Well. I am still not yet convinced I should allow the big companies to sell a 15 HP mower to me at the 23 HP mower price. Since I had to replace a blown motor on my mower, I have a special interest in this topic. My mower cuts so nicely now with a 25HP (or less; I will never know) motor, originally there was a 17HP (or less, again, who knows for sure) motor in there. I think I spent over $1000.00, just for the engine. Now, if that motor turns out to be 20HP, I got shafted, but you are right I may never know for sure; as long as I am happy, according to Rusty, why should I care if it is 15HP or 35HP? "By the way, many, many engines are put out with various stickers on them. Nothing wrong with that as long as it does not exceed what SAE rating is. In other words, 46 series engines were originally 20 hp but were also sold as 16.5, 17.5, 18, 18.5, 19 hp" If this is true, ^that up there, then what is the harm if you buy a 16.5 HP engine and you get a 20 HP engine? I don't think the lawyers would chase after this scenario, and I don't think this is what this case is about. I don't like lawyers much either, but if it weren't for the lawyers our kids would be playing with toys painted with lead based paint, or maybe with other dangerous chemicals. Hmm? And this is the the present day! What would you do, if say, you take your wife out to dinner on a special occasion, you both order the prime rib and when it arrives, it looks thin. Not paying much attention you eagerly cut and bite into a nice chunk and after about 5 minutes of chewing you finally admit to yourself that the prime rib is not in fact prime rib but it is likely a cut of flank steak. What do you do? Prime rib was advertised. Prime rib was ordered. Flank steak was received. It is meat, it all comes from the cow, it is all the same. It will fill you up as well as the prime rib would fill you up. So do you complain, or, just shut up and finish dinner, pay the prime rib price, and go about your merry way? No, this isn't a typical scenario where a lawyer is needed, but what if this restaurant did this switch-a-roo every friday and saturday night as an advertised special? Well, then a lawyer might need to get involved depending on the details of the restaurant. I think the point is clear. The point is, we expect to get what we pay for.

I am not proud nor ashamed of the check. I did NOT start the suit nor was I an active party to it. I received a post card more than a year ago telling me that I was a "member" of the class (by virtue of purchasing one or more covered mowers during a certain period of time). I could opt out and file my own suit or accept some money from the manufacturers WHO HAD ALREADY THROWN IN THE TOWEL. If I did not take my share of money it would be divided among the other "members." I did not ask the manufacturers to put the money on the table but I would be stupid not to pick it up. And a lot of other folks must feel the same way. The "up to" estimate of the settlement for two riding mowers and one push mower was $185. That tells me a lot more folks than expected decided to take their money.

I don't know anything about the Hartford suit. But just this week I got a check in the mail for $255.01 for a windshield I had replaced in my 2003 Honda Element. It was bad glass, lots of problems that were obvious if you followed the enthusiast websites. Had Honda done a recall like they should have, it would have been a lot cheaper. This way, they refund my my $255.01 (along with everyone else who sends in their receipt) AND get to pay the lawyers! Yep. Class actions suits usually benefit only the attorneys, and to some degree, believe it or not, the company. Most folks will not opt out, so whatever measley settlement comes along is all they'll ever get -- insulates the company from a lot of individual suits.

Mike, it's completely different when you have a FAD which is none other than an 'independent HVAC contractor' that has agreed to sell Carrier branded equipment. The FAD merely represents that this 'independent HVAC contractor' sells enough equipment thru the year to afford this 'description' from Carrier (it's about selling and moving equipment). And the home in which the equipment is sold 'by the noted FAD', is ALSO 'maintained' thru said 'FAD' or 'independent HVAC contractor'. If the FAD didn't install and maintain said equipment --- your recourse is bupkiss. What is required to 'maintain' equipment is more or less left up to the FAD or 'independent HVAC contractor'... there is no difference between these two points --- except for the contract to sell Carrier brand equipment, and because the FAD sells all this equipment typically 100K or more per year. (The FAD isn't in business to fix equipment they DID NOT install / nor maintain.) --- guess again. Where things get messy: the home's Carrier equipment is not maintained by installing contractor. Regardless if they are 'FAD' or not... doesn't matter. $$$ is what moves people to do something. Don't kid yourself. If someone buys a home with said Carrier equipment installed --- which proves my point that 'FAD' means nothing --- why is this home owner having trouble finding this kind of support? Again Mike, FAD doesn't mean anything like you think it does.