Consumerist: Holiday

Gamestop Ad Preys On Adolescent Fears

Alex Jarvis — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST

What were you most afraid of in High School? Getting turned down by that Cheerleader at the prom? Arriving at school naked, just before the big test you never studied for? Or, was it Mom and Dad finding all of your nudie-mags whilst looking for gift ideas? Look inside to see which terror Gamestop chose to highlight in their latest ad campaign.

According to the ad, your parents are going to find out exactly what kind of sick, perverted stuff you are into - unless you use their new Holiday wish-list website (titled HintOrElse.com, just to rub it in). It's good to see one company really get into the holiday spirit, if 'the spirit' happens to be free-wheeling paranoia and abject horror.

Funny gamestop Commercial (Hint or else) [youtube]

POLL: Did $4 Gas Make You Drive Less On Memorial Day Weekend?

Meg Marco — Tue, 27 May 2008 10:27:03 EDT

AAA is claiming that Americans drove 4.3% fewer miles on public roads in March — the first year-over-year decline since 1979, and that for the first time since 2002, Americans said they planned to drive less this Memorial Day weekend. So, with the national average at $3.936 per gallon, did you actually drive less?

Holiday travelers paying more for gas [CNNMoney]
(Photo: nsub1 )

Macy's Is Closing 9 Stores

Chris Walters — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 15:51:05 EST

Well now you've done it, shoppers of America: your refusal to spend enough money at Macy's is forcing the department store chain to shutter nine "underperforming stores in Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Utah and Texas," reports Reuters. Seriously, what does it take to get you to buy stuff from them? They gave out coupons!

Macy's said the closings would affect 899 employees, who would be offered positions in nearby stores where possible. It said employees laid off in the process would be provided severance benefits and outplacement assistance.

"Macy's to close nine stores, affects 899 jobs" [Reuters] (Photo: Rob Lee)

Unruly Passenger Forces JetBlue Flight To Make Unscheduled Landing

Meg Marco — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:38:36 EST

An unidentified passenger is being questioned by the Denver police department after his unruly behavior forced a JetBlue flight from New York to San Francisco to land at DIA.

No word on what the guy was doing to disrupt the flight, but everyone is ok and the diverted passengers were given vouchers for a free one-way flight.

We know this time of year is stressful, but try to behave yourselves.

Plane diverted to Denver after in-flight disturbance [9News]
(Photo:Meghann Marco)

"Hoh Hoh" Says Wal-Mart

Chris Walters — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:34:45 EST

The War on Christmas has taken a sneaky left turn, with Coke and Wal-Mart mounting an entirely unanticipated attack on one of the world's most beloved phrases! A reader, Josh, was shopping and/or protesting in his local Wal-Mart recently when he saw this in-store display for soda.

Okay, seriously: is there some sort of Adbusters-financed shadow organization that's sneaking intentionally bad sign makers into our discount superstore workforce? Or do we need to start searching for an emoticon that represents "Idiocracy"? Huh huh?

(Thanks to Josh!)

The First Lead Related Holiday Ornament Recall Of The Season Is Here!

Meg Marco — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:59:56 EST

The first retailer to be mentioned in a holiday ornament recall this year is JC Penney! The ornament in question was sold at "various retailers nationwide, including JC Penney catalog and Web site, from July 2006 through October 2007 for between $15 and $18."

Good to know that they're really on top of the problem.

Both the 2006 and the 2007 version of the ornament "contain high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standards."

Contact Reeves International Inc. at (800) 444-4775 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit their Web site at www.breyerhorses.com to receive instructions for returning the ornaments.

Reeves International Inc. Recalls Holiday Ornaments Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard [CPSC]

7 Ways To Blow Your Holiday Budget

Meg Marco — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 12:30:21 EST

Bankrate is concerned that you'll spend more than you can afford this holiday shopping season, so they've got a list of 7 "budget busters":

1. Don't make a list
2. Act like Santa Claus
3. Go overboard with gift cards
4. Grab the first thing you see
5. Wait until the spirit moves you
6. Put it on plastic
7. Buy now, pay later

Remember, folks, avoid financing consumer debt. Bankrate's expert says: "If you don't have $10,000 to buy those new couches and end tables for your living room then I really don't think you should be financing it."

