Right-click on a link to save the MP3 March 19: Cyber thievery
When it comes to customer service, we all have a few horror stories to share. Jill Griffin, business consultant and author, says poor service results from poor management. March 6: Consumer horror stories
When it comes to customer service, we all have a few horror stories to share. Jill Griffin, business consultant and author, says poor service results from poor management. Feb. 27: Passport promotions
U.S. citizens flying back home from the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada now need to show a passport. Here are some passport deals.
Feb. 20: Turn it down!
Why are TV commercials so much louder than the programs? The loudest parts of an ad are no louder than the loudest parts of any program. But help is on the way.
Feb. 13: Keep flowers fresh
A Valentine’s bouquet can really brighten up your day. Do a few simple things and you can keep those flowers looking good for a week or more.
Feb. 6: How to beat the bad guys
This is National Consumer Protection Week. Want to be a good consumer? Follow these rules: stay alert, be skeptical, do your homework. Jan. 30: Cell insurance settlement
Millions of cell phone owners will soon get a legal notice in the mail, telling them they can take part in a class-action lawsuit that's just been settled.
Jan. 23: Car seat confusion
Consumer Reports' dire warning and subsequent clarification has safety advocates worried. And it has concerned parents confused.
Jan. 16: Cell phone insurance
You have insurance for your car, your home, your life. Do you really need it for your cell phone? Most experts say forget about it.
Jan. 9: Big fat lie
Americans spend more than $1 billion each year on diet products. Diet pills promise quick weight loss, but experts say that's just a big fat lie.
Jan. 2: Carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide is a killer ... one that claims about 200 lives in this country each year. But there are things you can do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim.
Dec. 26: Dealing with customer service
Ask most people about the quality of the goods and services they buy and they'll tell you they are fairly satisfied. But ask them about the overall level of customer service they receive. Wow!
Dec. 12: It's fishing season
The bad guys who try to steal your money or identity via the Internet are always coming up with new lures to reel you in. From all accounts, phishing fraud is getting worse.
Dec. 5: Cell phones for kids
It’s the latest marketing pitch to sell wireless phones to busy parents: Stay connected! Does a child really need a cell phone? Do they need one that let’s you track where they are?
Nov. 28: Toy Test Part II
Today's toys are safer than they've ever been, thanks to decades of hard work by safety advocates and government regulators. Even so parents need to be on the lookout for hidden hazards.
Nov. 21: Toy Test Part I
There are many reasons you buy a certain toy. It could be a TV ad that caught your attention. Or maybe it's because of "pester power." But before you buy, know why.
Nov. 14: Electronics advice
Chances are you have some electronic items on your holiday shopping list. So, where do you plan to shop? A survey finds that most consumers are happier online.
Nov. 7: Dangerous toy alert
They're called Yo-Yo Water Balls ... fluid-filled balls made from stretchy material. They're a big hit with kids. Parents may not spot the danger.
October 31: Life saving tip
If you're in the market for a new vehicle get one with side air bags. Crash tests prove that cars with side air bags do a better job of protecting passengers.
October 24: E. coli aftermath
Spinach is back at the supermarket. But is it really any safer than before the outbreak that killed three and made nearly 200 others sick?
