Consumerist

Adobe: We Can't Activate Legacy Software, So Here's A Free Copy Of Dreamweaver [Above And Beyond]

Carey — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:00:27 EDT

After an iBook-death forced her to migrate to another computer, Lisa found that she couldn't activate her legally-purchased copy of Macromedia StudioMX 2004. Adobe insisted that the software was too old to be reactivated. Too old? It's software! It took several calls and emails before Lisa found an employee who was able to help, not by activating her old software, but by sending her a free new copy of Dreamweaver CS4.

Lisa writes:

Recently, my ancient iBook died (again, but that's another story). I'm not in a position to replace it right now, so I installed my equally ancient, but legally purchased and owned Macromedia StudioMX 2004 on my PC. Installation was fine, serial number checked out fine and then I tried online activation: fail. Since I wasn't prescient enough to deactivate the software before my hard drive failed, my iBook was still the active computer. I called the activation hotline, figuring I wasn't the first person who had a hard drive fail. Ann was pleasant but defaulted to "Too old. Can't activate." I cruised around a bit on the Adobe forums where a helpful Adobe employee named Dov told other old software owners that Adobe promised to honor all legacy software with activation, age notwithstanding. His advice was to call back and escalate. I got Ann again who escalated me to Daphne, who said "Company policy. Too old. Can't activate."

I'd love to be able to get a shiny new MacBook Pro and CS4, but that's not going to happen anytime soon. MX2004 worked just fine before my hard drive crashed and I wasn't looking for product support, just activation. On an off chance, I emailed Dov who responded in less than an hour and said that while he couldn't help me directly, he'd pass along my issue to customer care.

Another few hours later, I got a call on my cell phone from Bing who wanted to help. She tried to contact the old Macromedia activation server with no luck; she reserialized my software and we tried again. No dice. She had been so nice and had really tried to fix everything, so I was sad, but content. Then she knocked my socks off: she asked me to confirm the mailing address in my customer record and then told me she was shipping me a brand new copy of Dreamweaver CS4. Full retail, at no charge. We spoke at 7 pm Thursday night; I got the software in the mail today.

As soon as I can get my shiny new MacBook Pro, I'll spring for the whole web design suite.

Great work, Adobe!

Royal Caribbean: Give Us $800 Or Find Another Ship [Extortion]

Carey — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:00:43 EDT

Royal Caribbean told Mary Hoefs at check-in that her family wouldn't be allowed to board unless they paid $800 on the spot, even though Mary had paid for the cruise in full four months earlier. Royal Caribbean later refunded $400, but why did they choose to kick off Mary's cruise with extortion? The answer, inside...

[Royal Caribbean's] records indicate that this booking was not created in-house, rather, through a travel agent. During the booking process, the guests from Texas were booked as being residents of West Virginia – with a promotional discount that was being provided to residents of West Virginia at that time. When the guests were unable to provide government issued ID that showed they were residents of West Virginia, the discount had to be removed, thus, the additional charges.

In other words, Hoefs' family had used a discount that can only be used by West Virginia residents. When they couldn't prove they lived in West Virginia, they had to pay a fare difference.

I shared this information with Hoefs.

I paid for the two from West Virginia $1,787, which was the "special rate." The family from Texas, I paid $3,275. And from here in Arizona, the price was $3,275. So the Texas family did NOT have a special rate. Regardless, I booked and paid in full on December 16th, 2008, the cruise was not until March 14th 2009. If there was a discrepancy, they had plenty of time to notify me before rather then wait till we were standing in line to board the ship. If they did not feel they were in the wrong, then why did they return half of the $800?

Tripso recommends confirming that you are actually eligible for any discounts appearing on your itinerary, which yeah, is definitely good advice, and not just for cruises. Unfortunately, when an obstinate travel company demands money at the start of the trip, you really only have two options: walk away, or pay up and dispute the charge later.

"Pay an additional $800 or you can't board the ship" [Tripso]
(Photo: Rennett Stowe)

Now In Farmed Fish: Mad Cow Disease?! [Seafood]

Carey — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:00:53 EDT

Three scientists worry that feeding cow parts to farmed fish could expose seafood consumers to mad cow disease. The scientists published their findings in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and called on the government to ban cow meat and bone meal from appearing in fish feed.

"We are concerned," Friedland and colleagues write, that eating farmed fish may provide a means of transmission of infectious proteins from cows to humans, causing variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease.

"We have not proven that it's possible for fish to transmit the disease to humans. Still, we believe that out of reasonable caution for public health, the practice of feeding rendered cows to fish should be prohibited," Friedland said in a prepared statement. "Fish do very well in the seas without eating cows," he added.

Mad cow can incubate for decades, so proving a connection between seafood and the disease isn't exactly easy. Even without the brain-wasting disease though, it still seems like a bad idea to feed fish remnant cow parts.

Risk of mad cow disease from farmed fish? [Reuters via Dvorak Uncensored] (Thanks to DK!)
(Photo: rfc1036)

Chinese Discount Airline To Sell Standing Room Tickets [New And Exciting Products]

Carey — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 12:00:17 EDT

Spring Airlines, a discount Chinese carrier, plans to ask the government for permission to sell standing room tickets. The plan will likely win approval, since Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang was recently quoted as saying: "for a lower price, passengers should be able to get on a plane like catching a bus, with no seat, no luggage consignment, no food, no water, but very convenient."

The idea isn't so farfetched. Airbus, the European aircraft maker, has been studying the safety issues of standing passengers for years.

Passengers would be strapped to a bar-stool-like stand during takeoff and landing, a Spring Airlines spokesman said.

"It's just like bar stools. The safety belt is the most important thing. It will still be fastened around the waist," airline spokesman Zhang Wuan said, adding that Airbus had told the carrier that the proposal was safe.

The news is a huge disappointment, mostly because it's coming from Spring Airlines and not RyanAir.

Anyway, standing on a plane: a good way to save money and spice up your trip, or a means to the bathroom? Decide in the comments.

Chinese airline may offer cheaper fares to passengers who stand [The Los Angeles Times]

What, You Expect Comcast To Stop Billing You Just Because You Canceled Your Account? [Cancel The Account]

Carey — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:00:54 EDT

Look, Comcast, when you take back someone's equipment and give them a receipt confirming that their account has no balance, it's not unreasonable for them to think that their account is canceled. Don't keep billing them for service and equipment rentals, and don't tell them that you "can keep [the account] active and [bill] indefinitely until [you] decide to disconnect it." Because if you do, they're going to call their state Attorney General's office. At least that's how Paul convinced Comcast to finally cancel his account.

Shannon, Paul's girlfriend, writes:

I have had an unusually bad experience that is still unresolved with Comcast Cable.

My boyfriend, Paul, canceled his Comcast account over three weeks ago, returning all of the company's equipment and obtaining a receipt that reflected a zero balance.

Comcast has since continued to send bills for future service and rental for the returned equipment. Three customer service representatives have told us that it is company policy that they can keep your account active and bill you indefinitely until they decide to disconnect it. You have no real power to cancel your own account.

The disconnection appears to be scheduled each day for the current day and is automatically rescheduled at the end of every day for the following day when it is not done.

In addition to speaking with customer service reps over the phone, we have attempted to contact them through email to no avail.

He has filed a complaint with the attorney general of our state because he believes Comcast is using his old account information to maintain a fraudulent account.

I just wanted to warn other customers of this company policy.

Shannon later sent us an update:

I wanted to let you know about the conclusion of the story (I hope).

I had filed a complaint with the Connecticut State Attorney General's Department of Public Utility Control and they called Comcast on my behalf.

As a result, Comcast resolved the dispute and pro-rated the last month of service.

The actual disconnection was finally performed, possibly related to the fact that I filed a complaint with the FCC for leaking RF signal, though I do not know this for sure.

So, it was not a normal channel for resolution, but it's resolved nonetheless.

Radio Shack Is Levying The Wrong Sales Tax In New York City [Tax]

Carey — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:00:46 EDT

Radio Shack is charging New York City consumers an extra half-percent of sales tax, even though the State hasn't approved a new tax rate. Before descending into a chaotic mess of embarrassing inaction, the New York State Senate was widely expected to hike the sales tax New York City's local sales from 8.375% to 8.875%. That never happened, a minor detail that isn't stopping Radio Shack from collecting more tax, as reader Jeff discovered...

He writes:

Just came back from my local Radio Shack and when I got home noticed the sales tax was set at 8.875 instead of the usual 8.375. You see the tax rate was supposed to go up on July 1st but because our State Senate has been in a stalemate for the last few weeks nothing has been done, including passing the new sales tax.
I called a friend of mine who happens to manage a Radio Shack and asked him what was up and he told me that the computers are programed from the district office and he had called them to let them know of the error a day ago but it has not been fixed yet.

So just let shoppers in NY to keep an eye out for the tax rate while shopping at Radio Shack this weekend.

RELATED: City Council Endorses Sales Tax Increase [The New York Times]

Get The Best Seat When Flying Coach [Seating]

Carey — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:00:27 EDT

Snagging the best plane seat doesn't always require an upgrade, thanks to a few handy tips from Condé Nast Traveler. Inside, how to avoid the dreaded middle seat and keep yourself entertained on the flight...

In-Flight Entertainment: Call before booking and ask which of your potential flights has AC power or AVOD (Audio Video on Demand) built into the seats.
Look At The Plane Type: Thanks to its configuration, a 767 can be 86% full before anyone gets stiffed with the middle seat. Look for domestic flights configured for international travel, the ones out of major hubs that then connect to international destinations.
Ask For An Aisle Seat In The Back: Airlines start at the front and move backwards to fill middle seats. Asking for an aisle seat towards the rear boosts your chance of sitting next to an empty seat.
Book The Damn Seat! If you can't reserve a seat in advance after consulting with a site like SeatGuru, then call the airline directly and ask for a particular seat assignment. Once you get to the gate, talk to the agent and see if something better isn't available.

How do you snag the best seats and make the most of your flights? Share your tips in the comments.

Getting Comfy in Coach [Condé Nast Traveler via Lifehacker]
(Photo: FlyGuy92586)

Radioactive Chinese Drywall Is Stinking Up U.S. Homes [Chinese Poison Train]

Carey — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:00:38 EDT

The government thinks radioactive industrial waste from China is responsible for a recent sulfur stench that has plagued hundreds of Florida homes. Demand for Chinese drywall spiked during the housing boom, but federal regulators believe the drywall contained phosphogypsum, a banned waste byproduct that features prominently in Chinese construction. When used in drywall, the probable carcinogen can corrode "air conditioners, mirrors, electrical outlets and even jewelry."

The health risk of phosphogypsum is uncertain, but industry specialists say they are troubled by its widespread use and the possibility it was exported, especially in light of recent incidents in which other Chinese imports such as pet food, toys and candy were found to be contaminated with toxic or unsafe substances.

"Considering the fact that phosphogypsum can cause corrosion, something should be done," said Ding Dawu, a geoscientist and an authority on gypsum processing in China. "Right now," he added, "there are no complaints [in China] because most people don't know much about gypsum board and there are no standards against it."

[...]

Huge phosphogypsum dump sites can be seen in all corners of China. Near the banks of the Yangtze River in central China's Wuhan area, raw phosphogypsum is spread over 20 acres and packed 65 feet deep into the ground. The smell of sulfur permeates the air. Workers at the site said the material was given away to anyone willing to pay the transportation costs, a mere $1.75 per ton.

No one knows how much phosphogypsum board from China was shipped abroad. But in 2006, Chinese exports of drywall to the U.S. totaled a record 503 million pounds valued at more than $25 million, according to Chinese customs' statistics. That's enough for 32,000 homes.

The EPA, Customs, and the Department Commerce all say they aren't required to test drywall, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission says they only ask Customs to inspect items for which there are mandatory testing requirements. So, as usual, it's up to the Chinese quality protection agency to keep us safe.

Chinese drywall blamed for odors and corrosion in U.S. homes [The Los Angeles Times]
(Photo: The County Clerk)

How Much Does That $12 Chain Restaurant Sandwich Really Cost? [Restaurants]

Carey — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:00:56 EDT

Chain restaurants are trying to lure in recession-weary diners with deep discounts, but franchisers worry that if you suddenly start paying half-price for sandwiches, you won't be willing to pay full price when the economy recovers. We're all accustomed to chain restaurant sandwiches costing $8 and up, but how much do those sandwiches really cost restaurants to make?

The heavy discounting is leading to tensions between the people who, as independent franchisees, operate many of the restaurants, and the corporate officers who control the brands, menus, advertising and strategy. The franchisees agree that discounts can get customers in the door, but wince at what they can do to profit margins.

