When you take two consumer problems, telemarketing and extended warranties, and put them together, it can result in disaster. The Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement Friday in its case against American Vehicle Protection – who it charged last year with running a telemarketing extended auto warranty scheme that cheated people out of more than […]
YETI is recalling about 1.9 million coolers and gear cases in the United States and 40,760 in Canada. If the magnet-lined closures fail and the magnets fall out, serious injury or death can occur if they’re ingested. When two or more high-powered magnets are swallowed, they can attract to each other, or to another metal […]
Since I avoid the use of harsh, toxic chemicals in cleaning, I often use vinegar in cleaning. However, Consumer Reports says it shouldn’t be used in nine cases: Clothes irons. Vinegar could damage the inside of the iron. Countertops: Vinegar is an acid, and it can etch and dull natural stone such as marble and […]
Last week, it was exciting news when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced proposed limits on the toxic “forever” chemicals known as PFAS as a way to reduce drinking water contamination. The proposal targets six PFAS – PFOA, PFOS, GenX, PFBS, PFNA, and PFHxS. While these are the first federal proposed drinking water limits for […]
One of the best consumer actions in recent years is the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2011. Established after the Great Recession of 2007-08 to set up one federal agency to help consumers with their financial issues, the CFPB has made great strides in improving the position of consumers in the marketplace. […]
I love Ireland. I was so fortunate to travel there with my daughter Lisa in 2016. So, I decided a good way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day Friday is to post some of the photos from our trip. We were fortunate to meet with some of my grandmother Laura Baylee Slingsby’s relatives. Laura was born […]
It’s important to reduce the amount of pesticides in food that you and your children are exposed to. One way to do that is to be aware of the amount of pesticides that may be on the fruits and vegetables you buy. Thirty years after a National Academies of Sciences study warning of the dangers […]
In addition to recalling products, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issues warnings about hazardous products. A recent warning from the agency is to immediately stop using black TureClos bicycle helmets. The helmets don’t comply with federal safety standards, the CPSC said in a statement. The helmets can fail to protect riders if a crash […]
Movies continue to be one of the most popular past times in the United States. Joseph Campbell, American author and teacher, called them the great American dream machine. However, in my opinion, movies fall short because they focus so much on violence. For many years, I’ve written about how violence in the media is harmful […]
Photo: Kevauto Buying a new car is among one the most challenging purchases a consumer needs to make. Every year, Consumer Reports, a research, testing, and advocacy organization, conducts a battery of tests on the vehicles it evaluates, including braking, handling, comfort, convenience, safety, and fuel economy. Eight of the 10 top picks are new […]
