Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Want Good Service? Dress Up!
A study from Ohio State University suggests that women who dress up to go shopping, are more likely to get better service, and often faster service. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Six Versions of New Windows Vista Planned
Microsoft may soon be looking more like a vacuum cleaner company by offering more than just the basic model of its forthcoming Windows Vista. There will be six versions to choose from (and presumably the more robust ones will cost more). For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Your Call is Important to Us: NOT
The way so many big companies use automated phone systems these days, you would think they don't want to talk directly to consumers. And they don't. And they don't make it easy to find a human to talk to. Enter Paul English, and his new website GetHuman.com. It is a cheat sheet with a directory of the magical key presses to circumvent companies' automated phone systems. Interesting to note that this NY Times article credits Bruce Mohl, the consumer reporter of the Boston Globe for helping to start an avalanche of publicity for Paul English. And who do you think suggested the story to Bruce Mohl? MrConsumer, of course! For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Airlines Seek to Legalize Bait & Switch Fare Ads
In a move that will do nothing for consumers but to deceive them into thinking they are getting a lower airfare than they really are, airlines are pushing the Dept. of Transportation to ease certain advertising rules. They would like to be able to promote partial fares that have had mandatory fees and surcharges stripped away. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Products Inserted Digitally into TV Shows
We all know when Survivor gives away a particular car, the manufacturer paid for that placement. Now, in a much more stealthy way, some products are being digitally inserted into TV programs after they have been filmed. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Study: Glucosamine Chondroitin Doesn't Work Miracles
In the never ending "it's good for you", "it's bad for you" world of medical claims, a new study suggests that the popular supplements glucosamine and chondoitin are no more effective for knee pain than a placebo. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Some Automated Payments Hard to Cancel
If you have your credit card or bank account automatically debited each month for a utility or gymnasium payment, don't expect to be able to cancel that payment easily. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Check Bouncers Face Going to "Bad Check School"
In some parts of the country, if you bounce a check, prosecuters are taking a new approach to reform. You might be sentenced to "bad check school"... and have to graduate in order to fulfill your sentence. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.McDonald's Sued Over Wheat, Milk in French Fries
It is not bad enough that McDonald's revealed it has more trans fat in its fries than previously thought, but now they say that their french fries contain traces of wheat and dairy products. For the allergic, this is a shock, and a lawsuit. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Mars to Intro Healthier Dark Chocolate
Is it a chocolate bar or is it a health bar? Next month, Mars (the maker of M&Ms, etc.) is going to introduce a version of dark chocolate high in a particular antioxidant. It is thought that this could help thin the blood, like an 81 mg aspirin does. It will also have a cholesterol lowering ingredient. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.20 No-Nonsense Investing Tips
This WSJ columnist is not sugar-coating his investment advice. For example, he says "You can't get rich by spending money. The folks with the big house, fancy cars and designer clothes are, no doubt, loaded. But they may be loaded with debt". Read the other 19 tips here. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Segway's Inventor Unveils His Second Act
After keeping "it" a secret for years, Dean Kamen, the engineer who invented the motorized stand-up scooter, now has a second invention to unveil. This time, it is a machine that makes drinkable water out of cesspools. And it can be powered by dung. Holy ****. It is aimed at developing countries as a means to not only provide clean water, but to create entrepreneurs. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Amazon to Sell Its Own iPod Clone
In a marketing twist, Amazon.com says it is going to sell its own brand of digital music players in competition with the Apple iPod and they will be linked to an online music service (for which you will pay a monthly fee). For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Copy Protection on HD-DVDs May Prevent Playing on PCs
Even if you have the latest computer and accessories, soon-to-be-released HD DVDs may not be playable on your computer. Why? Copy protection on the new discs is so strict, that everything has to be absolutely perfect, or you won't be able to watch. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Best Buy Still Doing Deceptive Magazine Offer
According to complaints, it appears that Best Buy is still offering customers a "free" magazine subscription when you checkout that is not what it appears to be. The offer is actually a trial offer for which you will be charged unless you cancel. Complaints allege that the catch is not disclosed by sales clerks. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.In PA, Diamond Engagement Rings are Not Forever
Does a bride-to-be have to return an engagement ring if the groom-to-be calls off the wedding? In PA, the answer is yes... but what if there are extenuating circumstances? For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
This Valentine Outsells the Others 5 to1
Hallmark studied which Valentine's Day cards sell the best, and to their surprise, the same card had the highest sales all over the country. It outsold all the others by a long shot. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Two Out of Three Defective Sprinklers Still in Use
More than four years after they were recalled, two-thirds of those defective sprinklers are still being used in schools, nursing homes, and other buildings. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
New Google Desktop Raises Privacy Concerns
With the new Google desktop released last week, you are able to search for files on any of your computers. To do that, your files are uploaded to Google for a period of time to allow searching. The fear is that phishers will try to obtain your Google password in order to peek into your private files. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Take Online Product Opinions with Grain of Salt
