Consumerist

Retail Services

11 Cheap Generic Drug Programs That Will Save You Money

Here at the Consumerist we’d like you to save money. That’s why we’ve put together a handy list of those $4 generic drug programs that you’ve been hearing about. We hope this list will make it easier for you to locate the store that has the best deal on all your medications. If your local grocery store is doing a similar program and we missed it, please add a link to the comments. If you need help researching the medicines, we recommend Consumer Reports’ excellent site Best Buy Drugs. Enjoy!

airlines

Worst Company In America "Elite 8": Wal-Mart VS American Airlines

By Meg Marco 6.24.08

Here’s your third “Elite 8” match-up: #3 Wal-Mart VS #43 American Airlines

readers

Chase Shrinks Credit Due Dates Without Warning, Profiting Off Fees

By Ben Popken 6.23.08

Got a Chase credit card? Check your bill to see if the due date shrunk. For the past ten months, the due date on reader NDphoxylady’s four Chase credit card due date was the fifteenth. Then, without warning or notice, it became the tenth. NDphoxylady only noticed when she was charged a $39 late fee and a $20 finance charge. When she complained to Chase, they told her that simply changing the due date on the bill was adequate notice. Nu-uh

weddings

Target Fixes Their Broken Wedding Registry, Will Let You Return Duplicates Without A Receipt

By Meg Marco 6.23.08

Reader Jon writes in to let us know that your complaining has had a positive effect on Target’s return policy. They will now allow you to return duplicate wedding registry gifts without asking your friends and relatives for a receipt.

retail

Sears Is Now Officially Too Incompetent To Even Take Your Money

By Meg Marco 6.23.08

Gregg wants us to know that Sears has just hung up on one of the last people in America who hasn’t totally given up on them. He’s spent quite a lot of time lately trying to give them $1500 for a lawn tractor, but they just couldn’t figure out how to complete the transaction. Yes, Sears has finally gotten to the point that they can’t take your money even if you want to give it to them.

readers

T-Mobile Introduces Declining Early Termination Fees

By Ben Popken 6.23.08

Tmobile just announced that they will let early termination fees decline over the course of a contract. Previously, you had to pay the full monty whether canceled on the first day, or last day, of your contract. This chart shows you how the new fee breaks down over time:

coupons

Morning Deals

By Ben Popken 6.23.08

Amazon: 120 bags of chips for $25. Add two different 60 pack units and use coupon code CHIPDSCT
Jetblue: 10% Off with coupon code OCTJET2
Shirt.Woot: Random tshirts for $6.66

Highlights From Bargainist

Office Depot: Envision 19-inch LCD with DVI & SVGA $150 & Free Shipping
Geeks.com: Kodak C613 6.2MP Compact Digital Cameras only $56 with Coupon
Mwave: Vox 500GB USB 2.0 & eSATA Hard Drive $80

bribes

Allen's Bribes Customers Who Find Dead Rat Heads In Their Italian Green Beans

By consumeristcarey 6.21.08

Texas wedding caterer Dale Cane found a dead rat’s head in one of the twenty cans of Allen’s Italian Green Beans he bought at Walmart. Allen’s quickly offered Cane $200 if he agreed to keep quiet, and assured him that “the Pasteurization process renders the product sterile and completely safe for consumption.” Even worse, this isn’t the first time a dead rat’s head popped up in a can of Allen’s Green Beans…

chicago

By Meg Marco 6.20.08

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Ex-Sears CEO Aylwin Lewis has taken a position as CEO of Chicago’s delicious Potbelly Sandwich Works. Reader Tim asks: “Should I be worried that he will destroy this great sandwich chain?” Hmmm. Maybe, but we think Chairman Eddie Lampert is the real source of evil at Sears. And now we’re hungry. [Chicago Tribune]

readers

Tale Of A 16-Year-Old Kmart Employee

By JaySlatkin 6.20.08

Despite the common stereotype, there are some young people willing to work hard. Patrick found a job at Kmart since it is one of few stores that starts hiring at age 16. He was hired under the guise of Customer Service Representative, but Patrick soon realized he was really the “Coach’s Bitch.” Besides being treated as nothing more than a slaveboy, Patrick says he was instructed to do things that are illegal for minors. His letter, inside…

walmart

Worst Company In America 2008 "Elite 8" Bracket!

By Meg Marco 6.20.08

The bracket has been updated as we prepare for Round 4 of our Worst Company In America contest. See the full-sized graphic, suitable for framing or forming the basis of informal office betting pools, inside…

coupons

Morning Deals

By Ben Popken 6.20.08

Zipcar: Free ZipCar Membership + $150 Driving Credit + loaded public transit pass
Woot: They’re still wooting off like it ain’t no thang.
Meritline: 1W LED Adjustable Head Lamp for $6.40 + free shipping

Highlights From Dealhack

Buy.com: Genius G-Pen 4 x 5.5-inch Graphics Tablet $35 Shipped
Lenovo: ThinkCentre A55 Desktop PCs from $199 after $322 Instant Savings
J&R Music: Belkin TuneStudio iPod Mixer & Recorder $188 Shipped

Highlights From Bargainist

Home Depot: Up to 40% off select lighting & ceiling fans
Think Geek: $5 off $25 purchase coupon
C. J. Banks: Ultimate Summer Sale: All tops BOGO 50% off

florida

By Ben Popken 6.19.08

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Consumerist Editor Ben Popken (hey, that’s me!) talks about the grocery shrink ray today at 5:30 PM Eastern on WTVT-TV FOX 13 in Florida.

internet

RESOLVED: Circuit City 24 Minute Guarantee Means Whatever Rob, The Supervisor, Says It Means

By Meg Marco 6.19.08

Dustin wrote back to let us know that Circuit City corporate had contacted him about his difficulty with their “24 minute guarantee.” It seems that the general manger of the store had misunderstood the guarantee completely. Apologies were given and gift cards were received.

retail

Washington D.C. Police Say Its OK For Off-Duty Cops To Detain You For Not Showing Receipt

By Meg Marco 6.19.08

Remember Matt? He was detained by an off-duty police officer who was employed as a security guard by the Home Depot because he did not show his receipt. Matt complained about this to the Home Depot and received an apology from Frank Blake, the CEO. He also filed a formal complaint with the Metropolitan police. He says the police found his complaint to be unfounded.

cars