Home / consumerist.com rss archive / September-27-2007


Lawsuits: Minnesota Sues Sprint, Customers Would Like To "Give Their CEO A Big Kick Right In The Patootie"
Hey, Gary Forsee! Your patootie is not safe in Minnesota! They want to kick it, according to Kare11:"I'm livid on the way they've handled this," says Dave Peterson, one of several Sprint Nextel customers who addressed reporters Thursday at a capitol news conference. "I'd like to give their CEO a big kick right in the patootie." What's going on in Minnesota? Well, their attorney general has had it with Sprint's habit of extending the contracts of hapless consumers without their knowledge or consent. "When you receive complaints across the board, from firefighters to lawyers, from retirees to construction workers, all of whom feel they were unfairly manipulated by their cell phone company, you have a problem," Swanson said. The AG's decision was prompted in part by the fact that the BBB says it has received over 30,000 complaints against Sprint Nextel in the 36 months leading up to this July."In a normal transaction, you have two parties coming together and making an agreement...

Spending: Use Quicken To Fully Grasp The Scope Of Your Comic Book Addiction
J.D. over at Get Rich Slowly really likes comic books. In order to fully grasp the scope of his comic book addiction, and to see how his spending habits had changed over time, he used Quicken:Tonight I dug through four years of Quicken data to see if my comic book spending habits have changed. (They feel like they have, but I wasn't sure.) Here's what I found: * In 2004, I spent $1640.10 on comic books. That fall, I decided I wanted to eliminate my debt. * Apparently my finances weren't a big priority, though. In 2005, I spent $2810.52 on comics. * My spending peaked in 2006, during which I spent $3,202.91 on my beloved DC Archives and Marvel Masterworks. * This year, however, I've only spent $807.89 on comics!My worst period of comic book spending came just before I started Get Rich Slowly. From October 2005 to March 2006, I spent $3519.34 on comics -- almost $600 a month. (That money would nearly have been enough to fully fund a Roth IRA!) During this time, I was...

Savings: Banks Requiring Higher Balances To Avoid Fees
Bankrate has some depressing news: the balance requirements on interest accounts are skyrocketing. Since last year's survey, the average balance requirement to avoid fees on an interest account jumped almost 25 percent, from $2,660.49 to $3,316.60. Imagine keeping more than $3,300 in a low-yielding account, just to avoid fees! Ew! The good news is that you can still get a free checking account, but it won't pay interest. There are good options out there, it'll just take a bit of shopping around. Don't leave your money in a low-interest account just to avoid fees unless you have a darn good reason for doing so.Avoiding interest-account fees costly [Bankrate]

Consumer Action: 11 Credit Card Reform Bills You Can Support
Sen. 1782, the Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007H.R. 3010, the Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007S. 1925, Student Card Protection Act of 2007H.R. 3347, Student Card Protection Act of 2007S. 1395 Stop Unfair Practices in Credit Cards Act of 2007H.R. 873, the Credit Card Payment Fee Act of 2007S. 1309 and H.R. 2146, Universal Default Prohibition Act of 2007H.R. 1461, Credit CARD Act of 2007H.R. 3421, Credit Protection Act of 2007S. 1176, Credit Card Minimum Payment Warning Act of 2007H.R. 1510, Credit Card Repayment Act of 2007RELATED: How To Write To Congress

American Design Flaw Train: Play Yards Recalled Because Of Death Due To Design Flaw
The 425,000 play yards that were recalled yesterday were recalled because of a design flaw that caused the strangulation of a 10-month-old boy. A safety commission spokesperson told Bloomberg:"This is not a made-in-China issue," a safety commission spokeswoman, Patty Davis, said in a telephone interview. "This is a defect in the design of the product by the U.S. company." Kolcraft, the designers of the cribs, say that the death was caused by "misuse" of the play yard, which carried a warning against leaving infants alone in the product while the changing table was in place. Baby Furniture Maker Recalls Playpens [NYT]Kolcraft Recalls Play Yards After the Death of a 10-Month-Old Child [CPSC]

And Then There Were Fewer: Disney To Discontinue Cellphone Service
Disney, like ESPN before it, has had enough of the "hypercompetative" cellphone market and is bowing out.Disney's service allowed parents to monitor their children's cellphone use as well as use GPS to locate said children. Refunds will be available according to the Disney Mobile website:In recognition of any inconvenience this may cause you, Disney Mobile will be providing a reimbursement program covering handsets as well as accessories and content purchased directly through Disney Mobile (please note: reimbursements will be processed upon final receipt of full payment and termination of your account). Complete details surrounding this reimbursement program will be communicated via this web site by October 8, 2007.You will continue to be billed for service through December 31, 2007, unless you call Guest Services to terminate prior to that date. Disney Mobile will waive early termination fees provided your account is paid in full. If you have one of these numbers and would...

