What's On Your Mind? Lifemates, Martha Stewart Table Tops, Apple

Normally we hear from consumers who have had a bad experience and want to warn others. But every once in a while, we hear from a consumer who has managed to avoid a bad experience. Such was the case of Samantha, from Courtice, Ontario, who was considering a membership in Lifemates dating service.

"I am so glad I found this site and have read all comments regarding this service," Samantha told ConsumerAffairs.com. "This has opened my eyes as what to and what not to do. I appreciate all of the valuable information and input as well as blunt honesty!"

Hey, that's what we're here for.

A rite of spring

It happens every spring. We begin hearing from consumers about shattering Martha Stewart patio table tops. Mary, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., said she purchased the Cascade Valley Dining Set on March 2. The top broke, she says, on March 24.

"I was sitting at my computer," Mary told ConsumerAffairs.com. "When I heard the crash, I looked out at millions of pieces of glass. I was disgusted to read that the table top had no warranty. I could not buy a replacement top from Home Depot. I was incensed when I discovered that Martha Stuart Patio table tops has 266 complaints listed on Consumer Affairs."

If you'll read those complaints you'll see that many of the shattering incidents take place early in the spring, when the tables are removed from cool storage and placed in the sun. So be careful.

Bad apple

With the iPad 2 selling like hot cakes and the iPhone 4 now available at both AT&T and Verizon, Apple is riding a hot streak. Everyone, it seems, loves Apple. Okay, maybe not everyone.

"I purchased a new iMac in August 2010 for $2,500," Pete, of Las Vegas, told ConsumerAffairs.com. "The system shuts down while doing business. Only way to get back on line is to unplug and replug power cord in, then retrieve files from back-up."

The computer should still be under factory warranty, and Pete says he purchased the Apple protection plan, but says he was told by tech support and customer service that he can't have a replacement.

"I went to the Apple forum to see, and found quite a few number of similar cases," Pete said.

If any other Mac users have run into this problem, we'd like to hear about it.

Going natural

As millions of women do each day, Nickcole, of Memphis, Tenn., wears foundation make up. But now she's having second thoughts.

"I dropped some Revlon Colorstay Foundation on my clothes, and I could not get it out, nor does this foundation come out of my face towels -- which got me thinking, what exactly am I putting on my face?" Nickcole told ConsumerAffairs.com. Please purchase some of this foundation and drop some on a t-shirt or, after wearing it and washing it off your face, see if you can get it out your clothes or wash cloth. Once it dries that's it."

Foundation is pretty heavy-duty make-up, originally developed for use in film. The original foundation was Max Factor's Pancake, and theatrical make-up is still referred to as "pancake."

There are a variety of formulations today, ranging from oil and emollient to silicone based. According to the website MakeupAlley.com, the active ingredient in Revelon Colorstay Foundation is titanium dioxide.