Consumer columnist and West Hartford resident Harlan Levy has more than 20 years of experience writing stories about everyday experiences that anyone could encounter.

You get 40 minutes luxuriating in a classic tub of hot and cold mineral water at the Roosevelt Baths. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

By Harlan Levy

Before I start, I want to thank the reader who commented last week about my wooden spoon/boiling water hack in last week’s column. I welcome all responses.

Now for a break from the aggravating non-stop political divisiveness and all the candidates’ raging back-and-forth fighting …

This past weekend my wife and I made a pilgrimage to the quiet and serenity of the Roosevelt Mineral Baths and Spa at Saratoga Springs, where we experienced a 45-minute immersion on both Saturday and Sunday, both sessions stimulating serious – and relaxing – contemplation. You should consider this uplifting consumer opportunity.

That’s my wife sunk in a relaxing tub of effervescent mineral water at the Roosevelt Baths at Saratoga Springs. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

Since 1935, the mineral baths have attracted throngs from all over the world to undergo the restorative powers of the mineral waters bathing their bodies.

As the Bath staff posted in 1935, the mineral water, “unlike anything on earth,” comes from the Lincoln Mineral Spring, highly effervescent and contains three to five liters of carbon dioxide per liter of water. It also has sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, bromide, and 11 other minerals – basically my daily dose of a half-dozen over-the-counter supplements. These baths “speed up the body’s natural healing ability … boosts the immune system, increases blood circulation, eliminating toxins more effectively,  increases and escalates cell oxygenation,” among other effects.

Baths costs $59, and the massive facility is open all year, including a few weekends in November (for post-election rehab). In 1935 the prices were $1.25 in the morning and $1 in the afternoons, $1 for a local massage, plus a whole array of spa services.

Dig these 1935 prices! Photo credit: Harlan Levy

So what’s not to like?

Car warranty scam

I’ve already written about wasting your money on the usually unneeded CarShield vehicle warranty, sanctioned by the Federal Trade Commission. Now the FTC has successfully litigated against another similar scheme from American Vehicle Protection Corp.

As a result, the agency is sending more than $449,000 in refunds to consumers who were harmed by the company, which engaged in a telemarketing scam that involved calling hundreds of thousands of consumers nationwide to pitch expensive “extended automobile warranties” using deceptive telemarketing tactics.

The warranty outfit made illegal sales calls in which it pretended to represent car dealers and manufacturers and  made false claims that its products offered “bumper to bumper” protection, the FTC said. To settle the charges, American Vehicle agreed to a lifetime ban from any outbound telemarketing business and from any involvement with extended automobile warranty sales and paid a monetary judgment.

The FTC is sending checks to a total of 18,255 consumers.

Basically most recent car models have sufficient manufacturer’s warranties and generally don’t break down often.

Now you know.

Recent recalls from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

• NPW Halloween Projector Flashlights: This product sold exclusively at Target was recalled due to fire and burn hazards. The flashlight, about six inches long, is orange with white stripes and a black end piece with three Halloween themed projector covers, including pumpkin, ghost and skull patterns that fit over the black end piece to change the pattern of the flashlight. The flashlight uses two AA batteries.
• Colsen-branded indoor/outdoor tabletop fire pits: Recalled due to serious risk of burn injuries from flames jetting and fire spreading. The fire pits consist of a concrete open reservoir for burning liquid alcohol. Seven models vary from 5 to 18 inches wide.
• Fisher-Price Snuga Swings: The CPSC has recalled more than 2 million swings due to suffocation hazard after five deaths reported. The swing should never be used for sleep, and bedding materials should never be added to it, because the headrest and body support insert on the seat pad can increase the risk of suffocation. Remove the tether and body support insert from the seat pad before awake-time activities.
• Ricky Powersports Tumble Weed Youth All-Terrain Vehicles: The youth ATVs’ mechanical suspension fails to comply with safety requirements, posing a crash hazard and a risk of serious injury or death.

Happy Halloween you goblins! Don’t eat too much candy!

NOTE: If you have a consumer problem, contact me at [email protected] (“Consumer” in subject line), and, with the power of the press, maybe I can help.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.