Gotcha Capitalism


Book Description

What is Gotcha Capitalism? Coughing up $4 fees for ATM transactions. Iron-clad cell phone contracts you can’t get out of with a crowbar. Paying big bucks for insurance you don’t need on a rental car or forking over $20 a day for supposedly “free” wireless internet. Every day we use banks, cell phones, and credit cards. Every day we book hotels and airline tickets. And every day we get ripped off. How? Here are just a few examples of how big business can get you: • You didn’t fill up the rental car with gas? Gotcha! Gas costs $7 a gallon here. • Your bank balance fell to $999.99 for one day? Gotcha! That’ll be $12. • You miss one payment on that 18-month same-as-cash loan? Gotcha! That’ll be $512 extra. • You’re one day late on that electric bill? Gotcha! All your credit cards now have a 29.99% interest rate. But not for much longer. In Gotcha Capitalism, MSNBC.com’s “Red Tape Chronicles” columnist Bob Sullivan exposes the ways we’re all cheated by big business, and teaches us how to get our money back–proven strategies that can help you save more than $1,000 a year. From the Trade Paperback edition.







Consumer Central


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Know Your Rights


Book Description

Information that reduces the panic factor, familiarizes you with legal language, and helps you overcome misconceptions when commonplace legal issues arise. “The first thing we do, we kill all the lawyers”; Shakespeare may have had a point, but the truth is, from time to time, we all could use a good attorney. This survival guide won’t replace legal counsel, but by stating your rights plainly, it can help with some pretty weighty matters—including prenups, breaking apartment leases, immigration, and workplace discrimination. Ronald M. Benrey helps solve basic legal quibbles at home, at work, and even on vacation. He provides an understanding of central legal principles, explains key vocabulary, and helps readers to overcome familiar misconceptions. Topics include: Workplace rights Prenups and postnups Identity theft Disputes with neighbors New rules of personal bankruptcy Your rights as a tenant—and a landlord Living wills and power of attorney Police searches of your home and car And many more




Edmunds.com Strategies for Smart Car Buyers


Book Description

This book outlines proven buying scenarios, clearly explaining the consumer's course of action in simple terms. The complex and sometimes frightening process of car buying is demystified in a comprehensive guide that covers: - How to choose the right car - New/used car-buying strategies - Getting a used car bargain - Avoiding the pitfalls of leasing - How to shop for insurance In addition, Strategies for Smart Car Buyers includes several appendices and a variety of new material to complete the buyer's research process, including: - The acclaimed investigative series, "Confessions of a Car Salesman," relating insider secrets in an entertaining account of two car dealerships - Monthly payment charts and monthly leasing payments - Expanded financing section detailing crucial contract dos and don'ts - Additional commentary throughout text from undercover car salesman Chandler Phillips - More in-depth information on trade-ins and lease-end strategies - Edmunds' latest consumer tool: "Smart Car Buyer" - Bonus section: "Verbal Self Defense" avoiding sales language pitches and traps - New section: "Safely Navigating eBay Auctions"




The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying Or Leasing a Car


Book Description

You're no idiot, of course. You keep your projects on budget at work, shop around to find the best prices on groceries and clothing, and even manage to sock away money for your kids' college tuition. But when it comes to wheeling and dealing to buy a car, you feel like someone else is in the driver's seat. Don't be taken for a ride! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying or Leasing a Car helps you learn the techniques you need to drive away in the car you want at the price you can afford. Feel confident about asking questions and bargaining, even when you have to say "no" to a salesperson. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get:




Hearings


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The Right Way


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Car Buying Revealed


Book Description

Gives advice on every aspect of purchasing a car, including determining budget limits; buying new, used, or foreign cars; negotiating a deal; and making financing arrangements.