Besides expecting to be pampered, you should expect the chauffeur to arrive on time and be professional. According to Kathy Bimrose, manager of Style N’ Comfort Transportation & Tours, a Diamond Certified company, licensed operators are expected to pass safety checks performed by the California Highway Patrol and must meet other state and federal requirements. For example, drivers must be drug tested periodically. Any company transporting children under the age of 18 has to undergo special training.

When hiring a limousine service, you usually are asked to sign a contract. Deposits may be required and some companies want a credit card on file in case of damage. If someone gets sick in the limo, Read more

You can still get a virus even if you’ve installed virus protection software. That’s because it protects you from KNOWN viruses. But the bad guys are out there creating new viruses every day. There is no 100% guarantee your computer will not become infected.

According to Laura Kavinsky with Click Away, a Diamond Certified company, here are some things that might help: 1)Keep all your anti-virus and Windows updates current; 2) Be careful about opening email attachments, even from people you know; 3) Don’t click on any prompt until you know it’s truly safe. One of the top ways computers become infected is when computer users click on prompts for “free” virus software; Read more

Have you hit the malls with your holiday shopping list yet? Even the best gift giver occasionally misses the mark, so it’s wise to understand a retailer’s return policy before you buy. Policies can vary greatly, from unlimited returns on most items with a receipt (Macy’s) to 14 days for certain electronics (Best Buy), gift returning policies.

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), some stores are more lenient about accepting returns during the holiday season, while others have made their policies stricter in response to an increase in return fraud. To avoid disappointment or hassles this holiday season: Ask about a store’s return policy before you pay. This is particularly important when it comes to digital cameras, Read more

I just returned from a long weekend in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Being there for a few days reminded me that good old-fashioned manners and service never go out of style.

Service people did the simple things. They offered help, they made eye contact, they apologized for delays, they tried to make things easy for customers.

I was especially impressed with all the employees at Lambeau Field where we attended a Green Bay Packers game. Everyone from the ticket takers to the cashiers to the soda and bratwurst sellers offered a welcome and a smile. They all reminded us to enjoy the game. They showed pride in their work. I have rarely seen such efficient and friendly crowd control. Read more

It’s too late to save money on your tax bill when it’s close to April 15th and you’re filling out the forms for the IRS, according to Geoffrey Kulik, a Partner of Sterck Kulik O’Neill Accounting Group, Inc.

Right now, before the end of the calendar year, is when smart taxpayers review the new rules passed by Congress and the legislature and see how the changes affect their tax bill. These savvy planners sit down with their tax professionals to see if making an extra December mortgage payment, purchasing equipment for their business, or asking their boss to pay the bonus after December 31st will reduce their overall tax obligation. They know that they have to act now because once New Year’s Day hits, Read more

This is typical for me. I’m rushing to get the dishes done and instead of putting everything away in the dish rack first, I just keep piling things on. As you might expect, something topples – my new blender crashes onto the tile flooring. The glass part of the blender withstands the blow, but the plastic bottom piece that screws in breaks into 3 pieces. (I broke a salad plate too.)

Fortunately Oster has a parts replacement service, and fortunately, one size fits all. I called to verify that claim on the website, and reached a friendly and knowledgeable customer service representative, Patty. She explained that those parts are standard for most of their newer blenders, Read more

That’s not an easy question for me, mainly because it’s changing all the time. For consumer stuff, I like consumerist.com, Consumer Reports Online, ConsumerWorld.org and a blog at the New York Times called Bucks. A friend just told me about David Lazarus who writes consumer stories for the LA Times in the business section. That’s something new for me.

For things like recipes and scoops on new restaurants, I have two favorites. One is tablehopper.com, where you can read all the latest on the Bay Area restaurant scene. It’s a newsletter, and then for pretty healthy recipes, I subscribe to 101 Cookbooks. The photos on the site make your mouth water. I’m eager to try the limoncello macaroons one of these days. Read more