Apple's Master Plan: Research Group Suggests iPods Are To Blame For Increase In Crime
A research group in Washington, D.C. has suggested that the spike in violent crime, particularly robberies, in the past two years correlates with the rising popularity of the iPod line of products. They don't really back this up with rigorous statistical analysis, they just say it. So now you know. Their reasoning:First, the recent increase in robbery has been disproportionately greater than increases in other economically motivated crimes, such as theft and burglary.Second, the recent increase in robbery has been greatest among juvenile offenders, among whom iPods "are highly valued as a status symbol."Third, robberies increased in particular from 2004 to 2006, the very period when iPods entered the mass market and became ubiquitous among consumers. In addition, they suggest that iPod owners are particularly susceptible to robberies because iPods offer no built-in theft protection, don't require subscriptions to use, are prized as status items (as opposed to just being resold),...

Questionable: Gum Company Paid ADA For Study That Earned It Their Seal Of Approval
For the first time ever, the American Dental Association is putting its seal on some Wrigley's chewing gum products—they'll now say that the ADA considers them products that are "clinically proven to help prevent cavities, reduce plaque acid and strengthen teeth." The ADA and some health professionals say that this is a perfectly acceptable application of the seal, because a full study was carried out that proved the products work. The only problem is, the study was privately funded and the gum companies partially paid for them.Dr. Peter Lurie of Public Citizen says,"What does the seal really mean? If it had been an FDA-style approval, we would know what studies had been done and we would be able to scrutinize them for ourselves. Because this study has been done privately, we have no way of knowing the clinical benefit."ABC News says that Wrigley paid $36,000 to include its Orbit, Extra, and Eclipse brands in the study, and that Wrigley "regularly spends $35,000 to...

Marketing: New Consumer Types To Define You
Are you a karma queen or a geek god? A couple of fancy New York branding types have released a new book that suggests several new consumer "types," including those two as well as the "innerpreneur," the "denim dad," and the "parentocrat."The list of consumer types reads like a description of D&D races, so we'll assign some character stats to them for added value. You're welcome, marketing agencies.Karma Queen — "A woman aged in her 40s or 50s who tends to buy organic food, wear Birkenstock footwear, practice yoga and buy high-end bath products." Alignment: Lawful GoodStrength: 7Dexterity: 18Constitution: 12Intelligence: 12Charisma: 13Wisdom: 11Geek Gods — "Men aged under 35 who can't live without the latest gadget and are eager to help others understand their electronics. They are considered the most benevolent of the consumer types." Alignment: Chaotic NeutralStrength: 14Dexterity: 6Constitution: 12Intelligence: 16Charisma: 12Wisdom: 2Innerpreneurs...

Consumer Action: 10 Credit Card Reform Bills You Can Support
Sen. 1782, the Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007H.R. 3010, the Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007S. 1925, Student Card Protection Act of 2007H.R. 3347, Student Card Protection Act of 2007S. 1395 Stop Unfair Practices in Credit Cards Act of 2007H.R. 873, the Credit Card Payment Fee Act of 2007S. 1309 and H.R. 2146, Universal Default Prohibition Act of 2007H.R. 1461, Credit CARD Act of 2007H.R. 3421, Credit Protection Act of 2007S. 1176, Credit Card Minimum Payment Warning Act of 2007H.R. 1510, Credit Card Repayment Act of 2007RELATED: How To Write To Congress

Credit Cards: Arbitration Firm Rules Against Consumers 95% Of The Time
A popular arbitration firm, the National Arbitration Forum, only finds in favor of consumers 5% of the time, a new study released today by advocacy group Public Citizen reports.The 8-month analysis of 34,000 cases decided by the National Arbitration Forum over a four year period found:188 of the cases were brought before NAF by consumers, 99.6% by corporationsOn one arbitrator's busiest day, assuming an eight-hour workday, he decided a case once every seven minutes. 100% of those were in favor of the business, awarding 100% of the request money.28 NAF arbitrators handled about 9 out of 10 of the cases, ruling for business 95% of the time.120 other arbitrators handled 10% of the cases, ruling for businesses 86% of the time."Binding mandatory arbitration is a systematic, privately funded denial of justice for consumers," said Laura MacCleery, director of Public Citizen's Congress Watch division. "It is a get-out-of-jail-free card for corporate hucksters."The Arbitration Trap:...

