Technology Archives - Page 2 of 4

Ripoff Alert #12 – Microsoft Tech Support Edition

20. July 2012 · 4 comments · Categories: Scams & Ripoffs, Technology · Tags: computers, Microsoft, PC, ripoff, scam, tech support, Windows

The Ripoff Alert is a new series appearing once each week on Fridays. It alerts you to the latest scams and ripoffs trying to get between you and your money, and gives you information you need to stay safe.

Microsoft Tech Support Scam

How do you know if your computer really is vulnerable?

Fraudsters are looking up publicly available names and phone numbers and calling people, claiming to be from Microsoft Tech Support or Windows Helpdesk. They try to convince you that unless you give them access to your laptop or PC, your computer is at risk of crashing or getting a virus.

Their tactics vary. Some try to gain remote access to your machine, while others ask you to install malicious software that will capture your usernames and passwords. After they’ve “fixed” the issue, they send you a bill for hundreds of dollars. There have been a few unsuspecting victims who have lost over $1,000 in this scam.

Others will try to get your credit card information out of you over the phone and charge you for phony services. Still others send you to a fake website and ask you to enter your credit card information there.

You might think the caller is legitimate because he’s able to correctly guess which operating system you are using. In reality, this isn’t too hard because there are only a few mainstream operating systems out there.

All of this isn’t Microsoft’s fault. Microsoft says on their website they will never call you and ask for money to fix a computer problem. They say it in bold type: Do not trust unsolicited calls.

Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself. Never give a third party control of your computer unless you can confirm they’re from a legitimate tech support organization you have reached out to. Again, don’t trust an unsolicited caller who claims he will solve your computer problems.

Also, don’t buy any software or services from anyone who claims to be from a helpdesk, tech support or service center.

If you suspect your PC is infected by a virus or malware, download and run free software from Avast and MalwareBytes. Spybot Search & Destroy is also an excellent tool. For the best protection, make sure to keep these up to date.

Elance: A First-Timer’s Take

03. July 2012 · 4 comments · Categories: Technology · Tags: blogging, Elance, freelance, graphic design, legal work, logo design, programming

I recently started a new series on yourlifeforless called Ripoff Alert, which appears every Friday. These posts alert you to ripoffs and scams that are growing and trying to take advantage of your wallet. As part of these posts, I wanted a logo that would differentiate them from my posts on other topics.

As somebody with zero background in graphic and logo design, I had no idea where to start. The idea of designing an appealing logo myself sounded like a daunting task. I started thinking about outsourcing this task to an expert, and this is when I discovered Elance.

Elance is an online community of experts in several fields and people who wish to hire these experts for hourly or project work. Programming, design, writing and legal work are some of their most popular areas.

After signing up, you’re able to post your job including the specifications and time frame you’re looking for. Then, you wait for contractors to submit proposals for your job, including their price (which is usually negotiable). You can also choose to invite up to 30 people to submit proposals. Some will even submit samples to give you a taste of their work.

After you’ve hired a contractor, a virtual workroom is set up where you can send messages back and forth and where the contractor can post files for your review. Most contractors will make unlimited revisions until you’re satisfied.

I especially like the details you have access to for each contractor. These include what country they’re from, how many jobs they’ve completed, the percent of prior customers who would recommend them, and even the percent of their clients who are repeat customers. These statistics reduce the guesswork and help you make an informed decision about which contractor to hire.

The payment system is very simple. After verifying your bank or credit card account, you make a payment to an escrow account which is held by Elance. The contractor only gets paid when you’re satisfied with the work and you release the money to them. You can choose to set up “milestones”, which are due dates by which certain steps of the project must be completed. After each milestone is completed you release that portion of the escrow account.

My overall experience with Elance was overwhelmingly positive. I recommend them if you need help designing a website or blog, or even just a small logo like I needed.

Who do you turn to for freelance or design work? Do you do it yourself, or do you outsource it?

