Elon Musk, co-leading President-elect Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), advocates for abolishing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Musk, citing excessive regulatory duplication, publicly called for the CFPB’s elimination on X. This aligns with the DOGE’s mandate to restructure federal agencies and follows Musk’s suggestion to drastically reduce the IRS budget. This stance echoes Republican criticisms of the CFPB, which has been accused of overreach despite recovering over $20.7 billion for consumers.
Read More
The recent change requiring US airlines to automatically refund passengers for canceled or significantly delayed flights has been a long overdue development in consumer protection. It’s quite shocking to think this wasn’t a standard practice before. In an industry that can disrupt lives with mere announcements of delays or cancellations, automatic refunds provide a much-needed cushion for travelers. I speak from experience; being on the receiving end of a canceled flight is not just an inconvenience; it can throw every part of your carefully planned itinerary into disarray.
I remember when Allegiant Airlines canceled my flight to Florida just before Hurricane Milton made its chaotic impact known.… Continue reading
Canceling subscriptions has to be as easy as signing up, the FTC says in a new rule – and honestly, it’s about time. The struggle of trying to cancel a subscription, whether it’s Sirius XM, Planet Fitness, AOL, or any other service, can be a nightmare. I’ve been there, feeling trapped in a never-ending cycle of trying to navigate complex cancellation processes just to stop a monthly payment. It’s frustrating, it’s time-consuming, and it’s downright unfair.
The recent ruling by the FTC is a step in the right direction towards protecting consumers and ensuring that we have the right to cancel subscriptions without hassle or hoops to jump through.… Continue reading
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has finally set its sights on the surging grocery prices that have been plaguing American families. As the cost of goods have continued to rise, food prices have escalated at an alarming rate, leaving consumers struggling to afford basic necessities. The disparity between retailers’ costs and the prices they charge has become a point of contention, prompting the FTC to investigate major grocery chains and their pricing practices.
Food prices have soared by 25% between 2019 and 2023, outpacing the increase in other consumer goods and services. This upward trend in prices has left many Americans feeling the pinch in their wallets, with staples like milk, vegetables, and processed foods experiencing significant price hikes.… Continue reading
I’m absolutely flabbergasted by the recent ruling from the Ohio Supreme Court regarding boneless chicken wings. It seems that in Ohio, boneless no longer means boneless. According to the court, the term “boneless wings” simply refers to a cooking style, and consumers should not expect these tasty treats to actually be free of bones. This decision comes in response to a lawsuit from a man who suffered serious medical complications after ingesting a bone from his so-called boneless wing.
As someone who enjoys indulging in a plate of boneless wings, this ruling has me scratching my head. When I order boneless wings, I expect them to be just that – devoid of any bones.… Continue reading
I can’t help but feel a wave of relief knowing that a California law banning hidden fees is finally going into effect next month. As a consumer, I have often felt frustrated when I see a price listed on a menu, only to find out that there are additional fees tacked on at the end. The lack of transparency in pricing from various restaurants has left me feeling deceived and unsure of the true cost of my meal.
It’s disheartening to see that some restaurant owners are arguing that they should be exempted from this law because they are already struggling to survive in a challenging market.… Continue reading
As I read about the recent news regarding the judge blocking the Biden administration rule that aimed to cap credit card late fees at $8, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated and disheartened by the blatant disregard for the financial well-being of everyday Americans. The fact that a Trump-appointed judge in Texas has the power to obstruct a rule that would have provided much-needed relief to consumers speaks volumes about the current state of our justice system and the influence of big corporations.
It is evident that the Chamber of Commerce, always advocating for banks and businesses, has a significant impact on these decisions.… Continue reading
France vs. ‘Shrinkflation’: Starting July 1, All ‘Shrinked’ Products Must Be Labelled For Consumers
The issue of ‘shrinkflation,’ a sneaky tactic used by companies to reduce the size or quantity of a product while keeping the price the same, has been a hot topic of discussion, especially for consumers who feel cheated by these underhanded practices. Personally, I have experienced the frustration of realizing that a product I’ve been buying has quietly shrunk over time, without a corresponding reduction in cost. It feels like a betrayal of consumer trust, as if we are being duped into paying the same amount for less.… Continue reading
As a consumer, I have always been frustrated with the deceptive practices of businesses that add on fees after the fact. The recent California law requiring restaurants to bake all of their add-on fees into menu prices is a welcome change in my opinion. The idea that the price you see is the price you pay seems like common sense to me. I have always felt blindsided by additional charges for things like service fees, healthcare surcharges, or gratuity that are not clearly stated upfront.
The fact that this law applies to a wide range of businesses beyond just restaurants is even more reason to celebrate.… Continue reading
Credit card late fees being capped at $8 as part of the Biden administration’s crackdown on what they refer to as “junk fees” is definitely a step in the right direction. Many people, especially those who are struggling financially, often find themselves caught in a vicious cycle of debt due to exorbitant late fees charged by credit card companies. These fees, which can sometimes be as high as $25 or $30, only serve to deepen the financial burden on those who are already facing challenges in managing their finances.
It is heartening to see the government taking action to protect consumers from these unfair practices.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker