Every electronic shop in the world pushes extended warranties. In fact, at the big chains, employees earn bonuses for selling an extended warranty to a customer. That in and of itself doesn't mean an extended warranty is a bad thing -- many companies encourage sales through commissions and bonuses. But it does beg the question, why the focus on getting customers to buy extended warranty services?
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How do you choose the best vacuum cleaner when there are so many on the market in such a wide range of prices? Easy. Follow these guidelines and you will soon know which type of cleaner best fits your needs.
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It's tempting to buy memorabilia of famous political, movie, and music personalities when they pass away. After all, logic tells you that because the person was famous, surely their "stuff" will be worth something one day. Buying it now would be a good investment in the future... right?
Learn the difference between valuable investments or worthless items. Heed these warnings and use these tips to avoid making costly mistakes.
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Cash for Clunkers is legislation currently debated in congress as a way to stimulate car sales, improve the environment, and improve safety of American drivers. This is all well and good, but what most consumers need to know is, "Do I qualify for this money?" After all, who doesn't want $3500 to $4500 to help pay for a new car? Before you get too excited, learn the qualifications and stipulations attached to this bill.
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With 6.2 million children treated in emergency rooms every year for bike-related injuries, it's easy to see why it's important to find the best bike helmet for your child. Almost half of the children under the age of 14 seen in emergency rooms after a bike incident were diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. To prevent this from happening to your child, be sure you find the best bike helmet and fit it properly.
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You see them all the time and they look great. But are products on TV worth the price you pay? Do they really do what they say they do? Keep reading to find out.
It started years ago in 1978 with the Ginsu knives and the Bamboo Steamer. Products on TV that look too good to be true. Now, it's the Snuggie and ShamWow! The commercials sure make these products look good, but are they worth it? Read the latest information about these products to see if you should spend your hard-earned money.
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When it comes to sunscreen, you don't want to play around -- you want the best sunscreen that will protect you and your family. But which one? There are so many to choose from it gets confusing. Use these guidelines to be sure you get the best sunscreen that is right for you.
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Have you ever wondered what the worst insurance companies in the U.S. are? Sure you have. I bet you've also hoped your company wasn't on the list. Check out this list compiled by the American Association of Justice to see if your provider made the list.
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100 calorie packs are the latest product on the diet scene. On the surface, they look like a good idea to help you stay on your diet and lose weight. But are they?
Here's the lowdown on this new diet snack.
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Do wrinkle creams work? This is something all American women have wondered about at some point in time. If you're considering shelling out a considerable amount of money on wrinkle cream, you need to read this first.
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Lawn care tips, sales on flowers, specials on lawnmowers and fertilizers, and pesticides. Yep...it's that time of year. Spring brings with it a sense of new beginnings and with it are our hopes and dreams of a beautiful lawn. Who wouldn't want to have a lawn that looks like a golf course green? Just about everybody would. But who wants the lawn to monopolize all of your time and money?
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While it's true that winter is currently in full swing, it's never too early to be thinking about buying a lawn tractor. In fact, if you buy a lawn tractor before the snow melts you can end up with a great deal, and you'll beat the summer rush. Here are some tips to help you shop smart...
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When it comes down to it, fuel is what makes the world go round. Without it, getting to work or going on vacation becomes quite the challenge. Nowadays many of us are being presented with a choice in which type of fuel we decide to put into our vehicles. If you're one of the many consumers confused about the issue and which fuel you should use, you're not alone. Here are some facts to help you understand the differences between ethanol and gasoline.
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Saving money was a financial necessity for our grandparents, before the era of unlimited credit opportunities. While people used to save money in anticipation of buying anything that was not regularly budgeted for, it is now easier make the purchase with credit and pay it off over time. Making too many payments every month means that little money is left over for putting into savings, thus perpetuating the need for more credit to make future purchases.
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The economy definitely isn't all roses and rainbows right now. Many of us are beginning to feel the hit. That means finding ways to save money. Oftentimes, it means spending less while still buying what we need to survive. If you need a budget overhaul, consider these following tips.
