BBB Consumer News and Opinion

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The BBB Consumer News and Opinion blog serves as your source for real-time news and hot marketplace topics of the day.

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Toyota Announces Safety Recall on 2000-2003 Tundra
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
by Elaine Roxane Winter

Yesterday, Toyota announced they will launch a Safety Recall of 110,000 of their 2000-2003 Tundra vehicles sold in the US.


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Con Artists Getting More Creative
by Elaine Roxane Winter

In tough economic times, earning a little extra cash can go a long way. But according to WISN 12 News, con artists are starting to get more creative in the way they con people.


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Free Sample Online Ads, Not Always Free
by Elaine Roxane Winter

It’s very easy for consumers to fall pray to free samples ads posted online, according to KOMO News. ‘Free’ however, ends up not being free and instead, consumers are faced with a bill for goods they didn’t sign up for.


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Millions Gear Up For Holiday Shopping
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
by Elaine Roxane Winter

Recently, The National Retail Federation did a survey to gauge the public’s interest in holiday shopping, according to American Consumer News.


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Stork Craft Recalls Over 2 Million Cribs
by Amy Decker

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced yesterday the recall of 2.1 million cribs, citing defective hardware that can cause toddlers and infants to suffocate. The CPSC recommended that parents stop using the Stork Craft drop-side cribs immediately.


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Now Available: BBB Accredited Business Locator Tool for Web Browsing
by Greg Hudson

We launched a cool new tool today: the BBB Accredited Business Locator. With the free web browsing tool, powered by Azigo, you have the next generation in online trust.


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Complaint Ridden BlueHippo Files for Chapter 11
by Greg Hudson

The direct marketing company BlueHippo has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Maryland-based business made the decision after its bank accounts were frozen when the FTC sought a contempt ruling against the company.


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How to Bag a Bargain on Black Friday
by Elaine Roxane Winter

Still waiting for Black Friday to arrive? CBS Money Watch recommends a few tips before you make a trip to the nearest mall.


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Need a TV Repair Man Quick? Not So Fast!
by Elaine Roxane Winter

Need a TV repairman to fix your big screen TV? Not so fast! A con artist posing as a TV repairman is making his rounds in St. Louis, Missouri area, according to Fox 2 Now News.


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Employees Shopping Online Less at Work for Holiday Gifts
Monday, November 23, 2009
by Greg Hudson

Don't plan on shopping online for holiday gifts while at work? You're not alone. Only one in five workers plan to browse for gifts while on the clock according to a survey by Accountemps.


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Retailers Recognize the Power of Social Networking
by Elaine Roxane Winter

Retailers are finally recognizing the power of social networks such as facebook and twitter, and are giving loyal customers sneak peeks at hot Black Friday deals, according to The Boston Harold.


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Consumers Lose on Hair Loss Company
by Elaine Roxane Winter

The National Hair Growth Institute based in Chicago is being sued by customers who tried their products but did not see results as expected, according to American Consumer News.


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Prevent Holiday Headaches With These Gadgets
by Elaine Roxane Winter

If you're traveling by car this holiday season with your kids, it's important to keep them entertained not only so they can enjoy the ride, but you as well. Portable DVD player with the kids favorite movies? Ipods? Check. But now, there are even more gadgets to keep your kids busy, according to ABC7.


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Retailers Face Chilly Holiday Season
by Elaine Roxane Winter

The final countdown to Black Friday begins today but many consumers may find that several retailers are offering Black Friday promotions before Thanksgiving, according to Detroit News.


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BBB Tips for Cyber Monday
by Alison Southwick

In the wake of Black Friday comes Cyber Monday, one of the busiest online shopping days and BBB has advice for online shoppers.


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Still Searching for Black Friday Deals? Try the New iPhone App
Friday, November 20, 2009
by Elaine Roxane Winter

There’s an app for everything – and now there’s an app for comparing Black Friday deals, according to I4U News.


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10 Ways You Can Save for Your Baby's Future
by Elaine Roxane Winter

Life for first time parents can be crazy but if you’re financial smart from the beginning, you can end up saving thousands or more for your child’s future, according to Fiscal Geek.


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Fake IRS Tax Refund E-mails
by Elaine Roxane Winter

No one likes paying taxes but consumers should beware of a new e-mail phishing scam, according to Las Vegas Now.


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Amtrack Extends Fare Promotion on Northeast Regional Service Into the New Year
by Elaine Roxane Winter

This past Tuesday, Amtrack announced that they are extending their Northeast Regional fare promotion service between Washington, D.C., New York and Boston.


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Federal Reserve Board Announces New Rules for Gift Cards
Thursday, November 19, 2009
by Amy Decker

This holiday season many of us will be purchasing gift cards to give to friends and loved ones. The Federal Reserve Board this week announced new rules that apply to gift certificates, retail store gift cards, and branded prepaid cards, such as Mastercard and Visa, that can be used at any merchant that accepts the card brand.


