I recently purchased a "Moon in My Room" made by (or marketed by) UncleMilton Toys. It is a really neat hemisphere that hangs on the wall - and it is a faithful reproduction of the moon's face. It lights up, and runs through the moon's phases. Cool! Or it would be, if it worked. I received mine (mail order), and in getting it out of the box, managed to totally destroy the box. Big whoop. Yeah, except that the blasted thing doesn't work.

Contacted UncleMilton customer service (what a joke) and explained that it isn't "broken", it simply doesn't work. I've tried fresh batteries, gone out and bought still fresher batteries - nada, zip, nothing. Their bright idea? Return it to where I purchased it. Nope. They say, without the box it came in, it is not-returnable. UncleMilton says ... zzzzzzzzz. I asked if they don't honor their warranty? UncleMilton says ... zzzzzzzzzz.

So. I got off the phone with customer service, and wrote them an email. I explained about my policy - Well, here is what I wrote to them: "I just got off of the phone (what FUN that was) with your customer service. I found out that UncleMilton does NOT stand behind its products. The brand new 'Moon in my Room' I had purchased for my grandchildren doesn't work. Since I destroyed the packaging getting it out of the 'factory' package, I cannot return it - the seller won't accept it. Uncle Milton WON'T help with a defective product that is less than a week old and will not work - it didn't break, it WON'T work at all.

Fine. When I am happy with a company I tell all of my friends. When I am unhappy I tell the entire world. I set up websites to explain the problem, what was or was NOT done by the company, and my recommendation as for doing business with this company. I also put links on Facebook and all of my forums. I reach a LOT of people. I am only one woman. I have a VERY big mouth. I think Uncle Milton just lost more business than fixing or replacing one lousy Moon in my Room could account for.

Have a WONDERFUL day! Oh, would you like the link to your newest advertising web-site? I promise you, it is most illuminating - unlike the Moon in my Room I purchased."

It looks like this evening, I shall be constructing the Anti-UncleMilton website. Then, I'll forward the link to UncleMilton, and post it on every forum and blog I belong to with the admonishment: boycott UncleMilton toys. They don't stand behind their products!!