A T.G.I. Friday's promotion in April and May offering $5 sandwiches and salads led to a small-scale revolt among franchisees. Ross Farro, who has seven T.G.I. Friday's restaurants in Ohio and Pennsylvania, said the promotion included salads that normally sell for as much as $10 and a steak sandwich priced at $11.89 on the regular menu. The ingredients alone for each steak sandwich cost about $4, he said.

The promotion brought in a flood of customers, but Mr. Farro said he could hardly afford to feed them. Within days of the promotion's start in late April, many franchisees began complaining to the chain's parent company, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide.

Franchisers also complain that thrifty consumers don't order profitable extras like soda or dessert. Have you been lured in by any recent restaurant deals?

Discounts Have Restaurants Eating Own Lunch [The New York Times]

15 Ways To Protect Your Money While Traveling [Travel]

Carey — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:00:32 EDT

Bankrate shares 15 tips to protect your stash of cash while traveling abroad. Before leaving, strip down your wallet to the bare essentials, including a backup credit card, and make copies of all financial documents. While abroad, stash the copies and the backup card in your hotel safe, and take common-sense precautions like sticking to legitimate bank ATMs, and avoiding crowds. Hit the link for the rundown of all 15 tips.

15 ways to protect your money on vacation [Bankrate]
(Photo: isfullofcrap)

Geek Squad: Sorry We Accidentally Hosed Your Motherboard. Here's A Vastly Inferior Replacement [Repairs]

Carey — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:00:51 EDT

Geek Squad tried to repair a broken fan in Brian's Sony laptop, but somehow managed to instead break the laptop's motherboard, processor, and much of the internal cabling. Though Geek Squad replaced all the damaged parts, Brian soon realized that the laptop's new processor was slower and cheaper than the original model...

Geek Squad only fessed up to installing an inferior chip after Brian got Sony on the phone to confirm that they didn't use the replacement model in their laptops.

Brian writes:

A couple of months ago, I brought my laptop to my local Best Buy for repair. After being told it would be no more than two weeks before I had my laptop back, I left the store content. The only problem with the laptop when I turned it in to Geek Squad was a cooling fan that was starting to go bad.

A month and half later, I finally got my laptop back. They had replaced the cooling fan, the motherboard, the processor, and most of the cabling. Apparently, I was told, they had inadvertently damaged the motherboard and processor during the repair of the cooling fan. That's a kind of silly mistake, but I can forgive them for it. However, they replaced my processor with a model that was inferior to the one the laptop had in it to begin with. The laptop had an Intel T7500 processor, they replaced it with a T7300. It took several days of arguing with them. I finally had to call Sony (they manufactured the laptop) and get them to confirm that the laptop had indeed had a T7500 processor in it.

Eventually Geek Squad agreed to fix the mistake. However, I can't help but wonder how often this type of "mistake" happens. By replacing my processor (which they damaged) with an inferior T7300 model, they saved about $100 on the repair. Your average consumer would never have caught this "mistake." I've been searching message boards to see if anyone else has had a similar problem and have thus far not found anything exactly like my situation. However, there is an overwhelming amount of negative comments regarding Geek Squad's service.

(Photo: dooleymtv)

Need An Ambulance? If You're Overweight, It's Going To Cost An Extra $543 [Kansas]

Carey — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:00:59 EDT

An ambulance ride with American Medical Response in Topeka, Kansas will soon cost an extra $543 for folks weighing 350 pounds or more. Though AMR already owns cots that can support up to 500 pounds, they claim that because of rising demand from so-called "bariatric patients," they now need to buy winches and "extra large and reinforced cots."

Keller said AMR needed to increase its charge for bariatric patients to pay for more manpower and transportation equipment. The bariatric equipment includes extra large and reinforced cots, as well as a winch to help technicians load the patients into the back of the ambulance.

"These people have special needs during transport," Keller said of the bariatric patients. "Many of these people don't fit our standard cots. Our normal cots will hold over 500 pounds, but when you max out the ability of the cot, you put the patients at risk. Having these resources means a little less manpower and a much safer way to lift the patients."

Keller said as a general rule, AMR will begin charging patients the increased bariatric fee if they weigh more than 350 pounds. He said the technicians, however, would use their discretion and consider the overall size of the patient in determining if they are bariatric. "We look at the length and width," Keller said. "A patient could be 325 or 275. We will look at the qualifiers of the patient and the special needs, and then we submit them to the insurance and see if we agree."

AMR previously charged $629 to transport overweight and critical care patients. The price for Medicaid and Medicare patients will hold steady, and the new $1,172 fee will only apply to patients with private insurance.

What do you think? Should extra-large or sick patients have to pay more for an ambulance ride?

Some overweight Topeka patients to pay more for ambulance use [Wichita Eagle]
AMR rates rising for obese [The Topeka Capital Journal]

Recall Roundup - Pretty Much Everything Is Catching Fire [Everything Will Kill You]

Laura Northrup — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:01:13 EDT

The big news in recalls this week was continuing recalls of Simplicity drop-side cribs. Since the company is no longer in business, in order to get the crib away from your children, return it to the retailer where it was purchased. Also, check your home for other problematic recalled Simplicity products.

Another big recall: four million Aqua-Leisure Baby Floats. The leg straps can break, and the baby fall into the water.

Wolfgang Puck Toaster Oven/Toasters - Heat element stays on after toast pops up; fire hazard.

Wagner Spray Tech Heat Guns - Heat element stays on after gun is turned off; fire hazard. That sounds familiar.

Campbell Hausfeld 20-Gallon Air Compressors (Walmart) - Thermal overload sensor doesn't work; unit can overheat and, yes, catch fire.

Epic Threads and Greendog Hooded Sweatshirts (Macy's) - Strangulation hazard

Children's Necklace and Bracelet Sets (crayons and shiny hearts) - Choking hazard

JGR Copa Body Boards - lead paint

SmartSpark Energy Systems Battery Equalizers - Fire hazard

Orangatang Skateboard Wheels - Blowout hazard; risk of injury

Poseidon Diving Wings - Air bladders can break.

Crane Whirlpool Bathtubs - Hair can get tangled due to drain cover design; drowning hazard.

Loyal Bedding Mattress Sets - Do not meet flammability standards.

DEWALT Framing Nailers - Can fling nails at user.

PowerPlus Generators - Can cause power surges that damage appliances and cause fires.

Tabletop Rope Cutters - Can overheat; fire and burn hazard.

Polaris Recalls Snowmobiles - Rider can lose control of and/or be ejected from the snowmobile.

Ionic Salt Lamps - overheating; fire hazard.

Intermatic In-Wall Timers - electric shock hazard when replacing the battery.