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Black Friday Tips to Stay Safe and Shop Savvy
by Alison Southwick

Black Friday—the day after Thanksgiving and the kick-off to the Holiday shopping season—is right around the corner. BBB has tons of great advice for consumers on how to stay safe and shop savvy this Holiday season.


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University E-mail is Ideal Target for Spammers
by Elaine Roxane Winter

Because e-mail systems are so vast, it’s easy for spammers to slip through and flood student and staff e-mail account, according to student newspaper The Manitoban.


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5 Tips for Staying Debt Free This Holiday Season
by Elaine Roxane Winter

FiLife offers five money saving tips for how to stay debt free this Christmas season, such as Parents coming up with an inexpensive or funny holiday tradition the whole family can enjoy.


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10 Worst Toys to Give to Your Kids This Holiday
by Elaine Roxane Winter

A Boston-based consumer watchdog group, World Against Toys Causing Harm came out with their ‘Top 10 Worst Toys” list yesterday, according to KOMO News.


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New Rules for TVs Sold in California
by Greg Hudson

There are new rules in place for televisions sold in California. Approved by the California Energy Commission, the new regulations mean that by 2011, all TVs up to 58 inches must use a third less power and by 2011, 50-percent less, the San Jose Business Journal reported.


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Follow These Tips for Contracting Snow Removal
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
by Greg Hudson

snow plow With the weather growing colder and the winter season just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about snow removal (I know ... sigh).

For consumers planning to hire a snow removal contractor, Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington recommends the following tips.


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Cable Company Overcharges Customers: Are You Affected?
by Elaine Roxane Winter

Charter Communications announced on Monday that they overcharged their Upstate customers on their recent bill, according to Channel 7 News.


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How Traveling is Different This Holiday Season
by Elaine Roxane Winter

With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, traveling home can be hectic. But surprisingly, 84% of travelers are optimistic about traveling this season, according American Consumer News.


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Ford, Subaru and Volkswagen Top Insurance Industry's Annual List of Safest New Vehicles
by Elaine Roxane Winter

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded today their top safety picks to nineteen passenger cards and eight sport utility vehicles. Among those, Ford received the most awards, with Subaru in second, followed by Volkswagen and Audi, according to The Detroit News.


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President Obama Establishes Interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force
by Elaine Roxane Winter

Yesterday at the Department of Justice, the Attorney General and other officials announced that President Obama established by Executive Order an interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to further fight financial fraud, according to the FBI.


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Small Businesses: Before You Go Social, Talk to Your Customers
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
by Greg Hudson

Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, Tweetdeck. The list of social networks and tools continues far beyond those mentioned. For a small business owner, the biggest question you're likely going to face is not whether you can afford social networking, but do you have the time to invest.


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Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended Through June 2010
by Elaine Roxane Winter

The government has not only extended the first time home buyers tax credit but also introduced a $6,500 credit for current homeowners, according to FiLife.


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Fed Unlikely to Hike Rates Soon
by Elaine Roxane Winter

Yesterday, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke said significant economic challenges remain, according to the Charlotte Business Journal.


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Web Site Reveals Black Friday Deals
by Elaine Roxane Winter

The countdown to Black Friday continues and deals are popping up all over. But there is one site consumers can check out to find the best deals, according to ABC7.


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Some Vonage Consumers Might Be Eligible To Receive Refunds
by Elaine Roxane Winter

Internet-based phone service, Vonage, announced today that they will give refunds to customers who complained it was just about impossible to cancel their phone service, according to Dayton Daily News.


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The Buzz on Alcoholic Energy Drinks
Monday, November 16, 2009
by Amy Decker

The Food and Drug Administration is assessing the health risks of energy drinks that contain alcohol. In a letter issued November 13, 2009, the FDA challenged companies who make alcohol-infused energy drinks to prove their beverages are safe.


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Dangerous Counterfeit Electronics A Growing Problem
by Elaine Roxane Winter

Dangerous counterfeit electronics made in China and Mexico can electrocute or set your house afire, if you're not careful according to KOMO News.


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Simmons Bedding Co. Files Chapter 11
by Greg Hudson

Simmons Bedding Co. filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.


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What to Look Out For When Hiring Tree Removal Contractors
by Elaine Roxane Winter

Often, strong thunderstorms can cause trees to collapse into yards. The Better Business Bureau wants to remind consumers when looking up companies to remove trees or debris, you should first check them out online, according to Charlotte News.


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How You Can Stop Unsolicited Company Catalogs From Flooding Your Mail
by Elaine Roxane Winter

Around this time of the year, companies send their holiday catalogues and often, they can flood up consumer's mail boxes. Thankfully, there is a way to stop those catalogues from coming in, according to Action Line.


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