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Virgin American, Southwest fly high in ratings

Wed, 22 May 2013 23:53:49 GMT

With peak vacation season just about here, Consumer Reports ranked airlines according to the complaints and praise it heard from the thousands of passengers it surveyed.

No frills Spirit Airlines came in last in the ratings, hitting rock bottom in all of the customer benchmarks, including seating comfort, cabin staff service, cleanliness and baggage handling.

United Airlines, U.S. Airways and American did slightly better, but got low marks for cleanliness and leg room. Delta rated in the the middle of the 11 airlines ranked.

Overall top score went to Virgin America.

Virgin America does not service San Antonio, but does have limited flights out of Austin.

JetBlue, another airlines that services Austin but not San Antonio, scored well, especially for cleanliness and seating comfort.

Southwest Airlines, which has numerous flights in and out of San Antonio International, scored high in customer satisfaction.

Customers appreciated that Southwest has fewer fees for bags and services.

Apple CEO on hot seat, Pay Pal new app in America's Money

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:19:11 GMT

Apple's CEO is on the the hot seat. Tim Cook was on Capitol Hill, telling lawmakers Apple doesn't use its Irish subsidiaries to help it avoid billions in taxes. A Senate report accuses the company of doing just that.

A vote of confidence for the chairman and CEO of the JP Morgan Chase. Share holders voted to allow him to keep both his titles.

Dimon's reputation has been tarnished by a series of Congressional investigations

The country's largest supermarket chain has launched an App of its customer loyalty card.

It allows customers to download E-Coupons, renew subscriptions, and see the weekly ads.

Pay Pal is going after the brick and mortar shopper, with a new smartphone app that lets you order and pay for items. By year's end, the company hopes to have two million merchants accepting the new payment system.

Xbox One, new 'Call of Duty' video game top Tech Bytes

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:11:07 GMT

Microsoft gives the first glimpse of the new Xbox One in Wednesday's Tech Bytes.

The console is larger than its predecessor, and comes with a redesigned Kinect motion controller.

In addition to gaming, the Xbox One streams videos and other web content. It will go on sale later this year.

Big news for "Call of Duty" fans. Activision has released the first details about the game's next chapter "Call of Duty: Ghosts." It centers around a resistance fighter who is enlisted to help the U.S. return to its super power status. The game is expected to be released in November.

Apple is once again crowned Brand Z's "most valuable global brand" with a value of $185 billion. Google came in at number two, followed by IBM.

And there is a big change coming to online delivery. Grub Hub and Seamless are combing to form a new company, which will service more than 28,000 restaurants in 500 cities across the country.

Those are Wednesday's Tech Bytes.

Children's beds recalled

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:04:42 GMT

Lea Industries recalled approximately 60,000 children's beds because the side rails can break and the beds can collapse, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission www.cpsc.gov.

Thirty-four different models of wooden bunk, loft and panel beds are involved. There have been 22 reports of incidents including the injury of a 6-year-old girl who was hurt when the top bunk collapsed on her. The beds were sold from Aug. 2008 through March 2013 at furniture stores nationwide.

Owners should contact Lea Industries www.leeindustries.com for replacement rails.

Avon recalls plastic popcorn makers

Avon recalled nearly 55,000 plastic popcorn makers in order to provide new instructions on how to use it.

When cooked too long, the popcorn can overheat and the maker can ignite. Two fires have been reported.

Avon sold the popcorn poppers from October 2012 through February 2013. Owners should contact their Avon representative.

Optimus Infrared Quartz Radiant heaters recalled

Two models of Optimus Infrared Quartz Radiant heaters have been recalled due to a fire hazard.

The model numbers are H-5210 and H-5211. These models were sold at various retailers, including Family Dollar and Walmart.com. Customers should contact Optimus.

Another Optimus heater, the Tower Quartz model H-5232, sold only at Family Dollar was also recalled because it can overheat and start a fire. Those customers should contact Family Dollar.

Louisville Slugger softball bats are recalled

And 13,000 softball bats are called out at the plate, recalled because they can break and cause an injury.

Louisville Slugger is recalling all OneX models because the barrel can separate from the handle while the batter is swinging it.

The bats were sold at sporting good stores and directly to competitive teams since May 2012. For more information: www.slugger.com.

