Current Events in May 2017

Publix and Wegmans aren't much like Trader Joe's, but the three grocery chains are American shoppers' favorites, an annual survey finds.

Publix and Wegmans tied for first place in this year's survey of 12,700 shoppers conducted by Market Force Information, with Trader Joe’s coming in at a very close second and H-E-B coming in third. This is the second consecutive year that Wegmans has held the top spot in the annual study after unseating long-running favorite Trader Joe’s in 2016.

Publix, which ranked second for the past four years, earned a first-place tie with Wegmans, with each scoring 77% on Market Force’s Customer Loyalty Index. Trader Joe’s narrowly missed the lead spot with 76%, and H-E-B made the top three for the first time with 69% - a 10% increase from 2016. ALDI and Harris Teeter rounded out the top five with 68% and 66%, respectively.

Publix Super Markets is the largest employee-owned grocery chain in the country and has been named to Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For every year since the list’s inception. 

Wegmans, founded in 1916, is known for its fresh produce, reasonable prices, and massive stores. The New York-based chain is expanding steadily and, with a focus on employee training, creating superfans eager for a new location to open near their home.  

What sets one grocer apart from the others in shoppers’ minds? For one, being able to find the items they want, a category where Publix was a clear leader. Publix was also found to have the cleanest stores and fastest checkout speeds and was a close second to Trader Joe’s for cashier courtesy. Wegmans ranked highest for its specialty department service and a close second for item availability.

ALDI once again led for value, followed by WinCo Foods and Costco. Harris Teeter, Hy-Vee, ALDI and H-E-B all fared well in the rankings, while Walmart landed at the bottom in all categories but one.

One of the major draws for frequent Amazon shoppers is the ability to get free shipping, but that’s been a bit of a moveable target over the past few years. In October of 2013, the company increased the minimum order size to apply for free shipping from $25 to $35. That was followed by another increase in May, 2016 when it jumped again from $35 to $49.

However, since then, Amazon has begun moving the minimum requirement back down. In February, the company reversed its previous markup back to $35 from $49, and now BestBlackFriday.com reports that the requirement is once again lowering to $25.

While Amazon hasn’t yet gone public with the change, the company’s official shipping page already reflects the new $25 minimum and informs consumers of how to become eligible. You can view a screenshot of that policy below.

Increased competition

So, what prompted Amazon to make this policy change? The answer may be increased pressure brought on by its competitors.

Consumers may remember last month when we reported on Walmart’s new online ordering incentive program. To recap, the company said that it would be offering discounts on items at the end of June if consumers ordered them online and picked them up at a store location. The idea was to cut the hassle of consumers walking the aisles to find their items.

The move was a follow-up on another made in January when Walmart announced that consumers could take advantage of two-day shipping on over two million items without having to sign up for a membership.

But, with its latest change, Amazon seems to be offering a better deal. Walmart customers currently have to place an order that totals $35 to apply for free shipping, now $10 more expensive than Amazon’s offer.

Until now, the conversation about intelligent home assistants has mostly been about Amazon's Echo and Google's Home.

Microsoft has its own AI technology, Cortana, which integrates with Windows 10, but lacks a smart speaker like Echo and Home. But that's changing.

Samsung subsidiary Harman International has announced a smart tower speaker, the Invoke, that will be another voice for Cortana, playing music, answering questions, and even making phone calls with Skype. It will hit the market later this year. Michael Mauser, President, Lifestyle Audio Division at Harmon, says the device is designed for busy people.

Voice-enabled technology

“Voice-enabled technology is the future; by teaming up with Microsoft, we’re delivering on our promise of elevating a connected life through smart technology, superior sound and the stunning design that is Harman Kardon’s hallmark,” Mauser said.

Wired calls the Invoke "very much a me-too device," but not in a bad way. The technology company says Apple's expected entry into the smart speaker space will likely be very similar to its competitors. So far, consumers are pretty content to have virtual assistants play music, tell them the weather, read some news, and maybe control the lights and thermostat.

Wired also suggests that the Invoke has added importance for Microsoft, since it lost out in the smartphone competition. It says Microsoft may have a leg up on the competition with its high existing market share of Windows users.

Lots of existing Cortana users

Currently, Microsoft says Cortana is used by more than 145 million people across several devices and platforms. It touts the software's natural language recognition and says the integration with Microsoft’s suite of knowledge and productivity tools also provides an advantage.

