Consumerist

Airline Passengers Stranded For 9 Hours [Travel]

Ben Popken — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:15:44 EST

200 passengers were held captive for 9 hours on the tarmac outside LA this week. TACA Airlines blamed fuel delays, lack of staff, and fog. As they waited, they were fed water and crackers. [FOX] (Thanks to Justin!) (Photo: Getty)

FDIC Critizes Banks' Overdraft Fees [Fees]

Ben Popken — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:04:15 EST

It took 18 months for the FDIC to figure out that banks' practice of clearing checks largest to smallest makes banks a lot of money.

Bankers defend it saying that people would rather their cable bill to bounce than their mortgage payment, but it just so happens that if you miscalculate your balance or a deposit didn't clear in time, it maximizes potential fees. Overdraft fees accounted for 74% of service fees banks earned in 2006, to the tune of $1.97 billion. The data was based on banks' responses to survey questions, so you can bet the numbers are actually higher.

FDIC: Bank overdraft fees hit young, low-income customers [USAToday] (Thanks to Snarkysnake!) (Photo: David Reber)

Inside The Mind Of A Liquidator [Tweeter]

Ben Popken — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:34:13 EST

Interesting facts from a Boston Globe article profiling a member of the Tweeter liquidation team, David "The Junkyard Dog" Spehar:

At the beginning of a liquidation sale, it's very typical that they reset the price back to original and begin discounts from there
The discounts get bigger week by week, or faster if merch isn't moving
Employee theft is a big problem
One liquidator helps make nice with the old employees working through the liquidation sale by giving more sales bonuses than they got before
Also, by buying everyone donuts

As retailers reel, a call for the liquidators [The Boston Globe] (Thanks to peetah!) (Photo: Josh Reynolds)

Dollar Tree To Murdered Black Employee: Drop Dead [Dollar Tree]

Ben Popken — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:20:07 EST

Prosecutors say Taneka Talley was killed while working at Dollar Tree because she was black, and now Dollar Tree is denying her 11-year-old her worker's comp because they deem racially-motivated murders on-the-job to be "personal" and not "work-related." Empathy costs more than a dollar, it seems.

Firm denies workers' comp in racial killing [SFGate] (Thanks to Kevin!)

What You Should Tip [Tipping]

Ben Popken — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:35:12 EST

Ever wonder what the "right" tip was to give a service provider? Well, wonder no longer as Yahoo Hotjobs offers the following tip suggestions for a variety of workers:

* Bartender: 10-15 percent of the bar bill.
* Waiter/Waitress: 15-20 percent of the bill, 20 percent at fine restaurants or if you have a large group.
* Massage Therapist: 10-20 percent of the total, 20 percent if it is a really great massage.
* Hairstylist: 15 percent of the total.
* Concierge: $5-10 is average, more for special services or favors.
* Doorman: $1 dollar or more for help with luggage or finding a taxi on the street.
* Parking Attendant: $1-2, depending on how far they travel to get your car.
* Van Driver: $1 or more per bag, especially if they help you with your luggage.
* Musician/Singer: $35-75 per person.
* Taxi Driver: 15 percent of fare, $1 per bag up to 5 bags, $2 per bag for 5 or more bags or if bags are very heavy (50 lbs. each).

In addition, if you regularly use any of these (or other) service workers, you'll likely want to give them an extra holiday tip this season. For guidance on what amounts are appropriate, Consumer Reports offers a nice chart on what others are tipping this season.

Now here's the big question: will the poor economy impact the amount you tip the service people in your life? We're guessing it will for many. How about for you?

10 Workers to Tip This Season [Yahoo Hotjobs]

— FREE MONEY FINANCE

(Photo: tiangotlost)

Bally Total Fitness has filed for Chapter ... [Chapter 11]

Meg Marco — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:39:03 EST

Bally Total Fitness has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy... again. [MarketWatch]

You Can Steal The Empire State Building In Only 90 Minutes [Scams]

Meg Marco — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:59:46 EST

The Daily News has stolen the Empire State Building, and it only took 90 minutes. They made up some fake paperwork and successfully got the deed to the 102-story landmark transferred to a fake company called "Nelots Properties LLC." Get it? Nelots? Stolen? The information provided to the city register was laughably fake — King Kong star Fay Wray was listed as a witness.

