The Digital Research Speaker Scam
There are reports from all over the country (including here in Indianapolis) of hucksters who are selling speakers and surround-sound systems out of the back of a van or SUV. The pitch is that the speakers are have a MSRP of $3000, but the sellers need to get rid of them for $300.
Strangely, the consensus at the forum at ecoustics.com is that the speakers are worth about what people pay for them. Based on the standard of fraud used in Indiana, you're going to get skunked in damages if you try to take this case to court.
Digital Research Speaker Scam
Below is a post from crimes-of-persuasion.com with details on the scam which they identify as "The White Van Scam."
International White Van Speaker Scams
Surprised that I received the initial letters within days from different parts of the country led me to investigate this situation which I had never before heard of ( yes, I am fallible ).
Much to my surprise this turns out to be a scam of international proportions ( Canada, U.S., Australia, U.K., Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Switzerland ). There are even web sites specifically devoted to exposing it.
Essentially it involves selling cheaply made, but impressive looking, home stereo speakers under the names:
Acoustic Response Series 707, Acoustic Image, Acoustic Lab Technology, Acoustic 3312 Studio Monitor
Dogg Digital, Digital Dogg Audio
Dahlton KV 1500, Dahlton KV 2500 TI Speakers, Dahlton AV5.1 THX
Grafdale,
Digital Pro Audio, Pro Audio, Digital Pro Audio SL-T 2.8,
Digital Audio SL-3810, Digital Audio DA 2000SL / 2000CS, Digital Audio 2000, Digital Audio Professional Speaker Systems SL-3810, Digital Audio Skyline 900-SL, Digital Audio SL-3910 Speakers, Skyline AD-900SL, Digital Audio 2003 DA 5.1 Pro-Series III
Digital Research 5.1 Pro Series, Digital Research DA 5.1 Pro Series III
Dynalab
Audiofile 835LR, Audiofile 583LR
Denmark
Epiphany Audio speakers
Theater Research TR-1120, Theater Research TR-6000, Theater Research TR-1410 Digital Sound Speakers, Theater Research TR-900 Speakers, TR-5210 Professional Home Theater, Theater Research TR-2810, TR900, TR-6100 Digital Sound/5.1 Home Cinema, Theater Research Pro Series III Professional Home Theater TR5160
8810 Linear phase studio monitors
Cerwin-Vega AVS-632 Surround Sound, Cerwin Vega AVS 632 Speakers
Protecsound PT-5000 digital surround sound system speakers
using a variety of ruses out of the back of vans and SUV's. Most shocking is that it appears to be some kind of franchise operation for cons with impressive brochures, van decals, and a bogus website to delude you into believing you have gotten quite a deal.
In addition to the info below I direct your attention to ScamShield White Van Speaker Scam, www.badbusinessbureau.com www.bbb-bec.com White Van Scam Forum">
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
The Next Big Mortgage Fraud Settlement?
The Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting that Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch is on the verge of announcing a settlement with Ameriquest regarding a number of challenged practices regarding subprime mortgages. The Minnesota settlement will likely be the pattern used to settle claims by other states' attorneys general.
The allegations include counts that Ameriquest routinely falsified mortgage applications by falsifying income, work history, etc.
Hatch investigating Ameriquest
The Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting that Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch is on the verge of announcing a settlement with Ameriquest regarding a number of challenged practices regarding subprime mortgages. The Minnesota settlement will likely be the pattern used to settle claims by other states' attorneys general.
The allegations include counts that Ameriquest routinely falsified mortgage applications by falsifying income, work history, etc.
Hatch investigating Ameriquest
Monday, July 25, 2005
Spinning the Pontiac G6
This article from the San Antonio Express-News tells the Pontiac side of the story on whether the G6 is a success or a disappontment.
According to Pontiac, the G6 is outselling last year's comparable Grand Am models by 75%. (The Grandam was available in 2 and 4 door models, V6 and 4-cylinder versions, whereas the G6 (until a couple weeks ago) was only available in a 4-door V6 model.
MySA.com: Business
This article from the San Antonio Express-News tells the Pontiac side of the story on whether the G6 is a success or a disappontment.