“We are excited to partner with Harman Kardon to create a speaker that combines premium audio and stylish design with the intelligence of Cortana.” said Jordi Ribas, a vice-president at Microsoft. “This is our next step in bringing Cortana to even more devices to help users be more productive wherever they are.”

Microsoft says the Invoke will come in Pearl Silver white and Graphite black. The device will only be available in the U.S.

It probably shouldn't be a surprise that children are attracted to smartphones and tablets. Their size is ideal for small hands.

The technology is intuitive to young minds and the idea of having access to dozens of electronic games at all times is very appealing to kids. Many children are experts at handling smartphones before they start kindergarten.

But how healthy is that, a lot of pediatric experts ask? The New York Times reports that on average, a child gets his or her first smartphone at age 10, down from 12 five years ago.

“I think that age is going to trend even younger, because parents are getting tired of handing their smartphones to their kids,” Stacy DeBroff, CEO of Influence Central, told The Times last year.

Multiple concerns

There are multiple concerns when it comes to children and smartphones. The devices open up the entire internet, for better or worse, to young users, and they can be so absorbing that they become distracting. Some say they can even become addictive.

A Toronto-based technology company is introducing a new parental control for mobile devices. It allows parents to control their children's app and internet access based on a schedule. For example, access might be blocked after bedtime or during school hours.

The company says the technology, called redgreentree, was actually created by parents and designed to address smartphone misuse without invading the child's privacy.

"We have transformed the smartphone and tablet," said Nicholas Minovski, co-founder of redgreentree. "What was once a distraction is now a purpose-driven tool."

Allure of games and social media

The addictive nature of smartphone technology often comes from the stimulation of electronic games, as well as the instant connection with peers through social media. Minovski says the app effectively controls both.

"It's not entirely the child's fault they spend so much time on their devices," Minovski said. "Apps are designed to be addictive and engaging. The objective with this new app is to assist parents in overseeing how their children are using new technologies."

The app has a dashboard that allows parents to quickly and remotely manage how a child's mobile device is used. It also blocks access during times the child is supposed to be engaged in other productive activity. Individual apps can be blocked, but so can entire categories. Parents can block an app or simply schedule its access.

The app, available at Google Play, isn't completely free. It's a free download but costs $2.49 a month to use -- slightly less on bi-yearly and annual plans.

Here's a consumer alert: Sunday, May 14 is Mother's Day. If you have a mom, you'd better get busy.

Flowers, of course, are the old standby. Not a lot of imagination, but if you're going that route, your safest option is probably to use the internet to find a florist close to her home and place your order directly. Better yet, if possible pick up the flowers yourself and take them to her.

If you're looking for something a little more creative, maybe we can help. Here are three suggestions.

How about something classy and tasteful, that doesn't break the bank? You might consider a pair of Kenneth Jay Lane gold-tone hoop earrings. They regularly go for $60 but are on sale for $30. Mom doesn't have to know.

Virtual assistant

Busy moms always appreciate it when everyone pitches in around the house to help. So make a list of things you will do for her each day. And to give Mom a little extra help, maybe she could use a virtual assistant, like Google Home, the voice-activated speaker.

Right now you can get Google Home on sale at Best Buy for $114. She can use voice commands to play music, get answers from Google, and manage everyday tasks.

Finally, here's an idea you might not have considered. Skip the flowers and gifts and give Mom a little solitude. Writing at Quartz, Maureen Shaw says all she wants is for her family, who she loves dearly, to leave her alone for the day.

A little Mom time

"I realize this may sound harsh," Shaw writes. "But peace and quiet are the best gifts I could possibly receive — precisely because they’re so hard to come by when you’re the primary caregiver to a one-year-old and a four-year-old."

Note to dads: maybe it would be nice if you took the kids to a park, the mall, or a museum -- anywhere they won't be asking their mom for stuff all day.

There's no rule that children and their mothers have to spend Mother's Day together. It is Mother's Day, after all.

Energy drinks have recently risen in popularity on the back of brands like Red Bull and Monster, but researchers have been leery of the beverages for the last couple of years. In 2015, we reported that these drinks had been linked to sudden cardiac deaths in young people, most likely due to masked health problems that are exacerbated by the drinks’ caffeine content.

Now, researchers from Australia are saying that energy drinks could trigger serious cardiac events in people who have a specific genetic heart disease called congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS). The condition, which affects around 1 in every 2,000 people, can cause rapid, irregular heartbeat that could be fatal, especially to those who aggravate the condition by consuming energy drinks.

