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If you know anything about me or have watched any of my Consumer Alerts on NBC10, then you know I am passionate about getting people good solid information so they can make the best decisions for their money and their lives. I would shout it from the rooftops if I could! But I thought this website would be the next best thing.
Now more than ever I feel driven to deliver information about saving money, making money, finding jobs and really taking control of your finances. I developed this site for you. It’ll have the latest consumer headlines, plus resources I use all the time to find information. I’ll also post my most popular stories from NBC10 and all of the events that are on my schedule. And I want you to talk to me. Tell me what’s on your mind. Tell me about any issues you’re having and I’ll try to help. I’m here to serve and I hope you check in with us everyday here for the latest money saving- money making news.
I’ll have daily blog entries and a list of my upcoming events. And, if you want me to come to your event- just let me know. I love to talk about this crazy business, any kind of personal finance topic, and you may not know this about me, but I’m always available to talk about my faith journey.
And, what sets my website apart from others: Not only do I want you to talk to me, tell me your consumer complaints and issues you’re dealing with, but I will respond and be checking everyday to see what’s on your mind and how I can help.
Comments
My wife bought a new product at the store that caused me concern. They are called “Finders Key Purse” and promote themselves as a convenient way for women to find their keys. Key finders have a decorative part that hangs outside a handbag with a curved bar that connects to keys inside the handbag. My concern is that criminals with start targeting key finders if they become popular. Criminals can easily take victims keys which give them access to their cars, homes, etc. Perhaps I’m paranoid but I think Finders Key Purse should have a security warning. You can check them out at http://www.finderskeypurse.com
#What do you think?
My mortage lender is giving me a hard time and giving me the run around making me re fax papers etc since my husband ‘s dudden death at a local hospital . I have been a widow , left with 2 kids and medical issues , bills, and a high interest mortgage in my husbands name and I am executor. we both are on the deed.. we will be in the streets if someone does not help me get a lower mortgage rate /payment. Tracy Davidosn , please help me. call me at 215 983-4418
#I saw Tracy’s report on jobs but cannot find any link to them here or on the nbcphilly.com web site. Can anyone help out on this.
#Thanks
I saw Tracy’s report on job listings but cannot find any like to the listings on here or on the nbcphiladelphia.com web site. Can someone point me in the right direction to see the listings.
#In lieu of all the holiday sales going on – I think it may be prudent to shed a light on many of the stores return policies. I have contacted a few, one of them Staples, and asked about their return policy for items purchased now and if they can be returned after Christmas in case they are defective.
I was told by online customer service reps and a local store manager that they will not have the gift policy in effect until after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is when the policy kicks in and not before.
Needless to say I had to pass on some great sales because of their policy and not wanting to take a chance on a expensive item like a laptop, camera, etc.
Please put it out there to our local Philly listeners.
#i went to walmart on black friday to buy my kids laptops that were on sale starting at 5am. no where in the ad did it say numbers would be givin it said first come first serve.well they started giving them out at 1am. when i questioned the people they said i don’t know what to tell you.this is not the first time i got this from them.i am unemployed for the past year and my husband just got back to work barely making minimum wage and working 60 to 70 hours a week.i do all my shopping in walmart be cause the prices are good but with this second time of them doing this i guess i will have to find some where else to shop.
#I’ve been looking at a website called Internet Job Locator. On the site they have a video clip of a report that Tracy did on stay at home jobs. The video featured a former nbc10 staffer named Patty Feeny. Is nbc10 aware of this clip and do they recommend this web site as legit?
