exclusives

By Ben Popken and Meg Marco  More »

Well well well. New information from an inside source says that the tech threw dirt on the infamous "dusty PS3" to deny the warranty claim because he didn't feel like repairing it. Shocking! His confession, inside.  More »

Here, catch all of our interview with Austan Goolsbee breaking down why the credit card reform act was needed. If you missed any of the clips, here's is the four-part series in its entirety...  More »

We can yuck it up all we want about The Snuggie meme, but how does "the blanket with sleeves!" stand up to Consumer Reports rigorous testing procedures? In this delightful and informative video, Meg Marco and Ben Popken journey to the Consumer Reports labs to find out the straight dope on the fleecy wonder that has captivated the nation.  More »

The final installment of our 4-part interview on credit card reform with Austan Goolsbee, President Obama's senior economic adviser. In this one we say, hey, what about mandatory binding arbitration?  More »

Are credit cards set up like a horrible game of Chutes & Ladders that plays for keeps? In the 3nd of our 4-part interview series with President Obama's Senior Economic Adviser, Austan Goolsbee, on credit card reform, we ask why credit card companies can raise the APR on stuff you already charged, and go into some of the credit card companies' anti-consumer tricks like liquid and fickle terms and conditions, penalty fees that aren't trying to discourage behavior anymore, they're just pure profit, and teeny-tiny contracts written in "Bank-o-nese."  More »

In the 2nd of our 4-part interview series with President Obama's Senior Economic Adviser, Austan Goolsbee, on credit card reform, we ask, what about the kids? Specifically, what is this bill going to do about those guys giving away shirts on campus in exchange for signing up for credit cards? Because these seems a really great service for college students, who, as we know, frequently go shirtless. Also, how one side of the debate on credit cards is essentially arguing that if you didn't want to get carjacked you should have taken the bus... because an honest business model and a profitable one needn't be mutually exclusive.  More »

If you had problems viewing the Goolsbee interview, this here video should work for you now. [Consumerist]  More »

We took your credit card reform questions to DC yesterday and interviewed Austan Goolsbee, senior economic adviser to President Obama. In part 1 of our 4-part series, we ask how are banks getting billions in bailouts and can turn around and cut off millions of credit cards and raise rates? How does it make sense that credit card companies can raise the interest rate on an existing balance? And, most importantly, why don't we treat credit cards more like Canadians do cigarettes?  More »

We took your credit card reform questions to DC yesterday and interviewed Austan Goolsbee, senior economic adviser to President Obama. In part 1 of our 4-part series, we ask how are banks getting billions in bailouts and can turn around and cut off millions of credit cards and raise rates? How does it make sense that credit card companies can raise the interest rate on an existing balance? And, most importantly, why don't we treat credit cards more like Canadians do cigarettes?  More »

How much would someone have to pay you to have your kids watch a penis? Comcast answers that question by giving a $5 one-time discount to every subscriber in Tucson, AZ who had their cerebellum gelatinized by seeing the porno movie that accidentally cut into the Super Bowl last night, according to a rumor a reporter we know overheard in their newsroom.  More »

If you have a Circuit City refund check not deposited before 11/10, it's going to bounce.  More »

Goldman-Sachs read my post, "Goldman Rips Off Non-Profits, Endowments, Foundations, And Charities" about a conversation I had with a Goldman-Sachs trader where he boasted about ripping off charitable organizations with excessive fees, and they're hopping mad. Here is the lovenote sent by Melissa Daly, VP of Corporate Communications:  More »

UPDATE: Goldman Furious Over Our Posting Insider's Confession About Ripping Off Non-Profits  More »

According to anonymous insider tips, Circuit City is closing 155 stores and withdrawing from 12 markets. This will be officially announced tomorrow at 8am, says our source. A scan we received of a letter distributed to CC employees helps corroborate the story. The tipsters say that store employees were told this morning. No information was provided at that time about severance pay. Employees in certain departments, like car installation, and Firedog, will likely be out of a job within 48 hours. Warranties will still be honored. UPDATE 6: Here's the complete official list of closing stores.  More »

The FDIC is going to make two changes to their coverage. One affects beneficiaries and one affects trust accounts, according to a bank insider who participated in teleconference call the FDIC held banks this morning as a refresher course on FDIC coverage. The big news is that the "qualifying beneficiary" rule is gone. Here's the specifics:  More »

In response to some of the comments posted on 12 Confessions Of A Home Mortgage Collector, the confessor has sent in a followup letter to answer your questions, and clarify some of his statements.  More »

A former Wells Fargo Home Mortgage home collector has stepped forth from the shadows to tell you what's really going on. Here's his confession:  More »

An Apple store insider has leaked to us what they say will be some limitations and barriers on buying the iPhone Apple and AT&T stores will apply to the new iPhone 3g that goes on sale this Friday:  More »