Consumer Alert
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 Private home sales More and more people are trying to save on real-estate fees by selling on the MLS through a private company. Pat Foran has more.
|  Car costs A new website claims it can help drivers calculate the true cost of car ownership. Pat Foran has more
|  Laundry detergents Laundry detergents are getting more concentrated, but it's leading to confusion in the laundry room. Pat Foran has more.
|  Super-sized TVs Pat Foran talks about the biggest and best televisions that every Super Bowl football fan desires.
|  Fire-prone appliances About 150,000 fires per year in North America are attributed to appliances, and a new study finds many of those appliances were defective. Pat Foran has more. |  Home businesses Pat Foran discusses the limits and benefits of setting up a home-based business to earn extra money.
|  Brightening headlights Headlight cleaners may reduce the cloudiness that develops in plastic headlights over time. Pat Foran has the details.
|  New scam A Toronto business caught in a 'cash-on-delivery' scam is warning other stores to be careful. Pat Foran has more.
|  Feedback Friday From car companies skipping out on spare tires to the best navigation apps, Pat Foran opens up the Consumer Alert mailbag to address viewer feedback. |  Cordless drills Consumer Reports researchers examined almost 90 cordless drills and found many good choices for home repair buffs. Pat Foran has more.
|  Spare tires In an effort to make cars more fuel efficient, auto makers are getting rid of the spare tire. Pat Foran has more.
|  Glass fireplaces The glass fireplace industry says it's ready to include safety screens to protect children. Pat Foran has more.
|  BlackBerry vs. iPhone One reason for RIM's troubles is the sliding market share for its flagship BlackBerry smartphones. Pat Foran has more.
|  In-floor heating More people are now switching to in-floor radiant heating in an effort to keep out the cold during the winter months. CTV's Pat Foran reports.
|  Kitchen gadgets There's always a new kitchen gadget being sold. Consumer Reports evaluates some of them. Pat Foran has more.
|  Rental scam If you rent a winter home in Florida, there's a new scam you should know about. Pat Foran has more.
|  Financial literacy About 100 students went to the Toronto Stock Exchange and saw how the world of money works. Pat Foran has more. |  Tims Upsizes Tim Hortons will offer a 24-oz. coffee, but the current small serving will be called an extra-small -- at the same price. Pat Foran has more. |  Winter goods The cold blast of winter boosted the demand for winter-related items from shovels and salt to snowblowers and snowmobile jackets. CTV's Pat Foran reports.
|  Tire tragedies Tires breaking loose from big rigs have killed people. But an inventor says he has a device to prevent it from happening. Pat Foran has more.
|  Next-gen TVs At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, some compelling new features are showing up on TV sets. Pat Foran has more.
|  The gadget show The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is all about more, bigger and hopefully better products. Pat Foran has more. |  Detroit wheels Pat Foran has highlights from the Detroit auto show, including the return of the Dodge Dart.
|  Feedback Friday Pat Foran looks back at a week of Consumer Alert, including space heaters, lines of credit and HD projectors.
|  Lines of debt Many banks are offering very long lines of credit, and this is a risk to people with issues such as gambling. Pat Foran has more.
|  Wall murals Wall murals were last popular in the 1970s and 1980s, but are making a comeback. Pat Foran explains why.
|  Smartphone as GPS With more people getting smartphones, sales of GPS units are expected to drop substantially. Pat Foran has more. |  Space heaters Keeping the furnace turned down and warming a room with a space heater can save money. Pat Foran has more. |  Safe New Years If you're hosting a New Year's Eve party, you have an obligation to make sure your guests don't drink and drive. Pat Foran has more. |  Incandescent bulbs Regular lightbulbs will be banned by 2014, but some stores have stopped carrying them already. Pat Foran has more. |  Vacuuming value If your old vacuum cleaner doesn't suck the way it used to, Pat Foran has some advice on a reasonably-priced replacement. |  High-calorie drinks Pat Foran reports on festive drinks high in calories and fat that may pack a punch to your waistline. |  Gas station gifts A wide selection of gift cards at the corner gas stations makes it easy for last minute shoppers to get all their gifts in one spot. CTV's Pat Foran reports.
|  Christmas tree safety CTV's Pat Foran reports on the fire hazards of a Christmas tree.
|  Gift cards CTV's Pat Foran investigates the hidden charges associated with gift cards.
| Flat screen TVs Pat Foran looks at why many consumers are upgrading their flat screen TVs for bigger, and increasingly cheaper, options.
|  Feedback Friday Pat Foran discusses some popular consumer-related topics and answers your questions.
