New Look
Well, how do you like it? I've just about completed making it work. One major remaining task is re-linking the posts. Hopefully I'll get to that soon.
If you encounter any problems with the new layout, please, let me know!
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Well, how do you like it? I've just about completed making it work. One major remaining task is re-linking the posts. Hopefully I'll get to that soon.
If you encounter any problems with the new layout, please, let me know!
Earlier today I received an email from buy.com that, "We are writing to let you know that we are experiencing a delay in being able to fulfill one or more items on your order #24365035. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause you." (Item #24365035 is the KWORLD Video Magician.) I then waited for the cancellation email.
It didn't take long, and the cool thing is they included a $10 GC for a future purchase!
Buy.com had the KWORLD Video Magician for $109.99 with two MIRs ($70 & $45). I added in their 10% coupon, taking another $11 off the price for a net cost of -$16!
There was only one problem - both rebates were from the manufacturer, and both required the original UPC. Shortly after ordering the item went to a "Currently Unavailable: This item is currently unavailable from the Manufacturer." status, where it has remained. We'll see what happens.
YUCS updated MT, the blogging software we use, which means I have to set up a new template and update a whole bunch of links. You'd think that the developers of MT would have taken these types of things into account, but apparently they didn't. Hopefully I'll complete the transition in the next few days. In the meantime, please bear with me.
Organic material biodegrades, technology simply turns into trash. Take, for example, my Rayovac Renewal PS1 charger, which I got (for free) in 1997. Today, it's useless, and worth just as much. Into the trash it goes!
Printable coupon (expires 10/15/05): 20% off any one clothing or shoe item
Excludes diapers, formula, video games and ?R?US Gift Cards. Not valid at Babies?R?Us or online. Limit one per customer. In the event of a return of any item purchased using this coupon, the savings value shall be forfeited on any refunded amount. Can be used in conjunction with a manufacturer coupon, except online.We reserve the right to cancel any order due to unauthorized, altered or ineligible use of a discount. Not valid with any other "R"Us offer for same item, on prior purchases or for the purchase of "R" US Gift Cards.
The NY Times Magazine had an article that featured FW. See below for full text of Collective Bargain Hunting.
Collective Bargain Hunting
By Rob Walker
Published: September 18, 2005
FatWallet.com
Consumers have always skirmished with the retailers and producers they buy from. In the late 1940's, shoppers opposed to the rising cost of meat used technology to spread their protest message. A temporary boycott apparently started by one woman in Dallas led to a " 'chain reaction' by telephone," according to an article at the time, with each participant pledging to make 10 calls to spread the word. Other reports found the boycott "growing like a snowball" to more than 40 cities in a few weeks. "Buyer Resistance Cuts Meat Sales Throughout Nation," said the headline in The New York Times on Aug. 15, 1948.
Nearly a half-century later, consumers still make the most of technology to battle high prices. One example of what has changed, and what hasn't, is the Web site FatWallet.com. Founded in 1999 as a hobby by a Web developer named Tim Storm, it now has 370,000 registered users and about 30 employees. FatWallet performs three functions. As an "affiliate" of various online retailers (including Staples, Dell and Target), it earns a small commission on sales it makes through its site, which it splits with its users in a "cash back" program. It also has an area where online coupons and special sales are announced. But the most interesting - and potentially subversive - thing is the forums section. There, consumers themselves have tracked down bargains and decided to share them with others. Some of these users are definitely "deal-hunting addicts," Storm says, and their forum interactions are "the heartbeat of the site."
This summer, for instance, a FatWallet user called dogpurple posted a notice titled "FREE OfficeMax $10 gift card from D.H.L.," including a link to a D.H.L. customer survey. Scores of responses followed, and while D.H.L., the shipping company, evidently wanted "to better understand what you're looking for in an importing partner," as one post put it, the FatWallet crowd had a different agenda. In the words of one user, "45 seconds for $10 - wish I could get a full-time job that paid this well." One busy survey taker claimed to have amassed 55 gift cards - and a dirty look from the D.H.L. driver who delivered them. This was followed by a brief and ultimately inconclusive ethical debate.
Many posts on the site involve straightforward notices of free samples or discounts, but at least some businesses are deciding that deal addicts are a problem. The most famous example is Best Buy, which booted FatWallet.com from its affiliate program last year as part of a larger effort to identify, and get rid of, its least profitable customers, at least some of whom seem to be the sort who use sites like FatWallet, SlickDeals.net and others. Best Buy's dump-the-bargain-hunters campaign has been shaped by the thinking of Larry Selden, a Columbia University business professor and an author of "Angel Customers and Demon Customers." Storm, of course, does not think his FatWallet users are demons. He argues that all his site does is amplify the deals offered by the merchants themselves, and that for the most part those merchants are rewarded by "real consumer traffic." Storm also points out that FatWallet played a role in exposing a scam artist who was later convicted of fraud.
But for the most part, FatWallet users seem focused on bargains and prices. The meat strikers of the 1940's were focused on prices, too, but the difference may be that the prevailing idea of consumers (and how they think of themselves) has evolved, a shift that is explored in the book "A Consumers' Republic," by Lizabeth Cohen, a Harvard history professor. At times, a kind of "citizen consumer" notion has been dominant - the meat strikes are one example. But at other times - and particularly now - a "consumers' republic" idea has dominated, stressing the economic importance of stimulating consumers, not protecting them.
