fixer
-
The Fixer thanks Sun-Times readers
Dear Readers: After seven wonderful years of writing this column, I’m leaving for a new opportunity in consumer reporting with another organization.It’s bittersweet, because being “The Fixer” has allowed me to get to know Sun-Times readers in ways I never did as an ordinary reporter. …Read More
-
One misplaced decimal point creates an explosive headache
D ear Fixer: I don’t know where else to turn. On June 30, I purchased $190.04 in fireworks from Johnny Rockets Fireworks in Highland. I paid with a credit card. But when I got my credit card bill, I saw that I was charged $1,900.40.To …Read More
-
Nuwave moves on refund
D ear Fixer: I bought the Nuwave Precision Induction Cooktop after seeing their TV commercial. I bought it along with the Nuwave Oven Pro. They came fast, the next day. I tried both, but the Nuwave cooktop, which uses magnetic energy, wouldn’t work with my …Read More
Search recent columns
More Columns
Long ride to Harley warranty refund
D ear Fixer: I purchased a Harley-Davidson motorcycle from Chicago Harley in May 2008. I also purchased a full warranty that was good until May 2014. I sold the motorcycle on Feb. 4, 2012, and also canceled the warranty on that date. The Harley-Davidson service …
Let your fingers walk from this ‘yellow pages’ scam
Dear Fixer: I work for a college. A couple weeks ago, a representative from Yellow Pages called to demand payment for some advertising services. They said the fee for listing our company information on the Yellow Pages website for the past two year came to …
Bill for cancelled service has customer seeing red
D ear Fixer: I have a receipt showing I switched service on two phone lines from T-Mobile to Cricket on Sept. 8. Both of the contracts were over, so I was free to go. Now, T-Mobile says I owe them $90.35 for the billing period …
Rebate gremlins strike again, this time on iPhone deal
Dear Fixer: I’m a divorced father of three. On July 2, I went to a local Verizon store to shop for four iPhones for myself and my kids. The salesman there said I was in luck — because I am a Comcast customer in good …
She says bus caused up to $9k in damage to her viola, but CTA offers just $1,500
Dear Fixer: On April 29, I was riding the No. 6 bus from Hyde Park to downtown with two colleagues. We are musicians. We were on our way to a conference, with our violas in tow. We were in the middle part of the articulated …
British Airways sets speed record in fixing priest’s non-refundable dilemma
Dear Fixer: I was to attend an international meeting in Rome from Sept. 12-21. I made my travel arrangements with British Airways. Unfortunately, I entered the hospital on Sept. 4 with acute bronchitis. I was released on Sept. 7, and my doctor advised me to …
Transferring points turns into a nightmare
Dear Fixer: In June 2009 I purchased two TVs from Best Buy through a telephone order. My deceased husband had a Best Buy Reward Zone card, and the person who took my order on the phone said I could use that card to get points …
Waive fee? Get it in writing
D ear Fixer: I attempted to make reservations online for my wife and 4-year-old daughter to fly to Japan in October on American Airlines, using frequent flier miles accumulated in two of my other children’s accounts. The problem is that the website would not let …
Deflated by overdrawn fees
Dear Fixer: I was on my way to take my son to his doctor’s appointment when I got a flat tire. Luckily — or so I thought — I was two blocks away from an NTB tire shop. I had my flat tire fixed and …
Romance scams one of the oldest, cruelest tricks around
Dear Readers: In this column we hear about a lot of problems that are unfair and annoying, but not necessarily life-or-death situations. Today, we bring you a story of a fraud that could happen to anyone who falls in love. And it has an ending …
Women’s Workout World steps up for stroke victim
Dear Fixer: I joined Women’s Workout World in August 2011. My membership was payable on a month-to-month basis. The month after I joined, I went into the hospital for routine hernia surgery. There were some complications and two days later, while still in the hospital, …
Car heat poses threat
Dear Readers: Our normally glorious summer weather is supposed to return this weekend, so it’s a good time to remind you all of something that, unfortunately, can bring a chill to any sunny day: Each year, dozens of children die after being left behind in …
Trilogy of terror finishes series on awful customers
D ear Readers: We’ve really enjoyed reading your submissions for most obnoxious customer. (And we’re relieved to have not seen ourselves in these stories.) Here is the final installment: From M.N.: Back in the day, I tried my hand at waitressing. There was one jerk …
Reader can call out — but no one can call in to his business
Dear Fixer: My problem is with Cricket Wireless, my phone provider for almost three years. When I initially opened the account, I brought over my business line, which I have used for almost 22 years for my sand-blasting business. For the first two years, we …
Avoid the yo-yo: Never sign a blank contract when seeking car financing
Dear Fixer: Your recent column about “yo-yo” car sales caused me to think of the last two auto purchases I made. Both cars were new. I have excellent credit. I signed installment contracts at both dealerships and both “reputable” dealerships wanted me to sign an …
Drive off without financing and you’ll pay dearly
Here at Fixer HQ, we’ve heard lots of unfortunate stories about consumers who drive off a car lot with some new wheels and a salesman’s promise that they’ll get financing later. Earlier this spring, we fixed a problem involving a Chicago woman whose trade-in was …
Cancelling prescription insurance causes headache
Dear Fixer: I had insurance through UnitedHealthcare to cover prescriptions and decided I did not want it anymore. I called them on Nov. 30 to inquire about what was being covered. I told the representative I didn’t want it any more, to cancel me out. …