Knorr Chicken Vegetable with Pasta kosher soup mix - undeclared egg ingredients.

Stop & Shop nonfat dry milk - Possible salmonella contamination.

Quick, What Is This Woman Doing? [Infomercials]

Lucy Bayly — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:14:24 EDT

She has some form of pump attached to her face. She's moving her head up and down rhythmically... What the....??

She's using a Neckline Slimmer, of course!! Part neck brace, part tracheotomy, part pogostick, it is a special "system" (actually it's a coil with a chin rest) that promises to "tighten the muscles that keep your face and neck looking young and beautiful."

Invented by a former PE teacher (wow!), the Neckline Slimmer can be yours for only $19.99 plus shipping and handling. And you need never be without it, for it comes with a luxury carrying pouch. But seriously, where would you take it? We can only imagine the discussion at customs.... "It's not what you're thinking! It's a pump to eliminate my turkey neck..."

Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds [Flickr]

Chris Walters — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:06:31 EDT

This week we've selected ten wonderful photos submitted by readers to The Consumerist Flickr Pool. There's one beautiful summer one for foot fetishists, a final shout out to Billy Mays, and then we're going with a general Americana vibe for the rest in honor of the Fourth of July.

If you had a great photo that didn't get picked, it doesn't mean the photo was bad. It means you're not a patriot and should move to Canada, you commie.

top photo by pbm

by digitizedchaos

by Mica_R

by The Ninja Monkey

by Corey Templeton

by Plant Design Online

by theblackdoc2071

by Mica_R

by nixter

by Kitty LaRoux

And finally, PEACE OUT BILLY MAYS

by Don Solo

Our Flickr Pool is the place where Consumerist readers go and upload photos for possible use in future Consumerist posts. Just be a registered Flickr user, go here, and click "Join Group?" up on the top right, and start hitting "send to group" on your individual photos you want to add to the pool.

Add your shots to The Consumerist Flickr pool, and perhaps they'll get featured in a future story, or even highlighted in a Friday Consumerist Flickr Pool Finds post.

See previous winners of the Friday Consumerist Flickr Pool finds here.

No, Your Dog Does Not Want To Watch Fireworks And Drink Margaritas At The Beach [Pets]

Laura Northrup — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:46:24 EDT

Consumer Reports is always ruining my fun. First, they want me to make sure that the fireworks I set off in my backyard are safety certified. Whatever. Now they're telling me that I shouldn't bring my dog to see fireworks with me. AND that I shouldn't give her any beer, or even let her help herself to the barbecue this weekend.

Here's their entire list of demands:

Leave your dog at home when you go to see fireworks. If he's crate trained, you might put him there, where he feels the safest.

Don't feed your dog from the picnic table or grill. Bones, potato chips and cookies could make him sick.

No matter how fun the party gets, never give your dog alcohol.

Remember that, while the beach seems like a treat for you, a hot day on the sand can leave your dog sunburned, dehydrated and sick from drinking salt water. Follow the AKC's guidelines to keep your pet healthy and happy throughout the summer.

Some summery traditions can be a dog's pet peeve [Consumer Reports Safety]
And the rockets red glare ... [Consumer Reports Safety]
RELATED:
Video: Fireworks Are Fun Until They Blow Up In Your Pants
Recession Is The Grinch That's Stealing Independence Day Fireworks
Are Fireworks Legal In My State?

(Photo: Mark)

Allergy Card Company Sends Useful Things You Didn't Order [Above And Beyond]

Laura Northrup — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:15:17 EDT

Select Wisely is a company that makes food allergy/sensitivity cards and medical emergency cards for travelers in a wide variety of languages so you don't need to worry about random shrimp or peanuts showing up in your food on a business trip to China. Reader Michael (commenter LetMeGetTheManager) ordered a set of cards, and was so delighted with their service that he just had to e-mail Consumerist.

Jim,

Thank you for sending the allergy translation cards I ordered, both the "Strongly Worded Peanuts" cards for China and Hong Kong, as well as the "List of Nuts" cards for China and Hong Kong. However, including cards that I did not order, but that would be extremely helpful for someone who is severely allergic to nuts, is a great example of a company going above and beyond what they normally do in business. With my allergy, which could easily lead to death in an instant, those emergency cards work out to be extremely helpful in the unfortunate event I need to use them.

I will let you know how these cards worked out upon returning from my trip.

Since Michael had ordered his cards as PDFs, it didn't require a lot of resources to enclose extra cards with his order, but it was still a thoughtful gesture and very useful to him!

Everyone Knows How To Handle A Stolen Checkbook Except For Verizon [Bureaucracy]

Chris Walters — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:26:14 EDT

Yesterday I was musing that Time Warner Cable was passing the cost of customer care off to other businesses, by requiring customers to take half-days or full days off of work just to wait for a cable repairman. Today I think I stumbled upon another hidden economic impact of bad customer service: it's responsible for generating a lot of the "free" content online. The next time you're reading an IMDB entry about "Damages" or "Big Love" for example, you can thank Verizon's collection of angry, confused, and possibly insane employees, and all the idle time they create for a customer who has to deal with them.

Hariette's story is long, but you'll alternately laugh and cringe as she shares what happened to her after her checkbook was stolen this past December. Hariette worked with her bank to quickly patch up any security holes from the theft, and soon she was set up with a new account.

Changing her billing info with Verizon was not so easy, however. Apparently Verizon's "e-center" has never been seen by any humans working at Verizon, but it's where you have to go to get anything done. Here's probably the most telling exchange Hariette has with any Verizon employee in the whole story:

As the 20th minute approached, the rep fearfully told me, "Ms. Surovell, I am only allowed to spend 20 minutes helping each customer. From this point on, you will have to hold for the e-center yourself."

"So, what was the point of your being involved at all, if you can't do anything for me?" I asked.

"Ma'am, I'd like to help you, I would, but I'll get in trouble if I don't get off the line now."

He was becoming frantic.

I stayed on the line, holding for the e-center until I got the announcement. It was 6 p.m., and the e-center was officially closed. I was welcome to phone back the next day between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

There you have it: a Verizon employee admitting that he has to not help solve your problem or his job will be at stake.

Our favorite person at Verizon now is officialy "T," the relocated Texan who is some sort of security agent for Verizon, and who used to work in Tampa, and who won't stop calling Harriette a "ticket" whenever she amuses him. Oh, also he keeps calling her from his Verizon cell phone, which goes in and out of range, and he suffers from road rage.

