News
Scammers Taking Advantage Of New Federal Economic Stimulus Package
Be careful whenever you are contacted by someone offering to help you do something that is government-related, or if they claim they are from the government. Typically the government communicates through official established channels such as the news or their website. Regardless of how you hear about something like tax rebates or [...]
McDonalds Invades Starbucks’ Space
Starbucks stock has reportedly lost half its value over the past 12 months. A weakening in the economy has something to do with it, as well as a new competitor of sorts… McDonalds.
McDonalds? Yeah, I said the same thing at first. But after thinking about it for a moment, I guess it did not sound that strange after all. You see, I have been drinking McDonalds’ coffee for the past two years of my own volition - meaning, I like it. In fact, I like it a lot (with 9 sugars and 5 creams in my large, please). It, like Starbucks, both beat the heck out of gas station or restaurant coffee. But often times Starbucks coffee tastes burned or over roasted to me.
Blu-ray Edges Ahead in the Format Battle
In the ongoing saga over whether HD DVD or Blu-ray will be the ultimate DVD standard, Blu-ray just moved ahead with backing from Warner Brothers Studios.
We’ll find out soon enough if the format battle will finally be over, it surely will make things easier for the consumer and prevent any inconvenience due to movie releases only being available in one particular format.
Watch for Oil Change Place Scams
Sometimes I get my oil changed at Wal-Mart or Kwik Kar because the trouble saved with messing with the under pan on a Lexus is worth the extra money. But with my Suburban, I do it myself because it is so high off the ground it doesn’t need to be jacked up. It takes less than 15 minutes, and I save enough money for a dinner out.
There is nothing wrong with using an oil change services provider, unless…
Airline Passenger Rights Law Is On The Move!
Well, at least for the state New York - being trapped due to flight delays may in the future not be as horrible as it can be now. Under a new state law that is expected to take effect on January 1st, called the Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights, airlines must provide “fresh air” and [...]
February 17, 2009 Ends the Era of Analog TV. Get Converter Coupons, or Get HDTV.
Yesterday, Jan. 1, was the first date that you could apply for coupons for digital-to-analog converter boxes. They will take the digital-TV signals and convert them to analog so that your current or older analog set will still be usable after analog transmitters are turned off on Feb. 17, 2009.
The boxes are expected to sell [...]
Government Restricts Lithium Batteries From Checked Bags
Due to a new federal safety rule that is effective January 1, 2008, passengers are no longer be able to pack loose lithium batteries in checked luggage. Batteries are still allowed in their respecitve devices, regardless of whether checked or carry-on (in plastic bags), or extra batteries can be loose if carried on. [...]
Shopping Channel HSN Agrees to Pay $875,000 Civil Penalty
Consumer Product Safety Commission reports:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that HSN LP (previously known as Home Shopping Network), of St. Petersburg, Fla., has agreed (pdf) to pay a civil penalty of $875,000. The civil penalty settles allegations that HSN LP failed to report in a timely manner, as [...]
Analog Cellular Networks to be Decommissioned in Feb ‘08
As reported by CNN:
United States - The FCC voted in 2002
to allow cell phone carriers to begin allowing their
analog networks to go offline beginning February
18, 2008. As this date is fast approaching, as
many as 500,000 OnStar users will no longer
have access to emergency services.
It is believed as many as one million
cell phone users will [...]
Surprise! Unexpected Names for the Losers in Consumer Reports Annual Car Reliability Survey
Consumer Reports calls them “bad bets”. The top ten for 2007 are:
BMW 7-Series
Infiniti QX56
Jaguar S-Type
Jaguar X-Type
Mercedes-Benz M-Class (V8)
Mercedes-Benz SL
Nissan Armada
Nissan Titan
Volkswagen Touareg
Volvo XC90 (6-cyl.)
The winners (”good bets”) are not so surprising:
Honda Civic
Honda CR-V
Honda Element
Lexus ES
Lexus LS
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota Prius
Toyota RAV4
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