The Easy-to-Find Information Center
Protect your cell phone from telemarketers.
How to use
Consumer information links and commentary
Slightly Creaky does extensive research to find the links you would most likely need and provides them for you in an easy-to-find format. You can access this information from any of our web pages using the top or side menus. Each division has generalized headings, followed by more specific ones.
Thus, if you are looking for help with a the Social Security Administration, you could access it through the "Finance" page where there is information about "Investing Your Assets," "Financial Planning," "Working After Retirement," "Social Security," "Tax Information," and "Recognizing & Avoiding Scams."
We attempt to keep all information no more than two levels below the topic home page.
July's Featured Article:
"Bait & Switch"
Information about things we buy and use. Each section contains annotated links to appropriate web sites so that you do not need to use a search engine. You will probably find things here that you never considered researching.
- Finance. Making handling money just a little bit easier. Our links and articles include writing and probating wills (and how to avoid problems), providing for a power of attorney, investing, scams, living wills, and dozens more topics. It also includes links for tax preparation and Social Security.
- Energy. Every day electricity, gas, and heating fuel get more expensive. There are alternative ways you can provide for these modern needs without having to depend on the mega-corporations. If "green" is the energy word of the 21st century, you'll find assistance here.
- Legal Information. With every state, county, town, and city having conflicting legal rules, we can not possibly provide all the information you might need. We do, though, have links to general law sites that update their information as needed. Also provided are dictionaries of legal terms. (We provide the links, but do not guarantee what you find is accurate. Consult a lawyer.)
- Consumer Assistance & Scam Alerts: Links to consumer information pages on the Internet where you can find product reviews, comparisons, price listings, safety suggestions, and product recalls. Includes links to scam recognition and assistance locations.
Every link is checked out monthly by our volunteer research. Should you find a link that is misdirected or non-functioning, please report it to our Webmaster. Should you wish to suggest an addition to this site, submit it to Submissions of Links.
Be sure to read our Submission Policy and Disclaimer.
S
Special Notice
Cell Phone Numbers Go Public this month.
REMINDER..... all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. .... YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS
To prevent this, call the following number from your cell and home phone: 888-382-XXXX.
It is the National DO NOT CALL list It will only take a minute of your time.. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number. It takes about 20 seconds.
It's no wonder this e-mail has been rearing its ugly head in inboxes since at least 2004, according to urban legend debunking site Snopes. Nothing is more irritating than someone calling to sell you pet insurance during dinner time or copier supplies during a big meeting. Getting that kind of call on your cell phone adds another level of obnoxiousness.
The recent "Do Not Call" scare revival comes at a time when families and businesses are increasingly dropping landlines in favor of cell phones. The National Center for Health Statistics found that one-quarter of households used only wireless phones in the second half of 2009.
What's True
- The National Do Not Call Registry is real. It's managed by the Federal Trade Commission. Cell phone numbers can be registered. To register, call 888-382-1222 or visit donotcall.gov.
- You will be charged for any incoming telemarketing calls. Assuming telemarketers got your cell number somehow and are calling you, it is treated like any other incoming call and charged according to your wireless service plan.
- Telemarketers are required to respect the registry. They have 31 days to quit calling you after you register your number.
What's False
- Cell phone numbers aren't going public this month or any other month. There is no huge directory of numbers that will be handed over to telemarketers. (Yes, they are.)
- There is no five-year expiration. Originally, numbers were supposed to be renewed in the registry every five years. That went out the window in 2007 when the FTC announced that registrations will carry over indefinitely unless a number is reassigned, disconnected or the registrant takes the number off the list.
There is a small catch in the Do Not Call Registry. According to the FTC, "A telemarketer or seller may call a consumer with whom it has an established business relationship for up to 18 months after the consumer's last purchase, delivery, or payment -- even if the consumer's number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. In addition, a company may call a consumer for up to three months after the consumer makes an inquiry or submits an application to the company. And if a consumer has given a company written permission, the company may call even if the consumer's number is on the National Do Not Call Registry."
For those reasons, you might want to think twice about giving out your cell phone number when you're doing business. Remember, you always have one weapon in your own personal do-not-call arsenal: asking telemarketers not to call you. Report violators through the Do Not Call Registry site.
So next time that alarming e-mail makes it into your inbox, hit delete and feel safe in the knowledge that your cell phone number is in good hands.
Featured Article
( All consumer articles are archived.)
July 15, 2010
Seeing is Not Believing
Part 2: Bait & Switch
We all recognize the old Bait & Switch advertising. Illegal in every state, companies advertise one product to bait you into the store and then either do not have the product or it’s of such poor quality that you are easily switched to another more expensive item.
They still do it, more subtly, and they still get away with it. Here are a few examples:
Vacuum Cleaner: The bait: Advertised for a seemingly low price, probably with several free “exclusive offers” such as a car vac, computer attachments, or a steam iron. The switch: buy a better model and get extended warrantees and free cleaning for up to 20 years at ever increasing prices. Beware: The “free” products may be of poor quality and generally not things you might use. Note, though, that if you do keep the vacuum in good condition and get it cleaned using their program, it will probably last the 20 years and do a good job.
Meal Discount Coupons: The Bait: buy one meal at the regular price and get the second for free or at a discount. Possibly buy two meals and get a discount on both. The Switch: There may be many exceptions to this policy: minimum purchase prices (spend $50 to qualify), good only on certain days or at certain meals, or limited menu selections. Beware: When you use such a coupon, check the bill carefully. The restaurant may ignore your coupon (“we forgot,” “computer error”) charge you more than the listed price for the meal, or add a surcharge to make up for using the coupon. We have experienced restaurants adding non-ordered or delivered items onto the bill, such as soup, an extra appetizer, or a beverage.
Furniture: The Bait: Buy a complete living room set and get free end or coffee tables; possibly “close out” sales with deep discounts. The Switch: The free products, and possibly the items offered are of poor quality or do not match. Beware: the sales staff is trained to use high-pressure tactics to move you up to items they want to sell. Most showrooms are so large, and the sales staff follows you so closely, that they show you what they want to sell, not what you may wish to purchase. Ask to be left alone to browse at your own pace. Many companies now charge for delivery and for removal of old items.
If you have replaced a large item, and the old product is still in somewhat usable condition, consider advertising for it at a local college. Offer it for free “as is.” That way a needy college student gets something they can use and you do not have to pay removal charges.
Membership Clubs: The Bait: Pay a small annual fee to join and get deep-discount prices. The Switch: A few companies offer low quality and limited selection at prices that really do not provide a discount. While Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s have made this business model a success, and if you need to buy in bulk these companies have a reputation for providing what they advertise, you can frequently find items for less at a non-membership food market. Beware: A few home supply stores have used the membership ploy to sell low quality items at discounted prices. Be especially careful if the store does not display items but only provides catalogues.
Brief Disclaimer
The obvious legal statement.
The folks at Slightly Creaky are volunteers. None of us get any salary or compensation in any form. We are not a corporation, just a few folks working out of our houses. If anything on this site bothers you, if you notice mistakes, please let us know.
While we do maintain editorial rights, things slip passed, especially on the message boards. The submitted columns and news articles, as well as the postings on the message boards, belong to the contributor(s), not to the Slightly Creaky team. We are simply a vehicle bringing you information to the best of our ability.
Be sure to read our complete Legal Information and Policies