A South Florida woman paid $5,000 for a jacuzzi tub that did not work properly, and a local man lost a cashier’s check, only to find it and learn the money in the bank had disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser told those stories. Let’s see what happened when they got involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Great ideas have an exciting beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vania Fernandez: “So we took down this wall.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vania started remodeling her condo three years ago, and finally it was time to install her jacuzzi tub.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Vania Fernandez: “And one of my favorite things to do is to take a hot bath and relax.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n But as the tub was filled with water, the excitement turned to exasperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vania Fernandez: “There was electricity in it. The breakers started tripping.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n An electrical current in the water, according to a contractor. A sub tried to repair it, and caused a water leak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The contractor blamed the manufacturer for the current, they blamed the sub and the contractor, and said the warranty was now null and void.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vania Fernandez: “Everybody was pointing fingers, and nobody was coming to a solution.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vania called us. In a case like this, Howard said, you might have to turn to the worst-case scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Howard Finkelstein, 7News legal expert: “It’s difficult and expensive. You have to hire lawyers, experts and hope you win in court, or give up and buy a new tub.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n But I gave it a shot, spoke to the people involved over and over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vania Fernandez: “Shortly after Patrick was involved, for some reason, everybody started working together.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The contractor removed the tub. The store Vania bought it from packed it up and shipped it to the manufacturer, who replaced a part. It worked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vania Fernandez: “Bubbles that can come up if you don’t want the hard jets blowing. Very relaxing. Wonderful, perfect.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The excitement has returned, after Vania got what she hoped for, when she called Help Me Howard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vania Fernandez: “I just really want to say thank you. Thank you so much for working your magic and getting this resolved for me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vania had a water problem. Sometimes Stephen feels like he soaked with problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen Miller: “I was born with cerebral palsy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen is wheelchair bound. His brother Joseph is mentally challenged. They survive on two small disability checks and by taking care of each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen Miller: “I’m glad he is here; if he wasn’t here, it would be almost impossible.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n But then problems poured in. Stephen’s wheelchair started falling apart, a ceiling cracked open, the floor buckled, and Stephen had to borrow $3,500 for an emergency plumbing problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen Miller: “I’m working on it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then Stephen thought he got a break when he found a $9,200 cashier’s check that he had lost<\/a>. He headed to the bank to solve his problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen Miller: “Sorry Mr. Miller, this is no payee file found, so basically the check is null and void.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bank told Stephen to check the unclaimed funds account in Florida or Ohio where the bank was headquartered. He did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen Miller: “It’s not there, and I’m like, ‘Argh,’ and it’s like a crushing feeling.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen called Help Me Howard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bank confirmed to me that the money was sent to the Ohio unclaimed fund. They searched, they found the missing money. A few weeks later, Stephen got this $9,200 check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen Miller: “That was like a big relief, but it was almost like winning the Super Bowl.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Patrick Fraser: “Not the Dolphins winning the Super Bowl.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen Miller: “We’ll forget about that.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen can laugh again. He used the money to fix the ceiling and pay off the plumbing loan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He didn’t have enough money to fix the flooring, but still, he and Joseph are happy they solved some of their problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen Miller: “I’m grateful, eternally grateful that Help Me Howard was there, and I appreciate it very much.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are so lucky to be able to help people, and Stephen still has to find a way to fix his floors. Hopefully someone will help him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Floored by a problem? Don’t want a watered-down solution? Check with us to help you soak in the accomplishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:<\/strong>
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com<\/a>
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com<\/a>
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"