Ask The Consumerists: Don't I Have The Rights To My Dead Cat's X-Rays?
"Dear Consumerist,I recently contacted my deceased pet's (pictured at death) vet to request that they send me a series of full-body x-rays they shot about 7 years ago. While I haven't been able to speak to a doctor or head administrator yet, the receptionists have informed me that x-rays and other medical images of their animal patients are the legal property of the hospital. They can loan the images out to me for a month, but then I must give them back. This seems really odd."First of all, I PAID out of pocket to have the x-rays taken. Second, the pet is deceased. There will be no need for any veterinarian to refer to those images ever again. Third, how can it be that I have full ownership rights to x-rays (that are paid for by my insurance company) of my own body, and yet I don't own rights to my pet's x-rays? There IS the possibility that, somewhere down the line, I signed a waiver of my rights to those images, but is it even legal for the vet to request such a waiver?What's...

Unintended Acceleration: Toyota To Recall Floor Mats In 2007 Lexus And Camry
Toyota is recalling optional "all-weather" floor mats used in the 2007 Lexus and Camry because they could slip and trap the accelerator pedal. This, quite obviously, would be very, very bad.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would also appreciate it if owners of the Toyota hybrids Prius and Avalon would double-check to make sure their floor mats are installed correctly. The floor mats aren't defective, but when stacked on-top of other floor mats they can come loose and the results are not pretty.There were seven crashes and 12 injuries in connection with crazy pedal trapping evil floor mats. Safety officials said, "drivers traveled for miles and reached speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour before the car stopped." Holy crap.If you have one of these cars, Toyota is going to design a new floor mat and send it to you. Try not to die before then. Make sure your floor mats are gripping the floor! Toyota to recall floor mats in 2007 Lexus, Camrys [Reuters](Photo:NHTSA)

Housing: Most Affordable Real Estate Markets By State
Where are the affordable real estate markets in your state? Oh, we don't know. It's a good thing BusinessWeek does. They've made a list of the most and least affordable markets in each of these United States.Without futher ado, some interesting highlights:Kentucky doesn't vary much:Most Affordable: Florence2007 Avg. Sales Price: $209,579Most Expensive: Louisville2007 Avg. Sales Price: $238,000Variance: $28,421California, on the other hand, is all about the neighborhood:Most Affordable: Sacramento2007 Avg. Sales Price: $380,625Most Expensive: Beverly Hills2007 Avg. Sales Price: $2,206,883Variance: $1,826,258Living cheaply in Illinois may require living in Rockford, but we think you can probably find some better deals:Most Affordable: Rockford2007 Avg. Sales Price: $199,875Most Expensive: Chicago2007 Avg. Sales Price: $732,333Variance: $532,458In New York, we should all move to Binghamton:Most Affordable: Binghamton2007 Avg. Sales Price: $193,382Most Expensive: Katonah2007 Avg....

Your Health: FDA Issues Public Health Warning About Cancer Pain Drug Fentora
The FDA would like to let you know that a medicine meant to be used to control pain in patients who have become tolerant to morphine and other similar drugs is being used incorrectly and some patients have died as a result.Fentora, a potent opioid pain medication, is used only for treatment of breakthrough pain in cancer patients receiving opioid treatment and who have become tolerant to it. Breakthrough pain is intense increases in pain that occur with rapid onset, even when opioid pain-control medication is being used. Patients who take narcotic pain medications daily and around-the-clock develop tolerance and are more resistant to the dangerous side effects of these medications than patients who take narcotic pain medication on a less frequent basis.The deaths reported were the result of improper selection of patients, dosing, or improper product substitution."FDA is monitoring this issue very closely," said Steven Galson, M.D., M.P.H., director of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluatio...

Stats Feed: Today's most popular headlines are 5 Confessions ...
Today's most popular headlines are 5 Confessions Of A Comcast Customer Service Rep (10,707 views today), Man Fixes Unfixable FiOs Account Error By Playing Dumb (7,148) and Why Stores Have To ID Everyone (4,262).

