Bogus Battery Warning
If you need a new battery for your cell phone, get one recommended by your handset's manufacturer and sold directly by a wireless carrier or another reputable merchant.
Otherwise, you may end up with a dangerous counterfeit.
More than 60 incidents and dozens of injuries have been documented with the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the past two years.
Java Price Jolt
Starbucks is raising prices by about 1% on some of its drinks beginning tomorrow.
In most stores, the price of refreshers and frappuccino drinks will stay the same, but a tall brewed coffee will be 10-cents more expensive.
Sales Tax for NJ Amazon Shoppers
Garden State residents, starting July 1st Amazon will start charging you sales tax.
It's part of an agreement reached with Governor Christie's administration.
As part of the deal, Amazon is to invest $130-million in two distribution centers in New Jersey.
New Jersey residents still will not be charged sales tax on orders filled by Amazon affiliates based outside of the state.
Amazon already collects sales tax from Pennsylvania customers.
Plunging Prices
Good things come to those who wait.
Walmart has permanently lowered prices on all iPhones.
The 16 gigabyte iPhone 5 is selling for as low as $130. But even better?
You can get the iPhone 5 at AT&T right now for just $99.
But Best Buy is offering perhaps best deal of all.
Trade in your working iPhone 4 or 4S and Best Buy will give you a $150 credit.
Combine that with a $50 instant rebate for the iPhone 5 and you'll get your new phone essentially for free!
Better hurry, though because that promotion ends June 30th.
All these deals do require you to sign a two-year service agreement.
Healthcare.gov
The Obama Administration has launched HealthCare.gov as well as a 24-hour-a-day toll-free consumer call center.
It's an effort to help Americans understand their insurance choices and select the best coverage for them when open enrollment for the new Health Insurance Marketplace begins October 1st.
