plus 4, '2 hour' car repair took only 55 minutes - Minneapolis Star Tribune

'2 hour' car repair took only 55 minutes - Minneapolis Star Tribune
Phoenix, Arizona 24 Hour Emergency Locksmiths - 1-888-253-1188. - PR Inside
Media General sees improvement in ad spending - Fresno Bee
Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee says Maple Park field is ... - NorthJersey.com
Relay Service Phone Scam Targets Southern Arizona Businesses - Tucson Citizen

'2 hour' car repair took only 55 minutes - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 01:53 PM PST

Bill, a Whistleblower reader in Minneapolis, wanted to alert customers about something he learned about car repairs – the hours of labor noted on the bill don't always correspond to the actual time it took to fix a problem.

He clocked a recent repair at 55 minutes, but was charged for two hours. That's the result of the "book rate," which the shop explained was based on an average time needed to complete the repair - a replacement of his wheel hub. A more experienced mechanic had done the work, enabling it to be finished in less time.

Bill sums up his feelings succinctly, and with capital letters: "WHAT A CROCK!" "I did aggressively pursue this action with the management and did get a $100 credit for work to be done on my car in the future."

The "book rate" or "flat rate" billing system has been around for years. In fact, there are actual books that mechanics use to determine those charges. In one respect, they protect a customer if the mechanic struggles for hours with a common repair.

Did you know that auto repair shops operated this way? Should they do more to explain how their billing works?

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Phoenix, Arizona 24 Hour Emergency Locksmiths - 1-888-253-1188. - PR Inside

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 02:07 PM PST

2009-12-09 23:08:29 - Call Now Phoenix Arizona 24 Hour Locksmiths at 1-888-253-1188. MetrolockandSafe offers FREE On-Site Quotes so you won't have to pay just to have someone come out to give you a quote. If you are looking for Home Locksmith az, Residential locksmith, commercial/business locksmith or an auto locksmith then do contact us for a free and reliable quote.

www.metrolockandsafe.com (MetrolockandSafe Inc) has provided expert locksmith services to our customers in Phoenix, Arizona region for the last 30 years. Our FAST 20-minute response time is the best in the valley. Our service is available 24 hours and 24/7 so you can call anytime you need a locksmith. Call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-253-1188 for FREE On-Site Locksmith Quotes from

best Locksmiths in Phoenix, AZ.

MetrolockandSafe offers locksmith services in phoenix and can install new locks in a timely and cost-efficient manner so whether you are interested in keeping the outer hardware and simply changing the inner work of the lock or are desirous of a new locking system, a locksmith should provide that. These days, locksmiths are branching out into keyless locking systems that operate in a computer system.
Phoenix Locksmiths, MetrolockandSafe are contacted for installation of locks, lock repair, lock replacement and general cleaning for home, office or car. But these are day-to-day situations that do not call for emergency locksmiths and in some situations the customized service of a 24-hour locksmith company becomes essential.

These are some circumstances when a locksmith is needed:

• Locking yourself out of the house, office or car is when you need to call an emergency locksmith service. Not being able to get into your home, office or car at awkward hours will not only be extremely inconvenient and annoying, but can be harmful to your personal security. It is pretty normal for people to forget their keys so emergency locksmiths who are at your beck and call are real saviours.

• There are only two causes for lost keys: misplaced or someone has intentionally kept them with malicious intent. When your keys are nowhere to be found, after frantic search, it is likely that you have left them somewhere or that they have been stolen. Instinct will tell you to have all your keys replaced at once lest a burglary occurs the very same day. Emergency locksmiths can install new locks to all your doors and windows in a quick and efficient manner.

• Failure of vaults, security systems, cabinets and drawers to open when needed and properly at that. Sometimes electronic locks can be installed or configured incorrectly and that might cause a system failure. When you need quick access for valuable documents or property but could not open your vault somehow, chances are it has been damaged or has jammed due to malfunctioning. This needs the services for an emergency locksmith since most locksmith companies operate 24/7 to attend to pressing client problems.

• Going on a long vacation with the whole family and scared of coming back to a burgled house looted empty by criminals and burglars. This means ensuring personally al the locks in the house and requisitioning the services of an emergency locksmith is a wise move. Since, he can also make recommendations on your security system, repair and replace worn out locks. So, never take the risk of leaving even one little window lock not replaced when it starts to malfunction.

• Phoenix Emergency locksmiths, MetrolockandSafe are trained to pick locks on cars, doors and windows, cars, windows and doors and they can unlock car doors to take injured passengers out or open a locked door for a fireman or in the case of a road mishap in the event of fire. Locksmiths help save lives in more ways than one and so be sure to have an emergency locksmith's number in your mobile ready at all times. The next life he saves might be your own so be prepared.

Visit Phoenix Locksmiths, MetrolockandSafe at www.metrolockandsafe.com or Call Now 1-888-253-1188

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Media General sees improvement in ad spending - Fresno Bee

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 01:38 PM PST

Diodes boosts revenue outlook for 4Q

Semiconductor parts maker Diodes Inc. on Wednesday said revenue for the fourth quarter will be stronger than expected, bolstered by strong demand from Asian customers.

Diodes said it now expects revenue of $128 million to $131 million. Previously, the company had predicted revenue of $126 million to $130 million.

The company said its gross margin forecast is unchanged, 31 percent to 33 percent, and operating expenses will be comparable to the last quarter on a percentage of revenue basis.

Profit jumps 22 percent at Casey's during 2Q

Casey's General Stores Inc. on Monday said its fiscal second-quarter profit jumped more than 22 percent due to stronger profit margins on gasoline, food and other items in its convenience stores.

