Consumerist
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frugality
Are You Spending $145 A Year Just To Leave Your PS3 On All The Time?
The NRDC has released some numbers about video game consoles and their power consumption. If you're one of the 50% of gamers who leave their consoles on all the time — you're wasting a lot of money. More » -
safety tip
Try Not To Kill Yourself By Using A Gas Generator Inside A Building
The CPSC is reminding people not to use portable gas generators inside, even if the windows are open. Even if the building is just a garage and the garage door is open. Believe it or not, this can kill you.
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utilities
Energy Companies Win Permission To Steal $3 Billion From Customers
Westerners are stuck paying $3 billion to energy companies that colluded to gang-rape the free market. California, Washington, and Nevada were planning to return the money to customers, but the Supreme Court recently ruled that the industry manipulated the market, fair and square. More » -
power
The Magic Fire Department Jacket Of Excellent Customer Service
One great way to get good customer service is to wear fire department gear. Usually my relationship with local merchants is pretty neutral. I give them money, they give me goods and services, and we both go on our ways without too much in the way of exchanging of pleasantries. But recently my EMT buddy gave me a super-comfortable official FDNY sweatjacket (it's got a zipper, my name on the pocket, a FDNY badge on the left shoulder, an (empty) station badge on the left breast and FDNY stitched in outline on the back) for my birthday and when I wore it to get breakfast, both the bagel guy and the coffee guy were much friendlier than they've ever been. I do not in any way condone impersonating emergency workers or law enforcement personnel, I just thought it was interesting to see in person the difference in how stores treated me just based on the jacket I wore. Though, I couldn't help thinking about wearing it and going back to Commerce Bank and see if they've changed their mind about waiving that account inactivity fee... -
rude
Power Company Apologizes For Charging Customers For Sending Them CFLs They Didn't Ask For
No doubt "taking" the backlash "seriously," the Maryland power company that sent customers unsolicited CFL lightbulbs, and then silently charged them $.96/month for it, has apologized. The company will appear before the Maryland Public Service Commission tomorrow for a hearing. "We stand ready to take whatever corrective actions are deemed necessary by the commission," Allegheny Power President said. Yes, they're probably going to tell you to refund people's money, you jackasses.
Allegheny apologizes for lightbulb upset [FredrickNewsPost]
PREVIOUSLY: Maryland Electric Company Sends You Unsolicited Light Bulbs, Charges $12 -
rude
Maryland Electric Company Sends You Unsolicited Light Bulbs, Charges $12
An electric company in Maryland, Allegheny Power, sent its customers some CFL light bulbs as part of a consumer education program. Sounds nice until you find out that they customers were charged $0.96 a month (about $12 a year) for the two light bulbs. More » -
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utility bills
Picking Your Own Energy Supplier May Not Save You Anything
In New York, residents can choose to buy their energy from competing energy supply companies, or ESCOs. The idea is you can end up saving money by choosing from a field of competitors. In reality, says the New York Times, your energy bills frequently increase, and when you try to switch again you might be charged a contract termination fee. More » -
airports
Recharge Your Batteries For Free At Airports
The folks at BoingBoing are rightly angered by the trend in airports to feature pay-per-use electric charging stations. It's bad enough that you're stuck in the terminal, waiting for your delayed flight to finally start boarding, only to sit and wait some more while seated in 25B. Now, more and more airports are renting out their power sockets, so you can't even recharge that laptop, cellphone, or DVD player while you're killing time. More » -
verizon
Verizon Fios Could Leave You In The Dark When The Power Goes Out
From Newsday:
Consumers who switch to Verizon's new FiOS TV or Internet services will find a change to their existing Verizon phone service: Their copper-wire phone line will be replaced with a fiber-optic line.
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consumerist kit
Questions To Ask Energy Resellers
Many states offer a choice of energy suppliers. Some of these energy resellers actually can offer savings, but before you sign, be sure to ask a few questions, especially if they come to your door. More »
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