Consumer Talk

Ever wonder how much electricity you are using at home in the morning as you make breakfast or get the kids ready for school? Or at night around dinner time? Now you can find out with a new online tool from Florida Power & Light.

Just visit the FPL Website (at https://app.fpl.com/eca/EcaController) to find all kinds of nifty information about your personal home power usage (keep in mind you will need to register a free online account):

Check how much you are spending on average per hour.

Find out when you use the most energy – bay day or time.

Learn how the weather affects how much you pay (think hot days, cold days, etc.)

Find out what your next bill will likely be using FPL’s projected amount feature.

Use the FPL Online Survey to find ways to trim your monthly bill.

Also, check out the Sun Sentinel coverage on Florida Power & Light smart meters for more information.

What do you say? Have you used this online tool? Did it help curb your energy bill? Send an e-mail to dvasquez@sunsentinel.com.

A South Florida attorney has filed a class action suit alleging that AT&T is overcharging customers for data usage – and in some cases charging for data never accessed by customers.

Could you be a victim? The lawsuit claims the overcharging and phantom charging is systematic and affects millions AT&T customers.

AT&T says its customers are charged correctly. “Accurate billing is clearly important and, unfortunately, there have been some incorrect claims about our data usage billing practices,” said Kelly Layne Starling, a South Florida spokesperson for the company. “We properly bill for all data that our customers send and receive, including data activity that runs in the background on smartphones and other powerful data devices.”

Barry L. Davis of law firm Thornton, Davis & Fein in Miami announced the lawsuit today. In coordination with a firm in New York, the lawsuit cites a study paid for by the law firms that claims AT&T overcharges some customers for data, but does not undercharge. The study asserts that customers can be overcharged for data by 7 percent – and up to 300 percent. or example, an I-Phone user who downloads 50 KB would actually be billed for 53.5 KB to as much as 150 KB.

“Imagine a gas pump that charges you for a full gallon and only gives you nine-tenths, or being charged for gas before you even drive up to the pump,” said Davis, a board-certified Florida trial lawyer. “You would never knowingly agree to such overcharges, however, according to computer expert testing everyone with AT&T limited data plans for I-phone & I-pad unknowingly pay these inflated fees each month.”

A four-month independent study performed by a consulting firm at a cost of nearly $100,000 revealed that AT&T bills systematically overstated data usage by 7 to 14 percent, and in some instances by more than 300 percent. For example, an I-Phone user who downloads 50 KB would actually be billed for 53.5 KB to as much as 150 KB. The same study also revealed that AT&T bills for “phantom” data when phones weren’t even in use. What’s more, tests indicated that the billing system did not always record the correct date and time of the data usage, causing transactions to be posted to the wrong billing cycle.

“We were stunned to discover that AT&T billed for a phone which was left untouched for 10 days, incurring 35 data transactions totaling almost 3,000 KB during that period,” said Davis.

From a press released issued by Davis’ firm:

What do you say? Are you a South Florida resident who believes your cell phone carrier is overcharging you for data usage or any other services? Send an email to dvasquez@sunsentinel.com.

What you can do:

Check your bills carefully to see whether you may be a victim of overcharging or erroneous charging.

From time to time take notes about the day and time you download data and the size of the file (song, movie or photo) and cross check your bills to make sure they are accurate.

If you believe you are being wrongly charged on your bill, call to complain. A customer service number will be listed on your bill.

Did you know U.S. Military veterans suffer among the highest jobless rates in the nation? Did you know South Florida residents can help do something about it?

Recent studies from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveal the jobless rate for veterans is 15.6 percent – 0utpacing the national average by a whopping nine percent. Batteries Plus of Fort Lauderdale, which is among the nation’s largest and fastest growing battery retailers, is doing something about it by joining a corporately supported donation campaign called, “Time to Care.” By doing that, it is giving consumers a chance to help too.

From Batteries Plus:

The battery retail leader has teamed up with USA Cares, a nonprofit organization that helps post-9/11 military service members, veterans and their families with basic financial needs. USA Cares, founded in 2003, helps bear the burdens of service by providing military families and veterans with financial and advocacy support in their time of need.  They have helped families in all 50 states and have received over 27,000 requests for assistance.  No fees are ever charged and no repayment is ever requested.