|  Coffee makers CTV's Pat Foran brews up the facts on the popular pod coffee makers just in time for the holidays.
|  Car theft targets Even if you don't own a high-end vehicle, thieves might still target your car. Pat Foran explains why.
|  Household debt Statistics Canada reported Wednesday that Canadian households are carrying more debt than every before. Pat Foran explains.
|  Couriering bonanza FedEx claims to have shipped more packages on Dec. 12, 2011 than any other day in its history. Pat Foran explores why. |  Online shipping costs A number of Canadian retailers are offering online shoppers free shipping on Dec. 12 in a bid to encourage more online purchases. CTV's Pat Foran reports.
|  Kids' tablets Maybe an iPad isn't a toy, but there are now child-friendly tablet computers available. Pat Foran has more.
|  Picking a smartphone Apple's iPhone 4S gets a lot of attention, but some say the Samsung Galaxy S-2 is even better. Pat Foran has more.
|  Best headphones Pat Foran investigates the best headphones for your wallet and your ears.
|  Dry Locker Some people think a hockey bag with a built-in fan is a great idea, but does it work? Pat Foran has more. |  Shellac nail polish Shellac nail polishes may be stylish, but the popular process comes with its own problems as well. And some of it is quite painful. CTV's Pat Foran reports.
|  Counterfeit goods Pat Foran tells us $35 million in counterfeit goods have been seized in the Toronto area in the past 45 days.
|  Arsenic in apple juice Pat Foran investigates a U.S. study on the level of arsenic in apple juice and whether Canadian parents should be worried.
|  Driving a Leaf The Nissan Leaf is an electric-only vehicle. Pat Foran takes one for a test drive.
|  Cyber Monday As with Black Friday, Cyber Monday may set a record for online Christmas sales, and Canadian businesses are getting in the act. Pat Foran has more.
|  Gas fireplaces Every year about 20 children are hospitalized with serious burns from fireplaces. While homeowners burning wood take extra precautions, gas fireplaces also pose a risk. Pat Foran has more.
|  Battery brands Electronic gizmos need to be powered. Pat Foran has results of a study that seeks to identify the best batteries.
|  Winter-ready? One insurance company is pushing drivers to get winter tires to cut their accident risk. Pat Foran has more.
|  Fixed or variable? Should you select a fixed or variable mortgage rate these days? Pat Foran asks mortgage professionals.
|  Oh Christmas tab The vast majority of Canadians plan to keep their Christmas spending to the same level as last year. Pat Foran has more.
|  Snow tires With the winter approaching, a new service comes to the motorist to change their vehicles to snow tires. Pat Foran has more.
|  Holiday scams With the holidays approaching, thieves have a new target -- your smartphone. Pat Foran has more.
|  New credit card? Some people find the idea of switching credit cards to be attractive, but Pat Foran says be wary of the fine print. |  Stink-free hockey bags Pat Foran investigates a Canadian invention that aims to keep hockey equipment stink-free by drying it right in the bag.
|  Feedback Friday Pat Foran looks back at a week of Consumer Alert reports, including printer cartridges, natural pet food and winter tires.
|  Natural pet food Pat Foran investigates whether natural pet food is worth the extra cost.
|  Acne products Canadians spend almost $40 million per year on fighting acne. Which products offer the best value for money? Pat Foran has more.
|  Holiday grinches? A new survey finds that many Canadians plan to be careful shoppers this Christmas season. Pat Foran has more. |  DIY car repair Pat Foran investigates DIY car repair videos on YouTube that allow savvy viewers to save money.
|  New printers Consumer researchers have found if you pay a bit more for your computer printer, you can save on ink costs. Pat Foran has more. |  Pat's new book Pat Foran's new book has been published: 'The Smart, Savvy, Young Consumer.' He'll tell you more about it. |  Financial literacy November marks Financial Literacy Month in Canada, with a new survey finding many high school students with elevated expectations. Pat Foran has more.
|  Consumer milestone Consumer Reports, the research group that tested and reported on more than 150,000 items over the years celebrates its 75 anniversary. CTV's Pat Foran reports. |  Winter checklist From snow tires to wiper blades: Pat Foran reports with details on how to prepare your car for winter.
|  Glow leashes Spots-light.com is marketing a glow-in-the-dark leash and collar for dogs. Pat Foran has more.
|  Reliable cars Consumer Reports has a new report out on vehicle reliability. Chrysler moves up. Ford tumbles. Pat Foran has more.
|  Comparison shopping The Internet has made comparison shopping easier than ever - and smartphones have raised that another notch. Pat Foran has more. |  Feedback Friday Pat Foran answers questions on recent Consumer Alert topics including diaper brands and flight times.
