Gullible suburban mother of four regularly duped in her half-century life. Exploring hoaxes and schemes as the ExSCAMiner, she attempts answering the nagging question: Should I have fallen for that? Got scam tips, email Karin at ScamExaminer@gmail.com.

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Showing entries for Category: sales-tactics

Reasons to hate rebate coupons

6 comments

November 16, 7:23 AM

by Karin Malchow, Scam Examiner

Encourages impulsive product choice.
Neglected reading rebate instructions prior to disposing of box with UPC code and yesterday was trash day.
Just forgot to send in the form.
Once sent, who remembers to track these things, anyway?
Never knowing what you did wrong, if anything, except not getting the rebate.
When everything goes right, held the small check intending to combine with a larger deposit, lost under a stack of paperwork or in a purse's dark corners, only rediscovered on Day 92 when printed with "void if not cashed in 90 days."

Read Auction Wally for advice on buying (and selling) old stuff. No rebates.

Topics: sales tactics

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Comments

Mailbox junk stinks

5 comments

October 25, 7:12 PM

You receive a postcard or letter in your mailbox.You have won:fabulous prizesa sweepstakes you never heard ofa free vacationloads of moneynothing worth anythingYou know the answer is 5.Some are advance fee scams. No legitimate sweepstakes makes... Read More
Topics: sales tactics , advance fees , cheap junk

Free credit report is not F-R-E-E after 7 days

1 comment

October 13, 11:13 AM

Unless you go to the right website. You can obtain your annual free credit report at www.AnnualCreditReport.com.If you get your credit report from Freecreditreport.com, you are signing up for a $14.95 a month credit monitoring service, unless you... Read More
Topics: sales tactics

Back to school trouble

2 comments

August 5, 6:33 PM

In St. Joseph, Missouri, a shady operator stating affiliation with the local school went door-to-door selling school calendars and uniforms. Trouble is, the school never heard of him.A similar scenario happened in the Scam... Read More
Topics: sales tactics , door-to-door , scholarships

Losing weight in a chair and other dreams

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August 3, 8:59 PM

Just like get-rich-quick schemes demanding minimal work, people will probably always dream of airbrushed beauty, instant good health, passive exercise and effortless weight loss. How else do you explain infomercials?MSNBC's health blog "Does... Read More
Topics: sales tactics , infomercials , passive exercise , Ellen Degeneres , Does It Work?

The joys of cheap toys

2 comments

June 1, 6:49 PM

Kids today can satisfy their cheap junk craving with a visit to the doctor's office, getting a birthday party guest goody bag, or buying a hamburger and fries. Prior generations had to send away for their cheap junk, advertised on the back of cereal... Read More
Topics: sales tactics , comic books , cheap junk , advertising

Beware of bait and switch

1 comment

May 28, 8:00 AM

This warning comes too late for Memorial Day sales, but Economic Stimulus Check sales should continue for at least a month. While usually associated with big ticket items (cars and electronics), Bait and Switch variations occur... Read More
Topics: sales tactics , Bait and switch , Better Business Bureau

Can I speak to Emily's mom?

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May 13, 10:01 AM

What parent doesn't want his or her kid to succeed? The phone call relating your freshman/sophomore's expressed interest in SAT/ACT tutoring software may make a parent marvel at the remote possibility of teen initiative. Don't be fooled.... Read More
Topics: sales tactics , phone solicitors

Telemarketing fraud (a blast from the past and back to the future)

4 comments

April 25, 1:51 PM

Scam artists are an entrepreneurial bunch, recognizing new opportunities. Compare/contrast the National Consumer League's Telemarketing Scam top ten lists (reported to their Fraud Center) from the years 1998 and 2007. 1998Remember when?2007Remember... Read More
Topics: sales tactics , fraud

Rotten tomatoes

2 comments

April 24, 8:20 AM

Phone call, precisely at 8:59 pm. Upon stating your National No Call List charter membership, you are assured this is not a sales call. You won a contest you entered, except you don't remember. Was it that drawing at the Auto Show?The... Read More
Topics: sales tactics