What's On Your Mind? Office Depot, Marriott, Wired Plastic
Our daily look at consumer reviews
11/03/2011 | By Mark Huffman
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ConsumerAffairs.com
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Marcia, of Ormond Beach, Fla., says she encountered two problems when she bought a computer at Office Depot. First, she says, there was a problem with the computer, requiring her to leave it overnight for repair.
“Came back the next day to pick up the computer and was told that the check was declined and was told to write another check, which I stupidly did,” Marcia told ConsumerAffairs.com. “After checking the bank I found out that two checks went through. Spoke with several people at the store and at headquarters and was told the problem would be resolved by October 27.”
But, she says, it wasn't. Instead of putting money back, she says Office Depot took another $997 from her account, meaning she had now paid for the same computer three times.
“They did credit one check of $997.51 but not the first one,” Marcia said. “So as of now I am still waiting for another credit of $997.51.”
Marcia might have avoided some of the aggravation if she had paid for the computer using a credit card. When the extra charges were made, she could have called her credit card company and let them deal with it.
No smoking means no smoking
When Mary Ann, of Chesapeake, Va., checked into a Mariott Hotel, she thought she had a way around the hotel's no smoking policy.
“On August 20th-21st, 2011 I was fined $250 for smoking in my hotel room,” Mary Ann said. “I used an electronic cigarette or e-cig in the room, this is not a tobacco cigarette and does not involve lighting any tobacco, cigarette smoke, or ash. After several emails to Marriott customer care I received a letter from the hotel in Charlotte NC telling me that they consider an electronic cigarette no different from a tobacco cigarette and that they would not refund the fine.”
If it's not specifically stated, smokers should understand that when a hotel -- or anyplace else -- has a policy against smoking, it's not just about smoking tobacco.
Never-ending texts
It's almost like a plot from a horror movie. You keep getting texts from a company you don't do business with, telling you your balance with them is zero. There doesn't seem to be any way to make it stop. For Norma, of Corpus Cristi, Tex., it isn't a movie.
“I got this cell phone number over a year ago and everyday several times a day I get text messages from Alerts@WiredPlastic.com stating that the available balance on this Wired Plastic card is $0.00,” Norma told ConsumerAffairs.com. “I have never had an account with Wired Plastic and I have tried numerous times to stop these messages, I've contacted my cell phone provider and done everything they tell me to do however nothing seems to stop these messages from coming in. I have tried contacting Wired Plastic however every number I have called will not get me anywhere, because it states that I need an account number to reach customer service. I don't have an account number. It is really frustrating and changing my number is not an option.”
Unfortunately for Norma, changing her number may be her only option. It sounds like her number has been entered into a system and until a human being takes the time and effort to remove it, the texts are going to keep coming. WiredPlastic is owned by One Global Finance, Inc. Their published phone number is (801) 365-6060. Norma can try that, but it's a long shot.
Elaine Keller (Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:51:35 +0000): "No smoking means no smoking." Precisely! Smoke is made up of small particles of carbonaceous matter in the air, resulting mainly from the burning of organic material, Just because Hires Root Beer visually resembles real beer does mean that Hires Root Beer contains alcohol. Just because vapor visually resembles smoke does not magically turn vapor into smoke. Smoke contains tar, carbon monoxide, particulates, and thousands of chemicals created by the process of combustion. E-cigarette vapor does not contains any of these. Vapor does not leave behind a sticky yellow film on surfaces or a smoky odor. There are no ashes, no butts, and no burn marks. Mariott has zero justification to prohibit former smokers from using the device that keeps them smoke-free, and it has no justification for charging a $250 cleaning fee because there is nothing to clean up.
Matt Zukowski (Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:34:58 +0000): Indeed, cigarette smoking leaves an odor, turns everything yellow, leaves ash and butts everywhere, and worse yet, leaving little burn marks.. Mariott has every right to ban smoking in their rooms. But Mary Anne of Mary Ann, of Chesapeake, Va was thoughtful and didn't do that, like other smokers that ignore hotel room smoking bans. No ash, not butts, no yellowing, doesn't even burn, no objective impact to the room.
They do have the right to ban their use in hotels, but vapor is not smoke. No objective health or property reason to ban them, and they didn't expressly say no electronic cigarettes. Just no smoking which would apply to tobacco as well as other plants and weeds just as well. They need to be more clear, apologize, and lift the fine.
Patricia Clewell (Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:08:47 +0000): Thank you. I'm glad to know this about the Mariott. They won't be getting any more of my money.
Debbie Guardino (Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:34:12 +0000): A $250 cleaning fee? For what? I've been using an electronic cigarette in both my home and my vehicle since March. While I didn't smoke in my house I smoked constantly when driving and HAD to clean my windshield at least once a week-vapor from an ecig does not leave that nasty yellow film like cigarettes do. Vapor is not smoke!
Lura Braswell (Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:58:51 +0000): How did they know?
John Connell (Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:08:06 +0000): Very interesting that Mariott can fine someone on an assumption that a person would have the ability to read between the lines. A No Smoking sign means just that. If it is tobacco free then y'all who stay at a Messylott Hotel better not eat tomatoes, eggplant and numerous vegetables. They have a nicotine content. Wonder if I won't just check into a Messiahlot and bring along my video equipment and a Wood's lamp and see how clean their facility is overall. Vaping is not smoke. I think a good lawyer could thrash this case.
Jacqueline Folwell (Mon, 07 Nov 2011 01:00:49 +0000): First unless they had cameras in the room and were watching how could they have known She was even using an E-Cig? There is no smoke and no odor and No Residue, No Clean Up. Sounds like Invasion of privacy. Second I have even been allowed to use E-Cigs. in the Hospitals, Resturants Etc. and the curiosity has led others to try them and a few to quit smoking. That is a good thing. Third I will Never stay at a Mariott Again. This is a false fine. There has to be smoke to be smoking. I would contact the state Attorneys office with a complaint. This Is a Bogus and fraudulent way to get extra money from her.
Sandy Edelstein (Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:02:15 +0000): Now I know to NEVER shop at Office Depot. Sounds like a bunch of stupid people scamming an innocent person. If they screwed up this sale - imagine if the transaction was complicated.
Maureen Burney (Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:51:06 +0000): I am Mary Ann of Chesapeake, VA the person mentioned in this report. How did they know? They found out because the electronic "cigarette" was laying on the bed of my room when room service entered. To the untrained eye it looks just like a cigarette. Same size, same color etc. When the fine appeared on my bill which is pushed under your door the morning of check out, I admitted openly to the management of the Hotel I had used or "vaped"( the term for using an e-cig), and they suddenly had a rule of no electronic cigarettes. The" no smoking rule" is posted everywhere and I was aware of it, I thought using an e-cig was a safe alternate. Seems as though I was wrong! What's next? No nicotine gum? No patches?