hmmm....most CEO's never open the mail...the admin assistance do that. So doubt it would ever see the desk. Some companies do have consumer advocates....US West (now Quest) did....I resolved an issue that way. Maybe they do? They wont fix your problem...see below... Local places would be more hurt by registering a complaint with the BBB but big places? Unless you can really get alot of people behind you sending in complaints and such...that might actually make a difference in sales...not a few hundred sales..but thousands....as in real dollars....they just dont care. Like someone mentioned...that fridge...its control...was done a year ago...the engineers have moved onto other projects, and a new model is in development or even in production. It does suck that products...consumer products...are shipped out with flaws, and with no method of fixing them really. Some products can be remotly updated like my Dish DVR and thats nice. Guess im lucky my appliances are all dumb... :-) And I bought for functionality not for how it looked...they match in color :-) Nate Duehr wrote: On Jun 24, 2007, at 5:08 PM, Bob Blick wrote: > How can one(informed engineer type of person) talk to a major > appliance > manufacturer about a serious firmware flaw in one of their products? You write a letter and CC the CEO's office stating clearly what you feel the problem with the unit is. Send it registered mail, return receipt requested. You also put a deadline on it. Something before the last cut-off date to return the product for a full refund from the retailer. "Contact me before this date ____ or the unit will be returned to the retailer for a full refund." If they don't respond, let them know you're disappointed, and in the new letter, detail the problem again and CC a large consumer watchdog group like Consumer's Union/Consumer Reports. Also CC the district management office of the retailer so they know why they lost the sale. -- Nate Duehr nate@natetech.com -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist --------------------------------- Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business. -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist