Ironing Boards, Credit Cards: Yes, The Problems Are Real

I know you readers believe columnists lead an extremely exciting and sometimes dangerous life. And you probably wouldn't believe some of the questions we're asked. Or some of the secrets revealed to us.

For instance, you probably would think the following letter is something I made up or a note from a prankster. But no, ladies and gents, this is for real.

"Dear Shelby,

"I am writing about my IRONING BOARD. Nearly 30 years ago I bought a state-of-the-art ironing board. I am very attached to it; it is one of my favorite possessions. It has several nice features, but the reason I purchased it was that it is oversized. What makes it oversized is that it has two flaps that can be flipped up or down. One is at an angle at the top and one is on the far side. A sticker on the back states: Mary Proctor.

"Because of its unique shape it requires a custom cover and pad. That was no problem for years. But now a local retailer no longer carries the product. I don't know where else to look. I am feeling very sad because the board is still in great shape, but without new covers and pads I will have to throw it out. - M.A."

Seldom have I read a more poignant plea on behalf of an ironing board! Now in some newspapers this kind of letter could lead to a headline like:

"Stranger than fiction: Woman OBSESSED by Ironing Board!!"

But not here. No sireee.

Some publications might not take this reader seriously:

"Dear M.A.: Yeah, right, lady. A flapping ironing board . . . Uh, why don't you just put those flaps up, add a steering yoke and fly off to the factory?"

No, here at Fairview and John we take readers seriously. So we turned to "Companies & Their Brands," a $430 book kept in a safe by our librarians, and voila! Searching for the Mary Proctor Co., the maker of flying ironing boards, the librarian found Gustin-Kramer, a trademark licensee for Proctor Silex.

And, yes, M.A., there is an ironing board cover and pad for this board, whether or not it flies: $15 for cover and pad, $10 for cover only, $5 for shipping and handling. Write Gustin-Kramer, P.O. Box 528, Boston, MA 02136. But alas they don't make boards like this anymore.

Why don't more of us try to recycle things?

Next letter and headline, please.

"Man pays only $600 for shipping and handling for free prize!"

"Dear Troubleshooter: Is this fair?" asked R.S., another of our illustrious correspondents, who got nothing for his money after giving his credit-card numbers to B.J.F. Enterprises Inc. of Aurora, Ill., in exchange for winning one of the following: a 1995 Pontiac Firebird, a RCA 35-inch color TV, $2,500 in cash, an exotic Cancun Vacation for Two, a $2,000 cashiers check, a GE VHS Camcorder or $800 in cash.

"Dear R.S.: I am sorry you didn't receive a prize, but hey, you and dozens of other consumers were in the same boat. Washington state received 57 complaints about B.J.F. Enterprises, also known as Nationwide Products and Sales Inc.

"Washington's attorney general sued the business for unfair practices, failure to register as required, and failure to tell consumers the odds of winning. Not to mention charging from $587 to $875 for a `membership' in a travel club. The legal beagles say if you had received anything, it would have been a `bonus prize' of dubious value. Next time keep your credit-card number to yourself. OK?

"Some of B.J.F. Enterprises' phones have been disconnected. But the company's attorney says it will award prizes next February. Stay tuned.

"And send a note of thanks to your bank for rescuing you by removing charges from your credit card! Enough said?"

Shelby Gilje's Troubleshooter column appears Wednesday and Sunday in the Scene section of The Times. Write to Times Troubleshooter, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111. Include copies, not originals, of appropriate documents. Phone, 464-2262, fax 382-8873, or email address, sgil-new@seatimes.com

------------ CASES CLOSED ------------

R.B., Kent: The Dial Corp. says that if you have copies of all the receipts for the rebate program, they'll pay up. You are correct there was no limit on the number of rebates for which you could apply.

T.W., Seattle: The Seattle Police Department says the parked vehicle about which you complained does, indeed, move and it does have a permit to park in a zone for the disabled.

B.F., Bellingham: The corporations division of the secretary of state's office has sent you information about your father's stock in United Gold and Silver Co.

E.R., Kirkland: The U.S. Postal Service forwards mail for one year, then mail is returned to sender. At one time Uncle Sam returned all mail marked "forwarding order expired." But at the request of direct marketers who wanted to update their address lists, the Postal Service programmed its computers to retain the new address for an additional six months.

S.G., Seattle: Sorry, but it appears you have a dispute of the facts with the travel agent. Under the new travel sellers' law, those who collect money for trips will have to register with the state. That may help situations like yours.

M.A., Seattle: You complained about a business where your car was burglarized in the parking lot on more than one occasion. The business posted signs warning customers. You said that wasn't enough. Take your business elsewhere.

G.H., Seattle: Smart News Shopper of Roanoke, Va., says you'll be getting a check for $19.50, but you paid $23.96 for merchandise you didn't get. You probably aren't being reimbursed for postage. Remember next time you shop by mail to ask about a company's policy.

R.S., Bremerton: Your problem with a travel voucher appears to have been resolved. Premium Outfitters of Bothell will send you a check for $470 for the trip, plus $38.96 for the taxes you paid.

L.K.L., Seattle: TicketMaster says the $30 seats for Campbell's Tour of World Figure Skating Champions performance on June 22 were sold out in advance through group sales. That's why when you went to an outlet only the $45 tickets remained.