October 17: Credit card chaos
Credit card companies “are counting on you not understanding the full cost of using your card,” says Gail Hillebrand, of Consumers Union. The GAO agrees. October 10: It's hard to be a consumer
More and more companies seem willing to mislead or deceive us to move their products, says ConsumerMan Herb Weisbaum. October 2: Small check, big problem
Banks are sharing their customer lists with third-party marketers. And they’re not always picky about who they partner with. September 26: When free means fee
All you have to do is pay for the shipping and handling, the ad assures you. That may seem fair, but beware! You could be in for a nasty surprise. September 18: E. coli controversy
The news is downright scary. Eating fresh spinach can make you sick, really sick. But the problem is much bigger than spinach and it’s been going on for years. September 12: Supermarket savings
A supermarket, like any other store, is in business to make money. But you have a budget to manage. So it’s your job to be a smart shopper and get the most for each dollar. September 5: Junk faxes
If your fax machine starts spitting out more junk faxes, you can thank Congress and the FCC for weakening the rules that restricted unsolicited fax ads. August 29: Artificial concerns
Despite many concerns to the contrary, there is no evidence that any of the major artificial sweeteners on the market have harmful effects for humans August 22: Pain at the pump
With gas prices so high, people are looking for ways to lower their gas bills. One way to reduce the pain at the pump is a gas rebate card. August 15: Spyware scam
State and federal authorities have filed suit against the company that runs Movieland.com, saying it produces spyware that holds customers hostage with endless pop-ups. August 8: Airline bumping
The latest figures are out ... and they show airline bumping is way up. Also, what are the airline rules regarding unaccompanied minors flying? August 4: College credit
Most college students don't have a full-time job or source of income. They may not even have a credit history. But there's a good chance they have a credit card in their wallet. August 1: Clever con artists
Scammers who spend their days trying to steal your identity have come up with something new. They’ve combined the Internet with the telephone to create what fraud fighters call voice phishing or vishing. July 25: Kitchen remodel tips
In most cases, a kitchen remodel will almost pay for itself when you sell the house. The key: "You've got to set a budget and stick to it," says Bob Markovich, the Home Editor at Consumer Reports July 18: How many cards do you own
Paying with plastic is qiuck and it's easy -- almost too easy. Gerri Detweiler, author of "The Ultmimate Credit Handbook", discusses the sneaky fees banks and credit card companies charge you. July 11: Paying with plastic
Can merchants impose a minimum purchase requirement? Rhonda Bentz, vice president of Visa USA, answers that question and discusses other credit card rules and regulations. July 4: Sunscreen solution
Are you concerned that sunscreen may not work or that it could be harmful? Dr. John Swartzberg, a professor at UC Berkeley, and Dr. Renata Jenkin, a dermatologist, debunk the rumors and offer advice. June 27: Tips for international travelers
Do you have a pre-departure checklist? Rudy Maxa, host of National Public Radio’s "Savvy Traveler," discusses what consumers can do before they travel abroad. June 20: More home-selling tips
In the current market, homeowners may find it more difficult to sell a home. Ilyce Glink, a syndicated real estate columnist and author of the book “100 Questions Every Home Seller Should Ask,” talks about how buyers and sellers can deal with this new reality. June 13: Tips for home sellers
Homes sales are down and houses are taking longer to sell. Greg McBride, a Senior Financial Analyst with Bankrate.com, discusses what sellers can do to make a home more attractive to buyers. June 6: Healthy start
Are you looking for a nutritious cereal to start your day? Jayne Hurley, senior nutritionist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, talks about how consumers can pick the right box in the cereal aisle. May 30: Summer travel strategies
Traveling may be more stressful than ever this summer. Terry Trippler of CheapSeats.com talks about how people can avoid unnecessary hassles at the airport. May 23: Shredder safety
Millions of Americans own paper shredders today. They don't seem all that dangerous, but they can be a real hazard if there is a toddler in the house. May 15: Misleading food labels
Consumers seeking healthy, organic foods may be getting tricked into buying products they think are better for them. Herb Weisbaum talks with Ilene Ringel Heller, a senior attorney with the Center for Science in the Public Interest. May 9: Outlet shopping
Do outlets really offer products at bargain prices? What about the quality of the merchandise? Herb Weisbaum talks with Consumer Reports' Tod Marks about the magazine's latest study on outlet shopping. May 2: Best new cars
Looking to buy a new car? The average new vehicle today sells for more than $28,000. Herb Weisbaum talks with Consumer Reports' David Champion about the best models for 2006. April 25: Travel Web sites
The Internet is filled with travel advice, but do you know where the information is coming from? Herb Weisbaum talks with Consumer Reports' Lisa Lee Freeman about what kind of "expert" advice is offered online. | 
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