From the Daily News:

Of course, stealing the Empire State Building wouldn't go unnoticed for long, but it shows how easy it is for con artists to swipe more modest buildings right out from under their owners. Armed with a fraudulent deed, they can take out big mortgages and disappear, leaving a mess for property owners, banks and bureaucrats.

"Once you have the deed, it's easy to obtain a mortgage," Farrell said.

Many crooks have done just that:

- Asia Smith stole her 88-year-old grandmother's house in Springfield Gardens, Queens, pocketing $445,000 in mortgages she took out.

"Her grandmother raised her," said Queens Assistant District Attorney Kristen Kane. Smith, 22, was arrested last December and is serving a one-year jail term for fraud.

- A man posing as someone who had been dead for 19 years deeded the dead man's property to himself. He then sold it to the scheme's mastermind, who took out a $533,000 mortgage and vanished with the cash.

- Toma Dushevic managed to steal seven dilapidated city-owned buildings in Brooklyn 10 years ago.

It took 90 minutes for Daily News to 'steal' the Empire State Building [Daily News]
(Photo: Amy Photos )

Tweeter Turns Over To Liquidators Early, Customers' Pre-Paid Items In Question [Tweeter]

Ben Popken — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:40:45 EST

Tweeter, a MA mid to high-end electronics retailer, and not a misspelling of a popular microblogging service, decided yesterday to close its doors 6 days ahead of schedule, and send home everyone without paying them. Furthermore, customers who have already paid for the merchandise, expecting to be able to come by and pick it up, will have to deal with the liquidators. [BoingBoing Gadgets] (Thanks to Hawkins!) (Photo: dalvenjah)

Monster Cable Sues Monster MiniGolf For Trademark Infringement [Douchebags]

Ben Popken — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:57:29 EST

Monster Cable has decided to sue Monster MiniGolf for trademark infringement. Monster MiniGolf is a family startup by Patrick & Christina Vitagliano glow-in-the-dark monster-themed minigolf franchise with 23 locations. Monster Cable, which has an illustrious history of suing anything and everything with Monster in its name, makes the expensive cables that Best Buy is always trying to upsell you on that are no better than coat hangers.

When you sue over trademark infringement, one of the biggest criterion for the validity of your suit is whether or not consumers will be confused about which brand is which. To help us decide, let's look at one item from the Monster MiniGolf FAQ:

Q: Does the entire place glow in the Dark?
A: Yes! (Except the bathrooms..that would be too weird.)

See? You totally thought we were talking about premium-priced audio cables there.

Monster MiniGolf is asking for $1 donations to help offset its legal costs, which so far are $100,000 and they predict will reach $250,000. If you make a donation and take your receipt to a Monster MiniGolf place, you will get $2 off one round, which are normally between $5.50 and $7.50 for 18 holes. You can donate through the eBay page they have set up, which explains more about their situation.

Help Me Fight a Bully! It's a Monster. Justice needed! [eBay] (Thanks to Johnny!)

Consumers Don't Think Saving The Auto Industry Would Help The Economy [Auto Bailout]

Meg Marco — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:39:35 EST

A majority, 61% of Americans are not in favor of bailing out the auto industry, says CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll. Ford, Chrysler and GM have requested up to $34 billion dollars in emergency loans, but a majority of Americans polled thought that bailing out the automakers wouldn't help the economy.

70% said the bailout was unfair to taxpayers, and only 15% thought that bankruptcies in the auto industry would affect them immediately.

What do you think?

Poll: 61% oppose auto bailout [CNNMoney]
(Photo: sfxeric )

2008 Bailout Costs As Much As Several Large And Famous Government Projects Combined [*]

Ben Popken — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:38:11 EST

This graphic demonstrates how the 2008 bailout, so far, costs as much as several large and famous government projects added up together. Yes, these numbers are inflation adjusted.

