Consumer Corner

ORBITZ PRICE GUARANTEE

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:13:52 GMT

Under a new program, Orbitz customers who find their prepaid hotel room available for a lower price on any site, including Orbitz, can receive a refund for the difference and a $50 discount on a future hotel or vacation package booking. Plus, Orbitz will now allow customers to submit a claim right up to the time of the property's cancellation deadline.

With the hassle-free Price Assurance program, Orbitz will send a cash refund automatically if another Orbitz customer books the same prepaid hotel room for less.

Last month Travelocity unveiled a similar price guarantee measure, but their policy involves travelers who can find the same booking at a lower price up to the day before they travel. Travelocity too is offering a $50 discount, but it is only through Dec. 31.

For more details on the Orbitz plan visit: http://shrinkalink.com/33120

JIM DONOVAN ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:10:24 GMT

I am very fortunate that thousands of my loyal CBS 3 viewers visit this blog each month. I know that taking the time to log in every so often isn't top of mind. So in an effort to make things even easier on you, I invite you to join me on Facebook or Twitter.

I alert my Facebook and Twitter fans to everything that is posted on here and on my 3-On Your Side consumer page. In addition, I post photos and videos on Facebook too. Since many of you visit Facebook daily or receive Twitter alerts, it may save you a step.

If you're interested, here are the links:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Jim-Donovan-Fans/61417973828?ref=ts

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jimdonovancbs3

Again, thanks for your support!

T-MOBILE SELLS SIDEKICK AFTER MELTDOWN

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:03:57 GMT

T-Mobile is selling "Sidekick" phones again, more than a month after a server meltdown at Microsoft caused people's personal information to disappear from the phones.

Microsoft has been able to restore most of the missing data and T-Mobile has given the affected customers a one hundred dollar gift card.

VONAGE TO PAY $3 MILLION SETTLEMENT

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:10:40 GMT

Vonage, a New Jersey based company that provides internet telephone services, has agreed to pay out $3 million to resolve a multi-state consumer protection investigation. The investigation involved complaints about the marketing of Vonage services, including confusion about availability and cost, along with advertisements involving “free” services, money back guarantees and trial periods. The consumer protection agreement also addresses complaints that some consumers were prevented from cancelling their Vonage service.

Vonage has denied allegations that it violated consumer protection laws.

The agreement puts in place a broad restitution plan requiring Vonage to make refunds to eligible consumers who filed complaints regarding unauthorized charges between January 2004 and March 16, 2010. In addition to consumer refunds, the AVC requires a number of changes in Vonage marketing practices in order to avoid consumer confusion – including clear and conspicuous disclosures about “free service” promotions, money back guarantees and trial periods.

Some consumers complained that cancellation was extremely difficult or sometimes impossible. In order to prevent such cancellation problems in the future, the consumer protection agreement limits the use of paid incentives for customer service representatives who prevent a certain number of consumers from cancelling their Vonage services.

The investigation of the case was led by a seven state group, including Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin. Other states participating in this agreement include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

In our area New Jersey and Pennsylvania customers are covered by the agreement. If you have questions about whether you are entitled to a refund of any sort contact your state Attorney General office.

3-ON YOUR SIDE TOY TEST BACKGROUND

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:47:34 GMT

Ho-Ho-Ho

Nice and early this morning at 6:40 a.m. I kicked off our 6th annual 3-On Your Side Toy Test. It's a weeklong series that we air each year right before Thanksgiving and the traditional beginning of the holiday shopping season. This year 234 toys were tested over a period of two months by several dozen children at Panda Care Learning Center in Northeast Philly and Kindercare in Boothwyn. The purpose is to find the toys that children will play with time and time again as opposed to what I like to call the one-shot wonders that amuse them for a day or so and then are left in the corner to gather dust.

Our 3-On Your Side Toy Test is one of our most labor intensive projects of the year. In fact it is the largest toy test conducted by a TV station in the country. I begin working on the series in August. Yep, in the middle of 90 degree temperatures I am calling around the toy manufacturers finding out about their newest products. I invite them to send us samples of what they think will grab the kids attention. By mid-September the products arrive at our CBS 3 studios.

Both big and small manufacturers send us products. Some send dozens of toys, others send only one toy in for consideration. The nice thing about our test is that people in the toy industry know that our results aren't going to be influenced by outside forces like advertising or marketing surveys. Every toy has an equal shot at becoming one of our top toys. It all depends on what the kids like, they are my experts.

It normally takes us about a week to assemble the toys and install batteries and get them ready to be shipped out to our chosen daycare centers. I have spent many a weekend locked in our toy room cursing the way the dolls are twist-tied into their boxes and have a few scars to show after the sharp plastic packaging has sliced me a few times.

By mid-September the toys are delivered to our test centers. We rotate the centers every few years to give different children the chance to participate. Each center has a pre-school and after-school program. We drop off one sample of each toy at each location. Each day the teachers at the centers need to fill out a grading form listing the top ten toys played with each day. Each day a toy is played with and makes it on the grading form it gets one point. The toys with the highest number of points at the end of the test win. Experience has shown that usually a handful of toys get really high scores, the bulk are in the middle somewhere, and about twenty percent never even make it on the grading sheet once.

