29/09 14:24:04 by Dave Lieber
A: In small claims court, you can sue for up to $10,000. So you could sue them for the maximum. As long as you can prove what you say with receipts, you have a pretty good chance of winning, I would think. Get on the Internet and find the part of Texas Code that pertains to the responsibilities of food sellers not to sell out-of-date products. Also, call Tarrant County Public Health and ask them what the county rules are. And call the Texas Dept of Agriculture and ask them if they are the state agency that enforces this, too. There is a lot of information -- and possible complaints you can file -- that you should know that the store hopes you don't find out. You got rejected by them. Big deal. Now you go to their regulators. And here is where you should start: file a complaint with the federal agency that regulates this -- the Food and Drug Administration. Their Texas office is (214) 253-5200 ext. 5233.Submitted by Lena Walker from Fort Worth, Texas
Q: My Grandfather passed away in November 2008. He fought in Korea, and WWII. The furnel home did not give him a miltary furnel and they still do not have him a headstone. My Dad is very upset since he just lost his brother and realized that his brother got a miltary furnel and his Dad did not. Can anything be done about this things? My Grandmother passed away in May this year. After my Mother and myself went in the furnel home showed our butt, they finally sent the papers over for my parents to sign to get the head stones. They say my grandmothers will be shipped on July 30. Since Grandpa is a Vet they don't know how long to get his head stone. My Grandparents made these arrangements years ago including picking out their head stones. I think this terrible to do a family this way after they lose family members. My Mother called me to say Grandma has no marker to show she was even there. I called the general manger to get this done approximately two weeks ago. PLEASE HELP.
Answered 07/29/09 12:46:22 by Dave Lieber
A: Please send me all this to watchdog@star-telegram.com. I know the folks there and will share this with them, but I would need all your personal contact information in the private email.Submitted by ROBERT JANOUSEK from ALEXANDRIA, MN
Q: DEAR MR.DAVE LIFBER, I KEEP GETTING THESE EMAILS REPLIES FROM PEOPLE FROM AFRICA COUNTRIES, CHINA, UNITED KINGDOM THAT ARE ASKING ME FOR A BUSINESS DEAL. I JUST DO NOT KNOW HOW THEY DID GET MY EMAIL ADDRESS, I HAVE CHANGE MY EMAIL ADDRESS MANY TIMES OVER AND THEY KEEP FIND MY EMAIL ADDRESS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT THESE CONTACTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. THEY TO ME ARE JUST SCAM ARTISIS. TRYING TO GET FUNDS OUT OF ME, FOR A GREAT DEAL. I JUST WANT YOU YOUR OPINION IN HOW TO DETECT SCAM ARTISTS ON MY EMAIL ADDRESS, I JUST DUMP THEM IN THE SCAM SELECTION. WOULD YOU GIVE ME MORE UP DATE WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN SCAM ARTISTS. I JUST DELETE THEM FROM MY EMAIL ADDRESS UNDERSCAM. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME OUT WITH THIS. SINCERELY ROBERT JANOUSEK
Answered 07/27/09 17:24:59 by Dave Lieber
A: Robert, You are handling it correctly. Just dump them. Your Internet service provider probably has spam software that can be tweaked so you can stop getting them. Call and ask them. Also, how do they get your email addresses? It would be impossible to know. But I would have one address for my personal stuff and another that I would use for buying things on a Web site. Some ISP's offer many email addresses for the price of one. Another trick: create a hard address like RobJan34x3@hotmail.com - something a little too hard to figure out. Do a lot more research on the Web by typing into a search engine "How do I get rid of spam?"Submitted by Craig Griffin from Arlington, TX
Q: Dear Mr. Lieber, I have a Home Shield repair contract on my home. We called this week for an air conditioner repair. The company found on our 5 ton system had a 4 ton condenser coil installed. The technician said it was a Carrier system from 2002 and the coil's tags had been taped over and the coil was from 1992. They felt the system would never work well until the components are matched properly and they called Home Shield about what they had found. Home Shield said they would not cover future repairs because of the mismatched system. I believe the house was built in 2000 by DR Horton and my wife and father-in-law purchased the home in October of 2003. It was disclosed at the sale a compressor had been repaired. We are trying to contact the builder about this to see if they have any records. At this point I not sure what to believe. Do you have suggestions on how to proceed. Thanks, Craig Griffin
Answered 07/27/09 16:39:23 by Dave Lieber
A: Yes, Craig. I'd cut to the chase on this one. Go file an official complaint against them with the Texas Real Estate Commission, which audits the files of all companies doing this kind of business in Texas every two years. The commission investigators will look at the contract and see if there is any wording that says they won't cover mismatched products. (You can check that yourself.) Once the TX R.E. Commission gets the complaint and launches an investigation, you are in an entirely different stratosphere in how the company will look at you and treat you. Tell them The Watchdog says hi!Submitted by Ruth Ferguson from Fort Worth, TX
Q: Do you have access to anyone at Oncor that can investigate chronic and yearly outages in our neighborhood? We (about 30 homes)can't get Oncor to deal with exploding transformers in the easement behind our homes. I've called and written letters to Oncor with no response. These outages are not related to storms. Thank you.
