When Cliff sent us his story about the denied $100 gift card from Best Buy, he also sent it to over a dozen addresses at Best Buy HQ. A few hours ago we got this email cc’ed to us from a VP of Executive Customer Care:
Retail Services
Wal-Mart & Local Police Detain Man, Threaten Arrest Over 4 Bags Of Sugar
By 6.14.08
This guy was trying to make strawberry jam this morning, and he had to go buy 4 bags of sugar. The cashier threw away the original receipt but put the sugar in a couple of Wal-Mart shopping bags, so Ben left the store thinking everything was, you know, normal for a Saturday morning. Then he was stopped by a security guard, a store manager, and an off-duty police officer, all of whom went batshit crazy on Ben over his 4 bags of sugar and lack of receipt. Before it was over one of the shopping bags was ripped open, a bag of sugar lay broken open on the parking lot, the guard had threatened to kick Ben’s ass, and the police officer said, “you’d better not be lying to me.” Ben was marched back into the store so they could verify with his cashier that he wasn’t a sugar thief. Welcome to Wal-Mart, the police-state superstore where prices are low and civil rights don’t exist.
Best Buy Ignores Internal Memo, Doesn't Honor $100 Gift Card Promo On Metal Gear Solid Bundle
By 6.14.08
According to this conversation over at the SlickDeals forum, Wal-Mart was offering a $100 gift card with any Blu-ray player purchase, including the PS3—and Best Buy Corporate issued a memo saying they would match Wal-Mart’s deal and offer $100 gift cards as well. Cliff tried to take advantage of this unadvertised special when he purchased a Metal Gear Solid PS3 bundle a couple of days ago, but the manager of the store refused, saying the bundle was off-limits: “You can buy any other Playstation and you can get the gift card, but not on that one.” Oddly, though, other members of SlickDeals were reporting success with the very same bundle around the country.
Amazon Customer Service Phone Numbers
By 6.13.08
Slightly buried on Amazon’s page and, at one time, not even published on their site, Amazon.com’s customer service phone numbers:
The 10 Most And 10 Least Radiation Emitting Cellphones
By 6.13.08
CNET has complied a list of which cell phones, used in America, emit the most radiation. Conversely, they also have a list of phones that emit the least radiation. The publication of these lists does not imply there is a risk to using cell phones. According to the FDA, there is not enough information to say conclusively whether cellphones are safe or unsafe, however, you may be curious to see how your phone stacks up. The lists focuses on the specific absorption rate, or “SAR” of each cellphone. The lists, inside…
Wal-Mart Employee Stabs Customer
By 6.13.08
Wal-Mart employee, Ray Canales, age 18, has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a teenage customer inside the store, according to KPRC. The altercation started at about 10:15pm Wednesday night at the Wal-Mart in Pearland, TX. More, inside….
Morning Deals
By 6.13.08
- Amazon: Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator In-Ear Earphones for $72.99 (down from $149.99)
- GraveyardMall: PaperMate Plasma Ball Point Pen
- Amazon: $10 off $25 Grocery Clearance Event
Highlights From Dealhack
Highlights From Bargainist
How Sellers Manipulate You With Decoy Pricing
By 6.12.08
Sometimes numbers lie. Assuming you have no innate preference towards either of the two colors, it might be hard to choose between a red Civic and a blue Civic. If instead you have a choice between a red Civic, a blue Civic, and a red Civic without air conditioning, the choice becomes much easier. Dan Ariely in his book Predictably Irrational says his research shows that most people would choose the red Civic with air conditioning over both the other cars. Details inside.
In Early Termination Fee Hearing, FCC Chief Regurgitates Wireless Industry Proposals
By 6.12.08
The FCC held hearings today to discuss early termination fees (ETF) for wireless carriers, the ~$175 charged if a customer exits contract before the contract is up. FCC Chairman Kevin “Golden Child” Martin’s proposals largely mirrored those offered by the carriers themselves last month. Here’s what he said today:
Mommy Needs A New Pair Of Stimulus Shoes
By 6.12.08
Upgrade: Travel Better blogger Mark Ashley sends in this ad he spotted at the Oak Hollow Mall in High Point North Carolina, exhorting shoppers to use their stimulus payments in a selfish splurge on depreciating assets.
Wal-Mart Tosses Student In Jail For Trying To Cash Real Money Orders, Then Sends Her A Bill
By 6.12.08
Nitra Gipson sold her car to pay for her last two semesters at Texas Southern University, where she is studying criminal justice (of all things), and was paid with Wal-Mart Money Orders. When she tried to cash these money orders at her local Wal-Mart she was arrested and charged with felony forgery — even though the money orders were real.
Sprint Doesn't Charge US Government Early Termination Fees
By 6.12.08
Sprint doesn’t charge Uncle Sam an early termination fee if he decides to get out of his cellphone contract early. Why? USAToday reports:
Morning Deals
By 6.12.08
- Buy.com: Samsung WEP410 Bluetooth Cell Phone Headset for $4.99 Shipped After Rebate
- Tanga: Altec Lansing IMMINI stereo for iPod for $19.99
- Staples: $25 off $75 Coupon
Highlights From Dealhack
- Eastern Mountain Sports: Save 30% off Backpacks, Tents, & Sleeping Bags
- Buy.com: VMware Fusion: Run Windows or Linux on Macs $32 & Free Shipping
- Target: Save Extra 15% off + Free Shipping on Most Furniture
Highlights From Bargainist
- Drugstore.com: Big BOGO Bonanza Sale
- J. Crew: Summer Sale: Up to 30% off + extra 20% off
- Banana Republic: Up to $30 off select styles for Dad
Worst Company In America "Sweet 16": Best Buy VS Diebold
By 6.12.08
Here’s your third “Sweet 16” match-up: #5 Best Buy VS #12 Diebold.
Target: Yes, You Can Return That Camera After The 90 Day Deadline. Oh Wait, Never Mind. You Can't.
By 6.11.08
Ronald was in a hurry and wondered if he could delay returning a camera to Target until a few days after the 90 day deadline. He called them up and they told him it wouldn’t be a problem. Guess what? It was a problem.
Morning Deals
By 6.11.08
Highlights From Dealhack
- Lenovo: Save up to 35% off ThinkPad Notebook & Tablet PCs with Coupon
- Buy.com: McAfee VirusScan Plus 2008 only $10 Shipped
- Creative Labs: Through Thursday: Electronics & Computer Accessory Clearance
Highlights From Bargainist
- Ralph Lauren: Summer Sale: Up to 60% off + free shipping coupon
- iRobot.com: 20% off home robots purchase
- TCBY: Free cup or cone for Dad on Father’s Day
The Gap Is Shrinking!
By 6.10.08
Gap’s CEO Glenn Murphy said Tuesday says he plans to close some stores and shrink others in an effort to turn things around at the slumping retailer.
