Farberware Reviews

I was making a vanilla custard in one pot the other day and I could see the little black flakes in it! I had to throw the custard away. This is absolutely inexcusable and deplorable on Farberware's part. Farberware is a name consumers trust. It has been around for years. What are we as consumers to do?

Dear PA Attorney General Mike Fisher,

Farberware is one of the nation's oldest and largest manufactures of pots and pans. If you need factory service on Farberware cookware manufactured before a certain date, there is only one place in the USA to go: the Farberware authorized factory service center in Berwick, PA, also known as All American Lighting, aka Berwick Lighting, 335 S Poplar St., Berwick PA 18603, and its principal, Mr. Frank Bedosky (570-759-1078). I have been defrauded by Farberware Home Products, but more importantly, there appears to be a pattern of ... consumer abuse ... occurring at this company, and I am just one of hundreds affected by it.

In my particular case: My wife and I own Farberware's top of the line Millenium cookware, which carries a lifetime guarantee. The cookware has failed (and from many accounts, this happens routinely), the nonstick coating has flaked off, gotten into our food, into our stomachs, making the pots unsafe to use. To repair the pots, whether you live in Alaska, Florida, California or Maine, you must send your pots prepaid to Berwick PA.

Why is this significant?

1. About 40,000 consumers a year must deal with this repair facility, according to Bedosky. (I do not know if all of these people have failed Farberware cookware, but if so, it suggests a proactive product recall might have been in order). While Farberware Home Products has your pans, you can't cook. Since January, my wife and I have been unable to fry an egg, make an omelet, make my daughter a grilled-cheese sandwich, heat soup, or boil water for pasta or oatmeal. We have missed Valentine's Day, Passover, and Easter and lost the opportunity to cook dinner on 105 consecutive nights.

2. Once a consumer (sends a product to Bedosky), he/she has no place else to turn. There is no Farberware parent company to appeal to. There is no Farberware President, or Vice President of Customer Service, or Consumer Relations Department. There is just an enormous ... void, left by the creation of series of shell corporations, such as Lifetime Hoan, of Westbury, NY, and Syratech Corporation, of East Boston, MA, each of which apparently has acquired the right to profit from the Farberware name, but not the obligation to honor the Farberware warranty, nor assume any responsibility for the thousands who are apparently eating poisonous, nonstick coating for dinner.

So, the consumer's fate rests with Mr. Frank A. Bedosky. When repairs are required, he doesn't make them. When refunds are due to consumers, he refuses to send them, and then, once he does, the checks bounce. (See attached).

In my last phone conversation with Bedosky, at 10:21 am on 4/24/01, Bedosky told me that I would absolutely positively have my pots and pans back in my hands by Tuesday, May 1. I told him at that time, on that phone call, that if I did not receive the pots back by May 1, I would take it as evidence of criminal fraud, and I would contact the Pennsylvania Attorney General. Naturally, the pans did not arrive on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and they did not arrive today the 7th. I gave Bedosky a full week of grace before writing this letter. Yes, I want my pots back - but that is now the least of it.

On March 21, 2000 I contacted Berwick as to status and was advised that a check would be issued for $59.60 in the next few weeks. On March 21, 2000 I contacted Berwick and talked with "Frank" who advised they are behind and he will send it "today"! On April 3, 2001 I contacted Berwick and Frank advised that the check had not gone out, but I would see a check sometime before Easter. Easter was April 15, 2001, no check.

Today while checking Berwick on the internet your Consumer Affairs.com article re Kelly of Seaford NY and her problem with Farber came up. I thought I was reading about myself at first. I have written today to Farberware Products in Westbury NY as you advised her to do, asking that Farberware either send me the $59.60 plus shipping of $7.14, or please send me a new pan. I really do wish that the check come from Farberware, as Kelly's check came from Berwick and bounced costing her $15.00 bank charge, and the last part of her report stated she had still not received a replacement check from "Frank" at Berwick

I contacted Farberware, was advised to mail in pot. About one month later I received a letter from this Berwick lighting company in Pennsylvania, saying that they purchased Farberwares warranty department and were going to evaluate my pot. About one month after that I hadn't heard from them so I called and was told by Connie that I was going to receive a check for $59.60 for the value of the pot.

One month later I had not received the check, contacted Connie again was told it was on her desk and she was going to mail it today. Well, I called Connie once per week all summer long, it was almost comical ... it was always on her desk about to be mailed.

Finally in October I received the check, and it bounced. So, now my bank charges me $15.00 for the bounced check. I call Connie again, she tells me she miscalculated and would send me a new check for $74.60. A week later I called to say I still was waiting, I was told Connie doesn't do refunds anymore. I could speak to Frank the owner. He tells me the check was mailed on 11/11 and I should receive it any day, today it is November 26 and I still haven't received check.

Farberware ... gee, that's a name you don't hear much anymore. We know they're still in business though because they just recalled some fondue pots. Kelly should write to Farberware and demand satisfaction. They're not far from Seaford. Address below.

Westbury, NY 11590