January 2021

I will admit… I had to take some time before I wrote this. Time to allow my anger, rage, confusion, frustration, and sadness to dissipate somewhat before I put these words on my screen, so that I could convey what I feel right now. With the death of … Read more → Where Are They When You Need Them? When The Police Fail To Act I must admit that I don’t plan on having any unnecessary interactions with the police. A nice hi-and-bye exchange is good for me. Despite my internal reservations regarding police, I recogniz… Read more →

Where Are They When You Need Them? When The Police Fail To Act I must admit that I don’t plan on having any unnecessary interactions with the police. A nice hi-and-bye exchange is good for me. Despite my internal reservations regarding police, I recogniz… Read more →

Where to Find Aid if You Purchased a Lemon

Nobody that buys a shiny new automobile, boat or electronic gadget makes that purchase expecting the product to fail. We all like to think of ourselves as smart consumers, and the fact is, today’s consumer has more information at their fingertips than ever before. We can research specifications and read reviews for hours on end to get a general sense of a product’s quality and reliability before making a purchase. However, all manufacturers are run by human beings, and even factories that churn out products that routinely get five-star reviews produce the occasional lemon. If you happen to purchase one of these misfit tools or toys, do not despair. If the defect is covered under the product’s warranty, you should be able to get it repaired or replaced. If the manufacturer doesn’t honor their warranty, or if their attempts to do so are ineffective, you also have rights under state and federal law.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Be aware that not every product failure is the result of a defect in the product. Some failures are caused by abuse, misuse, or neglect by the owner. In those cases, the warranty isn’t going to help because it only covers defective products, not defective use by the owner. Therefore, it is very important that you read the warranty and owner’s guide before you start using the product. Pay close attention to any warnings, break-in procedures, and the maintenance schedule.  If the product has a maintenance schedule, be sure to keep all of the invoices from your service visits as proof that you volowed the maintenance schedule. Keep these documents in a safe place because you may need them if something goes wrong.

In addition to reading and following the maintenance schedule, you should also proceed with extreme caution when modifying or customizing any product. For example, adding a custom sound system to a vehicle will not necessarily “void” the warranty.  The manufacturer would still be responsible for repairing or replacing any defective components in the vehicle. However, if the installation of that sound system causes an electrical problem in the vehicle, the warranty may not cover the repairs needed to correct the problems caused by the sound system

Repairs Under Warranty

If your product malfunctions, follow the instructions in the written warranty to get service. Warranties for large items like boats or automobiles will typically instruct you to take the vehicle to an authorized dealership for repair. Be sure to get a written repair order from the dealership documenting the repair attempt, even for what may seem like minor adjustments. Documentation may be needed if the issue turns out to be something more serious. For other consumer goods, follow the directions in the written warranty. If you cannot find your copy of the warranty, you should contact the manufacturer through their website or customer service line.

State Lemon Law

If your issue cannot be resolved after a reasonable number of attempts, you may be able to get relief through your state’s Lemon Law. In most states, the Lemon Law only covers new passenger vehicles for non-commercial use. However, some states do offer lemon law protections for recreational vehicles or used vehicles. The criteria for Lemon Law relief varies by state. However, in general, if an issue with a vehicle that affects its use, value, or safety cannot be repaired in a reasonable number of attempts, the owner is required to contact the manufacturer directly to schedule a “final” attempt to repair the problem. If the problem is not fixed, the owner may proceed to arbitration, where the manufacturer may be required to repurchase or replace the vehicle if it is proven that the defects have not been remedied. In some states, attorneys’ fees may be awarded.

Federal “Lemon Law”

If you made an unsuccessful state Lemon Law claim, or have an issue with a product that does not fall under a state Lemon Law, you may still be able to get relief under the Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.  It applies not only to manufacturers but also to anyone else who issues a “warranty” or “extended service plan.” Under the Federal law, a consumer may file a lawsuit against a warrantor who fails to honor its warranty for breach of contract. If the consumer prevails, the consumer is entitled to damages plus attorneys’ fees. Being able to recover attorneys’ fees makes it worthwhile for consumers to bring claims for products not covered under state Lemon Laws (like appliances or electronics), or vehicles with problems that may not necessarily meet state Lemon Law criteria.

Let it Raine Music Single Reviewed

In the face of all the gossip and the things that were said against her, she stood her ground and pressed into activating her gift of song. This is the first thing you learn as you listen to ‘Let It Raine’, the soundtrack single to ‘Standing Firm’ – a newly released Christian film, projected to be released on DVD in 2017. ‘Standing Firm’ celebrates the intersection of family, love, relationships, community, spirituality and music.

This long-awaited single release speaks to the success of all that the movie’s main character, Raine Davis, comes to experience while having to overcome personal obstacles and domestic abuse. At the climax of the movie, ‘Let It Raine’ was Davis’ soulful anthem to her family that she realized her dreams had come true and so she bragged that the ‘rain of blessings’ had fallen on her life! This song is not one that is heard passively because it is a song for the champion in us all!

Lahla-Hadiya

‘Let it Raine’ is performed by lead singer and indie artist, Lahla-Hadiya; with lyrics conceived by Gerald C. Anderson, Sr. (author, producer, and visionary for this project).  Lahla-Hadiya gave birth to a soulful arrangement of the single in just a couple days.  You can feel her passion pouring out through the song as she croons the message: “Let it rain on me … let it fall on me”.  This skilled singer evokes Raine’s emotions of desperation and persistence, her readiness for rebirth, and passion for life like she had never felt before.

The background vocal effects seemed to have an urban flair, while the instrumentation was produced masterfully. Without a doubt, this single will easily cater to R&B crowds as well as smooth jazz fans alike, but it is truly a message that anyone who is ready to activate their purpose and realize their potential.  The catchy hook and upbeat tempo will surely grab any listener and empower them with a euphoric feeling – almost creating a high to where anything is possible.

Rating: **** 4.5 / 5 stars ****

Where Are They When You Need Them? When The Police Fail To Act I must admit that I don’t plan on having any unnecessary interactions with the police. A nice hi-and-bye exchange is good for me. Despite my internal reservations regarding police, I recogniz… Read more →

Faith Or Hope? If a poll were conducted, the results would probably indicate the vast majority of the population says they have faith to one degree or another. What I have learned, however, is people can confuse faith with hope. There was a time I did, … Read more → Cultivate the Attitude of Gratitude The thinking mind produces over 60,000 thoughts per day and 85% of them are the same thoughts we had yesterday. Caring for your emotional health is just as important as caring for your physical health. Negative emotions… Read more →

According to the 2018 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, African American women own more than 2 million businesses, making them the leading female minority group of business owners. Statistically, women of color are 4.5 times more likely to start a business than other demographics. (https://ventureneer.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2018-state-of-women-owned-businesses-report_FINAL.pdf) One of those 2 million impressed me with the start of her new business, Tru Battle Fitness.

Read the rest of this amazing interview by downloading the Winter 2021 issue of The Lyfe Magazine.