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Category: shopping


You could get $25 if you travel abroad during 1996-2006 and use Visa or Mastercard (CCF Settlement)

29 May, 2008 (02:32) | shopping | By: editor

For more information, you could visit this site.

Apparently there is this class action law suit where credit card companies charge excessively high fees for foreign currency transactions ( when one is abroad), so you could find more info on the website above. Note that you may have received this information in the mail from your credit card company.

Note that the deadline for filing a claim is May 30.

Thanks to link

Cheap International Calls for California, NY, NJ, PA residents : Dial 1010229 + 011

23 May, 2008 (12:18) | Practical Info, SF Bay Area [local], shopping | By: editor

Cheap Long Distance International

I found out about 1019898 and 1010229, and you could save on your long distance and international phone calls to Asia. They have great rates. US interstate is 2c / minute, but the real deal I think is in the international rates. They do have a connection fee of 10 cents and 20 cents per call, but overall it still is cheaper than anything else I have found.

See International rates for 1019898

See International rates for 1010229
I used to use OneSuite, however it gets tedious to re-charge the pin each time.

Dialing instructions for 1019898 :

For calls within the USA and Canada for using 1019898
Dial 101 9898 + 1 + area code + number

For international calls for using 1019898

Dial 101 9898 + 011 + country code + number

Dialing instructions for 1010229 :

For calls within the USA and Canada:
Dial 1010 229+ 1 + area code + number

For international calls:

Dial 1010 229 + 011 + country code + number

There are NO monthly fees with 1019898 and 1010229. You are only charged for calls actually made and charges appear on your regular Pac Bell or Verizon phone bill.

Update: 1019898 works for residents of state of California, using Pacbell or Verizon.

At this moment the 1010229 network is only available in the states of California, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the great Toronto area.

Old Navy clearance coupon code

18 May, 2008 (21:20) | shopping | By: editor


I found this good deal for old navy from here

Just ordered a ton so I thought I would pass along the deal.

15% off clearance coupon code EXTRA15OFF
Shipping is $5 or free on $50 or larger orders with coupon SHIPSUMMER

Old Navy

Link

Best deal on cellphone service: Sprint SERO plan - $30.00 / month

17 May, 2008 (22:16) | shopping | By: editor

I have been using T-Mobile for $59.99 per month. The reason that I stayed with T-Mobile for so long is that I like their GSM network so I can send text message (SMS) internationally. Now that my contract has expired, however I am looking for a better deal for my wireless subscription to save money, especially on the recurring monthly bills such as cellphone service.

Anyway, I have been shopping for a new phone and found that the SERO plan from Sprint to be the best deal.

For $29.99 per month, you get:

  • 500 minutes anytime
  • Unlimited nights and weekends starting 7 PM.
  • Unlimited Text messaging for domestic (very cool)
  • Unlimited Data and Internet Surfing (very, very cool, as Sprint has broadband speed capability).

Normally this Sprint plan will cost over $70.00 per month if you sign up from normal plan. So you could potentially save around $40.00 per month, annually $480.00

And by the way, Sprint has 30-days return guarantee.  Please do let me know  or comment if you have or know of a better deal for wireless service.

How to sign up:

1) Visit http://www.sprint.com/sero
2) For referral email, enter savings@sprintemi.com
3) Enter your zipcode

PS. You want to ensure that your current contract with your carrier has ended, otherwise there maybe a termination fee charged.
Thanks to Fatwallet and fellow, blogger for sharing this info.

Link, Link

Chase Credit card — Fraud Detector / ID Protection (I hate the long wait to talk with the rep)

16 May, 2008 (21:31) | Practical Info, shopping | By: editor

At first, it started with a lot automated phone calls to my home phone. “..We have detected some suspicious activity in your credit card purchases. Please contact Chase Fraud Detector back …”
I didn’t recognize this charge in my credit card statement, and after googling “ID*Protection 888-217-0291 DE” it , I found that it was Chase Fraud Detector / Chase ID protection service.