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You buy a used car and assume the dealership is honest (or as honest as dealerships get, anyway). The car looks excellent and drives great. You'd never expect that it had been in a wreck or that, even worse, that what's hiding in the airbag compartment could kill you. Welcome to the world of airbag fraud.
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My grandparents are appalled at today's standard of customer service, and I for one think they have every right to be. As companies outsource customer service and brick-and-mortar stores pay minimum wage to employees who could are less about customer retention, customer service and consumer rights are becoming a thing of the past. How do you stop it? How do you stick up for yourself? Here are some tips.
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Remember how excited we all were when they made all-inclusive long-distance land line packages available? Those of us who were paying hundreds of dollars each month in long distance charges were now able to get all the long distance calling we could handle for $30 or $40 a month. It was incredible. Well my friends, cell phones have taken the same direction. If you're paying a few hundred each month on cell phone charges, there's good news for you.
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You pay your bills on time, keep a decent balance in your checking account and never bounce a check. One day you're shocked to find the local store won't accept your check. Why? Because their computer system tells them they can't. See my friends, what you don't know about companies like Telecheck and Certegy can indeed hurt you.
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If you live in an area where the winter storms are hitting hard, there are some things you need to know to get through the blustery months ahead. How do you find salt when everyone is sold out? What do you need to survive a power outage? These are the issues winter storms bring to the forefront and here are some practical solutions to get you through.
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You've heard me say it before -- my wife is a money saving fiend. She is what some consider frugal and others consider cheap. Still others call her a bargain hound. I will be the first to admit, however, that at this time of year when money is tight and everyone needs a bargain my wife is the first person they run to when they want something nice for the lowest price possible. How can she know so much? Where does she find all of these deals? I'm about to spill the money-saving beans. Here are the four websites that my wife visits each and every day and I know for a fact they can save you a ton of cash...
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Sometimes it's the littlest things that we do that can translate into big savings over the long term, and smart consumers know this. If you're looking for ways to save money so you can make your dollars stretch further, you're in the right place. Here are some of my best suggestions for saving money.
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There are many types of loans out there -- student loans, personal loans, boat loans, and home loans. And just when you thought you’d heard about every loan imaginable, there’s one more to consider... Casino loans, otherwise known as casino credit. If you’ve never heard of casino credit, we've got the scoop.
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Even though the National Do Not Call Registry has been in existence for several years, many consumers, unfortunately, still do not fully understand how it works. If you're not up to speed on what this registry is or what it can do for you, here are some things you need to know...
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If you know what a tollway is, you know the true definition of highway robbery and you may be wondering if electronic toll passes are a good idea or just another way for the toll authority to rob you blind. Here's some info to keep in mind...
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If you have children, you can easily get overwhelmed when you hear reports of toy recalls making the news. There are some easy ways to stay on top of all the toy recalls. The time spent researching toy recalls is definitely worth it, considering it's your child’s health and safety that is at risk.
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Well it looks like my previous post on when to tip and when not to tip was a hit. It also looks like many of you still have questions on when a tip is appropriate and when it isn't. Rather than answer all questions individually I figured it'd be best to create another blog post covering the additional "when to tip and when not to tip" questions everyone asked so all readers can reference them when needed. That being said, here's the answers to the most popular "tip" questions that came in over the past week...
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In today's age of under-paid customer service employees, getting bad customer service seems to be the norm. However, just because it's becoming increasingly common doesn't mean we, as consumers, should put up with it. After all, these people technically work for us since it's our money that pays their salaries. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to handle bad customer service. If you run into a sticky customer service situation, this is how to handle it.
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In today's world of tip cups and curbside service, knowing when to tip and when not to tip isn't always cut and dry. Do you tip the coffee barista? Does the curbside server at the restaurant warrant a gratuity? I've got the answers. If you want to save yourself the embarrassment of being labeled a bad tipper without being taken to the bank, follow this advice...
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You need more light bulbs, paper towels, toilette paper -- whatever. Where do you go? If your first response is Wal-Mart, you may not be doing your part to support local small businesses. Forgoing the little guy to save a few dimes here and there may cost you big time in the long run. Here's why.
