Houston Consumer Blog

Builders Garage Sale

Today on Eyewitness News at 4 we talked about the Builders Garage Sale at this year’s Texas Home and Garden show.

The show runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Reliant Center.

This is the first year people can pick through the over stock supplies of builders.  We saw doors that retail for $1700 being sold for $200.  We also found kitchen sinks that sell for $120 listed for $20.  If you need to re-tile a bathroom or kitchen floor, they are selling large squares of tile for a buck each.

Some of the items come from excess builders inventory but we also found tubs and sinks that were pulled out of remodeled homes that are in perfect shape.  One remodeler even brought in stacks of wrought iron fence.

All proceeds from the sale go to charity.

Entrance fee for the show is $9.00 for adults, kids under 12 are free.  There is a way to cut the cost.  You can get at online at http://www.texashomeandgarden.com or at area Randall’s stores.  Also if you bring a bag of food you can get a dollar off the entrance fee.  Be sure to check out the show’s web site on Friday between 6 and 8 p.m., organizers say they will have another special offer for those wishing to attend the show.

Holiday Airfare

If you have not booked your tickets yet for Thanksgiving or Christmas, now is the time to act.  While there are still seats available, travelers have a couple of problems to consider.

First, there will be fewer flights in the air.  Continental Airlines has cut nearly 100 flights from Houston this year.

Second, prices are up.  According to the Transportation Department, domestic fares are up 8% this year.

   The average domestic fare is $352.00  That does not include the fees tacked on by the airlines.

If you are planning to travel, now may be a good time to check out fare tracking web sites.

We recently featured www.yapta.com.

The site will send you the difference if your booked ticket falls under the price you paid for it.

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Credit Card Caution

Today on Eyewitness News at 4 we talked about the practice some credit card companies are doing with interest rates.

Some customers are seeing doubling and even tripling of their rates.

Consumer Reports says now more than ever it is important to read through the mailings you get from your credit card company.  Your credit card company must notify you of any changes to your interest rates.

If you find the rates are too high, check out http://www.cardratings.com/.

Insurance Offers

Today on Eyewitness News at 4 we talked about the process homeowners must go through if they feel their insurance company is not offering enough money to fix their damage.

The first step is to get at least three estimates, then send those to the insurance company adjuster.

Next, get the adjuster to give you a detailed written explanation of why the company feels it's estimates are more accurate.

If that does not work write the adjuster and say you feel the company is acting in "bad faith" and that you are being treated "unfairly".

"Bad Faith" and "unfair" are words the state uses to define problems with insurance companies and that should get the adjusters attention.

If that does not work, you may have to hire a public adjuster.  Those are state licensed professionals who make their own assessment of your damage.  The public adjuster will meet with the insurance company and try to get you more money.

If that does not work, you may have to tell the insurance company you wish to go through the "Appraisal" Process.

That is where your adjuster and the insurance company adjuster meet with a third adjuster who then determines the damage estimate.

You pay 10 percent of the settlement amount to your adjuster.

If you go through the "Appraisal Process” you will also have to pay half the cost of the third party adjuster.

Here is a link to Texas Department of Insurance

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/pubs/consumer/cb003.html 

Here is a link to the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters

http://www.napia.com/ 

Help picking a contractor

Today on Eyewitness News at 4 we gave you 4 places to help you find a contractor.

If you have hurricane Ike damage, you need a professional who will help you get your home back in order.

Here's where to look:

http://www.ghba.org/

The Greater Houston Builders Association has a check list to help you avoid rip offs and a list of member builders.

http://houston.bbb.org/WWWRoot/SitePage.aspx?site=148&id=e53c622a-5a6f-4629-bc19-cb6a8bfbca38

The Houston Better Business Bureau has a list of BBB members, you can check out each company and the complaints against them. 

http://www.trcc.state.tx.us/default.asp

The Texas Residential Construction Commission lists registered builders and remodelers.  Those based in Texas must register.

http://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/planning/enforcement/docs/contractor_list.pdf

The City of Houston has a list of roofers that have voluntarily registered with the city.