I was not compensated in any way for writing this review. Image by blog.logodesignguru.com

Showrooming: The Battle Between Retailers and Your Wallet

18. April 2012 · 10 comments · Categories: Save, Technology, Trends · Tags: Best Buy, comparison shopping, consumer, money, personal finance, price comparison, Retail, shopping, showrooming, smartphones, spending, Target

I think most of us agree that smartphones improve our lives in many ways. They accommodate our busy schedules and enable us to do things on the go that wouldn’t have been possible a decade ago. But for retailers, these devices haven’t exactly been a boon.

Online shopping accounts for 8% of total retail spending, up from 2% just 12 years ago. Even though the majority of spending is still done at physical stores, retailers can’t just sit back and enjoy their success. Instead, they’re forced to develop creative ways to compete against booming online competition, which can offer better prices because of lower costs.

What is showrooming?

Retailers in all industries are facing a new challenge known as showrooming. This is when a customer walks into the store to look at an item, check the price and perhaps test it out, only to ultimately buy it elsewhere. Customers often use a price comparison app on their smartphones to help with the process (my favorite is ShopSavvy.) After scanning the bar code, you’re able to see who else is offering the product and what their price is. Often you can even order the product through the app, right there on your phone.

As you can imagine, this isn’t sitting well with retailers. Before smartphones, consumers had to rely on research they had done prior to entering the store. If they hadn’t done any research they were forced to rely on information provided by the retailer.

Retailers wake up

Smartphones have driven a transformation in the way consumers buy products. They allow us to comparison shop on the spot, giving us valuable information when and where we need it. Using a smartphone, we’re able to look up product reviews and ratings, right there in the aisle.

All of this information makes retailers nervous. They’re starting to realize that we’re becoming more savvy and they’re responding in one of two ways. Some, like Target, are asking manufacturers to come up with unique product numbers for their items so that when a customer scans the bar code it won’t come up anywhere else. They might also change the name of the product.

Other retailers, like Best Buy, claim to offer superior customer service and employee knowledge to differentiate themselves. Whichever strategy retailers use, their goal is the same: to limit comparison shopping. So how can you as the consumer fight back?

Your sword and shield

First, understand which features you need in a product. If you’re buying a window air conditioner, how many BTUs do you need? Do you want an automatic timer or a remote control? Knowing what you’re looking for allows you to look past cutesy product names and focus on the benefits of the products you are comparing.

Next, do some research ahead of time. Are there retailers that might offer a similar product, or the same product by a different name? How do online prices compare to store prices? Having a general idea of price range and availability will benefit you once you’re in the store.

Finally, if you’re not getting any results after scanning the product’s bar code, try a Google search. For example, if you’re at Finish Line looking at running shoes, type in “Finish Line” and the description of the shoe. You might find the same product listed under a different name at other retailers or online.

Conclusion

Using a price comparison app is one of the best ways to get a great deal. Now that retailers are at battle with us to limit our ability to comparison shop, we can’t rely on these apps alone. Add the strategies mentioned above to your arsenal as you’re searching for the best price.

Have you successfully used a smartphone app to find a better price?

Photo by fingerfood.5thfinger.com

Buy Current Technology, Not State of the Art

04. April 2012 · 16 comments · Categories: Save, Technology, Trends · Tags: Apple, cell phones, Clark Howard, computers, deals, frugal, iPad, iPad 2, iPad 3, personal finance, save money, spending, tablets, technology

Companies in the tech industry love to tout their latest and greatest must-have gadgets. Cell phone providers are a great example. We’re constantly bombarded with ads for the newest smartphones, which cost only $200 with a 2 year contract! What they don’t tell you is that today’s new device is tomorrow’s outdated technology.

This is an idea I first became aware of from Clark Howard, a consumer expert and radio show host.

The problem with always buying the latest technology is that devices are nearly obsolete as soon as the box is opened. By that point, companies have already moved on to promoting the next greatest thing.