Answered 07/17/09 23:37:06 by Dave Lieber
A: I do have someone I send matters to at Oncor. I'd be happy to pass your request on. Please send it all in great detail to watchdog@star-telegram.com.Submitted by Harvey & Sherry from Haltom City, TX
Q: Unfortunately my husband and I fell for a scam on purchasing a travel membership with Sealand Travel through their distributor “All Inclusive Excursions.” The very next day we realized this was not for us and made contact with them to cancel the membership and we were told to send a certified letter telling why we wanted to cancel and it would be considered by the corporate office. When I didn’t hear from them I called them back, and to make a long story short, was finally told they do not give any of the money back and would not let us out of the contract. We are talking about $4,995.00. Were do I start to complain about this and report them?
Answered 07/15/09 21:44:15 by Dave Lieber
A: I would do the following. Send them a certified letter with a return receipt that unless they return all the money and it clears the bank by a certain date, you are going to: 1) send a letter to your county district attorney outlining the scam; 2) file a complaint with the BBB; 3) file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General; 4) file a complaint with the FTC, 5) sue them in small claims court -- and then tell The Watchdog all about it so maybe it can get publicity, too. And then if they don't meet the deadline, do all of the above. Are you going to be more trouble than your worth to them? Is that $5,000 really worth all the eyes that will be on them?Submitted by leigh saint from Justin TX.
Q: I recently recieved my water bill from Aqua Texas Inc. when we discovered it had a new added charge to it of $9.94. When i called to inquire about the charge I was told that the charge was for the Stimilus check the the water regulatory agency received for the state of Texas.If the stimilus check was ment for jobs, and the economy. Why is it that this water company is charging us for the repayment of it. I was told that everyone in the state of Texas was paying it back, but when i called my friends, parents, and other relatives and had them check their water bills and to see if they were being charged also, I discovered that not one of them are being charged stimilus pay back.My question is why is our company making us pay back the stimilus when I can find noone from verious places throught out the state that are also being made to pay back a stimilus that was given to the state to provide economic stimilus not eocomic deprovation. Could you find out why the customers of Aqua Texas Inc. are being forced to pay back the stimilus.