These roofers have insurance and are bonded.

Fire Fighters give Channel 13 Angels a 911 Call

We got a 9-1-1- call from Smith Point volunteer fire fighters for help. They asked help for residents of this tight knit Chambers County Community who lost most of their belongings to hurricane "Ike" . Fire Fighter Jackie White saw families scrounging through dumps searching for beds.

"Actually going through the debris grabbing the mattresses and putting them in their house and we immediately that was our first concern we can't have children sleeping on these beds.

"We have four kids sharing one bed and me and my wife stay on the floor" said Smith Point resident Fidel.

Mattress Firm and Houston Children's Charity volunteered to help the volunteer fire fighters and delivered brand new mattresses, box springs, pillows, sheets and blankets to about 50 families.

Refugio Cendejas summed up his neighbors sentiments when he said 'It made me real happy that my kids gonna have a place to sleep."

It was amazing to me to see how much debris- refrigerators, boats, signs, and stuff that blew across North bay to Smith Point from Crystal Beach and Bolivar Penisula. At one time the junk reached 10 feet. We know recovery will take time, but at least the beds may be a start.

If you know a child whose bed is flat worn out or lost to the storm let us know or log on to this website .www.houstonchildrens charity.org

Lori Reingold Action 13 Angels

Generator Recall

If you were one of the thousands of people in our area who bought a generator because of Hurricane Ike, there is a recall notice you need to know about.

The General Power Products 6000 Watt portable generator and the Poulan Pro 6000 Watt portable generator have a potential problem with the gas line.  The line could have been damaged during shipping and that could cause the machines to leak gasoline.

Here is the recall information from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09009.html

Here's the information from the manufacturer's web site.

http://www.generalpowerproducts.com/

For everyone else with a generator, time is running out to properly store the devices.

Gasoline starts to break down after a month, so if you have not put a gas stabilizer in your generator's tank, you could be in for problems.

   Experts suggest running the machine dry of gasoline if you plan to store it for a year or longer.

   If you do not take precautions now, the gas will cause the carburetor to be gummed up and you will have to replace the carburetor before you use the generator again.  It can cost 150 to 200 bucks to replace a carburetor.  When Ike approached, repair shops could not get parts quickly enough because everyone found out at the same time that they needed to repair their generators.

You can get a lawnmower repair shop to make your generator "storage ready", it'll cost you about $50.00.

Today on Eyewitness we talked about renter scams popping up around our area.

Since Hurricane Ike hit, thousands of people have had to find temporary housing and that means a shortage of some units in communities along the coast.

We found an ad for one apartment that is renting for 2 thousand dollars less than typical market value for the complex.  The Owner also wants renters to send money by Western Union overseas and renters can't look at the unit before sending the money.  Officials with the Houston Apartment Association say those are red flags.  HAA officials add potential renters should only write checks to management companies and never wire money overseas.

HAA also has the typical rental agreement available on its website as well as other tips for renters, you can find them here.

Insurance letter to customers of Darryl Golter

Jeff Ehling received this letter from American National Insurance Company to customers of Darryl Golter (see recent story):

October 10, 2008

Dear Customer:

American National Insurance Company (“ANICO”) and its subsidiary American National Property and Casualty Company (“ANPAC”) learned shortly after Hurricane Ike that insurance agent Darryl Golter had failed to forward  premiums to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (“TWIA”) on behalf of certain of his customers.  As a result of Mr. Golter’s apparent failure to transmit premiums to TWIA, TWIA did not issue windstorm policies to these customers.  You are receiving this notice because an investigation has revealed that you may have tendered a premium to Mr. Golter in order to obtain windstorm coverage through the TWIA, and that Mr. Golter may have failed to place the coverage on your behalf.