Marshall Plan, Louisiana Purchase, the Moonshot, S&L Crisis, Korean War, and even The New Deal, which has been derided by some as being like the most expensive socialist thing ever, can't hold a candle to the payouts from the attempts to fix the current economic crisis. Take NASA. As Meg pointed out to me over IM, there's never been any fun beach excursions provided by NASA. The same, however, cannot be said for the current bailout, especially if your name begins with an A, ends with a G, and there's an I in there.

Marshall Plan: Cost: $12.7 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $115.3 billion
Louisiana Purchase: Cost: $15 million, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $217 billion
Race to the Moon: Cost: $36.4 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $237 billion
S&L Crisis: Cost: $153 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $256 billion
Korean War: Cost: $54 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $454 billion
The New Deal: Cost: $32 billion (Est), Inflation Adjusted Cost: $500 billion (Est)
Invasion of Iraq: Cost: $551b, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $597 billion
Vietnam War: Cost: $111 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $698 billion
NASA: Cost: $416.7 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $851.2 billion

TOTAL: $3,920,000,000,000
2008 BAILOUT TOTAL AS OF NOV 2008: $4,616,000,000,000

Scary Bailout Money Info Graphic [Voltage Blog based on a BoingBoing post]

Harvard University's endowment, the largest ... [Whoops]

Meg Marco — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:17:25 EST

Harvard University's endowment, the largest of any university, has lost 22% of its value in the past year — or approximately $8 billion. Ouch. [MarketWatch]

Chicago To Lease Parking Meters To A Company That Will Charge $6.50 An Hour? [Privatization]

Meg Marco — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:57:29 EST

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago is trying to get "quickie" approval for a proposal to privatize the city's parking meters. Under the 75 year lease, Chicago's 36,000 parking meters would be controlled by a partnership that includes Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners and LAZ Parking. This partnership will, naturally, raise prices. Critics of the proposal say that charging $6.50 an hour by 2013 to park downtown would hurt local businesses.

More troubling is the potential for a conflict of interest:

Ald. William Banks (36th), one of the mayor's staunchest City Council supporters, warned that charging $6.50-an-hour to park at Loop meters and forcing drivers to feed those meters 24/7 would be a "definite deterrent to people visiting the downtown area," hurting retailers and restaurants.

Parking enforcement could get tougher if the contractor exercises its right to "supplement" the city's ticket-writing efforts to "protect its revenue."

Supplement the city's ticket writing to "protect its revenue?" Well, that seems like a conflict of interest, doesn't it? Consumerist expects to receive a lot of email from angry motorists should this deal go through.

Motorists would pay more to park at cashless meter spaces [Sun-Times]
(Photo: mbeldyk )

Shoppers Suing Police Over Deadly Walmart Stampede [Blackest Friday]

Meg Marco — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:42:09 EST

Who is to blame when shoppers attack en masse? The store? The individual shoppers? The police? Two shoppers who say they were injured during the deadly Walmart Black Friday stampede in New York are suing the local police — claiming that they didn't do enough to calm down the crowd minutes before the mob surged through the doors killing one employee.

Newsday reports that the claim, which is for $2 million, says that officers on the scene "stood outside their vehicles drinking coffee while the crowd became more and more unruly."

$2 Million Sought In Store Stampede [Newsday]
(Photo: Getty)

Auto CEOs Promise To Ditch The Private Jets And Drive To Washington [Auto Bailout]

Meg Marco — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:36:52 EST

The big three auto CEOs Bob "Big Bob" Nardelli, Alan "Leavin' On A Jet Plane" Mulally, and our personal favorite Rick "The Station" Wagoner are apparently going to drive to Washington to beg for your money. Previously, they all flew on private jets.

Consumer Reports gives us the lowdown on what kind of cars the CEOs will be driving:

Mulally is driving a Ford Escape Hybrid, according to Automotive News. We’re currently in the process of testing a similar 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The 2005 Escape Hybrid we tested got 26 mpg overall in our testing—very good for an SUV. Other options for Mulally’s interstate drive included the Focus sedan with a manual (29 mpg) or automatic transmission (26 mpg). Or the upcoming Fusion Hybrid.