Answered 07/15/09 16:05:35 by Dave Lieber
A: Please write to me at watchdog@star-telegram.com and provide your phone number and email address so we can discuss this further.Submitted by jerry atlas from burleson, texas
Q: i have a problem with a company called [deleted], they are in the auto modification business . they basically take autos and make them into roadsters, refurbishing of old classics , stereo installment (this is our problem)and other types of auto accessories. We currently have a problem with my daughters car that we took in last august , they put in a dvd player , for our grandson/her son who now is 22 mo.old . We can not get our money back even though the warranty is still good . They have yet to find another one , this has been going on for several months . We need help if possible . Thanks jerry
Answered 07/08/09 15:43:01 by Dave Lieber
A: Jerry, You have two places to go here to get their attention: 1) File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau at Fort Worth and also with the Texas Attorney General's consumer protection division. That's the best way to start to put pressure on them.Submitted by Carole Widmann from Ft Worth, TX
Q: Dave I want people to know what happened to me. I am a recent widow, lost my spouse 11 months ago. We lived in Granbury in a home filled with memories. I made the decision to move closer to the city and find a smaller home. I love Ft Worth and the cute cottages in Arlington Heights. Called a realtor thru Ebby Halliday to show me one. Made an offer which was accepted so I had an inspector check the home. There were major issues with plumbing that the owner was not willing to pay for, so I exercised my option to terminate the contract. My problem really begins after finding another home. When I made an offer on the first home I signed many papers. Literally an inch thick of paper work was signed. Overwhelming for anyone not used to all the jargon and issues. One of those papers was a contract that stated I had to use EH as a realtor for a period of three months. This wasn’t explained to me when I signed. If I had sat there and delved thru every word in these contracts it would have taken me days to sign all the papers. A week after I signed on this second home the EH agent called to see if I wanted to keep looking at homes. I told her I’d already bought another home. I even told her what street it was on. That’s how naive I was in these matters. About a week or two later I received a certified letter telling me I breached contract with EH and the agent. They want 3% commission at the closing of my home. They have threatened to sue me and put a lien on my home. 3% commission for doing absolutely nothing! Guess business must be bad for EH since this is how they need to make a buck. Probably not much I can do now; I did sign a contract. But I wanted to warn you all out there to beware. Not everyone is ethical. In fact most Realtors I’ve told said they would never have pursued this.
Answered 07/06/09 19:07:08 by Dave Lieber
A: Thanks for writing to me. You won't like what I say but let me say it anyway. You wrote the following, "If I had sat there and delved thru every word in these contracts it would have taken me days to sign all the papers." That's the worst thing you can say in today's world. Watchdog Nation, which I teach to everyone who will listen, is about how we have to take care of ourselves because no one else is going to do it for us. It's a contract with the Realtor. I would never expect anyone to break a contract "because I didn't know about that." That just doesn't fly in 2009.Submitted by jon windsor from ft. worth texas
Q: i have verizon cell phone service. where i live in east ft. worth, i have no bars on my phone. i have to walk out in the street to get or make calls. when i can get a call it usually breaks up or drops completely. i called verizon's tech help and they said that the reception problem in east ft. worth was known to them for a long time and they were working on it. they suggested that i needed to buy a $199.00 booster for my home. i pay for phone service like everyone else and haven't heard of anything like this. what can i do to get what i'm paying for? thanks, jon w.
Answered 06/29/09 17:45:04 by Dave Lieber
A: Send me an email with your entire story and your contact info, address, phone and account number to watchdog@star-telegram.com. I will forward it to the Verizon rep who handles Fort Worth area coverage.Submitted by Corinne Kwasney from Tolar, TX
Q: I recieved this job offer to become a mystery shopper. The company is called Consumer Evaluation Inc. I am to contact them and receive training over the phone. I was sent a cashiers check and instructed to go to certain businesses and spend a specified amount of money. After I go to these businesses I am to make a Western Union Transfer and then a Moneygram transfer. It all adds up to the amont of the check, and no money comes out of my pocket. Could you check to see if this is a legitamate offer or just another scam? Thank You
Answered 06/29/09 17:43:44 by Dave Lieber
A: It's a scam. RUN from it as fast as you can.Submitted by Joyce M. Head from Watauga Texas
Q: I do not have a question I want to tell you about home depot....when you buy something at this store even if it is when you buy it broken or does not work you do not get your money back not all of it any way they keep some of it for their trouble.... I am old and my husband is cripped and we bought a mail box that has a planter in it form home depot and it is plastic hard plastic you would thinbk great it is going to last and look good but as soon and the srewes in it got wet it but orange rust going down the white post and I can't get it off and we just paid someone 75.00 to put this in for us .. Home depot wants us to pay fro it to be sent back to them and then the want us to pay for the shipping for a new one and then they will not give us all of our money because it is damages from the rust because it was a piece of XXX form the star.... this store is going nuts .... just thought I would let you know what they do for old handi capped people in this world.... stinks doesn't it. Oh yes then i will have to pay to have someone put it in ... and how will I know if this new one will do the same thing..... Stop this madness.....