It is ANICO’s and ANPAC’s position that when you tendered a premium to Mr. Golter it was with the intent that he secure TWIA coverage on your behalf; therefore, when Mr. Golter then apparently failed to transmit that premium to TWIA, Mr. Golter was not acting on behalf of either ANICO or ANPAC.  It is important that each customer understand the nature of TWIA. TWIA is a “pool” of all property and casualty insurance companies authorized to write coverage in the state of Texas.  TWIA’s purpose is to provide Texas citizens with certain wind and hail coverage when such coverage is not otherwise available in the insurance marketplace.  Any agent holding a Texas General Lines Agent-Property & Casualty license can submit applications for coverage with TWIA on behalf of his or her customers. TWIA, however, takes the position that such agents represent the insured, not TWIA, in the insurance buying transaction for coverage placed with the TWIA. 

However, customers who may have been harmed through Mr. Golter’s actions may also be ANICO and/or ANPAC customers.  While neither ANICO nor ANPAC is legally responsible or liable for Mr. Golter’s failure to obtain windstorm coverage for you from TWIA, ANICO and ANPAC are concerned about the welfare of our customers in their time of need and wish to help you resolve the problems that Mr. Golter may have independently created.

Accordingly, in exchange for your  assignment to ANICO and/or ANPAC of any and all claims you have against Mr. Golter, TWIA, or any other party arising from Mr. Golter’s apparent failure to pay the premiums for your windstorm insurance, and  a full release of any potential claims you might have or believe you might have against  ANICO, ANPAC or its subsidiaries, arising out of Mr. Golter’s actions, ANICO and/or ANPAC will provide one of the following two forms of relief, depending on your particular situation:

1)      If you have not suffered covered windstorm damage in excess of the what would have been the applicable TWIA deductible had a TWIA policy been in effect at the time of your Hurricane Ike loss, ANICO and/or ANPAC will reimburse you for the amount of premium that we are able to confirm you paid to Mr. Golter for the 2008 policy year.  If you are such a person, please contact John Fortier, ANPAC Senior Field Claims Representative, (409) 370-9253 promptly to make the necessary arrangements to receive premium reimbursement.  Mr. Fortier may also be reached by email at the following address: John.Fortier@anpac.com.
2)      If you have suffered windstorm damage in excess of what would have been the applicable TWIA deductible had a TWIA policy been in effect at the time of your Hurricane Ike loss, ANICO and/or ANPAC will pay the claim that TWIA would have paid subject to the terms and conditions of the TWIA windstorm policy for covered damage incurred. If you are such a person, please contact John Fortier, ANPAC Senior Field Claims Representative, (409) 370-9253 promptly to make the necessary arrangements for adjustment of your windstorm damage claim. Mr. Fortier may also be reached by email at the following address: John.Fortier@anpac.com. Thank you for your understanding and continued business.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Campbell
Senior Vice President/General Counsel/Corporate Secretary
Chief Claims Officer

American National offers relief to customers affected by fomer agent's apparent theft

Today at 4pm, Jeff Ehling showed you the story of some Houston area insurance customers of an agent under investigation for allegedly taking money for windstorm insurance policies, and then not sending the premiums to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Agency.

After the story aired, we received the following notice from American National Insurance Company, Galveston, Texas:

AMERICAN NATIONAL OFFERS RELIEF TO INDIVIDUALS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE APPARENT THEFT OF A FORMER AGENT

Galveston, Texas – October 9, 2008 - American National Insurance Company (Nasdaq: ANAT), and its subsidiary, American National Property and Casualty Company learned, shortly after Hurricane Ike, that one of its agents had failed to forward to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association premiums given to him by customers to obtain windstorm coverage.  Although in the windstorm insurance transactions the agent was not representing the American National companies, they are taking action to assist the individuals whose premiums were not paid to TWIA.

