Tales of the Undead

We are not sure which is harder…trying to get yourself declared not dead when an organization thinks you are, or trying to convince an organization that your loved one has died and thus will not need them anymore… Sprint refuses to cancel the account of a man’s brother, who died suddenly in December. After over…

Tiggers Ain’t Such Wonderful Things

You go on vacation with your family to Disney World…one of the ‘Most Wonderful Places on Earth’, and a costumed man dressed as Tigger sucker punches your fourteen year old son. But at least you capture it on video. Tigger claims it was “self-defense”…and exactly what led up to the event in front of his…

Blogger Finds Own Apartment Listed on Craigslist

As proof the Internet is a dangerous place…someone harvested a woman’s blog to produce pictures and details about her apartment and used them to post an ad on Craiglist advertising an apartment for rent. The blogger, Beth, found out about it when a stranger called about the apartment. Beth contacted ‘Beth’, the one who wanted…

Shortchanged? Set the Place on Fire

WFTV Florida reports that an angry woman is accused of setting a Walgreens on fire. One moment…she was angry about receiving incorrect change, and the next, she was going up and down the aisles lighting things on fire with a lit cigarette. In the Walgreens TV commercials, they recount the story of the town of…

Complain to Win: 7 Stages of Esclation

Another bit of advice from the Consumerist, on how to get satisfaction. Ask for what you want really nicely. Hone in on solutions, not on how bad it makes you feel. Cut to the Chase…expect solutions now…not at some indefinite time in the future. Volunteer Mediators are your friend. Complain to the relevant organizations…consumer advocacy,…

How to Fight Companies and Win

We recently decided here at Giving up The Ship to add to the focus of this blog with stories of consumers fighting against corporate illogic and insanity. In that vein, we refer you to this post from the Consumerist…their guide to fighting companies and winning. Get Screwed by a Company – It happens all the…

Close the Toilet Seat Lid or Your Wealth May Go Down the Drain

The title just says it all. Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, offers how-to articles on their website. Clicking through one day in search of an article on replacing a rusty fixture…there it was. Feng Shui in the Bathroom, a handy guide to those who want to increase their chi while sitting on the toilet. A few…

Best Buy Asks Man to Change Name

A Customer Service Representative at Best Buy suggested to Charles Yu that he change his name in order to join the Best Buy Reward Zone program. Reward Zone is one of those free programs that allows people to accumulate points through purchases towards rewards. However, the online sign up form would not allow him to…

Sam’s Club sells Family Styrofoam Cake

The Kavalaris family gathered round the table on Christmas Day to celebrate a double-birthday…Jim, age 37, and his grandmother, age 96. The cake, purchased by Jim’s mother, was was decorated with the words, “Happy Birthday, Mom and Jim.” After the candles were blown out, Jim tried to chisel out a piece, finding it strangely hard…