The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Beware of offers for a free home alarm system

In the last two weeks, I’ve received two offers for a free home alarm system.

The first one came after I filled out a form to win a drawing at a community celebration. I received a call saying I’d “won” a home alarm system. I’d only need to pay $1 a day to have it hooked up to a company that would respond when the alarm went off.

I asked the caller if he would send me information about the deal in the mail so I could mull it over. He said he couldn’t do that. Instead, he kept saying I needed to set up an appointment with a representative of the company. A big red flag. I told him I wasn’t interested if I couldn’t study the proposal.

The company called later and left me a message, but I didn’t call back.

Then on the Fourth of July, I heard a knock at the door. The salesman said he’d like to offer me a “free” home alarm system if I’d put his company’s sign in my yard so my neighbors would know I was a customer.

More knowledgeable now, I asked if I’d have to pay $1 a day for it.

I kept saying no. He kept talking. Finally, I closed the door.

One consumer rip-off that shows no sign of abating is the annual invasion of door-to-door salespeople who use dubious and intrusive tactics to sell burglar-alarm systems to unwary homeowners, according the article “Avoid Summer-Time Burglar Alarm Scams” on the ConsumerReports.org blog.

Consumer protection officials advise consumers to be sure that they verify everything the company says and do comparison shopping with firms that don't sell door-to-door.

They warn consumers to be suspicious of any alarm salesperson who:

• Attempts to upset you by telling about an upswing of burglaries in their neighborhoods.

• Claims to represent or wear clothing with logos from major alarm manufacturers such as GE and Honeywell, firms that don’t sell directly to consumers.

• Tries to gain entrance into your home.

• Offers a free system, because "free" systems usually come with higher monthly service fees and may be cheaply made.

• Says the company is ready to install your system right away.

• Claims your current alarm company is no longer in business.

Consumers need to focus on the quality of the equipment and service, the article advises. Also, look at the length of the agreement and determine if there are any early-termination fees.

Other tips include:

• Make sure that you deal only with well-established companies.

• Check out any company you may buy an alarm system from with the Better Business Bureau.

• Find out which local or state agency has jurisdiction over alarm companies and check the records of any company you're considering using.

• Find out whether your homeowner's insurance company offers a discount for using certain alarm companies.

Good luck avoiding these summer high-pressure salesmen. I’m glad I did.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide Recall of the Week: Intermatic In-wall Electronic Timers

About 240,000 Intermatic Model ST01 and EI600 In-wall Electronic Timers are being recalled.

Manufactured in Mexico by Intermatic Inc., of Spring Grove, Ill., the timers pose a shock hazard to consumers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports.

When consumers trying to replace the timer’s battery place a metal object through the battery tray slot, the object can reach internal metal contacts, and a shock could occur.

The firm has received 12 reports of consumers receiving a minor shock while changing the timer’s battery.

This recall involves the Intermatic In-wall Electronic Timers with model numbers ST01, ST01C, ST01AC, ST01AC70, ST01C70, ST01CL, EI600C, EI600LAC, EI600LAC8, EI600WC, and EI600WC8.

The timer is a lamp and appliance timer, and it usually takes the place of a standard wall switch. The timer is white, off-white, or almond and measures 2 1/2 inches high by 1 3/4 inches wide.

Model numbers can be found on the packaging and on the instructions. In-wall timers are included in this recall if:

• The brand name “Intermatic” is molded on the front of the timer cover door.

• The timer has only four keypad buttons.

• There is no 3-digit date code, for example, “04C,” stamped on the inside of the timer cover door. Timers with a 3-digit date code stamped on the inside of the timer cover door aren’t included in this recall.

The recalled timers were sold at retailers and electrical distributors nationwide from March 2007 through June 2009 for between $25 and $45.

Consumers shouldn’t attempt to change the in-wall timer’s battery until they receive a free repair kit, the commission advises. Consumers need to contact Intermatic to obtain the kit with installation instructions.

For information on how to obtain the kit, call Intermatic toll-free at 877-417-4316 anytime or visit the firm’s Web site at www.intermatic.com.

For more information on recent recalls, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Do you save money shopping at Costco or another warehouse club?

