ConsumerMan
"ConsumerMan" is a podcast and column from MSNBC.com featuring Herb Weisbaum. As one of America's top consumer experts, Weisbaum has been "looking out" for people around the country for more than 25 years. Visit www.ConsumerMan.MSNBC.com for more consumer answers and to submit your own question. New episodes are published on Tuesday.

• ConsumerMan 43
  

  Feb. 13, 2007 -- Keep flowers fresh
  A Valentine’s bouquet can really brighten up your day. Do a few simple things and you can keep those flowers looking good for a week or more.

• ConsumerMan 42
  Feb. 6, 2007 -- How to beat the bad guys
  This is National Consumer Protection Week. Want to be a good consumer? Follow the rules: stay alert, be skeptical, do your homework.
• ConsumerMan 41
  Jan. 30, 2007 -- Cell insurance settlement
  Millions of cell phone owners will soon get a legal notice in the mail, telling them they can take part in a class-action lawsuit that's just been settled.
• ConsumerMan 40
  Jan. 23, 2007 -- Car seat confusion
  Consumer Reports' dire warning and subsequent clarification has safety advocates worried. And it has concerned parents confused.
• ConsumerMan 39
  Jan. 16, 2007 -- Cell phone insurance
  You have insurance for your car, your home, your life. Do you really need it for your cell phone? Most experts say forget about it.
• ConsumerMan 38
  Jan. 9, 2007 -- Big fat lie
  Americans spend more than $1 billion each year on diet products. Diet pills promise quick weight loss, but experts say that's just a big fat lie.
• ConsumerMan 37
  Jan. 2, 2007 -- Carbon monoxide poisoning
  Carbon monoxide is a killer ... one that claims about 200 lives in this country each year. But there are things you can do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim.
• ConsumerMan 36
  Dec. 26 -- Dealing with customer service
  Ask most people about the quality of the goods and services they buy and they'll tell you they are fairly satisfied. But ask them about the overall level of customer service they receive. Wow!
• ConsumerMan 35
  Dec. 12, 2006 -- It's phishing season
  The bad guys who try to steal your money or identity via the Internet are always coming up with new lures to reel you in. From all accounts, phishing fraud is getting worse.
• ConsumerMan 34
  Dec. 5, 2006 -- Phones for kids
  It's the latest marketing pitch to sell wireless phones to busy parents: Stay connected! Does a child really need a cell phone? Do they need one that let's you track where they are?
• ConsumerMan 33
  Nov. 28, 2006 -- Hidden hazards
  Today's toys are safer than they've ever been, thanks to decades of hard work by safety advocates and government regulators. Even so, parents need to be on the lookout for hidden hazards.
• ConsumerMan 32
  Nov. 21, 2006 -- Toy Test Part I
  There are many reasons you buy a certain toy. It could be a TV ad caught your attention. Or maybe it's because of 'pester power.' But before you buy, know why.
• ConsumerMan 31
  Nov. 14, 2006 -- Electronics advice
  Chances are you have some electronic items on your holiday shopping list. So, where do you plan to shop? A survey finds that most consumers are happier online.
• ConsumerMan 30
  Nov. 11, 2006 -- Dangerous toy alert
  They're called Yo-Yo Water Balls ... fluid-filled balls made from stretchy material. They're a big hit with kids. Parents may not spot the danger.
• ConsumerMan 29
  Oct. 31, 2006 -- Life-saving tip
  If you're in the market for a new vehicle, get one with side air bags. Crash tests prove that cars with side air bags do a better job of protecting passengers.
• ConsumerMan 28
  Oct. 24, 2006 -- E-coli aftermath
  Spinach is back on supermarket shelves. But is it really any safer than before the outbreak that killed three and made nearly 200 others sick?
• ConsumerMan 27
  Oct. 17, 2006 -- Credit card chaos
  Credit card companies "are counting on you not understanding the full cost of using your card," says Gail Hillebrand, of Consumers Union. The GAO agrees.
• ConsumerMan 26
  Oct. 10, 2006 -- It's hard to be a consumer
  More and more companies seem willing to mislead or deceive us to move their products, says ConsumerMan Herb Weisbaum.
• ConsumerMan 25
  October 2, 2006 -- Small check, big problem
