DailyFinance.comhttp://www.dailyfinance.comDailyFinance.comhttp://o.aolcdn.com/os/df/2013/img/2-dailyfinance_logo_m.pngDailyFinance.comhttp://www.dailyfinance.comen-usCopyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Why Taco Bell and Popeyes Want to Serve You Breakfasthttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/waffle-taco-bell-popeyes-breakfast/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/waffle-taco-bell-popeyes-breakfast/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/waffle-taco-bell-popeyes-breakfast/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Waffle Taco
Taco Bell
Even by Taco Bell's (YUM) wacky standards, its latest product is a head-scratcher: The "Mexican-inspired" fast-food chain is currently in the midst of testing a waffle taco.

The waffle taco -- which is exactly what it sounds like -- is part of Taco Bell's recent test of breakfast offerings, which for now is restricted to locations on the West Coast. But Taco Bell is not the only chain trying to challenge McDonald's (MCD) in the fast-food breakfast game. A number of other quick-serve chains have dipped their toes in the water in recent years: Now Subway, Wendy's and even Popeyes are aiming to be your first stop of the day.

So why are chains best known for tacos and fried chicken trying so hard to serve you breakfast? In short, it's because breakfast represents a mostly untapped growth opportunity.

"It's the last unoccupied territory," says Scott Hume of BurgerBusiness.com, which tracks the fast-food industry. "Its not just breakfast -- it's the same reason you see chains extending hours. You go anywhere that there's potential customer traffic and sales."

That was basically the rationale that Taco Bell CEO Greg Creed gave for the push into breakfast, telling a restaurant industry conference that selling food during more of the day would help drive sales. Taco Bell has already had success moving into new "dayparts" with its late-night "fourthmeal" push; if it can likewise come up with new menu offerings that will allow it to sell food in the morning, it would be crazy not to try.

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Sales figures vindicate this strategy. Hume says that while industry sales growth has remained largely stagnant of late, breakfast has been the sole exception; according to the NPD Group, breakfast accounts for 92% of traffic growth in the industry over the last five years.

But just because it's a traffic opportunity doesn't mean that it's easy to pull off -- Wendy's, for instance, has repeatedly failed to make inroads in the breakfast market. Hume says that whether a chain succeeds at breakfast depends a lot on well-positioned drive-through locations and menu offerings that can be consumed on the go -- like breakfast burritos, for instance.

One way or another, we'll see whether any of these newcomers can crack the Egg McMuffin's grip on mornings. Because right now, for the fast-food industry, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

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]]>fast food breakfastfast food industrypopeyes breakfastquick serve restaurantssubway breakfast menutaco bell breakfasttaco bell waffle tacoMatt BrownellFri, 17 May 2013 16:00:00 ESTWalmart Blames Taxes, Weather as Sales Fallhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/walmart-first-quarter-earnings/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/walmart-first-quarter-earnings/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/walmart-first-quarter-earnings/#commentsFiled under: , ,

walmart store shoppers in Paramount, Calif.
Frederic J. Brown, AFP/Getty Images
Walmart reported weaker-than-expected sales figures Thursday morning, sending shares falling in early trading.

Total revenue in the first quarter came in at $114.2 billion, up just 1% over last year and short of analyst expectations. And the all-important comparable stores metric likewise holds bad news: Same-store sales actually fell 1.4% versus the same period last year.

The poor sales don't come as a complete shock. Last quarter's sales likewise came in a bit lower than expected, and same-store sales rose just 1%. Walmart predicted at the time that sales would remain flat through the remainder of the quarter, blaming the expiration of the payroll-tax holiday and delays in tax refunds for softening customer spending. This morning's report echoed that line, noting that "Comp sales performance was impacted by a delay in income tax refund checks, challenging weather conditions, less grocery inflation than expected and the payroll tax increase."

Walmart Stores (WMT) CFO Charles Holley said in the earnings release that he expects the second quarter to likewise be "challenging," with same-store sales projected somewhere between flat and a 2% increase.

Notably, this morning's earnings reports also announced a price increase in membership fees for Sam's Club, Walmart's big-box chain.

"As of May 15, Sam's Club increased its membership fee to $45 nationwide for both Advantage and Business base memberships, reflecting a $5 and $10 increase, respectively," the company announced. "The fee for Plus membership remains $100."

This is the first price increase for Sam's Club since 2006.

The report comes amid a troubled time for the retailer and its CEO, Mike Duke. The company is still dealing with the fallout from bribery scandals in Mexico and other international markets, and it notes in Thursday's release that legal expenses stemming from those issues are expected to cost the retailer between $65 million and $70 million.

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

Gallery: America's Most Popular Stores

10. Target9. Taco Bell8. CVS7. Walgreens6. Wendy's

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]]>Mike Dukeretail stockswalmartwalmart briberywalmart earningsWalmart Mexicowalmart salesMatt BrownellThu, 16 May 2013 08:15:00 ESTJ.C. Penney's New Logo: Will Its Fourth in Four Years Be the Charm?http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/jcpenney-new-logo/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/jcpenney-new-logo/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/jcpenney-new-logo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

JCPenney Logo
DailyFinance
Lately, it seems the only constant at J.C. Penney (JCP) is change, so it probably shouldn't come as a surprise that the retailer is once again switching up its logo.

Business Insider noticed that J.C. Penney's apology ad from earlier this month -- which has since been pulled from circulation -- featured a different logo than we'd seen before.

The article also notes that this all-lowercase "jcpenney" logo likewise appears on the company's latest print material.

If this is indeed the new logo (there's been no official announcement from the company, and the logo hasn't been changed on the website), then it will be replacing the "jcp" logo that kicked off Ron Johnson's ill-fated tenure as CEO. That logo, in turn, replaced the "JCPenney" logo that put the first three letters in a box, which in turn replaced the box-less "JCPenney" logo.


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There's a clear progression in those first three logos, with each successive logo placing more and more emphasis on "JCP" until the company name was finally boiled down to those three letters. Now that Johnson's gone, the company seems to be backtracking and making a return to the full name.

Whatever the reason for the shift, erratic branding certainly isn't helping the retailer. By our count, the company has now had four logos in as many years, which means that as soon as one logo starts to stick in your head, it suddenly gets thrown in the dumpster and replaced. And Business Insider cites E-Poll Market Research, which found that recognition of the brand dropped every time J.C. Penney switched to a new logo.

The "new" logo is a lot closer to the old, pre-Johnson one, so maybe this is just the latest attempt to roll back recent innovations and make the retailer more recognizable to its core customers.

