| Volume 102 Number 2 |
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Forward this news alert to your family and friends
Helpful Links
Texas Consumer Complaint Center
Credit Reports and Identity Theft
Your Guide to Small Claims Court
Contact Us
1-713-743-2168
The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
In Texas, a tenant who moves into an apartment is entitled to a working smoke detector, a peephole in the front door, and proper security on all doors and windows, including a dead bolt on the front door.
To read about your rights as a tenant,
Click here for more.
Understanding Engagement Ring Shopping
Engagement season is coming up. Thirty-nine percent of engagements occur between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day. For many, an engagement ring will be one of the most expensive items they'll purchase. Whether an engagement is something you've planned with your partner, or a special surprise, you should put special care and attention to doing it right.
Start with the basics. What look does your partner like? What sort of ring is practical for your partner to wear? People who use their hands on a daily basis might need something more practical. A nurse who wears gloves every day or someone who works in construction may prefer something more low profile. Ultimately, it comes down to preference. Know what your partner would like.
If you choose to go with a diamond, consider the color. Colors are graded from D (colorless) to Z (yellow). The closer to D, the higher the price. You can find value with H and I diamonds, as most people can't tell the difference.
Clarity is rated FL (flawless) to I (included). Consumers can find savings with little difference to the naked eye on diamonds rated SI (small inclusions) and VVS (very very small inclusions).
Cut will require a closer look. Even an otherwise perfect diamond could look terrible if it isn't properly cut.
Understand that there's more than one way to put a ring together. If you're committed to a name brand retailer, consider buying the setting there and adding the diamond later. Often times, you can get the popular brand name box and band while taking the most expensive part of the purchase elsewhere.
Once the work is done and you've gotten a "Yes," have the ring appraised and added to your insurance policy. If you need more help making your big ring purchase,
Click here for more.
Five Items to Never Buy in Bulk
Are you a member of a warehouse club like Costco, BJ's, or Sam's Club? If you're one of the many consumers who loves to shop in bulk, a trip to Costco can be quite the delight! However, there are some items you shouldn't buy in bulk unless you get a particularly great deal or plan to use the goods quickly.
Bleach has a shelf live of six months before if begins to degrade. Accordingly, unless you're planning a lot of bleaching, it may be best to skip the extra large Clorox.
Similarly, brown rice only lasts about six months. Unlike white rice, which can last up to 30 years, brown rice can go bad at a rapid rate.
You may also want to avoid bulk condiments like mustard and mayo. Unless you're cooking for a large family or hosting parties, the condiments will probably expire long before you finish them.
Personal care products generally last about a year. Whether it's deodorant or shampoo, most personal care products aren't really meant for bulk purchases.
Finally, some items simply cost less at a local grocery store. For instance, most consumers can save more money using coupons and weekly deals when purchasing soda. If you can get a better deal at your local store, there's simply no need to load your cart with a year's supply of Coke Zero.
For more on the Do's and Don'ts of buying bulk,
Click here for more.
Your Money
How do expenses impact mutual fund returns?
Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Arbitration provision did not cover dispute.
Plaintiff briefly had a checking account with Bank and had signed a signature card binding her to arbitration. Years after closing her account, plaintiff was injured in an automobile accident. The lawyer she retained allegedly embezzled plaintiff's portion of the settlement and she sued Bank, where the lawyer maintained his accounts, for negligence and conversion. Bank moved to compel arbitration based on the arbitration agreement.
On appeal, the Fifth Circuit noted that because the events leading to plaintiff's claim had nothing to do with her checking account opened years earlier for only a brief time, the notion that her claim falls within the scope of the arbitration agreement is "wholly groundless." The court stated that “The mere existence of a delegation provision in the checking account’s arbitration agreement, however, cannot possibly bind Douglas to arbitrate gateway questions of arbitrability in all future disputes with the other party, no matter their origin.”
Click here for more.