Answered 06/29/09 17:42:22 by Dave Lieber
A: I am sorry to hear about your problem. The best venue for you, I think, would be to file an official complaint with the Texas Attorney General consumer protection division at (800) 621-0508.Submitted by Taressa from Springtown, Texas
Q: If my previously beautiful 50 year old maple tree dies because of Asplundh's butcher job, can I hold them responsible? They were working at the request of Oncor, but I didn't lose power during last week's storms. The other side of town did, where the trees are trimmed more often. This was the only mature tree I had in my front yard, and now 2/3 of it is missing. Are they not smart enough to consider natural growth patterns? This was a very slow growing tree. I doubt that it will recover in my lifetime. I get sick every time I look at it.
Answered 06/19/09 13:30:35 by Dave Lieber
A: This is serious. I know they look horrible when they are trimmed, but they do grow back quicker than you think, certainly in your lifetime. I'm not familiar with all the procedures, but you could file a formal complaint both with Oncor and also with the PUC. You could cite damages to the property and see where it takes you. I'm sure there is a body of written work on this subject on the Internet because it is of concern to many people. I would use search terms like "Oncor and tree damage trimming" and various combinations to read up on what others have done.Submitted by Cathy Couto from Arlington, Texas
Q: I purchased an Electrolux dryer from Best Buy in February 2009. It hasn't worked for more than a month and warranty service has been performed 4 times with no result. What can I do? I want a new dryer but Best Buy and Electrolux both refuse to consider this even though Electrolux told me verbally earlier on they would do so if the dryer wasn't repaired in a timely mannger. I appreciate your advise. Cathy
Answered 06/19/09 13:28:17 by Dave Lieber
A: I would do three things. I would file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline in Austin. I file file a BBB complaint against BB. And I would consider taking them to small claims court for the cost of a brand new machine. One of those three could catch their attention. You get them on three fronts.Submitted by Fred Kesner from Fort Worth TX
Q: Today, Thursday, June 18, I pulled into my driveway just as the "green cart" pickup was loading my cart into a truck! I yelled at them, but they drove off. I immediately called the number in the phone book and after holding forever, I spoke to "Crystal". She informed me that the city had the right at any time to pick up the cart because it was a part of the pilot program that our eastside neighborhood has participated in since its inception. If we "would like the priviledge" of continuing in the green cart service, we could buy a new cart for $75. Is this extortion? Will my water bill reflect a reduction because I no longer participate? I have called my city councilman, Danny Scarth, but have not heard from him. I hope you can shed some light on this issue. Thank you, Fred Kesner
Answered 06/18/09 11:03:50 by Dave Lieber
A: So if I understand, you did have free use of a cart under the pilot program? See, in my neighborhood if I want the green cart, I do have to pay a fee to "rent" it. I wouldn't worry about the water bill until it happens. If you have any further problems, please write to me at watchdog@star-telegram.com and fill me in on the details.Submitted by Danny Dean from Everman
Q: Can you help me with Shell Oil, selling bad gas? The station mgr. seemed to be willing to re-emberse me for getting my car fixed, but it has been 2 months now and still no help. The Shell is at Enon and Forrest Hill in Everman. Thanks!
Answered 06/17/09 21:02:58 by Dave Lieber
A: You want to file an official complaint with the weights and measures division of the Texas Department of Agriculture in Austin. That's how this can be solved.Submitted by Craig Patty from Fort Worth Texas
Q: What reporter specializes in public school issues - big issues- have been documented extensively over time. Include third degree felonies for alteration of school records, SBOE Code of Ethics violations and Civil Rights violations?
