The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Need help picking out a new, big TV?

Consumers who are in the market for a new TV – maybe in time for Super Bowl Sunday – will find models that are bigger, better, smarter, and cheaper, according to the latest Consumer Reports TV tests. 

Consumers should be happy to know that TV prices are usually lowest in February and March, when manufacturers start shipping new models and retailers cut prices to sell off the old ones.

Significant new features on 2013 models aren’t expected, so consumers shouldn’t pass up great deals on top-rated 2012 sets, according to Consumer Reports. However, beware. Some TV bargains can be risky.

Super-low priced sets, especially from lesser-known brands, aren’t always the best deals, reports the consumer testing organization. Some of the lowest-scoring sets in Consumer Reports’s Ratings – with below-average marks for picture, sound, or both – include TVs from Coby, Element, Haier, TCL, and Westinghouse.

LCD TVs from LG, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sony have consistently been among the best performers in the Consumer Reports Ratings. Plasmas sets from Panasonic have been at the top, followed closely by Samsung and LG.

Internet-capable TVs

The Consumer Reports Ratings include more Smart TVs, or TVs that can connect to the Internet to stream video from online services, giving easy access to on-demand movies and TV shows.

All tested TVs with this capability offer Netflix, but the availability of other services like Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, and Vudu varies by brand. A growing number have full browsers for surfing the Web, built-in Wi-Fi, and access to an apps market. In addition to streaming video services, most Internet-capable TVs let you connect to a music service such as Pandora, social networking sites such as Facebook, and Twitter, and even eBay. 

Basic questions to consider

See the article “Consumer Reports: Latest TV Sets Are Bigger, Better, Smarter, and Cheaper” for information on what size TV to buy, whether to choose plasma or LCD, what resolution is best, and whether to buy a 3D capable awr.

The full report, which features Ratings of 140-plus LCD and plasma TVs, can be found in the March issue of Consumer Reports, on newsstands January 31, and online at ConsumerReports.org.

Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Eating lamb is my best consumer experience this week, while looking for a new store for a bakery is frustrating

The holiday season is here. Like many people, I'm busy, busy trying to get a lot of things done.

My best consumer experience: Eating tasty lamb

When I went to Sacramento for a Thanksgiving visit, I came home with persimmons, pomegranates, and frozen lamb in my suitcase.

My daughter-in-law is a farmer who raises sheep. She said the lamb would be O.K. until I could get it home and put it in the freezer.

The lamb was delicious. A friend cooked the roast for her family and me to enjoy.

Today, I cooked the lamb shanks for a soup. Also tasty.

Worst consumer experience: Trying to find a new bakery location

Since I’m busy getting ready for the holiday season, I wanted to go the bakery and buy some fruitcake for a Photo Party I’d scheduled.

I looked up Wagner’s Bakery & Café and saw they had a new location at 3000 Pacific Ave.

I wanted to go to A-1 Sewing to check out prices for a new sewing machine for my daughter. It’s also located on Pacific, so I thought I could save time by going to Wagner’s new location.

I’d just finished some yard work at 5 p.m. and thought I could go to both stores by 6 p.m. when they closed.

I spent nearly an hour in the dark searching for the new Wagner’s location. I couldn’t find it.

At 5:50 p.m., I decided to try to get to the Wagner’s downtown location. Luckily, I found a parking place right in front and got in the door just at 6 p.m.

Since they hadn’t closed the cash register, I was able to get the fruitcake.

The clerk said the new location is only open until 3 p.m. If I’d found it, I wouldn’t have been able to buy anything.

I had to go to A-1 Sewing another day.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Recall of the Week: American Honda portable generators due to fire and burn hazards

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. is recalling about 150,600 portable generators.

The generator’s fuel hose can leak, posing fire and burn hazards, the company and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement.

Honda is aware of four incidents of fuel leaks. No fires or injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Honda gasoline-powered portable generators with model number EU2000i and serial numbers EAAJ-2260273 through EAAJ-2485025.

The generators are black and red or have a camouflage design. They measure about 20 inches long by 11 ½ inches wide by 16 ½ inches tall. “Honda,” “EU converter,” and the model number 2000i are printed on the side of the generator. “Companion” is printed on the side of some EU2000i models. The serial number is located on the lower right side, rear corner of the generator.

Manufactured in Japan, the portable generators were sold at Honda Power Equipment dealers, Camping World, Gander Mountain, Grainger, Hertz Rental, John Deere, National Pump & Compressor, Northern Tool, Scheels Sporting, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Sunbelt Rentals, True Value, United Rentals, White Cap, and Wholesale Sports store nationwide and online from October 2011 through September 2012. The cost was $1,150 to $1,400.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled generators and contact the nearest Honda Power Equipment dealer to schedule a free inspection and repair, the company and commission advise.

For more information, call American Honda at 888-888-3139, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to http://powerequipment.honda.com and click on “Recalls and Updates” under “Service and Support.”

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Sewing machine research is my best consumer experience this week, while a huge rain storm causes problems

In recent years, I’ve been skipping Black Friday. However, I enjoyed shopping Saturday.

What I didn’t like was a big rainstorm earlier this week.

My best consumer experience: Shopping for a sewing machine

My daughter wants a new sewing machine. She makes quilts and her old Singer has problems. The thread’s tension is hard to adjust, and it runs too fast.

I did some Internet research on sewing machines, and we visited a store that had a number of different brands to try.

In high school, I made most of my clothes. However, I didn’t sew much after that.

It was fun to see the new sewing machine technology. My daughter got a good idea of the kind of machine she wants to buy.

My worse consumer experience: A record rainstorm

Monday, I got nervous when the lights flickering several times. I was traveling the next day, so I rushed through my laundry.

It would have been a disaster if the power went out, and I had to take wet or dirty clothes in my suitcase.

On the evening news, I heard we had a record 2 ½ inches of rain. Three inches was predicted for Tuesday.

I’d just had my gutters cleared out when I had my roof cleaned. However, I worried about 3 inches of rain. That’s a lot of water.

At 9 p.m., I went out and looked in my gutters. Sure enough. Some more leaves and pine needles had accumulated.

I spent nearly an hour with my flashlight clearing stuff out of the gutters.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Consumer Reports offers this year’s list of good and bad company policies and practices

This week, Consumer Reports unveiled its third annual Naughty & Nice List of company policies and practices.

The companies cover a wide range of industries, including automotive (BMW, Honda) apparel (Kohl’s, Nordstrom, Forever 21), and hospitality (Drury Hotels).

The annual Naughty & Nice list isn’t an overall Rating of a company; it’s a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” on a specific policy or practice. Companies not included on the list may have similar policies, Consumer Reports said in a statement.

This year, Consumer Reports is asking consumers to join the effort by submitting their own personal Naughty & Nice nominee via Facebook and Twitter (#CRNaughtyNice).

For the first time, Consumer Reports will also be setting up a booth at the Holiday Market at Union Square in New York City, offering visitors an in-person opportunity to submit their list and receive 24 hours of free access to www.ConsumerReports.org.

The Naughty & Nice Holiday List is based on input from Consumer Reports' reporters and editors who cover shopping, travel, hospitality, and telecommunications and visitors to the Consumer Reports Facebook page.

The following highlights some of the companies from the 2012 Naughty & Nice list:

Naughty

• Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster will mail you your tickets for free if you have 10 to 14 days to wait for them, but if you need them any sooner you’ll have to pay for expedited shipping. You’ll even have to pay $2.50 per order just to print them yourself.
• Time Warner Cable. It joins a list of other providers to charge a monthly fee – in this case, $3.95 – to lease a cable modem.
• BMW. Some BMWs don’t come with a spare tire or jack. The carmaker’s models now come with run-flat tires or a Mobility Kit, which can get you to help after a minor puncture. The disappearing-spare syndrome is spreading to include even economy models from Hyundai, Chevrolet, and others.

Nice

• Home Depot. Buy a new appliance from Home Depot, and it’ll take your old one off your property without charge. The delivery crew will also uncrate, set up, level, and test your new one.
• Oxo. The housewares manufacturer backs every product it sells with a no-exceptions pledge: If for any reason you aren’t satisfied, return it for replacement or refund.
• PNC Bank. In Consumer Reports’ survey of 10 large banks, PNC was the only one to offer a free basic checking account. In addition, it doesn’t require customers to maintain a minimum balance to keep the free account.

The full Naughty & Nice lists from this year, 2011, and 2010 are available online at www.ConsumerReports.org/CRNaughtyNice.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Recall of the Week: LG electric ranges due to fire hazard

LG Electronics Inc. is recalling about 161,000 electric ranges.

Burners on the electric ranges can fail to turn off after being switched off and the temperature setting can increase unexpectedly during use, posing burn and fire hazards to consumers.

LG has received 80 reports about burners failing to turn off or the temperature setting increasing unexpectedly during use, the company and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement. No fires or injuries have been reported.

The recalled ranges involve models LRE30451, LRE30453, LRE30755, LRE30757, and LRE30955ST. They were sold in black, white, and stainless steel and with a smooth black ceramic glass top cooking surface.

The recalled ranges have serial numbers starting with 512, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 711, 712, 801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, and 906.

The model and serial numbers can be found on a label that can be seen by opening the storage drawer at the base of the unit. The electric ranges are about 47½ inches tall to the top of the backguard, 29 inches wide, and 28 inches deep.

Manufactured in South Korea and Mexico, the ranges were sold at: Best Buy, Home Depot, Sears, and regional appliance retailers nationwide from January 2006 to June 2010. The cost was between $800 and $1,999.

Consumers should immediately contact LG to schedule a free in-home repair, LG and the commission advise. Consumers whose burner heat setting can’t be regulated by using the controls or who experience problems with a cooktop burner remaining on, should immediately stop using the recalled electric range until it’s repaired.

For more information, call 855-400-4638 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, or go to www.LG.com/us and click on Public Notices in the Customer Services section.

For details on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Breast Cancer Fund offers tips for cancer prevention

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I agree with the Breast Cancer Fund that it’s time to move beyond breast cancer “awareness” to prevention.

Early this month, the BCF launched a breast cancer prevention campaign. It urges women to:

• Chose safe cosmetics.

• Eat and live better by eating fresh organic food, hormone-free meat and dairy, and non-toxic seafood.

• Protect their family from toxic chemicals in plastics, cookware, toys, baby bottles, and child cups.

• Create a healthy home by choosing or making less toxic cleaning products.

• Make informed health care choices about treatments such as radiation exposures and prescription drugs.

• Protect themselves and the environment by evaluating sunscreens, avoiding dry cleaning, stopping the use of antibacterial products, and quitting smoking.

See the BDF’s “Which Chemicals Are Linked to Breast Cancer?” for more information.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Recall of the Week: Taphandles ceramic beer tap handles due to laceration hazard

Seattle-based Taphandles LLC is recalling about 24,000 ceramic beer tap handles.

The tap handles can break during normal use, posing a laceration hazard to consumers, the company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves ceramic beer tap handles sold in 25 custom-made designs. “Taphandles Inc.” and “Made in China” are engraved on the gray metal base of the tap handle.

Manufactured in China by B&C Industries Ltd., the tap handles were sold directly to breweries from November 2002 to May 2006 for between $10 and $23.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ceramic beer tap handles and contact Taphandles to receive a free replacement tap handle, the company and commission advise.

Call Taphandles at 877-855-6383 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit www.taphandles.com/recall for more information.

For details on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Recall of the Week: GE Profile front load washers due to injury hazard

GE Appliances is recalling about 62,000 GE Profile front load washers.

The washer’s basket can separate during use and break the washer’s top panel, posing an injury hazard to consumers, GE and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement.

GE has received 19 reports of washer baskets separating, including 10 reports of top panel breakage. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves GE Profile frontload washing machines with model numbers beginning with WPDH8800, WPDH8900, and WPDH8910. All serial numbers with these models are included in this recall.

The washers were sold in gold, red and, white.

 

The model number is located on the washer’s right side near the bottom and behind the door near the doorframe, which is visible when the door is opened.

Manufactured in China, the washers were sold at Best Buy, Lowe’s, Sears, The Home Depot, and other department and retail stores nationwide from July 2008 to August 2011. The cost was between $1,199 and $1,599.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled washers and contact GE for a free repair, the company and commission advise.

For additional information, contact GE Appliances at 888-641-9739 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.geappliances.com/products/recall.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Recall of the Week: Mr. Coffee single cup brewers due to burn hazard

Sunbeam Products Inc., doing business as Jarden Consumer Solutions, is recalling 520,000 Mr. Coffee single cup brewing systems in the United States and 80,700 in Canada

A build-up of steam in the water reservoir can force the brewing chamber to open and throw out hot coffee grounds and water, posing a burn hazard, JCS and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement.

JCS has received 164 reports of the brewing chamber opening due to steam pressure, including about 59 reports in the U.S. and two in Canada of burn injuries to consumers' face, upper torso, and hands.

The recalled coffeemaker comes in black with silver, red, or white trim. It’s about 11 inches tall and has a Brew Now/Off button and a removable drip tray. The water tank is located on top of the unit towards the back.

The model number is printed on the bottom of the brewer. Click here for a list of recalled model numbers.

Manufactured in China, the coffee makers were sold by mass merchandisers nationwide, including Bed Bath & Beyond, Brandsmart, JC Penney, Kmart, Lowe's, Target, and Walmart and online at www.mrcoffee.com from September 2010 through August 2012. The cost was $60 to$80.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled coffee brewer and contact JCS to receive information on how to obtain a free replacement unit, the company and commission advise.

For additional information, contact JCS at 800-993-8609 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.mrcoffeerecall.com.

For details on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist