Several U.S. airlines are allowing passengers to rebook due to the swine flu outbreak in Mexico. American Airlines, Continental Airlines Inc and US Airways all said that they were allowing customers to change travel plans if they were concerned about the illness.
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GM To Eliminate Pontiac, Give Government 50% Stake
By 4.27.09
GM released a new plan to avoid bankruptcy today, and the cuts are deep. The U.S. Treasury would own at least 50% of the company and the failing Pontiac brand would be completely eliminated.
Walmart's Prescription Drug Couriers Arrested For Speeding, Smoking
By 4.26.09
When you think “prescription drugs,” you think of clean, sterile facilities, not three stoners driving 100 mph down I-15 with $30,000 of Walmart’s prescription narcotics in the backseat. Cops pulled the trio over, which included two illegal immigrants, and called Walmart to confirm that these were the folks employed to deliver their dirt-cheap drugs. “They said yeah they were expecting a delivery and the driver was late.”
You Curse At One Customer Service Representative, You Curse At Them All
By 4.26.09
Brad learned the hard way that asking a Chase customer service representative “WHAT THE F*** IS WRONG WITH MY ACCOUNT?!” is not the best way to find out what the f*** is wrong with your account. Brad had fumbled a wire transfer that temporarily shut down access to his card. He called to restore access, but the card still wouldn’t work. At this point, Brad decided to curse at the CSR and hang up after being placed on hold for thirty seconds. When he called back, he was surprised to learn that the next CSR knew that he had just cursed at a colleague.
Landlord Asks Mother To Pay "Early Termination Fee" After Son Fails To Honor Lease By Dying
By 4.26.09
Debbie Eckert cleaned out her son’s apartment after he died in a February fight, but the landlord, CCRT Properties of Brookfield Wisconsin, thinks she should pay several months rent and an early termination fee. The Wisconsin Department of Consumer Protection says that CCRT can pursue the 24-year-old teacher’s estate, but that they have no right to heartlessly badger his mother.
T-Mobile Keeps Charging For Canceled Service, Refuses To Issue Full Refund
By 4.25.09
Taylor just noticed that T-Mobile has been billing him $19.99 for a data package he asked them to cancel seven months ago. Yes, Taylor should’ve caught the mistake sooner, but now that he’s found it, he wants T-Mobile to refund the $140 in unauthorized charges. T-Mobile, citing policy, is only willing to credit him $60.
Even Indians Hate Indian Call Centers
By 4.25.09
You’re not alone hating Indian call centers. Indians hate them too, mostly because they get stuck dealing with an even lower caste of customer service representatives than Americans. The well-educated smooth talking CSRs get the prestigious jobs infuriating foreign customers, while the the untrained masses are paid basmati to cater to India’s domestic customers.
Worst Company In America: Ticketmaster VS Citibank
By 4.24.09
A bailed out bank? Or the ticket scalper’s best friend? Who makes your blood boil?
$4.99 Popeye's Chicken Deal Causes Police Intervention, Chicken Shortages
By 4.24.09
Several Popeyes Chicken restaurants in the Rochester, NY area were overrun with customers responding to an offer of eight pieces for $4.99. The restaurants actually ran out of chicken and had to turn hungry customers away.
Sailor Thanks Consumerist For Helping His Family
By 4.24.09
Romeo is 22, in the Navy, and says he really appreciates what Consumerist has done for him and his family. Read his heartfelt letter, inside…
Make Sure You Secure Your Smartphone
By 4.24.09
Do you own an iPhone, G1, Blackberry, Windows or Nokia smartphone? Fancy phones are a nice target for thieves, and unfortunately they’re often packed with sensitive information that can be too easily accessed and exploited. Why not take the time this weekend to make sure it’s secure?
Worst Company In America: AIG VS Walmart
By 4.23.09
We’re on to the Elite 8 and things are really heating up! There are so many macroeconomic implications in this match-up!
Time Is Running Out For Chrysler! Bankruptcy "95% Certain"
By 4.23.09
With a week to go before the deadline runs out on Chrysler’s bailout — it’s looking less and less likely that the automaker will be saved from liquidation.
Worst Company In America: Elite 8 Bracket!
By 4.22.09
The results for the next round of the 2009 Worst Company In America contest are in. Here’s the updated bracket.
HSBC Canceled My Card Due To Inactivity And Ruined My FICO Score!
By 4.22.09
Reader Travis recently found out that one of his oldest cards had been canceled due to inactivity. This caused quite a dent in his FICO score and he’s about to go shopping for student loans— so he’s understandably freaking out.
You're Participating In The Facebook Terms Of Service Vote, Right?
By 4.22.09
You’ve got about a day and a half left to cast your vote for which Terms of Service you’d prefer Facebook go with—the one written in September 2008 without user input, or the new one they’ve drafted over the last month based on suggestions from the Facebook community.
Last Day To Vote For Worst Company In America Round 2!
By 4.21.09
The polls are closing ladies and gentlemen. Vote now for the Worst Company in America Round 2!
Your Reservation At This 4 Star Hotel? It's Now At A Motel Down The Street.
By 4.21.09
Travel guru Christopher Elliott has 5 tips for avoiding what he calls the “newest hotel scam.” It’s called “walking,” and it’s the hotel version of being bumped to another flight due to overbooking. What’s the scam? Well, travelers used to be offered a “comparable” hotel if theirs was overbooked — but lately, hotels have been trying to save a few bucks by booking guests in inferior hotels — and keeping the difference.
