Ten of us purchased a car-cleaning plan from Hawaiian Island Services Inc., aka Hawaii Island Automotive Service, on Seaside Avenue. In March, we paid between $180 and $220, but got only one- to six-months service. File a complaint if firm
closes, owing you workThe last contact was in August, when they said they were moving and would let us know what was happening. It's now December and we haven't heard from anybody. Their phones have been disconnected. Can you help us?
File a complaint immediately with the state Office of Consumer Protection.
Executive Director Jo Ann Uchida said her office had already received several complaints and an investigation was under way.
"We would take a very serious enforcement look at a company that continued to take a consumer deposit right up to a short time before it closes," she said.
"If a company knows that it will go under or close up shop, then it's incumbent on the company to stop taking" money from consumers, she said.
Unfortunately, such occurrences, especially in today's economy, are not infrequent. Whether you and others like you will be able to get your money back is iffy.
"We try to get as much information as we can about what the plans are of the company" to evaluate the likelihood of consumers getting refunds, Uchida said. The length of investigation varies.
"Sometimes the owners leave town without a trace and it's difficult for us to track them down," Uchida said. "Sometimes they file bankruptcy, which complicates things, and sometimes there are tax liens against them, so taxing authorities are competing with consumers for payment."
But don't wait once you suspect something is fishy.
"A lot of people receive assurances from a company that they will reopen or work something out," Uchida said. "Give them a reasonable period of time but don't wait too long before you take some action."
Asked her advice to consumers, Uchida said, "You hate to tell people not to buy too many advanced coupons," or to agree to anything that requires advanced payment. "But that would be a good plan," she said, noting that "I see the worst of it."
"You assume that a company is going to be solvent for a period of time you need it to be in operation, but the economy being what it is, you never know," she said.
That also means to be careful about buying gift certificates. "That's a sour note," Uchida said, "but that's the reality."
To the family in the van parked in front of Regina's on Koko Head Avenue 2 p.m. Nov. 28. You threw McDonald's trash and dirty diapers on the street. What a terrible example for your children. I hope someone got your license number! Auwe
To whoever called 911 on Nov. 12 when I fell from my bicycle on a King Street sidewalk. I have no recollection of the incident. Can anyone help fill in the gaps? E-mail me at akf@hotmail.com. Mahalo
To Brenda Trazo and her husband for delivering my lost wallet to our doorstep 8 p.m. Oct. 30. -- Gordon Daida Mahalo
To the man who misrepresented himself and claimed lost Ala Moana gift certificates at Gina's Place on Dec. 5. Please return them. You have spoiled what was to have been a very special Christmas for family and relatives. Auwe
To the nice young man who stopped on Fort Weaver Road to remove a poor kitty overcome by heat, and to two people who stopped behind him. A big auwe to the lady who couldn't be bothered to give the poor animal a drink until the Humane Society came. Mahalo
