Consumerist: Stores

Man Finally Gets His $130 Back From Circuit City

Ben Popken — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:24:15 EST

In an update and conclusion, reader Sean let us know he finally got satisfaction regarding his story that we posted, "Circuit City Credits Wrong Card For $130 Return, Sends You Away With Nothing."

Sean writes:

1) The e-mail I sent to customer service did nothing. They replied that they could do nothing.

2) The store manager called me back the next day to tell me the district manager had given approval to have the store contact the original purchaser, explain the mistake, and ask if they could recharge his card. Once this was completed, they would issue me a gift card for the original amount. She did "apologize for all he craziness" at the store the night of the incident.

3) About a week later I received a call from the district manager asking if everything had been resolved. I said I hadn't heard any updates. He told me that everything had been taken care of (the original purchaser's card had been re-charged) and that my gift card was waiting at the store. I could either pick it up, or they could mail it to me. I asked him to mail it to me.

4) A few days later I received the gift card in the mail. I called the number on the card to check the balance, and it said it couldn't because the card wasn't active. This concerned me, but I thought it could be due to the circumstances it was issued, etc.

5) A few days later, I went to the store to use my gift card. I first stopped at the customer service desk to have them check the balance on the card. They said it wasn't active, and asked if I'd already used it. I said no and that it was a long story, and they went to get the manager. She came out a few moments later (it was the same manager from the night of the original incident) and issued me a new card, which I used immediately.

So, in the end, it all turned out. I was a bit surprised that they didn't offer me anything for the trouble or at least a more sincere apology. But, I guess I should just be happy that they took responsibility and corrected the mistake.

In the future, I'll be much more explicit when making exchanges or returns as to what I want before I hand over the product. And, even though I don't think I should have to, I'll no longer assume the clerk will understand that I'm not the original purchaser if I'm using a gift receipt.

PREVIOUSLY: Circuit City Credits Wrong Card For $130 Return, Sends You Away With Nothing
(Photo: qnr - Gone for a while)

TVs Will Be Cheap, But Will Anyone Buy Them?

Meg Marco — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:19:04 EST

Everyone seems to agree— this year will be the year of the cheap big-screen tv. The only question remains... will anyone buy them?

The New York Times says that DisplaySearch, a market research firm, says that so-called "Black Friday" prices "could go as low as $400 for a 32-inch LCD, and $600 for a 42-inch plasma set — about $200 off current prices."

From the NYT:

Many retailers are cutting costs because they expect a lighter selling season. Best Buy announced that it would hire 16,000 to 20,000 seasonal employees, a hefty drop from last year’s 26,000 seasonal hires.

Best Buy’s comparable-store sales in September dropped 2 percent from the year before. “We’ll see less traffic,” Brian Dunn, Best Buy’s president, said. “We’ll grow our share by offering the right solution, product and service. We’re not looking to get every dime out of you. If a customer just wants the lowest price on a TV set, we’ll give it to them with a smile.”

And to increase the likelihood that customers will pull out their wallets, several manufacturers, including Panasonic and Sharp, are working with retailers to offer extended financing with either same-as-cash interest or deferred payment plans.

Some believe that bundling items, like a flat-screen TV with a Blu-ray player or an audio system, will provide that extra value that will push consumers to buy.

Best Buy will offer a bundle “targeted to middle America,” Mr. Dunn said.

Hefty Discounts Could Arrive on Big-Screen TVs, but Buyers May Be Resistant [NYT]
(Photo: Clean Wal-Mart )

Circuit City Credits Wrong Card For $130 Return, Sends You Away With Nothing

Chris Walters — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:41:03 EDT

UPDATE: Man Finally Gets His $130 Back From Circuit City

Sean writes:

I returned a product [yesterday] to the Appleton, WI Circuit City with a gift receipt. The clerk accepted the returned product, but mistakenly credited the original purchaser's credit card (I am not the original purchaser) for the return. After informing me of this, I told her that I did not purchase this product, it was given to me (thus, the gift receipt) and that I intended to return it for store credit so I could purchase a different product. I was told that since the return had been processed and credited to the original purchaser's credit card, nothing could be done. I was advised to contact the original purchaser and try to collect the money myself.

After much debate with the clerk, the supervisor, and the operations manager, I was told there was nothing that could be done, and the only option I had was to go back to the person who bought it, and ask for the money. This is unacceptable.

I entered the store in possession of a product (my property, I was the owner). I gave the product and gift receipt to the clerk to process a return. The clerk accepted my return and gave my money (the monetary value of the product - the original purchase price) to the wrong person (someone other than me). I left the store without my property or the monetary value of the property.

I would like either my property (the original product - a Logitech Harmony remote control) returned to me or store credit (gift card) for the orignal purchase price (approximately $130) of the product.

That's the letter Sean sent to Circuit City's customer service department, although Seans says he has yet to hear back from them. He adds, "What can I do? Isn't this illegal? They accept my returned product and mistakenly give the money to someone else, and then refuse to give me either the product or the money (store credit)? Isn't this theft of some sort? Should I contact the police?"

What do you guys think? Will the police take his report seriously? This certainly sounds like the definition of theft to us.

In the meantime, Sean, you may want to send that same letter to these Circuit City executive email addresses. What happened to you sounds to us like a fireable offense for that supervisor, and you need to make sure your story reaches the people who can see to it that you're compensated.

(Photo: Getty Images)

NWV Direct Caught Pulling Bait And Switch, Tries To Backpedal

Chris Walters — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:38:57 EDT

Joshua caught New World Video Direct trying to pull a bait and switch on him with a recent order, so he canceled it and gave them a bad review on resellerratings.com. They contacted him to ask if he'd remove the rating. Joshua wrote back to decline, but he reminded them that it's actually pretty simple to develop a decent reputation as retailer: "If you want to have anyone trust you as a business you have to only list items you plan to sell for the price you plan to sell them at."

The problem started when he bought a $28 charger from New World Video's online store. They list the item as usually shipping in 1 to 2 days, but the next day they called him to tell him the charger was on back-order, and instead they could sell him a $99 off-brand charger. After he hesitated, they cut the price to $45 to sweeten the deal—but it was still $17 over what he originally intended to spend, and for a different product altogether.

Joshua set up a blog to publicize the subsequent email exchange he had with New World Video, and on it he clearly explains why the company is engaging in bait and switch tactics:

The website said (and STILL says) in stock at the low (lower than any other website) price of $28. The rep said it was on backorder and gave me NO option to wait. She immediately tried to sell me another product for $90 saying that I must really need the item fast since I had ordered with expedited shipping!

In his emails to Joshua, an NWV rep named Scott argues that the company never promised the item was in stock, only that it "usually ships in 1 to 2 days."

Curiously, neither item says "in stock" on the site, but both say they usually ship in 1 or 1-2 days. These are screen caps from 13 October 2008:

We think Scott's trying to hide behind a technicality, but okay, let's assume he and the company he represents are legit (despite the fact that Joshua's bait and switch accusation isn't the only one on resellerratings.com). Assuming you're honest, there's an easy solution to this problem with future customers, Scott. Simply keep your website updated so that the stock situation accurately reflects your store's true inventory as closely as possible. Oh, and if you do have inventory issues, don't call customers to try to upsell them a product that's three times more expensive.

Until then, we'll agree with Joshua—you're pulling a bait-and-switch on customers, despite what you say on your home page.

New World Video Direct - Scam or Misunderstanding? [Blogspot]

RELATED:
NWV Direct retailer website

Walmart Decides To Honor DRM-Protected MP3 Purchases After All, At Least For Now

Chris Walters — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:17:17 EDT

Last month, Walmart announced it was shutting down the DRM side of its online music store, and too bad if you were a customer, because they were also going to turn off the DRM server that authorized your music for playback. Apparently enough customers complained, because they came to their senses—at least for the time being—and decided to keep the server running. Read their email below.

NOTE: This is a follow-up to our email titled "Important Information About Your Digital Music Purchases" from 9/26/08.

Based on feedback from our customers, we have decided to maintain our digital rights management (DRM) servers for the present time. What this means to you is that our existing service continues and there is no action required on your part. Our customer service team will continue to assist with DRM issues for protected windows media audio (WMA) files purchased from Walmart.com.

While our customer support team is available to assist you with any issues, we continue to recommend that you back up your songs by burning them to a recordable audio CD. By backing up your songs, you insure access to them from any personal computer at any time in the future.

We appreciate your support and patience as we work to provide the best service possible to you. As we move forward with our 100% MP3 store, we'll continue to update you with key decisions regarding our service and your account via email.

Thank you for using Walmart MP3 Music Downloads.
The Walmart Digital Music Team

They could still turn it off in January, or next summer, or hell, the day after Thanksgiving next month, and we're not naive enough to think Walmart will follow Yahoo's footsteps and offer DRM-free replacement tracks, so take the extra time you've got to back up those tracks if you don't want to be at Walmart's mercy in the future.

"Walmart has a change of heart, decides to maintain DRM servers" [Engadget]

Walmart Shuts Down Music Store, Deactivates DRM-Protected Songs

Chris Walters — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:40:45 EDT

Last week, Walmart sent out emails to its online music store customers letting them know that on October 9th, 2008, they will no longer be able to play any DRM-crippled tracks. Unlike Yahoo, which did the right thing by offering free replacement downloads of unprotected songs when they killed their DRM program, Walmart simply brags about its new unlicensed model and tells you to burn your protected tracks to CD if you really want to listen to them in the future. Good job, Walmart, there goes another betrayed consumer into the welcoming arms of digital piracy. And another. And another...

