Monday, April 30, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Break a Compact Fluorescent Bulb, Pay $2000 in Cleanup Costs
Everyone is pushing compact fluorescent bulbs to save energy. Even Home Depot gave away a million of them last week. What happens if you break one, though? Well, they contain mercury, and the hazardous waste clean-up costs will blow your mind. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Get an Upgraded Jail Cell for Only $82 a Day
Do you really think that famous (or rich) people in California go to the county jail when they are arrested? For a mere $82 a day they can get an upgraded cell away from the common criminals and with more amenities. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
More Homeowners Fighting Property Tax Increases
If your property tax bill is a real shocker, and you think your home is being over-assessed, don't just write a check, fight back. That is what thousands of homeowners are now doing across the country, by appealing their assessments. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Retailers Sued for Credit Info on Sales Receipts
A relatively new law forbids retailers from putting your full credit card number and expiration date on computer generated receipts. Some big name companies are still doing it, putting you at risk for ID theft if you toss the receipt. Now class action lawyers are stepping in to get them to stop. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Hybrid Cars' Breakeven Point Getting Shorter
Because of a combination of factors, some hybrid cars will now start saving you money in a year or two. Previously, these premium priced cars took many more years before you would reach the breakeven point. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Some Google Ads are Scam Booby Traps
You know those text ads served by Google on many websites? A few of them were bought by scammers, and when you click on them, you are routed to infected sites. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Major Credit Cards Switch Interest Calc Method
In a significant reverse, some major credit card issuers have switched finance charge calculation methods that will save you money. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.New Airline Promises No Phone Number; $10 Fares
Skybus is the new kid on the block and promises to do for the airline industry what generics did for prescription drugs. Ten passengers per flight will get $10 fares (plus taxes, fees) through December. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.HP to Change How it Sells Inkjet Cartridges
HP is about to supersize its inkjet cartridges for those who use a lot of ink. And honey, they shrunk the cartridges for those with more modest needs. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Foreign Ingredients Go Largely Unchecked
How carefully are they checking that your pet food is safe? Obviously they are not doing enough (or they are overwhelmed). Trouble is, those same inspectors are not checking ingredients that are imported for use in people food either. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.911 Calls You -- Texting Emergency Messages
Businesses that offer text messaging services to groups are getting a lot of inquiries from universities following the VA Tech massacre. For as a little a dollar a year (and in some cases, free), schools can send warnings to students' cellphones via text messages quickly. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Shopping by TV Comes to PCs
You've heard of made for TV movies, right? Now there's made for PCs TV. And it is of the commercial kind. Watch a video, if you want the merchandise offered, just click here. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.TurboTax eFilers Delayed; IRS Grants Extension
Last minute filers using TurboTax ran into server overload problems at Intuit, and as a result, the IRS is allowing a delay until midnight April 19th for those people. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Beware Charity Scams in Wake of VA Tech Shootings
Not long after national disasters and tragedies, scammers set up fake charities to allegedly support the victims. Some domain names have already been reserved. Beware. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.What to Eat Instead of Trans Fatty Oils
Restaurants are dropping oils with trans fats, and shoppers are checking food labels in supermarkets to avoid them. So, what do you buy instead, and are they any healthier? For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Beware Tax Filing Switcheroo Scam
Even at the last minute, you could get scammed out your refund from the IRS because of a fake website for filing your federal return. Read this warning! For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Are CompUSA's "Going Out of Business" Prices Any Good?
Although they are not using the magic words "Going Out of Business" (most likely in part so they don't have to comply with state going out of business laws), the deals in stores that CompUSA is closing may not be so great, according to this account. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Selling a House? Broker Fees are Negotiable!
You don't have to pay 6% commission to your broker when you sell your house. You can negotiate. Here are tips on how to do it, and what you might expect to pay. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Warning: Trojan Lurking in Spyware Warning Email
If you get an email in the next few days warning that a spyware problem is infecting your computer, DELETE THE EMAIL. It has an attachment that can infect your computer and take it over. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Laser Tattoos Could Replace Produce Stickers
Those annoying little stickers on peaches and apples could become a thing of the past if a new technology that lasers code numbers on fruit takes off. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.There May Not be Much Vitamin C in that Juice
It is not well known, but apparently the vitamin C content of certain fruit varies with variety and where it is grown. So, a juice that is claimed to be high in vitamin C may or may not be depending on which particular fruit was squeezed. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Reduce Airline Hassles with These Tips
Did you know that some airlines will give you back the difference in fare if the price has gone down and will not charge you a change fee? This and other tips are in this story. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Consumers Frustrated with Vista Express Upgrade Program
Consumers were enticed to buy new computers last fall and early this winter even without the new Windows Vista operating system because computer makers were offering an express upgrade program to Vista. Discs would be mailed to consumers shortly after Vista was released. Now, months later, some consumer still have not gotten their Vista upgrade. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Trump Gets Into the Furniture Business
As if real estate, casinos, bottled water, and clothing under the Trump name were not enough, the Donald is now coming out with a line of furniture. Will his recliners be called Rich-Boy? For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
These Easter Eggs are Illegal (and Dangerous)
What could be dangerous about an Easter egg? Consumer Reports says that some hollow chocolate ones found in the New York area contain small toys inside, and they could pose a choking hazard for children under three. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Recording Industry Lobbies for Permission to Deceive
The recording industry thinks that all's fair in love and music piracy, and wants the California legislature to allow it to impersonate people it is investigating so it can better dig up evidence of copyright infringement. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Hyundai Bucking to Compete with Lexus
Everyone knows that a Hyundai is not in the same category as a Lexus. But maybe not for long. Hyundai wants to compete in the luxury market and plans to build vehicles that are better than the competition and priced lower. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Beware Latest Scam: Cloned Cars
Remember Dolly, the cloned sheep? Well, now there is such a thing as a cloned car that is impersonating the real one. Here's how to avoid this new scam. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.FCC Approves Rules on Phone Record Privacy
You are going to have to give your phone company a password soon if you want to talk to them about information in your account. This is the result of new FCC rules to prevent crooks from getting access to that information through "pretexting." For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Google to Offer Free WiFi via Your Plumbing
In a rare Sunday press release (note the date), Google has announced free broadband service that will operate via your cast iron plumbing system. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
New Barcodes Talk to Your Cellphone
Pssst. Did you hear what that store just said to you? In the future, new-fangled cellphones will be able to scan barcodes on walls, in stores, on products, etc., and you will be provided with relevant information. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
