Consumerist
ikea
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scams
Stay Away From The Nigerian Tutoring Scam
Are you a student looking for a summer or long-term tutoring gig? Be sure to stay away from the foreign tutoring scam, especially if you're looking for work on Craigslist. More » -
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american express
Before Traveling, Make Sure AmEx Hasn't Canceled Your Card
Ronnie Sue's recent trip to Germany was a financial nightmare. Though she warned her bank she would be traveling to Germany, when she arrived, she couldn't withdraw needed cash. The bank gently suggested that Ronnie Sue draw cash from her credit card, and even offered to refund any cash advance fees. It wasn't until Ronnie Sue whipped out her AmEx that she learned it had been silently canceled two days before she left... More » -
Adolf Merckle
94th Richest Man In World Kills Self
Adolf Merckle, the 94th richest man in the world, committed suicide this week. Stock speculation is hazardous to your health. [NYT] -
burger king
Burger King Tray Liners In Germany Feature Cartoon Veggies With Boobs
Maybe Burger King in Germany isn't the same sort of "kid centric" destination that it is over here? Idea Sandbox has made some um, interesting observations about their "Veg City" tray liners. This one is employs the "airport screening" metaphor to suggest that BK doesn't let any shady veggies into their food. More » -
censorship
Uproar Over Tiny Illustration Of Naked Statue In Children's Book
A German author and her publisher were thrilled when a U.S. publisher inquired about putting out a North American edition of one of her bestselling children's books... until the U.S. publisher asked the author to airbrush some of her illustrations. More » -
It was fun (though not cheap) while it lasted—a German court has reversed last month's lower court ruling against T-Mobile, meaning it can once again sell iPhones exclusively locked to its network. [Associated Press]
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food
Premium Cola, The Ethical Cola Company
How about a cola company that does no advertising or marketing? Donates one cent per bottle sold to offset its carbon footprint? Where every customer can look at the company's bank account, and if they disagree with how the founder is running things, can argue to have his share reduced? It's called Premium Cola. There's no salaries, no office, and no bosses, per se. All decisions are made equally by members of the cola collective. The drink is only sold to select locations in accord with the Premium Cola ideologies. Sound impossible to sustain? More » -
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hype
T-Mobile Selling Unlocked iPhones in Germany
Ars Technica says that T-Mobile has been forced to sell unlocked iPhones in Germany for just under US $1,500. The (temporary?) unlocked iPhone sale is a result of a lawsuit brought by Vodaphone (which is part of Verizon here in the U.S.) that claimed locking a phone to one carrier violated German law. More » -
christmas
German Advent Calendar Features Serial Killer
A cartoon advent calendar for kids, sold by the city of Hanover in Germany, has a tiny drawing of local serial killer Fritz Haarmann, who murdered 24 people during the 1920s. He's holding a meat cleaver and peeking out from behind a tree, while happy men, women, and children enjoy the holiday all around him. He's one of 24 famous people from Hanover who appear on the calendar; "It's part of our history," says Hans Nolte, the director of the town's tourism board.
The town is not recalling the calendar—in fact, now that word has gotten out about the unsavory character on it, sales have gone up. "People are queuing up to buy the calendar now," says Nolte, who expects the full run of 20,000 calendars to quickly sell out. However, Haarmann will be removed for next year's version.
"What says Christmas like a serial killer?"
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With last month's acute droppoff in American consumer spending, "Geiz ist geil" could be posed to become the next hot German import. [NYT]
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united airlines
United Airlines: Sorry We Lost Your Cat in the Cargo Hold For 3 Weeks
Poor kitty! From MSNBC: More » -
jell-o
Jell-O Causes Biohazard Scare
A quivering, offal-like pool of cherry-flavored horse gelatin caused authorities in Germany to declare a biochemical emergency. More » -
walmart
Walmart Retreats From Germany
NYT reports Walmart wants to close its German stores, after years of failing to crack the Teutonic market. More » -
customer service
Daimler CEO Gets Bad Customer Service From Own Company
Last week, DaimlerChysler CEO Dieter Zetsche went unannounced to a German MercedesBenz dealership, only to have the receptionist have him cool his heels for 45 minutes. He eventually asked to speak to the manager and was told he was busy. More » -
citibank
After Losing Student's Money, Citibank Badgers Him
Joseph is an American student stranded in in Germany after his meagre monies just got jacked via a Citibank security breach, one that Citibank would like to blame him for. More » -
ads
German Burger King: Nation of Aryans, Idiots
There's two requirements for making an ad in Germany. One: near-graphic sex. Two: the sex is thwarted by the promise of an inane consumer item. More » -
advertising
German Girl Has Skills
Oh, we really shouldn't post this German optometrist commercial... More »
