Dell Inc. averted the possibility of a multi-state lawsuit by agreeing to pay $1.5 million in restitution to consumers in dozens of US states over allegations of deceptive practices. The settlement comes on the heels of a decision by a New York Court last May, which ruled against the computer maker in a similar case […]

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Many consumers erroneously believe that paying off or settling past due accounts will restore their damaged credit. It won’t–and the mistaken belief that it will creates a lot of confusion. “If I settle an account with a creditor for less than the full balance, can the creditor continue to report the account as past […]

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Patience can be a virtue, but it also can cost you money when it comes to waiting for undelivered merchandise. Although the holidays are over, many consumers are still waiting for gifts they ordered by phone, mail or on the Internet.
In some cases, merchandise at legitimate companies may have been out of stock. Other companies […]

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Many consumers never receive the rebates that triggered their original purchases–and others wait far longer than they expected to get their cash back.

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There is a long standing and persistent myth that retailers are obligated to give you your money back–anytime and for any reason. There is an equally enduring myth that even stores that clearly post “No Refunds or Returns” will take items back for size, color or when a product was purchased as a gift.
So […]

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With the holidays closing in, many consumers want a little reassurance they’ll actually receive all those gifts they ordered online in time. So here’s what you need to know: Sellers are bound by both state and federal rules. Federal Trade Commission rules require sellers to ship items as promised or within 30 days when no […]

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In these days of economic uncertainty and corporate bankruptcies, that ominous call to the human resources office can come to practically any of us at any time. In an instant, everything changes. And it takes a cool head and cautious action to keep a bad situation from becoming worse.
Take your time signing an exit […]

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You asked for them. You got them. And now your wallet is stuffed with those ubiquitous gift cards. So now what?
Go use them. That’s my number one tip. As American Express notes, “Someone gave you a gift card so you could splurge on yourself. Redeem your card sooner rather than later.”
The sooner you use it, […]

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Price isn’t the only thing to consider when you’re shopping, especially when it comes to holiday gifts.

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Practically everyone expected prices to keep climbing. But prices fell instead. All the thousands of people who locked into the higher prices last summer can say now is, “It seemed like the thing to do at the time.”

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