WFTV Florida reports that an angry woman is accused of setting a Walgreens on fire. One moment…she was angry about receiving incorrect change, and the next, she was going up and down the aisles lighting things on fire with a lit cigarette. In the Walgreens TV commercials, they recount the story of the town of…
Another bit of advice from the Consumerist, on how to get satisfaction. Ask for what you want really nicely. Hone in on solutions, not on how bad it makes you feel. Cut to the Chase…expect solutions now…not at some indefinite time in the future. Volunteer Mediators are your friend. Complain to the relevant organizations…consumer advocacy,…
We understand that it’s not unusual for passionate people to argue. However, a recent fight between Dan Gulley Jr. and David James Brooks Jr. reminds us of Henry Kissenger’s oft-quoted dictum “University politics are vicious precisely because the stakes are so small.” The men, who were friends, were at another friend’s house recently when they…
We recently decided here at Giving up The Ship to add to the focus of this blog with stories of consumers fighting against corporate illogic and insanity. In that vein, we refer you to this post from the Consumerist…their guide to fighting companies and winning. Get Screwed by a Company – It happens all the…
The title just says it all. Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, offers how-to articles on their website. Clicking through one day in search of an article on replacing a rusty fixture…there it was. Feng Shui in the Bathroom, a handy guide to those who want to increase their chi while sitting on the toilet. A few…
A Customer Service Representative at Best Buy suggested to Charles Yu that he change his name in order to join the Best Buy Reward Zone program. Reward Zone is one of those free programs that allows people to accumulate points through purchases towards rewards. However, the online sign up form would not allow him to…
The Kavalaris family gathered round the table on Christmas Day to celebrate a double-birthday…Jim, age 37, and his grandmother, age 96. The cake, purchased by Jim’s mother, was was decorated with the words, “Happy Birthday, Mom and Jim.” After the candles were blown out, Jim tried to chisel out a piece, finding it strangely hard…
In Mentor, Ohio, firefighters were surprised to discover shoppers in a Dillards South store kept buying even as thick smoke filled the store from an electrical fire. They had to block the door to prevent customers from entering. We know that Christmas sales can be cutthroat…but are people really dying for a good deal? “Daddy…
Recently, we were shopping at our local market and discovered that Barilla pasta sauce had redesigned its jar. While the new jar is rather nice, it is two ounces smaller and costs the same price. We decided to email them to see why… To: Consumer Relations Subject: Re: Barilla Pasta Sauce in Jars I am…
Mariesa Weber, a 38 year old Winn-Dixie cashier lived with her parents and her sister. Late in October, she came home, greeted her mother, went to her room, and disappeared. For 2 weeks, the family searched for her, believing she had been abducted. They distributed fliers and appealed for her return on television. All the…