"Wal*Mart shutting down DRM server, nuking your music collection — only people who pay for music risk losing it to DRM shenanigans" [BoingBoing]
(Photo: Kamoteus and Joe Mad)

Shaw's Wants You To Shop More With Their Wheeled Baskets

Chris Walters — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:49:48 EDT

Shaw's has wised up to the trick of using a basket instead of a shopping cart to physically limit your grocery purchases, and they've come up with a creative workaround: convertible baskets that you can drag behind you on wheels when they become too heavy to carry.

“This allows them the possibility to move inside the store without having to carry all the items in their hands with the handheld baskets,” spokeswoman Judy Chong said. “When you’re picking up a half gallon of milk and two-liter bottles of soda, it gets heavy.”

According to their North American distributor, another big benefit of being able to pull the Shop n’ Roll baskets is that they prompt some shoppers to load them with more groceries, instead of perhaps heading to the checkout when carrying them becomes fatiguing.

“They promote more items being purchased,” said George Braeunig, who handles North American sales for distributor SCS Inc. in Boca Raton, Fla.

We like it. It's like a basket and a shopping cart had a little baby. You should just be aware that there's an intentional "buy more stuff" side effect if you're not careful.

"Shaw’s rolls out baskets with wheels" [Boston Herald] (Thanks to Henry!)
(Photo: Larsz)

This Is Probably Not A Good Place To Look For A Job Right Now

Chris Walters — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:53:46 EDT

Sidd snapped this photo at the Palisades Mall in West Nyack, NY over the weekend. "Flexible hours" in this case might mean a lot of free time very soon.

Supermarkets Begin To Shrink

Chris Walters — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:29:37 EDT

The New York Times reports that several supermarket and retail chains, including Safeway, Walmart, and Whole Foods, are beginning to experiment with much smaller store sizes that emphasize things like cafes, prepared meals, and produce. The idea is to emphasize speed over choice, and was apparently triggered by UK competitor Tesco, which has launched over 70 small-format supermarkets in Nevada, Arizona, and Southern California over the past year. Of course, the stores also require less shelf space for products than they did a year ago.

“The average person goes shopping for 22 minutes,” said Phil Lempert, who edits Supermarketguru.com, a Web site that tracks retail trends. “You can’t see 30,000 or 40,000 products. We are moving into an era when people want less assortment.”

"Miles of Aisles for Milk? Not Here " [New York Times]
(Photo: Getty)

Best Buy will start selling the iPhone on ...

Chris Walters — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:38:34 EDT

Best Buy will start selling the iPhone on September 7th, making it the only retailer other than Apple and AT&T to offer the device. [Associated Press]

A Complete List Of Starbucks Locations That Will Be Closing

Meg Marco — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:30:32 EDT

Starbucks has released the complete list of stores that will be closing. You can browse the full list, organized alphabetically by state, inside.

Alabama
parkway e @ roebuck plaza 9190 pkwy birmingham al
university & 20th 801 20th st s birmingham al
hwy 59 & cr 4 3800 gulf shore pkwy gulf shores al
29th & firefighter 1830 29th ave s homewood al
madison square mall 5901 university dr huntsville al
i-65 & spring hill 3451 spring hill ave mobile al
dauphin & du rhu 9 du rhu drive mobile al
old shell & mcgregor 4401 old shell rd mobile al
airport & foreman 6601 airport blvd mobile al
university & old shell 5611 oldshell rd mobile al
foley beach & canal 4725 main st orange beach al
rocky ridge & morgan 2531 rocky ridge rd vestavia hills al

Arkansas
hollywood & hwy 18 1301 main st blytheville ar
hwy 264 & dixieland 105 s dixieland lowell ar
hwy 270 & i-30 1900 mlk drive malvern ar
i-55 & hwy 64 320 bancario marion ar
hwy 67 & mccain 4120 e mccain north little rock ar
pinnacle hills & northgate 3351 pinnacle hills pkwy rogers ar
pinnacle hills promenade 2203 s 45th st rogers ar
hwy 59 & rena 2008 fayetteville rd van buren ar

Arizona
i-10 & sunland gin 4985 n sunland gin rd eloy az

California
garfield & valley 1 e valley blvd alhambra ca
katella & 57 fwy 2420 e katella ave anaheim ca
bellevue & winton 1861 bellevue rd atwater ca
baker & mojave pointe 56383 mojave pointe baker ca
bellflower & belmont 16601 bellflower blvd bellflower ca
harbor walk 328 first st benicia ca
shattuck & cedar 1600 shattuck ave berkeley ca
imperial & laurel 703 e imperial hwy brea ca
brea union plaza 2435 e imperial hwy brea ca
brentwood & nancy 7760 brentwood blvd brentwood ca
castaic & lake huges 31818 castaic rd castaic ca
e palm canyon & monty hall 68718 e palm canyon dr cathedral city ca
3rd & h st 3037 h st chula vista ca
otay ranch town center 2015 birch rd chula vista ca
monument & erickson 2250 monument blvd concord ca
mckinley & magnolia 115 n mckinley st corona ca
dos lagos 2795 cabot dr corona ca
rosemead & garvey 9327 garvey ave el monte ca
center & bruceville 8785 center pkwy elk grove ca
san pablo & park 4125 san pablo ave emeryville ca
visalia & belmont 1102 visalia rd exeter ca
sierra & i-15 3840 sierra ave fontana ca
sierra lakes pkwy 16645 sierra lakes pkwy fontana ca
herndon & marks 7010 n marks fresno ca
first & shields 3089 e shields fresno ca
e fifth & hwy 101 831 e fifth st gonzales ca
mission and sorenson 26953 mission rd hayward ca
sanderson & stetson 3511 w stetson ave hemet ca
flordia & sanderson 2801 w florida ave hemet ca
san juan & miller 1280 san juan rd hollister ca
florence & mt view 2901 florence ave huntington park ca
clinton & hwy 49 711 state hwy 49 jackson ca
valley view & firestone 16610 valley view ave la mirada ca
pch & boat canyon 636 n pacific coast hwy laguna beach ca
sr 173 & corona circle 312 state hwy 173 lake arrowhead ca
lake forest & muirlands 22621 lake forest dr lake forest ca
del webb & sun city 1520 del webb blvd lincoln ca
banner st & star st 14820 star st lodi ca
crenshaw & vernon 4371 crenshaw blvd los angeles ca
vermont & mlk 1005 w martin luther king blvd los angeles ca
mammoth & meridian 436 mammoth rd mammoth lakes ca
limonite & pat's ranch rd 6253 pat's ranch rd mira loma ca
marguerite & college dr 28171 marguerite pkwy mission viejo ca
trabuco hills 27775 santa margarita pkwy mission viejo ca
standiford & tully 3430 tully rd modesto ca
ramona & mission 4467 e mission blvd montclair ca
atlantic & garvey 141 n atlantic blvd monterey park ca
nason & fir 27110 eucalyptus ave moreno valley ca
norwalk entertainment center 12200 civic center dr norwalk ca
holt & san antonio 562 w holt blvd ontario ca
euclid & philadelphia 2254 s euclid ave ontario ca
grove & philadelphia 2200 s grove ave ontario ca
foothill & i-15 12592 foothill blvd rancho cucamonga ca
hwy 111 & rancho las palmas 71743 hwy 111 rancho mirage ca
cypress & civic center 760 cypress ave redding ca
california & placer 1701 california st redding ca
1299 university 1299 university ave riverside ca
canyon springs & corporate ctr 2692 canyon springs pkwy riverside ca
promenade @ truxel 3630 n freeway blvd sacramento ca
auburn & madison 5040 auburn blvd sacramento ca
stockton & mack 7800 stockton blvd sacramento ca
mira mesa 9450 mira mesa blvd san diego ca
missiongorge rd 6171 missiongorge san diego ca
1st & market 101 market st san diego ca
college & lindo pesso 5131 college ave san diego ca
euclid ave & federal blvd 1722 euclid ave san diego ca
university & aragon 6511 university ave san diego ca
30th st & el cajon 2990 el cajon blvd san diego ca
national & 36th 3582 national ave san diego ca
park & university 3830 park blvd san diego ca
11th & c 1122 brdway ave san diego ca
metreon 101 4th st san francisco ca
901 market street 901 market st san francisco ca
lincoln & willow 1167 lincoln ave san jose ca
1st & lyon 1640 e 1st st santa ana ca
golden valley & soledad canyon 26503 golden valley rd santa clarita ca
lincoln & montana 732 montana santa monica ca
1620 mendicino ave 1620 mendocino ave santa rosa ca
madera & royal simi valley 1368 madera rd simi valley ca
tweedy & otis 4184 tweedy blvd southgate ca
n lake & jack pine 775 n lake blvd tahoe city ca
newport & el camino real 14001 newport ave tustin ca
newport & main 13681 newport ave tustin ca
mountain square 386 s mountain ave upland ca
bear valley & hesperia 17080 bear valley rd victorville ca
la paz & valley center 14689 la paz dr victorville ca
mooney @ caldwell 3530 s mooney blvd visalia ca
ygnacio & north main 2001 n main st walnut creek ca

Colorado
121 st & sheridan 12161 sheridan blvd broomfield co
conifer town center 27191 main st conifer co
16th & wynkoop 1750 16th st denver co
colorado & alemda 320 s colorado blvd denver co
denver newspaper agency bldg 101 w colfax ave denver co
colfax & wadsworth 1509 wadsworth blvd lakewood co
hwy 119 & martin 15 ken pratt blvd longmont co
the shops at centerra 5897 sky pond dr loveland co
hwy 34 & denver 1385 n denver ave loveland co

