Consumer News

Consumer Online ratings and reviews: Which ones to believe? (Video)

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 21, 2012 at 3:22 PM PDT Last Updated: May 22, 2012 at 8:07 AM PDT

A lot of people these days won't make a major purchase or hire a company before they go online and check the ratings and reviews. And that's good. But with so much information out there, it can be difficult to know what you can trust. And that's important.

Consumer Online banks offer best interest rates

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 21, 2012 at 10:14 AM PDT

Have any idea what the average savings account pays right now? It's a measly 0.1 percent. But according to Bankrate.com, you can do a lot better than that.

Consumer Suspicious offers escalate via email, phone and text (Video)

By Connie Thompson Published: May 18, 2012 at 7:11 PM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2012 at 9:13 AM PDT

Scammers and schemers have been especially busy this week with tricky text messages, phony phone calls and email offers that'll have your bank coming after you.

Consumer Safeway launches new couponing app (Video)

By Connie Thompson Published: May 17, 2012 at 8:04 PM PDT Last Updated: May 18, 2012 at 9:33 AM PDT

With new grocery stores going up in almost every neighborhood, food retailers are doing everything they can to get you to shop with them, instead of the competition.

Consumer Consumer Reports: Best bicycle helmets (Video)

By Consumer Reports Published: May 17, 2012 at 4:21 PM PDT Last Updated: May 17, 2012 at 5:19 PM PDT

It's a fact. Wearing a bike helmet can make the difference between life and death - literally - in an accident. Consumer Reports just tested a bunch of helmets to see which ones deliver the protection you count on.

Local & Regional Free service helps monitor your bills for fraud, unauthorized charges (Video)

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 18, 2012 at 11:20 PM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2012 at 9:12 AM PDT

You know you should check your credit card statement every month to look for errors or fraudulent charges

Business FTC: Skechers deceived consumers with shoe ads (Video)

By JENNIFER C. KERR,Associated Press Published: May 16, 2012 at 11:08 AM PDT Last Updated: May 16, 2012 at 6:35 PM PDT

The government wants you to know that simply sporting a pair of Skechers' fitness shoes is not going to get you Kim Kardashian's curves or Brooke Burke's toned tush.

Consumer Survey finds plenty of reputable local locksmiths (Video)

By Connie Thompson Published: May 15, 2012 at 8:04 PM PDT

Our Problems Solvers alert about people being gouged by rogue locksmiths really touched a nerve, especially among honest locksmiths who say the problem is worse than you can imagine.

Consumer Consumer Reports: Best gas grills (Video)

By Consumer Reports Published: May 15, 2012 at 3:43 PM PDT Last Updated: May 15, 2012 at 5:33 PM PDT

You can burn up some big bucks on a new gas grill, but do you have to spend a lot in order to get a grill that delivers delicious results?

Consumer E-Cigarette pros and cons (Video)

By Consumer Reports Published: Apr 9, 2012 at 5:34 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 9, 2012 at 6:39 PM PDT

Made to look and feel like traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are battery-operated electronic devices that deliver vaporized nicotine without the tar, smoke, and tobacco found in regular cigarettes.

Health FDA delays rules meant to ease sunscreen confusion

By LAURAN NEERGAARD AP Medical Writer Published: May 15, 2012 at 8:51 AM PDT

Sunscreen confusion won't be over before summer after all. The government is bowing to industry requests for more time to make clear how much protection their lotions really offer.

Consumer CHECKBOOK: Best vets in the area not the priciest (Video)

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 14, 2012 at 5:17 PM PDT Last Updated: May 14, 2012 at 5:35 PM PDT

CHECKBOOK President Robert Krughoff says the magazine evaluated 195 vets in the Puget Sound area and found some striking vets who were accessible and gave quality care.

Consumer Watch out for huge interest rates on store credit cards (Audio)

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 14, 2012 at 10:22 AM PDT

A lot of stores offer credit cards. And they can have some great perks. But there can also be some big pitfalls.

