http://www.9wsyr.com/content/news/real_deal/default.aspx Get The Real Deal on new scams and read the latest consumer investigations. en-us Copyright 2012 Newport Television LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:00:01 -0500 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:53:44 -0500 The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com/sites/wsyr/images/9wsyrlogo.jpg http://www.9wsyr.com/content/news/real_deal/default.aspx 214 66 15 http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/Why-a-GHI-customer-can-t-fill-a-prescription-at/745w5HiTj0yQYQysUUwUhw.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/745w5HiTj0yQYQysUUwUhw.cspx Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – According to insurance company GHI, it will only pay for mail-order prescriptions in some contracts.

Not all contracts, however, are subject to the requirement. The kind of contract developed depends on plan administrators and the nature of the workforce or retiree group being covered. A spokesman for GHI parent company Emblem says mail-order pharmaceuticals are generally less expensive and that can be a factor in the plan.

NewsChannel 9 put the Emblem executive in touch with viewer to help her work through her specific needs. She says sometimes the mail is too late for her needs.

If you’d like to know The Real Deal, call NewsChannel 9 at (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.


]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:23:00 -0500 Why a GHI customer can’t fill a prescription at the pharmacy: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/Why-can-t-a-Sirius-subscription-shift-to-XM-The/qxNDAml5-UWCm6AL2eyLMA.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/qxNDAml5-UWCm6AL2eyLMA.cspx Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Sirius satellite radio and XM are now one company, but a subscription to one service can’t be switched over to the other except in very specific circumstance.

The company says if a customer has a lifetime subscription to one service’s automotive receiver, it can’t be transferred unless the receiver was stolen or is defective. For most other plans, SiriusXM says customers can transfer a paid subscription to another radio for a small charge.

If you’d like to know The Real Deal, call NewsChannel 9 at (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.


]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:16:27 -0500 Why can’t a Sirius subscription shift to XM? The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/Lottery-scam-The-Real-Deal/R1aOsrfoNk6D_KMxRPOixA.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/R1aOsrfoNk6D_KMxRPOixA.cspx Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Many of us dream of someday winning the lottery, but you have to be careful that your dream doesn't turn into a nightmare. There's a new lottery scam now making the rounds in New York State.

It works a lot like others, where the scammers try to trick you into parting with your money. But this one has a new twist: fake checks that look like they were sent out by New York State, complete with a forged signature of the state comptroller.

Along with the check, you'll get a letter in the mail saying you've just won a lottery or sweepstakes drawing.

You're directed to pay an amount to the scammer in order to secure your full winnings.

Checks have typically been in the amount of either $3,980.05 or $4,885.20.

The checks are supposed to cover the taxes that would be owed on your alleged winnings, but they're fake.

As you know, it takes time for checks to clear.  So by the time your depositing bank has learned the check is fake, you've already transferred or wired funds to the scammers.  Their gain becomes your loss. You're out the money.

Recent letters have included companies calling themselves “Guaranty Trust, Inc.” with a New York City mailing address, and “Golden Gateway Financial, Division of Unclaimed Funds” with a Las Vegas or London address.

If you get one of those letters, contact the Comptroller's Office.  Click here to visit the website.

]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:48:01 -0500 Lottery scam: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/Healthcare-Alliance-cards-The-Real-Deal/zP0HAUNhSEyUhiNUXh07JA.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/zP0HAUNhSEyUhiNUXh07JA.cspx Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Several Central New Yorkers have told NewsChannel 9 that they have received drug discount cards through the mail lately.

The cards are from Healthcare Alliance, a New York City-based company, which says it can save the recipient an average of 40 percent.

Pharmacies, however, will not accept the card on top of any insurance the person already has. In addition, the Healthcare Alliance card is not a health insurance card – it’s simply a discount card. It’s free to use for those paying cash on their next prescription.

If there’s something you want to know “The Real Deal” about, give us a call anytime at (315) 446-9900 or email us at YourStories@9wsyr.com.
]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:01:00 -0500 Healthcare Alliance cards: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/National-Grid-customers-online-payment-problems/3foLUkcZh0isvaiycfz0Dg.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/3foLUkcZh0isvaiycfz0Dg.cspx Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – National Grid customers who pay online may have been having trouble getting through on the utility’s website lately.

National Grid personnel say that a new upgrade to their website has created technical challenges over the past few weeks. They believe they have fixed those problems and now online bill pay should be up and running.