Connecticut
prospect hill 137 prospect hill rd east windsor ct
1201 king's hwy 1201 kings hwy fairfield ct
wethersfield ave 682 wethersfield ave hartford ct
evergreen walk 301 evergreen way south windsor ct
windsor locks 209 ella grasso turnpike windsor locks ct

Washington D.C.
21st & l street 2101 l st washington dc

Delaware
seaford commons 22888 sussex hwy seaford de

Florida
altamonte mall 451 e altamonte dr altamonte springs fl
altamonte mall-kiosk 451 e altamonte dr altamonte springs fl
promenade at bonita bay 26841 s bay dr bonita springs fl
us 41 & pelican landing pkwy 24630 s tamiami trail bonita springs fl
desoto square 303 us hwy 301 blvd w bradenton fl
countryside mall ii 27001 us hwy 19 n clearwater fl
kapok cove & mcmullen booth 904 n mcmullen booth rd clearwater fl
lake ida rd & jog rd 13910 jog rd delray beach fl
coconut point 2 8017 plaza del lago dr estero fl
six mile cypress & colonial 9390 six mile cypress pkwy fort meyers fl
edison mall #3 4125 cleveland ave fort meyers fl
altamont ave & mcgregor blvd 2059 altamonte ave fort meyers fl
gulf coast town center 9903 gulf coast main st fort myers fl
1100 w broward blvd 1100 w broward blvd ft lauderdale fl
cr 210 & nature walk 3055 cr 210 w jacksonville fl
phillips & baymeadows 8060 phillips hwy jacksonville fl
forsyth & main 11 e forsyth st jacksonville fl
treasure coast square mall 3306 federal hwy nw jensen beach fl
abacoa ii 1200 town center dr jupiter fl
lakeland square mall 3800 us hwy 98 n lakeland fl
lakes mall 3399 n state rd 7 lauderdale lakes fl
sw 160th st & us 1 9600 sw 160th st miami fl
us 41 & golden gate pkwy 2128 tamiami trail n naples fl
immokalee rd & i-75 2405 tarpon bay blvd naples fl
750 ne 125th st 750 ne 125th st north miami fl
paddock mall 3100 sw college rd ocala fl
sr 200 & sw 114th 9548 sw hwy 200 ocala fl
west oaks mall 9401 w colonial dr ocoee fl
orange park mall 1910 wells rd orange park fl
kingsley & blanding 410 blanding blvd orange park fl
wells & blanding 1907 wells rd orange park fl
orlando fashion square mall 3351 e colonial dr orlando fl
oviedo marketplace 1515 oviedo marketplace blvd oviedo fl
boynton beach mall 801 n congress ave palm beach fl
downtown @ the gardens 11701 lake victoria gardens palm beach gardens fl
gardens mall iii 3101 pga blvd palm beach gardens fl
pga commons central 5100 pga blvd palm beach gardens fl
davis hwy @ university pkwy 8101 university pkwy pensacola fl
coral square mall 9439 w atlantic blvd pompano beach fl
becker rd & turnpike 650 sw becker rd port st lucie fl
30a & winston 5 main st rosemary beach fl
seminole mall downstairs 155 towne center cir sanford fl
seminole mall upstairs 155 towne center cir sanford fl
hwy 30a & watercolor 1735 county hwy 30a santa rosa beach fl
sarasota square mall 8201 s tamiami trl sarasota fl
lakeshore mall 901 us hwy 27 n sebring fl
eglin pkwy & plew ave 1198 eglin pkwy shalimar fl
6th ave & 6th st s 625 6th ave s st petersburg fl
us 1 & market pl 4209 se federal hwy stuart fl
2223 se ocean blvd 2223 se ocean blvd stuart fl
ocala & w tennessee 800 ocala rd tallahassee fl
racetrack rd & hillsborough 13811 w hillsborough ave tampa fl
university mall 2164 e fowler ave tampa fl
citrus park ii 8021 citrus park tn ctr tampa fl
buffalo ridge 4046 wedgewood ln the villages fl
indianriver mall 6200 20th st vero beach fl
city place ii 650 s rosemary ave west palm beach fl
cr 545 & stoneybrook w pkwy 15502 stonybrook w pkwy winter garden fl
winter park village 480 n orlando ave winter park fl

Georgia
vinings 2941 paces ferry rd atlanta ga
roswell rd @ i-285 5841 roswell rd ne atlanta ga
peachtree @ 17th 1375 peachtree st ne atlanta ga
ga aquarium 250 park ave w atlanta ga
east-west connector & powder springs 2860 e-w connector austell ga
mall of georgia ii 3333 buford dr buford ga
us 80 & mall rd 2011 veterans pkwy dublin ga
pleasant hill plaza 1630 pleasant hill rd nw duluth ga
gwinnett mall 2100 pleasant hill rd duluth ga
veterans memorial pkwy & buckner blvd 836 veterans memorial pkwy mableton ga
macon mall 3661 eisenhower pkwy macon ga
bass rd & starcadia cir 1693 bass rd macon ga
east-west connector & s cobb dr 4624 camp highland rd se smyrna ga

Hawaii
waiakea center 301 maka'ala st hilo hi
malolo sand island 120 sand island access rd honolulu hi
victoria ward center 1200 ala moana blvd honolulu hi
hokua 1288 ala moana blvd honolulu hi
maui marketplace 270 dairy rd kahului hi

Iowa
lindale mall 4444 first ave ne cedar rapids ia
coral ridge mall 1451 coral ridge ave coralville ia
northpark mall 320 w kimberly rd davenport ia
main & 2nd 201 n harrison st davenport ia
division & locust 1736 n division st davenport ia
asbury plaza 2515 nw arterial dubuque ia
merle hay & johnston 5340 merle hay rd johnston ia
capitol village 2209 university dr boise id
meridian 1742 e fairview dr meridian id

Illinois
stratford square mall 617 stratford square mall bloomingdale il
the promenade bolingbrook 627 e boughton rd bolingbrook il
river oaks center 96 river oaks ctr calumet city il
market place mall 2000 n neil st champaign il
rte 6 & ridge 27243 w saxony dr channahon il
plummer & rte 4 1140 commercial ct chatham il
altgeld & lincoln 2475 n lincoln chicago il
ashland & atgeld 2454 n ashland ave chicago il
95th & western 2347 w 95th st chicago il
roosevelt & homan 3350 w roosevelt rd chicago il
pill hill-95th & stony island 1753 e 95th st chicago il
167th & crawford 4019 w 167th st country club hills il
vermillion & lakeshore 3100 n vermillion danville il
north & york 291 n york st elmhurst il
harlem & george 2848 n harlem ave elmwood park il
87th & kedzie 8738 s kedzie ave evergreen park il
grand & mannheim 10335 w grand ave franklin park il
rte 34 & henderson 1890 n henderson st galesburg il
nameoki & johnson 3457 nameoki rd granite city il
20505 n hwy 12 20505 n hwy 12 kildeer il
homer township 14124 s bell rd lockport il
rte 23 & etna 110 etna rd ottawa il
sterling & i-74 4221 n sterling peoria il
north & lathrop 7601 w nave river forest il
south holland 401 e 162nd st south holland il

Indiana
wayne & calvary 1426 n wayne st angola in
i-74 & sr 229 14 alpine dr batesville in
sherman & albany 1718 churchman ave beech grove in
sr 1 & lowe's 2133 n main st bluffton in
carmel 2316 e 116th st carmel in
rte 53 & 109th 10761 brdway crown point in
lloyd expressway & red bank 5000 w lloyd expressway evansville in
sr 3 & lincoln 1703 n lincoln st greensburg in
greendale centre 789 us 31 greenwood in
38th & meridian 3778 n meridian st indianapolis in
96th & allisonville 9642 allisonville rd indianapolis in
the precedent 3855 e 96th st indianapolis in
fall creek & college 2910 n college ave indianapolis in
w 38th & gemco 5060 w 38th st indianapolis in
16th & sharon 3021 w 16th st indianapolis in
keystone & national 3801 s keystone ave indianapolis in
sr 3 & parkview 1902 s memorial dr new castle in
metropolis mall 2499 futura pkwy plainfield in
rte 6 & augusta 6200 us hwy 6 portage in
us 50 & jackson park 1250 e tipton st seymour in
cleveland & portage 3600 portage rd south bend in
speedway & cunningham 5945 crawfordsville rd speedway in
us 41 & hart 2605 hart st vincennes in

Kansas
college & pflumm 13430 college blvd lenexa ks
95th & quivira 11780 w 95th st overland park ks
central & tyler 8971 w central wichita ks

Kentucky
s danville bypass & brenda 3491 s danville bypass danville ky
euclid & upper 535 s upper st lexington ky
hubbards & westport 285 n hubbards ln louisville ky
poplar level & hess 3009 poplar level rd louisville ky
hwy 68 & paris bypass 320 letton dr paris ky
hwy 27 & jefferson 2049 s hwy 27 somerset ky

Louisana
corporate blvd & energy dr 5720 corporate blvd baton rouge la
siegan & perkins 8729 siegan ln baton rouge la
airline and highland 19970 highland rd baton rouge la
perkins & bluebonnet 7777 bluebonnet blvd baton rouge la
i-10 & siegen 6556 siegen ln baton rouge la
coursey & market 14241 coursey blvd baton rouge la
essen ln & mancuso 5565 essen lane baton rouge la
airline hwy & harry dr 8183 airline hwy baton rouge la
burbank & bluebonnet 9837 bluebonnet blvd baton rouge la
loyola & duke 3117 loyola dr kenner la
verot school rd & pinhook 115 verot school rd lafayette la
pecanland mall 4700 milhaven rd monroe la
i-20 & pines 6730 pines rd shreveport la