Consumer Reports: Testosterone treatments oversold

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:39:11 GMT

Sales of heavily-advertised testosterone treatments topped $2 billion last year, but most men don't need it, according to Consumer Reports.

"Even if you're worried about erectile dysfunction, treatment with testosterone usually isn't the answer," said Dr. John Santa, Consumer Reports' medical adviser. "Erectile dysfunction almost always stems from other problems: reduced blood flow, emotional problems, or a drug side effect."

Using testosterone treatments, which can cost $400 per month or more, can have serious risks.

"A study in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that men using one testosterone gel, Testim 1%, for six months had more heart attacks and other cardiovascular events," Santa said.

The commercials do warn of possible serious side effects, including worsening of enlarged prostrate and possible increased risk of prostate cancer.

Others include enlarged breasts, sleep apnea and blood clots in the legs. JFor younger men, lower fertility is a major concern.

"Starting testosterone is a big deal," Santa said. "It should only be done after a long and careful conversation between doctor and patient."

Another concern is family members being accidentally exposed to testosterone gels. The hormone can cause women to develop male characteristics and children to enter an early puberty.

Incentives for downtown grocery questioned

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:32:02 GMT

Incentives designed to lure a grocery store to downtown San Antonio to serve a growing residential population are being questioned by a public official with grocery store experience.

County Commissioner Kevin Wolff said despite the growth in housing units downtown, the population cannot support a large grocery store right now.

From the Can Plant at the Pearl Brewery to the Twelve Twenty on Broadway to the Casa Blanca Lofts on North Alamo, downtown is booming with new residential development.

Lori Houston, the director of the city’s Center City Development Office, said the city wants to spur more downtown growth by bringing in a grocery store for residents, tourists and downtown workers.

"Those three users would help us generate enough spending potential for up to a 20,000-square-foot grocery store," Houston said.

She said a study found $10.1 million in potential spending yearly at a downtown grocery.

The city has advertised state and nationwide for proposals on a downtown grocery, offering fee waivers and a million-dollar incentive.

"We want to see that they have a sound proposal, that their development team has property, that it's a financially feasible proposal," Houston said.

A 4,200-square-foot store is now being remodeled at Brooklyn and North Alamo, but the city is looking for something at least 15,000 square feet.

But Wolff said the whole concept is bound to fail for the grocery, the city and taxpayers.

"I truly believe the council has itself in a pickle on this one," Wolff said.

Wolff's family has owned Sun Harvest and Green Fields Market.

He is currently looking at opening a small grocery at Broadway and Newell downtown or somewhere else, but said a big grocery will not work here yet.

"Can you cobble together incentives and all those other sorts of things and get something done? Yes,” Wolff said. “Can you sustain it? Not at this point."

He said if local grocery giant HEB has not recognized a market for a downtown grocery store by now, there is no market for it.

The proposals from grocers are due June 4.

At that time, the city will begin the process of looking through them to see if any will work and possibly start negotiations.

Any valid proposal could go before the city council in September.

Here is a short list of the newest residential properties being developed in downtown San Antonio:

Casa Blanca Lofts - 1542 N. Alamo 78215 - 17 for-sale propertiesE. Quincy - 1120 E. Quincy - 25 for-sale propertiesSOJO - 302 E. Josephine 78215 - 7 units

Click here for a look at the city’s presentation on downtown residential developments (PDF) and here for the incentives they’ve been given (PDF).

For a list of recent stories Brian Mylar has done, click here.

Alamodome has billion-dollar economic impact on San Antonio

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:49:27 GMT

The Alamodome generated more than a billion dollars in total economic impact based on attendance at events from 2003-2012, according to a survey conducted by Dr. Steve Niven, of the Saber Research Institute.

The results indicate an overall economic impact of $1.7 billion, supporting more than 18,000full-time equivalent jobs over the 10-year period and resulting in workers earning more than $570 million.

The activities at the Alamodome translated into more than $114 million in tax revenues for state and local governments and over $116 million to the federal government during the same period.

Additionally, the Alamodome provides opportunities for the citizens of San Antonio to participate in events that they might not otherwise be able to attend, such as the year’s Major League Baseball Texas Rangers Exhibition Game.

Consumer Reports' survey reveals winning sports stores

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:40:55 GMT

Whether you're outfitting yourself or getting the kids ready for soccer or baseball, where you shop for sports gear can make a big difference.

