Consumer United Newsletter

Consumer United, 181 South St. Boston, MA 617-482-4700   www.consumerunited.com

In This Issue
Facebook's Global Domination
Money On Your Mind?
Inside Consumer United
 
TAX-FREE WEEKEND
 
Red Money
Massachusetts is about to enjoy a sales-tax holiday on Saturday, Aug. 16 and Sunday, Aug. 17. So what are the rules and how can you get the most bang for your buck? Click here for the lowdown.
 
GAS GIMMICKS
 
Gas Station Gimmicks
As Americans try hard to cut down on the number of miles they log and more and more families are leaving their SUVs at home, gas station owners are forced to compete for every gallon they sell. "Customers can complain all they want, but there's not much they can do," says Ralph Stowell, owner of a LukOil station. Read the complete article here.
Greetings!

Welcome to our bi-weekly newsletter. Based on our numbers, we can negotiate lower prices on auto insurance, phone, Internet, cable, personal banking and utilities. Tap into the power of the masses and get more for your money while making an informed decision in less time. Join our Facebook group here and visit our Web site ConsumerUnited.com to start saving now.
Facebook Ranks No. 1 Globally
Facebook No. 1 Facebook is the world's No. 1 social network--edging out MySpace, YouTube, Linkedin and Google's Orkut--according to figures released by comScore earlier this week. The brainchild of Mark Zuckerberg, the San Francisco-based CEO who began Facebook in early 2004 as a Harvard-only SNS, has exploded as a global leader and platform for free expression. As Facebook takes the lead, however, there's an emerging backlash. Click here for more information.
Consumer United TV Testimonial
Katie Catka Katie Catka, a Somerville resident and featured guest on Belinda Fuchs' new show "Money On Your Mind," chats about her experience working with Consumer United to save money on her auto insurance. "It was remarkably simple," she says during an interview on the new Somerville Community Access Television show. "Within 10 minutes, they had a quote for me." Click here to check out the clip.
Whole Foods Sheds Upscale Image
Sticker Shock
Sales for generic brand groceries and other moderately priced goods are up as sales of just about everything else are trending downward. That poses a problem for high-end retailers like Whole Foods who rely on customers willing to pay quite a bit more for the experience of shopping at their stores. Now that gourmet groceries are a luxury most shoppers are quickly cutting out of their budgets, Whole Foods must quickly reposition itself as a better value. Click here for the complete article.
Inside Consumer United
Casey DegonCasey Degon graduated from Ithaca College in May, majoring in integrated marketing. Soon after moving to Boston from Upstate New York, he joined the Consumer United team as a savings advocate. When he's not busy saving our members money, Degon loves exploring New England and ... well... catching up on sleep. He jokes that napping is his"all-time favorite" hobby. Read more here.
Special FiOS DVR Promotion
Consumer United SavingsNew customers who subscribe to FiOS TV between now and Saturday, Oct. 4 will receive their choice of a year's free use of either a high-definition (HD) digital video recorder (DVR) or an HD Home Media DVR.  Verizon is also offering new FiOS TV customers, or existing customers who upgrade to a bundled package, one free month of HBO and Cinemax, which includes the latest hit movies, documentaries and original programming from more than 25 premium channels and access to hundreds of titles on video-on-demand (VOD). Click here to benefit from the Consumer United deal.
Save 
$199
Sign up with our new home security service provider, Brinks, and get free installation on Brinks Home Security standard system. This is a $199 savings off their standard offer. Please say you're a Consumer United member and reference the promo code CCP# 28621. Click here to learn more.
Savings Coupon