Articles

Dear Consumer Ed:  I left my car in a parking garage with an attendant. When I went to pick it up, I discovered that my car and my car keys had been given to someone else. What is the parking garage’s legal responsibility in this situation?

Dear Consumer Ed:  Can a mechanic make repairs to your vehicle that were not discussed and agreed to ahead of time and charge you for them?

Dear Consumer Ed:  I filed my annual income tax return on time, and I have still not received my refund. What can I do?

Dear Consumer Ed: I ordered a sofa from an online furniture company. The sofa was supposedly shipped, but we never received it. The company does not know where it is and cannot provide any tracking information. They have agreed to cancel this order and refund our money, but they want to charge a restocking fee. Can they do that?

Dear Consumer Ed:  I recently went to a dealership after seeing a vehicle advertised at a certain price. It wasn’t until after I arrived that I was told that if I wanted to pay cash or finance it through my own bank that I would have to pay an additional $3,000, as the advertised price included a discount that was only available if you financed through the dealership. Can they do that?

Dear Consumer Ed:  I purchased a lawn tractor a few months ago, which is now having problems. I contacted the manufacturer, but it refuses to honor its warranty. What can I do?

Dear Consumer Ed:  The apartment I rent has a 12-month lease. The property was recently sold and the management company changed. I am concerned that they may raise the rent at the end of the lease term. How far in advance of my lease expiration are they required to notify me of a planned rent increase?

Dear Consumer Ed:  I recently purchased a used car with an agreement that I would leave the car at the dealership, the dealer would repair a couple of items, and I could pick up the vehicle in two days. It’s been three weeks now and the dealer won’t produce the car or refund my money. When I try to find out the status of the car, they refuse to give me a delivery date. Can they do that?

Dear Consumer Ed:  I responded to a classified ad from a Georgia-based seller for some red bamboo and paid the seller by check. The guy sent me the wrong plant (not even bamboo). When I called to request an exchange, he told me he would ship the correct plant to me and hold my check until I confirmed receipt. I’ve been waiting three months and haven’t received the correct plant. Furthermore, the guy cashed my check after promising to hold it and now refuses to refund my money. What can I do?

Dear Consumer Ed:

Can a dentist retain a $4,000 deposit for services not rendered after an appointment was cancelled? I was not given prior indication that this deposit was non-refundable as they now claim.