Blog Archives for March 2011

In case you hadn't checked your calendar today for wacky holidays, it's "World Backup Day." This is the one day of the year set aside to remind you to back up your data and make sure that if your laptop fries, you won't lose all your pictures, home movies and music files. Oh, and in case you needed a little enticement, deals and freebies abound!

Remember the old stereotype about men not wanting to stop and ask for directions (which has gone by the wayside now that many people have GPS)? That spirit of rugged individualism is alive and well when it comes to men doing their shopping. They want to be left alone in a clearly organized store and get out as fast as possible. So what's a retailer to do to entice male shoppers to stick around and spend some more money? Find out the four simple ways retailers are trying to tap into the psychology of men's shopping.

Like it has done with its mascot, Mario, Nintendo has rebooted its DS handheld multiple times. In the DS' latest incarnation, Nintendo is betting hard on 3D gaming, but is the new handheld a gimmick or is Nintendo trailblazing the future of mobile gaming? Find out in our DS gadget battle.

If you've ever looked at the customer reviews of a product before buying it, then you've also probably wondered whether the opinions expressed are even real. Truth is, some aren't, and if you want to trust what you see, you need to read our five tips for spotting the fake reviews, from consumer advocate, Mitch Lipka.

L.L. Bean is aiming to be the next Zappos, using free shipping as a customer service tool to stand out above other online apparel retailers. Will the gimmick work to draw you in?

Contrary to popular belief, a lot of lies can be found on the Internet. When we find one, we wrestle it to the ground and throw it into our Rumor Roundup, for your reading pleasure. This week's edition is like mom's pie: Full of Apple! Enjoy!

After 10 years of battling, Walmart will be facing the Supreme Court to decide the future of what could be the largest class action sex-discrimination lawsuit in our history. What does it mean for the nation's largest private employer, and what does it mean for you?

When you buy something using your credit card, a lot of activity is taking place behind the scenes, and that activity differs whether you are buying online or in a store. Which is safer? Our consumer advocate, Mitch Lipka, details one way you may be safer buying online than in a store.

Need a place to stash your iPad, but it's too big for your pocket or an armband or any other holster? This fashion need has now met the mother of invention and driven an entirely new line of tablet-friendly clothing. Here's what you need to stay on the cutting edge of mobile fashion with your iPad.

When it comes to reducing the carbon footprint in the edibles department, our Green Dad columnist is a big fan of reusable storage containers. But what are the best options that will help save your food, your health and the earth, and at the same time help you save a few bucks? He's got a list of six great choices so you can truly enjoy your leftovers.

While a great many products are made in China, some critical components for everything from laptops to cars to the iPad2 comes from the area in Northern Japan hit hardest by the disasters there. What does that mean for consumer prices in the U.S.? Here's how six different products will be affected.

If you aspire to be or are one of the 30 million people in America who play tennis, then you might have already snagged one of the stellar daily racket deals we've listed. But, while a quality racket is likely to be your single most expensive purchase, you'll still need to buy some additional gear before you can hit the courts. And with our savvy picks, you can properly prep for tennis and still save at least $46.

Last week, more than half of our readers told us they tell at customer service reps at least some of the time, so today, we offer some practical advice on how to stop the yelling and start getting what you want. Here are six ways to get what you want without flying off the handle.

The mobile Core i7 processor is Intel's top-of-the-line laptop CPU. We graphed the best deals on first-generation 16" and 17" Core i7 laptops over the past 12 months and discovered the magic price to pay.

Some people head out to drink at their local bars just for the chance to play a few arcade games, especially retro ones. But if you'd rather skip the beer and just focus on the games, you can now play at home. We tried out the new versions of Big Buck Hunter and its ilk to see if they're worth the money.

The competition is heating up for those who want to order something on line and have it in their hands a little while later, for no additional shipping fees. Walmart's new "Pick Up Today" program can have items in your car four hours after you order them online. Can it compete?

As we head into spring and the days get longer, people have more sunny hours to daydream. It just means more rumors. That's cool, we'll take all comers and shove 'em into our Rumor Roundup! Enjoy!