Consumer Reports looks at various product opinion sites where real consumers rate products, and they say the consumer is not always right (and maybe not even be a real consumer). For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.How to Get Your Teenager to Save Money
Teenagers were born to spend money, it seems, not to save it. So it isn't easy for parents to get most teens into the habit of becoming thrifty. This WSJ story suggests some things you can do to help teens learn some savings lessons for life. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Waiting for the Time to Pounce on a Bargain
Most new electronics products are introduced in March and April, and that can mean stores are eager to get rid of last year's models at bargain prices. Stores are getting smarter, however, and not overstocking their shelves. That means there is less to get rid of. Some bargains can still be had, and this NY Times story offers some tips. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.New Financial Aid Rules Start in July
If you have a child going to college, better check out the changes in financial aid that go into effect on July 1. They include new rules for loans, grants, and 529 plans. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Why it is Wise to do a Home Inventory
If your house is damaged by an unexpected natural disaster, could you really tell the insurance company everything that you lost? You can't. That's why it is smart to do a home inventory... even if it means just using a video camera and going from room to room taking shots. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Iowa Sues Rebate Fulfillment House
What happens to all those unclaimed retail rebates? The Iowa treasurer and AG say the money should not go into the pockets of the manufacturers and the rebate fulfillment house. So they are suing Young America to get the money turned over to the state. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
McDonald's Fries Trans-Fattier than They Thought
Don't look now, but a new nutritional analysis test being used by McDonald's says their large fries have about 1/3 more trans fat than previous tests indicate. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Check Home Values Free at Zillow.com
Fewer and fewer sites let you look up a home's value (yours or one you are thinking of buying). Now a new site, Zillow.com, has values for 60 million homes, along with descriptions (in some cases), satellite pictures, and what neighboring homes are selling for.
For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.CompUSA Adds User Product Reviews to Boost Sales
To help boost sales, CompUSA.com has added user product reviews to its site. It claims that people who read those reviews are 50% more likely to purchase the item, and tend to spend 20% more at the site. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.How the Credit Card Security Code Scam Works
You have been warned for years not to give your credit card number or checking account number out to someone you don't know on the telephone. Now a new scam tries to only get your credit card security code. What harm could giving three little digits cause? It becomes the key to fraudulent Internet orders if the crook already has your card number. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.How to Save on International Credit Card Fees
One of the latest ways that most credit card companies ding cardholders is to add a fee onto purchases made in foreign countries. The fees may total up to 3%! There is one major bank that won't hassle you with these fees, however. Read this WSJ story to find out which one. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Refilling Printer Ink Cartridges Saves Money
It really is almost criminal to pay close to $30 for a new inkjet ink cartridge, isn't it? Refillers have seen the opportunity to jump in with cheaper, used cartridges to cut your costs by a third to a half. Here's what the NY Times has to say about refilled cartridges. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
AOL, Yahoo to Start Charging for Priority Bulk Email Sending
In what will likely become one the biggest online controversies, AOL and Yahoo! are poised to start charging bulk emailers 1/4-cent to 1-cent per email sent to their users, if they want their mail to be delivered on a priority basis. This will, in essence, set up a first class and second class mail status, for commercial email. Many big mailers are expected to balk at the money grab this will create for AOL and Yahoo!. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.How to Protect Your Cell Calling Records
There have been many stories lately about online companies advertising the sale of anyone's cellphone calling records. Some lawsuits and investigations have ensued. But, here are some things you can do to protect your private cell information now. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Stimobile Adds 10 Cent Daily Fee to Prepaid Cell Plan
For the last several months, Consumer World has told readers about one of the lowest priced prepaid cellphones (free after rebate) and service packages (10-12 cents/min.) available from Stimobile. MrConsumer has just learned that as of yesterday, February 1, Stimobile has instituted a daily charge of 10 cents that is automatically deducted from your cash balance. No advance notice was given, and MrConsumer finds it particularly offensive for the company to have highly promoted the fact that no monthly fee existed, when in essence they are now charging up to $3.10 a month for the same service. If you are troubled by their new fee and lack of disclosure, you can contact their customer service department at 800-784-3277 to complain. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Newspaper Distributes Subscribers' Credit Card Numbers in Error
MrConsumer doesn't shock easily... but this one took my breath away. The Boston Globe and its distribution company apparently wrapped bundles of this past Sunday's newspapers in sheets of scrap paper that contained nearly a quarter of a million subscribers' credit card and bank account numbers. The major credit card companies have been notified of the security breach, and subscribers can call an 800 number to find out if their financial information has been compromised. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
How Online Tax Prep Services Compare
PC World magazine compared the leading online tax prep services (such as TurboTax, TaxCut, and three others) to see how easily they work (compared to the boxed software versions). For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
