Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Consumer News, Tips & Updates

Blogs

Consumer Smarts
By the P-I's Phuong Cat Le
· Court says AT&T can't force arbitration
· To reach a live person, press ...
· Homeowners sue Countrywide

Secret Ingredients
On food safety and public health by the P-I's Andrew Schneider
· Industry wins. Country of origin must now be listed on food labels, but the new law is riddled with dangerous loopholes.
· A federal court ruled against a city for using an untested procedure for removing asbestos. EPA wants to use it nationwide.
· After 19 years of trying, another effort to ban asbestos has surfaced in the House. Keep your fingers crossed.

From the Blogosphere

All Consuming
From the Washington State Office of the Attorney General
· National AGs release Top 10 Consumer Complaints for 2007
· Answers to questions about a foreclosure rescue scam mailing

Consumer Reports Shopping Blog
· Please visit the Consumer Reports Money & Shopping Blog!
· Drink a toast to good value

The Consumerist
Shoppers bite back
· New Amazon Coupon Codes For October [Amazon]
· Ringtone Scam Class Action Settlement Announced [Class Actions]

KOMO consumer news
· Most reliable fingerprint-scan locks
· Gasoline not the only rising cost for drivers

Recalls

FDA
Recalls, market withdrawals and safety alerts
· FDA Detects Melamine Contamination in Flavored Drink
· McCormick and Company Has Recalled McCormick Enchilada Sauce Mix Due To Unlabeled Milk Ingredients (September 30)

Product recalls
From the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
· John Jaques & Son Recalls Lawn Dart Games Due to Risk of Puncture
· Viessmann U.S. Recalls Boilers Due to Fire Hazard

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2008
Energy tax credit extension included
Northwestern businesses trying to build the market for solar, wind and other renewable forms of energy were relieved that the bailout package included an extension of tax credits considered important to the continued growth of their industry.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2008
Inability to sanitize live carp ends fishy foot treatments
For the past three weeks, scores of customers descended upon a nail salon in Kent. They came to Peridot Nail Salon and parted with $30, so that for 15 minutes, tiny fish could nibble the dead skin off their feet.

Lawsuit against Extendicare grows
A lawsuit against a company that owns 15 nursing homes in Washington was updated this week to include new allegations that the homes admitted residents with disregard to meeting their needs in order to boost profits.

Best Bites: Mee Sum Pastry
Try a castlelike mooncake at this bigger branch of Mee Sum Pastry.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2008
The credit crisis also drives down auto sales
NEW YORK -- Dismal September auto sales may be one of the clearest signs yet that faltering consumer confidence and tighter credit are squeezing consumer spending.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2008
Consumer confidence near its lowest level since 1992
NEW YORK -- With the holiday shopping season about to start, consumer confidence is hovering near the lowest it's been since President Bush's father was in office. It may dip further as Americans open their 401(k) statements and see how much they've lost in the past few weeks.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2008
Don't let condo dues catch you by surprise
With so many new condominium buildings in the Seattle area, buyers must be diligent in checking that initial dues for a new building realistically support promised services and ensuring they understand residents' obligations.

Cell provider accused of excessive fees for study-abroad students
Some customers are suing Seattle-based Pic-Cell, saying the company charged excessive roaming chargesand invisible fees.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2008
Cracking the code of food labels
You often see "high in ..." or "low in ..." on food packages. But do you know how high is "high" or how low is "low"?

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2008
Farmers markets say goodbye with chef demos
The next week is your last chance to visit several local farmers markets.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2008
WaMu customers getting jittery; some close accounts
Some Washington Mutual customers closed accounts Wednesday, not caring that they were federally insured, a reflection of the anxiety surging among some of the bank's millions of customers over its downward spiral.

Q&A: Here's what the experts are saying
The Seattle P-I talked to local economists and financial experts about what consumers should -- and shouldn't -- do as the WaMu drama unfolds.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2008
Consumer prices dip in August
U.S. consumer prices fell in August for the first time in almost two years as fuel costs declined from record levels. Seattle-area consumers got a break, too.

Charge filed in fatal Puyallup hit-run
TACOMA -- Pierce County prosecutors have filed charges against the man accused in the hit-run accident that killed a bicyclist in Puyallup.

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