What's On Your Mind? DIRECTV, Old Navy, US Fidelis

When businesses “bundle” their services with those of another company, it can be a recipe for trouble, if not properly managed. Debra, of Phoenix learned first-hand when she signed up with Qwest and got DIRECTV as part of a bundle package.

“At the end of a year, I moved and needed to discontinue services, Debra told ConsumerAffairs.com. “I contacted Qwest who said that they only handled the sale for the bundled services and that I needed to contact DIRECTV to change or cancel service. When I did this, I was informed that I was breaking my two year contract and would be charged a $240 cancelation fee. I said that never signed a contract, nor was I informed about any such agreement when I signed up for service. DIRECTV told me I had to handle that with Qwest since they did the sales.

The problem stems from the fact that the terms of Qwest's contract are different than DIRECTV's. Debra thought she was dealing with one company, but she was actually dealing with two.

Bait & Switch?

Judi, of West Hills, Calif., said she was drawn to Old Navy by an ad saying all outerwear was on sale, from noon to 5 p.m., at 75 percent off.

“When I entered the store, the sales team was in a frenzy collecting coats and jackets and putting them on rollers,” Judi said. “They took entire displays down so that those jackets were not on the sales floor. I asked why we could not get them at 75 percent off and was told to call 1-800-oldnavy. Such a bait and switch tactic! When i returned the next day, all of the jackets were back on display.”

Judy seems to have a good point. “All outerwear” would seem to mean all outwear – not certain brands. On the other hand, a store has the right to decide what merchandise it will sell and when. But the disappearing and reappearing does seem a bit suspicious.

If Judy wants to pursue it, she can file a complaint with the Los Angeles City Attorney.

Gone but not forgotten

US Fidelis, an automotive extended warranty company, has been in bankrupcy for over a year, but its customers still have policies and are wondering who's going to pay for their car repairs.

“I bought an extended warranty for my car and was told that it would cover needed repairs,” Rolene, of Philadelphia, Pa., told ConsumerAffairs.com. I have had to put out almost $1000.00 on repairs that weren't covered not to mention that most repair shops won't honor the warranty because the company went out of business. I paid over $2400.00 and was promised that it would be honored for five years. I can't even get an answer on what type of coverage I have. I feel that I have a right to a full refund.

Filing a claim with an extended warranty company that didn't go out of business can be problematic, but US Fidelis is a mess. The company's co-founded were indicted in Missouri back in June. Rolene might be able to get an update on where things stand by contacting the Missouri Attorney General's office.