- Newegg.com: [MP3 Player] SanDisk Sansa View 16GB MP3 Player (Refurb) $69.99 Free Shipping
- Dell: [Monitor] 20″ HD Flat-Panel LCD Monitor for $109 w/ Free shipping
- Home Depot: [Tools And Hardware] Home Depot Father’s Day Sale: 12-in-1 Ratcheting Screwdriver for $5 + $7 s&h, more
Retail Services
Morning Deals
By 5.26.09
Don't Be So Shocked: Excellent Service From Citibank CSR
By 5.26.09
“Above and Beyond” service often comes down to the management of a particular location, rather than an individual employee, no matter how big or otherwise problematic a company may be. Fred had such an experience with Venkatesh, the overseas customer service rep he reached when he called to cancel his ancient Citibank account. Venkatesh not only talked him out of canceling the account, but was so competent and nice in the process that Fred felt compelled to speak to his supervisor and write to Consumerist.
Are Walmart's New Shopping Carts Shocking Customers?
By 5.25.09
We received a strange tip from Steve, who says the new shopping carts in his local Walmart shock him every time he touches them. He says he saw another shopper get shocked as well, and that a cashier confirmed it. Has anyone else experienced this?
Expensive Purchases Are Like Peacock Feathers, Except They Don't Work
By 5.25.09
Geoffrey Miller, an evolutionary psychologist at the University of New Mexico, says marketers are trying too hard to find a working model of why people spend money the way they do. It really comes down to the human equivalent of “cost signaling” in the animal world—a sort of “peacock feather” display that’s supposed to tell peers and prospective mates how smart or sophisticated we are. The only problem is, other people never fall for it.
Morning Deals
By 5.25.09
- Marvel Shop: [Comics] 15% off everything through midnight Monday, May 25th
- EMS: [Clothing] Up to 30% off Apparel, Shoes & Gear
- Best Buy: [HD Camcorder] Insignia 5-megapixel 720p HD Camcorder for $99 + free shipping
Angry Bees Attack New York GameStop
By 5.24.09
A swarm of bees gathered yesterday outside the GameStop in Union Square, possibly to demand a higher trade-in value for their games. Store employees were trapped inside for hours and eventually hung a sign reading: “Look! … closed due to bee infestation.”
The Extra Fiber In Quaker Natural Granola: Chunks Of Wood
By 5.23.09
James’ seven-year-old daughter was happily noshing on her Quaker Natural Granola when she came across this chunk of wood. Quaker was quick to send James a coupon so he could buy more woody granola from Costco, but then offered a refund when reminded that the bulk warehouse doesn’t accept manufacturer’s coupons.
Morning Deals
By 5.22.09
- Invisible Shield: [Electronics Protection] Zagg Invisible Shield Coupon Code 50% off Storewide (Protect Your Portable Electronics Discreetly)
- Lane Bryant: [Apparel] 50% Off Entire Purchase w/ Coupon L0520A
- Amazon: [Blackberry] T-Mobile Blackberry Curve 8900 Phone 1 Cent Shipped (w/new activation)
Woman Says T-Mobile Sent Her Kiddie Porn Instead Of Ringtone
By 5.21.09
A T-Mobile customer in Oregon purchased a Modest Mouse ringtone from T-Mobile, but she says what was sent to her phone instead was a pornographic picture of what appeared to be a child. Everyone can calm down, though—T-Mobile assured her that they wouldn’t charge her for it.
Continuing Adventures Of The Stupid Shipping Gang
By 5.21.09
Today’s “Toothpaste For Dinner” Web comic features a visit from the Stupid Shipping Gang. A bigger version of the comic, and more adventures of the Stupid Shipping Gang, inside.
How Do You Stay Entertained In A Recession? Used Video Games.
By 5.21.09
Video games are up, and books are down. GameStop says sales of used games jumped 32%, as the retailer posted a 13% rise in fiscal first-quarter earnings. Why is GameStop doing so well while other retailers suffer? Its used video game program has excellent profit margins.
Sprint Customer Receives Fake-Looking Phone Bill
By 5.21.09
Update: Lloyd, a Sprint “Customer Experience” Manager, wrote in to let us know that the bill below is indeed legitimate:
Gamestop Decides To Charge The Higher Of Two Sticker Prices, Won't Refund Difference
By 5.20.09
Matt bought a used game from Gamestop, and there were two prices on the case. Instead of being charged the lower $14.99 price, the cashier charged him $19.99. Matt only noticed this after he left the store, so he returned and asked for an adjustment. The cashier refused, then tried to remove the cheaper tag in front of Matt. Update: Matt spoke with a District Manager and got a full refund.
Morning Deals
By 5.20.09
- Dell Home: [Cell Phone] Nokia E63 Cell Phone (Unlocked, Quad-Band GSM, 3G) $149.99AR Free Shipping
- Newegg: [LCD] Asus VW161D 15.6-inch LCD Monitor $70 Shipped
- Walgreens: [Drugstore] $5 off in store purchase of $25 or more. Also $5 off online photo gift orders of $15 or more.
Details On U.S. Cellular's Battery Swap Program
By 5.19.09
We asked U.S. Cellular to provide us more details of how their battery swap program works. Basically, it’s not meant to provide a one-off swap of an old battery for a new one; instead, the program is designed so that you can use it repeatedly to refresh your phone’s power if you’re caught away from an outlet and running low on juice.
Reader Has Amazing Best Buy Experience
By 5.19.09
Our reader The_Lone_Gunman just had a great experience with the Best Buy in Irving, Texas. Snark fails us at a time like this, so we’ll just humbly print his email.
Target Saves You Money In Ways You Can Only Imagine
By 5.19.09
Target continues its rebranding as the Duchamp of retail stores, with this receipt that indicates savings where no savings ever existed. Or perhaps multi-dimensional savings; we can’t pretend to know what Target sees when it stares into the void. Mark notes, “The cookies were on sale, as indicated. The cascade, I had a coupon for it to be free. Total savings should be $4.23. The receipt says $7.37. Maybe it’s a conspiracy since it is the Love Field (near the airport) in Dallas where Southwest flies only 737s.” That’s as good an explanation as any, Mark. Maybe you should work for Target?