"Well, I gotta be honest here, Ma'am, and tell you that it's not looking good. Now, let me warn you, we're going into a zone, and my cell may go out, so..."

"I didn't hear the last thing you said. You're fading out."

"What? What did you say?"

"I said I can't hear you! I'm hanging up."

"What was that, Ma'am?"

A few minutes later, he called back.

"'T', I can't stay on the phone with you like this every day. These calls are taking a lot of time, and I need to use my time to be writing my articles. "

"Ma'am, you are a ticket! Hey, can you hold on there a minute, some people should not be allowed on the road (screaming out the window...) 'Lady, you fucking idiot, you goddamned moron, who the fuck taught you how to drive?!' (Without skipping a beat...) Pardon my language there, Ma'am, I hope I didn't offend you, but some people driving out there can really rile you up."

"I'm a New Yorker, it takes more than the f-word to shock me." I lied. "T's" segues from extreme formality (I was being "Ma'am'ed" more than Judge Judy) into gross obscenity unnerved me.

"Well you are a ticket, I tell you, that's what you are!"

Sure, that part of the story sounds like it's ready to be optioned for a movie, but there's no happy ending when Verizon is involved. In fact, if customer service is a priority for you, remember this response from Verizon when Hariette asked them to at least apologize for wasting her time for six months on what was supposed to be a simple account edit: "No, we will not."

Verizon Customer Diss-Service" [Matahariette]

Tell Your Great-Grandchildren To Protect Their Money In 2139 [Bernie Madoff]

Laura Northrup — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:48:49 EDT

When Bernie Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison, they weren't kidding around. Here's a screencap of his profile in the U.S. federal prison system database. He's in the system as scheduled for release in 2139.

Inmate Locator [Federal Bureau of Prisons] (Thanks, Matt!)

PREVIOUSLY:
Madoff Asks Judge For 12-Year Sentence
Madoff Eligible To Scam Again In Only 150 Years

Marketers Announce They Will Bring More Transparency To Personal Data Collection By 2010 [Privacy]

Chris Walters — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:32:18 EDT

Several major advertising trade groups announced yesterday that starting in 2010, they will implement a new set of self-imposed guidelines on how they collect and use your personal info, in an attempt to prevent the government from handing down federal regulations.

According to Forbes, the collected trade groups represent 5,000 Internet and advertising companies, "including Yahoo, Microsoft and Google."

So what do the new guidelines address? Transparency mostly, says Forbes:

They call for third-party and service providers to include a notice on their Web sites that describes the types of data being collected, and how it is used, as well as a way for consumers to block the collection and use of data for behavioral advertising purposes, or selling that data to a third party.

We think there's already an excellent example of this sort of full disclosure on a mainstream website—All Things Digital by the Wall Street Journal. On your first visit to the site, this is what you see:

It's simple and clear. It's visually appealing so it won't be ignored or treated as dreaded legalese (we like the subtle touch of making it float behind Mossberg's head, so that it feels like an organic part of the site). And it appears above any content to grab your attention immediately. Start with that, ad trade groups, and you'll have taken a good first step.

"Ad Groups Aim To Inform Consumers About How Their Data Is Used" [Forbes]
(Photo: blakespot)

Ex-Time Warner Employee's Zombie AOL Account Finally Put To Rest [AOHell]

Laura Northrup — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:28:53 EDT

You may remember Jennifer, who we wrote about on Wednesday. She suddenly started receiving collection notices for an AOL account she hadn't paid for since 2000. Her situation has since been resolved, and serves as an important reminder about accounts and benefits when changing jobs.

As many readers guessed, the re-emergence of the account occurred because Jennifer no longer worked for Time Warner. Someone able to fix the situation contacted her through Consumerist, and yesterday she wrote:

Well, the nice man from AOL's "executive escalations" department cleared my account of all charges and said he'd do the same with Allied Collection Agency, so that's good. (This whole thing only wasted about 6 hours of my life). It was indeed because I left Time Warner. The dates didn't add up, which we couldn't solve for, but basically AOL doesn't inform anyone-company employee or not-that their account can change overnight from an unpaid to a paid account. Pretty reprehensible in my humble opinion. If a service is now free, it should be free, no matter what you signed up for nine years ago. I'm contacting Time Warner's benefits department to let them know they need to warn people!
Thanks again to you and your readers for helping me get to the bottom of all this.

Now all that's left to do is make sure that the collection agency actually listens to AOL. If you work for Time Warner and have a free AOL account, make sure it's put to rest when you leave the company.

Also, no matter where you work, make sure that any subscriptions and benefits you get through your employment are squared away before changing jobs.

PREVIOUSLY:
Zombie AOL Account Crawls Out Of The Grave Nine Years Later

(Photo: Maulleigh)

Circa 1960s Ad: Sugar Prevents Overeating [Badvertising]

McLaren and Torchinsky — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:08:27 EDT

Last week, we wrote about how sugar isn't any better than corn syrup when it comes to you health. But it turns out we were wrong. According to this old ad I just found, sugar is perfect for weight-watching: "That's because sugar helps prevent you from overeating... with sugar in your diet, you're happier with smaller portions of everything."

Thank you Sugar Information, Inc. for setting the record straight!

Carrie McLaren & Jason Torchinsky are coeditors of Ad Nauseam: A Survivor's Guide to American Consumer Culture. In previous lives, they worked together on the hopelessly obscure and now defunct Stay Free! magazine.

How To Maintain Your New iPhone's Erection—For Free! [Diy Iphone Dock]

McLaren and Torchinsky — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:51:12 EDT

I've been a satisfied owner of an original iPhone for a while, and recently upgraded to an iPhone 3G for $99. The crappy part is, on the new phone, Apple is no longer including the handy little dock, forcing the poor device to lie prone, without dignity.

I found my original iPhone dock useful and, electronically, it's the same; the only difference is in the actual physical shape of the hole. So, I just took a drill (a Dremel will work better, but I can't find mine right now, ok?) and reamed out the hole until the new iPhone fit.

It's pretty easy, and for those upgrading from an original iPhone, free. It doesn't look perfect, but when the phone is in it you can't tell, so who cares? Just shave the groove out a bit wider and deeper, and test fit with your phone.

Carrie McLaren & Jason Torchinsky are coeditors of Ad Nauseam: A Survivor's Guide to American Consumer Culture. In previous lives, they worked together on the hopelessly obscure and now defunct Stay Free! magazine .

