Current Events in February 2024

Stanley tumblers have taken the world by storm in recent months. The cups drew a lot of public attention and interest after becoming an internet phenomenon, and then quickly came under scrutiny for containing lead. 

Now, the manufacturer of the popular cups, Pacific Market International (PMI), is being sued by four California women in a class action suit for allegedly deceiving consumers about the presence of lead in the tumblers. 

“PMI had a duty to disclose its use of lead before enticing millions of customers to unwittingly buy its drinkware,” the suit states. “Instead of allowing customers to decide for themselves and their families whether to accept any risks associated with using a lead-contaminated drinking cup, PMI kept customers in the dark so as not to interfere with its bonanza of influencer-driven sales, especially to young women.” 

Is there lead in Stanley cups?

The short answer: yes. But it’s more complex than that. 

To keep drinks cold, Stanley tumblers use stainless steel. At the bottom of each cup, there is a small pellet that contains lead, which is the stainless steel vacuum seal insulation.

Should that seal come off, consumers would have direct exposure to the lead pellet while drinking from their Stanley cups. However, according to comments from the company, the likelihood of that happening is very slim. 

“Our manufacturing process currently employs the use of an industry standard pellet to seal the vacuum insulation at the base of our products; the sealing material includes some lead,” the company explains on its website. “Once sealed, this area is covered with a durable stainless steel layer, making it inaccessible to consumers.” 

The company also explained that all cups and tumblers are eligible for a lifetime warranty should any of the seals break. 

What are the details of the lawsuit? 

Though PMI has been forthcoming in its use of lead in the manufacturing process of its Stanley cups, the lawsuit alleges that this hadn’t come out until recently. Meanwhile, the cups had generated a great deal of internet buzz prior to that. 

“PMI has marketed its products to the public for years as a safe, practical item especially suitable for young women,” the suit states. “But PMI did not disclose its use of lead in manufacturing until January 2024. Rather, it advertises its cups as being ‘BPA-free’ and made of stainless steel, while omitting another key ingredient used in its vacuum seal: lead.” 

The suit also states that all four women bought the cups, containing lead, with no disclosures or warnings about the lead, and they wouldn’t have bought the cups – or spent as much as they did on a cup – had they known they contained lead. 

The plaintiffs are requesting that Stanley discloses the use of lead or any other toxins in its products, as well as several undisclosed damages. 

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 261,257 of the following front-wheel drive vehicles:

• Model year 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedans,
• Model year 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolets,
• Model year 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLIs,
• Model year 2018 Golf Sportwagen GPs,
• Model year 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7s,
• Model year 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagens,
• Model year 2015-2020 Golf GTIs, and
• Model year 2015-2020 Golf A7s.

Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

What to do

Dealers will replace the suction pump free of charge.

Vehicles that were recalled for this issue in 2016 will need to have the new remedy completed.

Owners will be notified by letters that letters are expected to be mailed April 12, 2024.

Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at (800) 893-5298 or Audi customer service at (800) 253-2834.

One of the under-reported frontiers in the government's junk fees crusade is the unnecessary fees that cable companies and internet service providers (ISPs) are charging consumers – fees that can jack up a basic month’s service as much as 25%. 

But that’s all about to change in April. Or – at least, it’s supposed to change.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s new Broadband Consumer Labels regulation requires providers to display clear, easy-to-understand, and accurate information about the cost and performance of broadband services by April 10, 2024.

Providers with 100,000 or fewer subscriber lines must do so by October 10, 2024. Those points of sale include online and in-store.

What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive'

That would make a good slogan for providers that have their hands in this cookie jar. See for yourself – get out your latest internet bill and check if you find any of these disguised charges anywhere: 

• Overage Charges

• Equipment Rental Fees

• Installation Fees

• Administrative Fees

• Early Termination Fees

• Customer Service Fees

• Regulatory Fees

• Technology Service Fees

If any of those sound vague, then they’ve done their job. The less you understand what the heck they mean, the happier the provider is. 

Keep that in mind once your first bill after April 10 lands in your mailbox.

“Comcast and other ISPs objected to a requirement that ISPs ‘list all recurring monthly fees’ including ‘all charges that providers impose at their discretion, i.e., charges not mandated by a government,’” said Jon Brodkin of ArsTechnica. 

“They complained that the rule will force them to display the pass-through of fees imposed by federal, state, or local government agencies on the consumer broadband label.’”

Did you know that you can get Big Tech broadband for half the price?

