We’ve seen “Walmart is a virus” videos before, but this interactive map showing the proliferation of Walmart from the early 1960s until 2007 is especially cool. Zoom in and out as the Walmart infection grows…
Retail Services
Buying An iPhone 3G Was Surprisingly Easy. Activating It Was Not.
By 7.11.08
As Consumerist’s resident Apple fanboy, I spent the last few hours standing outside an AT&T store waiting to buy the iPhone 3G, then waiting for it to activate in iTunes. Here’s what went down.
Don't Live Near A Big City? Here's Something You Should Know Before Upgrading Your iPhone
By 7.11.08
The new iPhone is 3G–but AT&T’s 3G network isn’t exactly “nationwide,” so you might want to check the coverage map to make sure that there’s a 3G network in your area.
Morning Deals
By 7.11.08
- Kohl’s: 80-90% Clearance Sale
- Disney Outlet: Kid’s costumes up to 80% off, plus extra 20% off code
- Amazon: Dr. Martens Men’s 1914 Cherry Red Size 14 Boots $38
Highlights From Dealhack
- Tiger Direct: UTStarcom GSM708 Unlocked GSM Phone $20
- Butterfly Photo: Canon Rebel XSi 12MP DSLR & Lens $790 Shipped
- Expedia: Save 30% off Hotels, Cars, Cruises & Other Travel
Walmart's Botched Oil Change Destroys Your Engine
By 7.11.08
Having just arrived in Paonia, Colorado for the summer, reader Ashlee thought she should get her oil changed. Not yet familiar with the area, she went with a name she recognized–Walmart. The oil change seemed to go fine so Ashlee and her friend decided to embark on a trip to Denver. Thirty minutes into the road trip, she heard a strange noise coming from the engine. She pulled over and intuitively checked the dipstick which revealed zero oil. Ashlee then looked underneath her car and saw oil covering much of the undercarriage. Eventually, she got the car to town where a mechanic discovered that the oil cap had been put on improperly, allowing the oil to escape. Later, she received an estimate from GMC of $5,875 to replace the engine. Ashlee’s letter, inside…
Want The New iPhone? Here's How To Escape Your Current Cellphone Contract ETF-Free
By 7.10.08
As the second coming of the Jesusphone 3G draws near, we wanted to remind customers of other wireless carriers that there are ways to escape your existing cellphone contract free of early termination fees, and trade your piddling Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile bills for hundreds of pages of gloriously itemized AT&T charges. Or just switch carriers.
This New Walmart Logo Looks AWFULLY Familiar
By 7.10.08
Is Walmart channeling Kurt Vonnegut? When Walmart unveiled its new logo last week, there was only one thing we thought of when we saw that logo.
Verizon Settles Early Termination Fee Lawsuit For $21 Million
By 7.10.08
Verizon has agreed to pay $21 million in a California class action lawsuit brought over early termination fees. The plaintiffs alleged that the fees violated California state laws. Next case: Sprint, which Californians are suing for the same reason.
Morning Deals
By 7.10.08
- Girl Talk: Girls Talk’s new album “Feed The Animals.” Pay what you want to pay.
- MGM Grand: $69/night + $25 Restaurant Credit
- Amazon: “The Complete Led Zeppelin” MP3 Album download for $9.99. 165 tracks.
Highlights From Dealhack
- Endless.com: Save up to 40% or More off Shoes & Handbags
- TiVo.com: New Savings: TiVo HD DVR now $180 Shipped
- Amazon: Canon SD850 IS 8MP Digital Camera $230 Shipped
80-Year-Old Woman Files Lawsuit Over $6 Sears Datebook
By 7.10.08
Margaret Vail (pictured left), an 80-year-old woman from Mansfield, OH., is fed up with Sears and the numerous collection agencies that claim she ordered a $6 datebook back in 2003. According to the Mansfield News Journal, Margaret never ordered the datebook, yet Sears sent her one anyway and put it on her Sears charge card. Her local store won’t accept returns on mail-order merchandise and she refuses to pay shipping to return it. Over the years, the balance has ballooned to $130 which doesn’t faze Margaret who is spending over $200 in fees to file her lawsuit. Details, inside…
Save Money by Taking a State Tax Holiday
By 7.9.08
In an effort to spur retail sales, many states offer sales-tax holidays each summer — periods of time where sales tax is temporarily suspended on certain products. This year the slumping economy has some states enhancing their efforts by extending the holiday dates and broadening the list of eligible products. Smart Money lists each state sponsoring a sales-tax holiday as well as the applicable dates and details of each offer. It also suggests a few helpful hints for making the most of a sales-tax holiday as follows:
Texas Law Probably Does Not Require PI License To Fix Spyware-Infested Computers
By 7.9.08
Dries Janssens, a computer repair shop owner in Allen, Texas, is worried that a 2007 law passed by the state legislature requires computer repair technicians to have private investigator licenses to perform “simple computer repairs such as malware removal.” We’re not sure if the law was just badly written or written on purpose at the urging of the state’s private investigator lobby (which Janssens suggests), but it certainly seems like a bad idea. Update: according to this article sent by our weekend editor Carey, it’s just badly written (“It needs some tightening up,” says one lawmaker) and should only apply to the private security industry.
Broke Consumers Turn To Deep Discount Stores Like Aldi
By 7.9.08
You may be broke, but Aldi isn’t! As consumers cut back, more of them are shopping at deep discount stores like Aldi. The German-owned grocer usually doesn’t advertise, but the economic slowdown is helping business, and Aldi is investing in a few commercials.
Do Not Be Lured Into Target's 2 For $4 Heinz Ketchup Trap
By 7.9.08
Andrew writes in to let us know that he’s started to look more carefully at prices when shopping at Target… and so far it’s saved him $0.61 on ketchup…
Bank Of America Gives You A Sales Pitch When You Call To Ask Them To Stop Giving You Sales Pitches
By 7.9.08
Jasper got a notice in the mail about marketing from Bank of America, so he called them up to opt-out. After agreeing to stop spamming him, the Bank of America CSR launched into a sales pitch for their “credit protection” services…
English Speaking Contractors Save A Little Extra At This Home Depot
By 7.9.08
Reader Curt saw this sign at Home Depot. He writes:
Morning Deals
By 7.9.08
- Amazon: 80lb Crossbow Pistol – Hunting – $19.99 (Reg. $59.99)
- Shirt.Woot: Funny/cool movie snack shirt for $10
- B&H Photo: Drobo DRO4DU10 4-bay, USB2.0 Robotic Storage Array for $350 (down from $500+)
Highlights From Dealhack
- Performance Bike: Save an Extra 10% off Bikes & Gear with Coupon
- Mwave: OCZ Mini-Kart Micro-Sized 2GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive Free AR
- Buy.com: Save $100: Pentax Optio Z10 8MP Digital Camera $140 Shipped
Highlights From Bargainist
- Amazon: Aliph Jawbone Bluetooth Headset $60 shipped
- Lane Bryant: 40-50% off storewide
- Ralph Lauren: Extra 25% off select sale items
Eforcity Bribes User To Remove Negative Amazon Feedback
By 7.8.08
Sarah bought some car chargers from Eforcity through Amazon, and was disappointed to find that the charger plug doesn’t stay in the phone unless you hold it in. She said as much in her Amazon feedback. In response, Eforcity said they would be happy to give her a refund, as long as she deleted her negative feedback. In other words, a bribe for self-censorship. Eforcity’s email, inside…
