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Caffeinated vlogger John Green of the Vlogbrothers outlines the case against pennies. Namely that it costs 1.6 cents to make one, and we could save taxpayers billions if we got rid of them but don't because of sentimental clinging. He really loathes pennies, referring to the one-cent pieces as "disgusting bacteria-ridden disks of suck that fail to facilitate commerce."
I HATE PENNIES!!!! (Also Nickels.) [YouTube user Blogbrothers via Kottke via @Slate]
Last month, Continental wouldn't let Jessica bring her service dog on a flight because a ticket agent thought she was pulling one over on the airline. Now Continental has finally responded to Jessica's complaint. She said the company is admitting partial fault in the dust-up, writing the agent's "failure to provide you with the correct information would be considered a violation of federal disability law."
Jessica says Continental offered her a couple of coupons to make good -- one for 10 percent off of a flight and another for a free drink. She says she'll need to give them to a friend because she's given up on flying for the time being.
Previously: Continental Refuses To Believe Woman's Service Dog Is Real
Consumerist reader Mel recently signed up to receive updates from DailyCandy.com with the hope of getting the scoop on sample sales and shopping in the San Francisco area. What Mel didn't expect was a paid political ad for a gubernatorial candidate.
Daily Candy describes itself as a "handpicked selection of all that's fun, fashionable, food related, and culturally stimulating in the city." Somehow, former eBay CEO Meg Whitman falls into one or more of those categories, because yesterday Mel received a "dedicated e-mail" from Daily Candy that was a long letter from the Republican gubernatorial candidate about why you should vote for her.
Says Mel:
For some reason they thought I'd be interested in the email... I emailed them to ask why the hell they were sending me political emails but they haven't responded yet. Maybe Meg Whitman's large sacks of cash were too much for them to resist? I find her loathsome but would have been irritated to get emails about her competitor too. Why potentially alienate half your mailing list for this unrelated ad?
Over on Daily Candy's "Editorial Policy" page, they state:
No one can pay to be featured on DailyCandy. That's what advertising is for, and it's always labeled as such. Selling ourselves (literally) would destroy the legitimacy, integrity, and fun of DailyCandy. Plus, we'd never earn your trust that way. So we'll never make a dime off your meal at a restaurant or a penny from the sale of the latest accessory we told you about.That said, on occasion, we will send out Dedicated E-mails on behalf of sponsors. You'll recognize them from the subject line: Dedicated E-mail. Yes, these are paid for.
And no, we would never sell our subscriber list to anyone. Not for any amount of money.
Well, of course they don't have to actually sell their subscriber list to anyone when they can just charge the advertisers to use the subscriber list to blast out "dedicated e-mails."
To see what would happen, reporters for NPR's Planet Money pooled their money and bought a toxic asset for $1,000. At 99% off, it seemed like a bargain. This week, "Toxie," as they dubbed their pet, gave up the ghost. Contrary to expectation, she was killed not by foreclosures, but by loan modifications, which reduced the amount of cash flowing into the bond. Planet Money tells the whole story in this awesome and hilarious animation.
Toxie's Dead [NPR] (Thanks to Brett!)
PREVIOUSLY
Reporters Buy Up Toxic Assets
About a month ago, we wrote about reports that Blockbuster Video would be filing for bankruptcy in mid-September. So it shouldn't come as a huge surprise that Bloomberg News is reporting that the video chain will be making the filing official on Thursday morning.
According to Bloomberg:
Blockbuster Inc. is set to file for bankruptcy tomorrow in New York before the stock market opens, using a $125 million loan to reorganize so it can compete with rivals such as Netflix Inc. in renting movies online, according to a person with knowledge of the planned petition.Billionaire investor Carl Icahn, who bought about one-third of Blockbuster's bonds, will join with a group of creditors in swapping their debt for all of the video-rental company's stock, according to the person and two others who declined to be identified because the discussions are private...
If creditors get all of Blockbuster's stock, current shareholders will be wiped out.
The report says that Blockbuster, which quietly swapped CFOs a couple weekends ago will continue to focus on the handful of bricks and mortar stores that still make money, while using the rest of the loan to try to bolster its online streaming and DVDs by mail products.
Regardless, if you have an unused Blockbuster gift card sitting around, use it now. When a company enters into bankruptcy, gift card holders often get left out in the cold, so it's best to use them while you still can.
Blockbuster Said to Plan Bankruptcy Tomorrow With Loan [Bloomberg]
Now that the nominees have been announced for Consumerist's First Annual Worst Ad In America Awards, it's time to get your vote on!
Click here to read a bit about the nominees and download the printable PDF here.
Below are poll for all 6 categories in WAIA 2010. You can only vote once, so choose wisely. Voting ends at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, 9/28/2010.
Remember, the main reason Consumerist can hold a contest like this is because we don't take outside advertising or corporate sponsorships and we are 100% supported by consumers. Please consider supporting independent blogging. $5 you give us is $5 we don't have to get from a corporation. CLICK HERE TO DONATE!
A fast-talking Verizon rep talked Joanna's septuagenarian parents into buying expensive Blackberry Storm 2's, but after they got them, they found that when it came to using the devices, they were all thumbs. Her dad has large fingers and rheumatoid arthritis, and the gadgets were overall too complex for her parents.
The reps at two Verizon stores Joanna went to to swap for easier phones heartily agreed, and said Verizon should have no problem exchanging them, even if the folks were a few days past their first 30-days. But when Joanna called, Verizon wasn't "hearing her now" one bit.
Joanna writes:
My parents are smart older people, but, despite my dads love of gadgets, electronics still elude them to some degree. A while ago, I recommended my parents switch to Verizon or Tmobile and my dad, specifically, get a Blackberry. He usually uses an old school HP PDA, but it was failing and was nearly 5 years old. Plus he had never figured out how to sync it with the computer, so all the data was at risk.You can try calling up and asking for retentions and see if Verizon would rather bend the rules and let you swap the phones or lose them entirely as customers.This summer it nearly failed and I told them that when we got back to the States (we were overseas) I would help them find phones and a new carrier. My 73 year old father, who always makes panicky decisions, called Verizon and spoke to a woman. He told her I had recommended Blackberries and she immediately told him to buy the most expensive one they had, the Storm 2.
My father has rheumatoid arthritis and large fingers. My mother can't work the camera in a NON-smartphone. I come to visit and see these two news phones. My father admits he cannot use it and my mother won't even answer hers.
I take them to the Verizon store where the sales guy immediately say to me, "why do they have these phones?" I explain the problem and he says that he recommends my dad get a curve (which is MUCH easier for him to use already) and my mother get the LG ally for the screen, but it also has a keypad. We play around with them, I make my parents touch the screen, type phone numbers, etc. The Curve is a MUCH less complex Blackberry and my mom can handle the ally.
Ooops! My mother is ONE day past her 30 day trial and my dad is 4 days past. The nice Verizon guy says to not worry, just call Verizon and he can't see any reason why they wouldn't trade in the phones.
He was wrong. TWO HOURS with Verizon customer service has an associate accuse me of lying, tells me my parents were at fault, that he would do nothing. A supervisor comes on and is JUST AS RUDE, and when I explain that my dad can't even really USE the touchscreen he tells me that it isn't his problem. That they bought the phones, they can buy new ones but that Verizon has RULES AND GUIDELINES for this. I ask him if he is abiding by a RULE or following a GUIDELINE as those are two VERY different words. I point out to him that the woman who first advised my dad did not ask him ANY pertinent questions about his use of the phone and just sold him the most expensive stuff they had. She didn't care to know if he could juse the phone.
After I came back to NYC, my parents went in and talked to a DIFFERENT guy...all the sales people say the same thing: Verizon had NO BUSINESS selling my parents Storms. They are WAY to complex and beyond their capacity.
I am going to have my parents break their contract, NOT pay the fee, and sign up with someone else. I, honestly, have never been so outraged in my life.
Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips roundup. Today, we ask if you have what it takes for day trading, give the best places to retire, and help you find a job with some new iPhone apps!
Day Trading: Do You Have What it Takes? — This is a handy reference list for those of you who wonder if the high payouts are worth the risk. Money Blue Book
Health Snacks: Easy Banana Bread Recipe — The real reason I love banana bread (besides the wonderful flavor) is that it’s super frugal to make! Get a nice recipe to use here. Squawkfox
The Best Places to Retire — The U.S. didn’t have much to offer for this list of locations that can be financially-friendly to the newly retired. It might be a great way to expand your view of the world! Oblivious Investor
The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Investing in Gold — If your stock of canned goods is almost to the tipping point, maybe it’s time to take the gold plunge. Here’s a good glossary of common terms and types. Gen X Finance
Best iPhone Apps for Job Seekers — Still looking? Your’re not alone. Get a leg up on your search, from anywhere, with this roundup of neat apps for your smartphone — all designed to help you land that next career! Savvy Sugar
Making a Side Income — We all know that becoming a one-income family can be rough on a two-income household. These tips, and the links to many money-making ideas, just might get you through! Bible Money Matters
6 Student Loan Mistakes to Avoid — Think that little white lie on your loan application won’t hurt anyone? Be careful, it could actually cost you later. My Bank Tracker
15 More Things You Shouldn’t be Paying for — This additional list of things you should almost always get for free (or not at all) is a good reminder that just because it’s for sale, doesn’t mean you have to buy it. PT Money
4 Signs Your Kids May be in Danger Online — Parents, listen up! You’re child may not be as safe surfing the net as you think! Here’s how to deal with it. My Life Scoop
Health Supplements May be Hazardous to Your Health — Think all those “natural” boosters are doing your body good? Get the facts on what you could be putting into your body! Healthy Theory
We don't need to worry about China getting ahead, Mastercard said today that China is set to surpass the US by 2020 in America's favorite pastime: using credit cards. It will only be a matter of time after that they implode on a consumer credit bubble, muahaha, exactly as we planned. See, you're not the only ones that can export poison!