My wife and I have been overtaken by tablet envy. We had been in the market for our first tablet for several months, waiting for the right deal to come along. This week that deal came and we decided on an iPad 2. You might be thinking that we’re a little behind the times since it’s 2012 and the iPad 3 (“new iPad”) just came out. But the $500 price tag of a new iPad was out of reach for us. After visiting Apple’s website we found that we could get a refurbished iPad 2 for $350, which is very reasonable for a device that just a year ago many experts were calling the greatest tablet ever.

Apple includes the same warranty with refurbished devices as with new ones, which shows you they really believe in their products. They even replace the battery and outer shell, which are the two parts that take the most wear.

That the iPad 3 came out recently doesn’t change the fact that the iPad 2 is a wonderful product. I’ve seen reports that the new retina display is causing all sorts of issues — overheating and long charge times — in addition to reports that wi-fi reception isn’t as good with the iPad 3. The absence of these issues, combined with a much lower price tag, means that the iPad 2 is still a viable product and a true bargain.

This trend can be applied to many other categories of devices such as HDTVs, digital cameras, GPS units and laptops. Early adopters pay steep prices for the privilege of being among the first to get their hands on new technology.

For the frugal among us though, buying current technology that meets our needs doesn’t have to break the bank. Waiting a year or even a few months can mean big savings, or in some cases more features for the same price. Take HDTVs for example. In 2008 the average 32-inch LCD TV cost over $850. Today you can get one for as low as $199, and it’s likely to have more features than the original models.

Spending more money to get the best possible product is a losing proposition. New products will come out every day, making your device obsolete faster than you might imagine. Avoid state of the art technology and your wallet will thank you.

Photo by top10dir.com

New Site Takes the Hassle out of Car Buying

19. March 2012 · 4 comments · Categories: Cars, Save, Technology · Tags: car buying, car dealers, Cars, Consumer Reports, Ford, frugal, money, new car, personal finance, TrueCar

When you think about buying a new car, there are so many variables involved. There’s the average fuel economy and reliability ratings from Consumer Reports. There’s the cost to insure the vehicle. Then there’s the actual cost of the vehicle itself. How can you be sure you’re getting the best price, or even a good price, for the vehicle you choose?

A new site called TrueCar aims to solve this problem. They noticed an information gap in the marketplace that made it difficult for consumers to get a fair deal on a new car. Using information they provide, car buyers can now be confident they won’t be taken at the dealer.

You start by entering in the make and model you’re looking for and your location. On the next page, you get a price report based on the options and trim level you choose. They tell you what your “target price” should be, which is the price you can reasonably expect to pay. They also provide a helpful graph that shows the typical range of prices other people have paid for the car.

One thing I really like about TrueCar: They tell you what the actual dealer’s cost is. This gives you bargaining power if you decide to negotiate with the dealer on your own.

When you’re satisfied with your selections, you’re able to locate dealers near you and get a guaranteed price certificate. All you have to do is go to the dealer with your certificate in hand and drive off in your new car at the guaranteed price (assuming you’ve arranged financing.)

As an example, I chose a 2012 Ford Fusion SE. The dealer’s cost is $19,933, and the target price for my area is $20,647. It tells me that a great price is anything below $20,806. There are 3 certified dealers in my area willing to provide a price.

There’s no cost to the buyer to use this service. TrueCar makes its money charging dealers about $300 for each customer that ends up buying a new car through its service.

This site has the potential for increased sales at dealers, but many aren’t happy. Profit margins are already fairly thin on new cars, and dealers fear that TrueCar will further reduce their ability to make money. They also fear that customers will simply obtain a dealer’s best price, then go to another dealer to ultimately buy the car at an even better price. There’s no question though that TrueCar and other similar services will revolutionize the way we buy cars going forward.

For a lot of people, the worst part of buying a new car is haggling with the dealer over price. If this sounds like you, TrueCar can make the car-buying experience as painless as possible, and maybe even enjoyable!

Photo by fordinthenews.com