According to Pontiac, the G6 is outselling last year's comparable Grand Am models by 75%. (The Grandam was available in 2 and 4 door models, V6 and 4-cylinder versions, whereas the G6 (until a couple weeks ago) was only available in a 4-door V6 model.
MySA.com: Business
The Pontiac Cobalt-ish thingee
GMinsidenews.com has a picture of the rebadged Cobalt in full Pontiac trim. As far as I know, this model hasn't been named yet, and I'm not sure if it has received full approval for sale.
GMInsideNews
GMinsidenews.com has a picture of the rebadged Cobalt in full Pontiac trim. As far as I know, this model hasn't been named yet, and I'm not sure if it has received full approval for sale.
GMInsideNews
Friday, July 22, 2005
Is your "Anti-spyware" really "Scumware"?
We've all seen websites where there is an ad, or a pop-up that says "Your system is infected with spyware, get rid of it -- Click here." In many (most? all?) cases the software that you are directed to is not real anti-spyware software. In some cases, the stuff you are directed to may be worse than what you were trying to avoid.
The spywarewarrier.com site tries to sort out the bad guys from the good guys.
Spyware Warrior: Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites
We've all seen websites where there is an ad, or a pop-up that says "Your system is infected with spyware, get rid of it -- Click here." In many (most? all?) cases the software that you are directed to is not real anti-spyware software. In some cases, the stuff you are directed to may be worse than what you were trying to avoid.
The spywarewarrier.com site tries to sort out the bad guys from the good guys.
Spyware Warrior: Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites
Why Costco is Better than Walmart.
Walmart leads the "race to the bottom" with low wages, low benefits, and low standards for off-shore suppliers. There's an alternative: Costco.
According to the New York Times article linked below (free registration required), Costco pays their workers $17.00 per hour on average, 45% more than Walmart. As to health insurance, over 85% of Costco employees have it, while less than 50% of Walmart employees are insured. Not only that, but Costco is not a union buster. The Teamsters union represents a significant portion of the Costco workers.
How Costco Became the Anti-Wal-Mart - New York Times
Walmart leads the "race to the bottom" with low wages, low benefits, and low standards for off-shore suppliers. There's an alternative: Costco.
According to the New York Times article linked below (free registration required), Costco pays their workers $17.00 per hour on average, 45% more than Walmart. As to health insurance, over 85% of Costco employees have it, while less than 50% of Walmart employees are insured. Not only that, but Costco is not a union buster. The Teamsters union represents a significant portion of the Costco workers.
How Costco Became the Anti-Wal-Mart - New York Times
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Evan Bayh's Grassroots Support
Indiana Senator Evan Bayh wants to be president. The grass roots support is really starting to build (ala Howard Dean). His Indianapolis meetup group on meetup.com has - 2 members. At least they can play ping-pong waiting for the third one to show up.
Indianapolis Evan Bayh/All America Committee Meetup Group - Meetup.com
Indiana Senator Evan Bayh wants to be president. The grass roots support is really starting to build (ala Howard Dean). His Indianapolis meetup group on meetup.com has - 2 members. At least they can play ping-pong waiting for the third one to show up.
Indianapolis Evan Bayh/All America Committee Meetup Group - Meetup.com
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
SBC: OH WHERE OH WHERE IS YOUR BILLING DISPUTE ADDRESS?
The Fair Credit Billing Act requires credit card issuers to furnish an address to which consumers can direct their billing disputes. Traditionally, phone companies have considered themselves exempt from the Fair Credit Billing Act Requirements. That being said, SBC agreed in settlement to provide a billing dispute address, at least to California customers in a lawsuit brought by UCAN. Do you think they would take the simple yet fair step in furnishing ALL customers a billing dispute address? Nah. Do you think the federal or state regulatory authorities would make them do it? Nope.
Q&A for UCAN Complaint
The Fair Credit Billing Act requires credit card issuers to furnish an address to which consumers can direct their billing disputes. Traditionally, phone companies have considered themselves exempt from the Fair Credit Billing Act Requirements. That being said, SBC agreed in settlement to provide a billing dispute address, at least to California customers in a lawsuit brought by UCAN. Do you think they would take the simple yet fair step in furnishing ALL customers a billing dispute address? Nah. Do you think the federal or state regulatory authorities would make them do it? Nope.