"The potential cardiovascular risk of energy drinks continues to emerge as an important public health issue. The population most at risk is teenagers and young adults, representing the population these drinks are most heavily marketed towards. Since energy drinks are widely available to all ages and over the counter, it is important that cardiovascular effects of these drinks are investigated," said lead investigator Dr. Christopher Semsarian.

Increased risk of sudden cardiac death

In their study, Semsarian and his colleagues found that patients who had LQTS and drank energy drinks had sharp increases in blood pressure that could be fatal. Twenty-four patients between the ages of 16 and 50 were recruited for the study, with half being assigned to the experimental group and half acting as the control group.

Participants in the experimental group were asked to drink two cans of sugar-free Red Bull, which contained approximately 160 mg of caffeine and 2,000 mg of taurine, while the control group drank the same amount of a cordial-based drink that had no caffeine or taurine.

After consuming the products, all participants had electrocardiograms and blood pressure readings taken every 10 minutes to see what effect the beverages had on their body. The researchers found that three of the patients in the experimental group (12.5%) had very high blood pressure readings and “exhibited dangerous QT prolongation,” which could result in sudden cardiac death.

Health risks must be considered

The researchers admit that the participants in this study were especially susceptible to negative health risks associated with energy drink consumption; all patients had a documented family history of sudden cardiac death and more than half had symptoms of LQTS and had received beta-blocker therapy.  

However, to the many people who have LQTS and may not know it, these drinks may still represent a big danger. And since the number of consumers who drink these beverages continues to grow with time, the researchers say that their results indicate a serious health threat that must be addressed.

"When something, in this case energy drinks, is ingested by millions of individuals all over the world, a percentage such as 12.5% is no longer small, and the findings deserve careful consideration," said co-author Dr. Federica Dagradi.

The full study has been published in the International Journal of Cardiology.

Just over a year ago, a South Dakota woman was awarded $55 million after a jury decided that the Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder she used for years caused her to develop ovarian cancer. It was the second major blow to the company in recent months, as another jury had awarded $72 million to the family of an Alabama woman who had died of cancer after regularly using Johnson & Johnson talcum powder.

Now, yet another lawsuit against the company has found success. On Thursday, a jury awarded $110.5 million to a Virginia woman who also used the company’s talcum-based products, according to BBC News. The suit alleged that plaintiff Lois Slemp developed cancer after using Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Powder for four decades.

“Once again, we’ve shown that these companies ignored the scientific evidence and continue to deny their responsibilities to the women of America,” said attorney Ted Meadows.

"Possibly carcinogenic"

Despite its legal losses, Johnson & Johnson maintains that its feminine hygiene products are safe to use; however, numerous studies have tied talcum powder to increased cancer risk. Researchers point out that the mineral talc contains asbestos, which is known to cause cancer, but the asbestos-free talc that many companies use has yielded mixed results.

A study conducted in 1982 found that women who used talc-based products around their genitals had a 92% increased risk of ovarian cancer, but industry experts argue that many studies such as these are biased because they rely only on estimations from consumers about how much talc they were exposed to over many years.

The lack of conclusive evidence resulted in the International Agency for Research on Cancer to classify talc use on genitals as “possibly carcinogenic” in 2006.

More litigation to come

Johnson & Johnson officials stated that they would be appealing the decision made on Thursday. In the past year, it has lost three similar verdicts while winning only one in March. Reuters reports that the company faces as many as 2,400 lawsuits over its talc-based products.

“We are preparing for additional trials this year and we continue to defend the safety of Johnson’s Baby Powder. . . We deeply sympathize with the women and families impacted by ovarian cancer,” the company said in a statement.

If the verdict stands, the company will pay $5.4 million in compensatory damages and $105 million in punitive damages.

You're on a road trip, checked into your hotel, but just don't feel like going out to dinner. There's an interesting-looking Thai restaurant not too far away but they don't deliver. Well, your food options just got bigger.

TripAdvisor and Grubhub have announced a linkup making it easier and faster for TripAdvisor users to order food from nearby restaurants using Grubhub's delivery service.

TripAdvisor is integrating Grubhub's delivery app into its desktop website, mobile web and mobile app experiences. Consumers who are browsing through TripAdvisor's restaurant listings will be able to order from tens of thousands of Grubhub's restaurant partners in 1,100 cities.

All you have to do is click "Order Online." That will bring up Grubhub's online or mobile platforms from which you can place an order.

4.2 million restaurants to choose from

Bertrand Jelensperger, senior vice president, TripAdvisor Restaurants, says there are more than 4.2 million restaurant listings currently on TripAdvisor. That, he says, has helped the app become instrumental in helping both travelers and local residents choose a place to eat and make a reservation. The Grubhub hook-up, he says, is a natural extension.

"Through our new agreement with Grubhub, we're demonstrating another example of how TripAdvisor has become the site for anyone looking to find their perfect meal, now providing consumers with access to food delivery from tens of thousands of restaurants," he said.

For its part, Grubhub says it's always looking for ways to make it easier to find food sources, whether people are on the road or relaxing at home.

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and naturally many consumers will be scouring the web and pounding the bricks to find a suitable gift that shows they care. However, if you’re looking to buy flowers for the upcoming holiday then you may want to take a second look at the “local” flower shop or company that you choose to do business with.

That’s the message that the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is trying to impress on consumers. Division Administrator Frank Frassetto points out that while most establishments are forthright about where their flowers come from, others may try to trick consumers into buying products that aren’t local at all.

“The vast majority of flower shops are trustworthy.  But some disreputable companies place ads listing local street addresses and phone numbers when they are actually just coordinating the purchase and delivery of goods from someplace else – even out of state,” he said.

Selling "local" flowers

Many consumers often consider local goods first when making their shopping decisions, and the DATCP says there are ways to make sure that the company you’re dealing with isn’t misrepresenting their products. The agency suggests asking these questions when you first contact the business:

• Where is your business specifically located?
• Can I visit that location to see your selection?
• How long have you operated at that location?
• How long have you been in business?

If the salesperson you’re talking to avoids or flat out refuses to answer these questions, then chances are good that they may be shipping in orders non-locally. Consumers should also mind how the business answers your call. If they open with a generic phrase like “flower shop,” instead of a specific name, then that should also serve as a red flag, and you might want to take your business elsewhere.

The DATCP also reminds consumers to keep these things in mind when choosing a florist:

• Beware of offers for multiple discounts, claims of lowest prices, “A+” self-ratings and other puffery (exaggerated praise in advertising or publicity).
• Get an itemized price quote (written, if possible) for the product and delivery before you make a payment and ask about any additional fees that could potentially arise. Ask for the terms of any satisfaction guarantees that the business may offer.
• Ask specifics about the flowers that will be used in the arrangement: how many roses vs carnations will be used, how many “filler” flowers and accents vs. focal flowers, etc.
• Understand if a portion of your payment is used to purchase the vase and any accessories with the bouquet. Ask for alternatives if you want to spend less on accessories and more on flowers.

Additional options

If all else fails, Frassetto says that relying on creditable sources for your florist selection may be the way to go.

“If you are looking for a trusted local business for your Mother’s Day needs, seek recommendations from friends and family.  The local chamber of commerce may also be able to assist you with your search,” he said.

However, if you’d still prefer to order our flowers online, consumers might also consider Consumer Affairs’ Buyers Guide for Online Flower Delivery.

Illinois is suing a Chicago company that is operating what Attorney General Lisa Madigan charges is little more than a pyramid scheme. Wealth Partners Publishing Inc. (WPP) and its President Candice V. Cunningham have been running a direct-mail program called “Partners in Profit.”

Madigan's suit says the program falsely promised people they could build direct mail businesses to earn a quick and lifelong income. In filing the lawsuit, Madigan also filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and an order preserving assets.

"I ordered a Risk-Free, 100% Guaranteed Partners In Profit Dealership with Wealth Partners Publishing in Feb. 2016. As of yet I have not received anything from them. They will not even return my messages that I have left on their recording. All I am wanting is my money back!" said one aggrieved consumer who posted a complaint on an online dispute resolution site.

Madigan alleged the pyramid operation’s sole revenue stream relied on attracting people to pay as much as $10,000 to participate and recruit additional people to join a classic sign of a pyramid sales scheme. The only way existing participants in the scheme earned money was by recruiting others. No goods or services were ever sold.

“The people behind this pyramid scheme made promises that could never be fulfilled and came at great cost to the people who bought into the lies,” Madigan said. “I am seeking to immediately and permanently shut down this pyramid scheme.”

A proven way to wealth?

Madigan alleges that Cunningham and WPP described the sales program as a proven way for people to make substantial income and achieve financial independence.

Sales materials claimed participants could earn their share of a $42 billion direct mail industry and included testimonials from people who supposedly claimed they earned thousands of dollars within a matter of days, quit their jobs, paid off their debts, and began building lifelong income by joining the program.

