Other LanguagesWednesday morning, BestBuy.com advertised a 52-inch Samsung HDTV for $9.99. Yes, you read that right – a savings of more than $1,600. Many buyers jumped online and were able to place orders, but the company announced it was a “pricing error” and cancelled sales. One Washington consumer contacted KING 5’s Jesse Jones, who asked me whether merchants are required to honor such deals ...
Are you in need of an adrenalin boost? Whatever the reason, the AG's office is here to help.
How, you ask? By offering reading material that is sure to spark your "fight or flight" response. Specifically, you should note the claims recently filed by our Consumer Protection Division against Rent-A-Center, Inc. The press release can be found here. For a more intense experience, however, you should read the sworn statements by some of the victims, which document a consistent pattern of terrorizing children, trespassing, attempted home invasion, and all-around intimidation. Rent-A-Center employees would even spread misinformation to third-parties, such as coworkers, bosses, neighbors, clients, and babysitters. In one instance, the employees would falsely claim to have a court order to gain access to a house; in another, they would pretend to call the police and tell children that Child Protective Services would come to take them away from their families.
The noted Greek author Diogenes Laertius once famously said "The foundation of every state is the education of its youth." In uncertain and perilous times like these, this quote rings especaially true. As every individual's period of youth turns into young adulthood, it is important that they have been educated on the roles of a consumer and the realities of consumer exploitation.
It's important to read the fine print when shopping for event tickets.
"Consumers didn’t realize that, in the fine print of its contract, DISH Network had given itself permission to make automatic debits or charges to their credit cards."
Last week, Rob McKenna announced a $6 million settlement with Dish Network for alleged "deceptive and unfair sales practices." You can read more here.
If you read All Consuming regularly, you’re familiar with the concept of a credit score and how it can make a difference when you need a loan, want to open a credit account or need to rent an apartment. But have you heard about your “identity score”? I hadn’t either, until I read this article by SmartMoney:
A Tacoma debt-repair company was shut down this week by the Federal Trade Commission for preying on financially strapped consumers. ... Read the full post for tips to spot a debt-repair scam and where to find legitimate help.
The telemarketers’ pitch seems innocent enough: They want you to buy trash bags, light bulbs or gift cards at jacked-up prices. They claim your cash will help the homeless or support employment for those with disabilities. But state officials and consumer advocates are warning residents not to be misled by these sales calls. Read today's consumer alert from the Washington Attorney General's Office, Secretary of State and BBB.
In today's Ask the AG column, Attorney General Rob McKenna talks about what boarded-up stores and bankruptcies mean for consumers and explains how you can avoid common pitfalls.
Share your thoughts:As a consumer, are you more careful about where and how you shop? As a business owner, what are you doing to reassure your customers that it's a good time to buy?
For Eva Buck, a single mother of twin girls, it was a stranger’s offer to help her save her family’s home from foreclosure. For small business owner Reuben Quam, it was a promise of big returns on his investment. For grandparents Howard and Barbara Rice, it was a call from a supposed relative in trouble. In every case, it was a scam.
More from our Taking Charge in Tough Times seminars ...