Jan 2 (Reuters) – If you are mad as hell about a consumer
experience you’ve had, you may want to exercise your right of
free speech to express your dismay in a public forum – these
days, by posting a negative review on a site like Yelp or
Angie’s List.

But a lawsuit in Virginia may make you think twice about how
exactly to word your gripe to avoid provoking a defamation
lawsuit that could cost you, whether you end up guilty of
defamation or not. At a time when consumers routinely rely on
what other consumers have to say about products and services,
the case has bearing on the boundaries of online behavior.

By Mitch Lipka

(Reuters) – When the holidays end and year-end reports are out of the way, a nice trip could prove tempting. Even more alluring would be a travel bargain that could get you into that ski lift or beach chair for less.

Finding travel deals is in Pauline Frommer’s blood. In addition to working on the family-named Frommer’s guidebooks, she co-hosts the nationally syndicated “The Travel Show” radio program with her travel-writer father, Arthur Frommer. Here she highlights some travel opportunities to consider this winter.

Dec 20 (Reuters) – When the holidays end and year-end
reports are out of the way, a nice trip could prove tempting.
Even more alluring would be a travel bargain that could get you
into that ski lift or beach chair for less.

Finding travel deals is in Pauline Frommer’s blood. In
addition to working on the family-named Frommer’s guidebooks,
she co-hosts the nationally syndicated “The Travel Show” radio
program with her travel-writer father, Arthur Frommer. Here she
highlights some travel opportunities to consider this winter.

By Mitch Lipka

(Reuters) – There is lots of urban lore about coach passengers on airlines being magically upgraded to first-class seats, but less is said when it happens the other way around. But this does happen – a lot.

While airlines do not typically charge more for passengers bumped up, those who paid extra for a special seat have a case for getting something in return when it is taken away. Yet when it comes to involuntary downgrades, consumers are often left on their own to make the case that they should get something back.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – At the peak of the shopping and giving season, consumers are increasingly combining both activities.

They are buying products that have charitable tie-ins, shopping through web portals that send savings to nonprofits and donating at the registers when they check out at physical stores. They’re buying product lines like Newman’s Own, which channels profits to a foundation, and TOMS Shoes, which gives a pair of shoes to a needy child for every pair the company sells.

NEW YORK, Dec 6 (Reuters) – At the peak of the shopping and
giving season, consumers are increasingly combining both
activities.

They are buying products that have charitable tie-ins,
shopping through web portals that send savings to nonprofits and
donating at the registers when they check out at physical
stores. They’re buying product lines like Newman’s Own, which
channels profits to a foundation, and TOMS Shoes, which gives a
pair of shoes to a needy child for every pair the company sells.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A $5,000 Bose home theater system, a $2,700 Tempur-Cloud mattress, a $450 Dyson pedestal fan (like the one used at the Kardashian house) and an $85 box of frozen mini hot dog appetizers are just a few of Oprah’s Favorite Things.

The host’s annual TV special on her OWN Network airs this week, and features 60 of her favorite extravagances. With it, consumers will be exposed to one of the biggest joys of the season for shoppers and retailers alike: the aspirational gift list. (here)

NEW YORK, Nov 21 (Reuters) – A $5,000 Bose home theater
system, a $2,700 Tempur-Cloud mattress, a $450 Dyson pedestal
fan (like the one used at the Kardashian house) a n d an $85 box
of frozen mini hot dog appetizers are just a few of Oprah’s
Favorite Things.

The host’s annual TV special on her OWN Network airs this
week, and features 60 of her favorite extravagances. With it,
consumers will be exposed to one of the biggest joys of the
season for shoppers and retailers alike: the aspirational gift
list. (http ://www.oprah.com/gift-list/Oprahs-Favorite-Things-2012)

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Get ready to hear a lot about the Eagle Talon Castle, the LeapPad2 from LeapFrog and the reincarnation of Furby – all of which toy industry insiders predict will be hot sellers this year.

These toys have all won coveted spots on multiple “hot” toy lists for the holiday shopping season in 2012.

NEW YORK, Nov 20 (Reuters) – Get ready to hear a lot about
the Eagle Talon Castle, the LeapPad2 from LeapFrog and
the reincarnation of Furby – all of which toy industry insiders
predict will be hot sellers this year.

These toys have all won coveted spots on multiple “hot” toy
lists for the holiday shopping season in 2012.