F*reeZine - D*eal Alert 11.20.07

On June 8, 2003 we researched and purchased a new car battery for our 1997 Honda Accord. Based on a Consumer Reports review, we decided to change from using Interstate Batteries - always reliable, but rather pricey, to Wal-mart's brand. Consumer Reports rated Wal-Mart's EverStart Maxx batteries about the middle of the pack. They weren't the top rated, but their Life Test, Reserve Capacity and Cold Cranking Power were all above average. One thing we failed to note was the warranty period — 24 months full replacement / 72 months prorated. We plunked down $47.99 (tax included) and didn't give the battery a second thought.

Last month — October 2007 — a full 51 months (4.25 years) later, the battery started to loose cranking power. We discovered it had a bad cell, but it continued to work fairly well. In early November, Steve got stuck - the battery wouldn't start the car. Steve went to a nearby Wal-Mart. Normally batteries in Arizona don't last more than 3 years, so Steve was prepared to pay full price to replace our old battery.

The service tech at Wal-Mart offered us free installation of a new EverStart Maxx battery AND because of the pro-rated warranty we only paid $15.93 . . . 15.93 for a new battery!

Now we've had batteries with replacement warranties before, but they've never been this generous! The full retail price was supposed to be $73.48. We received a savings of $57.55. Steve questioned the Automotive Department manager to make sure she was performing the transaction correctly. It just didn't seem right. She checked it twice and then re-explained Wal-Mart's warranty policy. The new battery has a 36 Month Full Replacement / 108 month prorated warranty.

We know that customer service varies from store to store. Just be aware that enforcement of the proper terms of any warranty depends on your knowledge of the terms and the helpfulness of the customer service person. Know the details and stand up for what is right.

Ours is not an isolated experience - read what other Wal-Mart Battery Owners are saying:
http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7888
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147737

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Four Easy Post-Thanksgiving turkey ideas— supplement with side dishes for a complete meal.

1. BBQ Turkey Mix sliced, diced or shredded cooked turkey with your favorite bar-b-que sauce.
   
   
2. Turkey Enchiladas Mix diced turkey with sour cream (or plain yogurt), cheese and salsa. Roll mixture into flour tortillas, set in a baking dish and cover with more salsa or enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 until cheese on top is melted and ingredients are hot — about 45 minutes. This is a family favorite.
   
   
3. Turkey Parmesan Take diced or sliced cooked turkey and generously mix with spaghetti sauce. Spread evenly in a baking dish and top with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
   
   
4. Turkey Soup Once the turkey is carved and most of the meat removed from the carcass — don’t toss it out. We take all the bones, wrap them up in the tenting foil and save them in the freezer for later use. When ready, fill a large pot with eight quarts of water, add the turkey bones along with onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, salt and pepper. Boil on high for at least one hour. With a slotted spoon remove the bones and dispose of them. Add ingredients such as celery, carrot, mixed veggies and small pasta for a delicious soup.See page 7 for details on cooking a turkey.

TURKEY FACTS

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more that 45 million turkeys are cooked in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day with over 525 million pounds of turkey meat being consumed. That’s 1.8 pounds of turkey for every — man, woman and child (there are no figures available for how much is consumed by begging pets — but we’re sure it is considerable). Ninety percent of American homes serve turkey on Thanksgiving and fifty percent serve it again on Christmas.

Read more about how to make your Thanksgiving savings last even longer with articles in the HomeEconomiser Newsletter. These back issues can be purchased for $2 each. Go to the order form here: Order Form
Just let us know which month issues you want

Nov/Dec 05
Turkey Stuffin’ No Bluffin’   6 family favorite stuffing recipes passed down over several generations — plus one family’s holiday favorite, egg noodle recipe.
Turkey Roastin’ and Boastin’   A Fast and Easy way to cook a turkey plus four simple recipes for using up that delicious leftover turkey meat — and we're not just talkin’ turkey sandwiches.
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January 04
The Great Turkey Hunt of ‘03 SUMMARY How did you fare this Thanksgiving? We bagged over 167.2 pounds of Turkey for a paltry sum . . .  without even firing a shot.
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Nov / Dec 03
The Great Turkey Hunt 139.2 lbs. of turkey for only $41.35 - that was our take in 2002. We explain how we did it and whether it was ethical.

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The NorthPole.com is a great site for holiday preparations and ideas. Of particular interest is their cookbook section. They have hundreds of holiday cookie recipes from all around the world. Check it out here

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Lorraine writes: At King Scooper when you spend 100 you'll save ten cents a gallon.

Giant Eagle is a grocery retailer in Ohio, Maryland, western Pennsylvania and central West Virginia. Giant Eagle offers fuel perks which is their reward program for shopping with them. For every $50 you spend you receive 10¢ off per gallon of gas at GetGo, which is their own gas station. You can also get fuel perks for buying gift cards at Giant Eagle for a large list of retailers. I have bought gift cards not just for giving out as gifts but if I know that I am going to be shopping at one of the retailers I buy a gift card for that store. In doing so I can limit how much I spend at that retailer and get flypapers for doing it. They often run specials when you get double fuel perks for purchasing gift cards (i.e. 20¢ for every $50).
I have six children and have often been able to build up to free tanks of gas (up to 30 gallons).
Here is a link to the information: 
Spring Ashmore

Price Chopper, Sunoco Launch Fuel AdvantEdge in New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire.

Editor's Note: Other grocers which we have seen with similar discount programs include: Safeway — including: Dominick's, Von's, Tom Thumb, Randall's, Genuardi's, Pavilions and Carrs

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