When we recently asked Consumerist readers if they would ever purchase their Christmas tree online, a few commenters wrote that they kept their tree potted all year round and would just bring it inside during the holidays. And now we’ve learned that there are a handful of businesses are offering this same service, for a price. [More]
Retail Services
Walmart Wants In On Pennsylvania Wine Vending Machine Bonanza
By 12.10.10
Remember those wine vending machines at Pennsylvania grocery stores? They’ve proven successful enough to turn heads at Walmart, which is planning to add the machines to some of its stores in the state. [More]
More Shoppers Favoring Paper Over Plastic
By 12.10.10
In what’s probably a side effect of discipline learned the hard way in a tough economy, more shoppers are starting to opt for cash instead of credit cards. [More]
What's The Crappiest Gift You've Ever Received?
By 12.9.10
With the Christmas countdown in full effect and Hanukkah 2010 in the books, the topic of gifts and gift-giving is everywhere. But for all the holiday cheer and goodwill, some gifts are bad enough to bring out the Scrooge in all of us. [More]
No Charges For Woman Who Bumped 100-Year-Old Walmart Greeter
By 12.9.10
Last week, we told you about the woman in Milwaukee who was arrested after an argument with a 100-year-old Walmart greeter ended with the centenarian being sent to the hospital. Earlier today, the city’s district attorney said it will not be filing charges. [More]
Virus Could Make Batteries Last 10 Times Longer
By 12.9.10
“Virus” and “tobacco” are not two words you usually think of in a positive light, but they could be the secret to making batteries last ten times as long. [More]
Target Employee Fired Over Black Friday Trampling Incident
By 12.9.10
After 14 years on the job, the head of security at a Buffalo, NY, Target store has been given the heave-ho-ho-ho after video of customers being trampled on Black Friday became an internet sensation. [More]
Target Recalls Camping Combo Packs Because Kids Are Not Meant To Be Roasted On The Campfire
By 12.8.10
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall of a kid’s camping kit sold at Target over a potential fire hazard. [More]
Walmart: No More Extra Pay For Working Sundays
By 12.8.10
Mom-and-pop megachain Walmart currently pays its staffers $1 extra per hour when they work on a Sunday. But it looks like that policy is about to come to an end for some staffers as the store cuts costs. [More]
SEC Charges BofA With Setting Up Fake Bids To Defraud Munis
By 12.7.10
The SEC has charged Banc of America with fraud for rigging municipal bond sales with dummy bids, defrauding hospitals, schools, and other state-run organizations. The bank will pay $137 million to settle these charges. [More]
Old Navy's Off-Putting Button Design
By 12.7.10
When Jeff was shopping at Old navy with his wife, he got bored and zoomed in on the sweater buttons. What he found was not something that encouraged him to try one on. As you can see from the picture, the buttons seem to be emblazoned with swastikas. [More]
Homeland Security & Walmart Team Up To Fight Terrorism In The Checkout Line
By 12.7.10
In a move that makes virtually no sense whatsoever, the Department of Homeland Security has announced a partnership with Walmart “to help the American public play an active role in ensuring the safety and security of our nation.” [More]
Chase Isn't Charging You A Fee, They're Rewarding You
By 12.6.10
Reached for comment about ex-WaMu “free checking” accounts becoming new Chase “fee checking” accounts, a Chase spokesperson told Consumerist, “What we’re trying to do is reward customers for giving us more of their business, in terms of multiple accounts, or deeper business, in terms of balances or direct deposits.” I then asked him if they were also trying to get rid of less profitable customers. [More]
Supreme Court To Hear Walmart Gender Discrimination Suit
By 12.6.10
Given that Walmart is the country’s largest private employer it’s not terribly surprising that the U.S. Supreme Court has decided to have a look at the sex discrimination lawsuit filed against the retailer — the largest class-action suit of its kind in U.S. history. [More]
Google's eBooks Store Is Open For Business
By 12.6.10
After several months of delay and vague launch dates, Google has finally opened up its Google eBooks store (formerly known as Google Editions). [More]
Take A Guess At How Best Buy Is Going To 'Revolutionize Retailing'?
By 12.3.10
Best Buy just announced it’s going to be running its first-ever Super Bowl ad when the Denver Broncos play the Carolina Panthers for the title (it will happen; just you watch) in February. And for its premiere ad in the high-profile sporting event, the retail giant says it has a super-cool ace up its sleeve. [More]
American Family Association Goes After Chase Over Lack Of Christmas Trees
By 12.3.10
Fresh off its apparent victory to put the “Christmas” back into Dick’s, the not at all crazy people at the American Family Association have re-focused their laser beams on JPMorgan Chase. Not because it’s a big bank who was recently sued for its alleged part in the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme, but because they don’t want Christmas trees in the lobby. [More]
Best Buy Actually Thanks Consumerist; Open To Suggestions On Whole Receipt-Checking Thing
By 12.3.10
Most Consumerist readers would guess that it’s unlikely that the people at Best Buy will be inviting us over for dinner anytime soon. So it’s a nice surprise to see the company actually thanking us for a story. [More]
