Blog Archives for 2011

When news spread that Borders was shuttering its remaining 399 stores, opportunist shoppers likely began rubbing their hands together in eager anticipation for liquidation sales. But even though "liquidation" implies rock-bottom prices, dealnews research shows that the discounts you'll eventually see probably won't be worth your time — and in some cases, they may be higher than what Borders offered just weeks before.

Time for a new refrigerator? Think again before you buy brand-new. Many appliances are built to stand the test of time, so you can find yourself a bargain if you opt for used. Our Green Dad columnist Lou Carlozo talks to an expert and gives us eight tips on how to find a great deal on used large appliances.

Many companies are quick to respond when a customer's shopping experience goes awry, but occasionally you may encounter a particularly difficult vendor. Mitch Lipka outlines the steps you need to take to escalate your customer service complaint when you're facing a merchant that's unwilling to help.

Contrary to what a certain Muppet may tell you, sometimes being green is easy — especially if it means saving money. Eco-friendly practices don't always need to diminish your funds, and this week Green Dad columnist Lou Carlozo gives us the mow-down on how to keep your lawn looking great while minimizing its impact on both the earth and your wallet.

Not every Android phone is created equal, and with so many options to choose from, picking the right model isn't always simple. To help you differentiate your Gingerbreads from your Thunderbolts, we've looked at the hottest Android smartphones in our archives and sorted them by their feature list — with some insight on what you can expect to pay.

Think a smartphone is expensive? With all the premium features now found in the new handsets, you might actually wind up saving money in the long run by not having to buy several other gadgets. Inside, we explain why a smartphone is the one gadget to rule them all.

The trade-in value for used cars is at an all-time high, so it's the ideal time to consider selling. But before you hit the market, dealnews shows you how to squeeze even more money out of your used car with some simple detailing. Tom Barlow has all the, uh, details.

Each month, we analyze the dealnews archives from the past few years to glean information that might arm readers with useful advice on how to shop in the coming weeks. From Black Friday–themed sales to airfare discounts galore, here's our guide on what to buy in July.

With the long Fourth of July Weekend coming up, you'll want to know the beef on grills. Our Green Dad columnist and resident grilling expert Lou Carlozo breaks down the deals on grills and equipment, to get you prepared for a sizzling Fourth celebration.

If you go shopping for a 6' HDMI cable, you'll find them priced from $1 to more than $100. Alfred Poor breaks down the choices for you and helps you get the cable you need at the price that you want.

To start golfing, any old set of clubs will do, but if you start pursuing the fine art of the sport, then you'll need to upgrade your equipment. Here's how to choose wisely, not only considering the type of clubs you buy, but also their price.

Is your kitchen full of small appliances and gadgets, some of which you can't live without and some of which you never use? Our Green Dad columnist, Lou Carlozo delves into this tangled web, and sorts out the bargains from the busts, the must-haves from the money traps.

When it comes to buying shoes online, you can't do much of a try-on. So consumer advocate Mitch Lipka turned to his friends at SiteJabber.com, an independent site that collects feedback good and bad on web sites, for a look at the online shoe stores worth stopping by and those you ought to run away from as fast as you can.

The Mac versus Windows debate is about to heat up again. Both Microsoft and Apple have next-generation operating systems in the works. So how well does Windows 8 stack up with OS X Lion and does Windows 8 have what it takes to win over new users (and keep current users from switching)? We compare a few key features to find out.

Driving around your own town, you might stick up your nose at using a GPS, but if you're going on any adventures this summer you might want to give them a second thought, or think about upgrading what you already have. Here's a guide to the latest features and what they cost.

Customer service isn't dead … yet. Not happy with a product? Not everyone will keep you on hold indefinitely. And some will even answer your email within the hour. Others still have a lot to learn when it comes to keeping their customers happy. Our Consumer Ally reporter Mitch Lipka talks to a survey company who rated the companies, and tells us his findings.

If you travel, you've seen the sad result of inadequate luggage, with clothes and other personal items strewn on the baggage carousel. You can avoid such embarrassment and inconvenience by getting the right bag, but sometimes it can be hard to tell what's a good value and what's just cheap. We've got a run-down of how to get the most value for your investment in a travel bag.

Smart consumer culture rocks, but consumer waste and needless purchases made from some dim sense of obligation definitely don't. So behold some advice from Green Dad columnist Lou Carlozo for a making the most of Father's Day and other gift-giving holidays with gifts that matter and hit the heart.

The burgeoning world of cloud computing got more crowded and more cool with the addition of Apple's iCloud, but it also got a lot more dangerous. As consumers race to upload their data, what about the safety issues? Big companies are getting hacked left and right, so you need to read what consumer advocate Mitch Lipka has found out about keeping yourself in the cloud.

While we here at dealnews are big fans of inexpensive purchases, we're also concerned about long-term value. For example, a $10 shirt is a steal, but if you never wear it, it's just $10 down the drain. So, while our readers prepare to shell out some dough for Father's Day, we decided to run a little cost-per-use analysis of some potential gifts to see which options stretch your dollar the most.

Purchasing apps isn't what it used to be — especially if you're an Android user. With the introduction of Amazon's Appstore, Android users now have two major stores from which to purchase apps. But how does the latter stack up with Google's Market, and which store, if any, offers the best deals? We compared the two stores to find out.

Got a car guy on your Father's Day list? It can be daunting to try to pick out something for this discerning group; not just any gadget or trinket will do. Don't worry, just use our shopping list of 10 great gift ideas for car lovers and you'll be the Cadillac of gift-givers.

The EPA is coming out with a new Energy Star label for HDTVs. Alfred Poor tells you the surprising details about how much electricity they consume, and what new changes are coming to make them more energy efficient.