Q&A for UCAN Complaint
GM Posts $286 Million Quarterly Loss:
GM Posted a $286 Million quarterly loss in the second quarter, compared to making $1.4 Billion in profit in last year's second quarter. The second quarter was the first period to include results fromthe "Employee Discounts for Everyone" promotion. Auto sales revenues were down about half a percent compared to last year. Still, compared to the $1.1 Billion first quarter loss, the $286 Million loss doesn't seem too bad.
In separate news, Ford posted a modest profit, but its North American automotive operations posted a loss. Just like at GM, it's the financial services arm that keeps the black ink flowing.
G.M. Posts Third Straight Quarterly Loss - New York Times
GM Posted a $286 Million quarterly loss in the second quarter, compared to making $1.4 Billion in profit in last year's second quarter. The second quarter was the first period to include results fromthe "Employee Discounts for Everyone" promotion. Auto sales revenues were down about half a percent compared to last year. Still, compared to the $1.1 Billion first quarter loss, the $286 Million loss doesn't seem too bad.
In separate news, Ford posted a modest profit, but its North American automotive operations posted a loss. Just like at GM, it's the financial services arm that keeps the black ink flowing.
G.M. Posts Third Straight Quarterly Loss - New York Times
Pontiac News
- Solstice to Arrive before the Equinox
- Pontiac manages sales decline while other GM Divisions prosper
As reported at thecarconnection.com, Pontiac announced that deliveries of its 2-seat roadster, the Solstice, will start in August, somewhat earlier than expected. Pontiac said that pre-orders exceed 9,000, and are higher than the number of Mazda Miatas sold last year. Pontiac hopes to sell about 20,000 of the well-reviewed roadster. Between the Solstice, a revamped Miatta, and the upcoming Saturn Sky, competition will be tough in the two-seat roadster niche.
From the same source, Pontiac reported that its sales were down in the second quarter, even though other GM divisions reported double digit sales gains. The G6 was not enough to overcome diminishing volumes in its older model lines. The 2006 Model year looks like it will be a mixed blessing for Pontiac. On the one hand, it will finally get its two-door and 4-cylinder G6 models, the new G6 models will finally replace Pontiac's volume leader, the Grand-am. Also, Pontiac will lose its flagship, the Bonneville as well as that famous crossover "with a good personality", the Aztek. Pontiac already lost its compact Sunfire. Even though General Motors said that it would reduce "badge-engineered" models that dilute its resources, it has been reported that pressure from retailers will likely result in a Pontiac variant of the Chevrolet Cobalt.
The Car Connection - Daily Edition: July. 20, 2005 - Solstice set for August, Ford NA pulls down Q2 earnings.
- Solstice to Arrive before the Equinox
- Pontiac manages sales decline while other GM Divisions prosper
As reported at thecarconnection.com, Pontiac announced that deliveries of its 2-seat roadster, the Solstice, will start in August, somewhat earlier than expected. Pontiac said that pre-orders exceed 9,000, and are higher than the number of Mazda Miatas sold last year. Pontiac hopes to sell about 20,000 of the well-reviewed roadster. Between the Solstice, a revamped Miatta, and the upcoming Saturn Sky, competition will be tough in the two-seat roadster niche.
From the same source, Pontiac reported that its sales were down in the second quarter, even though other GM divisions reported double digit sales gains. The G6 was not enough to overcome diminishing volumes in its older model lines. The 2006 Model year looks like it will be a mixed blessing for Pontiac. On the one hand, it will finally get its two-door and 4-cylinder G6 models, the new G6 models will finally replace Pontiac's volume leader, the Grand-am. Also, Pontiac will lose its flagship, the Bonneville as well as that famous crossover "with a good personality", the Aztek. Pontiac already lost its compact Sunfire. Even though General Motors said that it would reduce "badge-engineered" models that dilute its resources, it has been reported that pressure from retailers will likely result in a Pontiac variant of the Chevrolet Cobalt.
The Car Connection - Daily Edition: July. 20, 2005 - Solstice set for August, Ford NA pulls down Q2 earnings.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