|  Penny auction websites They're a growing in popularity, but are penny auction websites really a good way to save money? Pat Foran investigates.
|  Sky high cellphone bills Pat Foran investigates common mistakes that can make your cellphone bill go sky high and a U.S. system that warns customers when they go over the limit. |  Paper shredders Pat Foran investigates the best paper shredders to protect personal information.
|  Pumpkin carving mishaps Pat Foran discusses the prevalence of injuries suffered while pumpkin carving ahead of Halloween.
|  The cost of early flights Pat Foran looks at who pays in the event that a flight takes off early, leaving passengers at the airport.
|  YouTube Profiting Pat Foran looks into making money by posting on YouTube.
| Plastic in diapers Pat Foran investigates after a woman says she found shards of plastic in her baby's diapers.
|  Feedback Friday Pat Foran discusses some popular consumer-related topics and answers your questions.
|  Legacy of Steve Jobs Pat Foran reports on the life and inventions of Steve Jobs, and the legacy he left in the world of technology. |  Leaf packing invention Pat Foran explores a new leaf-packing invention that helps save time and money.
|  Fire Prevention Pat Foran looks at the leading causes of children's burns and how to prevent and escape from fires.
|  Holiday gadgets Pat Foran explores holiday gadgets that are so popular Future Shop is hiring more employees for the season.
|  Robotic stirrers Pat Foran tests out the latest kitchen gadget: a robotic stirrer which is supposed to help stir soups and sauces.
|  Tenant insurance It's estimated that half of all renters do not have tenant insurance. Pat Foran reports.
|  Hyundai's first hybrid car Hyundai has come out with its first hybrid vehicle: the new Sonata hybrid. Pat Foran reports.
|  Energy dollars The average household spends about $2,000 on energy bills. With prices expected to rise, it's a good time to find ways of conserve. Pat Foran reports. |  Self-serve checkouts Some national grocery store chains are phasing out self-serve checkouts, as studies show that many customers prefer dealing with a cashier. Pat Foran reports.
|  Feedback Friday Viewers sound off over warranties, money lost at a furniture store and LED lights. Pat Foran reports.
|  Cdn. vs. U.S. Warrantees Warrantees for electronics and computer equipment bought in the U.S. may not be valid when you cross the border. Pat Foran reports.
|  Pre-owned Vehicles Pat Foran explores what consumers need to know when buying a pre-owned vehicle.
|  Furniture upholstery Pat Foran with the story of a woman who feels overcharged after reupholstering her furniture.
|  Grading charities Pat Foran explores where charitable donations go and who gets the best grade when it comes to charities.
|  Brew performance Coffee makers are becoming better at matching the taste of coffee brewed in cafes. Pat Foran reports. |  Renting text books Canadian college and university students can now rent text books instead of buying them. Pat Foran reports. |  Glass baking dishes Last fall, CTV told you about 150 cases of glass baking dishes suddenly shattering. Since then, more than 100 new incidents have been reported. Pat Foran reports. |  Financial advice Pat Foran speaks with David Chilton, the author of 'The Wealthy Barber Returns' for financial advice. |  Furniture fraud Pat Foran explores a scheme where a man collects money for furniture he never delivers.
|  Feedback Friday From airlines cracking down on overweight luggage to the best e-readers, Pat Foran opens up the Consumer Alert mailbag to address viewer feedback. |  Will Costco save you money? Warehouse stores such as Costco can offer huge savings as long costumers don't mind buying in bulk and paying a membership fee. Pat Foran reports.
|  Social media in cars Pat Foran examines the trend of carmakers incorporating social media access and the Internet in vehicles. |  Hydro bills Pat Foran explains why Hydro customers should brace themselves for a jump in their next bill. |  Baggage Fee Air Canada issued a statement this week announced that travellers flying to the U.S. will soon have to pay to check even one suitcase. Pat Foran explains.
|  Incandescent Bulbs Around the world, the sale of incandescent light bulbs is being prohibited but here in Canada, the ban has been pushed to next year. Pat Foran look at your options.
|  Digital transition If you get your TV signal by using rabbit ears, you might have a problem as broadcasters move to digital signals from analog. Pat Foran tells you the solutions.
|  Credit cards Companies have sent out almost double the amount of credit card offers since last year. Pat Foran warns consumers not to sign up for credit cards they don't need. |  Laptop deals How much should you spend on a back-to-school laptop? Pat Foran with what to look out for. |  Camp Millionaire While some kids toast marshmallows and canoe, others are spending their summer studying financial statements. Pat Foran has more. |  E-book trade? These days, more and more people are swapping their regular books for e-books. Pat Foran has explains. |  Weed wackers Gas models of weed trimmers are still best, but electric ones have greatly improved. Pat Foran has more.
