From: hheagy@delphi.com
Subject: Re: carbon canes
Again, if you've had a cane for 2 years yours pre-dates the
bad shipment I referred to in my original post.  I also had an
earlier version which was a lot better.  Unfortunately, it fell
out of my carrying bag without me knowing it.  I thought I might
be in a situation where I would need a telescoping cane so I
brought it with me in addition to my regular long cane which I
was using but I lost it.  But in any case, both of these canes
were made long before this bad shipment.
You say the N.F.B. gladly replaces any defective canes.  I could
refer you to 2 people who bought canes at a national convention only to
have them break about 24 hours later.  When they brought them
back to the N.F.B. store for replacements they were originally
told that we didn't do that.  It was only because one of those
persons stood her ground and rightfully pointed out that we
should stand behind our products just like anyone else does that
she got her replacement, but the other person did not.
I myself had to fight to get one of my broken ones replaced.  I
believe the thinking is that it is our contribution to the cause
if we just don't ask for replacements.  I think we have more of
an obligation to stand behind our products as the N.F.B. is our
own consumer organization and if we are going to criticize Nac
and others like them for lack of integrity then we should be
setting the example for them to go by.
Also, if there is no job market for making canes right here in
the U.S., then how did B.I.S.M. land the contract for making
them?  When I was at the vendor's conference in Las Vegas, I
spoke with Fred Puente and he said the new versions will be
available at the New Orleans convention, and he felt we would
like these a lot better.  I haven't seen a prototype of them, but
I am not buying any more telescoping carbon canes until these new
ones are available.
Harvey
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