Dear Ben: I know that many people are going to be receiving gifts during the next week that contain "warranty cards" enclosed with the assembly instructions. I've heard you mention over the years that we don't really need to fill these out to insure our warranty is valid...is this still true?

DB in Fort Worth

 

Dear DB: So glad you've been listening. In just about every case, these supposed "warranty cards" are nothing more than what's known as a "bounce-back" marketing tool for the manufacturers or retailers. The invasive amount of data they're requesting is silly, from name and address, phone numbers and e-mail addresses to household income e-mail address information is none of their business, and not needed to protect your warranty. Always remember: Whatever information you give them has the potential to be sold and re-sold dozens of times. Skip it.

 

Dose of Dover For The Week, Part I: I've received complaints about a problem that exists all 365 days a year and not just during the holiday buying frenzy period. Think you're buying something brand new off the shelf? You'd better make, and scrutinize the packaging very carefully. Reports of products that have been previously sold and returned, then re-packaged and (many times) re-shrink-wrapped abound. Anytime a product has been returned by a consumer and is then re-packaged and returned to inventory, retailers are obligated to clearly tag the merchandise and fully disclose this. According to Thomas Kelley from the Office of the Texas State Attorney General: "Section 17.46(7) of the Business and Commerce Code (deceptive trade practices) states: It is a violation of the DTPA to represent "that goods are original or new if they are deteriorated, reconditioned, reclaimed, used, or secondhand." This is a disclosure issue. If a store is doing this, it should be noted on the package. Consumers wishing to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office can call us toll-free at (800) 621-0508, or file on-line at www.oag.state.tx.us and click on the "consumer protection" button.

 

Dose of Dover For The Week, Part II: It's not uncommon to but a particular product en masse, especially if you're buying for a large family or business-related presents. Here's a tip that will make your life [but not the sales clerk's life, I'm afraid] much easier: Force the clerk to write-up your purchases on separate receipts. Buying multiple quantities of the same item? Each item get its own receipt...why? Suppose you're purchasing five cameras. What happens if one of them is defective, and recipients of two others want to exchange their gift for something else, or a store credit? With tighter return policies becoming the standard in more retail establishments, original receipts are a must for returns or exchanges-so make them give you separate receipts for each item purchased. Yeah, I know it's a hassle...but they're the ones making it more difficult in this arena. Until they come up with a better alternative, hold their feet to the fire and get a separate receipt.

 

Dose of Dover For The Week, Part III: My old friend and DFW Airport spokesman Ken Capps wants to remind everyone that Christmas came a couple weeks early thanks to the FAA's allowing almost 3,000 "close-in" parking spaces to re-open for the first time since September 11, 2001. DFW Airport's also added some convenient and consumer-friendly (and affordable) remote parking lots costing as little as $5 a day. The Express and Remote parking lots feature new Guest Assistance Patrols...they provide free vehicle aid for motorists facing dead batteries, lock-outs and flat tires. Check out my updated, annual analysis of airport transportation and parking options at: www.bendover.com/parking.asp.  And while you're at it, leverage today's technology when you travel over the holidays or beyond! Since American Airlines is the biggest carrier out of DFW, you'll want to save time by using their quick, self-service kiosks that'll let you skip the lines, transact business and get a boarding pass through an easy to use touch-screen interface. But the smart travelers use their Flight Status Notification feature; if you have a pager or a cell phone, American's website will notify you hours before departure or arrival of any flight delays or gate changes. The price is right for this feature. (Free!) Sign-up on their website: www.aa.com/notify.