But if management wants a logo to stick in the heads of those customers, maybe they should stay with it for more than a year.

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

Gallery: J.C. Penney Says 'We're Listening.' Here's Who They Should Listen To

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]]>j.c. penneyjc penneyjc penney new logojcplogorebrandingretailron johnsonMatt BrownellWed, 15 May 2013 16:54:00 ESTDon't Call It a Pawnshop: Where the Rich Go for Quick Cashhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/upscale-pawnshop-borro-collateral-loans/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/upscale-pawnshop-borro-collateral-loans/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/upscale-pawnshop-borro-collateral-loans/#commentsFiled under: ,

Borro
Borro
Paul Aitken, founder and CEO of Borro, doesn't like to refer to his company as a pawnshop.

"We're more similar to a private bank than a pawnbroker," he says in response to the "p" word.

Borro CEO
Paul Aitken, founder and CEO of Borro
Still, the business model is akin to that of a pawnshop: People who need quick cash come to Borro with valuables and put them up as collateral for a loan. When they're ready to pay back the loan, they get their items back.

But you won't see anyone bringing in their old guitar from college so they can borrow a hundred bucks to get through to their next paycheck. Instead, Borro offers loans that range from $1,000 to $1 million, and its clients are more likely to pawn a piece of fine art or a classic car and walk out with a five- or even six-figure loan.

Yes, the rich have cash-flow issues too.

"[Our clients] are high risk-takers -- they're self-employed or entrepreneurs, so their incomes are fairly erratic," says Aitken. "They're people who often have opportunities that need to be jumped upon quickly."



A typical Borro client, then, might be a serial entrepreneur who needs quick seed money for his next startup and decides he'd rather pawn a painting than try to sell assets or secure venture capital funding. One testimonial comes from celebrity tailor Michele Savoia, who used a classic motorcycle as collateral for a $5,000 business loan.

A full-time staff of appraisers evaluates Items, and clients can rest assured that their prized possessions will be taken care of: The company contracts with specialized facilities to store cars, wine and fine art, and will even polish jewelry and watches in its care.

Borro's success -- it has made loans totaling $75 million in the four years it has been in operation -- shouldn't come as any great surprise. The economic downturn has squeezed individuals and families who might not otherwise consider pawning, and banks aren't as liberal with their lending as they used to be. Meanwhile, the popularity of the History Channel's Pawn Stars has helped the practice enter the mainstream.

Taking advantage of this new normal have been online pawnbrokers like Pawngo, which serves up loans averaging $2,000 to middle-class clientele.

But if Pawngo is the destination of choice for the average family willing to hand over a modest jewelry collection or a nice watch to get a few thousand dollars, Borro is very much the choice of high rollers and upper-middle-class families. Here are a few of the items that Borro clients have put up for collateral, along with the loan amount:
  • Maserati Gran Turismo: $15,000
  • 1 KG bar of gold bullion: $30,000
  • Case of 1989 Chateau Petrus wine: $23,000
  • 14-ct diamond ring: $75,000
  • Custom 1958 Harley motorcycle: $5,000
Borro isn't the only pawnbroker targeting high earners: New York's Provident Loan Society offers loans up to $100,000, and Beverly Loan Company in Beverly Hills, Calif., bills itself as an "upscale collateral lender."

But even high rollers should be aware that the interest rate they'll pay on the loan might be tough to swallow. Borro offers interest rates of 2.99 percent to 3.99 percent per month, with a typical loan period of six months. In addition, fees to cover appraisal and other logistics range from 5 percent to 7 percent.

By way of comparison, credit card expert Beverly Harzog notes that that the average credit card carries an interest rate around 2 percent per month on a cash advance, and a transaction fee of about 3 percent to 5 percent.

That said, your credit limit might make it tough to swing a five-figure loan. If you've got good credit, another alternative is a personal loan from a bank, which Harzog points out has a much better rate.

Still, Aitken says, Borro's clients like the speed and simplicity they gain by skipping the bank.

"There's complexity in dealing with the bank, and a big time lag," he says, noting that the appraisal process is completed within a day.

Whether that speed and simplicity is worth the rate is up to you. But we suppose if you're rich enough to have a house full of expensive art, fine wine and classic cars, you might not care if you're paying a little bit more in interest.

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.
---------------

Gallery: Ways to Get Rich Quicker

1. Start a New Business2. Create a Product3. Flip Real Estate4. Become a Landlord5. Go Viral With a Video

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]]>borropaul aitkenpawn brokerpawn shop for the richpawn shopspawn starspawn winepawngopawning artMatt BrownellWed, 15 May 2013 15:00:00 ESTJ.C. Penney is Done Apologizinghttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/jcpenney-apology-ad-removed/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/jcpenney-apology-ad-removed/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/jcpenney-apology-ad-removed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

UNITED STATES - FEBRUARY 19: Myron E. Ullman, chairman and chief executive officer, J.C. Penney Co., speaks during a news conference in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. J. C. Penney Company announced the launch of American Living, a new, comprehensive lifestyle brand created exclusively for JCPenney's classic traditional lifestyle customer by Global Brand Concepts, a division of Polo Ralph Lauren. (Photo by Robert Caplin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Robert Caplin/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Looks like J.C. Penney's big apology tour is already over.

Less than two weeks after publicly apologizing to disgruntled customers in a TV commercial, the retailer has released another ad thanking those same customers for coming back.

The ad, entitled "Thank You," sings the praises of J.C. Penney's customers, and then recounts how the retailers has backtracked on many of former CEO Ron Johnson's changes. The ad then reports that the wayward customers have returned.

"And now, we're happy to say, you've come back to us," says the ad. "We're speechless, except for two little words: thank you."

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How many of those customers have actually come back remains to be seen. The retailer's quarterly report is due out this week, and it will be at least another quarter before we start to get a clear picture of how its sales have fared since J.C. Penney abandoned its "fair and square" pricing strategy, brought back house brands like St. John's Bay, fired its CEO and apologized for his missteps. In the meantime, though, there are indications that things are looking up for the old-look JCP: Cleveland Research analysts said this week that the retailer is seeing a "significant" sales boost due to advertising and promotional activity.

Regardless of how the recovery is proceeding, though, one thing is clear: J.C. Penney feels like it has done enough apologizing.

Sure, it's still taking feedback on its Facebook page, and saying all the right things in response. But the commercial makes it clear that it sees its contrition as complete: It apologized, the customers came back, and now it's very grateful.

Gallery: J.C. Penney Says 'We're Listening.'