|  Financial advisers When the TSX started dropping last week, many investers wondered if another crash was going to happen. But advisers are saying 'don't panic and stay the course.' Pat Foran reports. |  Digital TV's coming The majority of consumers won't be affected by the switch to digital TV, but it will affect those who use antennas. Pat Foran has more. |  Barbecue smokers For some food-lovers, barbecue smoking is the way to produce some of the tastiest food you'll ever enjoy. Pat Foran has more. |  Back to school? Many parents are beginning their back-to-school shopping, and more and more are doing so online. Pat Foran has more. |  Scam update Pat Foran has a recording of a telephone scam from a fake computer support agent who has conned some out of money.
|  Auto safety options Cool cameras. Blindspot indicators. Self-stopping features. What new auto safety measures are worth paying for? Pat Foran has more. |  Anti-wrinkle creams A lab examined the results of the use of seven different products with a various price range over a 12-week period. |  Feedback Friday Consumer Alert viewers had questions galore about crying babies, keeping cool and bank machine fees. Pat Foran has more. |  Free flights What are the best travel reward credit cards? A website claims to have found the top five for Canadians. Pat Foran has more. |  Cheaper Cooling No air conditioning? No problem. Pat Foran has tips on how to cheaply beat the heat. |  Tourist transactions Planning an overseas trip requires time and more importantly: money. Pat Foran explains how to spend wisely. |  Artificial turf It doesn't need mowing, watering or weeding. Pat Foran explains why the grass is greener on a synthetic lawn. |  Happy ending Pat Foran checks back in with a viewer who had poorly installed windows last winter and explains the importance of installing the right windows in your home. |  Child-free zones Pat Foran explains how a restaurant's decision to ban young children has sparked widespread debate.
|  Bathing suits Finding the perfect bathing suit can be daunting. Pat Foran explains how you can swim in style.
|  Expensive pets Having a pet can be expensive -- but there are ways to save hundreds of dollars a year. Pat Foran reports.
|  Phantom power Dozens of appliances in your home may be sucking power without even being turned on. Pat Foran explains.
|  Lawn mowing dangers A new survey finds that hundreds of people are rushed to hospital with lawn mower injuries each year. Pat Foran reports.
|  Florida vacation homes A new survey says that Canadians are flocking to by Florida vacation homes. Pat Foran reports on what you should know.
|  Car insurance Ontario's car insurance rates are on the rise again, even though they remain stable in many other parts of Canada. Pat Foran explains. |  Broken appliances Pat Foran investigates whether a broken appliance is better off repaired or replaced all together.
|  Propane barbecues Consumer Alert: When you barbecue, how do you know how much propane you have left in the tank? Pat Foran has some solutions. |  Cell phone cameras Once a grainy novelty, cell phone cameras have improved by leaps over the years. Pat Foran reports.
|  Buy or lease car? While leasing a car may seem affordable, you could get stuck with charges when the deal expires. Pat Foran explains.
|  Cottage vacation Pat Foran checks out your options when it comes to buying a place to spend your cottage vacations. |  Dog behavior Pat Foran has advice from Cesar Millan, the foremost expert on dog behavior, on what toys will help train your pet.
|  Power washers Pat Foran reports on a selection of power washers that can be used to clean things up outside the house in preparation for summer.
|  Kitchen countertops Pat Foran reports on how to choose a kitchen countertop that will stand up against the test of time.
|  Microsoft virus Since many Internet users have gotten much wiser when it comes to suspicious emails and websites, a new scam targets users on the telephone. Pat Foran reports
|  Recall laws New legislation will allow Ottawa to order companies to immediately pull unsafe products from store shelves if they're deemed unsafe. Pat Foran reports. |  Electric shavers There are a lot of electric shavers on the market this Father's Day. Pat Foran shows you how to get your dad the perfect shave. |  Father's Day Pat Foran has some suggestions for unique gifts to get pappa on Father's Day. |  Kitchen renovations Kitchen renovations can quickly get out of control. Pat Foran has advice on how to maintain a budget balance. |  Fuel efficiency Pat Foran investigates claims made by fuel efficient cars and whether they still pass the test after reading the fine print. |  Airline fees A new study on airline fees shows that add-on charges have more than doubled in the past three years. Pat Foran reports. |  Vacuum options Pat Foran reports on the vacuuming industry and how much you should spend to clean your carpets. |  Sunscreen comparison Pat Foran reports on the easiest ways to protect yourself from skin cancer, and whether there are differences between sunscreens.
