[June 15, 2013] Winston-Salem Journal, N.C., Ask SAM column Tweet Jun 15, 2013 (Winston-Salem Journal - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Q: I purchased a package of services for Thurston House Spa in Winston-Salem. I have been unable to go for about three months. I called to schedule an appointment, and the phone has been disconnected. Has the facility closed? If so, is there any way to be reimbursed for services that were prepaid, but unused? --C.J.L. Answer: "Although we have received no official notification from the business, we have confirmed the number is disconnected," David Dalrymple, the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Northwest North Carolina, said in an email to SAM. "Based upon this and consumer complaints and inquiries, we have indicated they are out of business in our BBB review." The spa has an "F" rating with the BBB. SAM drove by the building on Friday and it has been replaced by a hair salon. Regarding your problem, Dalrymple said, "We regularly see spas and salons going out of business and frequently consumers are left with either useless gift certificates or prepaid services of which they cannot use and, more than likely, will never receive a refund. "While choosing a spa or salon carefully and giving strong consideration to those in operation longer can help, it will not eliminate the potential for loss." As a general rule, he said, the bureau recommends using gift certificates quickly and keeping pre-payments to a minimum. You may also want to get in touch with the N.C. Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy, which oversees public health, safety and welfare issues regulated to massage and bodywork therapy. They take complaints about licensees, schools, and of people who may be practicing without a license. Complaints must be submitted in writing, and include the name of the licensee, school or other person involved; a description of the alleged behavior or incident; and the name, address and phone number of the person filing the complaint. A PDF file of the complaint form can be found on the board's website, www.bmbt.org; you can print it out and mail it in. If you don't have web access, you can write to them for further assistance at PO Box 2539, Raleigh, NC 27602. The site also includes general consumer information, frequently asked questions, and online verification of a massage/bodywork therapist's license status, which is searchable by name and city. Q: What has happened to the broadcast of Cincinnati Reds baseball games on channels 46 and 508? --V.C. Answer: " Winston-Salem/Forsyth County is a Cincinnati Reds market per Major League Baseball and those games can be seen on local Regional Sports Networks," Scott Pryzwansky, a spokesman for Time Warner Cable, explained by email. Davidson County, where you live, "is not deemed as a Reds market (as is the case for Greensboro) and therefore the games are not available on an RSN in that area," he wrote. MORE ON SURVEYS After Wednesday's answer about door-to-door surveyors claiming to be from the school system, we heard from another family that had a similar experience in the Kernersville area. They said that the people asked questions including when parents would be home and showed ID badges. Theo Helm, the director of marketing and communications with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System, said that the school system does not do door-to-door surveys. "People should ask the surveyors for name and school identification," he said, "and call me so I could check into it." Helm's telephone number is (336) 727-2696. ___ (c)2013 Winston-Salem Journal (Winston Salem, N.C.) Visit Winston-Salem Journal (Winston Salem, N.C.) at www2.journalnow.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]