Wagoner is taking a Chevrolet Malibu hybrid (27 mpg), a comfortable road-trip-ready car featured in the family sedan test group in our latest issue. We found the fuel economy gains to be mild for a hybrid. (In the same group, the higher-scoring Hyundai Sonata four-cylinder got 26 mpg overall, and it cost thousands less.) Another option would have been the Chevrolet Aveo; we have tested three and the best overall mpg was 28 on a manual version, notably less than several competitors. As a long-distance cruiser, the Aveo leaves much to be desired, which arguably is a good reason for Wagoner to savor the experience. Shame he couldn’t pilot a Chevrolet Volt prototype to Capitol Hill.

Nardelli has the toughest choice to make. The company recently canceled its only hybrid products, Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango, just weeks after production began. Scanning the product line, there isn’t much there that promises good fuel economy or touts leading-edge "green" technologies.

We suggest that they all take the Wagon Queen Family Truckster. Together.

Automakers head to Washington – What should they drive? [Consumer Reports]
(Photo: AdamL212 )

Steve & Barry Auto Industry Fail Shirts On Sale [Readers]

Ben Popken — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:34:26 EST

Steve & Barry's is in Bankruptcy, and the Big 3 are rattling their tin cups around Washington. It's a great synergy of failed brands, and it's on sale! 2 more fail shirts, inside! (Thanks to Nathan!)

No Tween Girl Clothes Are "Sexy" [Badvertising]

Ben Popken — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:25:31 EST

I don't think it's ever appropriate to market clothes to tween girls using the term "sexy." Manufacturer "PrettySinful" has a different opinion, as seen in these "sexy" tights sold on Amazon, accompanied by a picture of a prepubescent girl. Perhaps the picture is in error because the rest of the clothier's offerings are along the lines of crotchless bodystockings and various "do-me" adult party costumes. In any event, it's gross and should be fixed.

Girls Stripe Sexy Tights Hosiery Leg Wear [Amazon] (Thanks to Jasmine!)

Morning Deals [Sales]

Ben Popken — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:10:38 EST

Woot: Lyon by Washburn Electric Guitar with 5 Watt Amp and Instructional DVD for $89.99
LineDrive.com: Under Armour up to 50% off at with free shipping
Amazon: 18 Pack of Horizon 8oz Milk for $14.30

Highlights From Buxr

Dell Home: Sony PS3 80GB for $322.99 w/ coupon code: CTV2$2HX963145 & TP5NV0VMFJ9BCZ w/ Free shipping
Lowe's: Black & Decker 109-Piece Drilling & Screwdriving Set for $9.97 + Shipping
Hewlett Packard: HP Pavilion dv5t Notebook, Pentium Dual-Core 2.0GHz, 15.4", 4GB, 320GB Wi-Fi + Printer for $549.99 after coupon code: SV2132 w/ Free shipping

Highlights From Dealhack

Buy.com: Aerobed Twin Bed in a Minute II Inflatable $40 Shipped
HobbyTron: Buy 2 Intelli Heli Mini Helicopters Get One Free
Amazon: Save Extra $10 off Omron Scales & Health Monitors

Highlights From Dealnews

Buy.com: Uniden FRS / GMRS 2-Way Radio 2-Pack for $29 + free shipping
Amazon.com: Romancing the Stone with Jewel of the Nile on Blu-ray for $30 + free shipping

GM Begs For $12 Billion, May Sacrifice Saturn, Pontiac, Saab [Auto Bailout]

Meg Marco — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:05:02 EST

GM desperately wants an invite to the bailout party — and has submitted a request for $12 billion dollars. In return, GM will attempt to return to profitability by "explor[ing] alternatives for the Saturn brand," as well as cutting "product offerings" at Pontiac.

From their press release:

In the U.S., GM will focus its product development and marketing efforts on four core brands – Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC. Pontiac will be a specialty brand with reduced product offerings within the Buick-Pontiac-GMC channel. Hummer has recently been put under strategic review, which includes the possible sale of the brand, and GM will immediately undertake a global strategic review of the Saab brand. As part of the plan, the company also will accelerate discussions with the Saturn retailers, consistent with their unique relationship, to explore alternatives for the Saturn brand.