And here's the best indicator that the apology tour is over: After just two weeks, the company has stopped airing the apology ad and pulled it from the company's official YouTube page. If you follow the original link to the commercial, you'll get a message that the account has made it private, meaning it can't be viewed by the general public.

Company spokeswoman Daphne Avila confirmed that the campaign was short-lived.

"The 'It's No Secret' campaign was only scheduled to run a couple of days as a precursor to our Mother's Day campaign," said Avila in an emailed statement. "However, we encourage the customer dialogue to continue through our social media channels."

Myron
Getty Images
There's nothing wrong with that, of course: J.C. Penney was under no obligation to apologize, and we certainly didn't expect them to spend months self-flagellating. But it's worth noting that other commercials from previous ad campaigns, including the "Yours Truly" spot it ran during the Oscars, are still available for viewing on the YouTube page, so it's not standard practice to delete old ads. The apology ad, in other words, was targeted for early deletion.

Clearly, J.C. Penney's new management wants to forget the disastrous Ron Johnson era ever happened. For the sake of its sales figures, it should hope that its customers do the same.

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

Gallery: J.C. Penney Says 'We're Listening.' Here's Who They Should Listen To

Take it Easy With the Coupon ComebackCoupons are Tough for Employees, TooYour Customers Aren't All SkinnyBring Back the CatalogsMobile Checkout Is Confusing

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]]>advertisingappareljc penneyjc penney apology adjc penney commercialjc penney thank you adjcpretail salesron johnsonMatt BrownellTue, 14 May 2013 09:40:00 ESTWhere Moms Can Eat Free on Mother's Dayhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/mothers-day-moms-eat-free/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/mothers-day-moms-eat-free/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/mothers-day-moms-eat-free/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Uno's
Uno's
Want to take mom out to dinner for Mother's Day, but don't have enough in your wallet to afford it?

Well, frankly, you need to find the cash, because she's your mom. But if you're really so broke that you just can't pay to take her out, we've got good news: There are a few restaurants offering free meals and discounts for moms this weekend. However, as you might expect, they tend not to be fine-dining establishments.

Let's start with breakfast: Ikea is offering free coffee and breakfast (estimated value: $1.98) to moms on Sunday morning. If you want the breakfast-in-bed experience, you can bring it over to the bed section and serve it to her in the bed of her choice. The offer is good from opening to 11 a.m., and there's a limit of one free breakfast per family.

On to lunch: Texas Roadhouse, which is our favorite non-Patrick Swayze roadhouse, is offering a free side order of either ribs or grilled shrimp. The one catch: You have to be seated before 11 a.m. on Mother's Day, so hopefully mom isn't too full from that Ikea breakfast to enjoy an early lunch.

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FreebieFindingMom alerts us that Hooters is once again offering free meals up to $10 in value to moms who come in on Mother's Day and order a drink. Note: Don't actually take your mom to Hooters for Mother's Day unless she has a really great sense of humor.

BeFrugal.com points out this offer from Uno Chicago Grill, which offers a free mini dessert from moms when you dine there on Mother's Day.

And if that dessert isn't enough for mom, Offers.com points out that TCBY is offering free frozen yogurt. Go into any TCBY location on Mother's Day and mom will get a free 6-ounce frozen yogurt, with all flavors and toppings included in the promotion.

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

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]]>Freebieshootersikea breakfastmothers day 2013mothers day dealsmothers day freebiesrestaurantsTCBYMatt BrownellFri, 10 May 2013 16:41:00 ESTCan't Afford That New Refrigerator? Sears Will Let You Lease-to-Ownhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/sears-offers-lease-to-own-program/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/sears-offers-lease-to-own-program/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/sears-offers-lease-to-own-program/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Customers shop for durable goods in the home appliance department of a Sears department store in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Tuesday January 24, 2012.
Getty Images
If you don't have cash and your credit is lousy, most major retailers will let you put a big purchase on layaway and pick it up when you're done paying it off.

That's fine for Christmas presents. But what if your refrigerator just broke, and you don't have the option of waiting two months to get a new one?

It's with that sort of scenario in mind that Sears (SHLD) will be rolling out a lease-to-own program starting May 15. Customers who want to make a major purchase but can't get financing or wait for layaway will be able to rent the item, with the goal of ultimately buying it outright.

Sears says that the program will be limited to appliances, electronics, furniture, mattresses and other similar products; the item must cost at least $280 to qualify. While there is no credit check, customers must be at least 18, make at least $1,000 a month, and have either a Social Security number or a taxpayer ID.

The program is being made possible through a partnership with WhyNotLeaseIt, a New Hampshire-based lease-to-own company.

Jai Holtz, vice president of financial services for Sears Holdings, tells DailyFinance that Sears started testing the program back in September at 10 stores across the country.

"The response from customers has been tremendous," he says. So far, he adds, refrigerators and lawn tractors have been the most popular items for customers to purchase via lease-to-own.

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When the lease program rolls out nationally next week, Sears will become the first major retail chain to offer one. Until now, lease-to-own has traditionally been associated with companies like Rent-a-Center and Aaron's, and the practice has attracted plenty of criticism. A 2011 Consumer Reports investigation found that lease-to-own arrangements can result in consumers paying double or even triple the sticker prices when all is said and done.

From what Sears told DailyFinance about the program, though, it sounds like the retailer will be steering clear of these excesses. Customers will be charged the same price as someone buying the item outright, and all rent payments will be deducted from the final purchase price. After five months of monthly or biweekly payments, the customer will have the option of paying the balance and owning the product. If they're not ready to do so, they can continue making payments until 18 months after the time of purchase.

But you may be wondering: What about interest? How much am I paying for the privilege of this lease-to-own deal? No worries: There is no interest, says Holtz. And to quote from the FAQ page of Sears partner WhyNotLeaseIt:

What is the interest rate? A lease is not a loan -- there is no interest rate. Please carefully examine your payment schedule for amounts payable.

Customers who can't pay off their balance within 18 months or who decide they'd rather not own the item can call to have it picked up, and WhyNotLeaseIt will take possession.

But therein lies the danger: If you ultimately can't afford to own the item, you're out whatever rental payments you've paid up to that point. The last thing you want to do is make months of payments on an appliance and not even get to keep it.

After all, if you put a refrigerator on layaway and can't afford to finish making payments, you get your money back. And if you put it on a credit card and have trouble paying off your debt, you have numerous debt repayment options (and have the option of selling your fridge second-hand to help recoup some losses).

But if you lose your job halfway through paying off your lease-to-own agreement, the company simply takes back your fridge, and you're out hundreds of dollars (and without anyplace to put your eggs and milk).

