"We're in the top 3!" [ Top ^ ]

Being in third place isn't typically something to boast about - unless, of course, you are in a competition with over 80 million others! We're very grateful to see that our site is now among the top three listed Consumer Defense web sites out of over 80 million other sites in the world (click here to view the search results). Many thanks to all of the government agencies, members of law enforcement, businesses, and consumers who have helped us rise to the top. We appreciate your cooperation and support. (20060504th1258)

Mission: Consumer Focused - Business Minded [ Top ^ ]

Our Proactive Approach Works - And Everyone Benefits [ Top ^ ]

Company Reviews [ Top ^ ]

Current Company Review [ Top ^ ]

SynPep Corporation - Peptide provider now facing charges of fraud. [ Top ^ ] On 7 April 2006, the Consumer Defense Resource Group began investigating SynPep Corporation after being contacted by one of their clients. Unfortunately, Synpep was not cooperative with the CDRG investigation. They did not respond to reasonable inquires. On 19 May 2006, one final appeal was sent to SynPep CEO, Chi Yang. Mr. Yang was given 72 hours to respond before the matter would be escalated to LEVEL 3 - our highest level of consumer defense escalation. Mr. Yang was informed that the CDRG would begin to take LEVEL 3 action within one week, which includes contacting the media and local authorities. Mr. Yang chose not to respond to our final appeal. Below are national news stories describing the events that ensued approximately 73 hours after our final appeal was sent to SynPep CEO Chi Yang. (20060531we1123)

• On 23 May, Paul Elias, a Biotechnology writer for the Associated Press, reported that federal prosecutors were charging SynPep with "13 counts of mail fraud, false statements and related charges for allegedly shipping bogus research material to many corporate and academic researchers, including at the U.S. National Institute of Health and the Walter Reed Medical Center...." [ read WTOP article here | read Examiner.com article here | read Wired article here ]
• On 24 May, The Contra Costa Times reported that "hundreds of research companies and institutions" may have been impacted. [read full story here]
• On 24 May, CBS News affiliate KPIX-TV reported that according to federal prosecutors the impact of this case is far reaching, "the research institutions included both private and public entities, pharmaceutical companies, and agrochemical industries." [full story here]
• On 25 May, ABC News affiliate KGO-TV in San Francisco reported that "Synpep and its founder now face several charges of fraud...." The report also states, "As the investigation progressed, authorities say they discovered the worst violation - that Synpep was falsifying test results of its peptide samples." [full story here]
• On 25 May, The San Mateo County Times reported in their Inside Bay Area report that there were 13 counts of mail fraud, each punishable by "up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 plus restitution..." [full story here]
• Click here for the most current news coverage as reported by Google News.

Past Company Reviews [ Top ^ ]

Qwest Communications - Special Needs. [ Top ^ ] Our most recent consumer advocacy project involved communicating special customer needs to Qwest Communications and helping to coordinate the smooth resolution of the request.

A group of rural residents needing high speed Internet access were outside the area serviced by high speed Internet. So, service was not available to them. This can even be a problem for people close to larger urban centers - particularly if there is an extended roll-out schedule for high speed service in an area, or if service upgrades are being delayed by other long-term construction plans.

People increasingly rely on the Internet for the delivery of documents, images, audio, and video. These larger files make dial-up services impractical. As consumer needs drive the demand for high-speed connectivity, service providers are challenged with the financial dilemma of delivering high speed services to remote areas where the costs to deliver services exceed the small monthly fees charged. The payback period for such installations would take many years.

Of course, technology changes faster than the time required to make a profit from some installations. So, the actual cost of service delivery is spread across a larger group - somewhat like the insurance industry. The actual cost to deliver high speed Internet varies from customer to customer. Yet, all customers pay the same amount. This is similar to the model used for education, roads, parks, libraries, and other resources that our society agrees we all want everyone to have access to. We don't feel any one person should bear a greater burden for resources we all need as a society to function.

Based on our various interactions with several employees at Qwest, we found Qwest to be very responsive, professional, technologically savvy, and communicative in finding and implementing a solution for this group of rural customers. The customers' need for high speed Internet was met.

Because the high cost to deliver services to this area was disproportional to the payback, in our view this resolution amounts to a "non-profit" action for the purpose of community outreach and betterment. So, we were very pleased with how Qwest handled this situation. (20060331fr1232)

Apple Class Action Suit - iPod Nano. [ Top ^ ] Frivolous lawsuits cost consumers billions of dollars every year. In the guise of "consumer advocacy" these unnecessary lawsuits create misinformation in the marketplace and are a disservice to consumers. They are slanderous and defamatory. One such lawsuit is presently underway with regard to the new iPod Nano from Apple computer. A handful of consumers claim that the screen scratches and a few are complaining that the screen may potentially crack (presumably if you sit on the unit), so they are suing Apple for damages.