When April rolls around and the new rules come into play, any ISP has to itemize the fees they add to base monthly prices, even the fees related to government programs they choose to "pass through" to consumers, such as fees related to universal service or regulatory fees.”

But the fact is that you’ve probably been paying too much for too long anyway. On the low end – the one where a consumer uses email, watches a little YouTube, and not much more – you can probably find a monthly $20 internet package. However, most consumers pay about $70 which seems to be the average monthly price for decent internet that can handle streaming.

What most consumers don’t even realize is that there are local ISPs that buy internet service in bulk from the Big Tech providers like AT&T and then resell it to their customers at incredible savings.

For example, IgLou – an ISP in Louisville Ky., – resells AT&T fiber service for $49.95, plus a $3.33 legit telecom access cost recovery fee.

And, guess who comes out to set it up? Yep, AT&T. They run the wire, they install the modems, they do everything they would do if you were dealing with them directly.

Plus, local ISPs often have smaller customer bases, allowing for more personalized attention and quicker response times when you need help. They also tend to have a better grip on the local challenges that providers have – like terrain or interference – which you’d be hard-pressed to find from someone sitting in a tech support center a half world away working for a large branded ISP.

If you’re going to explore this option

The pricing flexibility that you’re handed with a local ISP is probably the strongest suit. Most have far simpler and more transparent plans than large companies, with fewer hidden fees and easier-to-understand terms.

Be sure to explain to the sales rep all that you need your internet to do. If it’s just email and some YouTube videos and the occasional Facebook post, that could be a lot less than if you needed to stream Netflix at hi-rez or you’re going to be using it for work and uploading and downloading a lot of files. 

One thing to keep in mind: While the promise of going the local route sounds inviting, all providers are not the same. Make sure you carefully research what other consumers think of the ISP and compare plans, features and pricing offered by both local and national providers before making a decision.

We’re probably a year or two away from chicken bran muffins and taco milkshakes, but KFC has decided that now’s the time for … Chizza!

Beginning Feb. 26 for a limited time, KFC is introducing to America what foodies in the Philippines, India, Thailand, and Mexico have been enjoying since 2015.

It's not pizza, it's Chizza: two 100% white meat Extra Crispy fried chicken filets topped with zesty marinara sauce, melty mozzarella cheese and crispy pepperoni. Anchovies didn’t make the cut, sorry.

"Fried chicken and pizza collaborated to create something even better – the Chizza," said Nick Chavez, CMO KFC U.S. "The fan-favorite mashup is finally available in the U.S. after making its way around the world – try it while you can!"

KFC's 242 E 14th St. restaurant in New York City is square one for the debut. That corner store will transform itself into a one-of-a-kind "Chizzeria" serving the Chizza exclusively! For free, visitors to the Chizzeria get the chance to try the Chizza before anyone else. But don't sweat, Peoria – Chizza is available to the rest of the country starting Monday, Feb. 26.

Blackberry Lemonade is also making a return visit. The soda combo will be temporarily available at KFC restaurants nationwide.

Major appliances come with lots more bells and whistles than in the past. And it may be no coincidence that these high-tech appliances are producing a lot of consumer complaints.

The Wall Street Journal suggests that more computerization, an increase in the number of individual components and the use of lower-quality materials are all combining to reduce reliability and longevity.

Over the last decade, ConsumerAffairs has heard from many consumers perplexed by the short lives of appliances costing thousands of dollars. Rahim, of Marietta, Ga., said he purchased a Samsung 28 cubic inch French door refrigerator about three years ago and has had nothing but trouble.

“From first few months we have [had a] problem with it,” Rahim wrote in a Consumer Affairs review. “Now the water dispenser, which is combined with the ice maker, stopped working. Samsung technician said it needs a left door. Samsung declined to replace it. I will not recommend buying any Samsung products.”

Not just one brand

But Samsung is not the only appliance brand causing consumer angst. Peter, of Charlestown, R.I., said he purchased a Frigidaire refrigerator in 2022 that, from day one, was much colder than necessary.

“Freezes food everywhere,” Peter told us. “The fresh produce drawer, up on the top shelf, on the bottom shelf. Everywhere!!. Tried the different settings and procedures recommended by the appliance store, nothing works. Fresh food drawers broke within the first year – complete garbage. Would not recommend Frigidaire to anyone.”

Even though today’s major appliances are more sophisticated than their predecessors, Euromonitor International reports U.S. consumers spent 43% more on appliances in 2023 than in 2013. Why? According to the Journal, consumers are having to replace defective appliances.

It makes sense that stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines that make sparing use of technology might be more reliable in the long run. There are simply fewer things to go wrong and these appliances tend to be in the budget category.