Massachusetts
middlesex turnpike burlington 47 middlesex turnpike burlington ma
dartmouth mall 200 n dartmouth mall dartmouth ma
ewton centre 70 union st newton ma
emerald square mall 999 s washington st north attleboro ma
sharon five post office square sharon ma
stoughton 425 washington st stoughton ma
shrewsbury st marketplace 225 shrewsbury st worcester ma

Maryland
park place 2 park place annapolis md
harborplace 301 s light st baltimore md
belvedere 5911 york rd baltimore md
collington plaza 3524 ncrain hwy bowie md
beltsville i-495 10240 baltimore ave college park md
easton dudrow farm 28601 marlboro ave easton md
montgomery village plaza 18314 contour rd gaithersburg md
cloppers mill shopping center 18066 mateny rd germantown md
fairwood green village center 12530 fairwood pkwy glenn dale md
pikesville 1433 reisterstown rd pikesville md
saint charles towne center 11110 mall circle waldorf md
westfield 11160 veirs mill rd wheaton md

Maine
bangor mall 663 stillwater ave bangor me
bangor broadway 652 brdway bangor me

Michigan
fairlane town center 18900 michigan ave dearborn mi
buhl building 535 griswold st detroit mi
millender center 333 e jefferson ave detroit mi
jefferson & e grand blvd 7201 e jefferson detroit mi
eastpointe 22511 gratiot ave eastpointe mi
corunna & linden 4455 corunna rd flint mi
groesbeck & utica 31205 utica rd fraser mi
gaylord 1251 w main st gaylord mi
rivertown crossing 3700 rivertown pkwy grandville mi
canal & 44th 4375 canal sw grandville mi
w washington 1925 w washington greenville mi
gull rd & sprinkle 5625 gull rd kalamazoo mi
grand river & saginaw 3201 e grand river lansing mi
eastwood towne center 2941 preyde blvd lansing township mi
ludington 4551 w us hwy 10 ludington mi
twelve oaks mall 27500 novi rd novi mi
meridian mall 1982 grand river ave okemos mi
downtown rochester 439 main st rochester mi

Minnesota
e main frontage rd & prospect 2221 e main frontage rd albert lea mn
northtown mall 599 northtown dr ne blaine mn
radison rd & 109th 2331 108th lane ne blaine mn
brooklyn blvd & 55th 5512 brooklyn blvd brooklyn center mn
66th & hwy 252 615 66th ave n brooklyn center mn
brooklyn blvd & 69th 6901 brooklyn blvd brooklyn center mn
east burnsville 14637 country rd 11 burnsville mn
nicollet & hwy 55 250 e traveler's trail burnsville mn
coon rapids 3450 124th ave nw coon rapids mn
main st & hwy 10 2740 main st coon rapids mn
round lake & hwy 10 13131 riverdale dr coon rapids mn
hwy 15 & torgerson dr 1140 torgerson dr fairmont mn
grant & western 2280 grant st faribault mn
hastings & hwy 55 1731 n frontage rd hastings mn
lincoln square 3156 century ave n mahtomedi mn
madison & hwy 22 1881 madison ave mankato mn
warren & stadium 1680 warren st mankato mn
e southview dr & main st 1201 e main st marshall mn
125th & central 12555 ulysses st ne minnapolis mn
hwy 7 & co rd 101 5101 county rd minnetonka mn
hwy 36 & hwy 5 5980 neal ave n oak park heights mn
rockford square 4000 annapolis ln plymouth mn
tyler rd & mall dr 144 tyler rd n red wing mn
w circle dr & 26th 2665 commerce dr nw rochester mn
marschall & 17th ave 1539 17th ave e shakopee mn
242 w 7th 242 w 7th st. paul mn
lifestyle cnter 9000 hudson rd woodbury mn

Missouri
clayton and baxter 14815 clayton rd chesterfield mo
sr n & i64 7827 hwy n dardenne prairie mo
graham & i 270 1261 graham rd florissant mo
howdershell & dunn 6045 howdershell rd hazelwood mo
w florissant @ lucas & hunt 8031 w. florissant ave jennings mo
13th & main 1 e h&r block way kansas city mo
hwy 150 & hwy 291 3701 sw hollywood dr lees summit mo
sr k & weldon spring 4581 hwy k o'fallon mo
elm & sh-370 3788 elm st st. charles mo
union station 1820 market st st. louis mo
manchester & sappington 10025 manchester rd st. louis mo
telegraph & erb 6070 h telegraph rd st. louis mo
euclid & laclede 9 neuclid ave st. louis mo
7th & russell 2000 s 7th st st. louis mo
hwy 100 & s pointe 3081 phoenix center dr washington mo
lockwood & rock hill 234 w lockwood webster grove mo
hwy 94 & ofallon 5851 wwood dr weldon springs mo

Mississippi
i-55 & hwy 6 100 house-carlson dr batesville ms
lakeland & layfair 204 a e layfair dr flowood ms
hwy 98 & lake forgetful 6136 hwy 98 w hattiesburg ms
i 55 & main 1903 main st madison ms
hacks & goodman 7058 hacks cross olive branch ms
i-20 & pearson 403 riverwind rd pearl ms
northpark mall-the mills 1200 e county line ridgeland ms

North Carolina
chatham downs 141 chatham downs chapel hill nc
wilkinson blvd 3220 wilkinson blvd charlotte nc
northlake commons 9335 center lake dr charlotte nc
piedmont town center 4620 piedmont row dr charlotte nc
worthington 1520 overland park ln charlotte nc
providence rd & sharon amity rd 2921 providence rd charlotte nc
firetower rd & arlington blvd 1889 e firetower rd greenville nc
valley hills mall 1960 hwy 70 se hickory nc
nash street 2113 nash st wilson nc
harper hill commons 4912 country club rd winston salem nc

North Dakota
kirkwood mall 868 kirkwood mall bismarck nd
university & 16th 1601 university drive fargo nd
13th & 25th 1310 25th st fargo nd
i-29 & 13th ave 3402 13th ave s fargo nd

Nebraska
hwy 370 & 36th 3811 twin creek dr bellevue ne
23rd & clarkson 610 e 23rd st fremont ne
2nd & w 42 st 4116 2nd ave kearney ne
120th & blondo 2012 n 117th ave omaha ne
center & 63rd 6303 center st omaha ne
hwy 370 & 72nd 1423 papillion dr papillion ne
72nd & giles 8440 s 72nd st papillion ne

New Hampshire
rochester shoppes 160 washington st rochester nh

New Jersey
hammonton nj 80 s white horse pike hammonton nj
newark/broad st 744 brd st newark nj
ridgew00d 10 wilsey square ridgewood nj
west belt plaza 57 route 23 s wayne nj
willingboro 4364 route 130 n willingboro nj

New Mexico
wyoming & menaul 2270 wyoming albuquerque nm
hwy 550 & hwy 64 500 w brdway ave bloomfield nm
n main & temple 2800 n main st las cruces nm
n main & walmart access 4506 n main st roswell nm

Nevada
horizon ridge & horizon dr 65 e horizon ridge pkwy henderson nv
mission center 1340 e flamingo rd las vegas nv
maryland parkway - unlv 4626 s maryland pkwy las vegas nv
eastern beltway 2390 e serene ave las vegas nv
sahara & buffalo 8000 w sahara las vegas nv
desert inn & decatur 4810 w desert inn rd 3 las vegas nv
buffalo & washington 7595 w washington ave las vegas nv
jones & flamingo 6100 w flamingo rd las vegas nv
paradise & harmon 4480 paradise rd las vegas nv
tropicana & eastern 2510 e tropicana ave las vegas nv
charleston & brush 5181 w charleston blvd las vegas nv
ann & painted mirage 5590 painted mirage rd las vegas nv
durango & charleston 950 s durango dr las vegas nv
sky pointe & buffalo 6515 n buffalo dr las vegas nv
centennial & simmons 6360 n simmons st n las vegas nv
north mesa plaza 1513 w craig rd north las vegas nv
lake mead & rancho 3720 lake mead blvd north las vegas nv
1st & sierra 50 n sierra st reno nv

New York
bay ridge 8414 third ave 8414 3rd ave brooklyn ny
cedarhurst 426 central ave cedarhurst ny
central islip town centre 101 s research pl central islip ny
walden galleria mall 2000 walden ave cheektowaga ny
rte 11 & hogan rd 7897 brewerton rd cicero ny
central avenue kohls center 1818 central ave colonie ny
douglaston plaza 242-02 61st ave douglaston ny
east aurora 160 main st east aurora ny
east meadow 2330 hempstead turnpike east meadow ny
carrier circle 6570 weighlock dr east syracuse ny
elwood 1946 jericho turnpike elwood ny
fulton ave 123 fulton ave farmingdale ny
geneseo 4262 lakeville rd geneseo ny
union turnpike 8989 union turnpike glendale ny
atlas park 8000 cooper ave glendale ny
greece 2150 ridge rd w greece ny
broadway mall 385b brdway mall hickville ny
islandia 1750 veterans hwy islandia ny
lockport 5774 s transit rd lockport ny
mamaroneck ave 320-322 mamaroneck ave mamaroneck ny
1675 broadway 1675 brdway manhattan ny
galleria at crystal run one galleria dr middletown ny
old country road 106 old country rd mineola ny
sweetheart corner 3911 brewerton rd n syracuse ny
new hyde park village 1441 jericho turnpike new hyde park ny
400 madison avenue 400 madison ave new york ny
1600 broadway 1600 brdway new york ny
46th & fifth ave 565 fifth ave new york ny
madison & 44th 340 madison ave new york ny
macy's 5th floor - herald square 151 w 34th st new york ny
poughkeepsie galleria 2001 s rd poughkeepsie ny
1 roslyn rd 1 railrd ave roslyn heights ny
watt st 24471 watt st schenectady ny
southampton 20 nhwy southampton ny
southold 53345 route 25 southold ny
forest promenade 1756 forest ave staten island ny
palisades center 4451 palisades ctr dr west nyack ny
westbury 467 old country rd westbury ny
the source mall 1504 old country rd westbury ny

