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Mississippi Small Town Has The Bacon Bowl Blues

Looks nice.

It’s easy to seek out and mock infomercial products that solve a need that consumers never knew they had. What jerks like us may not realize, though, is that behind every silly direct-response ad are the hopes of thousands of people. In one case, the future of an entire town in Mississippi could have changed thanks to a single laughable kitchen product: the Bacon Bowl.

We pointed at the fad, laughed, and then turned our attention to other things. For a short time, though, the Bacon Bowl seemed like it could be the salvation of a small town in Mississippi where work is scarce and manufacturing had disappeared. Until the coming of the Bacon Bowl.

The last factory in Port Gibson, Mississippi is U.S. Dinnerware, a company that makes, well, plastic dinnerware. This past fall, they received an order for one million microwaveable plastic Bacon Bowls, and the order gave people in town a few tiny, grease-soaked crumbles of hope.

Yet two factors worked against U.S. Dinnerware. The company that marketed the bowls was Allstar Products Group, the company behind the hottest direct-response product of 2009, the Snuggie. How busy do you think Snuggie factories are now? Allstar had Perfect Bacon Bowls made in China and in Mississippi, then pushed U.S. Dinnerware to get the prices down. No more orders for bowls came, though: Allstar told the Wall Street Journal that it has plenty of inventory to cover future demand for the plastic bowls. Of course it does: the initial marketing push is over.

U.S. Dinnerware hired 60 new workers. That seems tiny unless you know that it previously only employed 15 people. They had 500 applicants for those jobs, since many people in town had been unemployed for years. The new workers have now been laid off, and things are back to the way they were. Except for the tens of thousands of Perfect Bacon Bowls stacked up in the U.S. Dinnerware factory.

How the ‘Bacon Bowl’ Gave Hope to a Tiny Town—Then Left for China [Wall Street Journal]

by Laura Northrup via Consumerist

Some iOS 8 Privacy Settings You Might Want To Tweak

If you got a new iPhone today, or you’re one of the many millions of people with older iPhones and iPads that have now been updated to iOS 8, here are some new privacy settings that you should probably check out sooner rather than later.

ZDnet’s Zack Whittaker looks at these settings in more depth, complete with screen shots, but here is the quickie overview:

1. Allowing apps to track your location in the background

Some apps will be able to track your location even while the app isn’t currently running. If this sounds highly unpleasant and overly invasive to you, the good news is that these apps should have a pop-up window that requires you to pick between allowing or not allowing this background location tracking.

2. Blocking apps from uploading your personal data

iOS 8 now allows you to decide whether personal info from your device — like your Contacts list — can be accessed by specific apps. If you go to Settings > Privacy you can toggle on-and-off which info certain apps have access to. But as Whittaker points out, turning these permissions off now does not mean that you’re removing any data that has already been accessed by the app previously.

3. Putting an expiration date on your messages

Apple’s iMessage now allows users to send voice and video messages to other users. It also gives you the ability to determine how long you want to have these stored on your device. Go to Settings > Messages and tweak the settings for Keep Messages, Audio Messages, and Video Messages to your liking.

4. Limiting location-based services

In addition to those apps that can track your location in the background, there are some native iOS 8 services that keep track of where you are for everything from advertising to improving phone service to finding lost devices. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services to select which services can track your location and which can’t. Whittaker advises, and we’d agree, that regardless of your other choices, you’d probably want to keep Find My iPhone on, so you can… ya know, find your iPhone. That service also needs to be turned on under Settings > iCloud > Find My iPhone.

5. Limit advertisers’ tracking of your location and browsing info

Safari now lets you minimize the amount of info advertisers can track your Web-browsing habits and location, but oddly it’s not in the setting for Safari. Instead, go to Settings > Privacy > Advertising and enable “Limit Ad Tracking.” Then be sure to choose the Reset Advertising Identifier option, and follow the prompts.

In addition to these tips, Whittaker has a slew of additional privacy settings you might want to look into.

by Chris Morran via Consumerist

Court Shuts Down $11 Million High School Diploma Mill

(bluwmongoose)

Not everyone graduates from high school, but for nearly a decade, a company in Florida has been offering what it claims are “official” diplomas from “accredited” schools to consumers who took an online test (and paid betweeen $200 to $300). Except federal authorities say these diplomas are as bogus as they sound, and this company has allegedly scammed consumers for at least $11.1 million.

According to a complaint [PDF] filed in a U.S. District Court by the Federal Trade Commission, starting in 2006, a pair of companies named Diversified Educational Resources and Motivational Management & Development Services began selling online diplomas under multiple bogus high school names, including “Jefferson High School Online” and “Enterprise High School Online.” The defendants even claimed in some cases that these schools were accredited.

