BLACK AND DECKER TRIMMER / EDGER GH 400 - AUTOMATIC LINE FEED AFS problems

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on July 18, 2002:

From: BIDDLE8788 AT aol.com

RE: BLACK AND DECKER TRIMMER / EDGER GH 400 - AUTOMATIC LINE FEED AFS problems

Subject

TRIMMER EDGER PROBLEMS Discussion Thread

Response (LSTRAUSB) 07/18/2002 10:17 AM

William,

Thank you for visiting the Black & Decker website.

We are sorry to hear that you are having trouble with one of our products.

Unfortunately without inspecting your tool or accessory, we cannot determine why you are experiencing this problem. If you are within the first thirty days of ownership, please take your B&D product back to the place of purchase for a refund or exchange. If you are beyond the first thirty days of ownership but within the first two years, please take or send your B&D product to the nearest Black & Decker service center for warranty service.

The service center closest to the zip code you have provided is: Black & Decker/DeWALT Factory Service

2930 Capitol Blvd

Raleigh, NC 27604

919-878-0357 Thank you.

Customer (WILLIAM BIDDLE) 07/17/2002 08:26 AM

RECENTLY I PURCHASED A BLACK AND DECKER TRIMMER/EDGER GH 400 FROM SEARS.

THE TRIMMER HAS AN AUTOMATIC LINE FEED AFS UNIT. THIS UNIT DOES NOT FEED LINE CONSISTANTLY AND MAKES ALL TRIMMING JOBS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

I HAVE USED BOTH FACTORY WOUND SPOOLS AND HAND WOUND AND NOTHING SEEMS TO IMPROVE THE OPERATION OF THIS UNIT. BEFORE RETURNING THIS UNIT TO LOWES I THOUGHT MAYBEYOU COULD OFFER SOME SUGGESTIONS.

THIS IS THE SECOND BLACK AND DECKER TRIMMER I HAVE HAD WITH THE AUTOMATION LINE FEED THE FIRST UNIT WAS A CORDLESS WHICH I THOUHGT WAS CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROBLEM DUE TO NOT ENOUGH CENTRIFIGAL FORCE TO FEED THE LINE, BUT AS IT TURNS OUT THE AUTOMATIC LINE FEED SYSTEM IS NOT A RELIABLE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.

WILLIAM E. BIDDLE

WILSON, NC.27896

B AND D REPLY:

William,

Thank you for visiting the Black & Decker website.

We are sorry to hear that you are having trouble with one of our products.

Unfortunately without inspecting your tool or accessory, we cannot determine why you are experiencing this problem. If you are within the first thirty days of ownership, please take your B&D product back to the place of purchase for a refund or exchange. If you are beyond the first thirty days of ownership but within the first two years, please take or send your B&D product to the nearest Black & Decker service center for warranty service.

The service center closest to the zip code you have provided is: Black & Decker/DeWALT Factory Service

2930 Capitol Blvd

Raleigh, NC 27604

919-878-0357 MY REPLY TO B AND D:

THE ANSWER I RECIEVED IS UNSATISFACTORY:

I LIVE OVER 40 MILES FROM THE NEAREST BLACK AND DECKER SERVICE CENTER. NOW I AM BEING PENALIZED FOR B AND D PUTTING AN INFERIOR PRODUCT ON THE M ARKET.

THE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO TAKE ALL AFS (AUTOMATIC FEED SYSTEMS) OFF THE MARKET SO OTHER UNSUSPECTING CONSUMERS WILL NOT BE PUNISHED.

IF I USE THE STANDARD MILAGE FOR OPERATING MY VEHICLE, MY COST TO DRIVE TO RALIEGH WILL BE $24 AND THE WEED EATER WILL BE NO BETTER THAN BEFORE UNLESS THERE IS A REPLACEMENT FOR THE AFS.

THANKS BUT NO THANKS.

BILL BIDDLE