Anyone who had a problem paying their bill online who faced late fees or had to pay an extra fee through Western Union should contact the utility’s customer service representatives. They will review each situation on a case-by-case basis.

National Grid’s website also offers locations for in-person bill payments for walk-in customers.

If there’s something you want to know “The Real Deal” about, give us a call anytime at (315) 446-9900 or email us at YourStories@9wsyr.com.

]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:44:27 -0500 National Grid customers online payment problems? The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/National-Grid-s-Mild-Weather-Fee-The-Real-Deal/Af3QUab0YUyGXzA7VqSLzw.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/Af3QUab0YUyGXzA7VqSLzw.cspx Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- With a mild winter in Central New York so far, some of you may be getting a break on your National Grid bill, but believe it or not, you’re paying a fee because of it. The extra charge is starting to pop up on customers’ bills.

This isn’t a new fee, but one that happens whenever the weather is unusually warmer in the heating months, which is considered to be October through May.

If you look closely enough at your gas bill, under the gas delivery portion you’ll find the charge on the line that says “adjustment for changes from normal weather.”

The Public Service Commission says this is legal. A utility is allowed to make up some of what it loses in warmer weather to help pay for the fixed costs of delivery and the infrastructure.

This adjustment happens whenever the average temperatures in a given month are 2.2 percent above or below normal – so it does work both ways.

When it’s colder than normal and National Grid makes more than they need, there’s a refund. That happened last year when we had a rough winter.

The Public Service Commission says this is meant to protect you and the utility company from big variations in costs due to weather.

]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:51:37 -0500 National Grid’s Mild Weather Fee: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/Pharmacy-unable-to-fill-prescriptions-after-New/vUsY38qHL0G1hEhiwlRUmQ.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/vUsY38qHL0G1hEhiwlRUmQ.cspx Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – A local pharmacy has been having trouble filling prescriptions for Excellus Blue Cross/Blue Shield subscribers ever since the first of the new year.

The New Year brought new health plan coverage to many employers. Like any insurance company, Excellus says they’re always adding new groups and updating or changing benefits for many others in January, which can lead to glitches.

In addition to the new groups and changes, the vice president of communications for Excellus Blue Cross/Blue Shield told NewsChannel 9 that a new system for pharmacy claims called Med Impact is being phased in and the latest phase took place on Jan. 1.

She says new national standards for processing drug claims also just took effect and that affects insurance companies, as well as pharmacies.

The compounding developments made it hard for customers’ prescriptions to be filled. The company has dedicated more staff to get to the bottom of any continuing delays and is urging patience when you call customer service.

If you’d like to know The Real Deal, call (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.

]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:14:51 -0500 Pharmacy unable to fill prescriptions after New Year: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/Verizon-and-area-codes-The-Real-Deal/NazFRNcKiUWs5Tb0gKs3PA.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/NazFRNcKiUWs5Tb0gKs3PA.cspx Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Some Verizon subscribers are wondering why they need to dial the area code first even when they’re making local calls using FiOS digital phone service.

The reason is, FiOS digital voice service is national. The service is not tied to a geographic area, so customers need to tell the server what area code they’re calling.

A Verizon spokesperson pointed out that the FiOS digital service offers one or two-digit speed dialing for frequently called numbers at no extra charge.

If you’d like to know The Real Deal, call (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.

]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:27:39 -0500 Verizon and area codes: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/Yellow-Pages-Offers-The-Real-Deal/JuYGrlMmsEqlbLqWAr9nIQ.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/JuYGrlMmsEqlbLqWAr9nIQ.cspx Chittenango (WSYR-TV) -- When Michael Cole recently opened his computer repair business in Chittenango, he thought it might be a good idea to put an ad in the Yellow Pages. He placed two orders with traveling salesmen.

"Well, I got four different bills when I only signed up for two companies,” Cole said.

Those two extra offers looked nearly identical, with similar names, both addressed to P.O. Boxes in Jacksonville, Florida and both featuring the well-known "walking fingers" logo. Mike assumed they were related to the orders he'd recently made with the traveling salesmen. So, he filled out the forms, verifying his company's address. Before sending money, Mike did a little research online.

"It seemed like the words 'Attorney General' just popped off the page in the search results,” Cole said.

