Most people know that degrees in things like economics, business, mathematics, and medicine can lead to high-paying real-world jobs, while a degree in Tuvan throat-singing, while fascinating and important, won’t necessarily help you make a down-payment on a house. But there are some non-traditional college degrees that could result in a nice paycheck. [More]
Theme-Park Engineering And 3 Other Non-Traditional College Degrees That Can Pay Off
By June 10, 2013
Too Bad You Missed This Amazing Members-Only Sale At Safeway
By June 10, 2013
“Man oh man, I’m sure glad that we have a Safeway Club Member loyalty card!” writes reader Richard. Even if you have a card, dearest readers, you’re going to miss out: the sale ended on Saturday. [More]
TSA Agents Don’t Care If You’re Chewbacca Himself — That Lightsaber Is Suspicious
By June 10, 2013
For any fan of Star Wars, it would be hard, nay — impossible — to contain the squeals of glee one’s mouth would emit upon meeting any of the franchise’s most important cast members (Jar Jar Binks, we are definitely not talking to you). But it seems the Transportation Security Administration either don’t know the man who filled Chewbacca’s furry shoes or aren’t willing to give Peter Mayhew special treatment. He was stopped while boarding a flight on account of his cane, which, of course, is shaped like a lightsaber. [More]
AT&T Customers Will Have To Wait Out Full Term Of Two-Year Contract To Upgrade Phones
By June 10, 2013
AT&T, where customer loyalty means nothing, has decided that wireless subscribers no longer deserve the 20-month upgrade period they’ve been expecting, and instead will have to wait out the full two years of their contracts before they can get a newer device at a discount. [More]
Ready Or Not, Here Comes The Krispy Kreme Sloppy Joe Sandwich
By June 10, 2013
Every time we think the fast food industry has outdone itself, that it’s introduced the pinnacle of calorie-laden, “Yes, they really did put those things together into one menu item,” we’re wrong. Something else always comes down the line to claim the throne. Introducing the latest usurper: The Krispy Kreme Sloppy Joe. [More]
Coinstar Lets You Add Coins To Your PayPal Account, For A 10% Cut
By June 10, 2013
Sure, after you check for silver quarters, you could roll up the coins in that jar you’ve got on the counter and deposit them in the bank. You could take them to a coin-counting machine at the bank and deposit them in your savings account. You could even dump them in a fountain, making hundreds of wishes in the process. But the folks behind Coinstar’s ubiquitous machines hope that you’ll take your spare change–and maybe a few bills–and deposit it in your PayPal account. [More]
Renting Out Your Home To Strangers? Prepare For The Worst & Hope For The Best
By June 7, 2013
You’ve opened up your home to perfect strangers, not out of the mere goodness of your heart, surely, but because it’s a way to make some cash through Airbnb, Home Away From Home or other rental sites while you’re not using your dwelling. But what if those guests turn out to be worse than the monsters in the closet — what if they bash holes in your walls or turn your domicile into a brothel?. [More]
Man Rents Computer From Rent-A-Center, Immediately Pawns It
By June 7, 2013
When you need cash quickly, selling or pawning something that you own can be a good option. Generally, though, you want to make sure that it’s something you actually own, and not something that you just got from Rent-A-Center. [More]
Letter To President Gets Samsung’s Attention, Repaired Microwave
By June 7, 2013
Laurence was disappointed that he dropped a few hundred dollars on a microwave, and didn’t get to enjoy it for very long. He isn’t sure exactly how long a microwave that cost a few hundred bucks should last, but figures it’s somewhere between “two years” and “forever.” Right? [More]
Here’s Another Dose Of Chuckleworthy Amazon Reviews From The Reader Hall Of Fame
By June 7, 2013
If there’s one thing we know about or Consumerist readers, it’s that you like to make yourselves laugh, and by extension, the rest of us. Last week’s call for more hilarious Amazon product reviews was more than heeded — our cup basically overfloweth and by cup of course we mean the tipline. Keep’em coming, and enjoy this fresh round of chuckles for the time being. [More]
T-Mobile Has A $30 Unlimited Data Plan For People Who Aren’t Very Chatty, But Can Current Customers Get It?
By June 7, 2013
A growing number of smartphone users — especially younger folks — almost never use the “phone” part of their wireless device, but many of them have monthly plans that include a ton of voice minutes they will never exhaust. If that describes your phone behavior, you might want to look into a bottom-dollar prepaid option being offered by T-Mobile. [More]
Latest News About Xbox One And Used Games Only Muddies The Waters
By June 7, 2013
Among the major concerns Xbox users had about the unveiling of Microsoft’s newest console, the Xbox One, was whether or not gamers would be able to play used games. Some retailers who make mountains of cash selling old games also have reason to worry. The company is now attempting to clear up those concerns, but it is really just making the picture murkier and testing the boundaries of copyright law. [More]
DirecTV Wants To Sell You A Home Security System
By June 7, 2013
DirecTV’s terrestrial-cable competitors like Comcast and Time Warner offer home security systems, a logical extension of a business that’s already running wires through and piping information back and forth from customers’ homes. DirecTV decided to get a piece of that very profitable action, and bought an existing alarm company, LifeShield Home Security. [More]
Costco Offering Free Hepatitis Vaccines To Customers Who Purchased Recalled Berries
By June 7, 2013
We told you earlier this week about a hepatitis A outbreak in several states that authorities had linked to a berry mix sold at Costco stores. Now comes news that the warehouse chain is offering free vaccines to those who have eaten the recalled berries. [More]
Whole Foods Says Employees Were Not Suspended For Speaking Spanish At Work
By June 7, 2013
Whole Foods is quickly working to smooth over a recent controversy over its policy on speaking languages other than English on the job. Two employees at New Mexico store claimed their pay was docked for speaking to each other in Spanish while on breaks, but Whole Foods says they were reprimanded for rude behavior, not for Spanish. [More]
Survey: Carnival Poop Cruise Has Scuttled Public Perception Of Entire Cruise Industry
By June 7, 2013
The bad times continue for Carnival Cruise lines, following a number of ugly high-profile profile incidents on their ships — most notably the “Poop Cruise” aboard the stranded Carnival Triumph, consumer sentiment about Carnival and the entire cruise industry is sinking. [More]
Whaddya Know? Doing The Right Thing Results In $50 Coach Gift Certificate
By June 7, 2013
There are so many things to be disappointed in out there — people stealing from people, delivery drivers stealing from customers, companies turning a blind eye and deaf ear to the woes of the very people they want business from. That’s why Consumerist reader Jason was happy to report to us that not only did he and his wife have the satisfaction of helping their fellow shoppers out, but their good deed didn’t go unnoticed by a grateful retailer. [More]
Fuzzy Math: Why You Should Always Check Unit Prices
By June 7, 2013
Most of the time, when a vendor understands retail logic and basic math, an item costs less per unit when you buy more of it. Sometimes, due to errors or sale prices, things cost more per unit when you buy more. We call this phenomenon “Fuzzy Math,” and laugh at it. Reader K. found this great example of such fuzziness at a Harris Teeter store, where customers who buy the larger box are seriously missing out. [More]
