MADISON (WKOW) -
Last November, Wanda Behling had a 30% off coupon at a big-name retail store and an idea for her daughter's birthday present.
"I knew the boots my daughter wanted were on sale, so I ran out there and I got them," Behling told us. "It was a really, really good deal."
The coupon said it could only be used for a purchase on the store's charge card. Wanda had one of the cards but says she seldom used it.
"When you're on a budget, you pay cash when you can."
But she thought the boots were such a good deal (she says she saved more than $100 off the initial price) that she put the boots on the card. She forgot about it until a call in January, from the company, reminding her.
"Oh, so embarrassed," said Behling. "I went right online. Paid the charge. Paid the interest."
But Wanda objected to paying the two late fees, totaling $50, that had been added on to the bill, because she says she never received a paper or online bill.
"I forgot about it," she said. "Most of us don't remember to pay bills we don't get a reminder for."
As Wanda made calls and even sent a letter to the company to try and explain her complaint, the fees added up. What was initially a $15 late fee on $43 boots ballooned to $254 in fees by July. He phone calls were going nowhere.
"They only wanted to make arrangement for payment," Behling said. "And I said, 'No, I don't think that's fair.'"
Meanwhile, Wanda's phone was ringing off the hook with collection calls 4 or 5 times a day, even on weekends. Wanda went to www.wkow.com and filled out a Call For Action online form.
"I think I emailed it in on Saturday. The nice lady called me on Monday, got the customer service people on the phone at the same time. Next thing you know, it was all taken care of," she said. "I haven't gotten a phone call since. Yay!!!"
If you want to make a Call For Action, you can do like Wanda did and fill out the online form under the "Consumer" tab at www.wkow.com
Or you can call 661-2727. If know one answers, leave a message and one of the Call For Action volunteers will call you back.