These programs claimed that customers could “become… high school graduate[s]” and obtain “official” high school diplomas by enrolling in one of these programs. Additionally, the FTC says the defendants claimed that consumers could successfully use these diplomas as valid high school equivalency credentials to enroll in college, apply for jobs, and “receive the recognition [they] aspire for in life.”

The websites for these diploma mills stated that the “schools” were run by “administrative and academic professionals” who “are very confident that completing our program can benefit your needs.”

Another message explained that even “[i]f you never finished or never started high school, its [sic] not too late. Take classes and earn your high school diploma all online with a program that works around your busy schedule.”

The companies stated that their “mission” was to “[p]rovide a respected and recognized high school diploma equivalency program.”

Customers were told that these diplomas were basically the same as a General Education Development (GED) exam that many people use to demonstrate they have the knowledge and skills to graduate high school, and that the diplomas would be valid for enrolling in college and that the programs’ “exam scores and interface are designed to the rigors of a private high school graduation exam diploma program.”

But in no way was this like taking an actual high school equivalency exam, claims the FTC.

“Consumers are only required to pay a fee and pass an online test in order to obtain a so-called ‘diploma,'” reads the complaints. “Defendants require no coursework or preparation before taking the online test, and even offer consumers hints to help them select the correct answers.”

When customers later tried to use these diplomas to enroll in college, get jobs or join the military, only to be told they were worthless, some attempted to get their money back. But the FTC says these requests were denied.

In response to the FTC complaint the court has imposed a temporary restraining order against the defendants and frozen their assets.

“A high school diploma is necessary for entry into college, the military, and many jobs,” said Jessica Rich, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “These defendants took students’ money but only provided a worthless credential that won’t help their future plans.”

by Chris Morran via Consumerist

Meijer Agrees To Pay $2M Fine For Continued Distribution Of 12 Recalled Products

(Nicholas Eckhart)

By now we should all know that once a product has been formally recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, it is illegal for a retailer to sell that item – or to distribute that item to other stores. Yet, there have been several cases in which that rule isn’t followed, leading to stiff fines for the stores. The latest case involves national retailer Meijer paying $2 million in penalties for the continued distribution of 12 recalled products.

The CPSC announced this week that Michigan-based retailer Meijer agreed to pay a $2 million civil penalty to settle charges it distributed recalled items, many of which were children’s products.

According to the CPSC, from April 2010 to April 2011 Meijer facilitated the resale of approximately 1,700 units of recalled products to consumers.

The company distributed recalled products through a system operated by a third-party contractor.

However, CPSC investigators found that Meijer had received information that the products had been recalled, but failed to take action to prevent distribution.

The recalled products include:

• Discovery Kids Animated Marine and Safari Lamps imported by Innovage LLC;

• SlingRider Baby Slings manufactured by Infantino;

• Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaners with Cord Rewind Feature imported by Hoover Inc;

• Fisher-Price Trikes and Tough Trikes toddler tricycles manufactured by Fisher-Price;

• Little People Wheelies Stand ‘n Play Rampways imported by Fisher Price;

• Ocean Wonders Kick & Crawl Aquariums imported by Fisher-Price;

• Bathtub Subs imported by Munchkin, Inc.;

• Refreshing Rings Infant Teethers/Rattles imported by Sassy;

• Touch Point Oscillating Ceramic Heater;

• Harmony High Chair manufactured by Graco Children’s Products;

• Random Orbit Sander manufactured by Black & Decker; and

• Box Fans manufactured by Lasko.

Upon realizing that additional retail sales were taking place, CPSC and Meijer jointly reissued the recall of the Touch Point Oscillating Ceramic Heater in July 2011. Recalls for eight other products, including the Innovage Discovery Kids Animated lamps, Infantino baby slings and Hoover WindTunnel T-Series vacuum were re-announced by the two entities in March 2012.

Under the agreement with the CPSC, Meijer will implement and maintain a reverse logistics compliance program designed to ensure that it does not violate federal laws regarding the sale of recalled products.

Meijer Agrees to Pay $2 Million Civil Penalty for Distributing Recalled Products [CPSC]

by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

Cardinals Fans Would Rather Not Eat Cotton Candy That’s Been On The Bathroom Floor

(KMOV)

Perhaps officials at Busch Stadium in St. Louis need to look into not only a place for a lady to hang her purse in the bathroom stall (if they don’t already have hooks), but some kind of appropriate resting place for food vendors to set down their wares when natural calls. Because seeing bags of cotton candy on a dirty bathroom floor with some toilet paper is just… well, it’s seeing food on the floor of a public restroom. It’s gross.

Officials say they’re looking into why a cotton candy vendor would put down her snacks in the bathroom after a woman walked in and spotted the bags lying on the floor, reports KMOV.