While dismal job creation news has been the big headline this week, there is some good news out there. Our friends at Milo.com have dug through some data and found out that incomes are up over the first three months of the year. And with people making more, they're spending more. So what are they spending on? See a cool infographic of the data.

June has more daylight hours than any other month, which means you have more time to shop. Don't get duped into buying things at a higher price than you need to. Arm yourself with our list of the best and worst things to buy in June and you'll be sitting pretty.

From hacking down branches to filleting a fish to breaking open impenetrable packaging on a new purchase, we all come across a need for knives on an everyday basis. But it's always best to find the best knife for the job, especially for use in the great outdoors. Here's a guide to the best knives for the purpose, and how (and where) you can get them for the best price.

Got sensitive feet? Got a hike coming up? Got a budget you can't bust? Our Green Dad columnist, Lou Carlozo, offers up advice on how to pick the right sandal for the job, and how to get the best price on what you pick.

The active shutter glasses that go with most of today's 3D sets can be heavy and expensive, but are passive glasses worth the compromises? Alfred Poor tells you about a new technology that delivers the best of both.

Part Android smartphone, part PSP, the new Sony Ericsson Xperia Play is out to change the handheld gaming market. But does this "gamer's smartphone" really offer something different, or is it just an Ngage in the making?

There are secondary markets for everything these days, from baseball tickets to Groupons you regret. But what if the companies selling things like concert tickets decided they didn't like the idea that you could resell your purchase or give it away. They'd come up with something like "Fan Protected Paperless Ticketing." Consumer advocate Mitch Lipka explains what's changing and how you can protect yourself when buying tickets online.

Hurricane season is on its way, and that means any great travel deals you book now are likely to fall during a difficult weather season. Our consumer advocate, Mitch Lipka, tells you how to avoid having trouble on your trip and with your travel insurance at the same time.

You can't be too thin or too light, especially if you are a flat panel HDTV. Alfred Poor gives you the skinny on how they make TVs so thin, and what's coming to make them even thinner.

Looking to buy a new digital SLR camera? We've dug into our archives to see what certain DSLRs really cost and what features you can expect to get for your money.

The real Black Friday shopping sales still doesn't roll around until Thanksgiving, but retailers are stretching the season even further this year. So welcome to our first installment of our Black Friday Tracker. We've got the the latest on Black Friday and what retailers are doing right now to convince you that it's time for your holiday shopping.

The long-awaited Google laptop is finally here. Manufactured by Samsung and Acer, respectively, the new Chromebooks will run Google's cloud-based Chrome operating system. Starting at $349, these laptops are priced well under the cheapest mainstream tablet, but how much value are they really offering the average consumer?

Talk may be cheap, but unfortunately cell phone plans aren't. To help you choose a plan that's right for your budget, we compiled data on some of today's least expensive cell phone packages. Which carrier offers the most comprehensive plan for the least amount of money? Find out.

Here's the good news: Expert predict a dip in gas prices around Memorial Day. Here's the bad news: You're going to start paying for heavy air conditioning use pretty soon (if you aren't already). Green Dad has some tips on how to get save some money while cooling off this summer.

Two years ago, the rules for credit cards changed dramatically. Now a new study shows that while things have gotten better for consumers, the best changes have come from a specific type of card that offers lower interest rates and fewer fees. Consumer advocate Mitch Lipka explains.

Got a heavy foot when it comes to driving? As you can imagine, there's now an app for that. There are also a few other new tricks that radar detectors can do, and your access to them only depends on the price you are willing to pay.

Some people look at sunglasses as disposable items to buy at the dollar store, others see them as fashion statements worth paying hundreds to get just the right pair. Our Green Dad columnist, Lou Carlozo, just wants to make sure that you get a pair that protects your eyes. So here are his eight tips to help you pick a pair that will suit your face and your budget at the same time.

When severe weather strikes, your normal sources of information and communication may not be available. Alfred Poor, offers some advice on what to put in your weather emergency kit so you will be prepared.

Need a swimsuit? A grill? A new pair of sneakers? Conventional wisdom would tell you one thing about your chances of getting a deal on these things in May, our data will tell you the real answer. We dug into our archives to find out the best time to buy the things you want right now, and what you should wait to get on sale later on.

If your summer plans include any time off the grid and that makes you a little nervous — meaning you can't part with your email, your YouTube obsession or your Angry Birds — don't fret. We've got a list of gizmos that can help you stay connected when you are on the road.

If you think about cyber theft as an abstract concept that hasn't yet affected you, the three latest data breaches affecting major companies may finally hit close to home. Our consumer advocate, Mitch Lipka, tells you what you have to fear and what you can do about to protect yourself.

It's grilling season, and if you're going to be throwing some burgers or steaks on the grill, you might want to consider this buying advice from our consumer advocate, Mitch Lipka, especially if you're going to be ordering meat online. Here's what you need to know to read the labels, get deals and keep your purchase safe.

It's an established fact that moms put up with a lot, sometimes thanklessly. And while it may not make up for whatever unspeakable act of teen angst you might have put her through while growing up, at least with our Mother's Day deals, you can afford to show her the proper appreciation.

Iron? Cadmium? Lead? Nano-ceramics? Picking a pan these days is like taking a chemistry lesson, with the focus on the type of metal used to make it. What's the best choice? Our Green Dad columnist, Lou Carlozo sorts out the science so that you can get cracking ... eggs, that is.

From jewelry to flowers, the following vendors guarantee Mother's day delivery when orders are placed before the listed deadlines.

When your car breaks down, you might be stuck with a very big and very untimely bill. A little prevention can go a long way, not only to catch problems before they get big, but also to allow you to buy the parts you need on sale. Here are 5 savvy purchases you can make on sale now that will save you a bundle down the road.