13 minute read
This FM 100 App Doesn’t Work. Can I get my Money Back?
FEATURED COLUMNIST This FM 100 App Doesn’t Work. Can I get my Money Back?
By Christopher Elliott
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The FM 100 app installed in Matthew Scothorn’s kitchen doesn’t work. The manufacturer knows it. But can he get a refund? •••
Last year, we bought two faucets, an on-demand water heater with filters, and a little gizmo called the FM 100 for just over $1,000 from Franke Kitchen Systems. This FM 100 is a device that gives you readings on your water and filter usage and, along with an app called Still Pure, updates you as to their status. Sounds smart.
Nothing I could do would make the FM 100 and the app work. I spent weeks coming back to it over and over, trying to get the system to work, assuming that I was doing something wrong.
I contacted Franke customer service, and they told me that they’ve long known that The FM 100 and The Still Pure app never really worked. I was pretty shocked.
I asked if they had informed local kitchen and bath showroom distributors and suppliers of this, and they said no. I asked them why they are still selling the parts touting their helpful features -- the ones that they know do not work -- and they said that they intend to keep selling the parts until they are sold out and then just not offer them anymore.
They refused to refund me for the part. They also had no comment on the money I had spent to have this all installed or the money it would cost to remove it, nor any advice about whether I should keep it and whether it might work in the future.
Why is Franke selling things that they know do not work simply because they still have stock? Shouldn’t they recall the items or at the very least tell suppliers to stop selling them? Franke should refund $717. That’s how much it cost for the FM 100, plus the amount that it will cost to have it removed, plus the initial cost to have it installed -- unless, of course, they plan to have a new app that will make it work, in which case I would keep it. — Matthew Scothorn, Chicago •••
Acompany should never sell a product that doesn’t work, of course. But when I researched the FM 100, I found it for sale online — and with a 4 ½ star review, no less.
So does the FM 100 work or not? After reading the reviews, I would certainly consider buying one. But after reading your case, I would not.
You could have reached out to one of the executives at Franke. They’ve listed on the Franke website: https://www. franke.com/franke-group/en/aboutfranke/company-organization.html. Email addresses at Franke are formatted firstname.lastname@franke.com.
I reviewed the correspondence between you and the company. It doesn’t show that Franke knew it was selling a defective product. You say a customer service agent told you that by phone. I think Franke might want to review that call to find out what its agents are saying. If that’s true, and if Franke knows the FM 100 doesn’t work, I’d say we have a problem.
I contacted Franke on your behalf. A representative responded that “the matter has been resolved” but didn’t offer any additional information. So I checked with you.
“They contacted me with a complete attitude change,” you told me. “They apologized for the treatment and statements they had previously given to me.”
Franke agreed to refund your purchase and installation costs, as well as the cost for a plumber to remove the device. n
•••
Christopher Elliott is the chief advocacy officer for Elliott Advocacy. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help with any consumer problem by contacting him at http://www. elliott.org/help. © 2021 Christopher Elliott.
Kids Classics
ACROSS
1. E-wallet content 6. Pen ____ 9. *Rubik’s ____ 13. Bryan Stevenson’s
“Just ____” 14. *____-Wan Kenobi 15. Egyptian falconheaded deity 16. Top of a steeple 17. *”____-I-Am” 18. Vernacular 19. *”Walking” spring toy 21. *Purple dinosaur 23. Foot the bill 24. Smidgen 25. *KIDZ ____ 28. Like a mattress? 30. Stay clear of 35. *Dumbo’s were huge 37. *Arnold Lobel’s “Frog and ____” 39. Emotional punishment 40. At the summit of 41. Young hooter 43. Shakespeare’s hometown river 44. Increase rpms (2 words) 46. *Pinocchio or Baron
Munchausen, e.g. 47. Retired, shortened 48. Soft palate vibrations 50. Bob of the boxing world 52. Bovine hangout 53. Give the cold shoulder 55. Unagi on sushi menu 57. *Place called Sesame 60. *Place for Pong and
Pac-Man 63. Semolina source 64. It would 66. Mourning fabric 68. Arterial blood vessel 69. Atlantic catch 70. Partner of pains 71. Emeralds and rubies 72. *One of “Little
Women” 73. Haul something heavy
DOWN
1. German river 2. Large edible mushroom, pl. 3. Seed covering 4. Substitute for tender 5. *Shenzi, Banzai and
Ed in “Lion King” 6. *One in a pocketful 7. Lawyers’ league 8. Horizontal bar dance 9. It’s knee high by the
Fourth of July? 10. Strong desire 11. Channel marker 12. Eastern Standard Time 15. What bullies do 20. City in Japan 22. Past tense of eat 24. Popular salad dressing 25. *Winnie and Paddington 26. Derived from oats 27. Utah city 29. Thanksgiving turkey, e.g. 31. Burn to a crisp 32. Vßclav of Czechoslovakia 33. Be theatrical 34. *One of the Darling children 36. Horse prod 38. Letter opener 42. More true 45. Bygone Spanish money 49. “He said, ___ said” 51. Place that attracts visitors, pl. 54. Ancient city in Africa 56. Cooler clime conifer 57. *”One, two, buckle my ____” 58. Four years in the
White House, e.g. 59. *”____ of NIMH” 60. *____ Walker,
American Girl 61. *”Matilda” and “The
Gremlins” author 62. *”The Three
Musketeers” sword 63. Tail action 65. *Huck’s friend 67. Sixth sense
We all need a bit more light these days living as we are in the Kali Yuga Age, when the darkness is allowed to be seen. In the Kali Yuga, the world is covered in three-fourths darkness and only one-fourth of the spectrum of light is available. Meteor showers are spectacular events where it looks like light is falling to earth.
