Categories

Content Type

Sources

Swift Justice; Nancy Grace answers your legal questions; Oct. 13

By Nancy Grace, Tribune Media Services, Source: Swift Justice by Nancy Grace

Dear Nancy,

I recently had a self-employed computer repairman replace a broken power supply unit on my home computer. Not only did he overcharge me for the part, but he also "sold" me a three-year warranty on the product, which, I later realized, already came with a free two-year warranty. He charged me $90 more than the price quoted at a local retail store, and he won't give me a receipt. He refuses to tell me the brand name of the product he installed or any information about it, like wattage and cost. Is this fraudulent? -- Carla from Boca Raton, Fla.

Hi, Carla,

I see cases like this all the time. Although it sounds like you got a bad deal from the computer repairman, you also have to realize that you may not have done your research. Did you at least look into this new computer part to see what the warranty was? It's not necessarily the repairman's fault that you did not go the extra mile as a consumer. While it does not seem to be fraud based on the information you have provided, it certainly appears to be a bad experience. Perhaps a third party could speak with the repairman on your behalf to explain your concerns? You may want to write a letter of complaint to your local Better Business Bureau. Good luck!

Dear Nancy,

I live in a trailer park and rent the lot. I have lived here for 11 years now with my three cats and Chihuahua. My landlord is telling me to get rid of my dog because he's a liability to her in case he bit someone on the property. I have insurance on my trailer as well as on the lot. Is there any way that I can legally keep my dog, Nancy? I love him so much. I just don't understand why it's acceptable to keep cats but not dogs in the homes here. -- Susan from Summerville, S.C.

Hi, Susan,

Have you looked at your lease/agreement to see what your rights are? Also, you can speak with your landlord about the insurance you carry for the trailer and lot to make sure she knows about it. You didn't include any information about your history with these pets and this property. If there have been problems in the past, you should discuss those with the landlord, but, if not, it seems strange that this would suddenly be an issue. Remind her of your longtime rental history at this park. Some landlords just prefer one type of pet to another due to past experience and familiarity. It's so important these days to be a responsible pet owner, and it can only help if you have a good history with your landlord.

Dear Nancy,

My 85-year-old neighbor stuck her key into a keyhole to check on her scooter after a storm and got electrically shocked. Residents in the building had to phone for an ambulance. Her lips were blue and part of her skin came off! She was not right for days and could have died! Is the apartment building where she lives liable for this? -- Cheryl from Barrie, Ontario.

Hi, Cheryl,

What a terrible thing to happen to anyone, let alone an elderly person! State law controls this issue, so you or your neighbor would need to contact a local attorney for information. Some things to think about regarding this matter are: where the event occurred (inside the apartment or in a common area), and whether the apartment building owner did something wrong or was neglectful in some way regarding the site. Did your neighbor do something that she was not supposed to do? Has this happened to anyone else in the building before, and should people have been warned? You should help your neighbor provide all the specifics to a local attorney who can look into this. And, of course, your poor neighbor should talk to the building manager about this situation as well.

(Nancy Grace is a former prosecutor, a best-selling author and the host of CBS' new daytime legal affairs program "Swift Justice with Nancy Grace." Visit www.SwiftJustice.com for more information, local show times and to submit your legal questions to Nancy.)