Shopping & Services

Making doctors bid for your health care

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Monday, October 31st, 2011, 10:53am

Get ready. It's going to happen.

You're going to require a medical procedure that -- surprise -- your insurance doesn't cover.

Consumer advocate, CNN and radio show host Clark Howard suggested you should register at the free site PriceDoc.com and get doctors to bid for your business.

"Health-care professionals offer lower-than-normal prices through this site to bring in new clients," said Howard, as told to consumer resource Bottom Line Personal magazine.

Howard said PriceDoc.com is most helpful with dental and cosmetic procedures. He said it's not unreasonable to expect discounts of 25 percent to 30 percent or more.

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Getting out of your cell phone contract

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Monday, October 24th, 2011, 1:47pm

Before I share this information, let me say I'm big into honoring contracts.

I'm big into both the company and the consumer honoring a contract. Two-way street, my friend.

A smart phone upgrade, like the release of the iPhone 4S, is not a legitimate excuse for breaking a cell phone contract.

However, USell.com (www.usell.com), a site that enables consumers to sell their gadgets for cash or trade-in value, offered these suggestions for getting out of a cell phone contract:

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Free document shredding Oct. 22

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Monday, October 17th, 2011, 10:30am

It's time again to haul out your dated tax records, investment documents and card receipts and get them shredded for free.

The Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South, in conjunction with Cintas Document Management and 911cellphonebank.org, will hold its Secure Your ID Day Saturday, October 22, 9 a.m. to noon, on the University of Memphis parking lot at Poplar Avenue and Conlee Place, just east of Highland.

"Bring up to ten boxes or bags of documents to be shredded," said Susan Harris, spokesperson for the BBB, "and take home the tips and resources you need to help protect yourself from identity theft."

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Pink Palace Crafts Fair this weekend

Submitted by Jeramia Trotter, WMCTV.com

Friday, October 7th, 2011, 10:37am

The 39th annual Pink Palace Crafts fair will be October 6 through 9 this year.

This family fair will be held in Audubon Park.

It is the largest juried arts and crafts fair in the Mid-South.

The festival will open at 10 a.m. each day.

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5 ways to shop smarter

Submitted by Andy Wise, Chief Consumer Investigator/Andy's Restaurant Scorecard

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011, 12:01pm

Smart sites, smart phones and smart choices support Consumer Reports' ShopSmart ;) magazine's latest tricks to scoring the best values.

Led by Editor In Chief Lisa Lee Freeman, the magazine's editors suggested these five ways to "shop smarter" in its October issue:

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Pink Palace Crafts Fair kicks off next month

Submitted by Samantha Davidson on Wednesday, September 7th, 10:27 am

The 39th annual Pink Palace Crafts fair will be October 6 through 9 this year.

This family fair will be held in Audubon Park.

It is the largest juried arts and crafts fair in the Mid-South.

The festival will open at 10 a.m. each day.

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Fall children's clothing sale this weekend

Submitted by Tammy Phillips on Thursday, August 25th, 11:16 am

Parents will find big deals on gently used children's clothing and other items this weekend at the Highland Children's Clothing Sale. The sale offers boys and girls dress clothes, play clothes, pajamas, coats and jackets. The clothes are offered at 1/3 to 1/4 the item's original price. This year's sale will include items from Baby Gap, Gymboree and other name brand stores. You can even find smocked dresses for less than $15.

Parents will also be able to purchase nursery furniture, strollers, high chairs, baby swings and toys. Sale organizers only accept items in great condition, so the deals are there for the taking.

The sale takes place inside the Highland Church of Christ at 400 North Houston Levee Road. Doors opens to the public Friday, August 26th from 9am-6pm. Parking is free.