So the golden rule of borrowing still applies: Don't buy something if you're not sure you can afford it. But if you're confident that you'll be able to pay it off within 18 months, this will be a great option for anyone who needs an appliance immediately, but can't borrow money or put it on a credit card.

"Access to credit for many Americans has become much more difficult," says Holtz. "This lets us serve those individuals."

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

Gallery: America's Most Popular Stores

10. Target9. Taco Bell8. CVS7. Walgreens6. Wendy's

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]]>bad creditlayawaylease to ownrent to ownrent-a-centersearssears holdingssears lease to ownMatt BrownellThu, 09 May 2013 17:22:00 ESTJ.C. Penney Says 'We're Listening.' Here's Who They Should Listen Tohttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/jcpenney-apology-listening-shopper-feedback/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/jcpenney-apology-listening-shopper-feedback/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/jcpenney-apology-listening-shopper-feedback/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

JC Penney
AOL / JCP
Spare a sympathetic thought, if you will, for J.C. Penney's social media team.

The poor souls manning J.C. Penney's (JCP) Facebook page on the day it released its now-famous "apology" had the unenviable task of responding to nearly every commenter who had something to say about the retailer's failed makeover and subsequent about-face. And the fans had a lot to say: In the week since it released its video apology, the post has racked up nearly 20,000 comments.

Comment Gallery: See the Feedback JCP Got on Facebook

Those comments run the gamut from praise to criticism to unhinged rants (we're especially fond of the commenter who bemoaned the "glittery hoochie mama clothing and wannabe thug jerseys"). But fans also had some very specific suggestions for how the new management can turn things around, and a few of them seem like they're really onto something.

J.C. Penney's comeback campaign is centered around a simple, two-word phrase: "We're listening." Here are some of the suggestions they should be listening to.

Gallery: J.C. Penney Says 'We're Listening.' Here's Who They Should Listen To

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NEXT: Comment Gallery: See the Feedback JCP Got on Facebook


Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

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]]>jc penneyjc penney catalogjc penney couponsjc penney mobile checkoutjcplistensretailron johnsonMatt BrownellThu, 09 May 2013 14:34:00 ESTAmerican Airlines Invites Social Media's High Flyers Into Its Elite Loungehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/american-airlines-invites-social-medias-high-flyers-into-its-el/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/american-airlines-invites-social-medias-high-flyers-into-its-el/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/american-airlines-invites-social-medias-high-flyers-into-its-el/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Admirals club
American Airlines
Airline lounges have long been the exclusive province of the high rollers willing to spend hundreds of dollars for the privilege of waiting for their flights in comfort. But they'll soon be joined by another kind of elite traveler: The person who's really popular on the Internet.

On Tuesday, American Airlines launched a new promotion that grants access to its Admirals Club -- which has free wi-fi and complimentary booze and snacks -- to travelers who wield the most influence on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. To do so, it will team up with Klout, a service that measures just how big a player you are in the online world.

By logging into the American Airlines site with Klout, you can enter their contest to win an annual pass to the Admiral's Club. But travelers with a "Klout Score" above 55 are deemed influential enough to automatically get a one-day pass to the Admiral's Club in nearly 40 airports. (Klout scores are measured on a scale or 1-100; for reference, Barack Obama has a 99 and Justin Bieber has a score of 92.) You don't even need to be booked on a flight with American to use your day pass (though obviously you'll need to have a boarding pass for a flight to get past security).

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The partnership makes a lot of sense for the airline, as pleasing customers whose opinions will be widely read and respected online can pay off beautifully for brands. One customer service firm even makes it easy for companies to prioritize service for customers with high Klout scores, with the idea that companies have good reason to bend over backwards for customers who can bad-mouth (or praise) you to millions of followers. And it's not the first time we've heard of its use in the travel industry: Some hotels will check your Klout score to determine whether to give you preferential treatment.

That's the sort of arrangement that has made Klout controversial -- if you're not one of the lucky few who has amassed a huge following on Twitter, you probably don't like the idea that your worth as a customer is determined by how popular you are on the Internet.

But this particular promotion seems relatively harmless. It would be one thing if the airline were bumping people off flights in favor of Twitter rock stars, but all it's doing is taking an exclusive club that was previously reserved for big spenders and inviting in some folks who are rich in online influence.

Gallery: American Airlines Admirals Club

Enjoy Admiral MembershipInside the American Airlines coveted Admirals ClubInside the American Airlines coveted Admirals ClubInside the American Airlines coveted Admirals ClubInside the American Airlines coveted Admirals Club


Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

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]]>american airlines admirals clubamerican airlines loungefrequent flyer mileskloutklout scoreMatt BrownellThu, 09 May 2013 05:00:00 ESTGroupon Posts Strong Quarter After CEO's Departurehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/groupon-posts-strong-quarter-after-ceos-departure/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/groupon-posts-strong-quarter-after-ceos-departure/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/groupon-posts-strong-quarter-after-ceos-departure/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Getty Images
The last time Groupon (GRPN) reported its quarterly earnings, the daily-deal company saw its share price dive after badly missing its revenue targets -- and only recovered when it subsequently fired founder and CEO Andrew Mason.

Wednesday's earnings report, covering the quarter ending March 31, was a good deal more positive.

The company beat analysts' estimates by bringing in $601 million in revenue for the quarter, and its earnings-per-share of 3 cents was in line with projections. That growth was driven by a 42% year-over-year revenue increase in North America, more than enough to counter an 18% drop in overseas revenues. Active customers, which Groupon defines as subscribers who have bought at least one Groupon in the last year, rose from 36.9 million to 41.7 million, an impressive year-over-year increase of 13%.

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The report cheered Groupon's weary investors, with the share price shooting up 12% in after-hours trading.

But Groupon still has a way to go before we can declare a comeback. Shares have still lost about half their value in the past year, and last month, UBS analyst Eric Sheridan gave the stock a sell rating, declaring that it had an "unproven business model." Meanwhile, there's plenty of management uncertainty to go around: The board still hasn't named a replacement for Mason, and on Tuesday Staples hired away Faisal Masud, head of the company's fledgling Groupon Goods service.

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

Gallery: CEO Flameouts

Ron JohnsonCarol BartzLeo ApothekerCharles ConawayBob Nardelli

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]]>Andrew MasonDaily Dealearningsgroupongroupon stockMatt BrownellWed, 08 May 2013 17:06:00 ESTBuyer Beware: Your Sears Purchase May Not Really Be From Searshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/sears-marketplace-customer-service-problems/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/sears-marketplace-customer-service-problems/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/sears-marketplace-customer-service-problems/#commentsFiled under: , ,

AOL
When you buy something from a retailer's website, it's natural to assume the retailer will also take responsibility for the customer service and returns. But one Sacramento, Calif., woman recently discovered that isn't always the case.