A search for Yellow Pages scams yielded lists of warnings about various companies. NewsChannel 9 called the Attorney General's office in Florida to inquire about one of the companies that sent Mike mail, called US Yellow. The office of A.G. Pam Bondi stopped short of calling Mike's offer a scam, but supplied 77 pages of documentation for complaints, claims including unauthorized listings and a falsified signature. Mike is worried his credit will be destroyed if he doesn't pay and he couldn't immediately get through to anyone on the phone to make sure his order with US Yellow isn't processed.

"I got a recording that basically says, call us back during business hours. The only problem was, it was one p.m. during the work-week,” Cole said.

Mike also placed an order with SuperMedia, which publishes Verizon's phone book. He intended to work with them and hasn't had any problems. A spokesperson for SuperMedia said most of their sales are made face-to-face. They also list a direct number for ad sales in the yellow pages of their phone books, to make sure customers have direct contact for orders or billing questions. A SuperMedia spokesperson also said the "walking fingers" logo is not copyrighted, which has caused confusion in the industry for years. It's not unusual to see the logo on various publications by different companies.

Mike said he was also confused by the timing of the offers from Florida, right after he had placed his order with SuperMedia. He thought they were related. He was wrong. He's hoping other small business owners take the time to closely review their ad offers, to confirm where they came from.

]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:42:26 -0500 Yellow Pages Offers: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/Craigslist-real-estate-scam-The-Real-Deal/ZvRTG99YkEeUSo5wClnOqA.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/ZvRTG99YkEeUSo5wClnOqA.cspx Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – John Frase is looking to rent a house. He found one on Craigslist that might fit his needs. After he filled out an application, however, he was asked to wire a deposit to an address in Nigeria. In return, he was promised the keys to the house and all the paperwork necessary for completing the transaction.

It sounds fishy. And it is. It’s a classic real estate scam.

The house listed in the ad is on Autumnal Lane in Clay through “Property Management Alliance in Syracuse. But the folks there told NewsChannel 9 that it was rented out some time ago. The person who posted the ad on Craiglist took the agency’s original listing and copied it as his own. If John was to send the $500 deposit, it’s pretty much guaranteed he’d never see the money again, nor would he see the house.

The two signs to tip you off that a real-estate ad on Craiglist is not legitimate are as follows: First, the homeowner claims to be out of the country for some reason. Second, the person wants you to wire the money in exchange for keys.

If you want to know The Real Deal about something, call (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.

]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:12:00 -0500 Craigslist real estate scam: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/Dealing-with-pushy-salespeople-The-Real-Deal/XgdUa_z0G0SrggNlg-LvFA.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/XgdUa_z0G0SrggNlg-LvFA.cspx Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- We’ve heard from a number of you in recent days about the hard-sell tactics of a company called “Just Energy.” You may call it annoying, but police in Oneida say it also flirts with the wrong side of the law.

The first knock on Nick’s door came last October. He told the salesman, “no thanks,” and took one more step.

“I contacted the company by email. I received a written response from the company the next day saying I was added to their no solicitation list,” homeowner, Nick Hudson said.

That was three months ago. Nick figured he’d heard the last from Just Energy. Until last week, when another Just Energy salesman showed up at his door, walked into an enclosed porch and just kept on going.

“He opened the door…he saw me sitting there and he turned around and walked out,” Nick said. “I didn’t know who it was and then I saw his Just Energy lanyard and that’s when the conversation ensued. I told him to leave and he still tried to make me a sales pitch.”

Nick says the salesman told him he wasn’t aware he was on their “no solicitation list,” and continued to try and make a sale.

“I just slammed the door in his face and he continued to try to talk to me through the door, persistent, desperate even,” Nick said.

Oneida’s Police Chief David Meeker says he’s heard several other similar stories about Just Energy, which puts their permit to solicit on the line.

“If there are complaints such as this, they can have that permit revoked and in the future, if they obtain a permit, more stringent requirements can be added to ensure this stuff doesn't happen, to protect the citizens,” Chief Meeker said.

And whether it's energy sales, or anything else, Chief Meeker says there's a very simple step you can take to avoid unwanted solicitations.

“One of the things you can do is put on your door, especially an outer porch, "no soliciting," or "no trespassing." In that way, they can press charges,” Chief Meeker said.

Charges were not pressed in this case, but we did reach out to Just Energy about the pushy sales tactics. In a statement to NewsChannel 9, the company said:

"Our training and sales techniques are very clear on this matter and the salesperson in question is being disciplined for not fulfilling our customer service standards. We regret Mr. Hudson was contacted, called him to apologize and assured him that he would not be contacted by our company in the future."

A spokesman for the suburban Toronto-based company says Just Energy’s customer service standards clearly state that if someone is on the “no solicit” list, they should not be contacted again. And that list is made readily available to all salespeople working a given territory. They say customer service and satisfaction is extremely important and there’s a “no tolerance” policy for breaking those standards.


]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:41:00 -0500 Dealing with pushy salespeople: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/Does-Roofmelt-really-work-The-Real-Deal/WV27ykVjpUurBYxm8642wA.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/WV27ykVjpUurBYxm8642wA.cspx Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- Most of us have heard about the roof rake to keep snow from piling up, but have you seen the advertisements for something called Roofmelt? Roofmelt takes the form of pellets and when tossed onto your roof -- spaced about a square foot apart -- they're supposed to prevent ice from clogging your gutter. The question is: Do they work?

Roofmelt is supposed to do for your roof, what rock salt does for your driveway. Roofmelt promises to break through ice dams, melting ice and snow that builds on top of your home and creating a path for water to run off.

“Actually, it allows the new melt to flow through, rather than build up and keep getting larger and larger and larger. And that's where you get all the heavy weight, ripping your gutters off, ripping your shingles right off,” Home Depot’s Jason Clark said.

Ice dams are costly to repair outside and can back up water inside too. Roofmelt mainly uses calcium chloride (a salt) to prevent that. It’s the same compound roofers use and scientists say it’s safe in moderation.

Home Depot has brought the product to Central New York this year because of customer demand. Last year’s rough winter serves as a powerful reminder of how ice and snow can take its toll.

NewsChannel 9 spoke to a number of roofing companies Friday to find out what they think of the product. They all said Roofmelt works. They also said when they treat homes they use calcium chloride too.

But keep in mind, the roofers we spoke with caution the more ice and snow you have, the more Roofmelt you have to use, so it can get expensive.

Roofmelt is not recommended for exposed metal roofs and using Roofmelt on wooden shingle may cause temporary staining. Otherwise, roofing companies say the product is safe for use.
]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:49:27 -0500 Does Roofmelt really work? – The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/Door-to-door-salesmen-asking-to-see-your-NYSEG/FNa7qvyXMUaMvfXE8AgEqA.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/FNa7qvyXMUaMvfXE8AgEqA.cspx Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- Several people have contacted us wanting to know “The Real Deal” about a door-to-door sales pitch from a company called “Just Energy.”

Just Energy is an independent company authorized to offer alternative gas or electric supply. They, like others, go door-to-door trying to make a sale. The salesmen make money when they get you to switch from National Grid (NYSEG) to their company, so often times they can be pushy.

NewsChannel 9 has talked about energy service companies plenty of times before, but many of you want to know why these salespeople are asking to see your National Grid Bill just seconds after you open the door.

Basically, the sales people want to be sure you’re not already with another provider because they may not be able to guarantee you any savings.

Normally, new customers get a seven percent discount for the first few months, but then their rate goes back up to within a few cents of what the utility charges.

If you’re interested in switching, make sure you don’t lock into a long-term contract. And keep in mind, National Grid will still deliver your power. These companies only supply it, so you end up paying one fee to both.

If there’s something you want “The Real Deal” about, call us at 446-9900, or email YourStories@9WSYR.com.

]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:45:00 -0500 Door-to-door salesmen asking to see your NYSEG bill: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/High-Speed-Internet-in-Camden-The-Real-Deal/uHwrDalWa0OaJk3KPO23Ew.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/uHwrDalWa0OaJk3KPO23Ew.cspx Camden (WSYR-TV) -- A Camden resident on Dixon Road says he and about 16 of his neighbors can’t get high speed Internet and he wants to know why, in this day and age, can’t they.

Well, the regulations say that for providers like Time Warner to offer service, there must be 35 homes per aerial cable mile. If there are enough homes to justify running the cable, there’ll be TV and high-speed Internet available. Otherwise, you’re still in a holding pattern at the moment.

If you’d like to learn more about broadband services statewide, CLICK HERE.

If there’s something you want “The Real Deal” about, call us at 446-9900, or email YourStories@9WSYR.com.


]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:45:00 -0500 High Speed Internet in Camden: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/Target-discount-discrepancy-The-Real-Deal/HrlJ3SzwzUemlsZjfvcshg.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/HrlJ3SzwzUemlsZjfvcshg.cspx Fayetteville (WSYR-TV) -- Have you ever bought something and found it later at a competing store at a better price? What about a better price at the same store, just in a different location? That’s exactly what happened to one local shopper who wants to know the Real Deal.

A NewsChannel 9 viewer was surprised to find this type of pricing. She says she visited the Target store in Fayetteville to find winter boots for 70 percent off. Two days later she went to the Clay Target and found the same exact boots at 30 percent off. Why the difference she asked? Other Central New Yorkers are wondering too.

“I'm really surprised. I thought it'd be across the board, price from one Target to another,” shopper Beth Shanley said.

Not so. In fact, Target says its prices can vary not only from store-to-store, but compared with Target.com too.

“Target's goal is to be competitively priced in each trade area, and each trade area with more than one Target store it's possible that Target's prices on selected items may vary from one Target to the next,” Target Spokesperson Antoine LaFrombroise said. “Competitive pricing is based on the retail environment for each individual community and can vary between Target stores.”

Target says it’s a common practice for retailers, but that doesn’t mean customers are happy about it.

“I feel like big corporations can take advantage of different areas and different markets. They know people like us aren't going to drive 40 minutes to another Target to save five dollars on something,” shopper Kayla Richmond said.

Target won’t price adjust store to store, but it will adjust the price of a product if it’s advertised in a circular at a lower price either the same week of a purchase or the week following a purchase. Target will also price-match its competitors.

Even though Target doesn’t price match store-to-store, Target says you can return the product at the store where you found it cheaper and then buy it back at the better value.

We tried to contact Walmart and Kmart about their price policies. Neither returned our calls.


]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:30:31 -0500 Target discount discrepancy: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/National-Grid-s-last-page-line-item-The-Real-Deal/ikBUJ-cRKEG4CpETVV_xBQ.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/ikBUJ-cRKEG4CpETVV_xBQ.cspx Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Some National Grid customers have been wondering about a line item on the very last page of their bill.

NewsChannel 9 received an email this week regarding a section called “billing services.” On the sample bill is a charge of 53 cents. On the viewer’s bill, the charge was $1.15.

When the customer called the utility directly, National Grid told him it was to cover the cost of sending out the paper bill through the mail.

National Grid says the charge covers the cost of calculating and rendering the bill, but nothing additional is charged to those who choose to receive a paper bill in the mail.

The spokesperson for National Grid said she will check into the apparently bad information given out by customer service.

If you’d like to know The Real Deal, call the Your Stories line at (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.

]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:18:00 -0500 National Grid’s last-page line item: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/Options-for-getting-rid-of-that-old-TV-The-Real/uUXNPcj0Pkq3pHs0NBJs9g.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/uUXNPcj0Pkq3pHs0NBJs9g.cspx Liverpool (WSYR-TV) - If you were given a new television for Christmas, you can no longer kick the old one to the curb. A state law passed a few months ago says you have to be careful with electronic waste – including televisions and computers.

“This is the first Christmas you can't just dump it or throw it to the dump or hide it in trash bags. You're going to get caught. So now there's a safe way to do it. You can bring it here 24 hours a day. Drop it off in the bins outside and be rest assured everything's being taken care of properly,” said Jonathan Nappa, owner of Bruin Computer Trading in Liverpool.

Bruin Computer Trading has received 550 televisions since Christmas.

Liverpool resident Tom Fodaro has dropped off three at the location.

“It’s great. You don’t have to walk in – don’t have to get slips of paper…permission…they just put the sign there and it’s nice community involvement,” said Fodaro.

Bruin Computer Trading prefers that electronics aren’t completely destroyed before they arrive.

“They can be broke, smashed up. Well, we try not to get the smashed ones in here cause there is some mercury inside them,” Nappa said.

The old televisions are then shipped to Pennsylvania where they’re safely disposed of.

“Can be any size, any shape…can even be the wood counsel ones that are horrible but we still take them,” Nappa said.

The Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency has a list of places qualified to take and dispose of your electronic waste here: http://www.ocrra.org/recycling_c3.asp

]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:24:46 -0500 Options for getting rid of that old TV: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/Time-Warner-Cable-may-lose-MSG-Network-The-Real/mc-h5k7LWUqzIit3h8lV1w.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/mc-h5k7LWUqzIit3h8lV1w.cspx Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- Come the new year, Knicks and New York hockey fans may not be able to watch each and every game. There’s a chance Time Warner Cable will not carry the MSG Network after Saturday night if the two can not agree on a new contract.

Negotiations don’t look too good right now. The MSG Network told NewsChannel 9 there are no planned meetings between the two parties over the next couple of days.

The current contract was drafted back in 2005 and expires at midnight on January 1. If the two sides stand their ground, it’ll mean the loss of some pretty popular games in both the NBA and NHL.

Time Warner subscribers wanting to see every shot by Carmello Anthony and every slap shot by a New York hockey team may have to look elsewhere.

The cable company and MSG have been negotiating a new contract for years and its still come down to the eleventh hour to strike a deal.

MSG Media issued the following statement concerning their contract negotiations with Time Warner: “Time Warner Cable has rejected every one of our fair proposals for nearly two years, and are unwilling to value our programming in the same manner as other distributors.”

MSG says it’s not asking any more from Time Warner than any other cable provider, but Time Warner says it’s asking too much.

Beside a 53 percent increase, Time Warner says it’s being asked to carry Fuse, a music network only viewed by a small portion of customers.

A spokesperson for Time Warner says the two parties were close to an agreement for a 6.5 percent increase in price, but MSG backed out when Time Warner refused to pay millions for the lightly-viewed Fuse.

For the remainder of the season, Time Warner says about 40 percent of Knicks games, 30 percent of Rangers games and 20 percent of Sabres games will still be available on other channels. But if you’re the type of fan that likes to see every last shot, you could be out of luck.

In case you're considering a switch in providers: MSG is not offered on Dish Network, but is offered on DIRECTV and Verizon FiOS.


]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:43:16 -0500 Time Warner Cable may lose MSG Network: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/County-bought-property-selling-at-rock-bottom/03YzTCR1BUu9lg8NQaNUzw.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/03YzTCR1BUu9lg8NQaNUzw.cspx Camillus (WSYR-TV) – Ron Cottet was reading the newspaper the other day when he saw a recent transaction on property in Camillus that caused him to take note.

Onondaga County was listed as the buyer and the property carried a price tag of about $38,000.

According to records, the county then sold the property for $2,500.

It turns out, Onondaga County did not pay any money for the house, which was on Mackay Avenue. The transaction is called a “tax deed transfer. The property was taken over – not purchased – by the county because about $38,000 was owed in back taxes. The county then auctioned off the home. The winning bid was $2,500.

If you’d like to know The Real Deal, call (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.

]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:07:13 -0500 County-bought property selling at rock-bottom prices: The Real Deal http://www.9wsyr.com:80/content/news/real_deal/story/LCD-price-fixing-settlement-The-Real-Deal/1nlp4997K0iECkCMctFlbQ.cspx?rss=1420 http://www.9wsyr.com/s/1nlp4997K0iECkCMctFlbQ.cspx Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- If you recently bought a device with an LCD screen, you could soon get some money back. New York is in line for millions of dollars as part of a huge settlement with a number of electronic manufacturers. The State Attorney General says they were involved in a price-fixing conspiracy, which led to consumers paying artificially inflated prices.

Recognizable names like Epson, Hitachi, Samsung and Sharp are involved in the scheme. Seven corporations in all have agreed to pay $553 million to a total of 24 states. New York's portion could add up to $11 million.

The Attorney General’s Office is calling the group a cartel that fixed prices for a certain type of LCD screen. They’re called TFT LCD panels, or screens, that use thin film transistors. It’s just one type of LCD screen, but more popular than many others on the market. The screens are used in TVs, computer monitors and laptops. The AG says millions have been sold here in New York at illegally fixed prices.

To compensate consumers, partial refunds are on the way. Those who purchased TFT LCD panels from the seven companies included in the settlement and during a specific time period – beginning on January 1, 1999 and ending on December 31, 2006 – are eligible. Anyone who thinks they may have this type of screen should apply for a refund. We’re told information on how to apply will be issued later.

Along with compensation, part of this settlement also requires these companies to cooperate with New York’s ongoing prosecution of other participants. The AG’s Office says it’s still pursuing three other corporations charged with participating in the scheme.

Below is a full list of companies involved:

• Chi Mei Innolux Corporation
• Chunghwa Picture Tubes Ltd.
• Epson Imaging Devices Corporation
• HannStar Display Corporation
• Hitachi Displays, Ltd.
• Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
• Sharp Corporation
• And certain affiliated entities of each corporation

]]> wsyr_realdeal_latest Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:34:43 -0500 LCD price fixing settlement: The Real Deal