The “Time to Care” campaign’s goal is to raise awareness about all USA Cares efforts and the Jobs for Vets program in particular, by helping to raise funds to help veterans get placed back into the work force after serving their country.  For one week in May (May 24th- May 30th, Memorial Day) Batteries Plus of Fort Lauderdale located at 1551 East Commercial Boulevard and 1360 SE 17th Street will be:

Donating $5 of each regular and lifetime watch battery replacement to USA Cares

Accepting “In-Kind” donations from customers which will benefit USA Cares

Batteries Plus, LLC will also be contributing $1 for every person who “likes” the Batteries Plus Facebook page and “supports” the USA Cares Jobs for Vets Cause page – up to $25,000.  For more information, please visit http://tinyurl.com/5unmoa8.

“Veterans are near and dear to Batteries Plus’ heart,” said Vicki Carleton, owner of the Batteries Plus Fort Lauderdale. “Many of our franchisees are veterans and many of our stores employ veterans.  They are a valuable addition to the Batteries Plus family because of their strong work ethic, loyalty and discipline,” Carleton added. Batteries Plus has established partnerships with several military bases across the country, supplying them with all of their battery needs.

Batteries Plus is also a member of VetFran, a program created to honor those men and women who have served in the U.S. military and developed to help them transition to civilian life. Batteries Plus offers a $10,000 discount off their franchise fee in several states to qualified military veterans who are seeking to purchase a Batteries Plus franchise.

What do you say? Do you know of a local company that is offering consumers a way to make the world a little better? Send and email to dvasquez@sunsentinel.com.

News of the Mississippi River flooding victims is sad, but Broward County Animal Care Adoption in Fort Lauderdale is offering a chance to help by letting South Florida consumers adopt a pet cat that lost its home in the recent tragedy.

By connecting with the Amory Humane Society in Amory, Miss., the local pet adoption center has taken in felines rescued from the flood water and had them trucked here. Now you can give these felines a new home, and new hope. And indirectly help a flooding victim who can no longer take care of their loved cat.

Check out our Sun Sentinel story by Susannah Bryan for more details on this rescue effort and opportunity.

From the Animal Care Center press release: The cats have been examined by Animal Care’s veterinarian and will be placed for adoption at 1 p.m. today at the Broward County Animal Care and Adoption Center, 1870 S.W. 39th St., Fort Lauderdale.

“We are very proud to be part of this rescue effort,” said Lisa Mendheim, public education coordinator, Broward County Animal Care and Adoption. “The cats are in surprisingly great health. Despite the trauma that they have experienced in recent days, they are content, loving and ready to offer some lucky families a lot of love.”

Residents who are interested in adopting the cats can help rescue a pair of cats at once by taking advantage of Animal Care’s current two-for-one promotion where residents can adopt two cats at the single adoption fee of $74.95 now through September 30.

The adoption fee for both cats includes a health exam, vaccinations, feline leukemia/AIDS test and spaying or neutering. Each cat will also receive a Broward County pet license.

For more information call 954-359-1010, email lmendheim@broward.org or visit www.broward.org/animal.

On Sunday AT&T South Florida stores will be among the first to begin selling a new GPS-locator device marketed toward pet owners – allowing them to follow their dogs, cats or other non-human loved ones via a computer or smart phone. That’s right, use technology to keep your pets safe and to easily find them when they wander.

The device is called the Garmin GTU 10 is being touted as ideal for tracking pets and property  via the Web-based Garmin Tracker service, which works with computers, smartphones and compatible Garmin nülink devices. The GTU 10 is a small, lightweight waterproof device and easily attaches to a pet collar. Or attach to a backpack, bicycle, laptop or any other property you want to keep a close eye on.

From AT&T: While on the go, customers can download the Garmin Tracker™ application from their mobile device to see the location of GTU 10 and how it relates to their current location. GTU 10 owners can create up to 10 geofences (virtual boundaries that might include the home, schools, backyards, among other venues) for the device so that when it enters or exits a geofenced area, Garmin can send an email or text message notification to the user or authorized friends and family members. It’s also easy to view the track history of where the GTU 10 device has been. Once customers register the GTU 10 at my.Garmin.com, the tracking service, delivered through the AT&T wireless network, is enabled.

Cost: The Garmin GTU 10 will be available for $199.99, which includes one year of Standard Tracking. With this plan, users can see the last 10 known locations of their device each day, and the service can be renewed at an annual rate of $49.99 after the first year of complimentary service. There is also a $4.99 per month option that can access seven days of track history, in addition to the standard service. Each service plan includes the option to automatically renew upon expiration, and there are no early termination fees, no activation fees and no contracts. Use of the GTU 10 is subject to applicable laws and regulations.

