Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Mitch Lipka is a nationally known consumer columnist and runs The ConsumerChronicle.com. He lives in Worcester. You can find him on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/MitchLipka. If you're having a run-in with business, think you're being mistreated as a consumer or have seen something that you think your fellow consumers ought to know about, let him know. You can email Mitch at ConsumerNews@Aol.com.

Warranties are not all created equal

QI have an issue regarding a new hot tub I bought in September. I have had multiple issues that have resulted in multiple warranty service calls. The dealer has been responsive; however, no response alleviates the frustration of owning something that doesn’t work the way it is supposed to. The hot tub’s stereo feature stopped working and after waiting four weeks for replacement parts, it was repaired. The dealer charged me a $49 travel fee to come and make the warranty repairs. Apparently the manufacturer does not reimburse the dealer after a certain number of days for travel, so they are passing that cost to me. This charge seems unreasonable in light of the spa having had multiple issues since I owned it. I did inquire in detail about the warranty prior to purchasing and this travel fee was not disclosed.

Previous columns:
• Business may profit from donations
• Scams sprout with spring’s first breezes
• New car’s gas mileage less than advertised
• Hollywood Video gallery debts return to haunt
• Best defense: First check with BBB
• Check gift coupon’s expiration
• Overseas phone bill a surprise
• Take the cannoli at listed price

Recent child-related product recalls

Target Recalls Bunny Sippy Cups Due to Injury Hazard
The ear on the bunny sippy cup can poke a child in the eye area while using the cup for drinking, posing an injury hazard.

Manhattan Group Recalls Baby Rattles Due to Choking Hazard
The clear spheres on each end of the rattle can break, releasing small parts, posing a choking hazard to small children.

Youth Jacket Recalled by PUMA; Waist Drawstrings Pose Entanglement Hazard
The jacket has a drawstring at the waist that has toggles and is not stitched to the back of the jacket. The drawstring could become snagged or caught in small spaces or vehicle doors and it poses an entanglement hazard

Girls' Jackets Recalled by Louise Paris; Waist Drawstrings Pose Entanglement Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Ross Stores
The jackets have drawstrings at the waist that could become snagged or caught in small spaces or vehicle doors and pose an entanglement hazard to young children.

Nan Far Woodworking Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards; Sold Exclusively at jcpenney
The cribs' drop sides can malfunction, detach or otherwise fail, causing part of the drop side to fall out of position, creating a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged or entrapped, which can lead to strangulation or suffocation. A child can also fall out of the crib. Drop-side incidents can also occur due to incorrect assembly and with age-related wear and tear.

Todson Recalls Bicycle Child Carrier Seats Due to Laceration and Fingertip Amputation Hazards
A child can place his or her fingers in the opening at the grab bar's hinge mechanism. When the consumer lifts the grab bar to remove the child from the seat, the child's fingertips can be caught in the hinge mechanism, posing a laceration and fingertip amputation hazard to the child.

Toy Truck Gifts with Purchase Recalled by Happy Shirts Due to Fire Hazard
Connections in the toy trucks battery compartment can smolder or catch the trucks on fire, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Recent household product recalls

Farm Glass & Metal Spiral Tea Light Holder Recalled by Christmas Tree Shops Due to Fire Hazard
The tea light holder can burn with a high flame, posing a fire hazard. The firm has received one report of an incident that resulted in a burn to a person's hand.

Lenovo Expands Recall of ThinkCentre Desktop Computers Due to Fire Hazard
A defect in an internal component in the power supply can overheat and pose a fire hazard.

Gems Sensors Recalls Pressure Transducers Used in Fire Pump Controllers Due to Risk of Failure in a Fire
The transducer can fail to accurately detect water pressure in a fire suppression sprinkler system. This could cause the sprinkler system to fail to activate and pump water to the sprinklers in the event of a fire.

Irwin Recalls 10-Inch Circular Saw Blade 3-Pack Due to Laceration Hazard Posed by Defective Packaging
The saw blades can fall out of the bottom of the plastic packaging, posing a laceration hazard.

Sakar International Recalls Battery Chargers Due to Electrocution, Electric Shock Hazard
The plastic holding the screws can break, causing the screws to come loose and the casing to separate. This can expose energized components, exposing users to electrocution or electric shock.

Viking Range Recalls Dishwashers Due to Fire Hazard
An electrical component in the dishwasher can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Office Depot Recalls Desk Chairs Due to Fall Hazard
The weld connecting the seat plate to the gas lift can fail, causing the chair to separate from the base. This poses a fall hazard to consumers.