Shoppers still battle corporate sellers for the upper hand, but the users of the deal-hunt sites seem closer to guerrilla-strike consumeristas than an organized force trying to change a system for the betterment of all. Basically, Cohen says, we live in a different era, and the guiding question is not "Is everyone being treated fairly?" but rather "Am I getting the best deal?"
Canon has been offering a $70 rebate on the purchase of their Pixma series of printers throughout the summer (through 9/30/05). A number of retailers have carried the lower end (but still great) IP3000 at prices at or below $70, essentially making it FAR, provided you've bought a Canon digital camera, digital video camera, or any brand computer during this same period.
I took advantage of this offer several months ago, but I neglected to post it. (I did, however, post info on hacking it for CD printing purposes.) The printer sat around in my home for a while until a neighbor needed to print a picture in a hurry. They liked the quality (and price) enough that they wanted one. The best deal available as of last week, when I ordered, was $69.99 + shipping, which ended up coming to $11.42 AR.
The following health alert from the FDA dated September 14, 2005.
Sara Lee Food & Beverage is voluntarily recalling as a precaution artisan breads, bagels, English muffins, garlic bread and pita bread produced at the company's Vernon, Calif., bakery and sold at grocery retailers or distributed to institutional customers in AZ, CA, HI and NV because they may contain metal and plastic.
Rewind a few years, and you'd find us buying a wall-mount spice rack at Bed Bath & Beyond. Fast forward back to present day, and you'd find us looking for another. BBB doesn't carry it anymore, even on their website. I tried once searching online, to no avail. I recently tried again, and had success! I found it at Stacks and Stacks (Item #10564) for $19.99 + $6.99 shipping. Having received it, I can give you a little more information. It's made by Spectrum, is officially called the Scroll Spice Rack-Black, and is available semi-directly from the manufacturer at Kitchen-Plus (Item #43710) for $19.99 + UPS shipping (free for orders over $30). The UPC is 010591437109.
In several of the recent computers I've looked at (because they "weren't working"), the culprit seemed to be the power supply unit (PSU). However, I lacked a methodology to test/confirm my theory. However, I recently came across a handy page that gives fairly detailed instructions on just this task.
For a public tranportation based version of MapQuest style technology, try HopStop. You can specify bus, subway, or both!
Our promise to you:
Staples has your ink or toner cartridge, guaranteed! If we're ever out of the inkjet or toner cartridge you need,* we'll get you one fast with free delivery and $10 off your next purchase of that cartridge. Or use the $10 toward a compatible or remanufactured inkjet or toner cartridge immediately.
Look for the ink symbol throughout the site for cartridges that we promise to have in stock for fast delivery. This guarantee applies to regular in-store selection or as indicated by the ink symbol in our catalogs or on this site.
What if it says "Out of Stock"?
Simply call 1-800-333-3330 and a customer service representative will take care of everything for you.
So, someone on FW posted a particular item (610341) that was OOS. I figured why not test out Staples policy, and get a free $10 coupon while I was at it. I called, and they claimed they're not carrying that item anymore. What a bunch of boloney! I told them off, and the CSR put me on hold, came back with authorization to send me a $10 off coupon.
What better way than to ask for one?
To: Community Singles Email-List
From: #####@aol.com
Subject: We need a man ASAP!
It may have been curiosity, or perhaps just bad luck, but the truth is, we don't care which one it was. We need a BRAVE soul to remove a dead cat that showed up on our front lawn. Please, please please...we'll even treat you to a pie of pizza (after you wash your hands).
All you'd need to do (according to NYC laws of sanitation) is bring your own shovel and put it in a garbage bag labeled "Dead Animal." We'll supply the bag (and the high-pitched shrieks).
Please email me back or call ##### at 718-###-####.
Sincerely,
4 single girls and one dead cat.
Received my $30 Amazon GC on 8/30, 5 days late. It says it expires on 9/25, one day early according to the original rules, but also 5 days early according to the rule that said "you will have 30 days to apply it toward a purchase." Might be worth a complaint.
$1 Scoop Tuesdays
You deserve a treat -- even in the middle of the week! For a limited time, you can get a 4 oz. ice cream scoop from Baskin-Robbins for just $1 every Tuesday from 6pm to 10pm. Try a different flavor every week!
Find A Store Near You
Valid at participating U.S. stores only. Sales Tax may be additional. Limited time offer.
Free ice cream for all ages!
Have you joined the Birthday Club yet? Join now and get a Free 2.5 oz. scoop of ice cream on your birthday. How's that for a sweet deal?
Join the Birthday Club
Offer valid at participating stores within the continental United States only.
As some of you may recall, I used to have a FatWallach logo on this site, basically, a modified version of the FatWallet logo. Tim, head of FW, recently contacted me:
Hi David -Thanks for supporting FatWallet!
I do have a request - It was pointed out to me that your site "http://blogs.yucs.org/~dwallach/" has a couple "stylized" versions of our FatWallet logo.
The usual lawyer thing to do is to send a nastygram, but I thought a simple request to remove the graphics that create a "likelyhood of confusion" from your site.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation! It is appreciated!
Tim
My response:
I'm proud of my involvement in FW, as can be seen by my contributions to the FW forum.How about adding a "this site is not affiliated with FW" note below them.
-David
Tim's response:
The problem is that our trademarks are important to us, as they are the only connection we have to the trust we build with our users.United States law states that we have to defend our trademarks, or we run the risk of dillution, or in other words, losing the rights to our own trademarks.
I am trying to handle this in the best way I know how - If you weren't a "friend of fatwallet", the message would likely have come across much differently.
Thanks again for your help in resolving this.
Tim
Now the logos have been removed.