Shopping & Services

BBB: Tips for a safer Cyber Monday

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Monday, November 28th, 2011, 1:57pm

I like to call Cyber Monday "Sober Monday."

It's a calmer, gentler shopping experience. Hunting for deals from your desktop sure beats the beat-downs of Black Friday.

There are, however, a few dangers while shopping Cyber Monday deals, too.

"Don’t let your guard down," said Randy Hutchinson, president of the Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South. "Take the necessary precautions to avoid fraudulent websites, scammers and other ‘Grinches’ who would just love to ruin your holidays.”

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10 things you should not buy on Black Friday

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Monday, November 21st, 2011, 5:25pm

10 things you should not buy on Black Friday

Not every item will be at its lowest price on Black Friday. Not even close.

Lindsay Sakraida, features director for dealnews, wrote in one of her recent columns that these are the 10 items you should not buy on Black Friday:

* TOYS. Sakraida said toys typically are discounted deeper about two weeks before Christmas. For other guidance on good times to buy toys, click here.

* TOP-BRAND TV'S. Sakraida said Black Friday is fine for shopping cheaper TV's with deep discounts, but she said don't expect bargains on brand-name sets. For shopping the deals on the top brands, consider this advice.

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Consumer Reports: 5 steps to successful holiday returns

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Monday, November 14th, 2011, 6:31pm

Consumer Reports: 5 steps to successful holiday returns

Black Friday is two Fridays away.

Getting the deals is one thing. But getting an exchange, cash or credit when the deal turns out to be a dud depends on how well you follow Consumer Reports' five steps to a successful return.

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Making doctors bid for your health care

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Monday, October 31st, 2011, 10:53am

Get ready. It's going to happen.

You're going to require a medical procedure that -- surprise -- your insurance doesn't cover.

Consumer advocate, CNN and radio show host Clark Howard suggested you should register at the free site PriceDoc.com and get doctors to bid for your business.

"Health-care professionals offer lower-than-normal prices through this site to bring in new clients," said Howard, as told to consumer resource Bottom Line Personal magazine.

Howard said PriceDoc.com is most helpful with dental and cosmetic procedures. He said it's not unreasonable to expect discounts of 25 percent to 30 percent or more.

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Getting out of your cell phone contract

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Monday, October 24th, 2011, 1:47pm

Before I share this information, let me say I'm big into honoring contracts.

I'm big into both the company and the consumer honoring a contract. Two-way street, my friend.

A smart phone upgrade, like the release of the iPhone 4S, is not a legitimate excuse for breaking a cell phone contract.

However, USell.com (www.usell.com), a site that enables consumers to sell their gadgets for cash or trade-in value, offered these suggestions for getting out of a cell phone contract:

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Free document shredding Oct. 22

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Monday, October 17th, 2011, 10:30am

It's time again to haul out your dated tax records, investment documents and card receipts and get them shredded for free.

The Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South, in conjunction with Cintas Document Management and 911cellphonebank.org, will hold its Secure Your ID Day Saturday, October 22, 9 a.m. to noon, on the University of Memphis parking lot at Poplar Avenue and Conlee Place, just east of Highland.

"Bring up to ten boxes or bags of documents to be shredded," said Susan Harris, spokesperson for the BBB, "and take home the tips and resources you need to help protect yourself from identity theft."

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