What began as a troubling rumor has evolved into a troubling fact. Walmart will soon be launching its own version of the Geek Squad as pilot program in 15 stores in the Dallas area. The new “Solution Stations” will supposedly help customers with such tasks as flat panel TV installation and computer repair and will be managed with Dell Inc. Details, inside…
Retail Services
Why Do iPod Headphones Cost $49.99 At Best Buy and $29.99 At The Apple Store?
By 7.17.08
Reader Nick doesn’t want you to pay too much for Apple iPod headphones, so he’s asked us to let you know that Best Buy is charging $49.99 for basic white iPod earbuds and they’re only $29.99 at the Apple Store. Let it be known that Best Buy is not the best place to buy accessories.
Morning Deals
By 7.17.08
- Jamba Juice: Buy On Get One Free (BOGO) good until 7/30
- Woot: Pinnacle Video Transfer for iPod, PSP, or USB Storage Device for $79.99
- Starbucks: Free 12oz beverage of your choice YMMV [via Fatwallet]
Highlights From Dealhack
- Amazon: Save up to 50% or More off Bodum Coffee Presses
- Compact Appliance: Extra 10% off & Free Shipping on Portable Air Conditioners
- Barnes and Noble: Three Paperback Books for the Price of Two
Highlights From Bargainist
- MyFico.com: 20% off coupon
- Le Sport Sac: 50% off Stella McCartney handbags coupon
- Borders: 30% off 1 item w/$10 purchase coupon
Grocery Shrink Ray Hits Faultless Spray Starch
By 7.16.08
Mark says he’s found fault with Faultless spray starch. The bottle shrunk by two ounces and is being sold for the same price, another victim of the Grocery Shrink Ray. Compare the products here and here. What’s interesting is that when he called his mom, she said she had a different brand of starch spray. It too had shrunk by two ounces. Could manufacturers be colluding together to all decrease their products by the same amount at the same time? I’ve heard of price-fixing, but what about the legality of size-fixing? In any event, Mark emailed customer service about the new package. Their cheery reply, inside…
UPDATE: Bank Of America Has No Idea Whether It Treats Parking Meter Payments As A Cash Advance
By 7.16.08
Remember our reader who tried to use his Bank of America debit card on a parking meter and was charged a $10 cash advance fee? One of our commenters did a little investigation on our story and got two conflicting responses from Bank of America.
Walmart Pharmacy Error Causes Teen To Lapse Into Coma
By 7.16.08
Jessie Scott, an 18-year-old from Draper, Utah has been in a coma since the end of April because of a critical error which occurred at a Walmart pharmacy. His doctor prescribed Jessie 5mg of Oxycodone Hydrochoride in a liquid solution to help him with the severe pain of his strep throat, however, what he received from the pharmacy was a concentrated solution which was supposed to have been diluted before being dispensed to Jessie. Exactly how much medication did Jessie consume?
Morning Deals
By 7.16.08
- Newegg: 24-hour sale
- Banana Republic: 60% off sale (here are some methods for getting free shipping)
- Apple: Pricedrop on refurbished iPod touch MP3 players from $199 + free shipping
Highlights From Dealhack
- Amazon: Three HD Movies on Blu-Ray for the Price of Two
- Buy.com: Navigon 5100 GPS with Fee-Free Live Traffic Data $150 Shipped
- Dell Business: Dual Core PowerEdge Servers from $249
Highlights From Bargainist
Why Does Target Need ALL Of Your Driver's License Data To Sell You Wine?
By 7.15.08
Thruhike98 tried to buy some wine at Target a couple of weekends ago, and they were surprised at how invasive the ID check turned out to be:
Reader Refuses To Give Driver's License With Credit Card Purchase
By 7.15.08
Reader Brandon is obviously familiar with number 3 in the 10 Things You Might Not Know About Your Credit Card post, holding firm in the face of a retailer who wanted Brandon to give his driver’s license when he bought something with a credit card:
3 Ways To Beat The Grocery Shrink Ray
By 7.15.08
Is your supermarket the victim of The Grocery Shrink Ray, the force that is shrinking how much product you get while keeping the price the same? Here are three antidotes:
Morning Deals
By 7.15.08
Highlights From Dealhack
- Overstock: Save an Extra 15% off Jewelry and Watches
- Amazon: Waterproof Olympus Stylus 770SW 7.1MP Camera $200 Shipped
- American Express: Up to 40,000 First Year Membership Rewards Points with new Business Gold Rewards Card
Highlights From Bargainist
That Sure Is An Expensive Phone Ya Got There, Mr. Hobo
By 7.14.08
Fine, fine, the iPhone is decent and all that, but here’s a funny clip from “The Soup” that puts the lie to that whole “It’s so much cheaper!” hype. And if you’re not an iPhone owner and need even more reason to feel good about that, check out Wisebread’s rant against people who stand in line for gadgets.
J.Crew's New Website Does Everything Except Fulfill Orders Properly
By 7.14.08
Kimberly, a frequent J.Crew online customer, placed an order on June 30th for five items from their newly revamped website. In the past, writes Kim, “it usually takes 2 days at the latest for me to receive any shipment that is not backordered.” This time it’s been 2 weeks, and not only has nothing arrived, but the UPS tracking number they’ve assigned her order is invalid (it doesn’t even follow the UPS numbering style). The unhelpful J.Crew customer service rep told Kim that they had her correct address and to wait 10 days before calling back. In the meantime, one of the items has already been returned and refunded to Kim’s credit card—although about $200 worth of merchandise has still been shipped to some as yet undiscovered location.
Morning Deals
By 7.14.08
- Wet Seal: G-String Clearance Sale – $1.99 each (many colors to choose from), + free shipping with code: 1107WLCE
- Office Depot: HP M2727NF AIO LaserJet Printer – FREE AR/Price Match
- Amazon: The Oregon Trail for PC / Mac for $3.85 + $4.70 shipping and handling
Highlights From Dealhack
- Apple Store: Price Drop: 1.8GHz MacBook Air with SSD Down $500 to $2598
- Amazon: Price Drop: Xbox 360 with 20GB Drive $300 Shipped
- Geeks: Twinhan 7240 USB 2.0 HDTV Tuner for PC $25 with Coupon
Highlights From Bargainist
- Timberland: Sale: Up to 50% off + extra 10% off + free shipping coupon
- Geoff & Drew’s: 25% off purchases & free shipping coupons
- Crazy 8: 15% off entire purchase coupon
UPDATE: Walmart Refuses To Pay For Engine Damage Caused By Their Faulty Oil Change
By 7.14.08
Last Friday, we told you about Ashlee from Paonia, Colorado who took her Saturn to a Walmart Auto Service Center in the city of Delta for an oil change. Because they botched the job, the oil leaked out which resulted in extensive engine damage to the tune of $5,875. Since then, she spoke to a representative from Walmart’s insurance company who said that they won’t pay for the repairs, because when Ashlee discovered the damage, she took her car to a non-Walmart mechanic, and in doing so has “tampered with evidence.” Not to be trifled with, Ashlee is gathering evidence and witnesses and hiring a lawyer. Ashlee’s, letter inside…
Costco Saves Christmas… In July
By 7.14.08
Thanks to Costco, Jen Sanderford’s family was joyfully reunited with a box full of presents that had been stolen from their porch last Christmas.
20 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Groceries Without Spending An Extra Cent
By 7.13.08
Americans throw away a quarter of our food uneaten, which translates into serious wasted cash over time. The Guardian compiled an excellent list of ways to shop smarter so you end up buying what you need, and eating what you buy.
