After Halloween comes and goes on Sunday, Holiday shopping season will be upon us (whether you want it to be or not). So it’s good timing that our analytical siblings at Consumer Reports has released the results of its Holiday shopping survey for 2010. Once again, a large portion of Americans say they intend on spending less this season than they did last year, but that number continues to decrease while the percentage of people increasing their Holiday budgets is on the rise. [More]
Retail Services
James Bond's 'Goldfinger' Aston Martin Sells For $4.1 Million
By 10.28.10
Just to show that the yucky economy hasn’t stopped some people from whipping out their wallets, the tricked-out Aston Martin from the James Bond films Goldfinger and Thunderball was auctioned off yesterday in London for a cool $4.1 million. [More]
Oops We Lost Your Docs So You're Going To Foreclosure
By 10.27.10
After Alexis’s employer started making her and other workers taking mandatory furlough days, her income dropped so much that she had trouble making mortgage payments. So, like many others, she sought a loan mod. She followed all of Bank of America’s instructions and thought she was on the path to getting a mod. Then BoA told her they were going to foreclose on her house. [More]
Scott Rolls Out Tube-Free Toilet Paper To Reduce Waste
By 10.27.10
The toilet paper business is going down the drain — literally. Starting this week, Kimberly-Clark has begun selling Scott Naturals Tube-Free toilet paper that won’t have you throwing out or recycling anything when the roll is finished. [More]
The New GameStop Rewards Card Isn't Worth Your Time Or Privacy
By 10.27.10
Last week, we learned that at least one Gamestop employee won’t even sell to you unless you sign up for a rewards card. Why might that be? Reader Dragonfire81 has mysterious inside knowledge, and warns all good Consumerists to stay far, far away from the new rewards program that Gamestop is pushing. [More]
Santa's Elves Had Better Get Cracking On Retina Displays
By 10.26.10
Parents looking in the aisles of the toy store where they sell hula hoops, baseball gloves and baby dolls will want to start looking elsewhere to buy Christmas presents for their ungrateful ankle-biters. In face, they may want to avoid the toy section altogether and head toward the electronics department. [More]
Avoid High Octane Gas To Save Money At The Pump
By 10.25.10
Those higher-octane gas choices sit there at the gas station, looking down their noses at you and daring you to throw down the extra cash in order to buy the very best for your car. But unless you drive a high-end vehicle with a manual that specifically recommends the higher-octane fuel, you’re most likely best off with regular unleaded. [More]
Man Attacks 70 Year Old Woman At Walmart, Continues Checking Out
By 10.25.10
A Maryland man was arrested after beating a 70-year-old woman in Walmart after her shopping cart bumped into his wife’s shopping cart while changing lanes. [More]
Bank Of America Admits It Kinda Sorta Screwed Up On Some Foreclosures
By 10.25.10
In spite of all the evidence to the contrary, Bank of America has never really confessed to making errors on home foreclosures… until today. [More]
Recalling The Worst Halloween 'Treats' Of Yesteryear
By 10.25.10
When you think back about your halcyon trick or treating days, all the good times blur into one another and it’s the nasty stuff that comes to mind. For instance, the old lady on the corner who gave you apples or the creepy dude across the street who passed out tooth brushes. [More]
Retail Workers Really Hate You For Messing Up That Tee-Shirt Pile
By 10.22.10
Ever wonder why you get the stink-eye from that girl at The Gap? Or why that dude at American Eagle groans when he sees you approaching a table of clothes? There’s a good chance it has something to do with your lack of table manners. [More]
Chase Sends Me Updates On Bank Account I Don't Have
By 10.21.10
Consumerist reader Jesse has recently started receiving account balances and deposit info via e-mail for a bank account with Chase. This would be wonderful and helpful — if Jesse had an account with Chase. [More]
It's Probation For Florida Man Who Punched Walmart Greeter
By 10.21.10
You might remember our story from January about a Walmart greeter in Florida who was fired after getting punched by a customer. Earlier this week, the man who threw the offending fist was given one year probation. [More]
Walmart Worker Gets Run Over Trying To Stop Robbery
By 10.21.10
They’re not paying you minimum wage to be a hero. [More]
Nonprofit At Work On Free Digital Science Textbook
By 10.21.10
Billed as the first interactive, all-digital science textbook, Life on Earth will teach students about the birds, bees, flowers and trees — and do so for free. [More]
Walmart Sells Online Game That Doesn't Go Online
By 10.20.10
Jake saw the ill-fated online game APB — which publisher Electronic Arts shut down after just a few months — for sale at Walmart. It’s just waiting to spring its unplayable wonders upon some unsuspecting gamer. [More]
Walmart To Pay $775K To NJ For Selling Expired Baby Formula
By 10.20.10
In 2008, the state of New Jersey filed a lawsuit against Walmart, Target and Drug Fair, alleging that the stores sold infant formula and over-the-counter drugs that had expired. Target settled with the state a year ago for $375,000 and Drug Fair went out business. But it wasn’t until yesterday that Walmart finally reached an agreement to the tune of $775,000. [More]
To Sell You A Used Game, This GameStop Requires Your Phone Number
By 10.20.10
Did you know that GameStop is a membership-only establishment, like a warehouse club? You’re only allowed to shop there if you have their rewards card. I didn’t know that, and neither did Jeff. He tells Consumerist that he foolishly tried to purchase a game, but refused to join the rewards program or give the cashier his phone number. The cashier, in turn, refused to sell anything to him. [More]
