BeltoneKrone Hearing Aid Ctr. I purchased hearing aids with a contract stating the make, serial #, etc. They pulled a bait and switch, refunding most, but not all of my money. Laguna Woods, California

On 10/28/10 I signed a contract with this company. I paid them $3400 for 2 hearing aids. Although the contract shows the name of the manufacturer whose top-of-the-line aids I was to receive, they supplied me with aids that turned out to be the economy model of another company. They freely admitted this, offering to change the name of the product on the purchase agreement!

In the first 30 days, a period during which one could return the product, there were constant problems with it. They admitted the mold they had made was incorrect and took it to have it replaced. (I never did receive it back!) They admitted they had switched the product to the cheap one, stating that they couldn't make enough money on the better ones. The owner (it's a family owned business) stated that this is a common practice in the hearing aid business.

When I exercised my right to a total refund, they readily agreed, but retained $200 as a fitting fee. Although they state that this fee is non -refundable, I fell that since they never provided me with a usable product, they were not entitled to it.

I contacted the D.A.'s office. They refused to get involved! My option is to go to small claims court, but I'm 89 years old and it's just not an option. This rip-off of seniors seems to be an industry policy. Why doesn't anyone care?