Consumerist
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Flickr
Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds
Here are six wonderful photos readers added to The Consumerist Flickr Pool this week, picked for neatness and usability in a Consumerist post. Check 'em out! More »
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Reviews
Should Yelp Remove Reviews By Non Customers?
Lehigh Pub, the restaurant in Pennsylvania that had two patrons arrested for not tipping, was blasted on Yelp in the past 24 hours or so by angry readers. Many of them weren't customers, but heard about the arrests in the news and came to vote down the pub. As of this morning, it had an average of one star out of five. More » -
Black Friday
Black Friday Doorbusters Are A Sleazy Way To Lure Customers
Pay no attention to those ridiculously cheap TV sets and game systems—also called doorbusters—that retailers use to lure in hordes of holiday shoppers, notes CNN. They're the equivalent of that little dangly thing anglerfish use to catch food. More » -
Service Plans
Does This Potty Seat Need An Extended Warranty?
Kelly just bought a plastic Baby Bjorn potty seat at Babies R Us. When the cashier rang it up, the system told her to ask Kelly if she'd like to pay another 30% of the purchase price for a service plan. More » -
security breaches
Sprint Gives Stranger Full Access To Customer's Account, Shrugs
When Campbell changed his phone number with Sprint earlier this year, the company immediately assigned his old number to a new customer. They also gave that customer full access to Campbell's account. More » -
Shipping
See Which Retailers Offer Free Shipping
The website istobe offers a daily free shipping report for over 500 online retailers, where you can quickly see whether there's a minimum purchase requirement or if the retailer offers free shipping at all. It's a good resource to use as you compare prices, and istobe says they update it daily.
Daily Free Shipping Report [Istobe]
(Photo: Jami Dwyer) -
Sales
Morning Deals
- Clothing
- Old Navy: [Apparel] Save an Extra 15% or 25% off All Orders of $75+
- New York & Company: [Clothing] Take $25 OFF $75, $60 OFF $150 or $90 OFF $200 w/ coupon 2819 and 2820 and 2821 + Printable
- Overstock: [Indoor Apparel] Unisex Egyptian Cotton Terry Bathrobe $36.99 + $1 Shipping
- Nike: [Clothing & Accessories] NikeStore clearance sale: Up to 70% off + free shipping
- Banana Republic: [Clothing & Accessories] Banana Republic Sale: 30% off outerwear
- H&M: [Clothing] 20% off all outerwear, Nov 19-25th (Thanks to PecanPi!)
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Investigations
Gibson CEO Takes Leave Of Absence From Rainforest Group While Feds Investigate Imported Wood
When agents raided Gibson Guitar's manufacturing facility earlier this week, some articles pointed out that the company's CEO Henry Juszkiewicz was on the board of the Rainforest Alliance, a group that certifies businesses to sell their goods under an environmentally sustainable label. Now the group has postponed its annual certification of Gibson Guitars, and Juszkiewicz is temporarily stepping down from the board. More » -
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It's not really a tip, then, is it?
College Students Arrested For Refusing To Pay Tip
Should you be required by law to pay a gratuity if you don't think the restaurant's service was worth it? The police in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania think so, and they arrested two college students for refusing to pay a $16.35 tip over what they claim was poor service. More » -
Christmas
North Pole, Alaska, Forced Out Of Santa Letter Program
New security rules have proven too complex for Alaska's post offices to bear, so they're ending their participation in Operation Santa, the 50-year-old program where letters addressed to "Santa Claus, North Pole" are answered by volunteers. The program will continue elsewhere, reports the Associated Press, but when I called the USPS to find out where letters should be addressed I was told parents should contact their local post offices for information. More » -
Overkill
The Dumb Health Scare Gadget
Quick, give Hammacher Schlemmer $70 + shipping so you can bring one of these magic H1N1 wand obliterators with you on Black Friday! The "technology for people who don't get technology" catalogue explains that the wand's UV light will kill "99.98%" of H1N1 viruses after you hold it 3/4" above a surface for at least 5 seconds. That's certainly convenient. Just carry it with you and use it on doors, boxes, shopping carts, and of course the cashier's hands before you accept any change. Be sure to bring an adapter for your car, however, because it only lasts about 90 minutes after an 8-hour charge.
"The H1N1 Destroying UV Wand" [Hammacher Schlemmer] (Thanks to Andy!)
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Video
82-Year-Old Receipt Checker Chases Thief
This security footage from a BJ's Wholesale in Florida shows a man trying to steal two computers, and the store's elderly greeter/receipt-checker giving chase. Almost all the good stuff happens off screen, so you'll have to imagine the awesome karate moves that probably ensued. It's retail crime fighting in action! More » -
Sales
Morning Deals
- Clothing
- Gap: [Clothing] Save 25% off All Items Store-Wide Not Already On Sale
- REI Outlet: [Travel] Gregory Reactor Daypack Backpack $40
- Sports Authority: [Clothing] $10 Off $50 + $25 Off $100 w/ coupon TSAYXYN and TSAQHKZ + Printable
- JCPenney: [Clothing] $10 Off a $25 Purchase w/ coupon 104YOU + Printable
- Dillards.com: [Clothing & Accessories] Dillard's Sale: Up to 70% off select items
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Advice
Warning Signs That Your Mechanic Is Scamming You
Mint has a great article on how to protect yourself from getting ripped off by a mechanic. First and foremost, read your car's manual and learn what to ask for when you take it in. Just saying you need a tune up with a modern car flags you as an easy mark. More » -
Charity
Making A Donation? Ask For Details First
This is the time of year when retailers like to give back to the community by getting you to do it for them when you're buying stuff. It might feel nice to help out a good cause, but make sure you know exactly what you're paying for before you hand over any cash. Dominick, for example, just bought a Jack in the Box antenna ball when he thought he was straight-up donating to a non-Jack charity. More » -
Downloads
Free Thanksgiving Tips Book Download
Here's a free Thanksgiving-themed PDF booklet from Money Management International, a non-profit that focuses on financial literacy. The booklet contains some guidelines on how to plan out the big event, how to save money on decor, and tips on shopping and saving money.
Free Thrifty Thanksgiving eBook (PDF) [Money Management International]
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raids
Feds Raid Gibson Guitars
Yesterday, US Fish & Wildlife Services agents issued a search warrant on Gibson Guitars' manufacturing plant in Nashville, TN. The Nashville Post writes that they "seized wood, guitars, computers and boxes of files from Gibson Guitar's Massman Road manufacturing facility." More » -
Sales
Morning Deals
- Babies
- Pennywise: [Breast Pumps] First Years Natural Transitions Electric/Battery Breast Pump, Set of 2 for $34.99 + 1 cent shipping (Thanks to John!)
- Gap.com: [Clothing]: 20% off online w/ coupon GAP20
- Foot Locker: [Clothing] $15 off $50, $30 off $100, $60 off $100 w/ coupon EMFL9NE5 and EMFL9NE3 and EMFL9NE6
- Amazon: [Warmth] Cold Weather Sale: Hats, Gloves, & Scarves up to 50% or more off
- Nike: [Clothing & Accessories] NikeStore clearance sale: Up to 70% off + free shipping
- Eastbay: [Clothing & Accessories] Up to 40% off The North Face jackets at Eastbay: Women's track jacket for $40 + $7 s&h, more
Clothing
New York, 8:37 AM
Sat Nov 21
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