Consumer World Blog by MrConsumer

Now Taking Calcium Supplements is Being Questioned

2012-05-26T09:13:00.000-04:00

A new study suggests that people taking calcium supplements, as little as 500 mg. may have a 30% increased risk for a heart attack. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Frequent Fliers Shown Higher Fares at Delta.com

2012-05-19T07:19:00.000-04:00

Oops. Some businessmen discovered that Delta was selling tickets at higher prices to those logged in as frequent fliers at Delta's website compared to those pricing flights anonymously. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Free Live TV Coming to Tablets and Cellphones

2012-05-12T18:25:00.000-04:00

Soon, you may be able to watch live TV on your cellphone and/or tablet... and they say it will be free. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Unpaid Medical Bills, Even Erroneous Ones, Can Affect Your Credit Standing

2012-05-05T08:55:00.000-04:00

You may be surprised to learn that delinquent medical bills can show up on your credit report, even when they are the result of a mistake or a dispute. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Telemarketers Ignore the Do Not Call List

2012-04-28T17:51:00.002-04:00

See NBC's Jeff Rossen chase telemarketers who seemingly ignore the fact that some of the people they call are on the "do not call" list. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

By 2050, Cars May Drive Themselves

2012-04-21T09:23:00.000-04:00

Can you imagine getting up in the morning, getting in your car, and then it drives you to work automatically? Some car makers plan to produce cars that do just that. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Nearly Half of Chickens Tested had E. Coli

2012-04-14T13:29:00.000-04:00

There has hardly a peep about the study released last week that found that nearly half of packaged chicken from supermarkets had E. coli when tested. Here's the poop. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

AutoSlash: No Good Consumer Website Goes Unpunished

2012-04-07T06:55:00.000-04:00

A great website that helps you get the lowest price on a car rental by continuing to check prices for you even after you book the car, has been handed a fatal blow by car rental agencies. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Yes, Virginia, There Really are Completely Free Checking Accounts

2012-03-31T09:22:00.002-04:00

This new tool from NerdWallet directs you to really free checking accounts. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Renting Your Car to Strangers Fraught with Insurance Issues

2012-03-24T08:08:00.000-04:00

There are now services springing up around the country that help you rent your extra car by the hour to strangers. The problem is insurance. See why here. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Now There is Even Wedding Insurance, Cold Feet Included

2012-03-18T10:55:00.000-04:00

There seems like there is an insurance policy for everything, and that now includes for weddings. Photographer is a no-show, covered. Food poisons your guest, covered. Groom gets cold feet, covered! For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

The Top-Rated Investment Firms

2012-03-10T07:51:00.002-05:00

According to 10,000 consumers, the top investment firm for a good customer experience is.... For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

The New Way Cell Company Limit Unlimited Service

2012-03-03T11:29:00.000-05:00

It is called "throttling", and everyone but Sprint does it when it comes to smartphone users who are data hogs on unlimited data plans. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Living to Age 100 Will Cost You $3.5-mil

2012-02-25T09:07:00.000-05:00

There's good news and bad news if you live to 100. The good news: you lived to 100. The bad news: it will cost you $3.5 million! For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Car Slash Automatically Checks Car Rental Rates after You Book for Further Discount

2012-02-18T13:21:00.000-05:00

We first told you about AutoSlash.com a year and half ago... but now the NY Times lets the world in on the website that keeps searching for lower prices after you make a car rental reservation. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

TrueCar Offers Haggle-Free Car Buying, but Dealers Pushback

2012-02-11T08:39:00.000-05:00

If you offer a service to buy cars at guaranteed no-haggle low prices, and you do good a job at it, car dealers and manufacturers will complain. And they have done so loudly when it comes to TrueCar.com. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Sometimes Frequent Flier Miles are Taxable!

2012-02-04T08:42:00.000-05:00

When Citibank customers were shocked when they got 1099 forms from the bank for frequent flier miles they received when taking out a new credit card. What? Frequent flier miles are all of a sudden taxable? See when they are and when they are not. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Confessions of an iPhone Data Hog

2012-01-29T11:20:00.000-05:00

What happens when you use a lot of data on your smartphone (if you have an unlimited plan)? You get a warning from the company, and possibly a slower connection to drive home the point to either use less or pay more. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Click the Triangle to Get Rid of Certain Ads

2012-01-21T08:18:00.000-05:00

Some degree of digital privacy may only be a click away when it comes to advertising you don't want to see. Learn now to make your ad choices. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Banks Get Even with New Fees

2012-01-14T08:16:00.000-05:00

Public outrage over BofA's $5 monthly debit card fee has prompted banks to search for other fee revenue. For example, fall below the minimum balance at one bank, and you'll be hit with a $50 fee! Here are other new or higher fees you can expect to see. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

19 Websites for Travel Savings in 2012

2012-01-07T08:37:00.002-05:00

Here is a summary of websites to help you find deals on airfare, hotels, and more. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Old Debts Revived via New Credit Cards

2011-12-31T14:47:00.002-05:00

Debt collection companies have found a new way to collect money on uncollectible old debit: offer the borrower a new credit card onto which some of the old debt has been moved. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Could Gestures Replace Passwords?

2011-12-24T10:37:00.000-05:00

Computer scientists are busy trying to create new fangled passwords that use your voice or your hands for identification. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Doing New York City on the Cheap

2011-12-18T07:24:00.000-05:00

The NY Times' "Frugal Traveler" tries to do Manhattan on the cheap. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Coffee and Some Medicines Don't Mix

2011-12-10T08:34:00.002-05:00

Coffee can interact with certain medications, and limit their full effectiveness. Learn more. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.