Madigan’s lawsuit seeks full refunds for people who were lured into the program as well as civil penalties.

In response to the proliferation of cybercrime activity, such as last week's phishing scam targeting Gmail users, U.S. law enforcement is increasing its efforts to root it out.

In fact, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reports financial losses from cybercrime is steadily growing but is largely under reported. The FBI reports losses of nearly $1.1 billion across the U.S., stemming 127,145 incidents.

More alarming, agents suggest these extensive losses are just the tip of the iceberg. The IC3 report estimates as few as 15% of fraud victims even report internet crimes to law enforcement.

While data breaches at large retail chains tend to get the headlines, small businesses are increasingly vulnerable to ransomware, a type of malware that infects and seizes control of an entire network by way of an encryption tool. The hacker only releases the data when the victim pays a ransom.

Ransomware demands growing

Bank Info Security recently reported that the ransom demands for the release of encrypted data are increasing in value. It also reports the disturbing trend of hackers using poor quality encryption tools that damage or destroy some of the data so that it cannot be returned fully intact, even if the ransom is paid.

Ransonware schemes are usually launched just like a phishing scam. If someone on the network clicks on a link in a bogus email, perhaps thinking they are responding to a legitimate request, it unleases the malware that infects the entire network. Hospitals, insurance companies, and even police departments have been affected.

In response to this and other cyber threats, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Technology Directorate (S&T) Cyber Security Division (CSD) are studying the best way to alert small businesses to potential threats. The project is called “Dissect Cyber.”

Dissect Cyber

“Through its research project, Dissect Cyber is providing very timely notifications that help small- to mid-sized companies from falling victim to well-targeted and executed internet and email scams,” said program manager Dr. Ann Cox.

The goal, says Cox, is to get this information in the hands of business and corporate leaders before cybercriminals launch their latest schemes. That requires staying one step ahead of the hackers, which is a challenge.

But the program has the goal of establishing an early warning system, which could help companies take steps to avoid being victimized.

Fannie Mae has recently outlined changes in the way lenders can qualify potential borrowers who have student loan debt.

The policy change is designed to make it easier for more consumers to qualify for mortgages, in part by excluding some non-mortgage debt for income-to-debt calculations.

These debts can be things like installment loans, student loans, and other monthly debts as defined in the company's mortgage lending guide.

"If the lender obtains documentation that a non-mortgage debt has been satisfactorily paid by another party for the past 12 months, then the debt can be excluded from the debt-to-income ratio," Fannie Mae said on its website. "This policy applies regardless of whether the other party is obligated on the debt."

The move will allow borrowers to purchase a more expensive home, or will allow them to more easily qualify to buy an entry level home if their income is right at the approval threshold.

Student loan refinancing

The policy change also allows lenders to refinance existing loans and apply the home's equity to paying off student loan debt. That, Fannie Mae says, will allow current homeowners to increase their monthly cash flow. But there are things to consider before doing that.

“Swapping student debt for mortgage debt can free up cash in your family budget, but it can also increase the risk of foreclosure when you run into trouble,” said Rohit Chopra, senior fellow at the Consumer Federation of America (CFA).

Chopra says the policy may help those with solid income and stable employment.

"But for others, they might be signing away their student loan benefits when times get tough,” he said.

CFA says the policy change has the potential to make a difference in the mortgage market, especially in its effect on borrowers with student loan debt. At this point, around 43 million Americans owe approximately $1.4 trillion in student loans.

Weigh the pros and cons

Before taking advantage of the refinance option, CFA urges homeowners with student loan debt to weigh the pros and cons. It says homeowners who use their home equity to pay off student debt will give up their rights to income-driven repayment options on their federal student loans. Currently, those rights cap federal student loan payments at roughly 10% of income.

That's important, the consumer group says, if your income suddenly drops, such as during a time of unemployment. CFA says homeowners may also be trading away loan forgiveness options.

There are many different reasons why you might be looking for new eyeglasses. Maybe the ones you’re wearing now are old, out of style, non-functional, or maybe you’re just looking for a change of pace. Well, one of the great things about our consumer culture is that you can find most anything online, and these practical accessories are no exception.

While there are many suppliers in the online eyeglasses market, it might be hard for consumers to pick and choose which company caters best to their needs. Well, worry not – below you’ll find the top four online retailers according to our database of consumer reviews.