Answered 06/16/09 08:59:44 by Dave Lieber
A: Feel free to send your story idea in an email to watchdog@star-telegram.com and editors will review it for consideration.Submitted by Krista Lash from Granbury, Texas
Q: This is in regards to the Attorney General Child Support Division. My husband is currently on Social Security Disability. Each month both of his ex-wives receive a check from the Social Security Department. Although we have been to court several times on both cases the attorney general is still not giving my husband credit for the money one of his ex-wives is receiving. He has a signed court order stating the current modifications, however they are once again attempted to garnish his social security check for $420. This is in addition to the $430 she is already receiving from the government. This leaves my husband with only $500 to live on. We cannot afford an attorney and do not qualify for legal aid. We have made several complaints to the Obudsman Dept but have failed to get anything resolved. The case is orginally out of Houston and it's a constant battle just to get someone to speak to husband. The incompetence of the child support division is just unbelievable. Unfortunately we are the ones who suffer for it. If there is any advice you can give me or the name of someone who could help us. I would greatly appreciate it. The problem with the attorney general has gone beyond harassment.
Answered 06/16/09 08:59:03 by Dave Lieber
A: Honestly, these matters are of such great complexity. The Watchdog has no expertise here. A lawyer is the answer. You can try free legal aid. Here is some information: Legal Aid at 817-336-3943. The Tarrant County Bar Assoc. offers a free legal line on the second and fourth Thursday from 6-8 pm at 817-335-1239. ### Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas Denton Branch Office 625 Dallas Drive, Ste. 350 Denton, TX 76205 Map 800.955.1407 940.383.1406 (fax) 940.382.7797 Counties: Denton, Cooke, Jack, Montague, Wise + Fort Worth Branch Office 400 N. Beach Street. 2nd Floor Fort Worth, TX 76111 Map 800.955.3959 817.336.3943 (fax) 817.877.0804 Counties: Tarrant, Johnson, Somervell, Erath, Palo Pinto and HoodSubmitted by Sara Salinas from Dallas, TX
Q: I have a terrible problem. I have been leasing my apartment from GTF Realty in Dallas since November. I have had the worse luck and living situation since I have been there. In December the heater was not heating and it took them two weeks and several phone calls and appearances to fix it. Then came early May when I decided to turn on the AC. The unit was blowing out hot air. It took them over three weeks to fix the unit which they replaced. Last week water stains appeared on the ceiling and a few days later the ceiling collapsed in the living room. That happened Saturday night. As of today a plumber went out to look at the situation and apparently he said the AC people did a bad job with the installation. They are to order the part and GTF Realty told me hopefully by the end of the week the ceiling should be fixed, that is once the part if replaced. If water has been leaking, wouldn't that create mold? The office is awful to deal with and consistently tell me they have to work with the owner and his contracters first. Is there something I can do to get out of this awful mess? The list just goes on and on. What do I do? Thanks Sara Salinas
Answered 06/15/09 17:37:14 by Dave Lieber
A: Call Code Enforcement for your city and have them come out and write up all the complaints. Then get that report and use it in landlord-tenant court(small claims court) to get your money back or whatever damages you seek under the law that governs this (which you would have to research on the Internet in the Texas Property Code, for landlord-tenant court.) Lots of rules. Very easy to follow though, once you look them up.Submitted by Maria Van Daele from Fort Worth, TX
Q: On 09/02/08 you responded to a question about collect calls from the county jail. In your response you said that you had written an article about that, but I cannot find it. My mother received a collect call which she did not accept and the phone company has charged her for it. I would like to be able to read the article to see if there is any information in it that might help her with getting the charges removed. Thank you, Maria Van Daele
Answered 06/08/09 15:46:15 by Dave Lieber
A: Please send an email to watchdog@star-telegram.com requesting the previous column on collect calls from jail. Can't capture your email address on this board. But whether or not the story has any relevant information, I'm sure you know the first thing to do is to contact the telephone company and file an official protest/complaint. And ask what the resolution procedures are. Unless you ask, they won't tell you. You have to "tally up" as an official complainant. If you can't get justice and the phone company is AT&T, let me know in the email above and I can send to my AT&T contact. You shouldn't have to pay for the call.