• caveat emptor

    FTC: These Eleven Companies Cannot Cure Cancer

    We're sorry, but there is no cure for cancer. The FTC is going after eleven companies that claim otherwise by selling potions, herbs, and a "systematized program of thinking good thoughts" masquerading as cures. You shouldn't need a federal agency to tell you that the "Miracle Water for Cancer" doesn't actually cure anything, nor does it reverse weight gain and aging. Bummer. Six of the snake oil companies agreed to settle, but five will crawl before a judge and argue that they can cure cancer. Let's look at the list... More »

    10:45 AM on Sun Sep 21 2008
    By Carey
    6,246 views, 29 comments

    Most discussed BaronVonCrogs: Maybe they DO cure cancer but the pharmaceutical lobbist are so powerful they forced the goverments hand, so they can more »

  • caveat emptor

    Your New Tires Could Be Six-Year-Old Death Traps

    Those "new" tires of yours could be six-years old and ready to disintegrate on the highway. Tire rubber dries out after six years, but unlike in Europe and Asia, American companies are allowed to sell expired tires long after they turn into death donuts. A 20/20 investigation found that the "new" tires on sale at Sears and Walmart can be up to 12-years-old. Inside, how to tell when your tires were born... More »

    10:30 PM on Sat Sep 13 2008
    By Carey
    36,312 views, 70 comments

    Most discussed Hyman Decent: What about the compact spare? I have a 1990 Olds and have never replaced the spare. I replaced the full-size more »

  • caveat emptor

    Check Serial Numbers On Used Service Gadgets Before Buying

    Reader Mike reports he got screwed buying a used TiVo off eBay. It turned out 1) It would need a new $20 access card for DirecTV to activate it and 2) DirecTV wouldn't authorize sending a new access card because the box was linked to a defaulted account. The lesson Mike says he learned is that, "If anyone plans on buying any used DirectTV equipment make sure you call DirectTV with the Serial Number and RID number off the unit BEFORE you purchase it to make sure it's not coming from a defaulted account. If not, you chance buying an electronic brick." This is true when buying other used electronic service items with service contracts linked to them, like cellphones.

    (Photo: striatic)

    3:51 PM on Wed Jun 11 2008
    By Ben Popken
    2,862 views, 34 comments

    Latest by Floobtronics: @m1k3g: Actually that's not necessarily the case either. When we signed up for DTV about 5 years more »

  • caveat emptor

    Act's Large Bottle Of Mouthwash May Say 2x, But It's Really Half The Strength

    Act mouthwash may look like it comes in two sizes, but according to Mouseprint, the large and small bottles are actually entirely different products. The labeling looks largely the same until you get to the active ingredient. The small bottle contains .05% of sodium fluoride while the large bottle contains .02%. Hit the jump for Act's sneaky explanation. More »

    1:17 PM on Sun Mar 9 2008
    By Carey
    17,480 views, 49 comments

    Latest by ChuckECheese: A slightly dated comment, but I just saw these bottles in the store today. The 2 different sizes were more »

  • labels

    "Made In Italy" Is Italian For "Made In Sweatshops"

    That $1,500 Prada bag may have been stitched by an illegal Chinese immigrant slaving away in a Tuscan factory. The tentacles of globalization are starting to snake dirt-cheap foreign laborers into once-protected enclaves known for their quality swag. More »

    10:23 AM on Sat Feb 23 2008
    By Carey
    5,434 views, 35 comments

  • caveat emptor

    No Replacements For Prepaid iPhone Users

    iPhone owners using prepaid SIM cards better take extra special care of their pocket trophies. According to Apple and AT&T, prepaid SIM cards are eternally wed without consent to one lucky iPhone, an important caveat reader JD discovered after spending 32 hours trying to activate his replacement iPhone. JD warns:
    If you activated an iPhone with a new AT&T prepaid plan, you *must* keep using that iPhone. You *cannot* replace that iPhone with another iPhone. The only way to use a new iPhone with your prepaid account, is to *create a new account with a new phone number,* and have them move your balance over. Period. Apparently this is a "security feature" and the system was "designed that way," specifically for prepaid iPhone plans.
    The discouraging verdict from both Apple and AT&T should make potential iPhone users think twice before using a prepaid SIM card to skirt the confines of a two year contract. JD's full story, after the jump. More »

    2:19 PM on Thu Aug 9 2007
    By Carey
    24,067 views, 48 comments

    Latest by Solo: Smell that? It's a big lawsuit coming on, mixed with a healthy dose of BS. Clearly ATT is more eager more »

  • hidden charges

    5 Scammy Calling Card Fees

    Some calling cards have all sorts of charges hidden in the fine print that like to play PacMan with your minutes. BusinessWeek has five to watch out for and what they really mean: More »

    10:53 AM on Mon Jul 16 2007
    By Ben Popken
    3,067 views, 14 comments

  • caveat emptor

    AirTran's Disingenuous "System-Wide Summer Sale"

    Monday, AirTran announced a so-called "System-Wide Summer Sale." FareCompare.com looked at the price history and found that instead, AirTran had raised prices, then lowered them, calling the delta a "sale." More »

    5:29 PM on Tue Jun 19 2007
    By Ben Popken
    2,118 views, 22 comments

  • student loans

    Shop Around for Student Loans

    With the recent fallout about educational institutions accepting all matter of filthy payola in exchange for letting private lenders get exclusive access to students, it's apparent borrowers need to take Student Loan Shopping 1000. NYT goes into how you can look for a better deal: More »

    11:05 AM on Wed May 2 2007
    By Ben Popken
    2,378 views, 12 comments

    Latest by sodipodium: I will soon have to get a student loan for UCR and I've been hearing bad news about Sallie Mae, more »

  • caveat emptor

    The Used Car You Are Looking To Buy May Have Been Totaled

    Most states prevent totaled cars from re-entering the market without a salvage license, so consumers know that the used car they are looking to buy was once a complete wreck.
    What bugs dealers and consumer advocates is that the tangle of state laws makes it possible to move a vehicle across state lines and apply for a "clean" title that makes no mention of its checkered past. The fact that some states don't even require salvage titles stretches the loophole even wider.
    The practice has become so prevalent, particularly in states affected by the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes, that Congress is considering a measure that would establish a national database of totaled vehicles. Before you buy a used car, especially in the south, first ask your mechanic to give it a once-over. — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER More »

    9:46 PM on Sun Apr 29 2007
    By Carey
    1,779 views, 14 comments

    Latest by mac-phisto: @chimmike: i know more than one junk dealer that does not follow that law. they buy titles, not scrap. a more »