People make wishes on falling stars. Meteor showers are times of hope for humanity. We can look forward to outstanding meteor showers in July, August and December. The Perseids (July 17 – August 24) & Delta Aquariids (July 13 – August 24) then the Geminids in December (December 4 – 17). We all need a bit more light these days.
The rambling Delta Aquariid meteor showers begin this Monday. Though the peak is July 29th, we will see a few shooting stars in the night sky now. The Delta Aquariids produce between 10 and 20 meteors an hour. The Deltas are a dress rehearsal for summer’s big shooting star event, the prolific Perseids.
The Delta Aquariids are reliable, producing meteors on the days before and after the peak date and continuing through August 23. The Deltas intersect with the Perseids, the year’s best meteor shower. In December, we have the Geminids meteor shower heralding the solstice and the new coming light of the new year.
The 2021 Delta Aquariids, faint because the shower favors the Southern Hemisphere are best seen between midnight and dawn everywhere in the world. The shooting stars we see in the sky could be from the Delta Aquariid or Perseids. Both are falling stars. However to distinguish a Delta Aquariid from the Perseids,, we must know our directions. The Deltas fly from the south and the Perseids from the North Northeast. The shooting stars emerge from “radiant points.” (for the Perseids, the prominent constellation Perseus; for the Delta Aquariids, the constellation Aquarius, the Water Bearer.
It is supposed to be an excellent year for the Perseids, bright and steady with 100 shooting stars an hour. Sometimes we will see shooting stars, bright fireballs, every minute. We adjust our eyes to night vision, leave our cell phones behind, lay on the ground or set out a lawn chair in the yard or on a mountaintop, gather the children and watch the light show. Humanity needs more light in our dark time of the Kali Yuga. Remember to wish upon all the stars as they fall to earth.
ARIES
Throughout the year, great changes are occurring for humanity and to you in particular. Your outlook on life will be concerned with freedom, especially how you express yourself. Breaking from the past will be a necessity. You (and others) will be as one who is “awakened” from a deep sleep. The awakening will happen through unexpected events. Break this gently to people who care about you so, as you change, they are not surprised. Cherish each and every moment.
TAURUS
Unusual events happen particularly with your health. You might find unexpected difficulties almost every day and they affect your well-being. How to handle these is to adapt to the idea that all patterns in your life are in a state of alteration, including your health. Perform daily tasks with deep awareness lest a spider bites you or a snake comes upon you. These are symbols for change. Have homeopaths and essential oils always nearby.
GEMINI
Your friendships and social life begin to shift. You encounter new ideas, seek new ideals, consider group life more and more. Unusual people are attracted to you as you study unusual lifestyles and listen to alternative news. The idea of being free and free-spirited is long overdue. For some reason you will feel you cannot depend anymore on your usual sources. Uncertainty results at times. An entirely new reality is coming forth for you with new paths to pursue, new friends and new resources.
CANCER
Talents and gifts you didn’t know existed within you are coming alive and this will be a discovery that is exciting and unexpected. Your life, likewise, embarks upon several new directions and people around you begin to consider you as one who knows a lot about something very specific. You surprise everyone. They think of you as unconventional and studious. This is good. A new life story begins.
LEO
It’s possible you will be traveling soon, if you’re not already. Travel will be curious, unexpected, out of the ordinary. The journey will not be what you planned. You will meet unusual people who help you see life in completely different terms. Nothing traditional seems available, even though you long for this. Everything unconventional is seeking you. Allow yourself to adapt to this. Your heart is stirred.
