Help Me Howard: Moldy Mattress

WSVN -- When Wendy Nin's mother developed Parkinson's, she decided to move in to help her out.

Wendy Nin: "I have a full day when I come home. I help out around the house, I clean, I cook and then I have my little one, which is my four year old."

To help her mother get a good nights rest and ease her discomfort, Wendy decided to buy her a special bed.

Wendy Nin: "When I went to the store, the salesperson saw my mom, noticed she had Parkinson's and offered an adjustable bed and he offered they were having great deals, 50 percent off mattresses."

Since they were on sale, Wendy also bought a new bed for herself.

Wendy Nin: "Seemed like a great deal at the time."

Then a month later, her mother unzipped the cover on the mattress and made a disgusting discovery.

Wendy Nin: "She kept on pulling, kept on pulling and then noticed mold all around the mattress."

Wendy was stunned, and then to be safe decided to check the memory foam mattress she bought for herself, more mold.

Wendy Nin: "I couldn't believe we were actually sleeping on mold."

Couldn't believe it, but it did explain why Wendy had not been feeling well lately.

Wendy Nin: "I've been getting allergies and coughing, so I know mold is very bad for your health."

Wendy immediately called the store, which immediately pointed the finger.

Wendy Nin: "He's like we purchase the mattress, when they come they're covered with plastic we have nothing to do with that, it has to be the manufacturer."

Wendy then called the manufacture, which also pointed the finger at her family.

Wendy Nin: "They're pretty much you must have done something to cause this."

The store did offer to replace the two moldy mattresses with two more, but Wendy doesn't trust them anymore.

Wendy Nin: "I have no faith on the manufacturer at this point and I have no faith on the retailer. At this point, I want my money back."

Well Howard if you find mold in two mattresses you bought a month earlier, can you get your money back?

Howard Finkelstein: "Yes you can. If you reject the item immediately or shortly thereafter the law considers it a revocation of acceptance, and therefore, you don't have to take a replacement and you can demand your money back."

When we called the manufacturer, they said they sell thousands of these mattresses and have never had a mold problem before. They asked us if someone wet the beds and said it's possible mold can grow when people get hot or perspire. The store then picked up the two moldy mattresses and agreed to give Wendy $500 to buy two new ones, and it's easy to make sure you don't get a faulty product.

Howard Finkelstein: "When you buy something, whether it's a mattress, a dresser or a car, don't accept it until you check it out thoroughly. Don't assume it's in mint condition just because it's brand new, and if you spot the problem before you leave with it, your problems are solved then and there."

Wendy wanted beds, so she and her mother could have good nights rests. Instead the mold made them uncomfortable, but she is happy they discovered the problem so quickly.

Wendy Nin: "I know that if my mom wouldn't have opened that cover, I would have been sleeping in those beds for years. I'm sure there's a lot of people right now that are sleeping in beds with mold and don't even realize it."

I have to go home and check my mattresses. Now Howard talks about acting quickly when you buy something, but when is too late to get your money back? Well the law says you have a reasonable amount of time to discover and return the item, and what's a reasonable amount? There is no set time frame, it's why lawyers have jobs.

Your problems so old they have grown mold? Ready to put them to bed? Sleep on it, then contact us. Hopefully you well rest easier after that.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
EMAIL: helpmehoward@wsvn.com (Please include your contact phone number when emailing)
REPORTER: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
MIAMI-DADE: 305-953-WSVN
BROWARD: 954-761-WSVN