A Detroit woman is saying “What?!” after buying a supposedly new Sprint phone that had an unwanted free feature: it already had several X-rated porno videos on it. [More]
detroit
Detroit Moving Police & Fire Depts. Into Empty Casino
By 6.11.10
There are a lot of empty buildings in the Detroit area, but the beleaguered city’s mayor announced today that he’s found the perfect vacant space to house HQs for both the city’s police and fire departments — the old MGM Grand Detroit casino. [More]
Missing Some Mail From The Early '90s? There's A Shed That Might Interest You
By 5.25.10
The AP says that thousands of pieces of undelivered mail from the early ’90s were recently found in a shed in Michigan, and a ex-mail carrier is now charged with stealing mail — the punishment for which is up to 5 years in prison. [More]
Why Did The Strip Club Throw Me In Jail For Not Giving A Thumbprint?
By 2.19.10
Going from strip poles to iron bars in one night, a Consumerist reader says he got tossed in jail when he refused to give a strip club his thumbprint. Their ATM was broken so he had to pay his tab using a credit card cash advance. The club demanded a thumbprint and he refused, so cops that were already there threw him in jail. Was this legal? [More]
Detroit Airport Wants Passengers To Stop Showing Up So #%&*@$ Early
By 12.30.09
There’s a downside to media reports of airport mayhem. In Detroit, destination of the flight on which a failed alleged terrorist attack took place on Christmas Day, passengers expect additional security screening and are showing up early. Too early. Early enough that they’re screwing up the entire flight schedule. [More]
Target Calls Cops On Breastfeeding Shoppers
By 12.1.09
The AP says that police were called when Target employees tried to throw a couple out of the store because the woman was breastfeeding in the electronics aisle. The husband, a Detroit police officer, says they were told by the security guard that the act was “against the law.” [More]
Some Ford Cars Are Reliable, Actually Worth Buying
By 10.27.09
Several Ford cars are among the world’s most reliable vehicles, according to the latest annual car reliability survey from Consumer Reports.
Nobody Wants To Buy (Four Fifths Of) Detroit
By 10.26.09
Detroit tried to auction off almost 9,000 homes and lots last week—enough property to fill Central Park—but Reuters says less than 1/5th of what went on the block actually sold. Unfortunately, it sounds like speculators snatched up few decent properties, leaving actual Detroit residents looking for new homes out in the cold.
NFL Not Going To Budge On Blackouts — Will Post Games Online
By 9.15.09
The NFL’s blackout rule — which prevents games from being broadcast in home markets if there is no sellout — is coming under fire lately as some teams (ok, let’s face it, we’re talking about Jacksonville) might not have a single home sellout all season.
GM Files For Bankruptcy Today
By 6.1.09
After failing to get its debt-for-stock offer approved last week, and missing the June 1st deadline for concessions from creditors and its union, GM will file for bankruptcy later today. Reuters notes that its filing will be the third-largest in U.S. history, after Lehman Bros and Washington Mutual, and the largest ever in manufacturing.
Bush Approves Auto Industry Bailout
By 12.19.08
President Bush has approved a $17.4 billion auto bailout, with $13.4 billion in emergency loans to prevent the collapse of GM and Chrysler and another $4 billion to be handed out in February.
America's 10 Most Stressful Cities
By 9.18.08
Forbes magazine has put together a list of America’s most stressful cities and as a product of Chicago, the winner of the dubious distinction of being America’s most stressful city, I have this to say: “Yeah, so? Shut up and let me eat my hot dog in peace for once, goddamn it. No, I’m not yelling. Why are you always saying that I’m yelling? It’s not like you never yell! Pass the sport peppers before this gets ugly.”
Houses For $1: "My 14-Year-Old Son Could Buy a Block of Detroit Property"
By 8.14.08
Things are looking pretty bleak in parts of Detroit these days. In fact, you can get a house for $1. Yes, that’s right. A house.
Spirit Airlines' Customer Service Number Leads To Phone Sex Line
By 6.30.08
When you fly an ultra low budget airliner, you expect ultra low service, but even under that business model, it seems reasonable to assume that calling customer service won’t take you to a phone sex line. Reader Barbara would agree. She writes:
This E-Zip Comfort Electric Bike Cannot Be Purchased Anywhere
By 3.22.08
An affordable electric bike that can go 18 mph for over 20 miles, but isn’t sold online or in stores? Detroit, you clever fox, you’ve done it again!
Foreclosure Filed On 1 In 29 Households In Detroit In 2007
By 8.15.07
The foreclosure numbers for the first half of 2007 are in and Stockton, California leads the pack with 1 out of every 27 homes foreclosed on in 2007. Second is Detroit, with 1 in 29 and coming in third, Las Vegas with 1 in 31.
Woman Sues Spirit Airlines In Small Claims Court And Wins
By 7.17.07
Jane Waun sued Spirit Airlines in the small claims division of 54B District Court in East Lansing, Mich., as a last resort this spring after trying unsuccessfully to resolve her beef with the airline directly.
Couple Bilks Target For $10,000 With Fake Coupons And Social Engineering
By 12.1.06
Bad consumer. Bad bad bad. — BEN POPKEN
