Handlebar stems used on some Salsa bicycles have a flaw that can cause them to a break and cause injury to the rider. Customers can get free replacement stems. Details on the recall are here.
Archive for February, 2009
Salsa bike handlebar stems have problems
Friday, February 27th, 2009Dollar store plastic toys being recalled
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009About 39,000 plastic toys of various kinds, made in China and sold at dollar stores, are being recalled either because they pose a choking hazard for tots or have lead content that exceeds federal standards.
Details and a slew of photos of the products can be found here.
Non-membership has its rewards
Tuesday, February 24th, 2009CBS MarketWatch is reporting that American Express Co. is offering some of its credit card holders a $300 gift card if they pay off their balances and close their accounts.
The company isn’t saying exactly who will get the offer, but it’s believed it’s being extended to customers who have outstanding balances and a spotty track record of making payments. The concern is that they’re aspiring deadbeats who are on the brink of not paying up.
Some Honda Odyssey brake hoses are wrong
Monday, February 23rd, 2009American Honda is recalling about 420 2009 model year Odyssey vans because they have incorrect brake hoses that could cause sudden brake failure.
The incorrectly sized hose can make contact the brake caliper bolt, eventually wearing a hole through the hose and causing a brake fluid leak.
Dealers will inspect both front brake hoses and replace them if necessary. For more information, owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Bogus Medicare worker making rounds
Saturday, February 21st, 2009Some woman presenting herself as a Medicare official apparently is trying to gain access to the homes of senior citizens, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
This scam takes all sorts of forms — people posing as utility workers, inspectors, you name it. Don’t let anyone into your home unless they show an official ID. Then, double-check by calling the company they work for to verify they are an employee of the firm.
More about the Medicare scam can be found here.
Raptiva drug can have dangerous side effects
Friday, February 20th, 2009Raptiva, a drug prescribed to treat psoriasis, a skin ailment, has been found to cause a rare brain infection and, in some cases, death.
The Food and Drug Administration is warning the public about the potential serious side effects. For more information, click here.
Stuffed animals from Old Navy recalled
Thursday, February 19th, 2009Old Navy is recalling some stuffed toys because they have buttons and other parts that can detach, posing a choking hazard for youngsters. Details are here.
Small firms are target of SBA scam letter
Thursday, February 19th, 2009The U.S. Small Business Administration is warning small businesses not to respond to letters falsely claiming to have been sent by the SBA asking for bank account information in order to qualify them for federal tax rebates.
The fraudulent letters were sent out with what appears to be an SBA letterhead to small businesses across the country, advising recipients that they may be eligible for a tax rebate under the Economic Stimulus Act, and that SBA is assessing their eligibility for such a rebate. The letter asks the small business to provide the name of its bank and account number. Such letters have not been sent by or authorized by the SBA, and all small businesses are urged not to respond to them.
The scheme is similar in many ways to e-mail scams often referred to as “phishing” that seek personal data and financial account information that enables another party to access and individual’s bank accounts or to engage in identity theft.
The SBA Office of Inspector General intends to investigate this matter. The Office of Inspector General asks that anyone who receives such a letter report it to the OIG Fraud Line at 1 (800) 767-0385, or e-mail at OIGHotline@sba.gov.
A funny thing happened on the way to recession
Thursday, February 19th, 2009Although the economy continued to deteriorate late last year, customer satisfaction with a variety of companies rose, according to new data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index, a survey of consumer happiness produced, in part, with the support of the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
This could be significant because an increase in customer satisfaction has signaled the start of a recovery from past recessions, yet analysts say a slight increase in consumer spending must accompany the rise in satisfaction. That hasn’t happened yet.
Nonetheless, the latest survey noted significant improvement in customer satisfaction with Kohl’s, among department stores, and an overall increase in customer satisfaction with gas stations, apparently due to lower gas prices.
See a summary of all the findings here.
Wheelbarrows have defective wheels
Wednesday, February 18th, 2009Green Thumb wheelbarrows sold at TrueValue hardware stores have a tire problem that can cause their wheels to break. Learn details by clicking here.
Compound bows can have compound fractures
Wednesday, February 18th, 2009“The General” compound bows can break, inflicting cuts and bruises on users.
Details of the recall are here.
Evenflo activity centers being recalled
Wednesday, February 18th, 2009About 213,000 Evenflo EverSaucer Triplefun Activity Centers are being recalled because an end cap can come off and cause the device to topple if it’s used as an activity table. Some tots have been injured, including one suffering a broken collarbone. Details are here.
Is your favorite TV channel missing?
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009Viewers who still are using antennas to get TV signals signals should know that three channels that might be picked up by some homes in the area planned to switch to digital signals today, meaning those channels will no longer be able to be viewed without a converter box.
Channels which indicated to the FCC that they will make the switch today include WMYD, Channel 20 in Detroit; WPXD, Channel 31 in Ann Arbor; and WILX, Channel 10 in Lansing.
Reception of the channels depends on location, antenna height and direction and the channels’ broadcast patterns, so not all homes using antennae for TV reception in Monroe County normally would have received a signal from each channel.
The three channels indicated they will make the switch to digital today, despite a federal extension of the digital conversion deadline to June 12.
For more info, visit www.dtv.gov or www.michigandtv.com
Nordica ski bindings might break
Friday, February 13th, 2009Plates on bindings on Nordica USA skis apparently have a weakness that can cause them to break and cause the skier to fall. Details may be found here.
Disney tool sets being recalled
Friday, February 13th, 2009Playhouse Disney plastic toy tool sets are being recalled because they pose a choking hazard to tots.
Info on the recall may be found here.