• Wine.woot: Armida 4-Pack Armada for $59.99
Retail Services
Are Consumers Tired Of Online Commerce?
By 6.17.07
The Times is reporting that you people aren’t buying stuff online anymore. Online sales that once increased by 25% each year, are now increasing by less than 10%. The relationship between online outlets and brick and mortar stores is shifting, with some online outlets venturing into the real world to peddle their wares:
The reaction to the trend is apparent at Dell, which many had regarded as having mastered the science of selling computers online, but is now putting its PCs in Wal-Mart stores. Expedia has almost tripled the number of travel ticketing kiosks it puts in hotel lobbies and other places that attract tourists.
A dirty-sounding “clicks-and-bricks” hybrid model used by two of our favorite retailers – Best Buy and Sears – allows users to reserve items online and pick them up in stores, which may or may not have the items in stock. Several factors have conspired to keep consumers offline…
What Makes For A Good Wedding Present?
By 6.15.07
It’s June, which used to mean nice weather in the Northeast. Now it just means it’s wedding season, which will never change.
Morning Deals
By 6.15.07
• Best Buy clearance: Dualcore Gateway Laptop MT6456 160gb 1gb ram 802.11n for $449.99
More Helio Hell
By 6.14.07
If you cancel Helio because their customer service is run by jackholes, be sure to check you really are canceled. Stella writes:
…they neglected to cancel my account after I returned the equipment and canceled my service — and didn’t send me any bills/communication, only to report me to a collection agency a few months later. It was a big and annoying ordeal, I already didn’t like the company and lack of customer service which is why I originally canceled, but after this situation, to say I have lost respect for them is just not enough.
Then again, if their call centers are bollocks, then what’s to say they’ll give you the right answer when you call? Guess the only solution is to not sign up with those pack of Scientologists in the first place. — BEN POPKEN
Helio Baits Customer With 1-Year Contract, Switches Him To 2-Year
By 6.14.07
I wanted to sign up for the Ocean on May 13th, but I noticed that on the web site, the only option for contracts was a 24 month agreement. Given that Helio is a new company, I wasn’t sure I wanted to commit to two years. I called Helio to find out if I could get a one-year agreement. The customer service rep that I spoke to was very accommodating and said I could have a one year deal. I mentioned a web promo code that would get me some other discounts, including the $30 activation fee waved, and $25 off the first four months of service, and she said that I could have all that, as well as a nice discount on the phone itself. I signed up then and there.
Morning Deals
By 6.14.07
• Amazon: Victorinox Swiss Pocket Knife for $19.99 (add $5.01 in other goods to get free shipping)
More Than $3 Billion Stolen From Walmart This Year
By 6.13.07
According to the AP, so-called “shrinkage” at Walmart could rise to more than $3 billion this year. The shrinkage comes from a combination of supplier fraud, employee theft, bad bookkeeping and, of course, shoplifting.
At Launch, iPhone Only Available At Apple.com, Apple Stores, And Select AT&T Stores
By 6.13.07
Don’t go looking for the new iPhone at any ol’ AT&T store come June 29th, it will only be available through Apple.com, Apple stores, and certain special AT&T outlets, according to an AT&T memo we received.
Do You Refurb?
By 6.13.07
Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you’re viewing this in an RSS reader, click through to view in your Javascript-enabled web browser.
"Security Mostly Follows Black People" Disgruntled Target Worker Alleges
By 6.13.07
UPDATE: A current Target employee rebuts these statements, inside…
Morning Deals
By 6.13.07
• Woot: HP Photosmart 3210 All in One Printer, Copier and Scanner for $99.99
The Potentially Apocryphal, Yet Well-Worn, Story Of Ken Lewis' Personal Dedication To Customer Service
By 6.12.07
According to a tale, possibly apocryphal, we picked up while visiting Charlotte, Bank of America’s home base, BoA CEO Ken Lewis was once standing behind some customers having trouble with a malfunctioning BoA ATM.
Home Depot Accuses You Of Attempting Return Fraud
By 6.12.07
Here at the Consumerist we realize that return fraud is a very serious problem for retailers. Nevertheless, this story puzzles us. Dana bought a thermostat from Home Depot, but it turned out to be incompatible with her heating and cooling system. When she brought it back, the customer service person accused her of bringing in an empty bag and receipt, shoplifting a thermostat and then trying to return the stolen unit. It’s a common scam…. but…
LaSalle Bank Deal Could Push Bank of America Over 10% Deposit Cap
By 6.12.07
There’s a law in this country that prevents any one bank from holding over 10% of the insured deposits. If Bank of America manages to hold on to its deal to buy Chicago’s LaSalle Bank, Bank of America would hold approximately 10.7% of deposits—about 5.1 billion dollars too much.
Worst Drop Cloth Ever: Reader Has To Replace His Carpet
By 6.12.07
A drop cloth is one of those items that doesn’t have varying degrees of effectiveness. It either works or it doesn’t. In Matt’s case, it didn’t work. Matt bought a canvas drop cloth from Home Depot. He did this because he was under the impression that a canvas drop cloth would prevent paint from getting on whatever he placed it over. Unfortunately for Matt, the drop cloth was too thin and paint soaked right through, ruining his carpet. Read Matt’s email inside.