That end-of-the-school-year DVD may have ... [Parental Supervision]

Chris Walters — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:44:25 EDT

That end-of-the-school-year DVD may have been homemade by the teacher, but that doesn't mean it can't pack an accidental porno cherrybomb. An elementary school teacher in Sacramento mistakenly included 6 seconds of a "home movie" in a compilation she sent home to students. Click through to the article for an awesome photo illustration of how adults think kids react to gross-out grownup stuff. [SFGate] (Thanks to Paul!) (Photo: Adactio)

Sci-fi Fish Scaring the Hell Out Of Us [Amalgamated Sea Creatures]

McLaren and Torchinsky — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:43:58 EDT

If you subsisted on a diet entirely of fish, which would kill you first: mad-cow fish or super tuna? Two stories this week make you wonder. First, Reuters reports on the risk of mad cow disease from farmed fish. Scientists are concerned that the fish, who, curiously enough, dine on pieces of cow, may transmit Creutzfeldt Jakob disease to humans.

I'll repeat that: Fish dine on pieces of cow.

On the bright side, the risk is very remote and may have more to do with scientists getting their names in the paper than any observable threat.

The second story discusses Japanese scientists' plan to breed a super-tuna that is stronger, better-tasting, and more disease-resistant than the humdrum bluefin currently in oceans. Bluefin are endangered, which adds a sense of urgency and beneficence. The super tuna would be raised in farms, where they will eat cow bits but presumably not die as easily. (Actually, I don't know that these particular tuna will eat cows; it could as well be sheep or goats or other farm animals, who knows.)

The underlying presumptions in the tuna article are:
1. Bluefin is hugely profitable
2. Extinction is a problem because bluefin is so profitable
3. Disease in fish farms is a problem because it kills profitable fish

And so the fact that bluefin carry a high mercury load — and that farmed fish tend to be even more toxic to humans — is not worth mentioning.

Not that we need scientists to church out super-fish anyway: the sea is churning them out on its own! Good thing they aren't smart enough to avoid the hook.

Risk of mad cow disease from farmed fish? [Reuters] (Thanks, Cory Johns!)
Japanese Scientist to Breed Super-Tuna [Telegraph, UK] (Thanks, HiPwr!)
(Photo: river seal)

Personal Finance Roundup [Money]

FMF — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:38:17 EDT

Michael Jackson's Death and Your Estate Plan [Smart Money] "For those who already have an existing estate plan, here's how the larger 2009 exemption could affect you - along with some advice on how to avoid potential danger zones."
How to Make the Most of a College Degree [Free Money Finance] "What can/should potential graduates do to make the most of their college degree financially?"
Keeping Finances Afloat During a Divorce [Wall Street Journal] "Here are some ways to salvage finances during a divorce."
Is 'Cash for clunkers' right for you? [Bankrate] "Before taking up Obama on 'Cash for clunkers,' decide if selling your car would bring in more money."
The 10 Most Dollar-Discounted Housing Markets [US News] "Listing prices in these cities have been slashed by millions of dollars over the past year."

— FREE MONEY FINANCE (Photo: frankieleon)

Never Pack Your Jewelry In Checked Baggage [Traveling]

Chris Walters — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:25:23 EDT

This past February, a Delta customer had her expensive heirloom jewelry stolen from her checked bag on a trip from Rochester through Atlanta to Las Vegas:

My suitcase had been opened, my jewelry bag unzipped, and my fine jewelry (gold, diamonds, sapphires) had been hand picked out of the jewelry bag and the inexpensive jewelry (plastic, glass, metal) left strewn across my belongings inside my suitcase.

Delta doesn't take responsibility for the theft, because as they note in their rejection letter to her claim,

The tariff rules and the ticket contract covering your travel exclude responsibility for jewelry, cash, camera equipment, electronic equipment, or computer equipment contained in checked or unchecked baggage.

In other words, you're on your own when it comes to securing your valuables during air travel.

Our theft victim didn't specify in her letter, but we hope she also filed a police report as soon as she noticed the missing jewelry. In fact, here's some advice for traveling with jewelry.

Don't.
Always carry it with you in a carry-on bag or on your person. Never pack it in checked luggage. Even the most high-security airport can't prevent a determined thief from rifling through luggage.
If you have a lot of expensive pieces, consider making sure your homeowner's insurance covers them while traveling. Or just get standalone jewelry insurance.
Make sure you have appraisals or insurance evaluations.
Photocopy the jewelry you're bringing with you, and leave a copy at home and pack a copy on your carry-on bag. This will help you quickly spot missing pieces.

The above list was compiled from tips from:
"Safety Tips When Traveling With Jewelry" [Gem Find]
"Four Tips for Traveling with Jewelry" [The Black Dress Traveler]
"Traveling with Jewelry" [Home Jewelry Business Success Tips]
(Photo: evixir)

Live In Ohio? Your Library May Soon Close [Libraries]

Chris Walters — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:29:52 EDT

Here at Consumerist, we love libraries. They're like some weird, old-school version of Netflix, but with books! And free! That makes them one of the most cost-effective sources of entertainment and reference material around. Unfortunately, Ohio may gut the funding on this public resource if the proposed state budget goes through.

Governor [Strickland] wants to cut the budget for public libraries by 50%. About 70% of public libraries in Ohio are funded solely by this fund, so cutting the already shrinking budget means library closures, layoffs and cutbacks in hours and materials.

If you live in Ohio, you can visit the website Save Ohio Libraries for information on how to contact your representatives to protest the cuts.

"Ohio - Save Your Libraries" [The Shifted Librarian]
Save Ohio Libraries
(Photo: noellium)

Ex-exec testifies against insurance giant for 'purging' customers [Health Insurance]

McLaren and Torchinsky — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:05:48 EDT

CNN reports on insurance industry whistle-blower Wendall Potter who, after working in the machine for 20 years, quit in order to right a few wrongs. Last week, Potter testified before the Senate about former employer Cigna's policy of "purging." In other words, Cigna would drive small businesses with expensive insurance claims to dump their Cigna policies.

"When that business comes up for renewal, the underwriters jack the rates up so much, the employer has no choice but to drop insurance," Potter said.

CNN obtained a transcript of a 2008 Cigna conference call with investors in which company executives use the term "purge."

Of course, Cigna spokesman Chris Curran denied that the company engages in purging.

"We do not practice that. We will offer rates that are reflective of the competitive group health insurance market. We always encourage our clients to compare our proposed rates to those available from other carriers," Curran wrote.

In other words, we purge, but we do it in a more delicately worded fashion than using the word "purge."

