The article discusses best practices and common mistakes in recycling old gadgets, emphasizing the importance of proper disposal to promote sustainability and avoid environmental harm.
BuzzFeed Shopping highlights 38 affordable products from 'Shark Tank' that consumers genuinely swear by, emphasizing honest reviews and practical value for diverse needs.
Retailers are increasingly charging restocking fees for holiday gift returns, with 72% of merchants implementing such fees this year, up from 66% last year, prompting shoppers to be aware of policies, keep receipts, and return items promptly to avoid extra costs.
Personalized pricing, driven by AI, is spreading across industries, allowing companies to charge different prices based on individual data. Consumers can counteract this by using cash, clearing online caches, disabling location services, and delaying purchases to avoid targeted pricing. The article warns about the lack of transparency and fairness in AI-driven pricing models and emphasizes the importance of understanding how prices are set.
Due to ongoing tariff increases affecting imported goods, consumers are advised to purchase high-cost items like tech, appliances, clothing, and groceries before prices rise further. Experts recommend buying essentials and popular products now, as supply shortages and additional tariffs could lead to significant price hikes across various categories. Retailers and brands are already raising prices, and shoppers can save by buying in advance, opting for store brands, and using cashback and loyalty programs.
The author shares her experience of successfully negotiating and managing her cable and internet bills by regularly calling her provider, Optimum, to renew discounts and credits, and exploring streaming alternatives, ultimately keeping her costs close to her desired budget despite annual price increases.
With the Super Bowl approaching, major discounts on televisions are available through Presidents Day, with savings on slightly older models and price tracking tools like Honey and CamelCamelCamel. Brands like Sony and Samsung offer comparison charts to aid decision-making, and current deals include savings of up to $3,000 on TVs of various sizes. For consumer questions, email Jeff Rossen at [email protected].
With the Super Bowl approaching, major discounts on televisions are available through Presidents Day, with the best deals on slightly older models. Consumers are advised to avoid unnecessary features and gadgets, and to check manufacturer websites for guidance. Price tracking tools like Honey and CamelCamelCamel can help ensure the best deal. Notable deals include LG 48-Inch A2 for $599, Insignia 55-Inch Class F30 for $249, TCL 65-Inch Class 85 for $399, Hisense 75-Inch Class A6 for $498, and Sony 77-Inch Class BRAVIA XR A80L 4K for $2,698. For consumer questions, email Jeff Rossen at [email protected].
With the Super Bowl approaching, major discounts on televisions are available through Presidents Day, with the best deals on slightly older models. Consumers are advised to avoid unnecessary features and gadgets, and to check manufacturer websites for guidance. Price tracking tools like Honey and CamelCamelCamel can help ensure the best deal. Notable deals include LG 48-Inch A2 for $599, Insignia 55-Inch Class F30 for $249, TCL 65-Inch Class 85 for $399, and Hisense 75-Inch Class A6 for $498. For consumer questions, email Jeff Rossen at [email protected].
With the Super Bowl approaching, major discounts on televisions are available through Presidents Day, with savings on slightly older models and the advice to avoid unnecessary features. Price comparison charts and alerts can help track the best deals, and current offers include significant savings on various TV models from different brands. For consumer questions, Jeff Rossen is answering them every Friday in the new segment "Rossen Responds."
Many Americans have unused gift cards worth $23 billion, with an average value of $187 per person, and there are websites where consumers can sell them for cash. Recipients are often inclined to spend more than the card's value, driving additional sales for retailers. Consumers should be cautious when selling or buying gift cards online, and some states have laws requiring retailers to pay cash back for partially used cards.
Consumer Reports provides tips for navigating post-holiday returns, refunds, and exchanges. It is important to check the return policy before purchasing gifts, as many retailers extend the window for returns until the end of January. Some stores, like Walmart and Target, have specific return deadlines for certain items. To avoid restocking fees, do not remove tags or rip the packaging. For online purchases, consider making returns in-person at physical stores to avoid shipping and restocking fees. Keep gift receipts for easy returns or store credit. Gift cards should not go unused, as they typically do not expire for at least five years from activation. Consider re-gifting or donating unused gift cards.
More retailers are implementing return fees this year, with about 40% of online and brick-and-mortar stores charging fees compared to 31% last year. To minimize or avoid these fees, experts recommend reviewing return policies in advance, joining retailer or brand loyalty programs for perks like free returns, taking items to the store for in-person returns, researching items before purchasing to reduce the need for returns, budgeting for return fees, and considering selling or regifting unwanted items instead of returning them.
Black Friday deals are changing as more stores offer discounts earlier and online, making it less necessary to rush to stores for the best deals. While Black Friday can offer good discounts on items like apparel, appliances, computers, sporting goods, furniture, and televisions, it may not always provide the best deal. Research shows that many deals are cheaper or available at other times of the year. It's important to track prices over time for big-ticket items like electronics and consider waiting for better discounts. However, Black Friday can be a good opportunity to save money on specific items, take advantage of bundled deals, and ensure item availability. To make the most of Black Friday, it's recommended to go in with a plan, stick to a budget, compare deals across different stores, and consider buying used products for additional savings.
Rossen Reports from the past week cover hot holiday gifts that won't disappoint, a trick to keep fruits and vegetables fresh for longer, Uber Eats' most popular and weirdest food orders, what will be open and closed on Thanksgiving, and year-end tax moves to put more money in your pocket, including donating to charity for tax deductions.