Consumer Exploring eco-friendly options for home-related projects (Video)

By Molly Shen Published: May 11, 2012 at 5:10 PM PDT Last Updated: May 14, 2012 at 9:38 AM PDT

Whether you're hiring a contractor for major work or a house cleaner to help you out, you might be looking to go "green." Angie's List says most people want to hire eco-friendly workers, but many aren't sure they're getting the real deal.

Consumer Which are the cheapest cars to own? (Audio)

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 11, 2012 at 10:41 AM PDT Last Updated: May 15, 2012 at 8:04 AM PDT

When it comes to the true cost of a car, there's a lot more than the price you negotiate and the interest on the loan. There's the insurance, taxes, fuel, service and repairs, as well as depreciation.

Consumer The Pasta Boat: Does it work? (Video)

By Connie Thompson Published: May 9, 2012 at 8:02 PM PDT Last Updated: May 11, 2012 at 9:51 AM PDT

Even people who love to cook appreciate things that save time and hassle in the kitchen. So I was curious about a product called the Pasta Boat.

Local & Regional Rogue locksmiths overcharging customers (Video)

By Connie Thompson Published: May 11, 2012 at 11:22 PM PDT Last Updated: May 14, 2012 at 3:47 PM PDT

Rogue locksmiths are grossly overcharging customers who lock themselves out of their homes and cars, forcing them to pay double, triple and sometimes even four times what the service is worth.

Consumer Bill would require clear disclosure of overdraft coverage and fees (Video)

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 9, 2012 at 4:34 PM PDT Last Updated: May 9, 2012 at 5:18 PM PDT

If approved, the bill would also require that overdraft fees be "reasonable and proportional" to the cost of the transaction.

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Local & Regional Long-awaited Chihuly glass exhibit opens (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Luke Duecy & KOMO Staff Published: May 21, 2012 at 11:26 AM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2012 at 5:11 PM PDT

The long-awaited opening of the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit next to the Space Needle finally arrived Monday morning.

Entertainment Photos: Stars arrive at the Billboard Music Awards (Photo Gallery)

By KOMO Staff Published: May 21, 2012 at 7:27 AM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2012 at 8:06 AM PDT

Local & Regional Half-naked woman in hot pink duct tape attacks, injures 3 cops

By KOMO Staff Published: May 20, 2012 at 12:48 PM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2012 at 9:33 AM PDT

A half-naked woman wearing hot pink duct tape attacked and injured three police officers in a bizarre incident Saturday night outside a lower Queen Anne bar, police said.

Entertainment Transgender Miss Universe Canada contestant loses (Photo Gallery)

By CHARMAINE NORONHA, Associated Press Published: May 20, 2012 at 8:43 AM PDT

The first-ever transgender contestant to compete in the Miss Universe Canada pageant strutted the runway Saturday night, making it to the penultimate round before losing her bid to win the title.

Offbeat Photos: Portland pugs gone wild! (Photo Gallery)

By Shannon L. Cheesman, KATU.com Producer/Reporter Published: May 21, 2012 at 10:24 AM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2012 at 1:33 PM PDT

It was pug mania outside a local tavern on Sunday as folks and their lovable little pooches got together to have a little fun and help out the Oregon Humane Society.

Local & Regional Track coach, 41, fired for taking student to prom

By Associated Press Published: May 21, 2012 at 12:16 PM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2012 at 6:04 PM PDT

The daughter-in-law of Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman has been dismissed as a volunteer track coach at a small Eastern Oregon high school because she escorted a 17-year-old boy to last month's prom.

National & World Photos: Millions view 'ring of fire' eclipse (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By ERIC TALMADGE and SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN Associated Press Published: May 20, 2012 at 5:27 PM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2012 at 3:56 PM PDT

Millions in Asia and the western United States watched as a rare "ring of fire" eclipse crossed their skies early Monday.

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