by Dennis Beaver | consumer, real estate, scam
September 8, 2017 • By Dennis Beaver In 2004, during their vacation in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico “Carlos” and “Maria” purchased a $58,000 timeshare at Club Regina. It was bought over Maria’s objections. “I earn the money, I will make the decisions” her macho husband...
by Dennis Beaver | air conditioning, consumer, technology, thermostat
January 30, 2017 • By Dennis Beaver Lovers of governmental conspiracy theories will enjoy today’s story, as we look at what has been an on-going effort—for at least 10 years — by California and energy utilities to take control of your home’s thermostat and much...
by Dennis Beaver | business, complaint, consumer, return policy, warranty
June 24, 2025 • By Dennis Beaver If you are about to buy a major appliance from Lowe’s or Home Depot, you might want to read this story first and take a moment to consider how angry, frustrated and upset you would feel if what happened to Southern California resident...
by Dennis Beaver | consumer, false advertising
November 20, 2009 (Original publish date) • By Dennis Beaver One Saturday afternoon in early November, 2009, Fresno resident Ted, his wife and her parents visited a Black Angus restaurant for dinner. They were celebrating Ted’s finding a job after months of...
by Dennis Beaver | consumer, false advertising
February 1, 2014 • By Dennis Beaver Following our recent articles on deceptive-range claims made by manufacturers of consumer walkie talkies, we were contacted by “Hank,” a reader in California’s Central Valley whose agriculture and ranching-related business requires...
by Dennis Beaver | advertising, business, consumer, language, technology
March 29, 2024 • By Dennis Beaver “I was asked to look into Spanish-language-learning programs for our insurance brokerage sales staff. Your past articles are highly critical of Babbel and Rosetta Stone. Their commercials claim to have a method of teaching languages...