Mastercard Sees Surge In China Credit-Card Use [WSJ via Lowcards]
Sure, times are tough, but that doesn't mean you can't have a little fun. Here are eight ideas that will allow you to enjoy some entertainment and save money, too.
1. Discount days, or even free admission days, are a great way to save money on entertainment at zoos, galleries, museums, and even some theaters. Check your local venues for specials.
2. Are you a theater, concert, or sports lover, but can't afford the steep ticket prices? Consider a part-time job or volunteer position at the event. You may find yourself doing some menial work, but you'll also probably have the opportunity to catch most of the event -- and get paid for it!
3. Our neighborhood Ultrastar theater has "Cheapskate Tuesday." Most theaters also offer discounts for seniors and kids, but everyone can save money on certain days and certain times, usually in the afternoon on a weekday. If you go with a group of friends or co-workers, you can usually get a group discount, too.
4. Speaking of movies, do you know if you have a Netflix subscription you can watch thousands of movies and TV episodes free on your computer, Blu-Ray DVD player, Wii, PS3, XBox, or the new Apple TV? Yup, they have a huge collection of movies that they stream over the Internet. You can watch anytime you want for no additional charge while you wait for the next Netflix DVD to come in the mail.
5. You'll find movies at your local library, too, as well as music CDs, video games, and, by the way, books — all for free. They also offer lectures, music, and other library-sponsored events that are all free, too. While yore there, the Friends of the Library bookstore is a great place to buy books for pennies on a dollar.
6. If you're going out, babysitting can cost as much or more than your tickets. See if friends, family, or neighbors will trade babysitting responsibilities — you watch theirs one night, then they watch yours another.
7. And if you're out for an afternoon of fun, consider visiting that new restaurant you wanted to try. Lunch menus are priced lower than dinner menus. Look for coupons, too. Two-for-One deals are common.
8. Finally, if you're a student, military service member, or a senior, be sure to ask for discounts. For that matter, don't forget to ask for AAA, AARP, or other membership discounts. Even some clothing retailers, for example, offer AAA discounts.
United and Continental are oh so close to merging, now that shareholders for both airlines have approved the deal.
Writes ChicagoBreakingNews.com:
Shareholders of United parent UAL Corp. met in Elk Grove Township on Friday morning to vote on the $3 billion stock swap. The companies expect the deal to close in the next two weeks.
The shareholder votes come just a few weeks after the Justice Dept. wrapped up its inquiry into the merger in a very timely fashion.
United shareholders approve Continental merger [ChicagoBreakingNews.com]
Drooling over a luxury bag, but know it's not in your budget? Got an upcoming job interview where you'd love to be able to pull out a Prada and make a splash? We don't all have celebrity budgets, but those shopping for an executive-level replacement job and needing discount designer handbags for a great price will find relief with these tips from an industry expert.
Sarah Davis, founder of Fashion Phile, a resale company for gently-used designer bags, knows how to get great deals on authentic luxury pocketbooks, tote bags, and more. Since she owns the largest pre-owned luxury handbag business in the country, I couldn't resist picking her brain on behalf of you, the readers. Here are her top tips for getting great bags for less.
Certain brands like Louis Vuitton or Hermes never have sales. Ever. So if you don't want to pay full price, shopping for them second hand is your only alternative. The good news? Because these particular brands never discount, they retain their value. This means you can always get a reasonable amount of cash back if you tire of your bag's design down the road. It also lets you know to be very wary if you see a bag listed as belonging to that label for a price that's too good to be true.
One exception to this rule is Coach. They are known to discount, and also have outlet stores, making them a HUGE bargain on the used market.
If you enter a consignment store and see a bag that's nearly what you want, ask the clerk or store owner if the shop has an online presence as well. Chances are the store's inventory runs much deeper than what you see on the shelves. Fashionphile.com, the online component to Davis' Rodeo Drive store, is where over 70% of her inventory is sold. Another 20% of her bags are sold on Ebay. This is good news if you're looking for loads of options within a certain price range, and the items on the shelves aren't quite meeting your needs.
