Hopping on a Plane Soon? Make Sure You Know Your Rights.

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Chris Bjorklund

Like a lot of you, I haven’t gone anywhere on an airplane in a long, long time, but that’s about to change. With out-of-state trips planned for this month and next, I decided to read up on my rights in case I have to cancel a flight or get bumped or delayed. Read more

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Posted in: Consumers, Customer Service, Personal Stories, Savvy Tips
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Are Consumers Getting Way Too Outraged?

Posted on February 22, 2022 by Chris Bjorklund

We’ve all been hearing about examples of consumer outrage and it has me worried. Are we taking out our frustrations about the pandemic, divisive politics and life in general on whoever can’t solve our problem at a given moment? I’ve heard stories about people melting down because a store has run out of their favorite cheese. It’s obviously not just about the cheese—there’s a lot more going on. Read more

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Posted in: Bay Area, Consumers, Customer Service, Personal Stories, Savvy Tips
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Where Does the Money Go?

Posted on January 25, 2022 by Chris Bjorklund

I started thinking about this topic after reading an article about Warren Buffett and his frugal habits. It said he still lives in the same house he bought in 1958, drives older cars, rarely takes out loans and prefers not to spend a lot of money eating out. Buffett still uses a flip phone and doesn’t like designer suits. In the Yahoo Finance article, he’s quoted as saying, “Don’t save what’s left after spending, but spend what’s left after saving.” Read more

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Posted in: Financial, Consumers, Personal Stories, Savvy Tips
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How to Avoid Buyer’s Remorse

Posted on November 16, 2021 by Chris Bjorklund

shopping bags

I had a slight case of buyer’s remorse the other day after impulsively buying a mint green cardigan sweater online. After it arrived, I realized it wasn’t the right color for me, the style was all wrong and it was too big. I could have returned it, but I got out of that hassle by selling it to my sister-in-law, who loved it. Read more

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Posted in: Financial, Consumers, Savvy Tips
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Why Companies Should Do Away With “Drip Pricing”

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Chris Bjorklund

Have you ever been lured by an ad for a low-priced ticket to a baseball game or concert? How many times have you seen an exceptional price for a hotel room and were motivated to make an online reservation? What may have stopped you in your tracks (or not) were all the hidden fees that weren’t disclosed at the outset. As you get close to completing the transaction, other hidden charges are added: a service fee, a processing fee, a convenience fee, a COVID-cleaning fee, a parking fee, a resort fee, and a fee to use the gym and even the swimming pool. Read more

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Anyone Can Report Unsafe or Defective Products. Here’s How.

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Chris Bjorklund

One of my proudest moments as a consumer news producer was a story that prompted a national recall. A mother of a 20-month-old had called the TV station where I worked to report that she discovered her toddler had been playing with a dangerous toy. The stuffed bear had a wire protruding from its belly, and luckily, the mom noticed it before the child injured himself. She couldn’t believe the toy manufacturer could get away with selling unsafe stuffed bears nationwide at big retail outlets. Read more

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Posted in: Safety, Uncategorized, Consumers, Personal Stories, Savvy Tips
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Savvy Consumer Tip: Teen Driving

Posted on August 31, 2021 by Chris Bjorklund

Do you have a teenager who is about to start driving? Watch this video for some helpful tips. Read more

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Posted in: Savvy Tips
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