Consumerist
prius
Posts Tagged “
Chicago
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prius
salmonella contamination
The always excellent Chicago Reporter informs us that the annual mass tourist migration known as the Taste of Chicago is basically the foulest thing ever. If you'll recall, last year the Taste was struck by an outbreak of salmonella— so this year the Reporter has gathered some disgusting statistics and anecdotes guaranteed to make you think twice before buying those tickets.
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Heath Inspections: The Taste Of Chicago Is Apparently The Foulest Thing Ever
The always excellent Chicago Reporter informs us that the annual mass tourist migration known as the Taste of Chicago is basically the foulest thing ever. If you'll recall, last year the Taste was struck by an outbreak of salmonella— so this year the Reporter has gathered some disgusting statistics and anecdotes guaranteed to make you think twice before buying those tickets.
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chase bank
Chase Bank Teller Allegedly Fleeces 86-Year-Old Out Of More Than $300,000 In Savings
A Chase Bank teller who befriended an 86-year-old senior allegedly fleeced the women out of most of her $400,000 in savings, says the Chicago Sun-Times, and even though the bank caught the teller and fired her... they're taking a long time to repay the stolen money. More »
The Chicago Public School system has given a car to a 12-year-old in recognition of her perfect attendance over a three month period. "By attending school every day within any one of three time periods, a total of 189,115 students were eligible for the Dodge Caliber, which was donated to CPS by Clear Channel and South Chicago Dodge." We suppose giving cars to 12-year-olds is one way to advertise your car dealership. [Chicago Tribune]
Ex-Sears CEO Aylwin Lewis has taken a position as CEO of Chicago's delicious Potbelly Sandwich Works. Reader Tim asks: "Should I be worried that he will destroy this great sandwich chain?" Hmmm. Maybe, but we think Chairman Eddie Lampert is the real source of evil at Sears. And now we're hungry. [Chicago Tribune]
perspective
Well, Gas Is Still Cheaper Than The Champagne Of Beers...
With gas prices topping $4.00 a gallon in Chicago, Chicagoist started wondering how much gallons of other liquids cost. Turns out gas is still cheaper than the Champagne of Beers... More »
Attention all you liver lovers, Chicago has reversed its foie gras ban. [Chicago Tribune] (Thanks, William!)
mergers and acquisitions
Thanks, Bank of America: "I Deposited A Check That Dosen't Exist, And I Have A Receipt."
It seems that everything isn't going so swimmingly during the transition from LaSalle Bank to Bank of America. One reader says that a check he deposited and has a receipt for has mysteriously disappeared... More »
complaints
Chase Closes Bank Account, Hold Money Hostage
What makes the next story about reader Pavel trying to get satisfaction from Chase executive customer service so interesting is that Pavel himself is Executive Assistant to the President of his company. He knows how executive customer service is supposed to work. As he puts in, he has the ability to "walk on water" within in his company. Which makes his experience with Chase, where they closed his account for having a zero-balance for less than a week, and then held his money hostage, all the more frustrating... More »
banned
9 Foods You're Not Allowed To Buy
Fortune magazine has compiled a list of 9 "forbidden' foods that have been banned (for some reason or another) in the US. Trans fats in NYC, foie gras in Chicago... Here's the list: More »
sick
Suburban Chicago Hospital Will Close After Being Crushed By Too Many Uninsured Patients
If you're in the market for an excellent 410 bed hospital, the Chicago suburb of Blue Island has one that it'll let you have for free, says the Chicago Tribune.In a stunning development underscoring the plight of non-profit hospitals struggling with the increase in uninsured patients, the Catholic ownership of St. Francis Hospital & Health Center on Wednesday said it will shutter the hospital because nobody would buy it.More »
Suburban Chicago-based Sears Holding has named John W. Froman as president of tools and lawn operations. This makes Mr. Froman the "Tool and Lawn King of Chicago." [BusinessWeek]
travel
Nasty Spring Snowstorm Affecting Flights In And Out Of Chicago
A nasty spring snowstorm is messing with Chicago says reader humphrmi:Just thought I'd get the word out... Chicago is getting smacked with a spring snowstorm. I just went outside and it's nearly white-out conditions outside.The FAA says: More »
complaints
Mugger Used Our Credit Card, Now CapitalOne Sued Us Without Us Knowing For $1200 And Won
Andrew's wife got mugged, the thief rand up purchases on her credit card, and now CapitalOne has sued them for $1200 and won. How can this be? Andrew writes:In May of 2005 my wife was mugged at one of the elevated train stations in Chicago. After calling the police and filing a police report, she started calling each credit card company to cancel each account. Except she forgot about one card, her CapitalOne card. A card hardly ever used and only had a $500.00 limit...More »
overreactions
Chicago Hospital Freaks, Nearly Bans Visitor For Taking Photo From Window
Kurt was at Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago yesterday, where his father is in rehab after a recent stroke, and he was nearly kicked out because he took a photo of the setting sun out the window from a hallway.Before even reviewing the picture, I heard a woman yell, "What do you think you're doing?!" I looked up, seeing an angry looking woman briskly coming down the hall at me.More »
"Taking a photo of the sun," I replied.
"You're in a hospital!" she shrilly declared.
"Yes, obviously."
"I've called security, you stay here!"
fees
How Companies Make Money Pissing You Off
A story in Bob Sullivan's new book Gotcha Capitalism shows one of the first points when companies realized they could make more money by getting rid of their customers. The year was 1995, and First National Bank of Chicago decided to charge customers a $3 fee for talking to a teller. The move was lambasted in the press and by comedians, and analysts predicted a severe decline in profits as customers fled in protest. Instead, First National Bank's percentage of customers producing an "adequate return" went from 33% to 45%, and profit went up 28%. How does this work? Bob writes:
...satisfying the right customers is the goal, but pissing off the wrong customers is equally important...[D]epositors with large accounts were exempt from such fees...Only irritating customers with tiny bank accounts who asked a lot of questions went elsewhere....Chasing away undesirable customers with outrageous fees has been an important element of the banking business ever since.And every other service industry as well.
RELATED: Need a Teller? A Big Bank Plans $3 Fee [NYT]
(Photo: Getty)
insurance
Owner Still Has To Pay For Dead Cat's Banfield Health Plan
Sarah Harper was surprised to learn she would have to keep making payments on her cat's "wellness plan" even after the cat was dead. She was told that she had signed a one-year contract and would have to honor it. Though the service sold by Banfield pet hospitals is packaged like and sounds like insurance, it's not, it's a payment plan. The media kit Banfield sends to reporters explicitly says "wellness plans are not insurance policies." The contract does say that owners will still have to make payments even if the animal has passed away. However, brochures provided to consumers don't say anything like that, instead saying things like it's, ""the best preventive care your pet needs to maximize its life," and that after you enroll, "your pet is on its way to a happier, healthier and longer life!" Catveat emptor.
Up a tree over dead cat's health plan [Chicago Tribune] (Thanks to David!)
strandings