Kurtis Ming of CBS 13 in Sacramento brings us the story of Fannie Wong, who ran into some difficulties after a tablet computer she ordered on Sears.com (SHLD) arrived broken. When the replacement tablet didn't show up, she contacted Sears customer support, who told her that they couldn't help her with the return -- because she hadn't actually ordered it from Sears.

Much like Amazon (AMZN), Sears has given space on its e-commerce website to a "marketplace" of third-party sellers who advertise and in some cases sell their wares through the site. The sellers get the benefit of showing up on a major retailer's website, and Sears gets a commission from the sales. But the upshot is that, sometimes, even if you make a purchase on Sears.com, you aren't actually buying the item from Sears.

And that means you won't get customer service from Sears either. While Amazon guarantees the purchases made on its marketplace, Walmart (WMT) and Sears make it clear that they're just middlemen in the transaction. Walmart, for instance, notes that you have to "contact the Retailer directly if there is a problem with your order" (though it does say it will attempt to resolve the situation on your behalf if the seller is unhelpful). And Sears has a special page explaining which marketplace purchases are and aren't covered under the Sears return policy.

A link to that page is included with every marketplace listing, along with a small box indicating who is fulfilling and shipping the order. Still, it's easy to see how customers like Fannie Wong might overlook that information and assume that they were making a purchase from Sears.

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Indeed, Sears spokesman Brian Hanover told DailyFinance that "customers do often contact Sears first about their Marketplace purchases," despite the fact that the seller's contact information is included in the confirmation email.

The good news is that when this happens, Sears customer service will help by putting you in touch with representatives at the actual seller. But whether you'll get good support from that company is anyone's guess, and unlike Amazon, Sears won't guarantee that you'll leave satisfied.

In Wong's case, CBS reports that she didn't receive a response from the marketplace seller, Idolian, because the customer service representative who had originally been handling her case left the company. We can't imagine that's an issue she would have encountered if she'd been dealing with a major retailer like Sears.

Wong ultimately got her money back, but she says she won't be ordering through the Sears Marketplace again. And while we wouldn't go so far as to recommend against using such marketplaces, when you shop, it is important to be aware of who you're really ordering from.

So the next time you're ordering from Sears or Walmart online, double-check to see if the items are actually being sold by Sears or Walmart. If another seller is indicated, look them up and see if they look like the kind of retailer you'd be comfortable patronizing.

The good news is that Sears, perhaps recognizing that this was becoming an issue, just made it easier for customers to do background checks on its marketplace sellers. According to a Sears spokesperson, starting today shoppers can click through on any product page to bring up the seller's storefront; there you'll find a return policy, contact information and reviews of that seller by other customers.

If a marketplace seller has a lot of lousy reviews, or if you visit its website and get the feeling that it's a fly-by-night operation, you might consider looking elsewhere for your merchandise.



Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

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]]>amazonAmazon Marketplacecustomer serviceecommerceonline shoppingsearssears marketplaceshoppingwalmartMatt BrownellTue, 07 May 2013 13:11:00 ESTMother's Day Is Almost Here: Here's What Moms Say They Wanthttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/mothers-day-best-gifts-flowers-jewelry-spa-treatments/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/mothers-day-best-gifts-flowers-jewelry-spa-treatments/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/mothers-day-best-gifts-flowers-jewelry-spa-treatments/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mother's Day Gifts
AOL / Alamy
Mother's Day is on May 12. Don't screw it up.

Last week, Groupon conducted a survey of moms for Mother's Day. Among other findings, the survey reports that, "Upon receiving a bad gift, the vast majority of moms (84 percent) say they reluctantly accept it with quiet disappointment."

That's right: disappointment. Remember how awful it felt when your mom would say, "I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed in you"? Do you really want to experience that again?

We didn't think so. Fortunately, both Groupon and coupon site RetailMeNot asked moms what they really want for Mother's Day, so if you're completely out of ideas specific to your own mother, you can at least get some sense of what would please the average American mom.

According to Groupon, the most popular gifts among moms are "something they can do with family," a relaxation treatment or spa treatment, or "something they normally wouldn't get for themselves."

RetailMeNot was a bit more specific. It found that 18 percent of moms most want to receive flowers, and another 18 percent would prefer to get a spa treatment. Gift certificates and jewelry were also popular choices.

Unfortunately, sons and daughters don't always come through with the preferred gifts. While many gift-givers say they will indeed be getting flowers for mom, only 7 percent told RetailMeNot that they'll be giving jewelry. And while both surveys found spa days to be wildly popular among mothers, just 2 percent of respondents told RetailMeNot that they'd be getting their mothers a spa package.
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That's a lot of "quiet disappointment."

As always, our best gift-giving advice is just to put some thought into it. Moms told Groupon that getting a thoughtless gift is even worse than getting no gift at all, so the last thing you want to do is just grab something at the last minute with no regard for what she actually wants.

If all else fails, though, get her some flowers.

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

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]]>flowersgift ideasgrouponjewelrymassagemothers day 2013retailmenotspa treatmentsMatt BrownellTue, 07 May 2013 05:00:00 ESTWeekend Deals: Free Comic Books, 25-Cent Sliders, and Snickershttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/weekend-deals-comic-books-sliders-snickers/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/weekend-deals-comic-books-sliders-snickers/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/weekend-deals-comic-books-sliders-snickers/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Welcome back to the weekend deals, where we hunt down the most lucrative deals and freebies that you can get over the weekend and beyond. If you come across a sweet deal that you think should be included in our Friday roundup, please shoot me an email at the address below.

--This Saturday is a national holiday for comic book fans: Free Comic Book Day. The annual event is intended to get more people into reading comics, and it's exploded in popularity over the last few years; comic shops have ordered 4.6 million comics for the event, up from 3.5 million last year. Pretty much every comic shop will be participating, though if you don't know where to find your local shop, you can use Free Comic Book Day's store locator to find one.

Note that you can't just walk in and grab a bunch of comics off the shelf; publishers produce books specifically for the event, and they should be clearly marked at your store. Get there early, as the really good ones (like Atomic Robo, which looks excellent as usual) tend to go fast.
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--White Castle's sliders are famously cheap, but they're about to get cheaper. The fast-food chain is in the midst of "Sliderbration," where it's temporarily knocking down the price of its sliders to 25 cents each (about half the normal price). The promotion will take place at every White Castle location, but not all at the same time -- each store will have the offer for two hours only, so sign up for alerts from the White Castle website to find out when your local White Castle is offering the discount. Note that there's a limit of four burgers per person during the markdown period.