Thanks to local deal sites like Groupon, travelers can score great deals while on vacation. But how to sort through the seemingly endless list of copycat sites? Here's the ins and outs of the best sites, and how you can take advantage of them on your next vacation.

We've all done it at some point: Yelled at a customer service representative over the phone for bad service. Why do we do it when we know it's not good behavior? There's a lot going on in the heads of the yellers, and we got to the bottom of it.

Count up how many batteries you use in your house. Multiply that by the number you need to buy per year. Now multiply that by the cost. While your head is still spinning from the impact to your wallet, find out what our Green Dad columnist, Lou Carlozo, found out about maximizing your battery power.

Pop Tarts for 18 cents each? Raisin Bran for $1.74 a box? Too good to be true, or just the best deal on the Web? We did a little price-checking and follow-up with regular customers to see if Amazon's Subscribe and Save program gives the best prices, and is worth sticking with over time.

There were hundreds of stores selling the iPad 2 on its release day last Friday, but still thousands lined up around the country at Apple stores to get their hands on the new gadget the very first day. Why? We took our video camera to the Apple Store in SoHo, New York, to find out why people would choose to wait in line when they could order online.

The devastation in Japan has people around the world digging in to their pockets to help. We lined up our new columnist, consumer advocate Mitch Lipka, to give his best advice on donating money, from avoiding scams to how to maximize the money you give with matching donations like the one being offered by dealnews.

Anyone who's saved money buying online and avoiding sales tax should pay attention to the battle over sales taxes going on between Amazon, and other Internet-only retailers, and a dozen states around the country. The debate is getting fierce, with small businesses and your wallet caught in the crossfire.

Rumors live only a brief time upon this earth. That's why we have to put as many as we can find into our Rumor Roundup. It's our way to be sure these unsung heroes of the Internet have their day in the sun.

With St. Patrick's Day approaching, what better way to prepare than to drink all the quality beer you want without paying a huge tab? We've rounded up the best beer kits available on the Web to quench your thirst.

Luxury handbag maker Coach is faced with a lawsuit for going after eBay resellers, even when they are hawking authentic bags. How far is too far when a company is trying to protect its reputation, its copyright and its bottom line? Find out the inside story, and then tell us what you think.

As people begin lining up for the iPad 2 release on Friday, we take a look at what drives early adopters. Do they think differently than those who wait for price drops? Do they get some special benefit out of ordering up the latest gadget on the market, regardless of what it costs?

2011 is shaping up to be the year of the 4G network with practically every mobile carrier prepping its next-gen network and building an army of 4G smartphones. But how do these new phones stack up when compared? We take a quick look at some of the most anticipated 4G phones to find out.

With such great deals out there for digital SLR cameras, just about anyone can channel their inner Annie Leibovitz. While additional equipment can run the gamut in price, our list of must-have accessories keep the true cost of DSLR photography in check.

You might not have realized the last time you picked out sneakers that there's a science to how sneaker manufacturers choose the color combos. But we've got the scoop on why they match the hues the way they do.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday gave online retailers a major kick in the pants in 2010, spurring revenue growth for the first time in years. So now analysts are predicting a healthy upward curve for sales. But when will online shopping actually overtake stores? Place your bet in our poll.

While nobody likes to talk about it, we all have pest issues at some point (and we're talking about real pests, not computer viruses). If you've ever worried about spraying toxic chemicals around your house, especially where you eat, then we've got some solutions for you — some so safe you can drink them

If the intermittent appearance of the sun recently has encouraged you to buy a new pair of running shoes from one of the numerous choice sales we've listed, then congrats! You've taken the first step toward spring fitness. But, if you truly want to shake off the shackles of cold-weather apathy and get moving, you still need an extra accessory or two.

Ever wandered through a store and suddenly felt relaxed and didn't know why? It could've been the soft background music, or a lavender scent, or some other gimmick the store is employing to get you to spend more. Find out what's behind the secret efforts.

The tablet is here to stay and this afternoon Apple schooled its competition with the release of the iPad 2. Or did it? We compare the new iPad with the the Motorola Xoom to find out which tablet will reign supreme.