The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Be careful using Angie’s List, consumer group warns

Angie’s List, an online rating service, has many shortcomings in addition to potential value to consumers, according to a Consumer Federation of America report.

Angie’s List, founded in 1995, was originally supported mainly by annual consumer subscriptions and prioritized service to these subscribers. Today, while consumers can join for free, Angie’s List gets almost all its revenue from advertising purchased by some of the local businesses that the online service lists and rates. Angie’s List recommends and gives preferential treatment to these advertisers and that can easily mislead consumers into thinking these businesses are the best ones and should be selected.

The report, “Angie’s List: An Evaluation of Its Usefulness for Consumers” shows that these profiled businesses are often not those rated the most highly by consumers and by a nonprofit rating group.

Brass fittings recalled by Interline Brands due to fire hazard

Interline Brands is recalling about 140,000 ProPlus brass flare swivel fittings.

The fittings can leak, posing a fire hazard.  

Interline has received two reports of the swivels leaking when installation.

This recall involves multiple sizes of ProPlus brass flare swivel fittings used as connectors for copper tubing. The brass, gold-colored fittings connect two male flare nuts opposite to each other. The swivels were used primarily for LP gas (propane) applications by professional installers.

Propane torches are being recalled by Harbor Freight Tools due to burn hazards

Harbor Freight Tools is recalling about 150,000 greenwood propane torches.

The trigger on the torches that engages the flame can fail to disengage when the trigger is no longer pressed, posing a burn hazard.

Harbor Freight has received two reports of the trigger failing, including one report of a burn injury.

Hammer drills recalled by Black & Decker due to possible injuries

Black & Decker is recalling about 641,000 Bostitch and Porter-Cable hammer drills and drill drivers in the United States and about 18,000 in Canada.

The side handle sold with the drill can slip or break, leading to a loss of control of the tool, posing an injury hazard.

Black & Decker has received 11 reports of side handles slipping or breaking and one report of a torn rotator cuff injury.

Emerson Tool Co. recalling wet/dry vacuums due to shock hazard

The Emerson Tool Co. is recalling about 208,000 RIDGID wet/dry vacuums in the United States and about 2,600 in Canada

The on/off switch can become dislodged and expose energized wiring, posing a shock hazard to consumers.

No incidents or injuries have been reported.

This recall involves RIDGID NXT wet/dry vacuums, models HD06000, 6-gallon, and HD09000, 9-gallon. The orange and black wet/dry vacuum has four swivel casters, a carrying handle, a hose, and accessories. RIDGID is printed on the front of the vacuum. The model number can be found on a silver product identification label on the back of the vacuum’s powerhead assembly.

Manafort, guilty – Cohen, guilty: What’s next?

Paul Manafort                        Michael Cohen

Photo: Voice of America        Photo: IowaPolitics.com

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know that I’ve written dozens of articles about how the Trump administration is slashing environmental and consumer laws and regulations as fast as it can.

To me, yesterday was a great day in terms of beginning to get some answers about the crimes being committed by members of Trump’s inner circle and, perhaps, the president himself.

Paul Manafort, 69, Trump's former campaign chairman, was found guilty Tuesday by a jury on eight counts of financial crimes. The eight counts included five tax fraud charges, one charge of hiding foreign bank accounts, and two counts of bank fraud.

Michael Cohen, 51, former longtime Trump attorney, pleaded guilty Tuesday to eight felony charges of tax fraud, bank fraud, and campaign finance violations. Cohen said he coordinated with Trump to illegally payoff two women to keep them quiet about alleged affairs with Trump.

At last, we’re beginning to get some answers on what officials in the Trump administration were up to. Cohen pointing to Trump about a campaign violation is particularly illuminating.

What’s next?

Baccus recalls Stanley workbench LED light and power stations due to shock hazards

Baccus is recalling about 20,000 Stanley workbench LED light and power stations.

The recalled workbench and power stations are wired incorrectly, which can result in reverse polarity, posing shock and electrocution hazards.

The firm has received three reports of the units being wired incorrectly. No injuries have been reported.

Aluminum telescoping ladders recalled by Werner due to fall hazard

Werner is recalling about 78,000 multi-purpose telescoping aluminum ladders.

The ladders can break while being used by consumers, posing a fall hazard.

The firm has received one report of a ladder breaking while in use, resulting in one injury to the left side and elbow of the consumer.

Good deals for Father’s Day 2018

Not sure what get for your dad for Father’s Day?

Here are some suggestions from DealNews.com:

TVs

In the month leading up to Father's Day last year, DealNews.com saw plenty of TV deals for every budget.

Games

If your dad's hobbies include gaming, Father's Day is a good time to indulge him. During the month before Father's Day last year, DealNews.com saw the most deals on video games for consoles, although there was a good number of computer game deals, too.

Outdoor items

Maybe your dad loves the great outdoors. If so, there are plenty of deals on outdoor gear around Father's Day.

Tools

Unfortunately, for the do-it-yourself-loving dad, tool deals are less common this time of year.

Clothes

Apparel sales might not be common around the holiday, but there should still be a handful. Expect savings in the 20 percent to 30 percent range, or maybe a buy one, get one free promotion. 

Copyright 2018, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Square D safety switches recalled by Schneider Electric due to electrical shock hazard

Schneider Electric is recalling about 1 million Square D brand general duty safety switches.

The power can stay on when the safety switch handle is in the “OFF” position, posing an electrical shock or electrocution hazard to consumers.

No incidents or injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Square D brand General Duty 30 & 60A, 120/240-volt, 2-phase and 3-phase NEMA 3R safety switches. The switches are a dark gray metal box with a black handle on the side that can be moved to an “ON” or “OFF” position. The “OFF” position is designed to shut off the flow of electricity.