Consumerist
Videos
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Cruises
Memo To Cruise Lines: Seattle Is Not Cozumel
A few different cruise lines took initiative and changed the itineraries of ships heading to Mexico in the near future. However, they won't let customers who are uninterested in sailing to the tropical paradise of San Francisco rebook or get full refunds. More » -
Executive Compensation
Don't You Wish You Made $1 A Year Like AIG's CEO?
The NYT DealBook Blog says that AIG's $1 interim CEO is living pretty well, despite the whole "being hated for something you didn't do" thing. More » -
Payola
EAT MANGURT
Sorry guys, you just didn't donate enough. Our tipjar, Donatetoconsumerist.com, has raised $5,639.67 so far with 392 donors. In these tough times, that doesn't cut the mustard. We're going to have to start taking sucking down some payola. We've already signed our first sponsor: MANGURT. More » -
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Employment discrimination
Forced Arbitration: You Can't Sue Us For Discrimination
Besides banning forced arbitration in consumer and franchise contracts, the Arbitration Fairness Act bans mandatory binding arbitration clauses in employment contracts. John's story illustrates why this is necessary, inside. More » -
Credit Cards
House To Pass Credit Card Reform, Tell The Senate To, Too
The House is expected to pass the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act today, and the Senate is considering similar legislation. The Senate battle will be harder, but you can help! More » -
Funny
Man Sends Silly Complaint Letters To Companies, Receives Silly Responses
"Chad Bradley" likes to write letters to companies. Unlike a normal crank, however, his letters are filled with complaints about surreal or nonsensical things, or they offer useless ideas for product improvements. (To the makers of Connect 4, for example, he suggests a new game called Connect 1.) The letters are entertaining enough on their own, but what's even better is sometimes the companies write back. More » -
Adwatch
Does Boniva Really Let You Play Twister With Sally Field's Skeleton?
"Tear yourself away from this vigorous game of Twister so we call tell about some of the more serious side effects associated with this class of drugs." [Consumer Reports Health] -
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Our comment reply feature is acting stupid again. We're aware of the glitch and have contacted our various extended warranty providers to see about getting it fixed. Thanks for your patience.
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Diy marketing
Need A Cheap Way To Bring In Business? Try Mannequin Breasts
An Ohio barbeque restaurant owner was having trouble getting drive-by customers to stop, so he decided to prop a mannequin in a bikini top outside (warning: video). He says that over the past three weeks she's been standing in front of his store, he's had over 70 new customers come in and buy food—a 30% increase in business. So far, he says, no complaints; apparently his "mail girl" even donated a different top and some Daisy Dukes that he's going to use on the dummy next week.
"Busty Mannequin Lures In BBQ Customers" (video) [WXII12.com] (Thanks to Mark!)
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Us fidelis
Car Warranty Racket Exposed On Today Show
The Today show recently aired a terrifically entertaining exposĂ© of US Fidelis, one of the biggest companies behind the auto warranty racket that you've probably encountered via junk mail, telemarketing, or even on TV. They start by looking at an individual who spent $3,180 on one of their auto warranties only to be left stranded when her car overheated and they refused to pay. More » -
Chrysler
Chrysler Will Enter Bankruptcy, Partner With Fiat, Warranties Backed By US Government
President Obama announced today that Chrysler would seek bankruptcy protection and enter into an alliance with Fiat. The president told reporters that a "small group of speculators" made up of hedge funds and other investors held out in the hopes that the US government would bail them out. That didn't happen. More » -
Homes
Beware Of The "Model Home" Ploy From Window Salesmen
Thomas says his wife was approached by a belligerent salesman the other day regarding the windows on their home. He tried to get her to agree to an instant estimate and promised a huge discount for being a "model home" for the window upgrades, but when she refused to make an instant decision, Thomas says he "snatched the card out of her hand" and "yelled at her." More » -
recession watch
Yankees Cut Premium Ticket Prices From "Exorbitant" To "Expensive"
For some reason, the New York Yankees are having trouble selling the most expensive seats in the new Yankee Stadium. Especially the ones in the front rows that are noticeably empty on TV. The New York Times has a rundown of the pricing changes. More » -
Above and Beyond
Walgreens Pharmacist Sends Hand Written Thank You Note To Customer
Whether it's rational or not, there's something very satisfying when your pharmacist acknowledges you personally—it makes you feel like this expert you're placing such trust in takes the job, and you, seriously. In our experience it's a rare thing to see from pharmacists at chain drugstores, but Mike just had a great encounter with his Walgreens pharmacist when he moved to a new town. More » -
Stupid Shipping Gang
Target Ships Clock in Box Fit For Human Habitation
We love to report on comically overpackaged mail-order items and Target's reality vortex here, but I didn't think that the two would coincide. A wedding gift that John and his fiancĂ©e received proved me wrong. In the photo are the gift, the box it was shipped in, and the lovely bride. Who fits in the box along with the clock. (Paging Dr. Seuss?) More » -
ken lewis
Bank Of America CEO Fired As Chairman
Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis has been sh*tcanned from the chairman position, but will remain CEO, says the NYT. Calls for Lewis to resign in shame and go cry alone with his money have been getting louder over the past few months. More » -
Electronics
Panasonic Won't Replace Defective DVD/VCR Combo
David in Massachusetts bought a Panasonic combination VCR/DVD player about a year ago. It came with a special feature none of his previous Panasonic VCRs had: it randomly freezes. A lot. More »
