Shopping & Services

Top 10 consumer complaints

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Wednesday, August 1st, 2012, 2:02pm

(WMC-TV) - Cars, credit and construction top the list of the industries most consumers can't stand, according to a survey by the Consumer Federation of America and the North American Consumer Protection Investigators.

The organizations surveyed 38 state consumer protection agencies about "...the most common, fastest-growing and worst complaints they received in 2011."

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10 commandments of cell phone use

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Wednesday, July 25th, 2012, 10:41am

(WMC-TV) - I can help you if you're looking to rocket to the top of your little world's 'public enemy' list.

Just leave your cell phone's ringer on at church, in a movie theater or during a company meeting. That'll work.

Actually, don't do that.

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How to spot fake coupons

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Monday, July 16th, 2012, 11:42am

(WMC-TV) - >$5.

It could be the official logo of coupon fraud.

Josh Elledge, founder of SavingsAngel.com and CouponIntegrity.com, said any coupon offering more than $5 off the retail price needs a second look. Elledge said that's one of the signs of a counterfeit coupon.

Other signs:

* COUPONS FOR SALE ON EBAY. Elledge said they claim you are only paying for shipping or postage, but he said you are most likely bidding on counterfeits.

* COUPONS DISTRIBUTED AS PDF (ADOBE ACROBAT) FILES VIA E-MAIL.

* LONG EXPIRATION DATES. There are legitimate coupons out there that have no expiration dates, but you must confirm they are the actual manufacturers' coupons. Elledge said the typical life of a coupon's expiration is three months.

* VALUE INCONSISTENCIES.

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Wallet stolen? Do this now!

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Tuesday, July 10th, 2012, 4:14pm

(WMC-TV) - I can't emphasize enough how consumers should consider exclusively using credit cards to buy stuff, then pay off the balances immediately.

Under federal law, you're never liable for more than $50 of any disputed charge on your credit card. Most card-issuers offer zero liability now to attract customers. You can't count on that kind of protection if your debit card or cash is stolen.

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Scam on Facebook steals debit card numbers

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Wednesday, June 20th, 2012, 3:15pm

Scam on Facebook steals debit card numbers

(WMC-TV) - My good friends at the Better Business Bureau and FraudAvengers are begging you. They're pleading with you.

Don't fall for a debit card discount offer on Facebook.

Both watchdog groups have warned us about an unsolicited offer on Facebook pages. The offer: 20 percent cash back if people link their debit cards to their Facebook pages.

I know, I know. Sounds insane, right?

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Filing a consumer complaint the "wise" way

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Wednesday, June 6th, 2012, 2:56pm

(WMC-TV) - I'm the court of last resort.

If you have a consumer complaint, you should be coming to me last. So many viewers with consumer issues hit me up first without nary a phone call to the business or service provider.

Sometimes, a phone call is all it takes.

Other times, it takes a checklist.

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Local salons battle in "hair wars" for a good cause

Submitted by Danielle Wilburn on Tuesday, May 29th, 2:31 pm

(WMC-TV) – Is your salon “pet friendly?” Salons across Memphis will compete in a competition to see which business is pet friendly and who can raise the most money for a good cause.

Mid-South Spay and Neuter Services is raising funds for its non-profit clinic with a “hair ware” promotion for local hair salons.

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