I am trying to get this membership charge removed from my Chase Visa credit card by calling their customer service number. I called their 1800 number ( 1-800-621-0361 and 1-888-217-0291 ) and have waited for over 60 minutes and have not even been able to speak with a customer service rep.

The classical music was cheesy, annoying at best. I am so, so, very much irritated.
Anyone has a better idea on how to cancel this and get rid of this charge? Thanks in advance.

What I really hate is that there is no “web form” for me to submit my inquiry or cancel this thing. This is the 21st century. Their Contact Us page only lists one method of communication : the number 1800-621-0361 . I really *hate* calling 1800 number and waited over the phone until my ear gets red and hot. And what I don’t understand as well: why large corporations spend so much money on their call center operations when many of the things can be streamlined with a web form/case management interface.

On a side note, identity theft is definitely a problem in America and you can follow these tips to prevent problems:

1) Start getting electronic statement for your credit card, phone, and utility bills. Save trees and paper :). And Also save you time from opening mail and throwing away paper trash :) You never realize how much time you spend on opening up mails, reading them, filing them, and throwing away paper trash.

2) Don’t give out your SSN (social security number), driver’s license number, birth date, maiden name - or personally identifying information, unless it is absolutely, critically, unarguably necessary.

3) Stop Junk Mail by asking to be removed from mailing lists.

4) If you feel that your SSN has been compromised, you can put a credit freeze or fraud alert so no one can open a new line of credit without manual verification.

Many states have laws that let consumers “freeze” their credit – in other words, letting a consumer restrict access to his or her credit report. If you place a credit freeze, potential creditors and other third parties will not be able to get access to your credit report unless you temporarily lift the freeze. This means that it’s unlikely that an identity thief would be able to open a new account in your name. Placing a credit freeze does not affect your credit score – nor does it keep you from getting your free annual credit report, or from buying your credit report or score.

Credit freeze laws vary from state to state. In some states, anyone can freeze their credit file, while in other states, only identity theft victims can. The cost of placing, temporarily lifting, and removing a credit freeze also varies. Many states make credit freezes free for identity theft victims, while other consumers pay a fee – typically $10. It’s also important to know that these costs are for each of the credit reporting agencies. If you want to freeze your credit, it would mean placing the freeze with each of three credit reporting agencies, and paying the fee to each one.

You can find more information about credit freeze laws specific to your state by clicking here, including information on how to place one.

A fraud alert is another tool for people who’ve had their ID stolen – or who suspect it may have been stolen. With a fraud alert in place, businesses may still check your credit report. Depending on whether you place an initial 90-day fraud alert or an extended fraud alert, potential creditors must either contact you or use what the law refers to as “reasonable policies and procedures” to verify your identity before issuing credit in your name. However, the steps potential creditors take to verify your identity may not always alert them that the applicant is not you.

Link

What is AMZ*Prime Club $79 charge in my credit card? Amazon Prime charge - How to get your money refunded painlessly

16 May, 2008 (21:06) | Practical Info, shopping | By: editor

Amazon Prime Refund Charge AMZ PRIME CLUBAmazon was aggressively promoting their Amazon Prime - 2 day-shipping for FREE, and I fell for it last month. I probably clicked on the link without really thinking, like a sheep.

Now when I see my credit card statement, I see a charge “& AMZ* Prime Club - NV” For $79.00 . Well, Amazon didn’t send any email confirmation for the charge or anything.

Well I was quick to do some Google search and found that apparently there are SO MANY PEOPLE that were having the same issues.

How to get the refund of Amazon Prime

1) Call Amazon Customer Service at 1-866-557-2820 —

2) and press “7″ and you will get directly to a customer service representative.

3) Say it politely and courteously: “I would like to get a refund of the Amazon Prime charge - could you please help me for it”. That should do the trick.

This is probably much easier than calling your credit card company to file a chargeback complaint or dispute.

And, anyway for the Moms out there:
Amazon is now offering 20% of BRITAX Car seat products until the end of the month. Check it out.

Source: Link1, Link2, Link3.