Dec 2, 2009
Dec 1, 2009
Nov 29, 2009
Nov 28, 2009
Glen Loyd, the museum exhibit
Many generations of broadcasters are responsible for the great radio and TV stations we have in Wisconsin today
Green Bay's WLUK-TV built a new newsroom with a mural depicting the station's history
I've had the pleasure of knowing many of the people who have worked at WLUK-TV over the years. Today's staff puts a lot more news on the air than my generation did in 1971.
Music: Kevin MacLeod
Nov 27, 2009
Nov 24, 2009
Nov 23, 2009
Skype video demonstration for journalists
This is an interview I did over the Internet via Skype with a North Texas University sports psychologist about helping struggling players. It has nothing to do with consumer protection, but shows how a journalist can do a cross-country video now at no cost. A number of Universities will now provide their experts by Skype video conferencing.
Nov 22, 2009
Nov 21, 2009
Nov 20, 2009
Nov 14, 2009
Nov 13, 2009
Consumer complaints about Polaroid
Linda Alger purchased a Polaroid TV last November at the Chilton, Wisconsin, Wal-Mart. In May she says the screen turned black and the audio shut off. Because the store’s exchange period had elapsed, she sent it back for repair and alleges it was returned defective again. The State of Wisconsin sent an inquiry to Polaroid about the problem which Polaroid didn't respond to. Wisconsin has now sent the company a warning letter.
Linda is sending her set back again for repairs. “They will try to fix it again or give me a different TV,” she says. “I was told it would be a TV that someone else returned for repair. I have no other alternative and do not anticipate much results. I asked if they plan to try to fix my TV and send it to another unsatisfied customer. The lady said, ‘Maybe.’ You can understand why I am not satisfied with the warranty.”
Consumer Protection has a total of nine complaints about Polaroid. The Better Business Bureau has 627 complaints--284 relating to product quality and 102 about repair issues. The BBB rating for the Polaroid Corporation is "F." "Reasons for this F rating," says the BBB, "include failure to respond to 110 complaints filed against the business.
Nov 8, 2009
Nov 7, 2009
Nov 6, 2009
Nov 2, 2009
Oct 30, 2009
MoneyGram to Pay $18 Million to Settle FTC Charges That it Allowed its Money Transfer System To Be Used for Fraud
Federal Trade Commssion
Opinion by Glen Loyd: The stories above and below make me angry because so many consumers in Wisconsin get ripped off by out-of the-country criminals using wire services. This industry needs more regulation! Most rip-offs these days couldn't operate without wire companies.
Cyber Crooks Stole $40M From U.S. Small, Mid-Sized Firms
Washington Post
"When the mules pull the cash out of their accounts, they are instructed to wire it (minus a small commission) via services such as MoneyGram and Western Union, typically to organized criminal groups operating in countries like Moldova, Russia and Ukraine." Washington Post
Postpone retirement? No way!
Smart Money
It always amuses that in these you-can-have-it stories, they always seem to mention bolder investing. That doesn't always work, does it.
Oct 28, 2009
Oct 23, 2009
Oct 20, 2009
Oct 16, 2009
Exposers with their own questional offers
I monitor "scam" warnings on Twitter and have noticed that a lot of them conclude with questionable offers of their own! Be careful of any multi-level marketing offer, get-rich-quick businesses, mystery shopping jobs or miracle cures--even if the story starts off as an expose.
Oct 13, 2009
Oct 12, 2009
Oct 10, 2009
Glen's take-a-break video: Chubby the woodchuck
Why do I make these take-a-break videos? I have been listening to consumer complaints virtually every day since 1971 and they can burn you out. When I worked in TV newsrooms my phone was called the nutline and no one else would answer it. Most reporters and editors have their own nutlines to deal with. I've always tried to do one fun story a week to keep my spirits up.
Oct 6, 2009
Oct 5, 2009
Oct 3, 2009
Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Eau Cliare Consumer Protection offices closing
My heart goes out to all the dedicated Consumer Protection employees in Wisconsin regional Consumer Protection offices (Green Bay, Milwaukee,and Eau Claire) closing in December.
If you folks come to work in Madison, you'll find great coworkers in a great city. But as you know, not only will your lives be disrupted, journalists in your parts of the state will lose important contacts for stories to protect area consumers. And because journalists themselves are experiencing cuts, I feel that Wisconsin consumers are becoming more vulnerable.Contact Glen Loyd in Madison at 219 6955
Stanley Siegel goes around the world after his TV start in Green Bay
"Stanley Siegel On the Go" sample reel from stanley siegel on Vimeo.
Click here for my memoir describing Stanley's controversial time in Wisconsin While in Wisconsin, Stanley tested a lot of consumer products in a zany manner and actually drove a Volkswagon into a lake to see if it would float. It floated and Volkwagon bragged about it in a national advertising campaign. Stan lives in a hotel close to Beverly Hills, CA. and travels the world for his TV show, "On The Go With Stanley Siegel."
Glen's take-a-break video: Following Fisher Stream
Fisher Stream runs through Rockport Park in Janesville and empties into the Rock River. Music by Kevin MacLeod.