Warning: This audio is graphic and shocking. Before Toyota could be bothered to recall 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus cars that they had known for two years had a problem, an off-duty state trooper and three members of his family had to die in fatal car crash when the gas pedal got stuck on the floormat. This is the recording of their 911 call moments before they crashed into the end of the freeway at 120 mph.
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Diet Ads No Longer Able To Use "Results Not Typical" To Get Away With BS-ing You
By 10.6.09
We were taking a look at the new FTC guidelines governing endorsements and testimonials when we noticed something interesting. Advertisers will no longer be able to get away with showing only amazing results from consumer testimonials and presenting them as typical. Under the old rule, they could exclusively show spectacular results if they added the phrase “results not typical.” This is no longer the case, according to the FTC. Now, if they use such testimonials, they will also have to disclose the results that consumers can reasonably expect.
Best Buy "Optimized Laptop" Features Nothing But An Error Message
By 10.6.09
Reader L951B951 saw our recent posts about Best Buy’s dubious “optimization” services, so he went to the store armed and ready to demand an unopened laptop. The trouble is — he says Best Buy had opened them all. Did this stop our hero from coming away with a laptop without paying the optimization fee? Of course not.
You Can Be The Proud Owner Of A Formaldehyde-Contaminated FEMA Trailer
By 10.6.09
Looking to own a piece of history — or just want someplace to put those pesky in-laws when they show up unexpectedly? The General Services Administration has a deal for you! The government agency is selling off thousands of FEMA trailers leftover from the Hurricane Katrina period at rock-bottom prices. Of course, as with any second-hand product, these come with some caveats. In this case, it’s a warning that “the government may not have tested all of these units for formaldehyde.”
Pizza Hut Manager Attacks Old Man
By 10.5.09
A 27-year-old Pizza Hut manager in Winnipeg, Manitoba, went bonkers last Friday and dragged a 76-year-old customer to the ground over a payment dispute. The manager was arrested, and the customer returned the next afternoon to dine, because he is afraid of nothing.
Help Us! Tell Us What You Hate About The Holiday Shopping Season
By 10.5.09
Attention Shoppers: We’re interested in your opinions about the upcoming holiday shopping season. What drives you up the chimney? Is it the music? Black Friday? Rebates? Christmas Creep? Let us know!
11 Things Banned By Walmart
By 10.5.09
From a practical standpoint — our Walmart overlords decided what we can and can’t have. MentalFloss has put together a list of 11 things they did not approve of — or were forced to remove because others did not approve.
Why E. Coli Still Makes Its Way Into Your Meat Supply
By 10.5.09
Before you bite into that juicy hamburger, you might want to better understand how the meat industry creates, tests (or doesn’t test), then distributes ground beef. A detailed investigation by Michael Moss at the New York Times proves eating it is “still a gamble. Neither the system meant to make the meat safe, nor the meat itself, is what consumers have been led to believe.”
Where Has This UPS Envelope Spent The Last 14 Years?
By 10.3.09
This week, Paul received a package back from UPS that had somehow never reached its destination. That’s not so unusual. What was unusual was how long it had wandered off for. He had mailed the next day air envelope at least fourteen years ago.
Do Something Nice, Go To Disneyland
By 10.1.09
Disney’s gone and done something admirable again. We get it, Disney: you don’t want our golden poop. Fine.
The North Face Thinks You Might Confuse Them With "The South Butt"
By 10.1.09
Is The North Face‘s near total overpriced puffy jacket dominance threatened by an 18-year-old college student who sells parody t-shirts, fleece jackets and shorts? Apparently!
Should Airplane Passengers Be Allowed To Make VoIP Calls?
By 9.30.09
Until now, airplane cabins have been blessedly free from idle phone chatter thanks to FAA regulations. Now, thanks to the introduction of wi-fi on commercial flights, it’s time to ask: should passengers be able to use Skype, Google Voice, or another VoIP service of their choice to make phone calls in the air?
50 Cool Billboards
By 9.29.09
Most billboards are either ugly jumbles of giant text, or unfortunately memorable things like this. Here’s a list of 50 mostly cool ones (we think the Texas one is ‘shopped, and the anti-American one can suck it). Hey, if you’re gonna advertise on a billboard, you may as well make it entertaining.
Consumerist To Receive Consumer Education Leadership Award
By 9.28.09
This Wednesday Meghann Marco and myself Ben Popken will accept the National Consumers League Consumer Education Leadership Award. We are honored and thankful.
Behold Dell's "Buy One Wireless Card, Get 120 Free" Promotion
By 9.27.09
Dell accidentally skipped Andy in Canada’s wireless card upgrade while putting together the laptop he ordered. He called them and they sent the card along at no cost to him. Great service! The service was so great, in fact, that instead of just one wireless card, Dell went right ahead and shipped Andy a case of 120 of them.
Airlines Add $10 Surcharge On Busy Holidays
By 9.26.09
If you’re planning any air travel on the busiest post-holiday travel days this year, prepare to pay $10 in an extra, uh, “fuel surcharge” on Delta, American, and United flights. Fuel is super extra expensive on November 29th, January 2rd, and January 3rd, you know.
Cash4Gold Drops Consumerist From Lawsuit
By 9.25.09
Cash4Gold has dropped Consumerist as a defendant in the lawsuits against ex-employees Michelle Liberis and Vielka Nephew.