#My father is 86 years old, suffers from diabetes & congestive heart failure. Has difficulty walking. He purchased a Scooter and Lift from the “Scooter Store”. The scooter was not going to be for the house, but for trips to the mall, shopping, boardwalk and he was really looking forward to it. The scooter is fine he has no problem operating it. The lift is another matter entirely. I spoke to the lift manufacturer who said that the Scooter Store (seller) should have questioned my father and determined the extent of his disabiltiy and any limitations he had before selling him that model. The model is manually operated meaning that the floor of the lift must be lowered and raised manually, held in place and secured. The scooter must also be strapped down with tie downs. Essentially that makes it useless to my Dad, he does not possess the strengh or dexterity to accomplish those tasks. Spoke with the Scooter Store many times. At first they were willing to help, maybe upgrade the lift or do something so that my dad would be able to use it. The end result was that there is nothing that can be done. The lift is the best model they have that can fit my dads car. Their last suggestion was that he tie a rope on to the flat part of the lift to use for leverage to pull it up. The saleman said he recommends that to all of the customers who have problems operating it. My husband asked if there were a lot of people who had problems with the operation of the unit. He was told yes. Also the installation of the lift, done by U-Hall, Route 13, Bristol, PA was awful. This was set up by the Scooter store they contact with U-Haul. The lift covers the passanger side tail and brake light. The wiring for the lift should have been routed through the trunk floor, it was not – it just hangs out of the back and when you close the truck you close it on the wires. When I went to pick up the car from U-Haul, I asked for the operating manual for the lift – they had to go dig it out of the dumpster – they had thrown it away after they were done! Oh and the battery on the car was dead! End result – my Dad now has a scooter that he loves, but cant take anywhere. He has a lift that he cannot operate. The scooter store told him they would take it back! FOR A $500.00 fee!!! I dont know if you can help my dad, but someone needs to let other elderly people know that the scooter store does not care about them. They just want the sale, they are not concerned with you actually being happy with and able to use their product.
If you need more information I can supply the lift manuafacter’s name and contact number as well as the names of the people my husband dealt with at the Scooter Store. Just let me know.
Thank you.
#I have a serious ticket refund problem with both American Expess and El Al airline which has gone on for nearly a year. It concerns my request for a refund due to a relapse of my Cancer. I am mailing the information to you and am hoping you can help me.
#Is there a truly good and legitimate resource for moms to work at home? After 2yrs of and awesome job I loved they closed the division down. With my 2 younger children and granddaughter needing me more at home I now would like to look into working from home but don’t want to be “ripped off” Please Help. I can be emailed at lisabarben@yahoo.com please email me and I can then give you my contact number. Thank you very much for your help and interest in helping the community at large.
#Hi Lisa…very few work at home opportunities are legit… most are big scams.. check out a company completely…and if you have to pay money up front– run..
#I’d like to know why not all of us can participate in the PECO electric supplier switch program.
I went to the “PA Power Switch” website to select a new supplier but was told that no suppliers can offer me any savings because I have residental “RH” rate. I am therefore stuck with PECO as my electric supplier with the rate increases. I have electric heat in my home. I would have plenty of choices if I had typical “R” rate with oil or gas heat.
I have received offers from potential suppliers in the mail and called a few and none will supply to a residential electric heat customer. I had several choices when we had supplier choice the last time back in the late 1990′s, same house, same electric heat, and managed to save about $250 a year. Why not now? I would be curious to know why.
#Hi Chris– here’s what I got from someone at the state:
The RH customers rate is so low compared to the regular R rate. They are paying 6.67 cents/kWh as compared to 9.74 cents/kWh that the regular rate customers are paying. The RH customers are receiving a special discount because their homes are all electric.
The law that created competition for electricity markets required the state’s Public Utility Commission to create a level playing field between utilities and any competitive electric generation suppliers who wish to compete for customers – that includes eliminating discounts rates for increased electric usage.
Heating customers won’t lose their special rate this winter. The discount will be cut by half during the 2011-12 heating season and be eliminated in 2012. The market for them to shop will develop once all of their discounts are gone.
#Dear Ms. Davidson:
I have watched your nightly news casts and request your assistance if possible. I am a Civil Engineer with nearly 24 years of experience in municipal, land development and forensic engineering. I recently lost my job due to the slow down in home construction. My background is also strong in municipal engineering and construction claims which should provide some versatility in this market. Would you have any leads within the region of which I may forward my resume ? I am licensed within Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Thanks for any assistance you may provide.
Sincerely,
Glenn Eby
#Hi Glenn.. thanks for your post.. any job listings i get.. I post on my facebook page and nbcphiladelphia.com.. Also, we’ll be having naother Get a Job event in March. Experts we talk with strongly suggest networking via social media and volunteering.
#I believe I need your assistance for investigating a company for installing replacement windows. My windows are scheduled for installation on 2/2/2011. I ordered the windows from Windows Wholesalers Inc. in early November. A fellow worker of mine had her installed already and she is unhappy with the craftsmanship and entire installation process. The worker demanded full payment prior to any work being commensed on the day of installation. He charged $80 for EPA lead based paint abatement on each window. This consisted of his using clear plastic to cover the area under the window during window removal and new insertion. Then he shakes the plastic out onto the pavement and street and reuses the plastic on each subsequent window. They are not following the EPA instructions but they are charging the customers the fees. The quality of the windows are stated in the brochure as the highest of quality with a lifetime warranty. Fully welded with the energy star rating, argon gas and . I went to see my fellow workers windows and they are not the same quality as he brought to my home or hers. They have sharp, unfinished edges, not fully welded, from the factory. I am not an expert but I know I see and can feel sharp, unfinished, roughly cut edges. They were not present on the model presented at our homes. He took 2 pictures of her windows. He put the plastic up and took a picture. The second picture clearly shows tears from the reuse of the same plastic. The worker wanted the customer to sign. She offered him a trash can to use rather than shake the paint chips all over. He shrugged it off and just continued. The same plastic was reused throughout the day. He didn’t caulk around the windows and has been called several times. He did come on one day and the customer had to take another day off from work. The caulking is still not completed. The owner has told my friend that he is going to call his lawyer if she calls him. He said she is harassing him and he can call the factory. The owner does not want to stand behind the work. He says he will send the same worker to repair the job so he learns. Meanwhile she waits. The windows are not fixed. He threatens her when she calls. When he answers the phone, he pretends or says he is someone else. When I see the windows, the capping, the service I am concerned about my windows. Why would the owner refuse to come and see the job. He just wants to resend the same worker. In two visits he has not completed the job. Can You check it out? Are there other complaints? Please help. Right now I’m out $1400. I can cut my losses and cancel but the contract says I will lose my deposit. I have now contacted him as of yet. I am watching for her resolution. My friend isn’t crazy about having her house on TV and her family but would like the matter resolved. She is afraid she really won’t get any satisfaction. I have faith in you. I think you can shed light on this and expose his bait and switch or force him to install the advertised quality window.
#Hello Tracy,
I’m hoping you can assist me with a credit card problem with a credit card company ( I won’t name here ), as well as how credit cards affect your credit report.
#I have been a customer with a certain credit card company as a credit card holder since 2005. Over that time they have closed about three credit cards because they believed they might have been compromised for theft. Each time I get a letter with a new card and a statement that I wished to close the account, even though said credit card company closed it each time without asking me. Does that hurt your credit? Is it better to state I told them to close it for possible theft? I had no knowledge of the compromise, so I didn’t ask them to close it, but if it were I would want it closed if there were fraudulent charges on it. I never saw fraudulent charges until December 2010. Apparently someone I don’t know made several small purchases online with the account that was already closed! The charges were forwarded to my new card number! None of the credit card agents can explain to me why when the card is closed you can still steal it, except to say a card remains open, even though it is closed, for six months from when they close it. I would love to better understand their treatment to their cardholders and why we are not fully protected.
In order to get the three charges cleared I had to call many times and also return formal documents in writing stating the fact I didn’t know the person who used my card unauthorized. I understand the formal documents, but the phone call conversations I had to make were bad service and a waste of my time.
They didn’t recommend closing my credit card because the charges were being made on the closed one. That all changed on January 12th. said credit card company called me to ask if I went online that day and purchased something with my new card. I didn’t and they told me the charge wouldn’t show up on my account and they would close this fourth card and issue another again! I asked them how this new card would be any different since the stolen card can have the charges forwarded to the new card. They told me they would put a “special security block so that can’t happen”. I was told that before when the second set of charges showed up. Why wasn’t that done with the other 5 calls I made to them?
When I received the new card in the mail it also still had the $60 annual fee they started last year. The fee is refunded once I spend $2400 on it a year then it happens again next year. I called to have it removed but they wouldn’t. I didn’t want to ruin my credit by closing the card so last year I used it until I reached the $2400.
After all I’ve been through with this card and still have a fee. I was fed up, so I called about the poor service I have had also told them that I checked my credit score which is 798, and that I have been a card holder since 2005, please remove the annual fee. They told me they could not because I wasn’t spending enough on it each year. I asked them if they would prefer to lose a customer than remove the annual fee and they didn’t budge.
I would like to close this card. The unfortunate thing is this said credit card company card is my second to oldest credit card so; it will hurt my credit history if I close it, but the service is awful and wasting my time. It has a $10,000 limit on it. I have another card with them with a $20,000 limit that they will soon start to treat the same way, I would imagine. I love one of my credit cards and the rewards, so I use my others very little. I have nine credit cards in total over the years totaling $118,400 in available credit. I have heard too many cards can hurt your score, but not according to the score I got on myfico.com 798. I would prefer to only have about four cards, as it seems to be a good average. Do you know what a good amount of credit cards is? I know closing a credit card hurts your score so another question is, how do you narrow them done to the best ones without hurting your score? When you do it, about how many points does it drop and for how long? I have heard closing cards will hurt you, but may raise your score in the long run, is that true? I have also heard it doesn’t really hurt you until about 7 – 10 years down the road when the credit reporting agencies drop it off of your report, is that true? I never know what source to believe. The length of time closing a card brings your score down matters if you are thinking of purchasing a new car, house or going to grad school in the near future or in a few years. That is the biggest question I’ve been trying to find in various resources, but I can’t because everyone’s credit situation is different.
To sum it up is it possible to get said credit card company to waive the fee? I’ve heard 50% of the time it is possible especially is you have a great credit score as I do, but I have asked a total of three times each a no. How do I get to the right person to get a yes or should I just close it since they waste my time on how they handle my credit card number repeatedly being stolen, despite that it is my second to oldest credit card? How many credit cards are good to have? Also, how can I best pair down the nine credit cards I have and keep my score of 798? Can I close one once a year and ask another to raise my credit limit? I have heard you can only get you credit limit increased if you have a good score and if you have been using the card a lot. Also, when you call for a credit limit increase, if the company thinks you haven’t been using it enough they will decrease your credit limit! Plus, they have to pull your credit, so wouldn’t that knock your score down?
I have seen the wonderful assistance you have given to others over the years, so I’m very excited to hear your response! Thank you for your time in assisting me.
I want to purchase life insurance and there are so many company on TV could you please tell me what company is the best. I know nothing about life insurance thank you Shirley
#Hi Shirley… If you go to your state’s insurance department on line– It will give you step by step how to shop for insurance, I can’t tell you which is the best because it’s based on individual needs, Hope this helps
#I have enjoyed watching you thru the past few years and wonder how your dog is doing ? If I remember correctly , you had to sit her in a special device so she could eat . I hope all is well with the pup ?
#Thanks Linda… Yes. my dog Charlie.. I just love him. and yes he still has to sit in that chair, but he’s very used to it… he knows it means food— so he goes there with tail wagging
#I was just wondering… this situation with the priest abuse, who are they holding accountable for letting this teacher Bernard Shero keep teaching in Catholic schools after he left St.Jerome’s? He taught in a few Catholic schools after that. Maybe Mary Rochford the Superintendent of the Archdiocese should try to answer that question. Can you find out that answer for us? The priest that covered for the other priests is being held accountable for them, who is being held accountable for putting the kids in the elementary schools at risk???
#Hi Tracy. This is a bit broader than an individual consumer issue yet thought it still would be something for you to evaluate.
There are thousands of residents in the Philadelphia metropolitan area who are going to lose their adultBasic health insurance on February 28th. There are over 500,000 residents on the waiting list, many of whom have been without health insurance for years. While Governor Corbett campaigned agreeing to save this program, now that he is in office, he is refusing to do so.
Did you know that The Blues in PA have a *$6 billion* surplus yet are refusing to fund this critical program? Middle-class PA residents, the largest majority from the Philadelphia metropolitan area — parents of young children, college students struggling to pay their tuition to get an education, self-employed individuals, seniors not yet eligible for Medicare — are not going to be able to receive the health care they need. Some will die. Others will become sick. Still others risk illness or injury.
We need help from the media to pressure Harrisburg and The Blues to continue this program and there are viable options that would do just that. This is a critical issue that has thousands of Philadelphia residents in fear of what will happen to them in less than two weeks. Any awareness you can bring would be appreciated. Thank you.
#hello tracy
#I am sending this e-mail because i have received a e-mail in reference to work at home job that i think is sponsered by you
it is daily news investegates news 4 investigation contact @ mail.spaceshipsre.net
anyway my question is do you know of this work at home job because the charge is 97.00$
i just want to know what you think if i were to try this work at home job and is it legit
thank you
MARTIN FREY
Hi Martin– THIS IS A HUGE SCAM THAT WE’VE BEEN WARNING PEOPLE ABOUT FOR ABOUT 9months now.. These people stole video from our newscast and then edited it to make it look like I’m endorsing their job.. It’s a scam.. It’s not a job.. Like almost all work at home jobs you’ll find on line– they will take your money– THERE IS NO JOB.
#Tracy: I NEED your help!!!!!! I’m writing about a product that I got as a Christmas present that I thought would be good for my health (lung disease). We just moved into a home in July and noticed that the bedroom needed additional heat and the produce (Eden Pure Gen 4) backed by Bob Villa sounded like just what I needed. We ordered it in early November and waited a couple of weeks for it. On December 4, 2010 we called to return it as it is very noisy and did not heat the size room that it stated it would. By the time they sent a return label the winter weather came upon us and we decided to live with it until the heater stopped working (approximately 2-3 weeks). I have been on a terrible nightmare with this company (BIOTECH RESEARCH) who informed me that because I just passed the 60 days refund policy they could only exchange the product. I was told I could take it to a certified repair place but that was Ace Hardware in Fleetwood, Pa. (aprox. 50 miles). When I called and spoke to Glenn he told me that he will NOT deal with that company anymore since they do not pay him. On February 8, 2011 I called and waited hours to speak to someone and they told me that they were putting this heater on a “CALL LIST” and that as soon as UPS picked it up they would send out another heater right away (LIES!!!!!!!) I spoke to the same person on February 23, 2011 who told me that the heater got back to them on February 15, 2011 and that noone recorded that it was returned. I told them I wanted a refund, which I was informed could be done (LIED!!!!!). Today, February 25, 2011 I spoke to a supervisor who told me that the exchange heater was going out today and they could not refund the money. By the time I receive this heater the winter will be over and I will have paid $400.00 for a 2-3 week working heater that has me soooo much heartache. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!! Thanks! Darlene
#Dear Tracy,
I’m writing in regards to any resources you may have as to how many credit cards should one have in relation to their credit history. I have a very good credit score, but would like to have less open credit cards if I could. I’m not sure which to close if any. Here is my history.
I have great credit score from Equifax through Myfico.com of 798 with a total of 28 credit cards listed. Five of the cards are inactive store cards. Ten have been closed due to inactivity by the card issuer. I have heard they don’t negatively affect your credit until they come off your report in ten years. Is that true? If so, it looks like my total open credit is $124,550 not counting high balances reported by NPSL cards. Then if you wanted to close cards you could space them out so they don’t make a dent at the same time, correct? Six of the active cards do not report a credit limit, the high balance report totals $24,063. Six active cards starting from 1/2006 report my credit limit totaling $66,750 worth of credit. I spend on my credit cards an average of $1,100 a month and pay in full. I like the three of the four NPSL cards I have because one is from 8/1998 and also the rewards. When I pulled the credit report number I was only charging on a credit limit reporting card and the NPSL cards were dormant for months/years. I have begun reusing them to keep them open, but do the NPSL cards hurt your score? Should I close some of my cards to streamline? If so, should I go by the latest date opened, which are two credit limit reporting cards (totaling $31,000) or some of the NPSL cards? If they don’t count on your utilization score do they hurt when you close them?
If I close my two newest cards with a credit limit totaling $31,000. That would reduce my available total credit to about half it is now at $35,750, still a great utilization ratio compared to my spending. Do current balances on NPSL cards count against your total available credit for credit utilization or are they completely left out if they are reported correctly? Will lenders in the future see my credit limit as too much and a possible liability if I earn about $45,000 a year? Is there a guideline to income and available lines of credit and how they affect your credit score? Do the NPSL cards count towards your length of credit history?
I appreciate any assistance you could give in answering my credit questions.
Thank You,
Lisa
#I watch your consumer tips and have been very interested in your stories on purchasing energy on the open market in PA. I certainly wish there was some consolidated information and or/advocacy on this issue in New Jersey as you have in Philly. There seems no place to go to get info to compare. Do you know of resources I can use? Many Thanx,
Jim Cummings
#Hi Jim… you’re right. Customers in New Jersey have had the ability to switch for awhile, yet the state has not set up the kind of state that PA did.
#This is the best NJ has:
http://www.state.nj.us/bpu/commercial/shopping.html#5
Please help I am disabled and would like to work from home online,are there any real companys that I can go to? Tryed MyNextjob.com,and am getting a lot of calls but they all want money.Please tell me that not all online companys are not like and stear me to the right one PLEASE!. I worked for an answering service on computers for several years so I know how to do that type of work, but I know nothing re:setting up web suites and they all want to do that.Please help me out. Thank You,Pamela Thomas P.S. I’m in DE.
#hi Pamela…. there are VERY FEW legit work at home jobs. One site that investigates offers is http://www.ratracerebellion.com
#When and where will your next shredder event be held?
#don’t know yet Jerome… but as soon as we know, we’ll announce it on nBC10 news at5
#Hi Christine…. I have not featured any legit work at home jobs lately.. A good website to start with is ratracerebellion.com MOST WORK AT HOME JOBS ARE SCAMS!! BE VERY VERY CAREFUL
#hi tracy—i love all the consumer tips you give. hopefully, you can help me out. i’m up to my eyeballs in credit card debt and would like to get out of it using credit card debt consolidation. i get letter after letter from company’s offering help– along with hearing ads on the radio. I don’t know who is legit and who isn’t. I would appreciate your help in steering me in the right direction. thanking you in advance. lorraine from jersey
#Hi Tracy, I love to watch and get great tips from you! The one thing I have learn from you is to check my receipt before leaving a store. I have caught many mistakes with store managers very appreciative and adjustments are made without an issue. Well, my husband and I are currently in Atlantic City for the week. At dinner last night, (Breadsticks at the Resorts Casino) on the menu its printed $6 for a glass of wine yet when we got the bill it was listed as $7. We talked to the manager who clearly explained that there was nothing he could do for us because the computer doesn’t allow him to override it. He also explained that the prices have increased (tough on us) and that the correct menus should be in soon. So its not just the wine that is being advertised incorrectly there could many items on the menu listed wrong. Shouldn’t they wait until they get the new menus in before increasing the prices in the computer? Isn’t this false advertisement,- how can they get away with this?? It’s one thing if there is a mistake on the product that doesn’t match the computer prices, but to do it on purpose,- knowingly.
#Dear Tracy,my question is,is PCH a real company cause they say you donn’t have to buy anything to enter into their sweepstakes but now i keep getting calls from different companys that i know nothingh about saying i’ve won different items but then they want me to buy books or whatever from them what a rip off! They just will not stop calling/emailing me. HELP PLEASE!!!Thank You Pamela Thomas
#Is there going to be an answer to comment #3601 for Pamela Thomas from Wilm.,De?
#Do you Want to say something?