Retail Services
Morning Deals
By 8.21.08
Afternoon Deals
By 8.20.08
Best Buy De-Hoses Washers To Save Money?
By 8.20.08
An alleged Best Buy employee tells us that the company has stopped including inlet water hoses in some Inglis, Whirlpool and Maytag top-loading washers it sells. According to the blurry photos he sent us, employees are now supposed to push this $27 accessory hose product on customers who buy the washers. Update: we don’t know if the decision originated with the manufacturers or Best Buy.
Couple Can't Get Rid Of Cellphones No Matter What They Do
By 8.19.08
The sales rep did his song and dance and insisted that I test out the phone service for 2 weeks. I said no a few times but he wouldn’t hear it. Well, he gave me 2 phones and 2 phone numbers. No credit check, no money whatsoever. I walked out of the store with 2 free phones and some paper work.
By 8.19.08
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Target’s profits fell for the 4th straight quarter as the retailer’s sales failed to keep pace with Walmart. [Bloomberg]
Is Walmart Passing Out Fake Back-To-School Supply Lists?
By 8.19.08
Blogger Kelby Carr says that her local Walmart has totally fake but official looking back to school supply lists posted in their stores. The lists not only contain some extra supplies that are banned from the schools, but are actually missing some supplies. Here’s how she describes the lists:
Morning Deals
By 8.19.08
By 8.18.08
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If you want to buy that new AC/DC (and maybe Guns N’ Roses) album, you’re going to have to shop at Walmart. [BusinessWeek & Wired]
Personal Finance Roundup
By 8.18.08
Using Your Health Savings Account as a “Super Roth” Investment Vehicle [Free Money Finance] “If you can afford to delay using your HSA funds and instead leave them invested, your payoff in retirement will be substantial.”
Home Depot Asks: "Why Pay Cash Even If You Could?"
By 8.18.08
Reader Dan thought we’d be interested in this sign he spotted in his local Home Depot. It reads: “Why pay cash even if you could?”
Morning Deals
By 8.18.08
Sam's Club Pretends Its Polystyrene Cup Is Green
By 8.15.08
Gregg saw this cheerful environmentally-friendly message on the side of his Sam’s Club soda cup. Wait, what? We guess it saves Sam’s Club fuel costs to ship the cups, but that sounds more like a profit-friendly quality. Gregg notes another benefit of the cup: “[it] may never biodegrade but at least it’s easy on my drinkin’ elbow.”
What To Do When Citibank Charges You Interest On A Zero Balance
By 8.15.08
A Consumerist reader was surprised to find that Citibank had applied a finance charge on a zero balance account. She did what every good Consumerist should do: prepared her evidence, jumped quickly ahead to a live person on the Customer Service side, and resolved the issue. Here’s what happened:
Morning Deals
By 8.15.08
Highlights From Dealhack:
- Dell Home: Save 20% or $250 off Inspiron Core 2 Duo Desktop PCs
- Wall Street Journal: 75% off plus 4 Free Weeks on Wall Street Journal Subscriptions
- Expedia: Save 50% off Hotel Bookings + up to Free $75 Gas Card
- Amazon: Save to 45% off Single Serve & Drip Coffee Makers
- Dell Home: Save 20% or 30% off Inspiron Notebook PCs
Target Has 79-Year-Old Taken In For Mental Evaluation After She Demanded Cash Refund
By 8.14.08
79-year-old Christina Brown had a sales receipt and bank records showing that Target had taken cash from her bank account, but the retailer refused to give her a cash refund — offering a gift certificate instead. Christina refused. She wanted her money, and said she’d stay at the Target all day if she had to, but she wasn’t leaving without $30. Target told her she was trespassing and that they would call the police. Christina said that was fine with her and called 9-1-1 herself. When the police arrived, Target had Ms. Brown hauled out of the store on a stretcher and taken via ambulance to a hospital for a mental evaluation. Does wanting a cash refund mean you’re potentially mentally ill?
Morning Deals
By 8.14.08
Highlights From Dealhack:
- Newegg: Corsair 4GB Flash Survivor Ultra Rugged USB 2.0 Drive $15 & Free Shipping
- Gap: Save 25% or More off Women’s & Men’s Jeans
- Mac Connection: Apple MacBooks $120 or More off plus Free VMware Fusion Software
- Amazon: Buy Three Books, DVDs, Music & More and Get Fourth Free
Bank Of America: Exploding Dye Packs Aren't Just For Heist Movies Anymore
By 8.13.08
A Bank of America customer got a nasty surprise after withdrawing cash to pay her employees — a dye pack exploded in her car. When she went back to the bank to complain she says she didn’t even get an apology.
