../../../..//2007/07/17/without-warning-sunrockets-voip-service/
Without warning, Sunrocket’s VoIP service is dead. Subscribers better start porting their phone numbers. [Reuters]
news
By 7.10.07
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China executes former food and drug regulator for taking bribes in return for giving the thumbs up to unsafe medicine, a punishment akin to getting pulled over and shot in the head for breaking the speed limit while keeping up with everyone else on the highway. [NYT]
By 7.2.07
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Debt collector denied unemployment benefits because he was abusive towards debtors… the same conduct that had gotten him promoted to a supervisor position within the company.
By 6.28.07
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Big banks are bringing banking to your cellphone so you can easily see how broke you are from anywhere in the world.
By 6.27.07
../../../..//2007/06/27/how-badly-must-have-the/
How badly must have the child been screaming for his tantrum over apple juice that “the stewardess didn’t bring quickly enough” to force the plane to make an emergency landing? Maybe he was really crying because Delta, like every other airline, has been quietly liquefying his frequent flyer miles.
Slumlord Ordered To Live In Own Building Until Repairs Are Made
By 5.25.07
Stealing a page from “The Super” screenplay, an Ohio judge ordered a landlord to live in one of his decrepit buildings until repairs are made.
Credit Card Fees, Penalties, On The Rise
By 5.25.07
A nationwide study by non-prof group Consumer Action found rising trends for credit card rates and fees. Compared to 2005
Dell: We're Selling PCs At Walmart!
By 5.24.07
Dell announced today that Walmart will be selling Dell Dimension PCs in-store as part of a new retail strategy. From
In a statement, Dell spokesman Bob Pearson said, “Our customers are asking us for additional ways to purchase our products and we plan on delivering on a global level. Offering Dell Dimensions in Wal-Mart is a great example of this approach.”
Dell seems to be contemplating offering their computers in other retail outlets as well.
Dell declined to make executives available for an interview, and Mr. Pearson declined to give further details. He suggested that other retail moves might be in the offing, however.
BREAKING: Baroody Withdraws CPSC Nomination
By 5.23.07
Michael Baroody withdrew his nomination for head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
United Downgrades Frequent Flyer Program Just Another Smidge
By 5.21.07
United tightened the screws on its frequent flyer program another turn, writes Upgrade: Travel Better:
For years, Premier members of the Mileage Plus program have received “500-mile” coupons…that upgraded your North American flights from coach to first class. …If you couldn’t use your 500-milers, they’d expire after one year, but all was not lost: They converted to 500 redeemable frequent flyer miles in your account.
Mission Foods, Tyson Foods, Ban Chinese Ingredients
By 5.18.07
Two of the biggest U.S. food manufacturers, Tyson Foods and Mission Foods, have unilaterally told suppliers not to use ingredients from China.
Southern States Ban Chinese Catfish
By 5.16.07
Alabama and Mississippi have banned Chinese catfish after finding them pumped full of fluoroquinolones, an antibiotic banned by the FDA for use in animals that people eat.
Most And Least Improved Companies In Customer Satisfaction Since 1994
By 5.15.07
We’re obsessed excited by this ACSI data so let’s slice it another way!
Customer Satisfaction Winners And Losers
By 5.15.07
Here are the winners and losers on the American Customer Satisfaction Index for industries of particular interest to Consumerist readers. The scores are out of 100. Format is company name (score, difference from last year’s score).
Customer Satisfaction Up Thanks To Lower Prices, Not Increased Quality
By 5.15.07
But if the increase in quality is minor and ACSI growth is driven mostly by lower prices, or an absence of price increases, satisfaction becomes vulnerable to more volatility because prices change much quicker than quality…. Pricing power depends on upward shifting demand curves. But an upward shift is unlikely unless there is shrinking supply or higher levels of buyer satisfaction. There are no signs of the former in most industries, so the latter becomes more critical.
Good product quality and customer service and starting to look like a savvy business decision yet? — BEN POPKEN
Today's Papers
By 2.19.07
“In several instances, it said, taxpayers have put in for a refund of $30,000, while others are requesting refunds for the entire amount of the taxpayer’s phone bill, rather than just the 3 percent long-distance tax.”
Freaky Thursday: Comcast & TWC To Sell Cellphones, Verizon To Sell Cable TV
By 11.16.06
The crumpet dropped from our gnashing maw when we spied these portents.
Walmart Predicts Flat Sales In November
By 11.2.06
Walmart dampened our holiday spirit today with a forecast of flat sales throughout November at stores open longer than one year. What’s the problem?
