Chris spotted this Blue Redbox at a Wal-Mart. Poor, confused box.
Retail Services
Blue Redbox Experiencing A Severe Identity Crisis
By 7.3.09
Can Billy Mays Move Product From Beyond The Grave?
By 7.2.09
Next week, direct-response marketing juggernaut Telebrands will roll out a new ad campaign for Jupiter Jack, a tiny gadget intended to turn your car radio into a giant cell phone speakerphone. The star of the spot is recently deceased pitchman Billy Mays.
A Dagger For Blu-Ray: GameStop Deems Discs Un-Tradeworthy
By 6.30.09
Blu-ray sales may be on the uptick, with sales up 72 percent so far over what they were last year at this point, but apparently the format isn’t so hot at GameStop, which is apparently phasing out accepting the high-definition movie discs in return for cash or store credit.
EECB Results In $525 Bank Of America Overdraft Fee Refund
By 6.29.09
Corey admits that he messed up. He was the one who didn’t keep as close track of his transactions as he should have, and overdrafted his account. It was Bank of America‘s policies, however, that resulted in his being hit with fifteen overdraft fees at $35 each, for a total of $525 over the course of a weekend. Corey knew that he was in the wrong, but thought that these fees were unfair, and also more than he could afford. So what did he do? He used what he’s learned from reading Consumerist to make his case to the people in charge.
Sears: Lose Your Job, Keep Your Purchase, Forget The Debt
By 6.29.09
Acknowledging that skittish consumers are still unwilling to buy big-ticket items, Sears tomorrow plans to unveil a bold new guarantee: if you lose your job after charging a purchase worth $399 or more to your Sears card, the retailer will credit 1/12th of the purchase price to your account for each month you are unemployed. If you stay jobless for one year, the debt is entirely forgiven, and the appliance is yours to keep.
Psht, Bank Of America Doesn't Need Your Consent To Give You A Credit Card
By 6.29.09
Hector didn’t know whether or not he was going to accept Bank of America‘s offer of a new credit card with a $3,500 limit, so the bank made his decision easy by issuing the card without his permission. When Hector discovered the surprise credit line, he called Bank of America with two requests: explain how they could open a new account without his consent, and keep the account open until he could figure out the new line’s impact on his credit score. Of course, without a peep, Bank of America immediately canceled the new credit card, leaving Hector wondering what might happen to his credit score…
Best Buy Charges $15 To Pay Bill On Time
By 6.29.09
Owners of Best Buy credit cards (via HSBC) are being charged $15 to pay their bill on time online. The only way to avoid the fee? Pay at least two business days early.
Warning From My Dad: Beware The Minimum Payment Hike
By 6.29.09
My dad (not pictured) is one of those guys stuck on an endless credit card treadmill, pretty much maxed out to the hilt and able to cover monthly minimum payments but not much else.
Morning Deals
By 6.29.09
- Woot!: iRobot Roomba 530 Robotic Vacuum with Virtual Wall
- Highlights From Buxr
- The Popcorn Factory: [Food] $25 Off $50 Purchase + Two More Couponstu13
- New Egg: [Shaver] Panasonic Men’s Pro-Curve Wet/Dry Shaver for $8.99 after $10 rebate w/ Free shipping
- New Egg: [Phone] Vtech Cordless Phone Answering Machine System with 3 Headsets for $29.99 w/ Free shipping
Verizon C.E.O. Ivan Seidenberg Reveals The Telecom's Future
By 6.27.09
The future of Verizon lies in bundled apps and global domination, according to C.E.O. Ivan Seidenberg. Verizon’s head honcho appeared last week on Charlie Rose to chat about a range of things, including FiOs, the decision to build a CDMA network, and the future of your cellphone service. If nothing else, it’s nice to put a calm, seemingly rational face to the grotesque anti-consumer corporate monster that we all loathe. Hit the jump for the full interview.
By 6.27.09
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The animals are rising up, and invading our big-box stores. This week, a small (non-poisonous) snake bit a man in an Illinois Walmart, and a woman in Utah reportedly found a black widow spider in a bunch of grapes purchased at Costco. Nature clearly abhors the modern suburban lifestyle, and it’s taking back its territory. [Carmi Times] [KSL]
Walmart Greeter Who Was Attacked During Receipt Check Gets $20,000 Settlement
By 6.26.09
Remember the Walmart greeter who was attacked by a police officer when he tried to check the cop’s receipt? His lawsuit has been settled for $20,000.
Morning Deals
By 6.26.09
- Amazon: [Music] Free Patriotic Music Sampler
- Jamba Juice: [Restaurant] Buy One Get One Smoothie Free w/ Printable Coupon
- Sears: [Bed & Bath] Sears Mattress Sale: 50% off + extra 10% off select mattresses
Backyard Baseball Bonus Codes Hit A Foul At GameStop
By 6.25.09
Dan’s son is learning an important consumer life lesson, which is that sometimes companies promise really fun things that just don’t happen. GameStop sent out a promotional e-mail about a really cool contest involving Backyard Baseball ’10. Except the contest isn’t working, and no one knows who can help Dan straighten it out.
"Chase Hiked My Minimum Payment To 5 Percent!"
By 6.25.09
Chase just notified Greg that they’re more than doubling his minimum payment requirement. Because he and his wife are carrying such a large balance due to a promotional balance transfer offer a few years ago, this pushes their monthly payment to nearly $1,000.
