Consumerist
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unacceptable smells
Hotel: No Sir, That Smell Is Not A Decomposing Guest. (It Was.)
The Jane Hotel in NYC was once (and still sort of is) a "residential" hotel. Even though it's been renovated and is open for business, there are still residents in un-upgraded rent-controlled rooms. And sometimes they die. And people don't notice right away. More » -
psas
New York City's Anti-Soda Grossout
In the wake of New York State's failed attempt to tax sugary sodas and juice drinks, the New York City Health Department has come out with a public service campaign to curb consumption the soft way: with the hard sell. More » -
follow up
Sued College Ain't Exactly Harvard
Remember that story about Trina Thompson, the woman who sued her college after she couldn't get a job? Turns out maybe the institution had it coming. More » -
new york times
J.C. Penney In Manhattan Harbinger Of Fashion Apocalypse, Fat Suburbanites
Cintra Wilson set out to write a lighthearted, snarky article about the arrival of J.C. Penney in Manhattan for her "Critical Shopper" series, and somehow ended up insulting nearly everyone who read the article. Those who took offense included, but were not limited to: overweight people, tourists, plastic mannequins, people who are attuned to rampant classism, residents of "middle America," diabetics, and anyone who has ever found an attractive article of clothing at a J.C. Penney. More » -
let me fix that for you
Customer Shows Displeasure With Duane Reade Through Choice Editing
Duane Reade is a drug store endemic to New York City. If you've ever experienced what it is like to shop there, you are sure to appreciate the following edits made to a sign requesting customer feedback. More » -
bad consumer
Jobless College Grad Sues To Get Tuition Back, Misspells "Tuition"
The job market is tough. No one seems to know it better than our nation's fresh-faced recent college graduates. They've discovered a harsh truth—despite hounding alumni for donations, colleges aren't able to find jobs for them. One recent college grad in New York City is fighting back, since she graduated three whole months ago and her alma mater hasn't found her a job yet. More » -
unacceptable food
Steak WIth A Side Of Used Tampon Allegedly Served To Tourist At Waldorf-Astoria
The image at left has been redacted for the protection of our more sensitive readers. The events of this story, if true, simply boggle the mind. A German tourist visiting New York City alleges that his delicious steak was somehow served with a used tampon on it. Warning: blissfully grainy photo and video inside. More » -
sears
Sears Won't Deliver Air Conditioner Until Customer Pays Fee Sears Forgot To Charge
Eric wrote to us this week with a tale of such epic dysfunction while trying to purchase air conditioners from Sears that there's not much we can add to it. Inside: Imaginary deliveries, super-secret New York City surcharges, and the hazards of daring to order anything over the phone. More » -
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breastfeeding
IKEA Sends Mother And Infant To Bathroom To Breastfeed
The IKEA in Red Hook, Brooklyn is the latest retail establishment that needs reminding: Yes, women have the right to breastfeed their infants in public. No, you cannot banish them to the restroom. Yes, people will get angry when word gets out. More » -
street vendors
Mobile Bakery Has A Sticky Time Finding A Sweet Spot To Park In Midtown Manhattan
There's a new kid on the block — and the old folks are mad as hell. More » -
rental apartments
Attn. New Yorkers: How To Research Apartments Before Signing A Lease
Looking for an apartment? If you live in New York City, there's an easy way to avoid buildings with lousy track records (peeling lead paint, chronic rodent problems, fixtures that never get fixed, and the like). More » -
trustafarians
Investments Are Down - Won't You Hire A Poor Trust-Funder?
It's the end of an era. The parentally-subsidized idle urbanites of New York aren't getting the fundage they used to, and they have to get paying jobs now. Or move in with their parents. (Here I thought living with my parents after college was too much parental subsidy.) While Gawker's coverage of this story is not to be missed, let's look at it through a Consumerist lens, shall we? More » -
recession watch
New York Mayor Says Luxury Homeless Shelter Residents Shouldn't Get Too Cozy
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg told the Daily News that the residents of the swanky failed-condo-turned-homeless-shelter shouldn't get too comfortable. They'll need to move on. More » -
recession watch
New York City Converts Luxury Condo Into Homeless Shelter
Could this be the nicest homeless shelter in America? The Daily News is reporting that the city is paying $90 a night per apartment for the use of a failed luxury condo development — which features granite countertops, marble bathrooms and walk-in closets. (The $90 a night figure includes social services, housing help and job counseling designed to get families back on their feet.) Local residents, some of them interested in renting an apartment in the building, are pretty ticked off. More » -
warehouse clubs
Costco Now Accepting Food Stamps, Sort Of
Finally following the lead of its competitors, Costco will accept food stamp cards. For core food items, not other merchandise. Two New York City stores, in Astoria, Queens, and in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, will serve as test sites because of the high numbers of food stamp recipients nearby. If the program is successful, Costco will expand it to all other New York City stores, but there are no plans to expand the program to other cities or states. More » -
bars
Continental's "General Vibe" Doesn't Include Black People
Laney went out for drinks after work with some co-workers. He changed out of his uniform, but they wore theirs. Soon after the group entered, Laney was asked to leave, ostensibly due to a dress code violation...but it became clear his outfit wasn't the problem. More » -
bees
Angry Bees Attack New York GameStop
A swarm of bees gathered yesterday outside the GameStop in Union Square, possibly to demand a higher trade-in value for their games. Store employees were trapped inside for hours and eventually hung a sign reading: "Look! ... closed due to bee infestation.'' More » -
crime
New York ATM Skimmer Crooks Stole $1.8 Million
Four Romanian nationals in Florida have been charged in a series of ATM skimmer frauds that targeted banks in New York City, Cicero (near Syracuse), NY, and Rochester, NY. They are charged with, among other things, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit credit card fraud. According to the Syracuse office of the Secret Service, they stole $1.8 million overall. More »
new york city
New York, 4:40 PM
Mon Nov 9
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