Xref: utzoo comp.os.msdos.apps:2031 comp.os.msdos.misc:2298
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!gatech!prism!bb16
From: bb16@prism.gatech.EDU (Scott Bostater)
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.apps,comp.os.msdos.misc
Subject: Re: Warning - dishonest company
Message-ID: <30462@hydra.gatech.EDU>
Date: 3 Jun 91 13:31:05 GMT
References: <1991Jun1.234549.16574@athena.mit.edu>
Followup-To: comp.os.msdos.apps
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology
Lines: 47

In article <1991Jun1.234549.16574@athena.mit.edu> dma@athena.mit.edu (Donny (Chung) Ma) writes:

[Warnings about ASI deleted]

>I would also like to ask any knowledgeable people on this network
>for advice on how I might be able to force/persuade ASI to make good
>on their guarantee to me.  Some advice I've received and am considering:
>

[items 1 and 3 deleted]

>(2) Continue to refuse to pay my AMEX bill (the product was purchased on
>AMEX back in October 1990 -- I have disputed this charge with AMEX, but
>they don't seem willing to act on my behalf and force ASI to reverse the
>charge).  Further, an attorney advised me that I have protection under
>the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act, in that it would be "unfair"
>for AMEX to continue to bill me when they know full well that ASI has
>acted dishonestly and it is therefore not my responsibility to pay
>a charge from ASI.
>

I have no experience with AMEX (other than refusing to use their cards), but I
know Visa and Mastercard (well, C&S, First Chicago, Citibank, etc. versions of
them) are good about helping out in these situations.  I thought that AMEX's
ads claimed consumer protection as a "membership priviledge", but then again
I don't pay a whole lot of attention to their ads either.  As a personal data
point, my grandfather got a $1,000 Eastern Airlines ticket refunded by C&S
MasterCard back when Eastern was restructuring.  Eastern claimed they'd give
the money back after 6 - 12 months.  I have no idea how much money C&S lost
(if any) helping out people with Eastern tickets.

If you're a good or probably even a half-decent customer of AMEX, I'd suggest
threatening to stop using their cards.  With 4% to 5% of your bill going into
their pockets, they *should* be trying to keep you happy.  If they still don't
give you any satisfaction, make good on your threat.

DISCLAIMER:  My wife *worked* for C&S.  I used to have credit cards with First
Chicago, C&S, and Citibank. I don't currently have a card with any of those 
banks.  I have no idea what the difference between MasterCard and Visa is.   It
is not my intent to recommend any paticular card over another.  The state 
department  will claim no knowledge of my activities.  

-- 
Scott Bostater      Georgia Tech Research Institute - Radar Systems Analysis
"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him"  -Ps 62.1
uucp:     ...!{allegra,amd,hplabs,ut-ngp}!gatech!prism!bb16
Internet: bb16@prism.gatech.edu