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It used to be that getting the best concert tickets meant waiting in line for hours (or sometimes even days) for the box office to open and tickets to go on sale. Nowadays, however, thanks to online concert tickets, waiting in line for hours in the freezing cold is a distant memory. Now all it take is a click of the mouse. But are online concert tickets really a good idea?
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I know this blog is about consumer tips and reports, but let's talk about party planning for a moment. A friend of mine was planning her daughter's birthday party, which is coming up next month. She asked me to look over the invitation proof and give my opinion. The fact that she was having custom invitations made should have tipped me off right there that something was amiss, but when I saw the invite, that's when I realized that today's party planning trends have gotten out of hand.
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When you want to know whether or not a company is reputable, you contact the BBB, right? After all, they are the go-to resource for information on area businesses. And when you see a BBB logo on a businesses website or front door, you can trust that business, right? Not necessarily.
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Severe weather is no laughing matter, which is probably why many consumers rely on weather alerts to keep them apprised of the current weather situation. However, not all weather alerts are created equal and some will cost you more than a buck or two. If you want to get the lowdown on weather alerts and whether or not you should pay for the service, we've got the information you need.
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Car insurance can be very expensive, and if you pay your car insurance bill twice a year, or even quarterly, you will most likely be overwhelmed when the bill arrives. Fortunately, there is a solution to the sick feelings you might experience when you get your car insurance bill in the mail. It’s time to discuss the pros and cons of different options for paying your car insurance.
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Consumers have many ways to pursue a problem that a company isn’t handling properly. One common way is to contact the company directly either via phone or a written letter and outline their problem or concern. In fact, very few consumers have problems voicing their complaints. But what about compliments? Why don’t more consumers offer compliments when the situation warrants it?
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Summertime picnics are good opportunities for savvy consumers. These days, several summertime venues are very family friendly and allow outside food and beverages on the premises. This spring and summer do what many savvy consumers do and look for family-friendly venues that are okay with the idea of savvy consumers saving money.
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Buying a musical instrument is a big investment. Pianos are one of the more costly musical instruments, and they are also cumbersome and require ample space. If your child is interested in taking piano lessons or learning any other musical instrument, you’ll have to contemplate the pros and cons of buying a musical instrument before actually taking the plunge.
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Gym membership can be expensive, and it can be difficult to join a fitness center nowadays without having to sign a lengthy contract. Practically all commercials gyms require some type of contract and initiation fee to start up. Although all contracts are unique in nature, this article will give some general guidelines on what to look out for in gym membership contracts.
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By now you’ve probably received at least a dozen unsolicited emails letting you know that you can receive a $500 gift card to your favorite home improvement store or department store by responding to the email. Are these offers legitimate? More importantly, are free gift cards worth your time?
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Perhaps you’ve been told by countless friends, family members, and strangers that your child is adorable and you should get him or her into child modeling. You might be wondering where you should turn to get your child started in the business. You might have even seen ads promising to get your child auditions. Show business is pretty competitive, and if you’re unfamiliar with the lingo and tools of the trade you might be at a loss for where to begin. There are legitimate opportunities in child modeling for both local publications and national companies such as Baby Gap and Gymboree. Before you invest a lot of money into pursuing child modeling, there are some important tips and information you should keep in mind.
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Many products are manufactured and sold every year, but an even smaller number are subject to consumer safety recalls. Many consumers don’t take advantage of consumer recalls nearly as often as they should. Reasons for this stem from the fact that many consumers don’t even know whether or not items that they own have been recalled. Consumer safety recalls are intended to benefit consumers, yet some consumers don’t even know about them.
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Consumer search websites are comprehensive sites that can provide consumers with valuable information before making a major purchasing decision. A consumer search website, such as ConsumerSearch.com and Epinions.com, can be very beneficial because they assist consumers in making knowledgeable and informed purchasing choices.
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Unhappy consumers who have had negative experiences with businesses now have a voice. A website called RipOffReport.com is allowing consumers to file a complaint against companies -- highlighting their experiences with any company they have purchased from or whose services they have utilized. If you’ve ever been taken advantage of by a less-than-scrupulous company and felt that you had no recourse, you’re going to love Rip-OffReport.com.
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