Why you're addicted to your smartphone: CBC's Marketplace consumer cheat sheet
CBC News | Posted: November 5, 2017 2:00 PM | Last Updated: November 5, 2017
Plus: Sears shoppers feel 'duped' by sales and why it's hard to spend bitcoin
Miss something this week? Don't panic. CBC's Marketplace rounds up the consumer and health news you need.
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Sears shoppers feel 'duped' by sales
As liquidation sales continue at Sears, several customers are upset after uncovering altered price tags. They suspect the prices were marked up to offset store-wide discounts that ranged from 20 to 40 per cent, something the retailer denies.
Families can't access stem cells
Parents are struggling to get hold of their children's potentially life-saving stem cells amid concerns about the Toronto company they've been paying to store the samples. "I've been calling every day. How do they know I don't need my sample?" one client asked.
The trouble with bitcoin
Bitcoins have fulfilled certain currency-like functions. But, trying to price goods or services in bitcoins is tricky. For example, in 2010 one man reportedly spent 10,000 bitcoins — equal to $82 million — on two pizzas.
How online reviews can backfire
One couple was taken to court by a contractor for a review they wrote, while an Ontario woman says she was dumped by her doctor after posting her views online. Go Public found Canada lags behind other countries in implementing protection for people who post online reviews.
What else is going on?
TD's e-transfer issues. The bank says its payment system is back in service, but one customer says he's still waiting for thousands of dollars.
Are grocery stores price fixing bread? The Competition Bureau raided the offices of some Canadian grocers in a criminal probe tied to an alleged scheme involving some packaged bread products.
Are grocery stores price fixing bread? The Competition Bureau raided the offices of some Canadian grocers in a criminal probe tied to an alleged scheme involving some packaged bread products.
This week in recalls:
Careful in the kitchen. These chicken strips and this salmon caviar have been recalled. Also, 2.7 million fire extinguishers in Canada have been recalled.
Heads up, parents: These children's fleece pullovers and coats have both been recalled.
Heads up, parents: These children's fleece pullovers and coats have both been recalled.
Marketplace needs your help!
We are looking for people curious about weight loss options. You should have a body mass index of at least 28 or over. If you're interested but don't know your BMI, you can calculate it here. If desired, you may choose to be anonymous for television.
Please contact Tyana Grundig for more details: tyana.grundig@cbc.ca.
Please contact Tyana Grundig for more details: tyana.grundig@cbc.ca.
Addicted to your smartphone?
We went to California to talk to an app developer about how companies keep us hooked on our phones. We also tracked a family's device usage over several months and reveal their staggering results. You can watch the episode online.