Consumer Reports surveyed 26,000 readers to find some winners.

"We asked readers what mattered most, things like selection, service and value," said Consumer Reports' Tod Marks.

The most popular stores to shop, according to the survey, were Dick's Sporting Goods and Sports Authority. But, that doesn't mean they were home runs.

"When it came to value, when it came to selection, when it came to the knowledge and the helpfulness of the service, it was kind of middle of the road.

Walmart and Sam's Club scored even lower for service and checkout.

Academy Sports and Outdoors got good marks for value and quality.

Costco did, too, but not for selection and service.

Outdoor stores REI and Cabela's rated high for things like service and quality.

Consumer Reports found your best bet, however, is local independent stores.

"Eighty percent of readers were highly satisfied with their experiences at local independent sporting goods stores and pro shops."

For a list of recent stories Marilyn Moritz has done, click here.

Local travelers agree with study on airline satisfaction

Wed, 15 May 2013 22:09:52 GMT

Travelers at San Antonio’s airport, like those involved in a study on airline satisfaction by J.D. Power & Associates, appear to be content with the way airlines are doing business.

The results of the study were released Wednesday morning, and show airline satisfaction is at its highest level since 2006.

The J. D. Power & Associates 2013 North America Airline Satisfaction Study measured passengers’ satisfaction with carriers based on performance in seven different areas.

They include costs and fees; in-flight services; boarding/deplaning/baggage; flight crew; aircraft; check-in and reservations.

Airlines were graded on a 1,000-point scale.

As in years past, the satisfaction level for low-cost carriers continued to improve -- up one point from 2012, with an overall score of 755, the study showed.

Of them, JetBlue was ranked No. 1, with Southwest in second place.

For the first time in years, though, traditional airlines also saw an increase, with an overall score of 695.

That’s up 14 points compared to the previous year, the study showed.

Alaska was the top ranked among traditional airlines, while Delta came in second for satisfaction.

Megan Browning, who was returning home to Michigan Wednesday morning after visiting family in San Antonio, said she has noticed a difference.

“The lines are shorter,” she said. "You can tell with all the electrons they’re using now, it speeds up how you get through the gates.”

However, one thing that still doesn’t seem to be flying with passengers, according to the study, is the addition of fees for checked baggage.

The study said that remains a sticking point when it comes to satisfaction, and actually contributes to lower satisfaction levels.

“We don't check bags anymore,” Browning said. "It's too much to check a bag. I mean, you have a whole family and it's $25 a bag. "

Like her, other travelers at San Antonio International Airport said they have found ways around the fee.

For them, it means carrying a lighter load, while, according to the study, they’re also doing it with a lighter mood lately.

For a list of recent stories Katrina Webber has done, click here.

Rx price check: Blockbuster generics vary widely

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:51:20 GMT

A price check of five blockbuster drugs that now have generics on the market, including Lipitor for cholesterol and the blood-thinner Plavix, shows significant price differences depending on which pharmacy you shop.

In fact, you could be paying 10 to 25 times more than you have to.

For consumers who do not have insurance coverage or whose insurance no longer covers their drugs, paying the cash price can be a hardship.

Atorvastatin is the generic for Lipitor, once the biggest-selling drug.

A price check of pharmacies at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, HEB, Target and Costco showed a three-month supply costs more than $400 at CVS and Target. The same drug costs $37.19 at Costco.

To see the full price check, click here (PDF).

By federal law, consumers do not need to be a member to use the pharmacy at club warehouses.

It can pay to buy into retailers' drug savings programs.

For example, clopidogrel, the generic Plavix, is $601 cash price at HEB. However, if you buy into the $5 HEB Rx Platinum Rewards program, the price drops to $133.61.

Walgreens' Prescription Drug Savings Club also reduces the out-of-pocket price for generic Plavix from $528 to $142.

A check of prices for three other drugs, the generics for the diabetes drug Actos, the anti-depressant Lexapro and the asthma drug Singulair, also showed CVS and Target to the the most expensive and Costco the least expensive by far.

Target has a savings program, however pharmacists said they could not quote any discounts until the purchase was rung up.

If someone were to purchase all five of the drugs priced, he could end up paying more than $2400 at CVS or Target. The same drugs would cost $162 at Costco.

Walgreens, HEB and Walmart pricing fell in the middle.

For a list of recent stories Marilyn Moritz has done, click here.