Whoops: Verizon Reverses Policy On Pro-Choice Text Messages
Verizon recently rejected a request from Naral Pro-Choice America, an abortion rights group, to make Verizon's network available for their opt-in text message program. Verizon had initially claimed that the text messages violated their policy against messages that were "highly controversial." From the WSJ:In a statement Thursday, Verizon Wireless spokesman Jeffrey Nelson said, "The decision to not allow text messaging on an important, though sensitive, public policy issue was incorrect, and we have fixed the process that led to this isolated incident."He added, "Upon learning about this situation, senior Verizon Wireless executives immediately reviewed the decision and determined it was an incorrect interpretation of a dusty internal policy."Verizon Wireless said Thursday its policy had been developed before text messaging protections such as spam filters "adequately protected customers from unwanted messages." It was designed, the company said, to ward against communications...

Drugs: Walmart Adds More Drugs To The $4 Program, You Can Now Control Your Fungus For Cheap
The New York Times is reporting that Walmart has decided to expand their $4 generic drug program. The program will now include generics of "widely used heart medication Coreg and the anti-fungal drug Lamisil."We're glad. Controlling fungus should be affordable enough for everyone. Lamisil used to cost $337. Also getting a price chop: a fertility drug and two forms of birth control, a move that the NYT says is meant to lure young women into the store. You can now pick up your reproduction related drugs for $9 a month. Other big box stores have similar programs if you're not into Walmart. Kmart has a $15 (for a 90 day supply) program. Meijer offers free antibiotics.The only drawback to Walmart's cheap generics? Controlling your deep urges to buy Walmart's other products. Huge jar of Vlasic pickles... your siren song is impossible to resist. Wal-Mart Adds Drugs to $4 Program [NYT](Photo:Ms. Jessica)

Subprime Meltdown: Worst Month For New Home Sales In 6 Years
Here's a cute but meaningless graphic from ABC News that illustrates a very important statistic: New home sales are down. Way down. 8.3% down. It's the worst month for new home sales in 6 years. Why is this important? Because even though home builders were having so-called "blow out sales," it doesn't seem to be working. The price of a new home is dropping:During the past year, sales of new homes have dropped some 21 percent, which is forcing builders to provide huge incentives to move the houses they've completed.For August, the government said the median price of a new home sold was $225,700 - 7.5 percent lower than the same period last year. That's the biggest drop in 37 years. Inventories are up too, so it seems as if the "blow-out" deals are only going to get more "blown-out," so to speak. Our advice? If you're currently negotiating a deal on a new home—don't settle for a plasma TV or some free appliances. Put on your negotiating pants and your asskicking boots...

Passenger's Bill Of Rights: Airlines Renege On Stranded Passenger Plan Promise
Airlines have broken their promise to make sure passengers are taken care of during long delays, the Transportation Department announced in a report yesterday. Here's how they didn't measure up:No plans for supplying emergency food and drinkNo time limit for how long passengers are kept on planeNo plan of how to get passengers offWill a Passenger's Bill of Rights force the issue?US watchdog says airlines fall short on service [Reuters via Rick Seany](Photo: FlyGuy92586)

Money: 8 Personal Finance Lessons Learned From Monopoly
Remember those cold winter nights when your family stayed up late and fought to bankrupt each other? Recall the number of times you cheered a little metal dog (or hat or thimble) to move around a square board quickly? Recollect regularly screaming "come on seven!" only to roll a six? Who knew that all that time you were really learning about personal finance? Well, Blueprint for Financial Prosperity now knows this was the case. He's detailed eight personal finance lessons he learned from Monopoly.Much of his learnings could be classified as personal finance 101, but lesson #2 is something you don't hear about much in money management circles -- the power of luck. Blueprint describes it as follows:So you hit a few doubles and fly around the board, take advantage of it by snatching up as many properties as you can. In life, you'll often catch lucky breaks, be sure you're in a position to capitalize on those lucky breaks. Sometimes you'll have an opportunity that requires a particular...