VIRGO
Unexpected events or happenings occur with finances and money that come from shared resources, from investments, taxes or loans. At first this doesn’t make sense. Then as time goes by it does. Allow yourself to realize that the pleasures you pursue and things you value are changing. This is the last week that Vesta, the asteroid of “inner self as found object” is in VIrgo. You must make a Vesta box. Find a box, fill it with treasures that represent your true self. This becomes your new artform.
LIBRA
Some things in your relations with others and with your close associates and intimates become surprising. Should you feel loss of freedom or resistance from others, should anything feel limiting you will shake it off immediately. It may be difficult to rely on anyone at times. If you notice this, be sure to be the ‘reliable one’ for others. Breaking free from things or people, events or situation, doesn’t mean you need to be cruel. Be gentle and kind – always and everywhere, with everyone.
SCORPIO
Daily work, routines and agendas should include work on your health and well-being. Create new routines that include all things you consider healthy. Each day you may find yourself disrupted. Everything becomes non-traditional and unconventional. This includes health, which you need to pay attention to. Restlessness means you need a new rhythm. You will work non-stop at times, then work not at all at other times. Alternative healing benefits your health. Slow down.
SAGITTARIUS
Know that more and more you will begin to express yourself in unconventionally creative ways. You will become the “out of the ordinary” friend. Children and odd balls will love you. There will be sudden occurrences in your love life, in romance perhaps. Previous inhibitions fall away. You become more free, spontaneous, even eccentric (more so). Everything you didn’t like evaporates. You become more genuine, lighthearted and playful. You are happy every day.
CAPRICORN
Home feels like a change and fluctuations are about to happen soon. Although it can feel disruptive and bring a bit of sorrow the changes are good. It means no crystallizations can occur. Life is speeding up. Sometimes you sense you’re making a wrong turn. You feel tested, desiring to approach the home situation in new ways. Stability has been deeply important to you. Tradition too in a new age sort of way. Sometimes you feel free. Sometimes you miss someone far away. Boredom isn’t in your vocabulary.
AQUARIUS
There’s an introduction and exposure to new worlds, new people and perhaps new lands and new geographic regions are available to you. Also, opportunities come forth to express yourself and your gifts. You like to be with the people in the marketplace. Here you feel alive, in contact, love is released, people know you and rely upon your expertise. You try to make contact with family, siblings, relatives. Your personal appearance changes. Your shell cracks. You let light in.
PISCES
Over the next weeks and months ,notice as your needs and environments seem to change. All things not resonating with your vibration will swim away like little fishes. New values and revelations that allow for new growth of all endeavors will emerge. There will be a need for lighter foods and for less material things. Unusual events and circumstances will bring about unusual use of resources. Income results from giving, studies that are spiritual and build a new era community. Study holy oils. If sadness occurs, take the homeopath Ignatia Amara. “Grand Jury: CZU Fire” from page 22
For this investigation, the Grand Jury performed multiple interviews of county officials and residents, reviewed resident complaints, and attended three virtual Community Meeting events. We also requested and examined several documents provided by the many county agencies involved in the CZU Lightning Complex Fire and its aftermath. We researched media articles, online publications, and we examined the practices of other counties that have also experienced devastating wildfire events.
Due to a possible conflict of interest, one juror was recused from all parts of this investigation.
Investigation
Our government has an obligation to serve its citizens by assuring that risks are understood and managed, that resources are maximized within financial constraints to actively mitigate foreseeable risks, and that the needs and concerns of the public are recognized and satisfied. [The full report can be found online at https:// tinyurl.com/SC-grand-jury-CZU-report]
Conclusion: Case for a Greater Board of Supervisors
Communication and Advocacy Role
We recognize and commend the bravery of the many firefighters who put their bodies on the line fighting this horrible fire.
A life was lost and property was destroyed by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. The residents whose lives have been devastated were, and are, justifiably indignant over the lack of leadership from their elected leaders.
Our county’s residents rightly continue to express doubt and dismay about their devastating experiences and the ability to withstand future fires.
The BoS has the obligation to serve the public interest by conducting a thorough review of Cal Fire, as well as contributing county departments, and producing a comprehensive lessons learned document.
The BoS should allow time and energy for the necessary commitment to listen to the public, and they should collaborate and advocate for a higher state of preparedness for the inevitable fires in the coming seasons.
The BoS’ interest and focus on fire risk must intensify. These discussions must elicit and rely on facts and data, as well as opinions and sentiments. The BoS is in the position to advocate for the community to hold Cal Fire accountable and to prepare for an uncertain and dangerous future.
Findings
F1. Residents are still concerned about response, evacuation, and future preparation in the aftermath of the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. They are understandably irate.
