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Whatever You Do, Don't Lose Your Saab Key
In 2009, America's General Motors unloaded Swedish-founded Saab on Netherlands-based specialty car maker Spyker Motors. We haven't heard many complaints about the new ownership until now, when Russ wrote in to complain that his car is now undriveable because his Saab dealer is out of key blanks. Worse: Saab is also out of key blanks. More »

Strange Types Of Insurance You May Have Without Realizing
By signing insurance policies for your home, car and health, you might have gotten yourself more coverage than you've bargained for. According to a veteran insurance writer, there are several obscure coverages most beneficiaries might not realize they qualify for. More »

Getting Locked In A Nail Salon Bathroom And Presented With A Bill Isn't Cool
Remember when you had that really bad day and you were like "Oh, man, at least I wasn't locked in the bathroom at a nail salon for 45 minutes and then told I had to pay for the experience"? While that maybe didn't happen to you, one reader writes in about seeing just such a thing happen at her local salon. More »

Philadelphia Gas Works Turned Off Our Gas 4 Days Ago. Our House Is 48 Degrees.
Brrrr. Melanie and her housemate have no heat or gas after the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) turned off the gas four days ago. She's never missed a payment but they tell her they need to investigate "meter tampering" because they found two loose screws on her meter. It's 48 degrees in her house and she has no way to cook anything. Customer service can't tell her when the "meter investigation unit" will get around to checking it out and there's no way she can get in contact with them. UPDATE: Melanie reports that after this post went up and we contacted PGW, they called her and said they're coming to turn the heat back on this afternoon. More »

Top Posts Of The Week And Open Thread

• Protected By Cops, Emergency Locksmith Rips Woman Off For $613
• Superstreets Save Lives And Fuel By Ditching Left Turns
• Texting Woman Who Fell Into Fountain May Sue Mall
• 8 Ways Your 1040 Is Different This Year
• My Rotisserie Chicken Has a Chemical Found In Brake Fluid

More »

Protected By Cops, Emergency Locksmith Rips Woman Off For $613
A woman blogs that she found herself locked out of her apartment because her keys were getting stuck and the lock wasn't working. So she called an emergency locksmith who arrived 15 minutes later, drilled off the cylinder, replaced it, and presented her with a bill for $613. When she refused to pay, the locksmith called (what were presumably) the cops. When they arrived the said, "Pay the man now or you're under arrest." More »

That'll Be $176 For The "Special" Air Jet To Unlock Your Car

—>In this iteration of the locksmith ripoff, the shyster told the customer that he has to use a $400 "air jet" device to unlock her car, jacking up the cost to $176. The "special" balloon instrument is actually only $25 and is no rarity, most locksmiths have them. These guys take out big ads in the Yellow Pages and then prey on people's urgency and ignorance when they show up. KCTV5 reports, "Industry experts recommend that consumers make contact with an actual local locksmith before you need one. Then, you'll know who to call in an emergency."  More »

Make 2009 Scam-Free With This List

—>Stephanie Zimmermann of the Chicago Sun-Times has put together a list of resolutions to prevent scams, cons, and cheats. We really like the suggestion that you find a reputable locksmith, plumber, A/C repairman, and mechanic now, instead of waiting until an emergency.   More »

Never Get Locked Out Your Car: Drill Hole Through Key, Screw To License Plate

—>On Meghann's post about a reader who fell for a locksmith scam, the aptly named commenter "yetiwisdom" left a great tip for never getting locked out your car again:  More »

"I Fell For The Locksmith Scam"

—>There are lots of honest locksmiths out there — but there are dishonest ones too — and they're notorious for bullying helpless consumers out of a lot of money. Here's the scenario: You're locked out of your car, so you call a locksmith. You're quoted a price that seems reasonable, but when the "locksmith" shows up, he bullies you into paying more money — a lot more.   More »

Verizon Wireless Roadside Assistance CSR Running On Empty, Just Like Your Vehicle

Here are the morals of this story:  More »

Auto Loan Crash? Lots Are Overflowing With Repossessions
So many vehicles are being snatched from owners who stop making payments that some repo operators and auto auctioneers say lots are overflowing.  More »

Dishonest Locksmiths Lurk Everywhere

—>Greedy national locksmith companies masquerade as local businesses to prey on consumers who think they are in no position to haggle. Dependable Locksmith, Basad Inc, and Liberty Locksmith are just a few of the national chains that rip-off distressed consumers, charging up to $500 for simple jobs. From the LA Times:  More »

Consumerist Prevents You From Getting Mugged?

—>Reader Geoff was at a gas station with his girlfriend when a shady looking dude approached them and started asking for money so he could pay someone to unlock his car and free the 11 month-old kid whom he'd locked inside... in a dark corner of the next parking lot over. Hm. Was he telling the truth? Geoff writes:

Dear Consumerist,   More »

Beware Nationwide Locksmith Swindle

Takeaway: AAA membership has perks. Or, consider taking a few to find a locksmith with a good local word of mouth and putting their number on your cellphone. The fire department can unlock cars, but only if it's on fire or there's a baby trapped inside. And of course, try not to lock your keys in your car.  More »