Consumerist
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new and exciting laws
Connecticut Bathroom Access Law Now In Effect
Connecticut shoppers with bowel disorders, rejoice! Now, there's a sentence we never expected to write. In order to prevent humiliating and undignified restroom access debacles for people with verified medical conditions, Connecticut has passed a law guaranteeing their access to otherwise off-limits restrooms in public places. The law went into effect on October 1st. More » -
tribune
Consumer Columnist Sues Paper, Says Advertiser Criticism Squelched
Consumer watchdog George Gombossy this morning filed a 1st Amendment lawsuit against his former employer, Tribune-owned Hartford Courant. There's some gangbusters stuff in the filing, like the part where he says the new owners told him to "be nice" to one of their key advertisers: More » -
newspapers
Was Consumer Columnist's Demise Due To Editorial Cutbacks Or Advertising Interference?
The story of consumer columnist George Gombossy's departure from the Hartford Courant has become a "he said"/"company said" argument that seems like something out of a consumer affairs column. Was Gombossy let go for reporting on an advertiser, as he alleges, or was the elimination of his position simply part of the cutbacks taking place all over the Tribune Company? More » -
reservation rewards
Webloyalty Reservation Rewards Under Investigation
The Connecticut Attorney General's office is investigating the infamous Webloyalty "Reservation Rewards" program, reports WalletPop. Consumers have been complaining about unexpected charges on their credit card from this company for years... More » -
lawsuits
Gift Card Settlement Refunds Quarter Million Dollars In Inactivity Fees
A Connecticut mall has to pay $259,000 in settlement fees to consumers who bought gift cards that had monthly inactivity fees. -
worst company in america
Throwdown! Connecticut Sues Countrywide For Deceptive Lending
Someone ring a bell because Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has just sued Countrywide (and, of course, Bank of America) for deceptive lending practices. They're seeking damages of $100,000 for each violation, as well as "up to $5,000 per violation of state consumer protection laws, disgorgement of all ill-gotten gains and an order compelling the company to cease its illegal practices." More » -
iphone
Limited New iPhones At ATT Stores, Latecomers Pay Extra To Have Phones Shipped
Only the first lucky clutch of people in line today at AT&T stores will walk out with a new iPhone 3G in-hand. There were only 30 phones available in total at the the biggest AT&T store in Waterbury CT, at the Brass Mill Center, according to a store employee. Reporting from the line, reader Kevin says that everyone else was given an option to buy a slip of paper for $226.79 (see a scan of it posted inside), have the phone shipped from the warehouse to you, then you come back to the store to activate the phone. Customers will have to pay for the shipping charges for this favor. More »
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complaints
It's Been 4 Months, GEICO, Where's My Money?
Jonathan writes:On January 1st, a friend of mine went to visit another friend in CT (I am from NJ), and unfortunately hit black ice, and proceeded into a guardrail. The accident, although at the time did not seem too terrible (even though the front end looked completely shot), and I figured I would be up and driving relatively soon. Little did I know this would not be true at all...
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privacy
Dumpster Diver Finds Customer Financial Information In Bank Trash
James Hastings is a dumpster diver who has found a mother lode of consumer financial information that employees carelessly tossed in dumpsters outside of several People's United Bank branches. He says he was trying to expose the bank for not safeguarding customer's records. The bank says he was trying to extort them into giving him a job. More » -
shenanigans
"Help, I've Been Ripped Off By A Gas Station!"
Reader Dave thinks he's been purposefully ripped off by a gas station in CT: More » -
scams
When Telephone Companies Scam
"Competing by cheating has become a way of life for ... many of these corporations, many of the most reputable of them. Because it's done by AT&T, MCI, or Sprint, people are reluctant to use that word, but when all is said and done ... these are scams."
- Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal in a 200160 Minutes interview, and used as preface for Gotcha Capitalism. Blumenthal has sued AT&T and Qwest for slamming. In AT&T's case, they sent bills to people who weren't their customers and in Qwest's, they stole competitors customers by forging the customer's signatures and switching them without their consent.
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complaints
Best Buy Charges Wrong Price, Lies When Confronted
Chris writes: "I had been last minute Christmas shopping on Saturday morning with my younger brother and sister and we happened upon Best Buy where we were looking for a digital picture frame for my Dad as a Christmas present. We got to the section near the digital cameras and noticed a decent deal. "7" Digital Picture Frame Touch" 79.99 was the label. A whole slew of product (NuTouch 7" Touch button Frames) were neatly stocked on the shelf. Note: STOCKED not STACKED. I quickly picked one up and proceeded to the register. At the register- the product rung up for the incorrect price (179.99)- here in CT, when that happens, so long as the item is labeled as such in the store (mistake or not) the retailer is legally supposed to give you the product for free (if food items) or at the marked price if it is any other type of consumer product..." More » -
secret website
Best Buy Refuses To Stop Misleading Customers With Secret Website
Once again a reader contacts us to complain about Best Buy misleading their customers with an in-store only website that looks identical to the "real" website—except for the prices. More » -
best buy
Best Buy Still Embracing Deceptive In-Store Kiosks
Best Buy still uses a secret internal website to deceive customers, according to the L.A. Times. The website appearing on in-store kiosks resembles Best Buy's official site in every way, except for the prices. Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal was surprised to hear that his investigation failed to end Best Buy's bait-and-switch, telling the L.A. Times: "We thought Best Buy had addressed this. That's what they said to us. Apparently that's not the case." A tipster in Virginia also reports the continued existence of the secret website. More » -
unsurprising
US Airways Cancels Your Flight, Treats You "Like Dirt"
We're adding to our collection of complaints about US Airways and Philadelphia International Airport. If we collect them all, we may win a set of steak knives! More » -
chinese poison train
700 Tubes Of Poison Toothpaste Seized
Over 700 tubes of poisonous counterfeit toothpaste were seized in Connecticut, according to The New York Times. The toothpaste is flavored with diethylene glycol, a sweet-tasting chemical more commonly found in anti-freeze. It can cause liver and kidney damage if swallowed. More » -
gotcha
Sting Operation Busts 160 Illegal Contractors In Connecticut
According to a statement by the Connecticut Attorney General, 160 unregistered contractors were busted in a sting operation. Neat! From the statement:When we say that we expect contractors to comply with the law we mean it," Commissioner Farrell said in announcing the results of the sting operation, which was conducted with cooperation from the Ridgefield, Redding, Stratford, Fairfield, and Trumbull Police Departments, Trumbull building officials, and the Connecticut Department of Transportation. "Any person who wants to perform work in Connecticut must follow the State's legal requirements associated with the job. This should not come as a surprise to anyone. We intend to pursue appropriate penalties and punishment for these contractors."
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best buy
Best Buy Confirms The Existence Of Its Secret Website
In the wake of an investigation launched by the Connecticut Attorney General's office, Best Buy has finally admitted that the now-infamous "secret intranet" (used to mislead in-store customers about BestBuy's online prices) exists. The website looks identical to BestBuy.com...except for the prices. More »
connecticut
New York, 1:14 AM
Tue Nov 10
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