Category Archives: Consumer activism

How to successfully appeal a Massachusetts auto insurance (SDIP) surcharge

My wife was involved in an auto accident last September which was not her fault — she opened the door of her parked car after confirming that no one was coming, and another driver came whipping around a corner and hit her door.  Her insurance company found her liable for the accident and issued an… Read More: How to successfully appeal a Massachusetts auto insurance (SDIP) surcharge »

CJP employs invasive unmarked-envelope strategy in charity mailing

Dear Mr. [elided], I enjoyed your recent letter about the direct and indirect ways in which CJP has positively affected your life. Many in the Jewish community don’t realize how pervasive and beneficial CJP’s influence is, and I think it is extremely valuable to occasionally remind people. Your letter was an especially persuasive and effective… Read More: CJP employs invasive unmarked-envelope strategy in charity mailing »

Bill Groome, owner of Madhatter Magic Shop, lies to me about a product and then refuses to refund my money

March 8, 2010 Credit Card Services Post Office Box 7092 Bridgeport, CT 06601 Account Number XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I am writing to dispute the following charge: 01/29 02/01 85456110031701887007089 MAD HAT INTERNATIONAL COLUMBIA SC 18.45 Before making this purchase, I contacted the merchant and asked specific questions about the product I was considering purchasing,… Read More: Bill Groome, owner of Madhatter Magic Shop, lies to me… »

JanSport inaugurated into the Consumer Activism Hall of Fame

Recently, the JanSport backpack I’ve been using for many years broke — the pull tab broke off of one of the zippers. JanSport packs have a lifetime warranty.  Following the instructions on the JanSport Web site, I sent the pack in for repair or replacement.  The Web site promised a turnaround time of about two… Read More: JanSport inaugurated into the Consumer Activism Hall of Fame »

St. Elizabeth’s lies to Tufts Health Plan and the Mass. DPH too, but they can’t get their story straight

I received in the mail today responses to my complaint about St. Elizabeth’s from Tufts Health Plan and the Division of Health Care Quality of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. It’s not terribly surprising that St. Elizabeth’s lied to Tufts and the DPH just like they lied to us.  After all, once they made… Read More: St. Elizabeth’s lies to Tufts Health Plan and the Mass.… »

St. Elizabeth’s evades, lies and libels others rather than simply apologizing

March 4, 2010 Janet Davis Patient Relations Coordinator St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center 736 Cambridge Street Brighton, MA 02135-2907 Dear Ms. Davis, My wife received your response, dated February 12, to my January 26 letter to John Holiver. When coupled with the problems which prompted our letter, your appalling response is enough to convince us to… Read More: St. Elizabeth’s evades, lies and libels others rather than simply… »

Honda Village stops spamming my wife, starts spamming me instead

[You can read the whole series of Honda Village postings here.] November 17, 2009 American Honda Motor Company, Incorporated Honda Automobile Customer Service Fax: (310) 783-3023 To whom it may concern: I sent you the attached letter via fax on November 17. You did not give me the courtesy of a reply, but at least… Read More: Honda Village stops spamming my wife, starts spamming me instead »

Lawyer letter from Village Automotive Group

[You can read the whole series of Honda Village postings here.] I received in the mail today a letter from E. Peter Mullane, the lawyer whom Village Automotive Group has apparently retained to respond to my Chapter 93a letter about their deceptive advertising practices. It is worth noting that E. Peter Mullane’s chief claim to… Read More: Lawyer letter from Village Automotive Group »

Design defect in American Leather sleeper sofa sold by Jordan’s Furniture

February 1, 2010 Legal Department Jordan’s Furniture 450 Revolutionary Drive East Taunton, MA 02718-1369 To whom it may concern: I am writing to you about a design defect in a piece of furniture sold to me by Jordan’s Furniture. This defect is sufficiently serious and egregious as to violate both the implied warranty of merchantability… Read More: Design defect in American Leather sleeper sofa sold by Jordan’s… »

St. Elizabeth’s apparently faster at responding to complaints than treating patients

The letter I posted on my blog earlier today was mailed this morning. My wife received a call from someone at St. Elizabeth’s at 3:15 today: “… I just wanted to let you know that we received your letter and are looking into it….” My letter obviously didn’t make it through the mail from my… Read More: St. Elizabeth’s apparently faster at responding to complaints than treating… »