7 common holiday budget busters [Bankrate]
(Photo:spinadelic)

Holiday Travel Season Off To A Rough Start

Meg Marco — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:46:37 EST

Technical problems, fog, rain and other weather issues are already causing delays at several airports says USAToday.

Dallas Forth-Worth lost radio communications in two control towers, causing all incoming and outgoing flights to be delayed while the problem was fixed.

Heavy fog delayed flights at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California was shut down briefly due to the weather. Newark and LaGuardia saw delays due to high winds, while Chicago O'Hare blamed heavy cloud cover, though how this instance of "heavy cloud cover" is in any way different than "normal weather from Nov-April in Chicago," we don't really know.

Snow is expected in Colorado tomorrow.

Should be fun!

Holiday travel off to a rough start [USA Today]
(Photo:kernelslacker)

Consumer Reports Underwhelmed By Walmart's Black Friday Ad

Meg Marco — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 13:32:18 EST

Consumer Reports seems sort of disappointed by Walmart's Black Friday ad:

After weeks of speculation, Wal-Mart unveiled its Black Friday ad early this morning, and while it isn't short on great buys—including, for example, a sub-$800 42-inch 1080p LCD and a sub-$1,400 50-inch 720p plasma—it seemed to lack the punch of last year's promotion, which triggered severe price drops on a highly rated Panasonic 42-inch plasma HDTV.
This year, TV promotions are centered largely on models from Polaroid, a secondary brand whose models haven't done particularly well in CR's HDTV Ratings. For example, as part of a Friday-only, 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. doorbuster sale, Wal-Mart is offering a 42-inch 1080p Polaroid LCD TV for $798, while a 32-inch 720p Polaroid LCD TV is priced at $448. Other TV deals good only during that time include a $448 26-inch Polaroid LCD TV/DVD combo, and a $198 Emerson LCD TV.

Snooze. Polaroid?

For all you Black Friday obsessed folk, Walmart also plans on unveiling some additional deals on Thanksgiving Day via walmart.com

We plan on keeping up our usual Black Friday tradition of sitting at home, sipping eggnog and watching Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Those are not pillows.

Wal-Mart Black Friday Ads Lack Last Year's Fireworks [Consumer Reports]
(Photo:kandh07)

Airlines are supposedly going out of their ...

Meg Marco — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 10:59:36 EST

Airlines are supposedly going out of their way to avoid the coming PR debacle that is otherwise known as the holiday travel season. Good luck, boys and girls. [Wall Street Journal]

FBI Warns LA & Chicago Shoppers Of Possible Threat

Chris Walters — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 21:33:22 EST

The FBI has released an unverified tip that those people who "hate freedom" are planning on attacking shopping malls in LA and Chicago this season. Before you buy more duct tape, the FBI emphasized that "there is no information to state this is a credible threat"—but they felt they needed to share it "out of an abundance of caution."

This is this writer's first ever scare-orrist post! I was starting to think that the era of crazy death warnings from The Enemy were behind us, and here I was with a blog platform to help spread the fear. But now my job here is done.

"FBI warns of possible shopping mall attacks" [Reuters]
"L.A. terrorist threat discounted" [Los Angeles Times]
(Photo: Getty)

20 Sites Where You Can Find Deals

Chris Walters — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 22:08:19 EST

Maybe you're one of those people who will manage to actually follow through with the whole "home-made, simpler gift giving" concept this season. For the rest of you who don't want to sit around making dolls and paper-mache serving dishes over the next six weeks, Kiplinger's has a list of 20 sites to help you score the best prices on your holiday shopping this year.

You might recognize most, if not all, of their suggestions—places like PriceGrabber, Pronto, Froogle, and FatWallet—but hey, looking is free, so why not check it out before your big gift shopping sprees begin?

"Amazing Holiday Deals Online" [Kiplinger's]
(Photo: Getty)

Walmart CEO Optimistic About Christmas Because Broke People Shop At Walmart

Meg Marco — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:51:00 EDT

Walmart CEO, Lee Scott recently told analysts that he feels:

1) Good...

2) Excited...

3) Optimistic...

...about Walmart's upcoming holiday season. Why? Because consumers are broke and they have to shop at Walmart or else.

"I saw great merchandise and our customers are going to love our prices," Scott said during the conclusion of Wal-Mart's two-day annual analyst and investor meeting in Rogers, ARK.
"I feel we are well positioned for an economic downturn," Scott said. "Our low prices and low-cost business model should give us an advantage over other retailers if things get more difficult for consumers."

