What's On Your Mind? Whirlpool, Consumer Resource Connection, Wells Fargo

Floyd, of Bakersfield, Calif., is another homeowners who has a bone to pick to Whirlpool about their gas water heaters.

“I bought a new Whirlpool Gas Hot Water 40 Gal tank from Lowes,” Floyd told ConsumerAffairs.com. “I installed it, but the pilot light would not light. Southern Cal Gas Co came out and said they did not like the new design, but that was how they were now making them.

"Gas is shot out from a pipe into the tank, however it's fairly open. The pilot Ignitor is similar to the one on barbeque's that often do not last. You cannot get to it to light it manually. Several calls were made to Whirlpool and they sent a repair man out to fix it. You can imagine buying a new hot water heater and having it work part time.

The repair man explained that the unit needed a new Thermipile but he could not put one on until Whirlpool authorized it, which they would not.

"After a rather heated conversation with Whirlpool they agreed to Fedex a part overnight. Of course the repairman could not wait for me to call and had to come back again. The pilot light still does not stay lit, and Whirlpool now wants to talk about how the tank is vented. This has nothing to do with the pilot light, nor did putting in a new 1/2" gas line and valve as per Whirlpool request.”

Of all the complaints we get about water heaters, nearly all are about gas water heaters.

Not such a bargain

Unauthorized credit card charges almost always stem from some telephone or Internet purchase.

“On July 4, 2011 I saw a TV ad advertising a home foreclosure list for $1.99,” said Sheila, of Ft. Worth, Tex. “I called the number, ordered the list. I specifically asked the representative would this give me some membership that I did not want. He specifically answered me NO. I later checked my bank account and had been charged the $1.99, which I authorized; and $44.99 which I did not authorize. I called and was told it would be refunded and my membership would be cancelled. That was on July 6.

"On August 3, I saw another charge for $44.99 from Consumer Resource Connection. I called again. I was told that I had called the wrong place before and did not receive a cancellation number. This time I got a cancellation number and the person name I spoke with. On September 3, this company debited my bank account again for $44.99. When I called again the representative told me she saw the cancellation number I gave her, but it was not a cancellation number, but a confirmation number; confirming what I do not know.

"My membership, which I never wanted in the first place, still was not cancelled. At that point I let my husband talk with her because I was too upset, he asked to speak with a supervisor who will have to call us back.”

Here's a clue: if you are ever offered something of value for only $2 or less, it is almost certain that you are being enrolled in some type of recurring charge membership.

Quit calling me!

This sounds like some sort of bad dream! David, of Gahanna, Ohio, says his cell phone has run 24 times in the last 72 hours with calls from Wells Fargo.

“When I answer a computer comes on and says to wait for an important message then disconnects,” David told consumerAffairs.com. “I called the number back and asked them to tell me what they wanted and the fact they disconnected the call. They wouldn't tell me why without my loan number. I do not have my loan number and without it the calls will keep coming. I have no idea what they want and they won't tell me.”

David needs to dig out his loan papers are get his loan number so that he can get to the bottom of this. Either that or turn off his cell phone.