Last year, I joined Costco because an article in Consumer Reports suggested you might be able to get a good deal on a computer.

This year I joined again because I wanted to see if I could get a low price on eyeglasses.

So now that I have a membership, what should I do with it? I have a small family, so buying huge containers of food isn’t a practical consumer choice.

The Consumer Reports article, “Costco vs. Sam’s Club: New Reasons to Join or Switch” on ConsumerReports.org was helpful.

It said warehouse clubs make their money on memberships and have a lower mark up than other stores. However, you may find better deals at supermarkets on specials because they’re sold at a loss to attract consumers.

Costco and Sam’s Club buy items directly from the manufacturer to get cheaper prices. That means you won’t find wide variety of brands, for example, there may only be one brand of raisin bran cereal.

Although you may find large ticket items such as sofas and appliances, you can’t count on finding them in the store the next time you shop.

These practices can lead consumers to overspend, the article states.

If you control the urge to spend, the article says, club membership can pay off. Here are tips to help you shop at warehouse clubs:

• Make a list and stick to it.

• Know how to identify super-bargains. At Costco, “.97” at the end of a price generally indicates discontinued or slow-moving products. At Sam’s, a “C” at the end of the item number denotes a canceled item.

• Compare the club’s unit prices to those at your supermarket for heavily discounted staples. Supermarkets might be less expensive.

• For big-ticket items, compare the club price to that of other retailers by going to sites such as PriceGrabber.com or BizRate.

• Consider splitting large buys with friends. Otherwise, don’t buy in bulk perishables or medications with a short shelf life – check the expiration dates. You’ll end up tossing a lot away.

• Try unfamiliar products judiciously. You don’t want to get stuck with, say, a gallon of Brand X Vidalia onion salad dressing.

• Pay with cash; it’s a reality check on how much you’re spending.

• Shop on weekdays, preferably when the store opens or in midafternoon. That’s when crowds tend to be lighter.

• Not sure about joining? In many states you can request a day pass at Sam's Club and pay a surcharge, typically 10 percent over what members pay. Costco used to have a similar program, but discontinued it. Now, only members can purchase there.

Here are other articles to help you evaluate warehouse clubs:

“Does Costco Make Your Wallet Look Fat?” – KOMONews.com

“Buying Bargains in Bulk, Without Breaking the Bank” – The Seattle Times

“Five Ways to Whip Inflation When You Shop at a Warehouse Club” – Kiplinger.com

“A Comparison of Sam’s Club and Costco” – Associated Content.com

“Are Warehouse Clubs Like Costco or Sam’s Club Worth It?” – My Money Blog

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Is the Internet interfering with your family life?

Americans spend 32.7 hours a week online.

As a result, they’re spending less time with their families.

In a survey, 28 percent of Americans said they’ve been spending less time with members of their households, the Annenberg Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California reports. That's nearly triple the 11 percent who said that in 2006.

A 10-year-old girl told how her dad spends a lot of the little time he has at home on the computer, on the NPR program “Daddy, What’s a Facebook?” She described how her little brother throws tantrums to get his dad’s attention when he’s using the computer so long.
 
What’s happening in your home? Are your family relationships being affected negatively by computer use? Is the problem worse since Facebook and Twitter have become so popular?

Do you have limits on how much teens can use the computer? Do your teens have their own laptops?

Write a comment below and let me know if soaring Internet use is causing squabbles in your home.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison

The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide Recall of the Week: Black & Decker brand Spacemaker™ coffeemakers

About 584,000 Black & Decker brand Spacemaker™ coffeemakers are being recalled.

Manufactured in China and distributed by Applica Consumer Products Inc., of Miramar, Fla., the brew basket of the coffeemaker can shift out of alignment allowing hot water to overflow, reports U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This poses a scalding and burn hazard to consumers.

The firm has received 235 reports of hot water overflowing and contacting consumers, including 10 reports of second-degree burns.

The Black & Decker brand Spacemaker™ coffeemaker has an under-cabinet mount, programmable digital clock/timer, removable water reservoir, and either a 12-cup glass carafe or an 8-cup thermal carafe.

Model numbers ODC440, ODC440B, ODC450, and ODC460 are included in the recall. The model number can be located on the back of the coffeemaker.

