Coffee club duties give her the jitters

My popular demand, I was given the thankless job of being incharge of the office coffee club.

My first act was to arrange to have hot coffee on hand. AntiqueCoffee Service eventually was contracted to place a machine in ourplace. Based on our need, 30 to 40 cups on Friday alone, I figuredit would pay for itself in no time.

Sadly, we had nothing but problems with the machine. Peoplekept losing money in the blasted thing, and it was frequently out ofservice. In fact, it once conked out on our busiest day, Friday.

At that point, I asked Antique Coffee Service to take back itsmachine. Because it had hardly worked in a month, I figured we'd beeven with the final charges. But Antique is billing us for $34.37.And is my boss ticked off!

The bill is in the company name, and a collection agency isbugging him. Oh, yeah, I'm not even in charge of the club anymore. CYNTHIA, Park Ridge

A. Apparently you had grounds for complaint because AntiqueCoffee Service has assured us the matter has been cleared up: thefirm's balance is zero.

Q. I guess I had this coming: The post office keeps telling me acheck's in the mail.

My problem began, strangely, when I got a job at the post officeas a temporary/casual employee. I was to have worked for threemonths, but I quit soon after I started. Since August, I have beentrying to get paid for the days I did work.

MS. G.

A. Days? Postal authorities said you quit after the first dayof orientation. Still, you were told it would take the computer twopaydays (four weeks) to crank out a check.

Then, the post office had a problem with your home address andwas reluctant to mail it until the address could be verified. We'retold repeated attempts to contact you were futile. Thankfully, yournote to us got things rolling and you have your day's pay.

Q. My daughter was born with Down's syndrome. To stimulate herdevelopment, I need two Fisher-Price toys. She just loves the twoitems, which were at her infant-stimulation intervention program.

Unfortunately, I can't find the toys in any store. Maybe theyare discontinued. Anyway, one is called a Happy Apple; the other'sa ferris wheel that plays music. MOM, Willowbrook

A. You were right. Fisher-Price verified the toys werediscontinued several years ago and none remain in stock. However,we've got faith in our readers' stockpile of toys. Someone musthave these. Senior/action Shutting (garage) door on this problem

At the age of 74, I don't need the grief of a faulty garagedoor.

I paid Better Built Lumber Co. good money to have an overheaddoor installed. But it just doesn't work right. Something's goofedup. The springs seem too lightweight to handle the door.

I'm been on the horn with these people a number of times butcannot get anyone out to even inspect the work. I'm writing ActionTime because I hear you can get answers when consumers can't. SMITH

A. So you need a little pull, eh? No problem. We passed alongyour comments to Better Built Lumber.

The firm responded with a note you signed, stating thateverything is now OK and that you are completely satisfied with therepairs done.

Senior/action appears Tuesdays and Fridays.