Ohio
1505 fifth ave 1505 w fifth ave columbus oh
yukon building 601 n high st columbus oh
reynoldsburg 6144 e main st columbus oh
dublin, sawmill & hard 7561 sawmill rd dublin oh
the shops at fallen timbers 3100 main st maumee oh
richmond town square 691 richmond rd richmond heights oh
ohio valley mall 67800 mall rd st. clairsville oh
maxtown 925 n. state st westerville oh
high st 530 n high st worthington oh

Oklahoma
main & wayne 1610 n main st altus ok
hwy 66 & country club 1100 s lynn riggs blvd claremore ok
29th & linda 4755 se 29th st del city ok
danforth & santa fe 2015 w danforth rd edmond ok
15th & santa fe 2141 w 15th st edmond ok
sheridan & gore 1204 nw sheridan rd lawton ok
hwy 69 & comanche 427 s george nigh expy mcalester ok
shawnee & 6th 591 w shawnee muskogee ok
122nd & pennsylvania 12124 n pennsylvania ave oklahoma city ok
memorial & may 3131 w memorial oklahoma city ok
broadway extension & britton 125 w britton rd oklahoma city ok
western & 89th 9201 s wern ave oklahoma city ok
14th & bradley 2400 n 14th st ponca city ok
hwy 62 & meadow creek 1702 s muskogee ave tahlequah ok
81st & mingo 9524 e 81st st tulsa ok

Oregon
tanasbourne - haggens 18000 nw evergreen pkwy beaverton or
cornell & 188th 1887 nw 188th ave hillsboro or
hawthorne ii 1864 se hawthorne blvd portland or
20th & division 2045 se division st portland or
clackamas town center ii 11860 se 82nd ave portland or
tillamook shops 1701 wilson river loop rd tillamook or

Pennsylvania
trexlertown 6379 hamilton blvd allentown pa
logan valley mall route 220 & goods ln altoona pa
chestnut plaza 118 e chestnut ave altoona pa
neshaminy mall 707 neshaminy mall bensalem pa
downtown bloomsburg 34 e main st bloomsburg pa
new britain 290 w butler pike chalfont pa
dallas 184 memorial hwy dallas pa
palmer town center 677 s 25th st easton pa
north hanover 189 eisenhower dr hanover pa
paxton street 3462 paxton st harrisburg pa
3rd & market 225 market st harrisburg pa
granite run mall 1067 w baltimore pike media pa
english village 1460 bethlehem pike north wales pa
station squre-bessemer court 5 station square dr pittsburgh pa
plymouth meeting mall 500 w germantown pike plymouth meeting pa
muhlenberg 3225 n5th st reading pa
stroudsburg 1000 shoppes at strouds rt 611 stroudsburg pa
upper moreland 2770 eon rd upper moreland pa
warrington route 611 711 eon rd warrington pa
rt 611 willow grove 1107 eon rd willow grove pa
wyomissing ii 798 woodland rd wyomissing pa

South Carolina
e main st & drayton rd 1855 e main st spartanburg sc

Tennessee
appling & us 70 7610 us hwy 70 bartlett tn
hwy 58 & hwy 153 4503 hwy 58 chattanooga tn
nonconnah pkwy & houston levee 4630 merchant park cir collierville tn
hwy 51 & lanny bridges 1625 hwy 51 s covington tn
i-40 & pine ridge 1796 roane state hwy harriman tn
highland & baltimore 112 e baltimore st jackson tn
strawberry plains & i-40 7228 region lane knoxville tn
dexter & germantown 1645 n germantown pkwy memphis tn
germantown & market plaza 2293 n germantown pkwy memphis tn
riverdale & maltan 3586 riverdale rd memphis tn
hwy 96 @ mall circle drive 207a stones river mall blvd murfreesboro tn
stones river mall kiosk 1720 old fort pkwy murfreesboro tn
hwy 64 & hwy 194 7275 hwy 64 oakland tn

Texas
south arlington 1201 w arbrook arlington tx
cooper & green oaks 5435 s cooper arlington tx
collins & green oaks 2733 n collins arlington tx
matlock & bardin 4645 matlock arlington tx
s congress and academy 1007 s congress austin tx
mopac & slaughter 5000 w slaughter austin tx
hwy 83 & boca chica 100 expressway 83 brownsville tx
us 377 & us 67 300 w commerce brownwood tx
spid & weber 3920 s padre island dr corpus christi tx
staples & doddridge 3738 staples corpus christi tx
greenville & matalee 3715 greenville ave dallas tx
preston & beltline 14891 preston rd dallas tx
lovers lane & greenville ave 5500 greenville ave dallas tx
camp wisdom rd & hwy 67 3431 camp wisdom rd dallas tx
skillman and audelia 9090 skillman st dallas tx
northpark mall ii 8687 n central exp dallas tx
lbj & montfort 5631 lbj fwy dallas tx
illinois & westmoreland 3403 w illinois ave dallas tx
coit & 635 7995 lbj dallas tx
pleasant run & hampton rd 900 n hampton rd desoto tx
cedar ridge & wheatland rd 107 s cedar ridge dr duncanville tx
montana & mcrae 9615 montana rd el paso tx
spring valley & midway 13901 midway rd farmers branch tx
camp bowie & hulen 4603 camp bowie fort worth tx
hulen mall 4800 s hulen st fort worth tx
mccart & altamesa 6221 mccart ave fort worth tx
fm 423 lebanon 5605 fm 423 frisco tx
warren & dallas pkwy 6801 warren pkwy frisco tx
firewheel town center 470 coneflower dr garland tx
shepherd & farnham 3821 shephard houston tx
i-45 & red ripple 6001 n fwy houston tx
hwy 249 & antoine 12503 tomball pkwy houston tx
main & dallas 914 dallas st houston tx
fannin & preston 1018 preston houston tx
westheimer & briargreen 14333 wheimer rd houston tx
bellaire & wilcrest 10611 bellaire blvd houston tx
fannin & macgregor 6400 fannin st houston tx
deerbrook mall 20131 hwy 59 humble tx
hwy 77 & general cavazos 1401 e general cavazos kingsville tx
zapata hwy & chestnut 2201 chestnut laredo tx
town east mall 2228 town e blvd mesquite tx
hwy 271 & white street 901 s jefferson ave mt pleasant tx
lamar & loop 286 3855 ne loop 286 paris tx
i-27 & hwy 70 1301 i-27 north plainview tx
preston & hwy 121 8600 preston plano tx
coit and hwy 190 340 coit rd plano tx
collin creek mall 811 n central exwy plano tx
hwy 75 & park blvd 1881 central exwy plano tx
i-35 & red oak 502 n i-35 red oak tx
cherry & business 35 1205 hwy 35 n rockport tx
hwy 59 & hwy 36 27943 sw fwy rosenberg tx
59 & hwy 762 24406 sw fwy rosenburg tx
san pedro/bitters 13429 san pedro ave san antonio tx
rio grande & laurent 1310 e rio grande victoria tx
valley mills & waco dr 4300 w waco dr waco tx
green oaks & hwy 183 500 b hwy 183 w white settlement tx
us 287 & maurine 2009 maurine st wichita falls tx

Utah
37th & harrison 3685 s harrison blvd ogden ut
1914 w & 126th s 1868 w 12600 s riverton ut
cottonwood creek 7835 s highland dr salt lake city ut
1700 s & 2000 w 1642 s 2000 w syracuse ut

Virginia
spotsylvania towne centre 137 spotsylvania towne ctr fredericksburg va
madison crescent 8006 crescent park dr gainesville va
power plant 1984 power plant pkwy hampton va
patrick henry mall 12300 jefferson ave newport news va
stonewall plaza 240 rivendell ct winchester va

Washington
grays harbor haggens 1213 e wishkah st aberdeen wa
burlington & gilkey 1030 s burlington blvd burlington wa
top foods wenatchee 10 grant rd east wenatchee wa
top foods federal way 31515 20th ave s federal way wa
kent haggens 26015 104th ave sw kent wa
orting retail center 211 washington ave orting wa
hwy 101 & del guzzi dr 108 del guzzi dr port angles wa
15th ave e 328 15th ave e seattle wa
denny & aurora 620 denny way seattle wa
met park ii 1220 howell st seattle wa
23rd & madison 2201 e madison ave seattle wa
45th & stone way 1218 n 45th st seattle wa
northgate mall ii 301 ne northgate way seattle wa
42nd & sw alaska 4704 42nd ave sw seattle wa
market and garland 3907 n market st spokane wa
rainier pacific building 1498 pacific ave tacoma wa
southcenter & minkler 17100 scenter pkwy tukwila wa
orchards 6700 ne 162nd vancouver wa
top foods - yakima 2203 s 1st st yakima wa

Wisconsin
fox river mall 4301 w wisconsin ave appleton wi
oakwood mall 4800 golf rd eau claire wi
losey & denton 1422 s losey blvd lacrosse wi
findlay plaza 2825 university ave madison wi
central & mcmillan 1710 central ave marshfield wi
8th & wood 1951 8th st wisconsin rapids wi

West Virginia
the highlands 36 fort henry rd tridelphia wv

(Photo: Captain of the Green And White )

Not Even Mini Babybel Cheese Can Escape The Grocery Shrink Ray

Carey — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:00:10 EDT

Violating every conceivable standard of decency, the Grocery Shrink Ray has unleashed a heartless attack on baby cheese. Mini Babybels, those adorably pudgy wax-encrusted cheese cylinders, were once allowed to grow until they reached 132 grams. Now, the Babybel's are a stunted 120 grams.