--There's more than just millions of dollars in bets riding on the outcome of this Saturday's Kentucky Derby. There's also a lot of free candy at stake. Rosie Napravnik is aiming to be the first female jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, and she's scored an endorsement deal with Snickers. If her horse, Mylute, wins the race, Mars will give away 1 million Snickers Bites. The candy will be given out on a first-come-first-serve basis in June, so if she wins check the Snickers Facebook page for details on how you can collect your winnings.

--J.C. Penney's goodwill tour is well under way. In addition to mounting a social media campaign to apologize for its disastrous makeover, it's also going crazy with the deals. Through this Sunday you can get $10 off online purchases of $25 or more, $15 off $50 and $20 off $100; the promotion requires the coupon code SENDTOME, and some exclusions apply. If you're shopping in stores, there's a printable coupon that will give you $10 off $25, though it's only good through Saturday.



Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

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]]>Free Comic Book Day 2013jc penneyjc penney commercialjc penney couponsjcplistenskentucky derby 2013rosie napravniksliderbrationwhite castleMatt BrownellFri, 03 May 2013 15:30:00 ESTNew J.C. Penney Ad: 'It's No Secret' We Messed Uphttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/jc-penney-its-no-secret-ad/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/jc-penney-its-no-secret-ad/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/jc-penney-its-no-secret-ad/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

JC Penny
J.C. Penney
J.C. Penney's (JCP) quest to rebound from the disastrous reign of ousted CEO Ron Johnson continued today when it apologized to its disaffected customers in a new ad.

Titled "It's No Secret," the 30-second spot acknowledges the various changes the retailer has undergone in the last year and a half and admits that not every change went over well with the retailer's customer base.

"Some changes you liked, and some you didn't," says the ad's narrator, in what can charitably be described as a massive understatement. See for yourself:


The ad promises that the company will learn from its mistakes, the most high-profile of which was the "fair and square" pricing scheme, which did away with coupons and sales. Shortly before his ouster, Johnson himself acknowledged that the pricing strategy was a mistake, noting that "we learned [our customer] loves a sale."

The apparel strategy was likewise unpopular. Johnson brought in jeans "bars" and stylish boutiques from new brands like Joe Fresh, but in the process did away with "basic" apparel and favored brands like St. John's Bay. That alienated the retailer's older customers, and the company recently said it would start bringing back those departed brands in an attempt to lure back the faithful.

The ad went up on Twitter and Facebook on Wednesday morning, and attracted thousands of comments from J.C. Penney fans alternately praising the company for its honestly and angrily demanding changes.

"Bring back St Johns Bay get rid of all the sleezy stuff you changed to," reads one popular comment on the Facebook post. Another commenter demands that the retailer abandon its mobile checkout system, which is intended to make the checkout process more convenient but has attracted complaints from some shoppers and employees.

J.C. Penney had been on a bit of a roll since Johnson was replaced by former CEO Myron Ullman, but shares have been trending downward since Moody's cut its rating Tuesday and declared that a new loan it had secured from Goldman Sachs "will not solve JCP's longer term performance concerns."

UPDATE: About three minutes after tweeting out the link to this story, I got a reply from J.C. Penney's Twitter account:


I've noticed that other users tweeting at J.C. Penney are receiving similar responses; in cases where a user has made a specific suggestion, the person manning the account thanks the user for his or her feedback. The company's Facebook account is likewise taking an active role in the discussion and thanking commenters for their responses. And the company's social media team is rallying the discussion around the hashtag #jcplistens.

One of the big criticisms of Johnson was his penchant for charging ahead with big changes without first testing them with customers. While we doubt the new management is reading each and every comment, they clearly want to give the impression that they're more responsive to their customers than the old boss.

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

Gallery: J.C. Penney Says 'We're Listening.' Here's Who They Should Listen To

Take it Easy With the Coupon ComebackCoupons are Tough for Employees, TooYour Customers Aren't All SkinnyBring Back the CatalogsMobile Checkout Is Confusing

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]]>jc penneyjc penney apologizesjc penney its no secretJC Penney stockjcpJcPenneyJcPenneyStockMatt BrownellWed, 01 May 2013 12:35:00 ESTKareem Abdul-Jabbar Shares His Personal Finance Regretshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/kareem-abdul-jabbar-personal-finance-mistakes-esquire-interview/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/kareem-abdul-jabbar-personal-finance-mistakes-esquire-interview/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/kareem-abdul-jabbar-personal-finance-mistakes-esquire-interview/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images circa 1977
Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has a fascinating piece at Esquire.com this week in which he shares some of the advice he wishes he could give to his 30-year-old self. There are a lot of great nuggets of wisdom from the NBA's all-time leading scorer, including an admonition to learn French and to cook more often. What caught our eye, though, were his suggestions that he wished he'd become financially literate at a younger age.

"I chose my financial manager, who I later discovered had no financial training, because a number of other athletes I knew were using him," he recounts. "Consequently, I neglected to investigate his background or what qualified him to be a financial manager. He placed us in some real estate investments that went belly up and I came close to losing some serious coin."
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As Abdul-Jabbar acknowledges, his experience is not unusual among athletes. Countless professional athletes have gone bankrupt after making tens of millions of dollars over the course of their careers; baseball star Lenny Dykstra and NFL quarterback Mark Brunell, for instance, were done in by unwise investments.

Why pro athletes seem to have a greater tendency to get taken in by such schemes is unclear. In his Esquire article, Abdul-Jabbar puts forth one theory: Athletes are used to trusting their teammates, so when one of them recommends a financial advisor, they take the recommendation at face value.

Whether you're a basketball star or an average Joe, you obviously want to do more serious vetting before you sign on with a financial advisor. There are lots of things you should know before choosing a money manager -- foremost among them, whether the person you are hiring is a broker (who only makes investments with your explicit approval) or an investment advisor, who may ask you to sign a contract agreeing to let him or her make investments without first consulting you.

One you've decided between a broker and an investment advisor, you'll want to ask your potential money managers some key questions and do a bit of research. For a rundown of what you'll want to know, see our guide to vetting an investment advisor. Then, consider whether he or she has the 10 habits of a good financial advisor.