Potter's turnabout came in 2007, when he visited a medical charity event in Virginia and saw volunteer doctors seeing patients in barns, people in animal stalls. "It changed it for me," he told CNN. Potter is now blogging for the Center for Media and Democracy, the fine organization behind PR Watch.

Ex-executive accuses insurance giant of 'purging' customers [CNN] (Thanks, Cantras!)

Here's another free game for iPhone/iPod ... [Games]

Chris Walters — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:10:12 EDT

Here's another free game for iPhone/iPod Touch owners to pass the time this weekend: Wild West Pinball. If you're a Blackberry owner, Bplay has a 30% off sale going on right now—enter JULY in the code box at checkout. [IntoMobile]

"Potty Patch" Doggie Toilet — Load Of Crap, Or Genuine Product? [Infomercials]

Lucy Bayly — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:54:44 EDT

Dogs, sheesh, who'd have 'em. They hump your leg, their poop stinks, and — worst of all, they pee all over your carpet. Well, meet the Potty Patch! It's an indoor restroom for doggies. Basically a patch of faux sod over a plastic tray that catches the pee. Now you don't need to get off the couch to walk the dog, you can just let her take a quick, stinky whiz right next to your kegerator. Whew!

But the Potty Patch "goes" where the Poo Patch, the Porch Potty, the Penthouse Potty, the Petapotty, and the Patio Potty don't go.... it seems to be a St. Bernard-sized scam! The dogosphere is full of complaints from people who never received any product at all, or who experienced extremely questionable customer service.

"Called the 800 number provided and went through the automated system…..then, and only after my order was placed and my credit card info was given, the automated voice informed me that if my dog was not a puppy and weighs more than 15 lbs, I should "upgrade my order for an additional $40.00." Now this became an $80.00 item. There was no option to cancel, or ask for customer service, just a voice pitching more items to tie into the sale. On the Web there is a small link to customer service and a phone number: 866-518-2294. I called and cancelled."

"Do not give them your credit card number. Within days of ordering it online I had two unauthorized purchases of video games on my credit card. I have never bought video games! Also, they told me that they don't have my order on file because it takes several days to update their computer system. I knew right then something was seriously wrong. Buyers beware!!"

I ordered this about the 7th of Jan and no confirmation, nothing. I have emailed them several times and no reply. I am begining to feel scammed!

I placed an order online and then e-mailed the website link to other members of my family, who told me that when they clicked on the website link my debit card information appeared! I immediately called the company. It took over 9 hours to get through. When I did finally get through I was told I could not cancel my order. I called my bank and stopped payment.

Doggies.com's "Dog Lady" did some following up, speaking to Christian Darby, the owner of PottyPatch.com. Darby admitted that his company was only now starting to fulfill orders from as far back as December 2008. Why? Because Potty Patch started running TV ads before they actually had anything to sell. But Darby says his company has now ramped up production and is fulfilling orders within about two weeks. Hmmmmm.

There have been fleeting reports of people *actually* receiving their portapiss as of July 1st, but we have to say, on esthetics alone, we'd definitely take care of our business on the white-picket-fenced Patio Potty.

(Photo: adamr.stone)

Bank of America Charges Guy Twice For Money Order, When Told, Corrects Problem With Ninja Reflexes [Customer Service]

Phil Villarreal — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:45:33 EDT

Nathaniel got a money order to pay rent, and noticed Bank of America charged him twice for the transaction. He placed a call to customer service expecting a long, difficult battle, but was pleasantly surprised with the outcome:

I had just signed a lease for a new apartment when I had to provide my first month's rent ($750). The managers had a policy that the first month's rent had to be in form of money order only to prevent fraud. I went to the local Bank of America branch and got a single money order for the full amount without any event.

The problem arose the next day when I was checking my account online. I saw that BoA had charged me TWICE for the same exact amount of the money order. So now I was in the hole for $1,500 instead of $750. The charges were each just labeled as "transaction". I suddenly started to get a headache.

I dialed the customer service number and was on hold maybe 5 minutes before I was connected to CSR Mark. I calmly explained to him the situation, and that I had in fact only ordered one money order. He was very polite and asked me to hold so he could talk to his supervisor. After 5 minutes he came back and told me that he saw the error and
would reverse all charges. My online balance reflected the changes 20 minutes later.

I was really impressed about how painless the whole situation was, especially after hearing all the various CSR horror stories. My ordeal lasted less than 20 minutes and I actually felt like a valued customer. Just wanted to let people know there is some hope for a somewhat pleasant banking experience. Cheers.

And right about then was when we'd imagine Nathaniel dug through his pant pockets checking to see if he indeed had actually received a second money order, which would have covered the next month's rent for free.

(Photo: taberandrew)

ASCAP Wants Royalties On Ringtones [Copyright]

Chris Walters — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:37:02 EDT

Not content to let the RIAA get all the recent publicity for stupid lawsuits, ASCAP has sued AT&T over sales of ringtones, saying each time a ringtone plays it's a public performance and royalties should be paid. Luckily (?) for consumers, ASCAP wants AT&T, not individuals, to pay—although we wonder what they'll say when you take a track from your own library and make a ringtone out of it.

"Group Sues AT&T Over Ringtones Heard In Public" [MocoNews]
(Photo: Ewan-M)

Court Shanks Spammers With $3.7 Million Decision [Busted]

Phil Villarreal — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:30:40 EDT

These are already times for spammers,and it looks like things are getting even tougher, since a U.S. district court has ordered an international spam ring to cough up $3.7 million for filling your inbox with annoying messages, violating the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003.

The FTC does some well-earned bragging on its site about the court decision, on a 2007 case against spammers from Canada and St. Kitts.

The FTC charged that the operation used spammers to drive traffic to Web sites selling an extract of the hoodia gordonii plant it claimed would cause significant weight loss, and a "natural human growth hormone enhancer" it claimed would reverse the aging process. The FTC alleged that these claims were false or unsubstantiated, and charged the defendants with deceptive advertising in violation of federal law. It also alleged that the spammers sent e-mail that contained false "from" addresses and deceptive subject lines, and that they failed to provide a required opt-out link or physical postal address.

A disappointment to everyone out there who secretly hoped a spam-inspired diet would trim your flab. In the end, the only thing the spam artists knew how to slim down was its own bankroll.

Court Orders Spammers to Give Up $3.7 Million [Federal Trade Commission] (Thanks, Brett!)
(Photo: O Pish Posh)

Program Gives You Green For Being Green [It's Actually Pretty Easy To Be Green]

Phil Villarreal — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:15:46 EDT

A free service that lets you earn cash for trimming your energy use, My Emissions Exchange tracks your eco-friendly ways, turn your actions into carbon credits and sell them online to companies looking to pay to pollute.