“South Florida AT&T stores are among those AT&T stores selected to carry the device, because not all AT&T-owned stores will have the device,” said Kelly Layne Starling, a South Florida spokesperson for the company.

Where you can find the device:

Broward County:

· 411 S. Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach

· 2204 University Drive, Coral Springs

· 4240 N. State Rd. 7, Coral Springs

· 2400 W. Commercial Blvd., Tamarac

· 6311 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale

· 11401 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines

· 18275 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines

· 12231 W. Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise

· 1920 S. University Drive, Davie

· 1165 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale

· 3353-B Sheridan Street, Hollywood

Palm Beach County:

· 9924 Glades Road, Boca Raton

· 694 Yamato Road, Boca Raton

· 520 Linton Blvd., Delray Beach

· 1880 N. Congress Ave., Ste. 110, Boynton Beach

· 117 S. State Road 7, Wellington

· 1862 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach

· 3005 Northlake Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens

· 3101 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens

What do you say? Will you buy this device? Do you have your own ways to track down your pets? Send an email to dvasquez@sunsentinel.com.

South Florida may not come to mind for most people who consider visiting wineries, but there is an iPhone app.

That app is called Wineries of the Southeast and costs only 99 cents to track down local wineries in Florida, as well as Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia. The app lists 16 wineries across the state, including in Lake Placid (Henscratch Farms Vineyard), St. Petersberg (Florida Orange Groves Winery) and Bradenton (Rosa Fiorelli Winery), among the closest to South Florida residents.

As for South Florida, it only picks up Schnebly Redland’s Winery in Miami-Dade County. But the description offered for this family-owned business, circa 1997, is positively mouth-watering. A sample: As Florida’s original ultra-premium tropical, citrus and berry wine producer, and with our wines awarded over 207 medals, including 8 Best of Show awards, our wines are the only Florida wines allowed to display the Florida Department of Citrus’ official mark of superior quality – the Florida Sunshine Tree.

But the app got me thinking, what other South Florida wineries are worth considering? Catchwine.com offers this suggestion:

Decor Art’z & Cafe Boutique in Miami. According to the Website, You can make all of your wines right here in Miami from vineyards around the world; California, Washington State, Australia, France, Italy and South Africa to name a few.  With a few exceptions, you can make all of the same fine wines that you can purchase by the bottle.

There. South Florida is officially on the winery wine map. If you know of another local winery, send an email to dvasquez@sunsentinel.com.

The onset of summer is a good time to make sure your car is in good working order for safety and fuel-conservation purposes, and South Florida weather poses a special challenge for drivers.

The regional heat and rain this time of year mean you have to stay on top of specific items, including tires, wiper blades and air conditioning systems. Here are tips tailored to our local readers from AutoMd.com:

Tires: Make sure tires have plenty of tread (4/32”) so you don’t lose traction from a sudden South Florida shower or thunderstorm. The warm summer temperatures affect tire pressure and rubber construction. As air temperature rises, so can tire pressure. Keep tires inflated properly by checking your vehicle owner’s manual or the specification sticker on the door jamb. Underinflated tires increase roll resistance which, in turn, generates heat. Excessive Florida heat can cause rubber fatigue and tread separation. Increased tire roll resistance also decreases your vehicle’s gas mileage. To avoid unexpected tire failure, inspect your tires at every gasoline fill-up, especially during the summer months. Keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure can improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent. And replacing your tires with efficient “low rolling resistance” tires could save up to 6 percent on gas bills.

Battery and cables: Heat is the leading cause of battery failure, and Floridians should be on alert. Heat causes the water to evaporate in the electrolyte and promotes internal corrosion of the positive plates. Adding distilled water more frequently may be necessary for batteries that are not sealed. Check the battery cable connections at every oil change and clean and tighten them when necessary to avoid a variety of electrical problems. If the battery is older than four years, it may be time to replace it.

Belts and hoses: Hot Florida weather can reduce the life expectancy of belts and hoses, so make sure yours are in good shape. Examine belts for cracks, nicks, frays, and glazing on the sides. A glazed belt, along with squealing or chirping sounds, could mean improper belt tension. When the motor is cool, squeeze the radiator hoses to check the rubber for soft or brittle spots. Hoses in good condition will be firm and flexible.

Air conditioning: A properly air conditioned car in Florida during the summer is a major convenience. Before you head out, run your air conditioner to ensure you have cold air coming from the vents. If the air isn’t cold, chances are the refrigerant may be low due to a leak in the system. It’s best to have a certified technician repair the problem.

