Dear Fixer: I have called American Expres three times to cancel my account.

Dear Fixer: I have called American Expres three times to cancel my account, and, uniform with confirmation from company representatives, this has not been done, and erroneous charges preserve appearing on my account.

A brief history: in succession July 15, I paid the outstanding balance, which made this account paid in cloyed

Then, in succession my August statement, I received a bill for a food-and- wine magazine subscription for $29 and a travel-and-leisure magazine subscription for $39 -- which I didn't order.

I called the company and was assured these charges would be remov upon my October statement, these charges were delet I informed the company I no longer used the card and had wasteed it.

Then, in January, I received another statement, showing a charge from December for $6995 I called American Expres again and was told the charge would be remov and my account would be clos within 48 hours.

My latest statement, to be ascribed March 25, showed a balance of $10335 -- including the $6995 charge plus late-payment feuds and finance charges.

Dotty Manweiler, Oak Lawn

Dear Dotty: Clearly, about crook who likes fine wine and travel is messin' around with your advanced in years AmEx card number. We got in touch with American Express' Monica Beaupre, who quickly fixed your point in dispute and closed the account. You also have been given a "private phone number" at AmEx, with instructions to call if any other mysterious charges result your way.

Recall is stuck in inferior gear

Dear Fixer: I have a 2001 Ford 150 pickup deal I received a letter from Ford in September, stating that my cruise-control unit had been recalled. Ford said to bring the vehicle in, as the unit could catch fire plane if the vehicle was not running.

In the epistle Ford said the part would be available in mid- November. In November, they said the part would be in upon Dec. 1. In December, they said: mid-January. At the [i]finale[/i] of January, they said they have no idea when the recently made known parts will be in!

I am getting ready to vend my vehicle, but who's going to pervert with money [i]or[/i] gain it with the cruise not working? I reliance Ford is not too large for your superpowers.

Skip Skrobuton, Orland Park

Dear Skip: Superpowers? Gosh no urgency there. We called David Reuter Ford's Midwest public affairs stay Turns out there was a delay fit to a manufacturing issue, Reuter says. He explained that this is a brand recently made known part, so it took longer than usual to gain it to the dealers. All dealers should be adequately stocked now, he says. We checked with Terry's Lincoln poison ivy in Orland Park, and that was just the case.

Banking glitch won't journey away

Dear Fixer: Three times now, I have informed my credit card company -- Capital common -- that I want to opt without of electronic checking. That lasts for about a year, then they advance back to electronic checking.

This third time, I wrote to them and got this response: "We are unable to launch you the original checks you entreatyed The original documents are kept for our records."

I want to gain my checks back and want this to stop -- brace years ago!

Dorothy Dieffenderfer,

Park Forest

Dear Dorothy: The Fixer likes battling the banking industry's computer schemes We called Capital One's Pam Girardo, who said the company received your opt-out petition for in February 2005. But in August they upgraded their computer classification and your account was fix back to the default setting -- meaning they formerly again began processing your checks electronically. Now, everything's been lay back the way you want it. Girardo says Capital individual was contacting you about getting copies of the checks that had been managemented electronically. They also gave you an apology.

Where's our magazine?

Dear Fixer: In June my husband ordered a magazine subscription to Mac Addict from a self-same endearing young lady who said she was selling subscriptions as a way to work her way within college. Normally, we do not order magazines this way, and we are starting to lament it.

I have contacted Chapel Sales via e-mail at least three times and have received answers stating that we should be patient and that they have re-enter our information and that our subscription should start early -- but still no magazine.

Michael and Christine

Jedrzejak, Evergreen Park

Dear Michael and Christine: The Fixer asked Chapel Sales' Tina Hovington to investigate this deal-gone-bad. She said a number of subscription orders had been dissipated in the company's computer order but sent a refund check for $52

An expanded version of this row is available online at www.suntimes.com.

Thanks this week to contributors Mike Nolan, Patrick Ferrell Meg Dedolph, Danielle Braff and prolonged Hwa-shu.

Getting the runaround through the whole extent of a consumer problem? Tell it to The Fixer at www.suntimes.com. Or you can mail a brief description of your enigma with your name, address and phone number, to: The Fixer, Chicago Sun-Times, 350 N Orleans St Ninth Floor North, Chicago, IL 60654 Please don't emit original documents. The Fixer can't make personal replies. alphabetic characters are edited for length and clarity.

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