This lawsuit is quite surprising, considering there have been millions of Palm-like devices sold which employ a very soft touch-sensitive screen that is extremely susceptible to scratches. Despite this, there have been no consumer complaints or lawsuits regarding Palm-like devices. In recent years, durable cases and disposable screen protectors have been offered for Palm units, multi-function watches, cell phones, SideKick devices, calculators, small video displays, video cameras, and other similar devices. Consumers know that cases and/or disposable display/screen protectors are necessary to protect any device from scratches.

Universal screen protectors are currently available that can be cut down to fit a regular or Nano-size iPod. Durable protective cases are also available. In this context, it is absolutely absurd for people to now complain about a product that was recently introduced in the marketplace stating it is susceptible to scratches.

The Consumer Defense Resource Group strongly disagrees with this lawsuit and is grieved by such acts of slander and marketplace misinformation. Please contact us if you would like to voice your support for Apple with regard to this case. (20051026we1730-1810, 20051027th0842)

HP Class Action Suit. Class Action Settlement. We are presently researching the lawsuit filed against Hewlett-Packard Company on behalf of Dukes/Dolan, Case Number CV-2002-270 in the Circuit Court of Phillips County, Arkansas. The Defendant in the case, Hewlett-Packard Company, is referred to throughout as “HP.” The persons who filed the lawsuit are called “Plaintiffs.” Summary. "Plaintiffs filed a class action in which they allege that HP failed to disclose to them and other consumers certain information about (1) the back-up or recovery software HP used on certain HP personal computers (“PCs”) and (2) Windows XP folders known as “ValueAdd” and “Support” that were not installed on certain HP PCs. Plaintiffs contend that HP caused damage to them and other members of the class. HP denies the claims and charges. The Court has not ruled on which party is right or wrong." Present Finding. The CDRG and the Technology Services Group believe the backup recovery software installed on some HP computers is helpful because it speeds up the recovery process and it eliminates problems caused when people lose their original recovery CDs. When hard drives have physically failed and needed replacement, we have found HP to be very cooperative in providing recovery CDs. It is common for computers with CD burners to offer a recovery CD creation utility if the customer would like to make recovery CDs. With regard to missing folders on some systems, we have not found this to be an issue for our clients. More information can be found by following the links below.

• Class Action Settlement Website: www.computersettlement.com
• Court Documents
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Request Relief Form
• Settlement Administrator Contact Page
• Google Search. There are over 58,000 results for a Google search on "Hewlett-Packard" and "Class Action"

Icon WrldWide, New York City, NY. (20050524tu-0602th). We want to thank everyone who participated in our research of the logistics and shipping company Icon WrldWide (or IconWrldWide). In order to thoroughly provide a balanced review of a company, we feel it is important to develop dialog with that company. This is one of our "Guidelines for Consideration." Unfortunately, Icon WrldWide was not interested in working with us. As a result of this, we feel it would not be fair to relay negative information that we have received about the company without them having an opportunity to share their side. For this reason, our research of the company will be placed in dormant status. If you have any questions or comments, please use our feedback form [click here] or e-mail us by writing to: cdrg @ resourcesforlife.com

• You can read more about Icon WrldWide on their web site here: http://www.iconwrldwide.com
• Click here for a current Google search on "IconWrldWide."

Apple Computer, Cupertino, CA. (2003-2004) We want to thank everyone who participated in our research of the Apple iTunes Music Store after its release. When we began this research project, we had no idea that it would have taken over one year to complete! We especially want to thank those among Apple's legal team who worked directly with us during this research project. We feel that the iTunes store and it's customers are well served by the findings and outcome of our research (which we are unable to fully disclose here). This is just one more example of how companies and customers are served by the Consumer Defense Resource Group. Because of Apple's cooperation and responsiveness, they now benefit from having regular positive endorsements in our newsletter that is distributed to hundreds of individuals, businesses, and organizations world-wide. More information about Apple's iTunes Music Store can be found online here: http://www.apple.com/itunes/

Using State and Federal Agencies and/or Media When Necessary [ Top ^ ]

"The notion that most people want black-robed judges, well-dressed lawyers, and fine paneled courtrooms as the setting to resolve their dispute is not correct. People with problems, like people with pains, want relief, and they want it as quickly and inexpensively as possible."
- Warren E. Burger former Chief Justice United States Supreme Court

Consumer Action Escalation Levels [ Top ^ ]

When you have a concern, complaint, disagreement or dispute with a business, make every effort to find a resolution through discreet channels of communication. Many companies are responsible enough to respond, graciously acknowledge when a problem exists, and take corrective action through internal self-governance. If you are working with a company that doesn't respond, doesn't acknowledge any problems exits, and doesn't take corrective action, then you may need to escalate your efforts. Below is a general guideline to severity levels of consumer action escalation.

Links [ Top ^ ]