Reader Heather recounts the unfortunate discovery:

I thought I'd bring to your attention Mini Babybel Cheese, which was one that surprised even me. I got a message from the cashiers saying it didn't scan, which I thought was ridiculous, since it's always been popular. But there you go, a whole 2g less per wax packet. Sigh. And, you guessed it, the price is staying the same.

All this shrinking makes a lot more work for poor file maintenance workers like myself. But ah well! Such is the way of things in this wacky world.

I have attached a few photos of the "offenders", including the original as well as the copy-cat. The original Babybel package was 132g in total, the new one is 120g. I looked at each cheese packet, and yes, there is a noticeable size difference between the two.

Thank you for your time, and keep up the great work, guys! I'll be sure to keep you guys informed if I notice anything particularly interesting.

Man Tries To Buy From "The Camera Professionals," Fails

Chris Walters — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:38:46 EDT

"The Camera Professionals" are not actually that professional, nor do they have cameras to sell you. That's what ZDNet reporter Josh Taylor discovered when he decided to take their Google AdWord bait and buy a camcorder they were offering for nearly $300 less than other stores. He didn't expect much success, and he was richly rewarded:

While stories like mine are sadly not that uncommon, I’m still absolutely stumped at what kind of scheme The Camera Professionals is trying to pull off. They never tried to upsell me, they never charged my credit card, they simply appeared to have taken an order for an item they seemingly have no intention of trying to fill.

After reading complaints online about the company, Taylor was expecting a call-to-confirm scam that would lead to an aggressive upsell, and a subsequent out of stock notice if he didn't take the bait. Instead, he simply got nowhere with them. We wonder if it had to do with his manner of payment (Amex).

What's funniest about the experience is that the company actually paid a small amount of money to take Taylor's order:

But that’s not all. Since I clicked on a Google sponsored link to visit them in the first place, they actually paid Google for the privilege of taking an order. It wasn’t much - looks to be about a nickel a click for the search term “Vixia HF10″ - but it’s still a nickel more than they made off my order.

"The worst shopping experience on the web?" [The ToyBox / ZDNet]

Big Box Retailers Fight Back Against FCC's Recent Fines

Chris Walters — Tue, 20 May 2008 10:30:52 EDT

Best Buy, Circuit City, and Sears are all contesting the FCC's recent fines against them for not properly following analog transition rules in their stores, reports Ars Technica. Last week, Best Buy submitted a 41-page response (PDF) that claimed among other things that the FCC has no authority to fine them.

Best Buy's boldest claim is that the FCC "has not claimed any express authorization from Congress to enact the Labeling Rule, and none exist." In other words, they claim the FCC doesn't have the authority to force retailers to label all analog TVs with warnings that they will need a digital converter after to receive over-the-air broadcasts after February 17th, 2009.

Additionally, the company claims that its violations were accidents and not "willful" as described by the FCC, and that the FCC's report contained errors, such as listing a model that doesn't exist.

"Best Buy: FCC has no power to fine us over analog TVs" [Ars Technica] (Thanks to forgottenpassword!)

Manager Defends Retail Renting As Valuable Sales Tool

Carey — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:15:55 EDT

A former camera store manager came forward to defend retail renting as a common tactic that helps drive sales. Retail renting is when a customer buys a pricey item like a prom dress with the intention of returning it later. Our completely unscientific poll shows that 70% of you disapprove of retail renting, but our tipster insists that it is a victimless crime and a valuable sales tool. Our enlightening chat with the former manager, inside.

(What appears below was formatted from an IM conversation)

I saw just about any kind of retail renting you can think of. The biggest thing that I wanted to convey is that we, in the business, all did it. Managers, employee's and even the district managers got in the action too.
Sometimes, it was legitimate product testing. I never liked telling a mom that this camera would take great pictures of her children until I tried it out on my own. Other times, I "tested" the portable DVD player for a week while on vacation. But the rule was always that you paid for the item and then returned it when you were done with it. Nothing under the table.

Customers did it to. The occasional rental didn't really bother me all that much. What I found was that customers would on occasion buy a camera from me later on once they learned how lax we were about returns.

In fact, last week I "rented" a $1900 lens from [the store.] Now, normally I actually "rent" lenses from a company that's equipped to do so. However, I needed the lens the next day and [the store] was my only option. As far as I'm concerned, its a victimless crime.

The lens had already been opened and used by someone else. My thought was that if I beat up or damage the lens, I own it. If not, I return it and nobody loses anything. I know that for a fact as a former manager. The only time it would bother me would be when somebody got to return something well beyond the time limit. I sold a digital camera to a woman once who obviously had used her camera on her vacation. However, she had gone almost 15 days over the 10 day return window. Corporate allowed her to return the camera and I had a huge chunk of my check taken away. Had it been during the same window as when I received the comission, I wouldn't have minded so much.

I think that people need to understand that its really a victimless crime. In the world of cameras, unless the box has a factory seal you have to assume that its been opened and played with at some point. Some stores even go the extra step of breaking all the seals on all the boxes to remove that bias.

We sort of saw the idea of renting as another way to get people into the store to buy something. Even if they didn't buy a camera, they would on occasion become printing customers. This isn't something that we encouraged people to do mind you. Its not like you could walk up to me and say, "Hi, I'd like to buy a camera for the weekend and take it back," and I'd say SURE SIR HERE YOU GO.

What normally happens is the customer would come in and within 5 minutes would make a $500 camera purchase. Before leaving they'd take the camera out and have me spot check it to make sure it wasn't broken or anything. it was at this point that I realized they were renting. I wished them a nice day and started a pool within the store as to when they'd bring it back.

Some stores would try to "scare" the customer by warning them of return refusal policies or restocking fee's that don't exist. My guess is that they were banking on the fact that the customer would be too guilt stricken to question company policy. Some of them were right. But I always found it was hypocritical to stop customers from doing what we ourselves did on a regular basis

My first store manager bought and returned her home printer every month. When she quit, she returned it for good.

I guess what I'm trying to argue is that if its done correctly, its a victimless crime. The insiders do it in much worse fashion anyways. I would argue that if your willing to rent something, you might be willing to buy it (eventually). Allowing you to rent with me increases my chances of a sale. And that's what I really want.

Do retail renters ever go the extra dishonest mile and try to return damaged equipment?

Oh yes, but that's why you check out the equipment before you allow the return. That's where I put my foot down. If I couldn't sell the camera at full price to the person behind you, we have a problem.
The best is since [the store] has a warranty that covers customer damage, people assumed that if they broke it they could return it and the warranty would cover the repairs. Meaning we'd return their broken camera and fix it under our warranty and somehow not lose money on it.

You needed every plastic cover, every piece of wrapping to bring it back into my store and most of my customers knew that.

These would-be scammers didn't react well when confronted.

Most of them threw a fit. I would assume because they got caught. But that's what you get for disregarding how serious I take returns. Some people would rent without regard for the fact that I would still have to sell the product.
Sometimes we'd turn it into a sale. Well, I can't return this camera but I'll let you exchange it. Then i'd write "NO RETURN/EXCHANGE" on their receipt and the camera box. But yeah, they'd get pretty pissed. Especially when I found all the little things. I've denied returns because that little cover that comes with the batter (that everyone loses right away) was missing. Or a tiny scratch on the bottom of the camera.

My store was very thorough with returns.

So our former manager has no problem with renting. Would she herself rent from another store?

Hmm....
Well, there aren't many stores where you can these days. I did "rent" a heater from Costco once. I needed to warm my house for a party. I rented a $200 space heater, though I did end up buying a $30 a few weeks later from them. So I don't think it was a loss. I even repacked the rented heater the exact same way it was.
I suppose renting out of simple need is ok. Habitual renting to me would feel like stealing, and in truth, I did consider keeping the heater.

Does this change your opinion of retail renting? Take to the comments with your moral indignation.

(Photo: *** Fanch The System !!! ***)
PREVIOUSLY: Is Retail Renting Ethical?

Zappos Zaps Price Protection Policy, Free Overnight Shipping

Carey — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 08:59:54 EST

Update: Zappos will still surprise customers with free overnight shipping, but it is no longer a perk they will actively promote.

Online shoe store Zappos.com, renowned for their otherworldly 'just-say-yes' customer service philosophy, no longer offers free overnight shipping or a 110% price match guarantee. Tipster Julie forwarded her conversation with a Zappos CSR confirming the policy shift.

