We get lot of complaints about automatic coffee makers. In some cases they don't function properly. In the case of Judy, of Webster, Fla., there are issues with the construction of her GE Coffee Maker carafe.
"I was pouring a full pot of hot coffee when the handle broke and the hot coffee spilled all over my left hand scalding it," Judy told ConsumerAffairs.com. "The cause turned out to be a tiny plastic nut that held the screw that fastens the base of the handle to a stainless steel support ring. The tiny black plastic nut was found spit into two pieces. The public needs to be informed before this fault causes serious bodily harm to someone."
It helps when consumers who have had a scary experience speak up. Judy should inform GE about her experience and submit a report to the U.S. Product Safety Commission if she was injured.
Safety question
Korean carmaker Hyundai has won critical acclaim within the automotive industry recently for quality. However, at least one consumer, Don, of Indiahoma, Okla., reports a bad experience.
"I am a disabled Veteran who purchased a 2011 Hyundai Sante Fe from a dealership in Lawton Oklahoma and long story short my girlfriend was driving her niece home in my new truck and the back axle snapped which caused the brakes to not respond and an accident was a result," Don said. "Thank God everyone was alright. The accident happened because she was driving towards a four lane intersection and she heard a pop and began to lose control of the vehicle. She never managed to get control before she was struck by another driver on the same side that the axle just snapped. She heard a the tire pop after she was hit in the intersection along with her niece. The reporting officer gave my girlfriend a ticket saying she failed to stop at a red light, instead of the truth - vehicle malfunction.
Don says he's stuck in limbo between his insurance company and Hyundai. The issue, of course, is whether the axle broke before or during the crash. If Don is convinced a broken axle caused the crash, he should file a report with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Allergic reactions
Some people have allergic reactions to chemicals contained in some products. For example, we often hear from people who certain toothpastes and experience a swollen tongue. Jo Ann, of Santa Fe, N.M., is among the consumers who have experienced allergic reactions of Zicam nasal spray.
"I used Zicam intrnasal spray. It burned by sinuses something awful. I lost my sense of smell and taste for three months," Jo Ann said. "I was elated when they came back."
Jo Ann has reason to be elated. In the past, we have received reports from consumers who say they have lost their senses of taste and smell for months.
