Shopping & Services

Getting out of your cell phone contract

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

Monday, October 24th, 2011, 1:47pm

Before I share this information, let me say I'm big into honoring contracts.

I'm big into both the company and the consumer honoring a contract. Two-way street, my friend.

A smart phone upgrade, like the release of the iPhone 4S, is not a legitimate excuse for breaking a cell phone contract.

However, USell.com (www.usell.com), a site that enables consumers to sell their gadgets for cash or trade-in value, offered these suggestions for getting out of a cell phone contract:

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Bridal show headed to Cook Convention Center

Submitted by Chris Payne on Monday, October 17th, 3:52 pm

Everything Bridal, is hosting a bridal event at the Memphis Cook Convention Center on Sunday, October 23.

The event will be unlike any other Mid-South bridal show featuring Memphis’ best exhibitors in the wedding industry and interactive showcases like a wedding cake design competition.

This event is sure to amaze you with stunning displays flaunting the latest and most impressive trends. Brides, grooms and entire bridal parties are invited to attend this event at the Cook Convention Center from 12 p.m. until 5p.m. Tickets can be purchased on-line for $12 at www.everythingbridal.eventbrite.com or on site at the show for $15.

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Free document shredding Oct. 22

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

Monday, October 17th, 2011, 10:30am

It's time again to haul out your dated tax records, investment documents and card receipts and get them shredded for free.

The Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South, in conjunction with Cintas Document Management and 911cellphonebank.org, will hold its Secure Your ID Day Saturday, October 22, 9 a.m. to noon, on the University of Memphis parking lot at Poplar Avenue and Conlee Place, just east of Highland.

"Bring up to ten boxes or bags of documents to be shredded," said Susan Harris, spokesperson for the BBB, "and take home the tips and resources you need to help protect yourself from identity theft."

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5 ways to shop smarter

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

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011, 12:01pm

Smart sites, smart phones and smart choices support Consumer Reports' ShopSmart ;) magazine's latest tricks to scoring the best values.

Led by Editor In Chief Lisa Lee Freeman, the magazine's editors suggested these five ways to "shop smarter" in its October issue:

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Fall children's clothing sale this weekend

Submitted by Tammy Phillips on Thursday, August 25th, 11:16 am

Parents will find big deals on gently used children's clothing and other items this weekend at the Highland Children's Clothing Sale. The sale offers boys and girls dress clothes, play clothes, pajamas, coats and jackets. The clothes are offered at 1/3 to 1/4 the item's original price. This year's sale will include items from Baby Gap, Gymboree and other name brand stores. You can even find smocked dresses for less than $15.

Parents will also be able to purchase nursery furniture, strollers, high chairs, baby swings and toys. Sale organizers only accept items in great condition, so the deals are there for the taking.

The sale takes place inside the Highland Church of Christ at 400 North Houston Levee Road. Doors opens to the public Friday, August 26th from 9am-6pm. Parking is free.

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Beware retail credit card offers during sales tax holiday

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

Thursday, August 4th, 2011, 12:31pm

Go ahead! Save a bundle this weekend on clothes, school supplies and computers when Tennessee drops its sales tax on those items from August 5 through August 7.

But Thomas Nitzsche of ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions warned shoppers should shy away from that smiling retail employee who approaches you with a clipboard, offering the store's credit card with discounts for signing up.

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To keep or kill, your landline phone

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

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011, 1:52pm

The landline phone just made the same list as the Trout Cod, the Maccoa Duck and the Altai Weasel.

The endangered species list.

In the age of unlimited long distance, texting and messaging cell plans, the landline's on life support.

Yet Josh Elledge, Chief Executive "Angel" of SavingsAngel.com, said there's an argument for keeping your landline. Actually, four:

* GREATER RELIABILITY. "Particularly if your cell phone doesn’t get great coverage at home," said Elledge. "The argument can be made for either side regarding reliability in a power outage. Personally, my home phones are cordless - so a power outage would leave me unable to use them unless plugged into to a generator - or battery backup. Still, many people believe that non-powered landline phones are the most reliable method of phone communication."

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