“The floors were wet. You could see the toilet paper draped underneath it,” she said. “At first you … crack a joke or two and then realize that’s just not sanitary at all. They’re selling that to people and their children. It’s just gross.”

The news team showed the photo to some Cardinals fans, who were duly disgusted. But at least one woman had a good view about the incident, saying she’s not going to generalize and think all vendors do such things. We applaud your open mind.

The Cardinals’ front office isn’t too happy, though, saying in a statement:

“The photograph is very disturbing. Our concessionaire DNC Sportservice is currently investigating this matter to identify the vendor responsible. This behavior is completely inconsistent with our customer service standards and runs contrary to the health and sanitation training all employees undergo. We appreciate this matter being brought to our attention. We want to assure fans we will take all measures necessary to prevent this type of thing from happening again.”

What this photo shows has Busch Stadium personnel investigating [KMOV]

by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist

Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds

Here are nine of the best photos that readers added to the Consumerist Flickr Pool in the last week, picked for usability in a Consumerist post or for just plain neatness.

Our Flickr Pool is the place where Consumerist readers upload photos for possible use in future Consumerist posts. Want to see your pictures on our site? Just be a registered Flickr user, go here, and click “Join Group?” up on the top right. Choose your best photos, then click “send to group” on the individual images you want to add to the pool.

by Laura Northrup via Consumerist

Retailer Forgets To Check The News, Sends Email Welcoming An Independent Scotland

The staff over at Made.com in the United Kingdom were apparently up too late glued to the TV last night to see whether or not Scotland voted to become a separate country. Because while Scotland decided to stay in the UK, a marketing email sent bright and early this morning welcomed a new country to its rolls — Scotland. Well, this is awkward.

Awkward indeed, for those Scots who opened an email set against an image of the Scottish flag, the Saltire, reading:

“Made.com has launched in a new country. Hot on the heels of our launch in the Netherlands just days ago, we’re pleased to announce that we’re now delivering to yet another new territory. Welcome to Made.com Scotland.”

According to The Telegraph, it promised a £10 discount on orders over £100 to celebrate adding: “As a little patriotic inspiration for the newly independent country, take a peek at our selection of blue, Saltire-inspired products below.”

Oh, except… yeah… About that. A little bit later someone must’ve finally refueled on caffeine or caught some sleep, because another email was then sent out, this time, set against the (still intact) Union Jack, reports The Telegraph.

“Oops. Please ignore our last email,” the subject read, adding below: “We accidentally hit send on an email we’d prepared in case of a ‘YES’ vote for Scottish independence. Scotland, it’s great to have you back!”

A spokeswoman said the emails were “deliberate” (both of them, really?), saying in a statement: “It’s been a long week for us and we were gripped by last night’s referendum meaning a late night and some bleary eyes, but you guessed it; our emails this morning were deliberate. Scotland, we love you and hope no offence was caused.”

The second email, surely, but unless Made was trying for some kind of Chicago Tribune throwback to 1948 a la “Dewey Defeats Truman” thing on purpose, that first email had to be the result of someone falling asleep on the keyboard and accidentally hitting send. Or someone not paying attention to world news, either way.

Marketing fail for Made.com as it announces it is launching in a new country – Scotland [The Telegraph]

by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist

Pabst Blue Ribbon, Schlitz Brewer Purchased By Russian Beverage Company

(jaubele1)

In recent years hipsters, good old boys and your regular Joes have enjoyed the resurgence of the relatively inexpensive, watery, American taste of Pabst Blue Ribbon. While the beer will no doubt continue to taste the same (and depending on your locale cost just a few bucks), it will be decidedly less American now that the beer’s parent company has been purchased by a Russian beverage company.

The New York Times DealBook reports that Russian brewer and beverage distributor, Oasis Beverages, bought Pabst Brewing Company, maker of PBR, Colt 45, Old Milwaukee and Schlitz.

Oasis’ purchase is backed by American private equity firm, TSG Consumer Partners, which will take a minority stake in the brand.

Officials say the company would continue to be based out of Los Angeles.

While the terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed, the Times reports a person close to the situation said the price tag was more than $700 million.

Pabst was previously owned by Dan Metropoulos, who resurrected the Twinkie line from Hostess last year.

Oasis is the largest independent brewer in Russia, producing a variety of regional brands and distributing international brands like Heineken.

“Pabst Blue Ribbon is the quintessential American brand – it represents individualism, egalitarianism, and freedom of expression – all the things that make this country great,” Eugene Kashper, the chairman of Oasis Beverages, says in a statement.

Well, at least officials with Oasis recognize the power that is PBR.

Pabst Is Sold to Russian Beverage Company [New York Times DealBook]

by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist