Help! Dell is holding my “hot” computer hostage
Geri Bain’s “hot” computer is missing in action. Why won’t Dell repair it? And why won’t it return her laptop?
Problem Solved
Problem Solved is a weekly consumer column that fixes reader problems. From broken laptop computers to faulty kitchen appliances, nothing is off limits for this feature. Each story brings a fresh problem and solution in an engaging and succinct Q&A format.
Is this story a fake? 5 ways you can tell
Not a day seems to go by that I don’t receive an email that commends me for my “well-written” site and asks, “Do you accept sponsored content and if so, how much you charge?”
A shocking problem with DirecTV
Patricia Wilson’s TVs are blown out. DirecTV blames her internal wiring, but she thinks the company has something to do with it. Now they’re at an impasse. Or are they?
Study: Loyalty programs make you buy more
For years, consumer advocates like me have been warning consumers like you that loyalty programs aren’t the “win-win” propositions companies claim they are.
Where’s my replacement TV from Wal-Mart?
Latonya Holloway’s TV stopped working. Good thing she bought the extended warranty from Wal-Mart. Or is it?
5 Secrets for negotiating the best price every time
No one wants to overpay for a product or service. But how do you know you’re getting the best rate? And if you’re not being offered the lowest price, how do you negotiate it?
Stuck with a pair of shoes – and confused about Sears’ refund policy
Olga O’Hara wants to return the shoes she bought at Sears.com, but she’s getting mixed signals from the company about how to do so. Is she stuck with her purchase?
Wireless company failed to deliver modem, then pocketed my money
Klaus Schuller’s wireless modem doesn’t arrive before his trip to Europe. It doesn’t arrive while he’s in Europe. Instead, it’s waiting for him when he gets home. Why can’t he get a refund for a hotspot he never got to use?
The unauthorized guide to fine print, holiday edition
When Ben Blout invoked a big-box store’s “low price promise” after discovering a lower price on his merchandise, he learned something customers rediscover every holiday shopping season: some restrictions apply.