It's a jungle out there, and counterfeiters are more sophisticated than ever. Going crazy with your credit card at online auction sites might not be your best bet unless you know for sure the seller is reputable. In higher-end consignment stores, ask if they have an authenticator on staff. Experienced professional sellers of luxury items shouldn't balk at this request. If one isn't available, snap a high-quality photo and head on over to The Purse Forum, where handbag experts will give you their opinion on an item's authenticity. For free.
According to Davis, any luxury reseller worth their weight in buttery leather should be willing to offer a 100% money back guarantee when it comes to the authenticity of one of their handbags. If they won't, it's a huge red flag that the item in question is not a safe purchase.
Vintage bags in pristine condition might perform better than other financial investments. Who knew? While I wouldn't recommend anyone to start planning their retirement by investing in designer pocketbooks, I did find the following anecdote of interest. One of Fashionphile's clients had a smaller Louis Vuitton item in her closet purchased in the 1980s for less than $300. They resold it for her for over $500. Not bad.
To be sure, collecting a closet-full of discount designer handbags isn't the budget for most of us. That being said, having one or two multipurpose bags in a timeless style is a good idea if you can afford it. One strategy I use for higher-quality pieces is to not use them all the time. I keep them stored safely in a closet and only use them when the situation demands it. That, plus a timeless style ensures I'm always able to pull off the look I need without the cost becoming a regular line item in our monthly budget. Walking in to an interview where you want to command a higher salary sporting a Prada instead of a penny-pinching bargain bag can do nothing but help you. So if you find yourself in a situation where you've got to "play the game," so to speak, get out the Gucci and tuck it away safely after the event.
Related Readings:
Got your own great tip for getting discount designer handbags for less? Sound off below in the comment section!
Where do two minutes equal an hour? A parking garage, of course. Everyone knows this, but what about when another customer delays you and pushes you past the one-hour mark? Nathan tells Consumerist that while the customer ahead of him in line argued with the garage attendant, his own time in the garage passed one hour, and the attendant insisted that Nathan pay for the full two hours.
He wrote the following letter to the owner of the garage (who has now promised a refund):
I recently had an issue at a parking garage where, while waiting in line to pay, another patron in front of me was arguing with the attendant for well over 5 minutes, causing me to go over the one hour mark by about a minute or 2, resulting in me having to pay twice the one hour rate. I argued with the attendant for a while but he was pretty firm and even suggested that I was in line for much less time than I knew I was, effectively calling me a liar. Also, strangely, a police officer came over and ordered me to pay the attendant (which seems a little funny, but maybe he was just trying to keep the peace).Anyway, here's the letter I wrote:
I recently had a small issue at one of your parking garages in San Francisco involving the time that I was leaving the garage. From the receipt scan that I attached, you can see that I entered the garage at exactly 3:33 PM and left at 4:39 PM. While this would put me in the $6 bracket, I was in line to pay for my parking time at 4:30 and expected to pay $3 for one hour of parking. Although I was second in line to pay at 4:30 PM, the person in front of me had lost his ticket and was arguing with the parking attendant for well over 5 minutes, at which point, I had to back up, allow this other customer to back up out of the way, and then move forward to pay for my parking. By this time, I was told I had to pay $6 for 2 hours of parking. Add another few minutes during which I was arguing with the attendant and at the end, I left the lot at 4:39 PM, which actually means I was probably only in the lot until 4:34 or 4:35, a mere 1 or 2 minutes past the 1 hour mark.
I understand that waiting in line to pay can be considered time spent in the garage and is chargeable. However, I was forced to wait an unusually long amount of time to pay for my parking and as a result, ended up having to pay twice what I should have because another patron had lost his ticket. I believe this is unfair for me to have to suffer for another person's mistake. Furthermore, the attendant attempted to lie to me by saying I had gotten in line only 2 minutes ago, which is impossible considering that I was already in line when they were arguing AND I had to back up to allow this other patron to move out of the way.
To remedy this, I would respectfully request $3 be mailed to my address or if you have vouchers available for parking, I would also accept a $3 voucher to park in lots owned by your company. I realize this is a very small amount of money to argue over, but to me the principle of the matter is what's important especially since the attendant basically called me a liar and was completely unreasonable over just 1 or 2 minutes of extra time, time which would not have been lost had the person in front of me not lost his ticket and decided to argue about it for over 5 minutes.
Thanks for reading and I hope we can come to some kind of resolution over this small matter.