GM Sends Congress Plan Asking For $12 To $18 Billion, "Alternatives" For Saturn Brand [Jalopnik]
(Photo: Computermachina )

Ben Popken On NBC Nightly News This Thursday [Media Whoring]

Ben Popken — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:24:14 EST

Watch NBC Nightly News on Thursday, 12/04/08, for a snippet of yours truly, Ben Popken, laying down some tough talk on the good 'ol Grocery Shrink Ray, THE STORY THAT NEVER DIES!!! MUAHAHA!

Nestle Quik Flipbook Ad On DC Metro Walls Is Kinda Magical [Advertising]

Ben Popken — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:13:47 EST

As the DC red line train I rode last week shot through a tunnel, a happy brown bunny jumped up and down on the walls, lofting up a bottle of Nestle Quik. It wasn't a video, it was a series of back-illuminated panels, each one a successive frame in the animated cartoon. It was like running through flipbook in real life. I found a clip of it on YouTube, posted inside, the cartoon starts at 15 seconds in.

The image isn't great but it gives you an idea of the effect. Who's got the backstory on who made this ad and how it came to be? We bemoan the intrusion of advertising into every living surface, but it's cool to see a little piece of magic like this in an otherwise boring situation.

US Airways Says $15 First Checked Bag Fee Is A Huge Success [Poll]

Meg Marco — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:56:24 EST

US Airways CEO Doug "OK To Drive" Parker says that US Airways new $15 fee for the first checked bag is a huge success. It's caused a 20% drop in checked luggage — which has improved baggage handling performance — all while adding revenue during a tough time for airlines.

From MarketWatch:

"It's helping us all to run better operations," Parker said. The new fee at US Airways accounts for most of the $400 million to $500 million in annual revenue for services, he said.

US Airways' new baggage fees help improve performance [MarketWatch]
(Photo: zonaphoto )

Comcast Raises Prices, Disconnects Complaint Line [Redonkulous]

Ben Popken — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:39:57 EST

Reader Benjamin is pissed because Comcast in his town of Richmond, VA they raised his rates, and justified it by saying they have to pass on the cost of rising gas, technology, and health care. He writes "Gas is a Buck' 69, they haven't improved the technology in my area, and health care... Really? They might as well of added a $5 fee to restock the candy bowl in the break room of the service center while they are at it." If that's not fun enough, see what happens when he tries to file a complaint about it. They try to route him to the complaint line...but it's been disconnected!

Benjamin writes:

Normally, I just accept the inevitable and pay without contest. But the "gas prices" line really bugged me, so I decided to call in and complain.

Since this is an issue with the billing and pricing plan, I tried to talk to someone in billing support. I'm not one for popping a blood vessel, so I calmly asked for an explanation as to why overall decline in fuel prices is responsible for the increase in the cable fees. The person from Comcast said that they could not help me and that I had to call the complaint line. Up until this point, I hadn't had a complaint- I just wanted some explanation. She puts me on hold so that she can get me the number for the complaint department. Then she comes back with something that literally made me speechless for a few moments... "The complaint line phone has been disconnected."

Me: (Pause) Wait? What?

Comcast: You need to go to the web site and submit a comment through email.

Me: Comcast disconnected its complaint line?

Comcast: Go to our web site and click on the 'contact us' button and submit an email.

Me: Is the complaint line going to be reconnected anytime soon?

Comcast: On our web site under 'contact us'.

Me: Are you serious?

This didn't go anywhere so I eventually hung up. I did send an email from the Comcast web site and a few minutes later received a rather robotic, wholly unsatisfying response that basically said 'whatever, we don't really care'.

Its ridiculous that Comcast can claim that because of the INCREASE in gas prices, the INCREASE in technology prices, and INCREASES in health care costs that my bill needs to be raised $30-$40 a month. Is there any guarantee that when these outrageously high gas prices go down that the monthly charges will go down as well? And for the record, I haven't seen any enhancements to my service. I'm paying more for the exact same services that I got two months ago.

Benjamin D.

Calling Comcast customer service and expecting a sensible explanation for why they raised rates is like trying to thread the Empire State Building through the eye of a needle. You might be better off registering your gripe with the local Public Utilities Commission. At least their complaint lines still work.

(Photo: ChristophrHiestr)

"Holistic Margin Management": What General Mills Calls Grocery Shrink Ray [Grocery Shrink Ray]

Ben Popken — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:39:44 EST

Guess what they call the Grocery Shrink Ray at General Mills? "Holistic Margin Management." I thinks that's also what they call it in 1984. Another interesting fact from a StarTribune article looking at shrinking packages: customers are more likely to notice a change in the height rather than the width of a box. But does anyone really care?

While we've done many shrink ray posts, I've wondered how much the non-Consumerist-reading population has noticed. Well, an October '07 survey found 47% of consumers said they noticed packages were becoming more diminuative. Since the pace, and the coverage, of shrinking packages has greatly increased since then, that number surely must be higher. Don't forget to compare unit prices!

Freshly squeezed: The ever-shrinking box and carton [StarTribune] (Thanks to al koholic!) (Photo: Mykl Roventine)

Teacher Sells Ads On Tests To Cover Printing Costs [*]

Ben Popken — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:13:58 EST

Left to fend for himself after budget cuts, His tests cost over $500 a year to print, but this year he only got $316, one calculus teacher resorted to selling ads on quizzes and tests to cover his printing costs. $10 for quizzes, $20 for tests, and $30 for a final.

After a local newspaper featured his story, the offers rolled in and he sold out his semester. Most of the ads are positive messages bought by parents, while others are from local businesses.

While the story is charming and plucky, it does raise the concern that other schools and teachers might get inspired and start renting out space to more sophisticated clients, like McDonald's or Coke.

"The advertisers are paying for something, and it's access to kids," said Robert Weissman, managing director of Commercial Alert, a non-prof that combats commercialization in the classroom.

But if the teachers keep the advertising local and in the style of the school yearbook, is it really so bad?

Ads on tests add up for teacher [USAToday] (Thanks to Joanne!)

Big Three Carmaker CEO's Pledge To Take $1 Salary In Return For Bailout Bucks [Money Meltdown]

Ben Popken — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:45:54 EST

The CEOs of Ford, GM, and Chrysler have all agreed to take only a $1 salary if the government will pretty pretty pretty please with killed-electric-car-on-top bail them the out. [CNNMoney] (Thanks to DjDynasty!) (Photo: Nrbelex)

Walmart: You Cannot Buy This Lamp Anywhere, So Just Give Up [Silly]

Meg Marco — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:29:05 EST

We love Walmart's website. We really do. Here's a nice lamp that you can't buy. At all. Deal with it.

(Thanks, Evan!)

Sears Is Rather Generous With The Term "Sale!" [Bad Deals]

Meg Marco — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:26:40 EST

Reader S. says:

I went to a local Sears to return some parts (don't get me started) and the attached [photo] amused me.

They're just so enthusiastic about it. Sale! No, Really! Don't look too closely! Keep moving along! Nothing to see here!

AIG Swaps "Retention Bonuses" For Annual Bonuses [Your Taxdollars At Work]

Ben Popken — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:59:44 EST

In order to get a giant honking bailout from Congress, AIG pledged it would give up executives annual bonuses, but guess what? They found a way to give them anyway.

Instead, they're giving 130 managers "cash awards" to stick around. Retirement services chief Jay Wintrob will get $3 million in retention bonus pay.

“The expectation from the public and Congress was that they weren’t getting bonuses, not that they’d be pushed off by several months,” said David Schmidt, a consultant at executive pay firm James F. Reda & Associates. “That clearly violates the spirit of AIG saying they’ll forgo their bonuses.”

AIG defended the action, saying it was necessary to encourage the guys to remain while buyers were found for the various units.

AIG Gives ‘Retention’ Pay After Scrapping Bonuses [Bloomberg] (Thanks to Myung!) (Photo: Marc oh)

Man Extends Cleanser's Life By Putting Water In It [Frugality]

Ben Popken — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:49:27 EST

Reader Andrew would like everyone to know that he's able to get 20 extra uses out of his Neutrogena skin cleaning face wash by dribbling a bit of water in the top. He writes, "The resulting soap isn't much thinner than the original formula; it foams up and cleans just as well." Congrats, Andrew. Now, if we can just get you to not buy the unnecessary metrosexual cleansing product in the first place then you'll really be set.