On the other hand, spending more might yield improved results. One poster on Reddit suggests purchasing commercial-grade appliances, even though they will cost more.

iPhone users have a new app at their disposal the next time they want to check the score of their favorite team’s game. 

Apple has released a new, free sports app, Apple Sports, that features real-time score updates, stats, and more. 

“We created Apple Sports to give sports fans what they want – an app that delivers incredibly fast access to scores and stats,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services. “Apple Sports is available for free in the App Store, and makes it easy for users to stay up to date with their favorite teams and leagues.”

What’s featured in the new app?

Apple Sports is currently available to download for free on all iPhones using iOS 17.2 or later. Apple is prioritizing simplicity and speed with the new app; its biggest goal is getting sports fans the information they want as quickly and easily as possible. 

Currently, the app will have score and stats updates for all professional leagues in-season, including: 

• MLS

• NBA

• NCAA Basketball (men’s and women’s)

• NHL

• Bundesliga

• LaLiga

• LigaMX

• Ligue 1

• Premier League

• Serie A

Fully customizable

In the upcoming seasons, iPhone users can expect to also get updates on: MLB, NFL, NCAAF, NWSL, and WNBA. 

Within the app, users will be able to customize their view based on their preferences. They’ll be able to follow their favorite leagues, teams, and tournaments, which puts all of the latest content for their favorites front and center. 

Apple Sports will also feature information on specific plays, lineup details, live betting odds – which can be turned off, and stats. Users will be able to get live play-by-play analysis, and get information on current and upcoming games. 

The app will also connect with other Apple apps, like News and and Apple TV, allowing users to easily navigate between all of them. 

iPhone users in the U.S., U.K., and Canada can download Apple Sports in the App Store now. 

Ford Motor Company is recalling 77,584 model year 2023-2024 Transit vehicles.

An inadequate amount of rear axle lubricant may cause rear axle tail bearing damage and seizure, which can result in wheel lock-up or driveshaft separation.

If the wheels lock-up or the driveshaft separates, the vehicle may lose drive power.

A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied.

Any of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the rear axle, and replace the axle bearings or axle assembly -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 4, 2024.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S05.

American Airlines (AA) is upping the price for checked baggage. Joining Alaska and JetBlue – and leaving Southwest Airlines as the only major airline offering free checked bags – AA’s fee is based on when and where you pay for your bags.

If you do it when you purchase the ticket at AA.com, it’ll be $35. If you wait until you get to the airport, it’s $40. And if you want to check a second bag, you’ll be shelling out another $45. 

Those all apply to domestic flights. The new bag fees for Canada and short-haul international flights are $35 for first checked bags and $45 for second checked bags purchased online or at the airport.

Does this qualify as greed or need?

Before you go claiming that this is nothing but greed that falls in line with $5 for a bag of chips, $29.95 for two inches more legroom, and $15 to board before someone else, one airline revenue expert says it’s anything but.

“I think American's increase is more nuanced than a simple grab for more revenue. Their chief commercial officer mentioned the company's desire to move low-fare consumers along this path: buy basic economy, then spend more on a la carte extras to add comfort, then enroll in AAdvantage, and finally to apply for a co-branded credit card,” Jay Sorenson, the president of IdeaWorksCompany, an analyzer of ancillary revenue that airlines use to pump up their bank accounts.

Sorenson says that a higher bag fee encourages consumers to buy Main Cabin or above and to truly consider the checked bag benefit of the credit card.

“The airline must also believe it has the "carry-on problem," an industry-wide issue, under control because these increases discourage checked bags,” he told ConsumerAffairs.

It’s not AA’s only change, though

Starting in May, AA wants its customers to come to it first – not Expedia or Kayak or any other online travel agency. And it says that if you do, they’ll make it worth your while as in earning miles and Loyalty Points on flights when you:

1. Book directly with American and eligible partner airlines

2. Book travel anywhere as an AAdvantage Business member or contracted corporate traveler

3. Book through preferred travel agencies. American will share a list of eligible preferred agencies on aa.com in late April

4. Basic Economy fare tickets will only earn when booked directly with American and eligible partner airlines

Where do all the airlines stack up on baggage fees now?

Here’s a quick breakdown of how the landscape is changing on baggage fees: 

Consumers are still spending more at the grocery store, and though inflation has cooled in recent weeks the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) is still showing rising grocery prices. 

The CPI breaks down the cost of food into two categories – food at home, which accounts for groceries, and food away from home, which includes restaurants, fast food, take out, etc. 