The Things You Own End Up Owning You: "He lives cheap because: "Sooner or later ...
"He lives cheap because: "Sooner or later they fire everybody."" [Frugal For Life]

Travel: Airlines Renege On Stranded Passenger Plan Promise
Airlines have broken their promise to make sure passengers are taken care of during long delays, the Transportation Department announced in a report yesterday. Here's how they didn't measure up:No plans for supplying emergency food and drinkNo time limit for how long passengers are kept on planeNo plan of how to get passengers offWill a Passenger's Bill of Rights force the issue?US watchdog says airlines fall short on service [Reuters via Rick Seany](Photo: FlyGuy92586)

And To The Left Of Us, Ask Your Doctor About Ambien CR: New Giant-Sized Ads Visible From Airplane
The next time you fly, if you're going in or out of a major hub you might have the delight and pleasure of seeing an ad 5 acres in size as you take off or land. Ad-Air is launching the new ads at airports in Atlanta, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Geneva, Tokyo and Abu Dhabi.The first ads will go up in Abu Dhabi in October, and the company has said it's already secured spaces next to airports in the other cities. The managing director of Ad-Air says the beauty of the ads is that they're being placed in "clutter-free environments and moments free of any other commercial messages."From the site:The Ad-Air product is straightforward, powerful and effective.A unique advertising medium that targets airline passengers in their seats. Ad-Air reaches this highly desirable demographic and captive audience by placing advertisements of 20,000m2, approx 5 acres in size, flat on the ground alongside the flight paths in and out of the world's busiest airports. Therefore, Ad-Air is offering...

Followups: Man Fixes Unfixable FiOs Account Error By Playing Dumb
Last time we heard from Dan, Verizon wouldn't give him his FiOs account number and kept charging his credit card that he told them not to charge. Now, through a mix of social engineering and knowing some tricks with the Verizon online account system, he was able to get all his problems solved. He tells us how, inside...I called verizon's website tech support line and pretended I was a moron who couldn't figure out how to create a new account or form coherent thoughts. I didn't record this phone call, but it went something like this:CSR: How can I help you today?Me: Um...need to make an account.CSR: Ok, what's your account number?Me: Um...dunno. I have my address.CSR: What about your phone number?Me: No phone...just tv.CSR: Ok...why don't you give me your address.Me: (supplies address)CSR: What username would you like?Me: You pick the username and password and just tell me what they are.*CSR works for about 15 minutes, and rattles off my new credentials**I thank the...

Insiders: 5 Confessions Of A Comcast Customer Service Rep
"I am writing this because I feel more and more as I work there that I can't sit back and watch Comcast fall flat on its ass when it comes to customer service. I hate to say it like that but Comcast's customer service is amazing. I am going to tell you a few things that you may not believe happens in a call center but it does. I am leaking this information in hopes that Comcast will know that their customers are fully aware of what is going on and that their screwed up actions should be stopped in their tracks."5. SUPERVISORS WILL ONLY STEP IN IF YOU REFUSE TO BE MOLLIFIED Ever wonder why anytime you request a supervisor that the CAE tells you that we will need to get your information and have one call you back, or we ask if you allow us the opportunity to assist yo.? The reason for this is that we have escalation measures set in that a customer cannot speak to a supervisor unless the supervisor feels that he or she must take the call. Beyond that, it's the CAE's problem to...

Cellphones: After first saying no, Verizon decided to ...
After first saying no, Verizon decided to allow a pro-choice group to send text massages, but in so doing, didn't disclaim the right the block text messages they deemed inappropriate in the future. [NYT]

Leaks: 5 Confessions Of A Comcast Customer Service Rep
"I am writing this because I feel more and more as I work there that I can't sit back and watch Comcast fall flat on its ass when it comes to customer service. I hate to say it like that but Comcast's customer service is amazing. I am going to tell you a few things that you may not believe happens in a call center but it does. I am leaking this information in hopes that Comcast will know that their customers are fully aware of what is going on and that their screwed up actions should be stopped in their tracks."5. SUPERVISORS WILL ONLY STEP IN IF YOU REFUSE TO BE MOLLIFIED Ever wonder why anytime you request a supervisor that the CAE tells you that we will need to get your information and have one call you back, or we ask if you allow us the opportunity to assist yo.? The reason for this is that we have escalation measures set in that a customer cannot speak to a supervisor unless the supervisor feels that he or she must take the call. Beyond that, it's the CAE's problem to...

Recalls: Kolcraft's "Sesame Beginnings" Travel Play ...
Kolcraft's "Sesame Beginnings" Travel Play Yard {strangulation).

