Consumerist
Forced dancing
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dubious
Police: Gang Was Killing People For Fat, Attempting To Sell It To Cosmetic Companies
Police in Peru say that they've caught a group that was allegedly killing people and harvesting their fat to sell to Europeans who wanted it for cosmetics. More » -
grim
Does Convincing McDonald's To Make Chicken Selects For Breakfast Prove You Were Sober?
This summer a woman in an SUV drove almost two miles down the wrong way of an expressway before killing eight people in a horrible crash. The autopsy suggests she was drunk and high at the time, but her family says that isn't possible and to prove it, they say she was sober enough to convince McDonald's to make her son an order of Chicken Selects in the morning, right before the accident. More » -
Recalls
Vick's Sinex Nasal Spray Recalled Due To Bacterial Contamination
The FDA says P&G is voluntarily recalling three lots of its Vicks Sinex nasal spray in three countries: the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom after finding the bacteria B. cepacia in a small amount of product. There have been no reports of illness. However, the bacteria could cause serious infections for individuals with a compromised immune system, or those with chronic lung conditions, such as cystic fibrosis. B. cepacia poses little medical risk to healthy individuals. More » -
Caveat crimen
Watch Out Criminals: That Craigslist "Customer" Might Be The Police
The Chicago Sun-Times says that three men have been charged with "stealing cash and property at gunpoint from victims thinking they were meeting to buy televisions and other electronics advertised on Craigslist." The suspects were arrested after police saw "suspicious" postings on Craigslist and contacted the sellers posing as an interested customer. More » -
I've Seen Better Buys Actually
The Most Alarmingly Typical Best Buy TV Buying Experience Ever
Reader David wrote in describing the level of customer service he got while spending $1,300 at Best Buy. It's about what you'd expect. But... shouldn't it be better? According to David, the salesperson didn't know basic information, like how many inputs the TV had, tried to harass him into buying a $150 Monster Cable, and then made up some nonsense about the percentage of that particular model TV that came back for repair. More » -
recession watch
New Record! 9.64% Of All Mortgages Delinquent!
The Mortgage Bankers Association has announced that 9.64% of all mortgages are now delinquent, and this delinquency rate breaks the record set last quarter. The records are based on MBA data dating back to 1972. More » -
observations
Craig Newmark's Two Observations From 14 Years Of Customer Service
Craig Newmark, of craigslist.org, offers the following two observations from fourteen years of customer service: More » -
christmas creep
Nordstrom Continues To Oppose Christmas Creep
When I was growing up we always put up our Christmas stuff the day after Thanksgiving. Nordstrom agrees. Once again, they are taking a stand against Christmas Creep. More » -
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There's a map for that
Judge Refuses To Pull Verizon's "There's A Map For That" Ads
As you probably know, AT&T is currently suing Verizon over the "There's a map for that" ad campaign. The big blue death star says that the maps depict different things, whereas Verizon says the maps are truthful and "the truth hurts." A federal judge says the ads can stay up — for now. More » -
Travel
Broken FAA Computer Causing Delays Across The US
USAToday is reporting that a broken FAA computer in Atlanta is causing widespread delays across the country. In particular, "Washington National, Baltimore/Washington and Newark Liberty are all listed as having severe flight delays, according to the FAA." More » -
recession watch
Pontiac Silverdome Sells For Only $583,000
35 years ago, taxpayers paid $55.7 million to build the Pontiac Silverdome, former home of the Detroit Lions. The city of Pontiac has been itching to be free of the stadium's $1.5 million umaintenence bill, so it sold the property at auction. For $583,000. More » -
Gamer beware
If You Don't Care About Online Gaming: Banned XBOX 360s Available
Last week Microsoft banned a crapload of modified XBOX 360s from XBOX Live. If you happen to be one of those people who don't care about playing online, you might consider grabbing one on eBay or Craiglist. Then again, if you're looking for an XBOX 360 that actually works with XBOX Live, you might want to be wary of buying a used one right now. More » -
Cats4gold
Here's Something We Won't Be Investigating
We asked for permission but our boss said, "No."
PREVIOUSLY: The Article Cash4Gold Doesn't Want You To Read
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tragic
Somewhere, Out There, A Piece Of Demi Moore's Hip Is Looking For Its Home
Since you all were so fond of the photoshop horror that was that one Ralph Lauren ad, we bring you the latest tragedy from BoingBoing. Demi Moore is on the cover of W this month. Well, most of her is. More » -
Crime
T.J. Maxx: Good News, Profits Are Up, Bad News, Hostage Situation
Yesterday T.J. Maxx announced that third-quarter earnings surged ahead 47% as the company attracted great-recession-weary shoppers to its stores. Oh, and there might have been a "hostage" situation in one of its Florida stores. More » -
There's a map for that
Verizon's Response To AT&T's Lawsuit: "The Truth Hurts"
Awhile back AT&T sued Verizon over their "There's a Map For That" advertisements, claiming that the maps were misleading because the empty areas on the maps represented different things. Now Verizon has responded to the lawsuit with some fightin' words. More » -
Tax evaders
IRS Scares 14,700 Americans Into Disclosing Secret Offshore Bank Accounts
The IRS announced today that 14,700 Americans disclosed their secret off-shore accounts — ensuring "billions of dollars in new tax collections" says Bloomberg. More » -