Windshield wipers and spray nozzles: Summer rains are commonplace in South Florida, which is why it is so important to replace wipers that are cracked or worn. Also, check spray nozzles for proper aim. If the nozzles are clogged, clean them with a needle. Use windshield washer fluid in the tank to prevent corrosion and remove stubborn dirt, grime and insects from your windshield. If the Florida bugs are bombarding your windshield, carry a squeegee with a scrubber to help remove the splattered bugs, and maximize visibility.

A new South Florida-based online service allows anyone to enjoy local yacht and helicopter rides, fine restaurants and other elements of the high life on the cheap, thanks to a feature that automatically splits the payments amongst individuals in a group of friends.

The online service is called Luxset (visit Luxset.com). As the company describes it: Luxset is a marketplace where groups can find fun things to do together, send invitations, and easily split the cost online. United States Patent Pending on Splitable payment method.

Ever tried planning a group outing? Often one person in the group is charged with having to pick a destination, check on prices per individual and deal with collecting money from everyone to get it all done. Bummer. But Luxset, an online service based in Miami, takes the hassle out of all of that. The site offers extravagant outings – such as four-hour yacht rides, a day at a five-star spa and helicopter-and-wine outings – for groups of friends. The jaunts help keep costs down by evenly dividing costs amongst a pre-set number of friends – called teams – but reservations are not set until each friend pays their fair share. Once that is done, the reservation is on and all each person has to do is show up. No one is left with the responsibility of collecting cash from the group.

Prices per person range from about $35 each to $360.

Examples include:

At Home Beer Delivery Service for six people, at a cost of $35 each.You pick the house and wait for a key of Stella Artois to be delivered. We’re talking a full 13.2-gallon keg. The service also brings the ice and cups and picks up the keg later.

The Ultra-luxe Trifecta package offers a team of three an experience of being picked up by a chauffeur and limousine, taken to helipad at Tamiani Airport for a private helicopter ride to view the South Florida skyline and then dropped off for a tasting tour at the Schnebly Redland’s Winery located between the Everglades and Biscayne National Park. Cost per individual: $360.

What do you say? Would you and your friends try this out? Do you have other inventive ways for local group outings on the cheap? Send an email to dvasquez@sunsentinel.com.

AT&T announced the availability of new features that allow parents to have more control over a teenager’s cell phone, higher limits on unwanted callers and texters and restrictions on 411 calls. These add to the complement of parental controls offered by AT&T and mirror similar features also offered by other major carriers.

Bottom-line: If you’re a parent of any child with a cell phone, it’s wise to check out the various features that help control who your child calls, who calls your child, as well as how often and when your child makes or receives calls, texts and is allowed to surf the Web.

The AT&T announcement is part of the company’s Smart Limits for Wireless suite of safety and management services. The updates include the ability to block more numbers, up to 30 numbers of people who call or text your child. The features blocks numbers you select for both outgoing and incoming calls and texts. In addition, AT&T customers can now restrict costly 411 calls, along with download purchases, to help keep monthly bills down.

Other parental controls offered by AT&T include: Establish times of day when the phone can be used for mobile Web browsing, messaging and outbound calls. Filter access to Internet sites not appropriate for children. Limit the number of text and instant messages allowed. Limit the number of ringtones, games and graphics that can be purchased to a pre-set dollar amount.

The features cost $4.99 per month and are available for use by any customer on a post-paid wireless plan.

Other major carriers offer a similar host of parental controls.

For instance, in November Sprint announced new features that allow parents to block or limit the following: texts and numbers, digital downloads, access to inappropriate Web sites, picture mail and voice calls. The restricts can be set or reset by logging into www.Sprint.com. In addition, Sprint allows parents to use a computer to track a children on a map, using their cell phone’s GPS features. The service is called Family Locator and costs $5 a month.

For more information on what Sprint offers, visit www.sprint.com/family.

Verizon Wireless also offers various parental controls available for $4.99, which include: Usage allowances that enable a parent to set limits for voice minutes and texts, time restrictions that limit cell phone use during certain times of the day, and blocked numbers and trusted numbers (those that you pre-select, such as mom and dad’s numbers, that will never be blocked.)

Verizon has its own version of a Family Locator service for $9.99 per month. It allows a parent to locate a child on a map at anytime, provides arrival and departure updates (to make sure you child leaves school on time and arrives at a friend’s house on time, for example) and free family messaging.

What do you say: Are you a South Florida parent who uses such features? Are you a parent who wants to use such features? Send an email to dvasquez@sunsentinel.com.