Terry Blaylock, a Cumberland County resident, contacted Northeast CONTACT in despair.

She wrote: “I was a member of your fine organization many years ago. You will find membership dues enclosed with this letter. Please accept my apologies for not renewing sooner.

“Recently while reviewing one of many merchandise catalogs I receive, my eye caught a beautiful Native American necklace that was made of silver with magnificent turquoise stones. I had been looking for just such a necklace for a very long time. The name of the company was Aztec Creations of Santa Fe, New Mexico. I forwarded a check for $197.63, which included postage, on June 14. My husband was very supportive and jokingly commented that if I liked it, it would be an anniversary present, a Christmas present, a Valentine’s Day present and a Fourth of July present all rolled into one gift.

“I patiently waited for my necklace to arrive for a solid month. I called Aztec Creations and spoke to a lady named Jo. She indicated the item was back-ordered but would be forwarded to me as soon as it arrived. After another month of waiting, I began to make a number of telephone calls to the company. The phone line was always busy and I could not get through to them. Perhaps Northeast CONTACT would have more success in reaching this company and getting my necklace forwarded to me?”

CONTACT obtained from Ms. Blaylock a photocopy of both sides of her canceled check and a copy of her order form, as well as the phone number and address of Aztec Creations. A CONTACT caseworker wrote a letter to the firm advocating for the prompt shipment of the necklace or a full refund. We asked that Aztec send notification to CONTACT of the transaction within the next 14 days. Supporting copies of the check and the order were enclosed.

Almost three weeks later, we heard from Ms. Blaylock, who had not received either necklace or refund from Aztec.

Northeast CONTACT sent a much stronger second letter to this company. Exactly seven days from the mailing of the second letter, we received a telephone call from Aztec. The caller was Stanley Newell, the owner of the company. He indicated that Aztec Creations was a family-owned business. His dad had headed up the business, and three sons and one daughter also were involved. The father recently had died suddenly.

The children had been scrambling to understand the father’s systems, much of which seemed to have died with him as they were not written down or computer-based. He apologized for the unavoidable delays and promised that the necklace would be mailed “within the week.” Our client and member, Ms. Blaylock, was notified regarding this contact.

It was a very happy Terry Blaylock who contacted us six days later to indicate she finally had received her long-delayed prize necklace. “It is beautiful and well worth waiting for!”

A call for volunteers

CONTACT is seeking volunteers. If you have some time available in your busy schedule and would like to help consumers who need a voice to protect their rights, as in the Blaylock case, you would be most welcome. Please write to Marian J. Parent, Assistant Director, Northeast CONTACT, 109 State St., Suite 1, Bangor, 04401.

All volunteers receive extensive training. Clerical work is also available. Why not join us? Volunteering at Northeast CONTACT has been a very rewarding experience for hundreds of volunteers over the past 35 years.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual membership costs $25; business rates start at $125 (0-10 employees). For help and information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.