Costco Connection - July 2008

CONSUMERconnection

Also:
N LASIK alternatives
N Digital mammograms
When good
Ask David
Horowitz
products go bad
By David Horowitz

A PRODUCT IS declared dangerous. A recall is announced. Owners return the item. Simple, yes?

No! Even this year—with widespread recalls of unsafe items, including dolls, baby cribs, lunchboxes and pet food—companies cite poor compliance and report getting back a very small percentage of the dangerous items that have been sold. “We do a very good job of getting dangerous products off store shelves, but our greater challenge is to get dangerous products out of people’s homes,” says a spokesman for the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Officials are now struggling to determine whether recall announcements are missing their intended targets. The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved a bill (Consumer Product Safety Commission Modernization Act of 2007, H.R. 4040; www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h4040/show) that would force manufacturers of many children’s products to keep track of who buys them so that customers can be personally notified in case of a recall.

(Note: Costco has a comprehensive system for notifying members about product recalls. If a situation is urgent, members are contacted by phone; if timing is not critical, they are notified by mail. Customer-service call agents are prepared to provide up-to-date information and referrals to suppliers or agencies, as appropriate. And, of course, members are given a full refund on any recalled items purchased at Costco. A current list of product notices can be found on costco.com—click on “Customer Service” at the bottom of the home page—or by calling 1-800- 955-2292.—Ed.)

Those considering surgery to correct vision problems may wish to investigate other options, such as LASEK (laser assisted sub-epithelial ker-atomiluesis), PRK, (photorefractive keratectomy), intraocular lens implants, CK (conductive keratoplasty) or corneal rings.

AMY CAN TRELL

LAST SEPTEMBER we purchased a computer armoire and bookshelves with a custom finish. We paid a 50 percent deposit with final payment on delivery, promised in two to 10 weeks. After numerous calls they delivered in December, but the armoire was poorly done. They took it back to refinish, along with the bookshelves, since we hadn’t paid in full. Today we went to the store, but the armoire finish is even worse, and now it’s scratched and chipped. We asked for a refund of our deposit or store credit, but they refused because it was a custom order. They offered only a discount on the total purchase, or we can wait until they sell the furniture to another customer before we get a refund.

Digital mammograms

The transition from film to digital mammograms is causing an enormous increase in the number of fearful rechecks as w omen learn that the doctor has seen something on the newer test. An essential part of tracking for breast cancer is the comparison of past and present mammograms. But comparing the digital and film versions can be difficult. Even though doctors assure their patients that most repeat tests wind up being normal, the increase in breast cancers reported in the population has many women fearing the worst. During this shift in the technology, radiologists learning the brand-new protocol may be more likely to play it safe by requesting additional X-rays, ultrasound exams and even biopsies. The result? For now, more worry and more expense. And, hopefully, more cancers discovered at an early stage. C

Clarissa Winnetka, California

LASIK alternatives

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reissuing warnings about the risks of LASIK ( laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) surgery. Users are being reminded that the popular and highly advertised procedure does come with risks, including vision loss, painful dry eyes, and glare and night-vision problems. Ad campaigns focus on instant cures but rarely show the other side. Overall, the FDA estimates that 5 percent of patients aren’t satisfied with the outcome and may experience side effects that do not reduce or self-correct over time.

With LASIK, doctors peel back a flap in the cornea’s surface and zap the underlying layer to reshape the cornea and ease either nearsightedness or farsightedness. This cut is widely believed to be that procedure’s riskiest step. The newest version, considered safer, makes ultra-thin flaps using a second laser instead of the original disposable blade.

David Horowitz is a leading consumer advocate. His “Fight Back!” commentaries are heard daily on the Jones Radio Network. For stations and times, check the radio page at www.fightback.com.

Sue them in small
claims court, mak-
ing sure their sum-
mons is served by
an officer. Docu-
ment your case
with photographs
and receipts, with
a clear paper trail
showing their bro-
ken agreements. In many
cases, this kind of pres-
sure will bring about a
resolution before you
have to go to court. It
sounds as if you have the
law on your side, so
chances are good that
you’ll get a refund or new
furniture finished and deliv-
ered to your satisfaction.

P.S. Clarissa wrote to me that this strategy worked for her.

Do you have a question for David?

Just log on to www.fightback.com and “Ask David.” He will personally respond to your problem if you follow the instructions printed on his Web site. (Costco members receive a rebate off the normal fee.) Questions and answers of the greatest interest to Costco members will be used in this column with the permission of the contributor and will be posted on www.fightback.com.