The Daily Green has a detailed post on the program:

To get started, you create a personal profile with usage data from your utility bills over the last year at My Emissions Exchange. Then, you reduce your energy consumption. My Emissions Exchange certifies your personal carbon credits, and sells them for you in the global voluntary carbon market.

The carbon credits are equal to a one-ton reduction in carbon emission, and are currently trading between $10 and $25, according to the site.

The story goes on to say if you do some simple things such as replacing your lightbulbs or raise your thermostat, you should be able to rack up your first credits in a three months or less.

Earn Cash for Cutting Carbon [The Daily Green]
(Photo: afagen)

Morning Deals [Sales]

Chris Walters — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:03:15 EDT

Banana Republic: [Apparel] New Banana Republic Coupon Code Extra 15% Off Sale + Free Shipping $100+
Nabisco World: [Grocery] $55 in Kraft Coupons and Free Calendar with sign-up

Highlights From Buxr

Home Depot: [Fan] Lasko 20" Box Fan for $14.99 w/ Free shipping
National Parks Service: [Park] Two Free Admission Weekends to 100 National Parks
New Egg: [Game] 150 PC Games for $10 or Less + Free Shipping

Highlights From Dealhack

Reebok: [Sports] Save Extra 15% off Footwear, Apparel, & Accessories Store-Wide
Meritline: [Optics] 8x21 Compact Sport Binoculars $7 Shipped
Newegg: [LCD] Asus 23-inch 1080p LCD Monitor $160 + Free Shipping

Highlights From Dealnews

WilsonsLeather: [Clothing & Accessories] 20% off + free shipping at Wilson's Leather: Wallets from $5, more
Puma: [Clothing & Accessories] Puma Semi-Annual Sale: 20% to 40% off + extra 25% off
The Children's Place: [Children's Apparel] The Children's Place Monster Sale: Up to 80% off + extra 10% off

Highlights From Techbargains

Dell Small Business: [LCD Monitor] Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP 24 inch Widescreen LCD Monitor $395.10 Free Shipping
Dell Small Business: [Pico Projector] Dell M109S DLP Mini Projector (G101H) LED .8lbs 34 Watts $299 Free Shipping
Lucky Brand Jeans: [Apparel] Lucky Brand Jeans Coupon Code Free Shipping +50-75% Off Select Items

Morning Deals are purely an informational service for the readers. Consumerist receives nothing in exchange for their posting.
If you have a tip for Morning Deals, send it to tips@consumerist.com, and be sure to put "morning deals" in the subject line.

Celebrate The Freedom Of Free Sega iPhone Games This Weekend [Free Stuff]

Phil Villarreal — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:00:20 EDT

Yet another reason to deepen my jealousy of everyone who has an iPhone. Sega is offering a free Independence Day-celebrating download of the puzzle game Columns Deluxe today through Sunday. The download also comes with the lesser-known Puyo POP.

Verizon customers like myself will have to make do with our smug satisfaction that nothing is really free when it comes to the iPhone, what with the ludicrously priced data plans.

Celebrate July 4th with a free iPhone version of Columns! [Destructoid]
(Photo: afagen)

Benefit Hopes You Buy More Of Their Defectively Packaged Product [Cosmetics]

Laura Northrup — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:30:03 EDT

Brianna has never been much for high-end makeup, but she bought a bottle of Benefit's Benetint blush/lip tint at Sephora and brought it with her on a business trip. The cap broke, and she had to dispose of the entire bottle. Benefit's response, paraphrased: "That sucks. We hope you buy more of our products!"

At $28, Benetint isn't cheap, and Briana had to throw the whole thing away. Disappointed, she e-mailed the company:

I've never been much a makeup girl. If I bought makeup, it was from the drugstore. On sale.

Last Christmas, while buying something from Sephora for my sister, I decided to try some Benetint as I'd always heard good things about it. I love the product. It looks natural and really makes me look more energized. I became a girl who puts on makeup (even if it's just blush) every morning.

I have been severely disappointed by the packaging, however. Within days, all of the lettering rubbed off of the bottle, which I thought was kind of ugly. Then recently, while screwing on the lid, it cracked. I could no longer seal the bottle completely. I travel regularly for business, and as this happened on one of my trips, I had to throw the bottle away. Not being able to take it while traveling means the product is much less useful for me. I'm disappointed and will have to consider this when I think about whether or not it's worth investing in more expensive makeup if the packaging isn't durable.

Thanks
Brianna

Benefit responded, and the e-mail made it quite clear that the customer service rep didn't even read past the first paragraph of Brianna's e-mail. It contained instructions for returning defective products purchased on Benefit's own Web site. Not only did Brianna not purchase the product from their Web site, she no longer had the bottle in hand to return it.

She wrote back to express her disappointment in Benefit's response.

Thanks for your prompt reply to my previous inquiry (copied below). Given the contents of your note, I fail to believe that you even read what I wrote. After packaging from one of your products failed, I was forced to dispose of my Benetint. Hence, I cannot return it to you. Given the service I have received from your company, I plan to go elsewhere for my cosmetic needs.

Best,
Brianna

This got Benefit's attention. Sort of. They e-mailed her back, but weren't able to actually, you know, help her.

Hello Brianna,

Thank you for writing to us at Benefit Cosmetics.

You have our sincere apologies for the previous response you received from us. The problem with the benetint cap breaking is known to us, and we are sorry it happened to you. We have forwarded your comments to the appropriate department for consideration.

One of our aims at Benefit Cosmetics is to provide convenient and efficient service; in this case, we have not met that standard.

We're sorry that we weren't able to fulfill these expectations of this level of service. We hope that you will give us another opportunity to prove the quality of our service to you.

Laughter is the best cosmetic, so grin and wear it.

Angelica G.
Benefit Cosmetics Customer Service

So they know about the problem, will perhaps consider changing the packaging someday, and hope that she will give them another chance. Um, no.

I would suggest contacting Sephora, the retailer where Brianna bought the original bottle. As a company trying to sell high-end cosmetics in a recession, they would probably be delighted to know that one of their vendors is selling a defective product and is in no hurry to change the packaging.

Blue Redbox Experiencing A Severe Identity Crisis [Branding Fail]

Laura Northrup — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:00:07 EDT

Chris spotted this ~~Blue~~ Redbox at a Wal-Mart. Poor, confused box.