Overall, the price of food at home has gone up 2.6% over the last 12 months. On top of that, the cost of food at home increased 0.4% between December 2023 and January 2024, which is the highest single-month increase in the last year. 

What prices have gone up?

The CPI has six categories under the “food at home” umbrella: cereals and bakery products; meats, poultry, fish, and eggs; dairy and related products; fruits and vegetables; nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials; and other food at home, which consists of fats and oils, sugars and sweets, and other foods. 

As of January 2024, four of the six categories saw price hikes. One category saw a price decline – cereals and bakery products – while one category remained without a price change – meats, poultry, fish and eggs. 

That leaves four categories with price increases. Nonalcoholic drinks took the lead with price hikes, as this category went up 1.2% in January. This is a whole point higher from the previous month, when prices had gone up 0.2%. 

The CPI breaks down the categories even further to get specific about monthly cost changes of individual items. For instance, in the nonalcoholic drinks category, frozen noncarbonated juices and drinks had the biggest price increase at 9.9%. Instant coffee, at 1.8%, came in second, while carbonated drinks and juices saw 1.6% and 1.4% price hikes, respectively. 

Dairy and related products had the lowest price increase at 0.2%. Additionally, the “other food at home” category went up 0.6%, while fruits and vegetables went up 0.4% in January. 

More price increases over 1% in January include spices, seasonings, condiments, and sauces; soups; margarine; sugar and sweets; processed fruits and vegetables; fresh vegetables; tomatoes; lettuce; cheese and related products; eggs; and hotdogs. 

Is it all bad news?

While grocery prices went up overall in January, there were some areas where prices dropped throughout the month. Several categories saw price decreases over 1%, including: 

• Flour and prepared flour mixes

• Fresh cakes and cupcakes

• Crackers, bread, and cracker products

• Uncooked ground beef

• Bacon and related products

• Ham

• Fish and seafood

• Fresh whole milk

• Ice cream and related products

• Fresh fruits

If you live in a rural area of America, your healthcare options are shrinking.

A new report from Chartis, a healthcare advisory firm, shows that 50% of the nation’s rural hospitals are operating at a loss and 418 are vulnerable to closure.

“America’s rural hospitals have been battling against drivers of instability for more than a decade, but this newest research suggests this crisis has accelerated quickly to previously unseen levels,” said Michael Topchik, national leader of the Chartis Center for Rural Health. “To learn the percentage of rural hospitals in the red has shifted 7% and now includes half of all rural hospitals is startling and should serve as an urgent call to action for everyone invested in rural healthcare.”

It costs a lot to operate a hospital and successful facilities require scale, meaning they need to serve a lot of patients. In rural areas, there often are not enough people to cover operating costs. But Val Mignogna, senior vice president of Clinical Operations at Gloria Gates CARE, sees other issues.

“Failure of reimbursement levels to keep up with the increase in costs, particularly labor and specifically nurses which are the key to the operation of all hospitals,” Mignogna told us.

Hiring is a problem

He also says rural hospitals face challenges in recruiting and retaining physicians. Dr. Bradley Serwer, an Interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution a company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals nationwide, sees four reasons rural hospitals are closing their doors.

“A large percentage of rural community hospitals are losing money on an annual basis,” Serwer told ConsumerAffairs. “Reimbursement for inpatient hospitalization is not sufficient to cover expenses. Hospitals are monetarily penalized for readmitting patients within 30 days of their initial discharge. Many times, these readmissions occur due to a lack of sufficient resources to care for patients in their homes.”

He says other issues include difficulty in recruiting healthcare professionals, declining quality of care and a lack of community support. 

Is there an answer?

Sean Marchese, a registered nurse at The Mesothelioma Center, says rural hospitals have to find a way to overcome these issues. Part of the answer, he says, may lie in specialization.

“In the short term, rural hospitals can develop specialized programs for rare diseases and cancers that incentivize patients to travel for unique treatments and care,” Marchese said. “These services would also benefit local rural populations by providing sources of income that hospitals can funnel back into primary care services or local support programs."

Serwer says rural hospitals need creative staffing models that promote work-life balance, incentivize high-quality health care delivery, and reward those willing to help build and grow programs. 

Time is of the essence. The Chartis report found a record 28 rural communities lost access to inpatient care last year as a result of rural hospital closures or conversion to a model excluding inpatient care.

The report also found that 267 rural hospitals—nearly 25% of America’s rural obstetrics (OB) units—dropped OB services between 2011 and 2021.