The coffeemaker was sold at major retailers nationwide, including K-Mart, Kohl’s, Target, Wal-Mart, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Amazon.com from March 2006 through March 2009 for between $60 and $70.

Consumers should stop using the recalled coffeemaker immediately and contact Applica for a free replacement brew basket, the commission advises.

For additional information, consumers should contact Applica toll-free at 866-668-4442 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.acprecall.com.

For more information on recalls, see www.Recalls.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Eating while you’re driving is dangerous

I admit it. I eat when I drive. It’s a busy person habit.

One time after visiting my mom in Wenatchee, Wash., I was merging onto the freeway just after I left Cle Elum. I’d purchased a whole chicken.

Anxious to reach home, I was trying to pull pieces of chicken off with a fork when I was driving. As I was merging, a semi was barreling up on my car. Needless to say, I had to put both hands on the wheel and pay attention to what I was doing. Chicken juice and sauce splattered all over.

I’ve also put an open cup of tea in a grocery bag, only to have it turn upside down; dumped soup in my lap; and dripped a chicken salad sandwich down my front.

In a recent analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, eating and driving was found to be more dangerous than using a hand held cell phone while driving.

According to the administration, 26 percent of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. is caused by driver distraction. The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety also states that distracted drivers cause at least 4,000 to 8,000 accidents per day.

Hagerty Classic Insurance publishes this list of driving and eating dangers:

1. Chocolate – Whatever you touch – steering wheels, stick shift, clothing, or hair – will carry distinctive fingerprints. Drivers' instinctive reactions are to clean the offending candy stains immediately, which distracts them from the road ahead.
2. Soft drinks – Suddenly wearing your soda as you pull out to pass could be a deadly distraction. Open containers holding liquids – hot or cold – can cause a lack of driver concentration when spilled across a shirt or lap.
3. Jelly and Cream-Filled Donuts – Imagine the disaster as messy jelly oozes onto drivers' clothes, and they become more focused on the spill than the highway.
4. Fried chicken – Greasy hands are a sure distraction as drivers tend to constantly try to clean them while driving. Grease on a steering wheel is almost impossible to get off.
5. Any barbecued food – Barbecue sauce may be delicious, but drivers should remember that "If it can drip, don't eat it while you drive."
6. Juicy hamburgers – The same goes for foods that contain messy or greasy extras. A $5 hamburger deluxe could turn into $500 worth of repairs if dripping condiments, special sauces, or greasy meat juices distract the driver.
7. Chili – Anything containing chili like a chili dog, sloppy Joe or Coney dog is a problem. Steering chili-covered foods to your mouth while steering a car around a corner requires more dexterity than humans possess.
8. Tacos – Here's a foodstuff that can disassemble itself without much help while being consumed. One good road bump and the seat of your car looks like a salad bar.
9. Hot Soups – Eating soup while trying to manipulate a gearshift isn’t sensible. It's the equivalent to a circus juggling act; a sure recipe for disaster.
10. Coffee – Coffee is the most hazardous food drivers can consume. Uncovered drinks generally are the greatest offenders for unexpected splashes and spills. Nobody wants to look soiled or messy, especially on the way to work, and coffee spills are the worst because drivers invariably try to make instant clean-ups while still driving. In addition, hot coffee is often served at temperatures near scalding, and can cause serious burns that also divert a driver's focus.

Hagerty also learned:

• More food-related accidents happen in the morning hours than in the evening because people are concerned about their appearance on the way to work.

• The odds of having a food-related accident can double if the vehicle has a stick shift since eating, shifting, and steering requires increased dexterity and adds one more variable to the equation.

• The most hazardous situation combines eating and cellular phone use. When the phone rings, the "driving distraction" increases significantly and in a rush to answer, drivers forget they're driving.

So, avoid eating in your car. If you do so, make sure containers have tight-fitting lids. It’s important to concentration on your driving so that you don’t put other drivers at risk.

If you spill something, pull over to the side before attempting to clean up the mess.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Study finds baby boomers, Gen X face health-care cost hurdles

Twenty-five percent of Americans say they had difficulty paying for health care in the past 12 months, with the baby boomer and Generation X age groups leading the way, according to a study published by Thomson Reuters.

The study, which tracks the impact of the recession on consumers' health-care behaviors, also found that baby boomers and Gen Xers are 3.5 times more likely to postpone care due to the cost than are older Americans.

Older Americans, who have the access to Medicare, are less affected by the economic downturn when it comes to health care, the study reports.

The analysis is based on a telephone survey of more than 3,000 households conducted from April 21 to May 3.

Thomson Reuters is a research organization providing information for businesses and professionals.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Opportunity to win collectible gold coin appears in mailbox – again

In March, I wrote about an advertisement I received in the article “Honda Dealer Offers Questionable Promotion.”

A large post card said you could win a $5,000 credit card, a plasma screen TV, or a gold collectible coin.

I didn’t win a big prize, but the salesman did give me a gold-colored Andrew Jackson $1 coin.

Recently, I received another postcard with the same offer.

So I stopped by the Honda Dealer again to get another $1 coin.

The salesman was unapologetic when I said I’d done consumer research, and the coins are made from pure copper with a manganese brass outer clad.

I also told him the gold-colored coins are collectible only because presidents are featured on the coins in a series. Some people will collect them, such as the quarter series, but it’s unlikely they’ll ever be worth more than $1 because millions of the coins will be issued.

This time, President James Madison was on the coin I received.

The salesman did tell me that the marketing company had made a mistake. They sent the postcards to the same people who received the first one!

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide Recall of the Week: Blair chenille robes

The recall of about 162,000 women’s full length Blair chenille robes is being re-announced, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports.

Since the recall was originally announced in April 2009, six deaths due to the robes catching on fire have been reported to Blair LLC, of Warren, Pa.

Five of the six victims were female, and all five were cooking at the time of the incidents. Three of the victims were in their 80s.

The commission and Blair announced the recall for the robes after Blair learned of three robes catching on fire, including one report of second-degree burns. Later, Blair was made aware of the fatalities after the recall was announced and after Blair had sent letters of the recall to consumers who purchased the robes.

The women’s chenille robes have the following item numbers: 3093111, 3093112, 3093113, 3093114, 3093115, and 3093116. The item number is identified on a label in the garment’s neckline.

The robe is a one-piece garment made of plush sculpted chenille, a shaped stand collar, and horizontal chenille front and back yolks and cuffs. It has a full-button front with seven matching button closures, long sleeves with self-cuffs, a straight bottom with self-hem, and two side seam pockets.

The robe’s sewn in label states: “100% Cotton, RN 81700, Made in Pakistan.”

The robes were sold in Blair catalogs, on the Blair Web site, and in Blair stores in Warren, Pa., Grove City, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., from January 2003 through March 2009 from about $20 to $40.

The commission and Blair urge consumers to stop wearing the garments immediately and contact Blair LLC for information on returning the robe and to receive a refund or a $50 gift card for Blair merchandise.

Contact Blair toll-free at 877-392-7095 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, visit the firm’s Web site at www.blair.com/recall, or contact the firm by e-mail at blairproductrecall@blair.com.

For information on other recent recalls, see www.Recalls.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide Recall of the Week: National and Sanyo hand-held hair dryers

About 2,300 National and Sanyo hand-held hair dryers are being recalled, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Imported by Vintage International Inc., of Hacienda Heights, Calif., the hair dryers were manufactured in Thailand.

The hair dryers aren’t equipped with an immersion protection device to prevent electrocution if the hair dryer falls into water, the commission said in a news release. Immersion protection devices, which prevent electrocution, are required by industry safety standards for all electric hand-held hair dryers.

No injuries have been reported.

The hand-held hair dryers are made of plastic and chrome with a fold up handle and were sold in blue, pink, white, and black colors.

Model numbers EH-5202, EH-5215, EH-5216, EH-7911, EH-7912, or EH-7913 and “National” and “Sanyo” can be found on the hair dryer’s blower nozzle or handle.

The National and Sanyo hand-held hair dryers were sold at various retail stores in the Los Angeles area from January 2007 through August 2008 for between $20 and $40.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled hair dryers and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund or free replacement, the commission advises.

For additional information, contact Vintage International toll free at 888-711-4656 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

For more information about recalls, see www.Recalls.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist