Michael Finney's Consumer Blog

How to get a great deal on an extended warranty

Getting a deal on an extended warranty is a snap. Most consumers think they can only buy an extended warranty when purchasing the original item. That was the case, but now retailers have competition. An online company offers extended warranties at deep discount. But don’t stop there, get a price online and then let your retailer bid for the business.

Here’s where to start: www.squaretrade.com

Beware of kids selling candy in the summertime

I just walked by the cable car turnaround and saw a bunch of kids selling candy. That is not good and I knew it immediately.  Although selling candy for good causes is a great way for youth organizations to raise some much needed cash, that’s not what was going on.

It is summertime, most youth organizations are in full swing and kids are too busy to be selling candy. That, or the programs are shut down for the summer break. So what is really going on here?

Adults round up a bunch of kids -- usually from poor neighborhoods -- and promise them big money selling candy. Some groups stay local, but often a van full of kids will hit the road. The children, usually young teens, will have no contact with their parents and that big money is put towards “expenses.” The teens often end owing the adults money.

These kids are easy to spot because they tend to look lost and the candy bars they sell are not branded with a youth organization’s name or logo. The box carrying the candy has no identification either. If you want to do some good, don’t buy the candy.

How to get a good deal fast on the car lot

Insider Trick: How to get a good deal fast on the car lot.

“Don’t lose your up.” Say those magic words with authority and you will be halfway to a great deal on your next new car purchase.

Say that when you are first approached by the salesperson. When he or she first comes up to you on the lot say, “I’m just looking, don’t lose your up.”  That simple exchange puts you on par with the professional negotiator/sales person.

Why? Most care dealerships work on the “up” system. That is, sales associates take turns waiting on customers. A turn in the car business is called an ”up.”

By using their own lingo, they will assume you are in the business -- part of the brotherhood as it were, or used to be. That assumption helps you cut through a lot of back and forth.

Twitter + Spying = Twipying

Twitter + Spying = Twipying! If you use Twitter, they could know more about you than you think, and you can find out more about them, too.

It is all on the up and up, totally legal. Find out who they tweet and when they tweet them. What do they talk about? What do they talk about most? It’s all here at TweetStats.com. Just remember everything you can find out about them, they can find out about you, too.

Finney's Friday Free Stuff

Free stuff details here

Spam surrounds the King of Pop’s death

Whenever there is a disaster online, scammers get to work. Now with the death of Michael Jackson they are working overtime.  Spam messages have been sent exploiting the grief of Jackson’s fans. 

Details

Finney’s Golf Free Stuff

$20 bucks for free at a Golfsmith store near you! This is for the first 100 customers through the store on the selected day, so you may have to get up early, but that’s a very good deal indeed. Make sure you read the instructions.

Print the Golfsmith coupon

Finney's Thursday Free Stuff

Get your house painted, “on the house.”  Free paint from Glidden. Any Color, one quart, sent to your home free of charge. Get a jump start on your summer house to-do list.

Glidden National Paint Giveaway

Buying a car: Cash back or reduced-rate financing?

This is a great time to be buying a car. There are so many deals out there.

Many manufacturers are offering cash-back and reduced-rate financing. Sometimes both on the same car, but often the buyer must choose between the two -- either a reduced price or reduced-rate financing.

Which is the better deal? It can be hard to figure out, depending on the offers and your personal situation. Luckily there is a quick way to sort through the numbers and you don’t have to be a math whiz. 

Here’s a calculator from Cars.com

Finney's Wednesday Free Stuff

This computer security software is sold for as much as $70, but if you buy it through Amazon.com there is a rebate that makes the purchase free (other than sales tax). It would appear the company is depending on a bunch of consumers not following through. That's fine, because you will.

McAfee Total Protection 2009