Consumers’ top-rated companies

Warby Parker

Founded in 2010, Warby Parker markets itself as a retailer that is perfect for both teens and professionals. According to its site, the company offers prescription eyeglasses starting at $95 with free shipping and return options. The company’s main focus has long been to “offer designer eyewear at a revolutionary price, while leading the way for socially conscious businesses.”

The site allows users to filter all available frames by color, fit, shape, and material, with “Staff Pick” demarcations showing up on certain models. Also not to be ignored is the company’s “Home Try-On” policy, which allows users to pick five frames to try out for five days. Frames that appeal to consumers can be bought at any time, with the rest being sent back with a prepaid return label.

M. from Lake Tahoe points out in a ConsumerAffairs review that the company was great when it came to making replacements when he lost a pair of prescription sunglasses. “I needed replacements quickly because I was going on a trip. I called WP and spoke with a customer service person who found frames that were similar to frames I'd purchased a while ago."

"Also, there was an issue with my prescription but rather than requiring me to contact my eye doctor and get the prescription, WP called my doctor and drove the process to completion. I got my replacement frames quickly, easily, and for much less than buying them at a physical store. Also, the frames look really good,” he said.

Zenni Optical

First opened in San Francisco in 2003, Zenni Optical boasts a catalog of 6,000 frames that are marketed towards kids, teens, and professionals. With all those options, the company says that consumers are bound to find a pair that suits them perfectly.

The company’s prices are probably its main driving point. A listing of “classic” eyeglasses for men ranged from as little as $7 to around $46, and a listing of several category guides makes it easy for consumers to narrow down their selections. The company’s return policy allows buyers to send back glasses for any reason within 30 days for a 50% refund or a one-time 100% store credit refund; however, the company will not reimburse shipping fees.

Jimmy of Hacienda Heights, Calif., summed up his experience with the company pretty nicely in a review.

“Zenni Optical's prices are very competitive and fair. They also have a very good website and their online ordering process is easy. I've purchased three times from them and I usually picked the half-rimmed type of glasses because they look nice. All in all, I'm very satisfied,” he said.

Coastal.com

Operating since 2001, Coastal.com has sold its in-house eyeglasses designs in over 150 countries around the world. The company caters to teens, professionals, and contacts wearers, with hundreds of options to choose from.

Users of the company’s site can narrow down their choices by gender, shape, use, material, color, and style, and the prices range from $35 for basic frames and sale items to hundreds of dollars for the latest and greatest models.

One of the drawing points for Coastal is its variety of high-quality and durable frames. Easter of Fort Worth, Texas, said that factor and the great delivery service left her very satisfied.

“They are shipped within 24 hours and you get an email letting you know, like everybody today you can track it so you know when it will be here. They have a nice selection of glasses to choose from at very reasonable prices, the Cole in all styles and colors and range from 20 to 40 dollars. The price does not reflect the quality, l would have paid twice that for those glasses at Walmart. Durable, comfortable and the lenses don't pop out. They are good quality and last longer than my prescriptions do,” she said.

39dollarglasses.com

As the name implies, 39dollarglasses.com offers a variety of eyeglasses at low prices (in fact, quite a few of them were even as low as $39). Along with that price tag, the company guarantees fast delivery, and prescription lenses that are light, thin, and provide 100% UV protection.

The company markets its products to a younger audience of kids, teens, and contact wearers but also has frames specifically meant for toddlers. Users of the company’s site can search frames by gender, shape, size, material, lens type, and frame color, and those who are unhappy with the product are offered a 120-day return policy that refunds glasses for 50% of the purchase price or for exchange credit.

“I had tried. . .  two online discount eyeglass and they were not too bad. 39dollarglasses was just better all around. The fit of the lenses in the frame was much better than the other two. Selection was much better than the other two. The clarity of the lenses by 39dollarglasses was by far superior to the other two. I had broke my frames (my fault) within the first few months of receiving them. I went to their web site to online chat. I spoke to Vanessa and she put in a order to send me a new pair of frames. Overall a great experience with 39dollarglasses. I will not be returning to the other two sites because 39dollarglasses is far superior all around,” said Joseph of Cogan Station, Penn.

Learn more

While these four brands took top honors among our consumer ratings, readers should know that there are many more companies with unique offers of their own. You can learn more about them and what consumers think of their services by visiting our Eyeglasses Online Buyer’s Guide.

During the same week that airline executives appeared before Congress to endure lectures about the state of their customer service, a family has come forward saying it was thrown off a Delta flight for refusing to give up one of the seats they had purchased.

The incident, recorded on video as most are now days, occurred April 23, two weeks after a Kentucky physician was dragged off a United Airlines flight in Chicago. The family only came forward with its story this week.

Brian and Brittany Schear, of Huntington Beach, Calif., were returning home after a vacation in Hawaii. Initially, the couple said, they purchased tickets for themselves and their teenage son, and planned to hold their young children, ages one and two, on their laps on the long flight.

Before departure, the couple told NBC News, they purchased a ticket on another flight for their oldest son and planned to use the third seat for their two-year-old. The Schears said they gave that information to the Delta gate attendant, who told them it would be okay.

Overbooked

But the flight was oversold. Once the Schears were aboard, an airline official told them the Delta was reclaiming the third seat the Schears had purchased. A lengthy argument ensued, with the Schears threatened with arrest if they did not comply. When they refused they were removed from the flight. It was late at night and the Schears said they were left to find their own hotel and purchase new tickets to get home. The video of the encounter is below:

Technically, Delta might have had the right to reclaim the seat since the person to whom the ticket was initially issued (the Schears' teen-aged son) failed to show up. The Shears said they paid for it and had someone else that could use it and didn't understand why it was being taken away from them.

But being technically correct may not be enough in this day and age, especially as anger at airlines seems to be building. Delta issued a statement saying the company is sorry for "the unfortunate experience our customers had with Delta." The airline said it plans to refund the family's travel and provide "additional compensation."

Received conflicting messages

The Schears were especially upset because they say a Delta gate attendant told them their two-year-old son could sit in the unused seat. But when it became apparent the flight was overbooked, Delta enforced the letter of its policy, which required the person to whom the ticket was issued sit in the seat.

Since United found itself in an uncomfortable spotlight last month, it's apparent that these types of things are not all that uncommon. Now, however, when they happen we'll all going to hear about it.

United has announced a number of policy changes in the wake of the dragging incident that it hopes will improve customer service. One provision gives airline personnel on the ground the power to make decisions "in the moment" if they will improve the customer experience.

At a time when airlines are selling every seat on a plane, and then some, that might not be a bad idea for United's competitors to consider too.

While traveling abroad, it is not unusual to find locals who speak multiple languages. Americans, on the other hand, are often fluent in just their own. English, while frequently spoken in the hospitality industry, is not universal. Travelers might have difficulty navigating towns and cities with just a command of the English language.

On a recent trip to Paris, our tour guide encouraged us to not only learn a few key French words and phrases, but to understand French culture. For example, the French think Americans are odd when they enter a store and instead of greeting the staff, smile instead. The French, on the other hand, enter a store and say "Bonjour," which is hello in French. It is considered quite rude not to do so

My husband and I had brushed up on our French prior to our trip and while we could only converse in a few sentences, we were able to make ourselves understood. All restaurant personnel were appreciative when we greeted them with "Bonjour," and used "S’il vous plaît" (please) and "Merci beaucoup" (thank you very much). Two other phrases that are useful to learn are: “Where is the bathroom,” and “Do you speak English?”

In France, I learned not to rely on the hotel concierge to make restaurant reservations. I had an international call plan and when checking restaurant reviews clicked on “call;” when the call was answered, I asked in French: "Parlez-vous Anglais?" (do you speak English)? They most often replied yes and I could successfully make my own dinner reservation. If they had replied no, I would have asked: "Une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît" (a table for two please).

You too can brush up on a language prior to your trip. There are lots of short- and long-term options, free and for a fee.

Fodors offers free information on pronunciation, greetings, directions, shopping, numbers, and dining for French, Italian, German, Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese languages.

Duolingo is a free program or app that offers bite-sized lessons where you learn to read, listen, and speak, immediately seeing your results and how to improve. Available for Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Turkish, Dutch, Irish, Danish, Swedish, Ukrainian, Esperanto, Polish, Greek, and Hungarian languages.

Rosetta Stone is an immersive online program and app that claims it’s for users seeking to speak a new language (around 30 are available) in the real world. They offer an intuitive, immersive method available on a subscription-basis for three, six, twelve, and twenty-four months.

Babbel is an immersive program and app that claims to combine communicative didactics, cognitivism, behaviorism and constructivism to learn German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish, Dutch, Polish, Turkish, Indonesian, Norwegian, Danish, and Russian languages. There is a free beginner’s lesson to see if you like the method and then paid subscriptions for beginner, intermediate, grammar, listening and speaking, offered as one, three, six and twelve month subscriptions.