  Banks are sharing their customer lists ñ and account information ñ with third party marketers. And theyíre not always picky about who they partner with.
• ConsumerMan 24
  September 26, 2006 -- When free means fee
  All you have to do is pay for the shipping and handling, the ad assures you. That may seem fair, but beware! You could be in for a nasty surprise.
• ConsumerMan 23
  September 18, 2006 -- E. coli controversy
  The news is downright scary. Eating fresh spinach can make you sick, really sick. But the problem is much bigger than spinach and itís been going on for years.
• ConsumerMan 22
  Sept. 12 -- Supermarket savings
  A supermarket, like any other store, is in business to make money. But you have a budget to manage. So it's your job to be a smart shopper and get the most for each dollar.
• ConsumerMan 21
  Sept. 5, 2006 -- Junk faxes
  If your fax machine starts spitting out more junk faxes, you can thank Congress and the FCC for weakening the rules that restricted unsolicited fax ads.
• ConsumerMan 20
  Aug. 29, 2006 -- Artificial concerns
  Despite many concerns to the contrary, there is no evidence that any of the major artificial sweeteners on the market have harmful effects for humans.
• ConsumerMan 18
  August 22, 2006 -- Pain at the pump
  With gas prices so high, people are looking for ways to lower their gas bills. One way to reduce the pain at the pump is a gas rebate card.
• ConsumerMan 19
  August 15, 2006 -- Spyware scam
  You hop on the Internet and before you know it, a pop-up ad demands money. What's going on here? It's an illegal marketing technique used by a group of entertainment sites.
• ConsumerMan 17
  August 8, 2006 -- Airline bumping
  The latest figures are out ... and they show airline bumping is way up. Also, what are the airline rules regarding unaccompanied minors flying?
• ConsumerMan 16
  August 4, 2006 -- College credit
  Most college students don't have a full-time job or source of income. They may not even have a credit history. But there's a good chance they have a credit card in their wallet.
• ConsumerMan 15
  August 1, 2006: Clever con artists
  Scammers who spend their days trying to steal your identity have come up with something new. They've combined the Internet with the telephone to create what fraud fighters call voice phishing or vishing.
• ConsumerMan 14
  July 25, 2006 -- Kitchen remodel tips
  In most cases, a kitchen remodel will almost pay for itself when you sell the house. The key: "You've got to set a budget and stick to it," says Bob Markovich, the Home Editor at Consumer Reports.
• ConsumerMan 13
  July 18, 2006 -- How many cards do you own?
  Paying with plastic is qiuck and it's easy -- almost too easy. Gerri Detweiler, author of 'The Ultmimate Credit Handbook", discusses the sneaky fees banks and credit card companies charge you.
• ConsumerMan 12
  July 11, 2006 -- Paying with plastic
  Can merchants impose a minimum purchase requirement? Rhonda Bentz, vice president of Visa USA, answers that question and discusses other credit card rules and regulations.
• ConsumerMan 11
  July 3, 2006 -- Sunscreen solutions
  Are you concerned that sunscreen may not work or that it could be harmful? Dr. John Swartzberg, a professor at UC Berkeley, and Dr. Renata Jenkin, a dermatologist, debunk the rumors and offer advice.
• ConsumerMan 10
  June 27, 2006 -- Tips for international travelers
  Do you have a pre-departure checklist? Rudy Maxa, host of National Public Radio's "Savvy Traveler," discusses what consumers can do before they travel abroad.
• ConsumerMan 9
  June 20, 2006 -- More tips for home sellers
  In the current market, homeowners may find it more difficult to sell a home. Ilyce Glink, a nationally syndicated real estate columnist, talks about how buyers and sellers can deal with this new reality.
• ConsumerMan 8
  June 13, 2006 -- Tips for home sellers
  Home sales are down and houses are taking longer to sell. In many parts of the country, it's clearly becoming more of a buyer's market. Greg McBride, a Senior Financial Analyst with BankRate.com, discusses what sellers can do to make a home more attractive to buyers.
• ConsumerMan 7
  June 6, 2006 -- Healthy start
  Are you looking for a nutritious ce