News From The Swamp: Lobbying is fierce on both sides as the Senate ...
Lobbying is fierce on both sides as the Senate Commerce Committee prepares to markup an extension of the internet tax moratorium extension. With the support of Ranking Member Ted Stevens, Chairman Inouye will take up the Carper-Alexander proposal, which will extend the ban through 2011. The Administration weighed in yesterday with a letter from Commerce Secretary Gutierrez and Treasury Secretary Paulson supporting the competing Wyden proposal, which would extend the moratorium permanently. The markup is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Blogs: U.S. News And World Report Launches "Alpha Consumer" Blog
Check out a new blog on the consumer beat, Alpha Consumer, published by U.S. News and World Report and penned by Kimberly Palmer. In long-format style, Palmer tackles reader questions, gets expert quotes, and tries to help people conquer personal financial problems. Recent posts include:How to Pay Off Multiple DebtsHow to Recover From BankruptcyEx-Spouses Can Ruin Each Other's CreditShe's looking for stories to investigate so be sure to send yours to alphaconsumer@usnews.com.Alpha Consumer [U.S. News And World Report]

Consumer Alert: Consumer Group Finds Lead In More Children's Toys
Extremely high levels of lead were found in a Go Diego Go backpack, a Superfly monkey and a pair of Circo Lulu boots, the Center for Health, Environment and Justice reported in a new study released yesterday. In all, 11 items they tested contained lead levels and/or heavy metals well over the safety standard, 10 of which contained PVC, or vinyl. The backpack had levels of 4,600 parts per million. The CPSC standard is 600 parts per million.550,000 More Chinese Toys Recalled for Lead [NYT]

Online Savings Accounts: HSBC Direct Cuts Rates To 4.5%
We checked HSBC Direct's front page daily after the Fed interest rate cut, in fear that our fave online saving account would also cut its high 5.05% interest rate. We chuckled as complaints rolled in about people's various money market accounts getting their rates trimmed. After we were lulled into a false sense of security and stopped checking, a reader pointed out that HSBC has slashing the rate to 4.5%. Noooooooooooo...No matter, we're porting all our cash to Emigrant Direct's "American Dream Saving Account," boasting a rate of 5.05%, (that's an increase for them, right?). There's another main contender in this field of fee-less, no minimum deposit required accounts, ING Direct, but we're not fond of the color orange enough to stoop to 4.3%.(Photo: DCvision2006)

Dire Consequences: Why Stores Have To ID Everyone
Our earlier post about carding senior citizens was all well and good, but here's what life's like from the other side of the register, according to Behind the Counter: "Nearly everyone who works a register and is faced with the prospect of selling tobacco and alcohol ought to be very, very afraid. Why? Because the federal government is watching you and will deliberately try to bust your Wal-Mart khaki-clad behind!"Enforcement is strict, and the consequences are severe. Says the author of the blog:A friend of mine who worked at a convenience store actually had that happen to him because he wasn't paying attention on a holiday weekend and sold a pack of Marlboro Lights to a kid that looked 25 but was really 16. The episode cost him his job and almost $4,000 in attorney fees and fines. They don't play.Every single time anyone who does not look old enough to have fought at Normandy tries to buy tobacco or alcohol from me I feel an icy stab of fear grip my chest. "Is this the one?...

Shopping: Morning Deals
Sears: Nintendo Wii for $249.99 + Ship +TaxAmazon: Logitech LX 710 Laser Cordless Desktop for $26.99 Shipped After RebateTechnotime: Ohm's Law Watch for $39.95Highlights From DealhackEastern Mountain Sports: Up to 50%+ off Casual & Performance Clothing & GearBest Buy: LG 1080p HD Upconverting DVD Player $70Dell Home: Save 40% off: Magellan eXplorist 100 Portable GPS $54Highlights From BargainistBanana Republic: 30% off all mens jeansBrooks Brothers: 25% off purchases couponEddie Bauer: 20% off $75 + purchases coupon

Drunk With Power: Liquor Store Refuses To Sell Booze To Man Who May Be 12 or 74, Who Can Say?
A shop in England refused to sell two bottles of wine to a white-haired, balding grandfather—you know, the kind with wrinkles on his face—because he balked when the cashier asked him to prove he was over 21. The man, being ornery in that way that old folks just naturally embrace, refused: "I felt like saying 'What do I look like? Are you a fool?'"What particularly upset him was that the store manager refused to intervene—instead, he took the wine away. "He picks up the wine and, in the manner of a child taking home his ball, says 'Well, we won't serve you'. ...I applaud any efforts to stop kids being served and standing on street corners getting drunk. But this was just totally stupid."A spokesperson for the liquor store offered a "them's the rules" explanation which sounds like it was pulled from the script for "Idiocracy" (emphasis is ours): We take our responsibility with regard to selling alcohol very seriously and all our stores operate the...