Thank you, Lee, for delivering that cheerful holiday message.

Wal-Mart CEO excited about holidays [CNNMoney]
(Photo:Paul Jerry)

"Christmas Creep" Photo Gallery Call For Entries

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:47:00 EDT

Christmas is threatening to swallow all the other holidays until there is nothing left! Help! This "holiday season" we're asking our readers to document a phenomenon called "Christmas Creep."

Have you seen Christmas decorations next to Halloween ones? Christmas sales in October? Christmas sales in July? Christmas decorations up in businesses before Halloween ones?

Have you been annoyed by this? Please take pictures of the worst examples of Christmas Creep that you can find and submit them to the Consumerist Flickr Pool. Make sure to tag them "Christmas Creep" and share where and when you took them, and how the Christmas Creep made you feel.

The best photos will be featured on Consumerist.

Thanks, and please tell a friend!

(Photo:DC Vision)

July 10: The First Christmas Catalog Has Arrived!

Meg Marco — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:59:55 EDT

Paul over at Network World has the dubious distinction of reporting the season's first Christmas catalog, which he and his wife received on July 10.

Hooray! Only 165 shopping days left!

Paul contacted the catalog's sender to express his annoyance. They responded:

Dear Paul:

Thank you for your note. I'm glad that your wife received our new catalog but I'm sorry that she thought of it as a Christmas catalog and said "arghhh."

Paul's wife sounds awesome. "Arghhh" is precisely the correct response to receiving a Christmas catalog in July. The catalog sender went on to dispute Paul's claim that the catalog was a "Christmas" catalog.

Whatever. If it looks like Christmas, smells like Christmas, and says "Christmas" on it. It's Christmas.

Christmas in July [Network World]

Holiday Travel Tip: Don't Wrap Before You Fly

Meg Marco — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:19:02 EST

According to travel blog, InFlighHQ:

The TSA has reported that ALL wrapped gifts are subject to be unwrapped at the security check-in. The TSA recommends bringing wrapping paper with you, or purchasing some upon arrival. Bringing wrapped gifts will not only cause you frustration as they are unwrapped, but also slow down already long lines.

Oh no. Lifehacker also points out that you might want to check that the liquids you are bringing are approved... so you don't lose a tasty dessert.

Don't Wrap Before You Fly [InFlightHQ via Lifehacker]

Last Minute DIY Holiday Gifts

Meg Marco — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 22:02:02 EST

Are you a lazy shopper? Well, instead of just buying someone another crappy gift card at the last minute, why not make them something.? We know what you're saying, "F-you, this isn't Martha Stewart. This is the Consumerist." Yeah, but people really like it when you make them something! Really! It's not just something your mom made up. Domino has some suggestions for last minute DIY gifts, and some of them are pretty cool. Like infused olive oil. Brilliant and tasty, just add bread. What last minute DIY gifts do you like to give? We like to make chocolate chip cookies. Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies! Yay!—MEGHANN MARCO

Get Crafty! [Domino via Curbly]

Consumer Reports Tells You What To Waste Good Money On

Meg Marco — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 17:55:23 EST

Don't know what the hell to get someone? Consumer Reports has a list of the "best buy" gifts of 2006. So, even Mom hates it, it sure as shit won't break. She'll have that thing for life. Thanks, Consumer Reports? —MEGHANN MARCO

Best Gifts of 2006 [Consumer Reports]

Zune: Slow to Start

Meg Marco — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 12:58:26 EST

ZDnet is reporting that Microsoft's iPod-killa is experiencing a slow start. ZDnet was unable to find the mp3 player at most retailers, and experienced mixed reviews at a local Best Buy.

"Ralph Lindsey, the owner of a second-generation iPod who was browsing the Zune display, said he was not planning on making a purchase, but liked the Zune's wider screen. Since he would want to watch videos on the player, however, he was "concerned" about the Zune's available storage space. "I'm not sure 30 gigabytes will be enough," he said."

We personally still have an ancient-ass 10GB iPod, and are potentially in the market for a spiffy new device, but are also not impressed by the Zune. Except for the brown one. The brown one is cool. Damned if it doesn't make us want a brown iPod.—MEGHANN MARCO

Zune moving at slow tempo [ZDNet]