What's On Your Mind? HP, Kirby Vacuums, Readers Digest, Expedia

If you're not a geek, computers can be confusing devices. All you know is that it doesn't work the way it should, but you don't know why. Sometimes, the manufacturers aren't a lot of help

“I bought a new HP Computer on Sept. 09, 2010, and have been living in pure misery every since,” Linda, of Gatesville, Tex., told ConsumerAffairs.com. “The first one I brought home was totally a mess, and had to return it to the store. They gave me another and within two weeks I started having problems, for one thing, no sound. HP had me to ship it to them. I received it back and other problems started happening.”

Linda said she asked HP if they would replace the computer with a different model, but says they insisted on sending her yet another computer of the same model, with the same results.

“I am 69 years old and trying finish my 'Family Book' before I die, but can not, having too many problems with this computer,” she said. “Please, where do I go? What do I do?”

Linda should ask around and find a reputable computer repair person in her community and ask them to examine the computer. She should make sure they understand they are not to actually work on it, because that would void the warranty. But it might be helpful to have a computer expert run some diagnostics, to make sure there isn't a simple fix. It's odd that she would have having the same problem with three different computers.

Two can play the high-pressure game

Many senior citizens allow a Kirby vacuum cleaner salesperson in their home and end up regretting it. Their high-pressure sales tactics are legendary.

“My Mom, who is 87 years old, came to the door thinking these people were from the church,” said Alice, of Lucedale, Miss. “They came into her home and would not leave. When she discovered they were selling Kirby Vacuum cleaners she ask them to leave, saying she did not want to buy one. The female left the male at my mom's home and did not come back for three hours. He was rude to my mom insisting that she buy a vacuum. The female finally came back and picked up the male.”

This is hardly an isolated complaint. If any high-pressure sales type comes into your home and refuses your request for them to leave, pick up the phone and call 911 and tell the police a trespasser has entered your home. Among the legal definitions of trespassing is someone who was invited onto your property but who refuses your request for them to leave. Chances are, these folks want nothing to do with the law, and a call to the police will hurry them along their way.

What Mail Order Marketers Don't Want Your To Know

You go to your mailbox and find a box from a national mail order retailer, addressed to you. Funny, you think to yourself, I didn't order anything.

But that hasn't stopped the retailer from sending it, hoping you will buy it, rather than going to the trouble to send it back. Richard, of Tuscon, Ariz., recently had the experience.

“Reader's Digest is using very deceptive practices on contests,” Richard told ConsumerAffairs.com. “When filling out a contest form, using only an e-mail address, they place an order for unrequested merchandise. I have subscribed to this magazine for over 40 years and therefore, have an account. However, I don't appreciate unwanted merchandise being shipped to me. I will return whatever is sent to me, but believe this practice should be looked into so it does not continue.”

Richard said he contacted Reader's Digest and they told him how to return the product. What they didn't tell him – and what they hope he never learns – Richard is under no obligation to return it. If Reader's Digest sent merchandise to him unsolicited, he can keep it. It's a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule, as well as the law in some states.

Where, exactly, is my hotel?

What obligation do online travel sites have to tell you about the geographic location of the hotel you're booking? Heather, of London, England, said she thought she was booking a four day holiday in Venice, Italy. She said Expedia.com described her hotel in Mira as a very short distance away form the center of Venice.

“Turns out that it is 34 kilometers away, a 45-50 minute bus ride,” Heather said. “I had to commute each day into Venice. Not only that, but I couldn't go back to the hotel to change and shower for the evening. I would spend most of my holiday traveling there and back, and so had to go out in the evening in the clothes I had worn all day and it was hot weather.”

Heather said she would like to see travel sites find a way to provide the distance between hotels and final destination. She said what should have been a relaxing holiday turned out to be pretty stressful.