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: "Discount Stores"
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.)
August 15, 2010
Discount Stores
During the last 20 years, the United States has seen a growth in both high-end and low-end stores that advertise that they provide deep discounts (or similar euphemistic advertising slogan). Generally these stores fall into three categories: “Dollar” shops, membership clubs, and outlet malls. A careful consumer can obtain many good bargains at these places, but they can also spend more money on items here than they might at a supermarket or variety store.
In the dark ages of the modern world, the Five & Dime stores held the place that the Dollar shops do now. There were several important differences: Woolworth, J.J Newberry, Kresge, and similar stores offered many items at small prices, but they did not stop there. It was also possible to spend several dollars for products. They were “variety” stores that provided a huge range of products.
Today’s Dollar stores, and there are several national and many local names, state that every item in the store is the same price. For the most part that’s accurate, although some may be 2-for-a –dollar and others higher, usually marked as “special purchases.” Comparing the typical product in such stores with WalMart and Target will show that you can purchase similar products for slightly less or more elsewhere. Many items in the discount stores are discontinued, overstocked items, or holiday specials that, while still in date, have passed their intended target.
You can obtain many items in these Dollar stores that are not easily available elsewhere, especially gift boxes and packaging, Mylar balloons, and trinkets. There are also major savings on telephone and computer cables and jacks, electrical tape, pet toys, and simple kitchen gadgets.
The large membership stores, not limited to BJ’s, Sam’s, and Costco, charge an annual fee that is advertised to provide a discount on prices saving you more than the membership cost. There are two catches, though: you generally have to buy larger sizes and they rarely put items on sale. If you are a small business and have need of gallon sizes of pickles or mustard, or if you go through diapers, snack food, and kitty litter so fast that you need a huge supply, then these stores are for you.
But not all is at a discount. If you compare prices to your local supermarket, you will find that many items, even those not on sale, are less expensive, and you have a wider selection of products and brands elsewhere.
In addition, some membership stores, especially those who specialize in furniture and home goods, do not always offer either quality or discounts. Shop around and compare prices before buying. You need not waste gas or run all over: check online. Slightly Creaky’s Consumer Assistance Page provides a list of Price Research Sites to assist you.
Likewise, outlet stores are best for those who either know typical prices for the items they are seeking, or those who absolutely have to have name brands. In many cases, the discounted off-name products are made on the same assembly line or in the same Chinese factory that the advertised products are.
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