By early November the actually testing is completed. We then spend two to four days shooting interviews at the daycare centers along with video of the children playing with the toys. I then write the stories, we build all of the graphics that you see on TV, and then an editor works his/her magic in an editing booth and makes the story come to life. Each 90 second story takes about five hours to edit. This year my photographer was Terrance Brownley, my editor is Paul Fitzgerald, and the graphic artist is Adam Zipfel. With so many toys to keep track of, and lots of video to shoot and screen, they all deserve a pat on the back. I couldn't get this series on the air without them. Thanks guys!

You can see the results of this months-long project by visiting: http://cbs3.com/toytest

US AIRWAYS FREQUENT FLYER CHANGES

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:36:56 GMT

US Airways has yet again changed their mileage requirements to obtain frequent flyer tickets. They say that the new "Go Awards" will provide more flexibility and options when redeeming miles for award travel.

US Airways previously had offered two award levels: Saver and Standard. But now there will be four categories: Off-peak, Low, Medium, and High.

The minimum number of miles required for an economy-class round-trip ticket within North America will remain at 25,000. But if you book during “high” periods, the same seat will cost you 60,000 miles, up from 50,000. For travel to Europe, the minimum amount drops to 35,000 in off-peak times, but the high level goes up to 125,000 (previously 100,000).

Changes go into effect for travel beginning January 6, 2010

SUPPORT MANNA PIE IN THE SKY

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:02:39 GMT

PHILLY AREA FANS: One of the non profit groups that I support in the Philadelphia region is MANNA. MANNA provides nourishing meals to people coping with life-threatening illness like cancer and HIV/AIDS.

Each month 65,000 meals are prepared and delivered around our region. Around Thanksgiving they hold their Pie In the Sky fundraiser. For each pie sold, MANNA can provide meals for six people. I encourage you to support this worthwhile organization and order a pie for your holiday table.

You can order online and pick-up your pies at 45 locations in the area just in time for the holiday. I am the Pie in the Sky team captain here at CBS 3. You can learn more by visiting this link:

http://www.mannapies.org/mypage.cfm?ID=2315

LI HEAP ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:47:17 GMT

Do you have problems paying your heating bills in the winter? Well you may want to look into help from LIHEAP.

LIHEAP stands for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP helps low-income people pay their heating bills through energy assistance grants and crisis grants.

Cash grants are awarded based on household income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Crisis grants are provided in the event of a heating emergency, including broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced, lack of fuel, termination of utility service or danger of having service terminated.

Funds are offered first come first served, so don't wait to apply for assistance.

Applications are now being accepted by state assistance offices in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. For more information about the requirements in your state, click on the links below.

New Jersey LIHEAP:

http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/eap.html#1

Delaware LIHEAP:

http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dssc/liheap.html

Pennsylvania LIHEAP

http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/servicesprograms/liheap/

LANGHORNE HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:19:53 GMT

Langhorne’s Four Lanes End Garden Club will present their Annual Holiday House Tour and Tea on Thursday, November 19^th from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. This local event is one of the highest attended house tours in the country, attracting thousands of visitors to our area year after year. Proceeds of the event support college scholarships in environmental and agricultural majors for local students and community beautification efforts,

Four private homes will be decorated by Garden Club members and open for viewing.

There will also be decorated sites at the Richardson House (The Peace Center), Historic Langhorne Association Headquarters at the Anna Mary Williams Library and Museum, Jesse Sobe Legion Hall, and the Middletown Country Club.

This year’s event marks the 50^th Anniversary of the Holiday House Tour and will feature live demonstrations on holiday wreath making, holiday floral arrangements, new holiday gift vendors and live music at various locations.

The Country Club will be the site of the Tea and Country Store where many craft and gift items will be available for sale. The Country Club will be serving a special gourmet lunch and dinner menu available for purchase the day of the Tour.

The decorated houses are:

127 North Bellevue Ave – Theme: “A Collectable Christmas”

128 West Maple Ave: Theme: “A Victorian Christmas Party”

202 West Richardson Ave: Theme: “A Costal Christmas”

231 West Richardson Ave: Theme: “A Craftsman’s Christmas”

For more information visit: http://flegc.buxcom.net/

CHRYLSER OFFERS NOVEMBER INCENTIVES

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:22:32 GMT

If you're in the market for a new vehicle you may want to look to Chrysler. The automaker has announced a slew of new incentive programs in an effort to boost November sales.

The incentives include zero percent financing for up to 48-months on all Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep brand vehicles. Also a no-cost maintenance and service program will be offered to buyers Jeep and Chrysler brands. Buyers also can opt for $2,500 off their purchase if they don't take the no-interest financing.

Chrysler has also announced it was furthering its "Invest in America" partnership with more than 2,000 credit unions in the United States by offering preferred pricing on eligible Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram Truck
vehicles to the more than 90 million credit union members.

The incentives will be available beginning tomorrow and will run until Nov. 30.