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

Gallery: 7 Millionaires Who Lost It All, but Came Back

Gary HeavinElton JohnBill BartmannDorothy HamillMC Hammer

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]]>Bankrupt athletesFinancial advisorhow to choose a financial adviserinvestment advisorkareem abdul jabbarNBAsportsMatt BrownellWed, 01 May 2013 10:30:00 ESTSonic Debuts a 1,720-Calorie Peanut Butter and Bacon Shakehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/sonic-peanut-butter-bacon-milkshake/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/sonic-peanut-butter-bacon-milkshake/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/sonic-peanut-butter-bacon-milkshake/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sonic's Peanut Butter and Bacon Shake (Sonic's)
The fast food industry's obsession with bacon has reached new heights of excess. Sonic announced on its Facebook page Thursday that its summer lineup of ice cream shakes would include one made with peanut butter and bacon.

Combining those flavors isn't as crazy as it might seem. If you ever have a chance to sample an Elvis Presley -- a peanut butter and bacon sandwich -- we'd urge you to seize the opportunity. And believe it or not, this isn't the first time bacon has made an appearance in a national chain's ice cream shake: For its annual "baconalia" event, Denny's offers a maple bacon milkshake.

Sonic, then, is simply building on the works of these bacon pioneers.

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The result, as you might imagine, is tremendously unhealthy. The smallest size available size weighs in at 700 calories, more than you'll find in a Big Mac. The largest size packs an incredible 1,720 calories, with 118 grams of fat and 128 grams of sugar. It also boasts 55 grams of saturated fat, which is 275% of the recommended daily value.

So if you're looking to get in shape for summer, you'll probably want to steer clear of this one. But if you want to sample the cutting edge of unhealthy fast food, you can get it for half price every day after 8 p.m., along with the 24 other shakes on the Sonic menu.

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.


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]]>milkshakespeanut butter and bacon shakesonicweird fast foodMatt BrownellMon, 29 Apr 2013 16:53:00 ESTWhat Hacked LivingSocial Users Actually Need to Worry Abouthttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/livingsocial-hacked-passwords-phishing-scams-identity-theft/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/livingsocial-hacked-passwords-phishing-scams-identity-theft/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/livingsocial-hacked-passwords-phishing-scams-identity-theft/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

LivingSocial
AOL
Over the weekend, millions of subscribers to daily deal site LivingSocial were alerted by email that their personal data may have been compromised.

"LivingSocial recently experienced a cyber-attack on our computer systems that resulted in unauthorized access to some customer data from our servers," the company said in an email to users. "The information accessed includes names, email addresses, date of birth for some users, and encrypted passwords -- technically 'hashed' and 'salted' passwords."

The good news is that there's not much that the data thieves can do with what they stole.

Yes, many LivingSocial account-holders have credit card information stored with the site. But the site says that "the database that stores customer credit card information was not affected or accessed." So you don't need to worry that your stored credit card information will be used on a spending spree.

But what about the account itself? The database included email addresses and passwords, but LivingSocial insists that the passwords were encrypted. How hard would it be for the thieves to decrypt them, access your account, and buy a bunch of coupons and merchandise on your dime?

Chester Wisniewski, a security researcher for Sophos, says that this isn't the sort of encryption where a hacker who discovers a "magic key" could instantly decrypt all of the passwords -- the hashed passwords can't be unraveled so easily. But if the hackers know what sort of program was used to encrypt the passwords, they can use trial-and-error to see which commonly-used passwords produce which hashed passwords.

In other words, the hackers could punch in the word "kittens," see what alphanumeric string is produced, and then search the database for that string of letters and numbers. Wherever they find it, they know that that account uses the password "kittens."

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The key takeaway, then, is that users who have an easily-cracked or commonly-used password have the most to fear here.

"For people who have strong passwords, it's probably almost impossible to crack," says Wisniewski. "For people who chose weak ones, a determined attacker could figure them out."

To be on the safe side, it's best to change your password, especially if you're using a single English word (like "kittens") or a commonly-used password. And if you've reused that password on another site, change it there, too -- if hackers unlock your password, they'll almost certainly try out that email-and-password combination on a bunch of other highly-trafficked sites.

Something Phishy

If you've taken care of that, the only thing that you really need to worry about here are phishing attacks. Whoever breached LivingSocial has your name and email address, and they know you're a LivingSocial subscriber. With that information, they can send you emails that look like they are from company, and might even use the now-public data breach as pretense for emailing you.

"[They could] send out millions of emails saying they're LivingSocial, and get users to change their passwords," he says. "The biggest risk to people is clicking a link in an email."

Those who do so could be directed to a site that looks like LivingSocial and asks you to enter your account information, causing you to unwittingly hand over your real password. So if you want to visit the site, your best bet is to manually enter the address into your web browser.

Trying to decrypt passwords is a time-consuming process, and hackers would much rather just trick you into handing over the password yourself. Don't do them any favors.

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

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]]>data breachhackedhackersidentity theftlivingsocialpasswordsphishingscamsMatt BrownellMon, 29 Apr 2013 14:51:00 ESTRetail Police Blotter: Nude Woman Strolls Through Walmarthttp://www.dailyfinance.com/on/retail-police-blotter-nude-woman-strolls-through-walmart/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/retail-police-blotter-nude-woman-strolls-through-walmart/http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/retail-police-blotter-nude-woman-strolls-through-walmart/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Retail police Walmart
AP
Sick of all the terrifying and sad headlines that have dominated the news these last couple of weeks? So are we. As a partial antidote, check out our Retail Police Blotter, a semi-regular roundup of all the weird crimes that went down at the nation's retailers and fast food joints.

Nude Woman at Walmart

Do you ever leave the house to go shopping, and the whole time you can't help feeling like you forgot to do something?

For one Pennsylvania woman, that "something" was apparently "putting on clothes." Jessica Lynn Weitkamp allegedly took a stroll through her local Walmart in the buff, and along the way she yelled at employees and caused more than $300 in damage. She was nabbed by police on her way out the door and charged with a variety of crimes, including "open lewdness."

Pushing her Luck

A second Walmart crime this week comes courtesy of Florida, where a woman stole a TV worth $448. Then she came back later that same day and attempted the exact same crime, apparently emboldened by her first success.

That time, loss-prevention officers were ready for her, and managed to stop her from absconding with the second TV. But she apparently kicked, elbowed and clawed at security and managed to give them a slip, and police still don't know who she was.

Presumably she's at home watching her stolen TV, and is extremely miffed that she doesn't have a second TV to watch at the same time.

Trading McDonald's for Sex

Police in Albuquerque, N.M., watched as a man picked up a woman in an "area known for prostitution." Then they watched as the two drove through the McDonald's drive-through and ordered some food. When they caught up with the couple at a local park, they found the two in the throes of passion.

Both of them confirmed that he bought her food at the drive-through, and received sex in exchange.

