The woman I spoke to said that Blockbuster’s corporate policy is that you should be able to sign up for just a membership, with no fee and no requirement to sign up for Blockbuster Online. She said that franchise stores have the choice to set their own policies, but that all corporate-owned stores should be following that rule. She also confirmed that my local store is corporate-owned, not a franchise, and should therefore be following the rules.
NEW YORK
Rogue Manager in Astoria Violates Blockbuster Corporate Policy
By 2.22.07
Grade Inflation: Can Zagat Be Trusted?
By 2.22.07
SmartMoney totaled the ratings in numerous Zagat guides to come up with an average for each. The average food rating for the New York restaurant guide has risen 26% since 1983, while the number of restaurants rated 25 or above in San Francisco has jumped nearly 60% in the past five years.
One reason could be that the Zagats sell costly plaques to restaurants, the higher the score…the more expensive the plaque. Hmmm. That sounds ethical. Read the rest of the Smart Money article, it’s really interesting.—MEGHANN MARCO
American Airlines Declares Price War, Expands New York Service
By 2.22.07
American Airlines will answer every New Yorkers prayers by extending service to Atlanta, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Louisville, Raleigh-Durham and Cincinnati. Crain’s thinks service to these bastions of municipal greatness will be enough to start “a battle for the New York area’s airports.” That can only mean one thing: price war!
The airline has been quietly expanding its New York service over the past two years, adding five new markets last year and four new cities in 2004. It’s most recent push is to grab business travelers, offering new lie-flat service on international business class flights out of New York starting in May. But being the “strong, silent type” only gets an airline so far.
We never though of American as either strong or silent. More like that giant asthmatic neighbor rifling through their garage shouting at the squirrels.
Consumerist's Second Job Interview With IDT Energy's Scammy Marketing Firm
By 2.16.07
The office was decidedly busier on our callback. [Editor’s note: this material was written prior to today.] One person was being interviewed while another waited next to us on the sofa. More at ease, we enjoyed our second look at the office. The waiting room walls were covered with pictures of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings. “Bigger. Better.” or something like that. The receptionist had a giant stack of papers on her desk and was busy on the phone as pop music blared in the background….
Your Questions About Our Interview With IDT Energy's Scammy Marketing Firm Answered
By 2.16.07
Thanks for all of the excellent feedback to, “Consumerist’s Job Interview With IDT Energy’s Scammy Marketing Firm.” Here are a few answers to your questions:
Consumerist's Job Interview With IDT Energy's Scammy Marketing Firm
By 2.15.07
115 West 30th Street is the unassuming address for an unmemorable building that serves as the headquarters of Midtown Promotions, a “marketing solutions” company that solves markets for IDT. We interviewed with them as part of Consumerist’s continuing efforts to expose IDT’s deceptive practices.
ConEd Takes Lying ESCOs Like IDT Energy Super Seriously
By 2.14.07
After seeing our post, “What ConEd Thinks Of IDT Energy Slamming Its Customers,” spokesman Alfonso Quiroz called back to say “your statement is incorrect.”
Let the Taco Bell Lawsuits Begin
By 2.13.07
From the New York Post:
A 16-year-old boy says he suffered “severe and permanent personal injuries” after eating food from a Long Island Taco Bell.
What ConEd Thinks Of IDT Energy Slamming Its Customers
By 2.13.07
ConEd spokesman Alfonso Quiroz let us know that they, “always encourage customers to shop around.” He pointed to poweryourway.com as a great place to find alternate energy service companies or ESCOs.
Help! Roommate Signed Us Over To IDT Energy
By 2.12.07
Pete got switched over to IDT Energy by a scammy door-to-door salesman, thanks to his sleepy and ignorant roommate, and now he wants help.
IDT Energy At Your Door? Call 212-416-8000
By 2.9.07
According to the NY Attorney General’s office, they’ve never heard any complaints about IDT Energy. Bryan writes:
IDT Energy Continues To Con New Yorkers
By 2.9.07
Door to door marketers working for IDT Energy are still preying upon New Yorkers, pretending to work for ConEd in an effort to get residents to switch over electrical service to the energy reseller.
Did Microsoft's Vista Circus Promo Break NYC Law?
By 1.30.07
Yesterday’s fanciful Windows Vista promotion featured thirteen unitard clad abseilers racing down the Terminal Building, waving gaily colored flags to form the Vista logo. It may also have been completely illegal according to NYC Admin Code.
ConEd Customer's Personal Info Highly Vulnerable To Online Theft
By 1.30.07
ConEd customer’s personal information is in grave danger. ConEd’s online account system is easily crackable, only requiring entering an account number.
Priceline, Travelocity and Cingular Settle Over Adware Charges
By 1.30.07
This settlement marks the first time the advertisers have been held responsible for how their ads were delivered. “Advertisers can no longer insulate themselves from liability by turning a blind eye to how their advertisements are delivered, or by placing ads through intermediaries, such as media buyers,” a statement from the New York Attorney General’s Office said. “The settlement calls for Priceline.com, Travelocity and Cingular, the wireless unit of AT&T, to pay New York $35,000, $30,000 and $35,000, respectively, to cover penalties and investigatory costs.” Is $35,000 enough to make a company think twice? —MEGHANN MARCO
Microsoft's Vista Circus: Was David Blaine Busy?
By 1.29.07
Gothamist has evidence of some “off the wall” advertising by Microsoft. In celebration of the imminent Vista launch, they set up a special billboard in Manhattan…then circus performers encased in colorful scuba diving suits repelled down the surface, hailed cabs and left. Yes, really. It kind of reminds us of that dance cycle guy from the Big Lebowski. Not sure if that was their intention.—MEGHANN MARCO
Reader Gets Chargeback For Golden Touch Transportation's Shyster Car Service
By 1.28.07
Thanks to the advice of The Consumerist and its readers, Shonda finally got a refund after Golden Touch Transportation car service ripped her off.
IDT Energy’s MLM Salesforce
By 1.26.07
Reader J. used his powers as recruiter to mine through the resumes on Monster. He found two companies that seem to have run door-to-door campaigns for IDT Energy.
