<![CDATA[Consumerist: Companies]]> http://cache.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/consumerist.com.png <![CDATA[Consumerist: Companies]]> http://consumerist.com/tag/companies http://consumerist.com/tag/companies <![CDATA[ Wachovia Opens Bank Account Without Permission, Starts Charging Fees ]]> John can't understand how Wachovia charged his startup $12 in fees for failing to maintain a minimum balance when his company never opened an account with Wachovia in the first place. Apparently, his former bank manager decamped to Wachovia and, without his permission, opened a new account "to ensure certain money rates," whatever that means. John isn't mad, and the bank manager agreed to close the account, but John is a little worried because a collections agency has started calling and the account now lists $24.05 in fees.

John doesn't know how the account was opened without his permission, but the former bank manager did have the relevant information needed to open an account. John writes:

We are a startup company that is currently out doing a Series B raise in order to commercialize a product we have in-licensed. The bank manager from our current bank left to join Wachovia. We were always happy with his service and we were not surprised when he contacted us and tried to get us to switch our banking to Wachovia. We indicated that the current timing was not good due to our financing. What we did not know was that he took upon himself to open an account for the company "in order to ensure certain money rates". Boy were we surprised when we got a $12 fee for being below the minimum balance requirements. We joked that as a startup it was nice to know that our "future bank" would be more than happy to take our last $12 as a fee. We contacted our banker friend and he said he would close the account. We are now up to $24.05 in fees and a collection agency has called. Needless to say Wachovia will not be getting our business.
Wow, what a hassle. Invoice the fees to your former bank manager and use the proceeds to pay off Wachovia. Or threaten to call his new boss.

(Photo: epicharmus)

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Consumerist-381884 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:26:58 EDT Carey http://consumerist.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=381884&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Blockbuster has offered to buy Circuit City ... ]]> con_tinycircuitcitylogo.jpgBlockbuster has offered to buy Circuit City for a little over $1 billion, with the goal of creating "a chain that could sell portable devices and entertainment for them, much like Apple Inc.'s stores." [Chicago Tribune] (Thanks to everyone who sent this in!)

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Consumerist-379462 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:04:30 EDT Chris Walters http://consumerist.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=379462&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Senate Votes For Safer Products, Approves Consumer Product Safety Commission Overhaul ]]> The Senate finally voted last week to send the ailing Consumer Product Safety Commission desperately needed funds, staff, and powers. The overdue reform bill passed with bipartisan support on a 79-13 vote.

Significant differences remain between the Senate and House legislation, but compromise seems assured on several key points:

  • Funding for the Commission would rise from $63 million to over $100 million.
  • The CPSC would be allowed to work without a quorum, but funding would be available for a full slate of 5 Commissioners.
  • Lead would effectively be banned from all children's products, not just toys.
  • Toy makers would be required to use independent labs to test their products for lead.
  • Maximum fines would rise from $1.8 million to at least $10 million.

The Senate bill goes farther than companion legislation passed by the House in December. Under the Senate version, state Attorney Generals would be allowed seek injunctions for violations of federal law; whistleblower protection would be extended to private-sector employees; and, the CPSC would create a consumer database that lists death, injury and illness reports.

Thirteen Senators think the bills goes too far and that their families are plenty safe without an expanded CPSC, thank you:

Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Vitter (R-LA)
Wicker (R-MS)
Senators McCain, Clinton, and Obama were busy campaigning and did not vote on the measure.

The White House has yet to threaten a veto. Stay tuned for updates as the bill heads to conference.

Senate Votes For Safer Products [Washington Post]
Vote Summary [United States Senate]
S. 2663 - A bill to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide greater protection for children's products, to improve the screening of noncompliant consumer products, to improve the effectiveness of consumer product recall programs, and for other purposes. [THOMAS]
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Consumerist-365516 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 13:34:44 EST Carey http://consumerist.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=365516&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Delta Starts A Blog! ]]> deltablog.jpg Delta Airlines has started blogging! You should check it out, if only for the excellent comments from Delta's real-life actual customers.

Here's a bit from their very first post:

Over the last few months we've received thousands of ideas at delta.com/change on how we can enhance the travel experience.

So, we decided to add a blog to the site, where you can hear directly from Delta leaders on some of your most passionate and inspiring ideas, as well as some of the changes we've got coming.

You'll also be hearing from Delta employees on some of the fun, quirky, and entertaining subtleties that make the spirit of this company and its people so unique.

We welcome the blogging experience with enthusiasm and are excited to be giving you a peek inside our airline. Join us in the fun!

We asked some professional bloggers how they felt about Delta's new blog. By professional bloggers, we mean ourselves. We have no friends.

Meg: "They'll certainly have plenty of downtime time to work on their posts if they fly their own airline."

Carey: "The post is titled "Nonstop Flight to the Blogosphere." Yeah, this will go well for them."

Ben: "Who cares?"

Ahh, Ben. Wisest of us all.


Nonstop Flight to the Blogosphere
[Delta Blog]

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Consumerist-293368 Fri, 24 Aug 2007 18:59:17 EDT Meg Marco http://consumerist.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=293368&view=rss&microfeed=true