Dear Fixer: I bought a Dell laptop in the spring and received a $100 bonus coupon that I could use toward a purchase at Dell.com.
Dear Fixer: Best Buy keeps changing my address in my rewards program account.
Dear Fixer: I found a lump in my breast in May 2007. I was working part time at a craft store and had benefits through them. But once they got the bill, I was dropped. They said I had used all of my benefits money for the year.
The Fixer's guest for the live Web chat at noon today is Nancy Cowles, executive director of Kids in Danger, which fought hard for the new landmark toy safety legislation. Nancy will talk about the new law and her hopes that it will help protect kids from lead paint, hazardous magnetic toys and other products. Kids in Danger is based in Chicago and was founded in the memory of Danny Keysar, a local toddler who was killed when his portable crib collapsed. Danny's child care provider was unaware that the crib was unsafe and had been recalled. Please join in with questions and comments at Suntimes.com.
Today, we give you our final installment of Chicago's most memorably obnoxious customers. Thanks to all who wrote in! Once again, the letters are unsigned. Annoying customers aside, these folks want to keep their jobs. Letters are edited for length and clarity. More letters are online at suntimes.com.
On Monday, we heard about the guest-zillas who come to weddings and the obnoxious people who try to cheat the system. Today, we continue with Part II of Chicago's most obnoxious customers. Once again, these letters are unsigned because these folks would like to keep their jobs. We've edited a bit for length and clarity. (We'll wrap up with Part III on Sunday.)
In its records, Medicare has listed my supplemental insurance as my primary coverage and Medicare as my secondary payer. It should be the other way around.
All year, The Fixer fights the good fight for people who've been ripped off. But today, we're going to turn the tables and let the other side have its say. Many business owners and service workers responded to The Fixer's call for the most obnoxious customers imaginable.
Dear Fixer: On May 2, I tried to buy Windows Vista through Windows Marketplace. After multiple attempts, I realized that I would not be able to download it to my computer and requested a refund.
Two weeks ago, we heard about Mary of Chicago Heights, who lost out on the warranty protection she'd bought for her lawn mower because the repair shop found she hadn't performed the required maintenance.
Dear Fixer: On July 1, I received an automated phone call from my bank, asking me to call its fraud-prevention department. I spoke with a representative there, who reported that there had been two attempts at online purchases that day, using our account, for more than $1,300.
Dear Fixer: On May 14, we had new concrete poured in our gangway and backyard. Later that day, my wife saw a young man coming out of our gangway. Turns out he was a ComEd worker there to read the electric meter, and he had stepped in the wet concrete. He said that if there was "a problem," we should notify his supervisor.
Dear Fixer: For the last eight months I have been receiving a bill from T-Mobile that is not mine. This bill is coming to my address, but this person, a Mr. Baczkowski, has never lived here and I don't know him.
Today's lesson comes from Tamara of Chicago, who learned the costly way -- twice -- that sometimes, rules are rules.
Dear Fixer: This problem started as a simple error on my part. I've been renting two spaces from Public Storage for a long time and paying for both with a single check for $259 monthly.