|  Renovation nightmares Renovations can increase the value of your home, but they can also lead to your worst nightmares. Pat Foran looks at some horror stories. |  Energy testing The government has announced that a previous plan to make home energy testing mandatory has been dropped. Pat Foran reports.
|  Grass cutting For those who don't enjoy cutting the grass - and even those who do - Pat Foran looks into which machines make the job easier. |  Gas rewards cards Pat Foran looks at saving plans used by gas stations to help lure customers despite high prices. |  Home locks Pat Foran looks at the common ways burglars get into a home and whether some deadbolt locks are better than others. |  Prom night Students planning to take a limo to prom should be aware that renting one can be expensive. Pat Foran has some advice on how to budget prom. |  Facebook minors Parents are being urged to monitor their children's Facebook sites after a new survey estimated that more than five million kids under the age of 10 are on Facebook. Pat Foran reports.
|  Mosquito season Recent rainy weather could lead to a bad summer for mosquitoes. Pat Foran has advice on how to handle the suckers. |  Tattoo removal Removing that permanent reminder is expensive and painful, but it can be done. Pat Foran reports on the growing tattoo removal business. |  Toning shoe strain Pat Foran reports on the trend of toning shoes with rocker-style bottoms, and why they could land you in the hospital. |  Backyard spending Pat Foran outlines the good investments and bad investments people make while building their backyards. |  Home safety Pat Foran tells you how to keep your home safe while you are away for the holiday long weekend. |  Used car parts Thousands of cars are written off every year. Pat Foran reports on those who scour those junks heaps for used parts. |  Upside down gardens A new product claims growing tomato plants upside down will result in a better crop. Pat Foran reports. |  Gym memberships If you quit a gym, be sure you also quit paying gym fees. Pat Foran reports on one man still paying 20 years after ending membership. |  Condo troubles A Toronto resident bought a condo before it was built and ended up with a home with a different floor plan. Pat Foran investigates.
|  Barbecue season Pat Foran lends some shopping advice to those looking to invest in a new grill for barbecue season.
|  Squeezed at the pumps Pat Foran reports on how high gas prices are affecting household budgets and where families are being forced to cut.
|  Driving tips While drivers may try to push their gas gauge to the limit with gas prices at a historic high, Pat Foran explains that may not be the best move if drivers want their cars to remain in good working order. |  Smaller cars With gas prices at an all time high, it's no surprise that consumers are looking at smaller, more efficient vehicles. Pat Foran investigates which cars offer good value at the pumps. |  Rental Car Pat Foran investigates which extra fees consumers should look out for when renting a car.
|  Blockbuster stores Pat Foran reports on how the changing habits of movie viewers are creating hardships for Blockbuster Canada. |  Mother's Day Pat Foran reports on the options consumers have to get their flower bouquets sent in time for Mother's Day.
|  Aeroplan benefits Pat Foran reports on whether it is better to use Aeroplan points on flights or merchandise.
|  Sony breach Pat Foran reports on a security breach that shut down the Sony PlayStation network and left its users nervous to share credit card information. |  Pet pampering Is there a way to spend less on pet food? Pat Foran has exclusive details. |  Stabilizing insoles High heels may be in style, but they can cause women to suffer serious aches and pains. Pat Foran reports on possible solutions. |  Scooter sales Soaring gas prices are also driving up sales of scooters by as much as 50 per cent over last year. Pat Foran reports.
|  Car testing Pat Foran investigates how electric cars fare during crash testing in comparison to regular vehicles.
|  Gold price Pat Foran reports on the price of gold, which has doubled in value in the past five years and hit another high on Monday.
|  Feedback Friday Pat Foran some of the hundreds of calls, letters and email he receives about his consumer alerts. |
Consumer Alert Column
Pat Foran on shipping last-minute holiday gifts
CTV's consumer affairs expert Pat Foran reveals the best options for late holiday shoppers to ship presents to their loved ones.
Pat Foran on the best pod coffee makers for your buck
CTV's consumer affairs expert Pat Foran weighs in on the best pod coffee makers for you buck.
Pat Foran on the top tablets for kids
CTV's consumer affairs expert Pat Foran takes a look at the top tablets on the market for kids and which ones offer the most bang for you buck.
Pat Foran on spotting counterfeit goods this season
CTV's consumer affairs expert Pat Foran shares his tips on spotting counterfeit gift picks before you buy them this holiday season.
Pat Foran: How to avoid holiday scams
CTV's consumer affairs expert Pat Foran reveals the five top scams you should watch out for as you shop during the holiday season.