It appears that about 75 families were affected.  While the former agent’s actions were not on behalf of the American National Family of Companies, and the companies would not be liable for these actions, the companies will offer to pay claims from Hurricane Ike that would have been payable under the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association policies if they had been in force.  For individuals with no claims, the American National companies will offer to refund the premiums.

The American National Family of Companies has always maintained customer satisfaction as a very important value.  This response to the situation encountered by these individuals is just continuing proof of our commitment to this principle.

American National Insurance Company is headquartered in Galveston, Texas.  American National has over $18.9 billion in assets and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, and AA (Very Strong) by Standard & Poor’s. The American National family of companies offers a broad line of products and services, which include life insurance, annuities, health insurance, credit insurance, pension plan services and property and casualty insurance for personal lines, agribusiness, and targeted commercial exposures.  American National’s major insurance subsidiaries include American National Life Insurance Company of Texas, Standard Life and Accident Insurance Company, Garden State Life Insurance Company, American National Property and Casualty Company, Farm Family Life Insurance Company, Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company and United Farm Family Insurance Company.

Insurance Issues

If you are still waiting to see an insurance adjuster in the wake of Hurricane Ike, that may be because, the state has given companies extra time to get started on the claims process.  The Texas Department of Insurance has given companies 30 days fro the time of the disaster to begin looking into your claim.

  If you think the settlement offer was too low, contact the Texas Department of Insurance.  Call 1-800-252-3439 or check out their web site here.  You may have hire your own appraiser who will then send his estimate to an appraiser who acts as an arbiter between you and the insurance companies appraiser.

Before you go that route, contact T.D.I., because you may be able to get a resolution in a less formal setting.

Also, Lone Star Legal Aid is offering  help to those who need it, you can contact Lone Star Legal Aid here.

Countrywide Foreclosure Help Plan

If you were a homeowner who got an Adjustable Rate Mortgage from Countrywide Financial, help may be on the way if you are now facing foreclosure.

   Countrywide was recently bought out by Bank of America, but BEFORE the buy out, Countrywide was being investigated by several state Attorney's General.  Today BOA announced a settlement plan that will provide assistance to those homeowners in need.

To participate in the plan, call 1-800-669-0102 or click here.

Here are the details straight from the Texas Attorney General:

Attorney General Abbott Reaches Agreement With Countrywide, Helps Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure Lending giant resolves investigations in Texas, six other states

AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and six other state attorneys general today reached a nearly $8 billion agreement with Countrywide Financial Corp. The settlement resolves states’ lengthy investigation into Countrywide’s lending practices. Bank of America, which recently acquired Countrywide, agreed to the settlement. Texans who are in default or likely to default on sub-prime mortgages issued by Countrywide could be eligible to participate in an extensive loan modification program. Through this program, eligible borrowers will be able to modify the terms of their loans to make monthly payments more affordable and allow more borrowers to stay in their homes. Modified loan terms will vary according to each borrower’s individual circumstances. Under the agreement, Countrywide customers may benefit from an automatic freeze or reduction in interest rates, an extension of loan terms, conversion to fixed term loans, or principal reduction. Eligible borrowers who participate will not be charged late fees, loan modification fees, foreclosure fees, or pre-payment penalties. Bank of America estimates that up to 30,000 Texas homeowners will qualify for the loan modification program. “Today’s agreement will help keep struggling homeowners out of foreclosure and in their homes,” Attorney General Abbott said. “Under the loan modification program negotiated by the states, Texas families can benefit from frozen or reduced interest rates, loan term extensions and conversions to fixed rate mortgages. As a result, this agreement not only assists homeowners, but also helps shore up communities and markets that have been affected by the residential mortgage lending crisis.” Under today’s agreement, Bank of America will spend $150 million nationwide to assist homeowners who have already lost their homes. The lending giant will spend up to $70 million to homeowners who, despite the loan modification program, are ultimately unable to keep their homes. Bank of America also agreed to suspend the foreclosure process for eligible homeowners who are in default but wish to stay in their homes. The settlement resolves investigations into Countrywide’s lending practices by Texas, Arizona, Iowa, Ohio and Washington. The settlement also resolved lawsuits against Countrywide initiated by Illinois, California and Florida. Other states also are participating in the settlement. Under today’s agreement, Countrywide borrowers who have been foreclosed or who are unable to afford their homes even under a modified loan arrangement will be offered soft landing payments to ease re-location to another home. Texans who believe they may be eligible for the program should visit countrywide.com or call (800) 669-0102. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) continues working to protect struggling homeowners. In September 2007, Attorney General Abbott launched the Texas Residential Mortgage Fraud Task Force, which includes key state and federal regulatory and law enforcement agencies that track and prosecute mortgage fraud. The OAG has also taken legal action against a variety of mortgage-related practices, including title scams, fraudulent refinancing ploys, and other mortgage-related fraud. In 2007, Attorney General Abbott secured $21 million in restitution for Texas homeowners who were harmed by lending giant Ameriquest Mortgage Co. The case resolved allegations that the company and its affiliates did not clearly disclose certain terms to homeowners, including unpredictable adjustable rates. In 2006, Attorney General Abbott negotiated an agreement with Green Tree Servicing L.L.C., a Minnesota-based firm that services manufactured housing debts in Texas. Under the settlement, Green Tree agreed to assist more than 1,200 Texas homeowners who may have been issued invalid titles to homes they purchased from unlicensed retailers in 2003. In a related move, the Attorney General secured an injunction and asset freeze against the unlicensed manufactured housing sellers. The OAG has also halted scams purporting to save homeowners properties from condemnation and cracked down on various title-related and refinancing scams. Consumers who believe they have been targeted by a mortgage-related scam should contact the Office of the Attorney General at (800) 252-8011.

Ike Renter Rights

If you live in an apartment that is not livable, you may be able to break the lease.

The Texas Property Code allows renters to break a lease under specific conditions.

First, you have to give written notice, and be sure to take plenty of pictures because the landlord could dispute the claim and challenge your assertion.

Here's a portion the Property Code Section you need to cite:

TEXAS PROPERTY CODE Section 92.054 b-If the property is totally unusable, the landlord OR the tenant may terminate the lease by written notice before repairs are completed.

TEXAS PROPERTY CODE Section 92.054 c-If the property is partially unusable, the tenant is entitled to proportionate reduction in the rent, to be determined by a county or district court.

Here's a link to the full code:

http://law.onecle.com/texas/property/92.054.00.html

Price gouging

What should people do if they suspect price gouging?

The Texas Attorney General's number is 1-800-252-8011, the Harris County Attorney's number is 713-755-2648.

Free Stuff List

Join Chick-Fil-A's "Insider" list at www.chickfila.com Every time the company has free food events, you will receive an e-mail notification. They'll even send you coupons for free food.

This week through Saturday, October 4, go to www.target.com and print the $1 off coupon. Grapes this week are only $1 a pound in stores. Combine the coupon with the in-store special, and get free grapes!

Free Entertainment:
Free Zoo Days: Columbus Day (October 13), the day after Thanksgiving (November 28), New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 19) and President's Day (February 19).

Red Box's Free Movie Monday:
Go to Redbox.com for free sign up for DVD text codes. Every Monday, a code will be sent to your cell phone. Enter the code at the Red Box kiosk, and get a free DVD!

Free Business Cards:
VistaPrint.com is an online printing company that will print up to 250 business cards for free. All you have to pay is a 3-5 dollar shipping fee.

Free Products:
Sign up at www.walmart.com by clicking on “in store special” link. You will be directed to page full of free offers.

Also, get free stuff by signing up at Manufacturer’s websites to receive free samples.

Don’t forget to check out our Super Saver’s blog every day for great deals and of course every Friday for Free Stuff Friday.