Consumerist
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walmart is your god now
Walmart Goes Crazy On Couple Suspected Of Shoplifting
Walmart can try to spin itself as being on the side of good all it wants, but if it ever suspects you of shoplifting, you may find that you're powerless to fight back. In the case of a couple accused of shoplifting some Bic lighters in Niles, Michigan this past August, Walmart detained them, the police came and cuffed one of them, their two kids were taken to a security room, and—after a review of security footage proved the couple's innocence—they were banned for life from all Walmarts. To top it off, Walmart's legal team has sent the couple a letter asking to be reimbursed for 10 times the value of the lighters, even though the police determined no shoplifting had taken place. More » -
taking advantage
Bally Reps Drove Developmentally Disabled Man To Gym, Signed Him Up
Family members of a developmentally disabled 49-year-old man told 6 News in Indianapolis that two men from Bally Total Fitness showed up at the man's apartment, drove him to a Bally location at Pike Plaza, and signed him up to a monthly membership. When the man's family asked Bally to invalidate the agreement, the gym refused. More » -
inappropriate
Hospital Sends $29,000 Bill To Parents Of Murdered College Student
Not only did the UC Davis Medical Center send a $29,186.50 bill to the parents of college student who was beaten to death by his roommate, they also sent a letter letting them know that their son was considered indigent and was no longer welcome at the hospital if he needed further treatment. He doesn't, of course, because he is deceased. More » -
recession watch
Unemployment Hits A 26-Year High Of 10.2%
The pace of job losses has slowed significantly, but the economy still divested itself of 190,000 jobs in October, sending the national unemployment rate to 10.2%, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It should be noted that the unemployment rate only tracks people actively seeking work. More » -
eating out
50 More Things Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do
As promised, here is part II of the NYT "Stuff Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do" series. The list was written by a fellow who is opening a seafood restaurant in Bridgehampton, NY. We've grabbed the most debate-worthy of them for your enjoyment. More » -
minihome solo
Live In The Mobile Home Of The Future
Would you live in a mobile home? No? What if it were solar and wind powered, and tricked out with the latest modern conveniences and looked sharp? More » -
happy endings
Perkins Is Really Genuinely Concerned That Your French Dip Sandwich Sucked
Reader Stephanie's brother recently started a blog dedicated to reviewing French Dip sandwiches. To that end, he ordered, and reviewed, a French Dip at a Perkins in Madison, WI. Unfortunately, his sandwich came on regular bread, instead of typical French Dip bread. More » -
parody
Ford Announces Solution To America's Car Woes: The 1993 Taurus
Here's a video from The Onion that pretty much sums up our nation's automobile situation. The added incentive of a free Primus tape is really what sold me. More » -
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t-mobile
T-Mobile Surprise Porn Not An Isolated Incident
After we posted yesterday about a T-Mobile customer being greeted by pictures of topless women when he logged into his account to pay his bill, some of you asked, "What's the problem?" Several readers' stories answer that question. (Censored but not exactly tasteful pictures inside.) UPDATE: T-Mobile response inside. More » -
lawsuits
NY AG: Intel Is An Illegal Monopoly That Uses "Bribery And Coercion"
Andrew Cuomo, the Attorney General of New York, has filed a lawsuit against Intel, claiming that the company is an illegal monopoly that engages "in a worldwide, systematic campaign of illegal conduct - revealed in e-mails - in order to maintain its monopoly power and prices in the market for microprocessors." More » -
lawsuits
AT&T Sues Verizon Over "There's A Map For That" Ads
AT&T has had it with Verizon's "there's a map for that ads" and have filed a lawsuit. The big blue death star says that the ad is misleading because while the blank spaces in Verizon's map actually show places where there is no Verizon service at all — the blank spaces in the AT&T map may still have voice and data coverage — just not "3G" coverage. More » -
it's not a bug it's a feature
Reader: "Paid My T-Mobile Bill, Saw Some Boobs"
Reader Andrew has an interesting problem: whenever he logs onto T-Mobile's website to pay his bill, T-Mobile flashes him. More » -
meetups
1st Consumerist Meetup This Wed. Night!
Don't forget, the first ever Consumerist meetup is tomorrow night. And it's coming at a perfect time: This month is Consumerist's four-year birthday! More » -
incorrect procedure
Man Attempts To Rob Taco Bell, Then Asks For A Job Application
Well this guy is doing it wrong: We've been alerted to a report from Haverstraw, NY where police say a man entered a Taco Bell, waved a gun around, demanded money — then asked for a job application. More » -
condoms
Which Condom Holds The Most Air Before Exploding? (Video)
You might be be surprised how much air a condom can hold, or water (try 25 liters). But which holds the most before bursting to pieces? Our friend Theresa at Consumer Reports donned a lab coat and glasses to find out which brand of condoms came out on top in their durability tests. More » -
overlimit fees
Capital One: Waive Your Rights, Get $10 Off Your Next Overlimit Fee!
Everett says Capital One called him up and made him an offer. If he opted out of at least one of the consumer credit protections enacted by the CARD act, Capital One would drop the overlimit fees from $39 to $29! Woo! More » -
bad deals
QVC Tricks Thousands Into Overpaying For Wii and Accessories
Reader Joe/Mordecai spotted an awful QVC deal on a Wii, a crappy game and some accessories. More » -
sales pitches
Radio Shack Sales Staff Unfazed By 2,400% Markup
No one goes to Radio Shack to take advantage of low prices. They go because they need an electronic component on short notice, and Radio Shack is pretty ubiquitous. That's how Chris and his fiancĂ©e found themselves at a Wisconsin Radio Shack in search of a mini USB cable, but they encountered such high prices and high-pressure sales lies that they walked out and found what they needed...at the dollar store. More »
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Sat Nov 7
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