FDA Sets Acceptable Melamine Levels For Baby Formula [Melamine]

Ben Popken — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:42:14 EST

Mommy, I'm hungry, can I have more melamine? Sure thing, sweetie, because the FDA established that 1 part per million of melamine in baby formula is cool, as long as an additional chemical isn't present.

Lab tests of the formula made by those responsible for making 90% of American infant formula found trace amounts of melamine. However, the levels were far less than what's been found in China, responsible for killing 3 infants and sickening thousands.

FDA sets melamine standard for baby formula [AP] (Photo: DanCentury)

Mervyn's Charges $15 Fee To Talk To Customer Service [Mervyn's]

Ben Popken — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:26:42 EST

Reader Christi reports that Mervyns, a mid-range department store that is closing all its locations, now charges you a $15 fee if you want to talk to customer service over the phone. When Christi called a store to complain, they told her to call the number back, accept the charge, then ask them what the heck was going on. Thing is, Christi was just calling to make a payment by phone,

"Since the website is so unbelievable slow," she writes. "The menu options to pay by phone are a twisted labyrinth that automatically send to you a customer service representative if you screw up (and you will with this god-awful menu). You are by this time in tears, and THEN you are informed that it will cost you $15 to speak with a customer service representative -no matter what your issue is."

Christi doesn't understand why Mervyn's is doing this. "I know they are going out of business, but really? Has the corporate world gone so greedy that they are going to take people that are trying to pay them money for everything they can? I am so angry about this that I don't care If I get put on the no-fly list because I have two stink-eyes on a puss-face right now."

Mervyn's closeout sale. Everything is being liquidated, including, and especially, customer service.

(Photo: Ben+Sam)

Morning Deals [Sales]

Ben Popken — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:26:08 EST

Woot: Philips Plug and Play USB Webcam with Microphone – 2 Pack for $12.99
Lowe's: Dog Kennel for $15
FinishLine: Crocs Toddler Endeavor Sandal Shoe for $4.98

Highlights From Buxr

Amazon: OCZ OCZ2G8004GK DDR2 800MHz 4 GB Gold Edition Kit for $4.99 after two $20 rebates w/ Free shipping
Victoria's Secret: 20% OFF your Entire Order w/ coupon code: GET20
Ralph Lauren: 30% off any purchase + Free Shipping w/ coupon code: GIFT2008

Highlights From Dealhack

Best Buy: Polaroid POGO Mobile Photo Printer now $80
Amazon: SanDisk Sansa Fuze 8GB MP3 Player $70 Shipped
Borders.com: Save 40% off All DVD Box Sets

Highlights From Dealnews

Newegg: Rosewill 8-Bay RAID Storage System with WD 1TB Hard Drive for $349 + $22 s&h
Meritline: GT 4 Pro Racing Wheel for Nintendo Wii for $7 + free shipping
Newegg: Rosewill 45-Piece Computer Toolkit for $10 + free shipping

Panic: Are Consumers Scared To Buy Gift Cards? [Gift Cards]

Meg Marco — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:16:42 EST

Earlier this year when the Sharper Image declared bankruptcy, they briefly stopped accepting gift certificates. Eventually, they did start accepting them again — but with the requirement that consumers buy twice the face value of the card. This, it seems, has caused a fair amount of panic among consumers. Chain emails are circulating warning shoppers not to buy gift cards from various retailers — claiming that they are going out of business. But are they?

The panic comes from the danger that a company might declare Chapter 7 bankruptcy — which means they are being liquidated. Under Chapter 7 bankruptcy, there is a chance that a consumer holding a gift card can be considered an "unsecured creditor" — placing them nearly last on the list to get their money back.

The Sharper Image debacle alerted consumers to this possibility — and the after effects of this panic are still with us. Thankfully, retailers seem to have learned from this experience and many companies that are entering bankruptcy are taking steps to ensure that they are able to continue selling and redeeming gift cards.

Snopes gives a rundown of some current bankrupt companies and what they are doing in regards to gift cards.

So are gift cards safe? Well, they're exactly as safe as they always were — but it wouldn't be a bad idea to buy gift cards only from companies that are financially secure.

(Photo: The Joy Of The Mundane )