Monday, December 15, 2008

Computer Power Management Myths Debunked [Energy Conservation] . If you think booting up and shutting down your computer negates the benefits of turning it off to begin with, or that your screensaver is saving you energy, get thee to Ted Samson's rundown of five PC power myths and why they're wrong. Save yourself and your company some cash and compute more sustainably by getting your computer's power management in order. [Lifehacker] 3:38:33 PM     Gift Cards : Worry-Free or Not?. Gift cards should be worry-free, thanks to a new state law that bars hidden fees and extends expiration dates to no less than five years. But shoppers have another concern: Will those retailers be around in 2009 to redeem those cards? With holiday sales expected to be the weakest on record, predictions of more store closures appear on the mark. Even with stronger laws, customers should be cautious when buying gift cards, warned Ken Vander Meeden, who heads the Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan. "Laws are one thing, and reality is another," he said. "If someone doesn't honor it, who are you going to call?" TIPS How to make the most of gift cards FOR BUYERS • Do your homework. Watch for news stories on retailers with financial difficulties. • Buy with a credit card. You may be protected from paying a retailer who defaults on services. FOR RECIPIENTS • Use your cards promptly -- within a month if possible. GOT A PROBLEM? Under state law, retailers must accept gift cards purchased after Nov. 1. If you have a complaint: • File it with the state's Consumer Protection Division by calling 877-765-8388 or filling out a form at michigan.gov/ag. • Ask the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) to help resolve it. BBB has a 75 percent success rate. • The state law does not cover bank or mall cards. Under bankruptcy law, a retailer may not be required to accept a card. But you can: • File for reimbursement with a U.S. Bankruptcy Court Proof of Claim form • Claims must be filed in the bankruptcy court where the retailer's bankruptcy is filed. SOURCE: Attorney General's office, Press research For the full article, see Shandra Martinez, "Will gift cards keep on giving when company goes bankrupt?", Grand Rapids Press via MLive, December 14, 2008. [Red Tape Blog] 3:37:38 PM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 1/2/2009; 2:24:07 PM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien