Healthsmart Briggs Mabis Sold me a Mabis product deceptively, boasting a warranty that they knew was worthless. Waukegan Illinois

The specific product was a Mabis Hot Water Bottle, #92-840-000, with a printed 1-Year Limited Warranty. These hot water bottles work fine until they leak. That's a big nuisance, but not the problem here. The problem is that the makers knew the warranty was worthless and didn't reveal it.

My latest one developed a leak within 7 months. That's when I learned that the 1-year warranty is nothing but a blatant fraud. The instructions are to call. I did that today, waiting 20 minutes for a "representative" to "assist," only to learn that warranty replacement carries a service charge of $20.00. That's more than twice the price of a new one at my local store! That little fact is not mentioned anywhere until you call.