FluentU uses realistic, cultural immersion and timed repetition to learn Chinese (Mandarin), Spanish, French, German, and Japanese languages. Users like the videos, short clips, and quiz formats. They offer a 15-day free trial and then Basic and Plus monthly subscriptions.

Language classes are offered through local college, community college, or adult education/lifelong learning programs.

Whatever method you choose, learning the basics will help you connect with the locals and enhance your travels overall.

If you or a family member have been in the hospital lately, you probably know that nurses are on the front lines of healthcare. Nurses are often the first practitioner to see a patient and have the most ongoing contact. No one disagrees they play a vital role in the system.

But a new survey from employment site CareerBuilder.com finds a growing shortage of nurses that threatens to create inefficiencies within the healthcare system. Careerbuilder says well over half of healthcare employers have current openings for nurses but can't find qualified candidates.

While all industries complain about that problem, CareerBuilder says the complaints from healthcare employers are 7% higher than any other industry in the survey.

In the first quarter of this year, the average number of individual job postings for registered nurses was 178,586. But the total number of nursing job postings during that time was 10 times that amount, meaning every nursing job was posted an average of 10 times.

Both nurses and patients affected

This isn't just a problem for hospitals and doctors offices. Both nurses and patients are being affected.

CareerBuilder says its survey of nurses reveals a growing amount of stress. With so many unfilled positions, existing staff must work longer hours.

Fifty percent of nurses in the survey reported "feeling tired all the time," while 35% reported sleepless nights, 33% gained weight, and 32% suffered high anxiety, all symptoms of higher than normal stress.

At the same time, another 32% of nurses reported aches and pains and 19% said they suffered from depression. Nearly all the nurses in the survey said their employers offer no assistance to deal with stress.

None of this is good for patients. Staff shortages can make it harder to get timely appointments. More important, tired, overworked, and stressed-out healthcare workers are probably not at the top of their game, and may be prone to errors.

Backbone of healthcare

"Nurses, the backbone of U.S. health care, often handle life or death situations, so this high level of stress may come as no surprise," said Rosemary Haefner, Chief Human Resources Officer at CareerBuilder. "However, high levels of stress sustained over a long-period of time can be a major detriment to one's health. Employers must ensure their nurses are getting the support they need, such as flexible schedules, expanded headcount or tools to deal with stress."

The survey results no doubt don't come as a surprise to professional nursing associations, who have been warning of a nursing shortage for years. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports nursing positions are expected to grow from 2.71 million in 2012 to 3.24 million in 2022, an increase of 526,800 or 19%.

During that time, it says the profession will also need 525,000 other nurses, to replace those who retire or quit.

Reading before bed is a favorite pastime of many parents with younger children. The activity has several advantages for putting young ones in the right state of mind for sleep: it’s quiet, relaxing, and takes away bright screens that can mess with circadian rhythms.

In a recent study, researchers at New York University (NYU) School of Medicine also found another benefit of the activity. They say that parents who read to young children before bed help build a positive association with books and develops early literacy skills, which can help out down the road when they’re beginning elementary school.

“These findings are exciting because they suggest that reading to young children, beginning even in early infancy, has a lasting effect on language, literacy, and early reading skills. . . What they’re learning when you read with them as infants still has an effect four years later when they’re about to begin elementary school,” said lead author Dr. Carolyn Cates.

A head start towards literacy

For the purposes of the study, researchers recruited over 250 mother-baby pairs from a newborn nursery at an urban public hospital. Participants were asked to monitor how well their growing baby understood new words over a 54-month period and then cross-referenced that data with the number of books in the home and how many days per week parents read with their children.

Quality of shared book-reading was also measured by whether parents had conversations with their children while reading and if the books and stories were age-appropriate.

After adjusting for socioeconomic differences, the researchers found that reading quality and the amount of shared book-reading in a child’s early years predicted how expansive their vocabulary was four years later. Cates said that reading quality was found to be closely linked to early reading skills and literacy at age four.

“Findings suggest shared reading, beginning early in infancy and in toddlerhood are critical for key language and literacy outcomes as much as four years later. Findings strongly support preventive programs in pediatric primary care aiming to enhance early shared reading,” the abstract concludes.

The researchers plan to present their findings in full at the 2017 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, which takes place on May 8 in San Francisco.

Daimler Vans USA (DVUSA) is recalling 305 model year 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles.

The vehicles have front seat seatbelt pretensioners that may not function properly in the event of a crash.

If the front seat seatbelt pretensioners do not function properly, the seat occupants may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2017.

Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.