Here is the chat you had recently at Zappos.com
Julie has joined the room
Kathy has joined the room
Kathy: Thank you for contacting Zappos.com! My name is Kathy. How may I assist you today?
Julie: I was wondering if you still offer the 110% price match guarantee?
Kathy: Hello Julie, I'll be happy to help. We no longer offer our Price Protection Policy.
Julie: Oh! Okay, thank you. When did that end?
Kathy: It ended on February 14th.
Julie: Ah okay. Bummer. Thank you!
Kathy: You are very welcome. Please let us know if there is any thing else we may assist you with.
Julie: Will do, thanks!
Julie has left the room

Sure enough, there is an official announcement:

We will no longer be promoting "Free Overnight Shipping" and we no longer will be promoting our price protection policy. Instead, we will be focusing more on our "free shipping" and our expanding selection of merchandise.

When asked to explain the shift, Zappos informed us that their public relations person was out enjoying the three-day weekend.

7 Lies You'll Hear From Salesmen At Electronics Stores

Chris Walters — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:16:48 EST

Future Shop is a Canadian consumer electronics retail chain. Charlie used to work there, and has now passed along the 7 most common lies he heard salesmen use on unsuspecting customers. Whether you have a Future Shop in your area or not, you'll find these lies familiar. (We ran into a lot of them back when The Wiz was still in NYC, in fact.)

1) "The Service Plan covers everything" In fact, it doesn't cover most things. Don't believe any salesman who says it covers physical damage, spills, cosmetic damage, etc. Also, after you have you machine replaced (after 3 repairs), the Service Plan stops working. The salesman will act like the replacement is a benefit, really it's so FS can wash their hands of your buggy hardware.
2) "I'm going to give you a discount"
More often than not my co-workers would lie about high priced items, claiming to take off hundreds of dollars on cables or warranties to trick uninformed shoppers. Always shop around and find out how much things are worth, and watch what the items scan in at instead of taking his word.

3) "This model is a Future Shop exclusive"
Danger Will Robinson. "Exclusives" are always a repackaged retail product, usually with a slight cosmetic change, but bumped up several hundred dollars. As my manager put it: "They move the speakers from the bottom to the sides, repaint it and we mark it up". Salesmen make about triple commission on these models, so there's strong incentive to push them.

4) "Setup will avoid hours of work"
This only applies to computers, but it's good to know. Most salesmen try to push this on technophobes, saying that it's a complicated procedure involving special tools. Really, they click through the Vista install, run regedit to stop some software and burn a backup disk. Oh, and it's automated. Unless your time is worth about 30 dollars an hour do it yourself.

5) "You're saving on x"
With some products there are legitimate discounts available for bundling, and managers have the authority to offer real discounts on unbundled product. However, avoid bundles like "Pay 350 dollars for setup and get free Office and Antivirus". You end up saving about 20 dollars on Office and Antivirus, but you're paying 80 dollars for useless setup still. If you're going for a discount refuse to tack on anything you don't want, and try to push the salesman. It'll hurt his numbers to help you, but he won't want to lose a big sale.

6) "You need Monster Cables/Setup/x to make this work well"
Anyone who reads Consumerist knows Monster Cables are a scam, so avoid them like the plague. They make the salesman about 25 dollars per cable, and leave you with very expensive copper. Similarly, some salesmen say computers won't work well without setup, which less technically-inclined customers tend to believe.

7) "You have to buy x"
Legally, the store is obligated to sell you any available (nondisplay) product at the advertised price. Many stores "pre-setup" their laptops to avoid making customers wait for setup. Salesmen see this as an excuse to force the setup on you. Legally (at least in my store), if the customer didn't want setup we had to give them the laptop at the sticker price, with setup. If the salesman is too pushy ask for a manager, who will know the rules a lot better.

Furniture retailer Wickes has filed for Chapter ...

Meg Marco — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:14:10 EST

Furniture retailer Wickes has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Class Actions: Bed Bath & Beyond May Owe You A Small Amount Of Money

Meg Marco — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:45:41 EST

If you bought sheets at Bed Bath & Beyond you may have some money coming to you from a class action settlement. BB&B has begun notifying customers that they've settled a class action lawsuit brought over the thread count in their sheets. Apparently, said sheets had been labeled in a non-standard manner.

From Home Textiles Today:

While denying any wrongdoing, the retailer said that under the settlement, for the next five years it will comply with ASTM standards that require thread counts to be labeled according to the number of yarns in a square inch of fabric, regardless of the number of plies, a standard that has also been adopted by the Federal Trade Commission.

Consumers who purchased the improperly labeled sheets are eligible for a full refund, providing that they have a receipt and want to return the sheets. If you like your sheets and want to keep them, you can get a $10 gift certificate or a 20% discount certificate, depending on what sort of proof of purchase you have.

The idea that a 20% coupon from BB&B is some sort of compensation is a bit laughable. We recently tried to leave our apartment and had to call the fire department to help rescue us from the wall of Bed, Bath & Beyond 20% off coupons that were blocking the exit.

Bed Bath & Beyond Thread Count Settlement (Thanks, Kenneth!)
BB&B will compensate consumers after thread count suit [Home Textiles Today]
(Photo:Morton Fox)

When Shoplifting $300 Worth Of Hunting Knives, Try Not To Impale Yourself On Them

Meg Marco — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:55:21 EST

A Michigan man was caught shoplifting $300 worth of hunting knives from Meijer after he scuffled with security guards and fell forward, impaling himself. He'd hidden the knives in the waistband of his pants.

The man's injuries were not life-threatening, and he was taken to the hospital and treated. He's expected to face a misdemeanor shoplifting charge, police told the Grand Rapids Press.

"The man was taken to the hospital," said Meijer spokesman Frank Giuliano. "We are cooperating with the investigation by police."
Police said the suspect has a record of retail fraud.

"I saw a man laying down on the mat by the carts, a knife by him with blood on the full blade of the knife," shopper Heather Dodd said. "It was not a dull kitchen knife or a sharp butcher's knife. It was somewhere in between.

"Someone was holding him down, so I just walked around him, grabbed my cart, made sure everything was OK and got out of the way."

Alleged shoplifter falls on knives [MLive] (Thanks, s!)
(Photo:meghannmarco)

Geeks.com Website Hacked, Customer Data Stolen

Chris Walters — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 07:55:48 EST

If you bought anything from Geeks.com in at least the last year or so, you might want to start paying close attention to your credit card statements—the company sent out an email on Friday telling former customers that they "recently discovered on December 5, 2007 that customer information, including Visa credit card information, may have been compromised." Full email after the jump.

Genica Corporation dba Geeks.com 1890 Ord Way Oceanside, CA 92056 January 4, 2008
[address redacted]

Dear [name redacted]

The purpose of this letter is to notify you that Genica dba Geeks.com ("Genica") recently discovered on December 5, 2007 that customer information, including Visa credit card information, may have been compromised. In particular, it is possible that an unauthorized person may be in possession of your name, address, telephone number, email address, credit card number, expiration date, and card verification number. We are still investigating the details of this incident, but it appears that an unauthorized individual may have accessed this information by hacking our eCommerce website.

We take this breach of our data seriously, and we deeply regret that this incident has occurred. We immediately reported this crime to local law enforcement authorities, as well as the Secret Service and other federal authorities. We also reported the incident to Visa. We have engaged an outside, nationally recognized security firm to determine how this incident occurred and to confirm that information we obtain is protected to the fullest extent reasonably possible.

To protect against possible identity theft or other financial loss, we encourage you to review your Visa credit card account statements and to monitor your credit reports as provided below. To assist you, Genica has taken the following steps:

We have set up a toll-free, call-in number to assist you with questions or concerns you may have related to this incident. All questions should be directed to 1-888-529-6261 or 1-212-560-5108 for non-US recipients.
PLEASE NOTE: These numbers will be active beginning on Tuesday, January 9, 2008.

We have provided names and contact information for the three major U.S. credit bureaus below. At no charge, you can have the agency place a "fraud alert" on your file that alerts creditors to take additional steps to verify your identity prior to granting credit in your name. This service can make it more difficult for someone to get credit in your name. Note, however, that because it tells creditors to follow certain procedures to protect you, it also may delay your ability to obtain credit while the agency verifies your identity. As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the others are notified to place fraud alerts on your file. Should you wish to place a fraud alert, or should you have any questions regarding your credit report, please contact any one of the agencies listed below.
Agency Toll-Free Website
Experian 888-397-3742 www.experian.com
Equifax 800-525-6285 www.equifax.com
TransUnion 800-680-7289 www.transunion.com

You are also entitled under U.S. law to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus. To order your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll-free (877) 322-8228. For additional information on how to further protect yourself against identity theft, you may wish to visit the web site of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.gov/idtheft, or, for California residents, the web site of the California Office of Privacy Protection at www.privacy.ca.gov.
Again, we deeply regret this incident and any inconvenience or concern it may cause you. We are working diligently to investigate and resolve the matter.
Sincerely,

Jerry L. Harken
Chief of Security
Genica Corporation
DBA: Geeks.com
assistance.RemoveThis@geeks.com

(Thanks to Bob!)

Macy's Doesn't Care If You Want To Save The Planet, Forces You To Take A Plastic Bag

Meg Marco — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 00:12:50 EST

Some people would rather not take a plastic bag if they don't need one, ourselves included, because a) enough with the plastic bags already b) it's wasteful and bad for the planet to take plastic bags when you really blatantly don't need or want them.

With that in mind, here's a letter from reader Erin:

I thought you might be interested in my experience at the usually sweet-faced Macy's the other day.
While at the Galleria in Buffalo, I ran into Macy's to purchase a couple pairs of winter tights. After being rung up, I told the salesperson that I didn't need a bag. She told me that she had to give me a bag, that I wouldn't be allowed out of the store without one. I said I would just show the receipt as my proof of purchase, and that it was no problem. Rosa told me that I could throw it out as soon as I left the store, but that I had to take it. I told her I didn't want to take it because I didn't WANT to throw it away and waste it, that I don't use plastic bags on principle. She refused to give me my tights without the bag. I was so furious at this forced environmental waste. How ridiculous and unnecessary. Great customer service!

best,
Erin

We'd really like to see them try to prevent you from leaving the store just because you don't have a bag. Don't taze me, Macy's.

(Photo:smcgee)

Experience A Retail Manager's Morning

Chris Walters — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 18:11:15 EST

As part of USA Today's series on retail management, the newspaper shadows a Toys R Us manager for an hour on a Saturday morning during the holiday season. It's a good opportunity to see the world of retail from the other side, including clueless customers, magically shifting inventory, and interruptions galore. Here's just the first nine minutes:

10:30 a.m. — She finds the Mars Mission MT-101 Drilling Unit for a customer who describes but can't name it.

10:32 — She leads a customer to the Star Wars Millennium Falcon Transformer, then explains how it works.

10:35 — She takes a customer to the High School Musical doll section.

10:36 — She says to two women: "Is everything OK? Let me know if you need anything." One of the women suggests a couple of drinks might help.

10:37 — She brings Barbie Dream House to the customer service area to hold for a woman having trouble operating a shopping cart with it inside.

10:38:50 — She moves a stray Tickle Me Elmo back to the Elmo section.

"An hour in the life of a retail manager" [USA Today] (Photo: Getty)

Retail Industry Suffering From Shortage Of Managers

Chris Walters — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 17:58:49 EST

The retail industry needs more managers, reports USA Today—people entering the workforce don't usually consider retail a viable career path: "Students find banking, technology and other fields more promising because there's more 'growth potential, a better work/life balance and a clear career path.'" The average salary for a retail manager in the U.S. isn't too shabby—almost $84,000—but that comes with strange hours, thankless tasks, and an odd mixture of job requirements that combines being responsible for a store's success and mentoring youths, while at the same time not being able to decide what to stock or how the store's brand is managed nationally, and having to deal with employees who often have little incentive to perform well.

For many, the career is more like what former retail manager Norm Feuti, who now pens a syndicated cartoon called Retail, remembers.
"You don't really have any control over what goes on. You put the displays where they (corporate executives) want them. You carry the products they want. They set the prices. And the computer systems reorder your merchandise," says Feuti, who worked in retail management until 2002. "But when it comes to sales, you get none of the credit and all of the blame."

The article talks to a 35-year-old Toys R Us manager who's been in the business since her early 20s and seems to really love her work. "'The busier I am, the more I enjoy it,' says Koteski. 'Stress is different for each person.'" Koteski is unmarried and has no children, though, which only reinforces the idea that it's not the most obvious career choice if you want to raise a traditional family, as a former manager makes clear:

Katey Morse was recruited to be an assistant manager for Ann Taylor Loft (ANN) in 2003 while she was working as a Coach (COH) store assistant manager in Grand Rapids, Mich. She now works as a personal banker for Chase. Morse, who is pregnant with her first child, says she knew the hours in retail management wouldn't be conducive to raising a family. Besides, she says, "The compensation is pathetic when you figure out how many hours you were expected to work."

"Wanted: Retail managers" [USA Today]
(Photo: Getty)

Congress Pulls The Plug On Incandescents

Carey — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:00:19 EST

Say goodbye to wasteful incandescents. Congress' recently passed energy bill bans stores from selling the inefficient bulbs starting in 2012. We know you know love incandescents and their warm glowing warming glow, but compact fluorescents are vastly superior—their takeover was inevitable.

"Sure, you'll see more compact fluorescents five years from now, but you would have seen them without any energy bill," said the chief executive of Osram Sylvania, Charlie Jerabek.
Michael B. Petras Jr., vice president of GE Consumer and Industrial — the unit that includes General Electric's lighting business — broadened the thought to all forms of lighting. "You'll see different light sources for your decorative chandelier, for your recessed lighting and for your under-cabinet lights," he said. "And I can assure you that all the kinds of light sources are already getting a lot more efficient."

Including incandescents.

Congress has not specifically outlawed incandescent bulbs, only inefficient ones.

In February, G.E. said that it was developing a high-efficiency incandescent that will radiate more than twice the light of conventional incandescents. It expects to make that one commercially available by 2010, and one that is twice as efficient a few years later.

And so far, consumers have been slow to give new products a chance. Compact fluorescents, for example, are already ubiquitous in stores. Many retailers, led by Wal-Mart, have promoted the economics of the bulbs — though compact fluorescents generally cost six times what incandescents do, they last six times as long and use far less energy.

We switched over to CFLs and the only difference we notice is a consistently cheaper energy bill. Switching bulbs has a direct effect on your energy consumption, and is one of the single best ways you can help the environment as a consumer.

No Joke, Bulb Change Is Challenge for U.S. [NYT]
(Photo: Nictalopen)

The Apple Store For Education Makes Mistakes, Too

Meg Marco — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 12:19:40 EST

Reader Patrick sends the above screen grab with the comforting email subject line: "No Worries—Apple.com Can't Spell Either."

At least Walmart and I are not alone out there.

PREVIOUSLY: Walmart Would Like You To Know That They Accept All Forms Of Debit

Marshalls Advertisting Proactiv Over The PA?

Meg Marco — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:33:40 EST

Have you ever heard a store advertising stuff they don't sell over the PA? Reader Anne describes some weirdness she encountered at Marshalls:

I just returned from a trip to Marshalls where I was subjected to an ad for Proactiv over the PA system. It was really horrendous and must be addressed! The worst part is that I'm pretty sure they don't even sell Proactiv at Marshalls, so it's not like a blue light special informing us shoppers of a Proactive special in aisle 12.
Has research been done that shows Marshalls shoppers are acne prone? It was total bullshit and during the whole thing I wondered what life will be like when I no longer shop at Marshalls because I refuse to be advertised at when I'm wandering around a store spending money. I'm hoping a good expose will end the advertising and allow me to continue my life of off-price shopping at TJX stores. Please help!

That's odd. Maybe it was the radio? We haven't been in a Marshalls in a while; has anyone else caught them advertising stuff they don't sell?

(Photo:cmorran123)

Beware! Apple Stores Have Mysterious Tractor Beams

Meg Marco — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:32:09 EST

Your local Apple Store is home to a mysterious tractor beam that pulls in unwitting shoppers who venture less than 25 feet from its storefront, says Apple Insider. An anylst from Piper Jaffray spent 6 hours monitoring traffic in front of various Apple Stores and found that shoppers were inexplicably drawn to the big glowing Apple.

Specifically, analyst Gene Munster and his team found that 27 percent of people walking within 25-feet of an Apple store entrance wound up entering the store. Once in the stores, however, only a fraction of those shoppers actually purchased anything. But Munster in a note to clients early Monday morning said he believes the draw may be indicative of consumers' future purchase decisions.
"The important point is this gravitational pull highlights that consumers' future buying intentions could be shifting to Apple from PCs," he explained. "If materialized, this shift should benefit Apple in 2008 and 2009."

We don't find this too surprising. Who wouldn't want to mess around in the Apple Store without buying anything? It looks pretty fun in there.

Apple stores having 'gravitational pull' on mall shoppers - report [Apple Insider via Wired]
(Photo:mattloveskicks)

Fry's Employees Sell Opportunity To Cut Black Friday Line

Carey — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 09:30:27 EST

Fry's employees in Renton, Washington sold Black Friday aspirants the chance to cut to the front of the pre-dawn line for between $108.79 and $200, including tax. Puzzled shoppers were assured that the money went to Fry's, not the employees. A Fry's worker explained the situation with disarming naiveté:

When KING 5 asked about this at the customer service desk, one employee said: "Oh they stopped doing that. They weren't supposed to." The employee said the store manager put a stop to it.

Anyone who paid the advancement fee will receive a full refund. The rogue salesmen will be sent to the back of the unemployment line.

Fry's shoppers offered chance to cut in line - for a price [KING 5 News]
(AP Photo/Don Ryan)

Airports Are Being Transformed Into Shopping Malls

Chris Walters — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:02:35 EST

9/11 had an unforeseen consequence that likely annoys anti-Americans and cheers President "Shop For Freedom" Bush: it triggered an explosion of self-contained shopping malls at airports across the country. One airport consultant says, "All of the sudden, any airport ... can be a retail opportunity. It really has turned into a very different environment than it was 10 or 20 years ago," which is why so many large airports today look like compressed shopping malls instead of travel hubs.

"What's important about airport traffic is the volume of travelers," said Daniel Butler, vice president of merchandising and retail operations at the National Retail Federation. "It's ... new traffic every day."
The number and variety of airport retail offerings has been growing for years, experts say. But it really took off after 9/11. As travelers were urged to arrive more than two hours before flights to clear security, the captive audience in the terminals shot up.

Not that travelers are necessarily suffering from the increased options—when you're stuck in a terminal for several hours and numb from travel, it can be a pleasant diversion to wander through the shopping district like a mall zombie.

"Travelers get new and cheaper shopping options in airports" [The Kansas City Star]
(Photo: Doug Letterman)

Walgreens is doing very well for itself. ...

Meg Marco — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:49:03 EDT

Walgreens is doing very well for itself. Same store sales up 6.9%. Do you like Walgreens, or did everyone get a cold at the same time? [Reuters]