What's On Your Mind? T-Mobile, Amazon.com, Miracle Ear, American Home Shield

While a lot of groups, pro and con, have opinions about the proposed acquisition of T-Mobile by AT&T, Jack, a businessman from Miami, Fla., has added another issue to the debate. On his return from China, Jack said he became involved in a billing dispute with T-Mobile over roaming charges on his Blackberry.

“To leave T-Mobile and go to another company, unfortunately there is no alternative for the Blackberry emails oversea, except for AT&T,” Jack told ConsumerAffairs.com. “But T-Mobile is going to merge with AT&T soon, it will create a cartel on the Blackberry emails overseas. I hope very much as a citizen of the USA that FCC will not approve the merger between T-Mobile and AT&T.”

Jack should direct his concerns to the Federal Communications Commission and Department of Justice, which will have the final say about the proposed merger.

Seller beware

Millions of people use e-commerce sites like eBay and Amazon.com and rarely stop to think about the nature of some of these transactions – strangers dealing with strangers. All in all, it probably works remarkably well, but Dhana, of Pomona, Calif., has had a bad experience that gives him pause.

“I sold my text book through Amazon.com, Dhana said. “Amazon sent me an e-mail, telling me that buyer claimed he/she did not receive the product after a month and demanded a refund. The package was properly packed, sealed with the address printed from Amazon. How could this happen?”

Dhana said he lost both his book and his money, and has this advice.

“Sellers, beware, you have no idea what type of people you are selling your products to,” he said.

Another set of eyes and ears always helps

Deborah, of Shrewsbury, Mass., has a complaint about Miracle Ear. Besides dissatisfaction with the product, Deborah thinks the company took advantage of her 83-year-old mother.

“She signed for a sear credit card under the impression she was signing a form which stated she had a hearing examination,” Deborah told ConsumerAffairs.com. “This signature was 'requested' when her son-in-law left the room as he thought the appointment was over.”

Deborah's complaint is a reminder that it is always a good idea to have family members in a supportive role to witness business transactions involving elderly relatives, to help answer any questions.

Loopholes

Carlo, of Lake View Terrace, Calif., said he purchased a home warranty from American Home Shield three years ago but never used it until last month, when the toilets in his home backed up. According to his policy, he says, plumbing problems are covered.

“I contacted them, and they arranged to send somebody to look at the toilets,” Carlo said. “One toilet was not fixed and still backs up, and when I called them back to report the problem, they told me that my contract did not covered water sediments. I paid out pocket $60.00 deductible for them to show up and the report that the technician wrote does not mention any water sediment findings.”

Carlo thinks AHS made this up to avoid paying to fix the problem, but regardless, its an example of how these service contracts often leave consumers disappointed. The consumer thinks plumbing problems are covered, but they aren't, if they happen to be caused by sediments.