Mace Attacks at TJ Maxx

Minnesota's City Pages brings us the tale of a thief who did a bit of shoplifting at his local TJ Maxx, then covered his escape with a cloud of pepper spray that sickened several customers and employees.
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That's weird enough on its own, though not unprecedented. (A few years ago, for example, a Black Friday shopper pepper-sprayed other Walmart customers during a scrum to get to some heavily-discounted video games.) But what makes this story truly strange was that store management didn't think the incident warranted calling the police, who only found out about it from one of the victims. According to the Star Tribune, there have been similar attacks at other TJ Maxx locations in the area, and upper management had hoped to crack the case in-house.

Dapper Shoplifter Cleans Out Multiple Walgreens

A Denver-area shoplifter managed to steal from seven different Walgreens stores in the space of two days, getting away close to $5,000 worth of merchandise.

The secret to his success? He's so well-dressed that no one suspects him. Police say he wore a sweater over a dress shirt and tie, and had a jacket slung over his shoulder like a fashion model.

And his haul from the robberies suggest he's looking to maintain his dapper lifestyle -- the products he walked out with included teeth-whitening strips and weight-loss pills.

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

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]]>crimemcdonaldsmcdonalds for sexpolice blotterretail crimeshopliftingtheftwalgreenswalmartweird crimeMatt BrownellSat, 27 Apr 2013 05:00:00 ESTSouthwest's Profits Dive: Could Checked Baggage Fees Be Coming?http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/04/26/southwests-profits-dive-could-checked-baggage-fees-be-coming/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/04/26/southwests-profits-dive-could-checked-baggage-fees-be-coming/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/04/26/southwests-profits-dive-could-checked-baggage-fees-be-coming/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Southwest Airlines baggage
AP
For years, Southwest Airlines (LUV) has taken pride in being the only U.S. airline left that lets travelers check two bags for free. But in the wake of Thursday's first-quarter earnings report, in which the airline reported a 40% dip in profits and cited lower-than-expected passenger revenue for March, we're wondering if it might be reconsidering that stance.

The idea that Southwest would abandon its long-standing bag-fee policy isn't as crazy as it might sound. While Southwest and JetBlue (JBLU) have been the only domestic airlines not to jump unreservedly onto the baggage-fee bandwagon, Southwest has indicated in recent months that it could be wavering. In January, for instance, CEO Gary Kelly told CNBC that there were no plans to add fees in 2013, but added that he would "never say never."

"The customers will tell us whether they would prefer to have extra fees or whether they would prefer to have everything bundled," he told the network.

And with Southwest's profits starting to lag, it stands to reason that it may want to re-examine its business model. Fees have been a huge profit engine for the industry, with airlines making $3.4 billion on checked bags alone in 2011. If Southwest wanted to boost profits, charging for checked bags would be an obvious way to steer some extra cash in the coffers.

Of course, doing so would also run the risk of alienating its customers, many of whom have been attracted by the consumer-friendly no-fee policy. As such, industry analysts suspect that the airline will try to find other ways to gin up revenue.


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"Southwest may explore instituting some 'fees,' such as fees to change tickets, which could help it generate revenue," says Henry Harteveldt, an airline industry analyst at Hudson Crossing. "The airline may view these types of fees as more acceptable to consumers, and less damaging to its brand and reputation, than charging to check bags."

James Shillinglaw, editor-in-chief of industry trade publication Travel Pulse, agrees that such a move would do real damage to Southwest's brand.

"The dip in profits could lead Southwest to start charging for first bags," he says. "But the airline has spent so much money on marketing the fact that they don't charge for bags that I doubt they would do so at this point."

Still, it's worth noting that Southwest's marketing has begun to shift its emphasis away from the no-fee policy. The airline's latest ad campaign drops the "bags fly free" message, and shies away from attacking competitors for charging baggage fees. That, says the Los Angeles Times, suggests that Southwest could be changing its branding in preparation for eventually following its major domestic rivals. (JetBlue gives passengers one free checked bag.)

Southwest insists that isn't the case, with a spokesperson telling the Times, "We don't have a plan to charge for bags."

Maybe not for now. But we're guessing the airline is giving it some serious thought.

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.


Gallery: Tips to snag travel vouchers

The Currency of Free Travel - Ten TipsStick with one airlineTravel at peak timesBook multistop flightsLook for full loads

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]]>airline feesbaggage feesearningsJetblueluvsouthwest airlinessouthwest bags fly freesouthwest earningstravelMatt BrownellFri, 26 Apr 2013 15:40:00 ESTFree Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for 'Heroes': This Weekend's Best Dealshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/04/26/free-krispy-kreme-doughnuts-for-heroes-this-weekends-best-d/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/04/26/free-krispy-kreme-doughnuts-for-heroes-this-weekends-best-d/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/04/26/free-krispy-kreme-doughnuts-for-heroes-this-weekends-best-d/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for 'Heroes' This Weekend
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This Sunday, April 28, is National Superhero Day, which people apparently celebrate by dressing up in capes and costumes. At Krispy Kreme (KKD), though, it means some free doughnuts for what the doughnut chain is calling Hero Appreciation Day. Customer who print out this coupon and buy a dozen doughnuts can get another dozen original glazed doughnuts for free. The idea is that you can then distribute your extra dozen doughnuts to the "heroes" in your life. (In a press release, the company recommends firefighters, doctors and teachers as some of the possible heroes worthy of free doughnuts.)

Guitar Center has been offering free ukulele lessons every Saturday for the month of April, so this weekend is your last chance to learn to shred on a tiny guitar at no cost. You'll need to register at the website for lessons at your local store, which will start at 10:15 a.m. Saturday.


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Sam's Club (WMT) is having an "open house" this weekend, in which members and nonmembers will be able sample all sorts of free food for spring. The events will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, nonmembers can shop at the stores and get membership prices this weekend without having to buy a one-day pass or a full membership.

Outback Steakhouse (BLMN) is currently offering a four-course meal for just $15. The meal consists of a bowl of soup, a side salad, one of four entrees and one of two desserts. Assuming the portions are the same as the usual menu, this looks to be a solid deal. It's not clear how long it's available, though, and the website notes that "price and product participation may vary by location."

Matt Brownell is the consumer and retail reporter for DailyFinance. You can reach him at Matt.Brownell@teamaol.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Brownellorama.

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]]>dealsfree doughnutsfree krispy kremefree stuffguitar center ukulele lessonshero appreciation daynational superhero dayoutback steakhousesams club free membershipsams club open houseMatt BrownellFri, 26 Apr 2013 15:21:00 EST