The company reported that it earned $33.6 million, or 66 cents per share, for the quarter ended Oct. 31. That's up from $27.3 million, or 54 cents per share, earned in the same quarter last year. Revenue fell 17 percent to $1.15 billion.

Analysts expected the company would earn 60 cents per share on revenue of $1.2 billion, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters.

Microchip Technology shades to high end of 3Q view

Microchip Technology Inc. said Monday that business is going well in its fiscal third quarter and it expects its profit and revenue to come in at the higher end of its previous forecasts.

The company said its expects a profit of 29 cents per share in the quarter ending Dec. 31. Excluding one-time costs, that increases to 35 cents per share. Microchip Technology had said it expected a profit of 27 to 29 cents per share, or 33 to 35 cents per share excluding one-time items.

Microchip Technology now expects revenue will grow 6 to 8 percent compared to the prior quarter, up from 4 to 8 percent. The company reported $226.6 million in revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, so its new forecast implies $240.3 million to $244.8 million in revenue.

NYT Co.'s print ad slump easing as online ads rise

The New York Times Co.'s drop in advertising revenue won't be as severe this quarter as it was earlier in the year and online ad sales are rising again, raising hopes that the newspaper publisher will regain its financial footing in 2010.

The projections released Tuesday by the Times Co. sent its shares up slightly.

Despite the modest progress, the Times Co. is still struggling to find the balance that it will need. The amount of ad revenue its print editions are losing exceeds the total coming from Internet advertising.

AutoZone 1Q profit climbs 9 percent as sales grow

Auto parts retailer AutoZone Inc. said Tuesday its fiscal first-quarter profit rose 9 percent, as strapped consumers spent more on repairs for their old cars rather than buying new ones.

The company also said it continued opening new stores during the quarter, while performance at established stores improved.

AutoZone earned $143.3 million, or $2.82 per share, in the three months ended Nov. 21. That's up from $131.4 million, or $2.23 per share, in the same period last year.

NEW YORK -- Newspaper and TV station owner Media General Inc. said Wednesday it is seeing some improvement in advertising revenues, mainly in the automotive and retail categories.

The company said at the UBS Global Media & Communications Conference in New York that advertiser spending patterns have "firmed" in the fourth quarter. It expects revenue for the quarter to decline by 14 percent to 16 percent from a year earlier, compared with an 18 percent decrease for the third quarter.

For 2010, the company expects total revenue to be "flat to slightly up" from the prior year.

Media General also said its newspaper circulation revenue is up 8.5 percent in 2009, helped by higher prices and a "stable base of loyal readers."

Its shares rose 4 cents to $8.67.

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Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee says Maple Park field is ... - NorthJersey.com

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST

The Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC) recently concluded a 10-month assessment of the village's only artificial turf field at Maple Park and found it to be safe for both athletes and the environment.

The report addressed some of the major concerns that have been raised by the public based on data gathered by REAC or published studies from credible sources, including the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The playing surface manufactured by Field Turf, headquartered in Peachtree City, Ga., is the modern version of Astroturf. The report's introduction explains that some of the concerns surrounding synthetic turf originated with the older Astroturf product, and "some publicized concerns were based on obsolete information and field designs, which are not relevant to Maple Park."

The REAC report only deals with issues specifically related to the Maple Park field.

"We were strictly looking at the environmental health and safety issues," REAC spokesman John Halenar said. "Based on the information we had and were able to find, we say [there are] no environmental, health or safety issues that should prevent the village from installing additional fields if that's the way they decide to go."

Lead, which was the number one concern addressed in the report, is encapsulated in mainly red and yellow polyethylene fibers, and as such is not released through contact. The only portion of the field that consists of red fibers is the maroon "R" in the center of it.

"If a child eats a loose fiber, it will typically pass through the digestive system without risk," according to the report. "To put it into perspective, if the fibers were bio-available, a 50-pound child would have to ingest over 23 pounds of loose fiber, or almost 50 percent [of] the child's total body weight, in a single 24-hour period to reach a level that might exceed federal safety levels."

A DEP certified laboratory, EMSL Analytical, tested Maple Park for lead in June and found that samples from the field contained 400 times less than the DEP standard for soil cleanup, or 1 milligram per kilogram, according to the report.

The report explains that higher lead concentrations in some turf fields may result from using recycled tires as ground rubber infill.

"None of the rubber infill at Maple Park came from landfills or 'tire piles,'" the report claims. But the report also states that "Maple Park permanently prevented approximately 40,000 tires from going to landfills."

"Tire piles" are usually older tires that have been exposed to nature's elements for some time, Halenar explained, while rubber infill at Maple Field came from newer recycled tires from auto-repair garages or dealerships.

"My assumption is that the old tires that have been sitting around in a tire pile, they can have accumulated other toxic substances or started to deteriorate," Halenar said. "Field Turf rubber is the cryogenic issue. The way they treat the tire rubber creates a rubber pellet that has benefits over the other ways that you could create the shredded rubber that's used in other kinds of artificial turf."

The Clean Washington Center (CWC) commissioned a study on the processes of ambient grounding and cryogenic grinding and found the latter process to be cleaner.

"The cryogenic process produces fairly smooth fracture surfaces," the CWC report said. "Little or no heat is generated in the process. This results in less degradation of the rubber. In addition, the most significant feature of the process is that almost all fiber or steel is liberated from the rubber resulting in a high yield of usable product and little loss of rubber."

The report compared surface temperatures from Maple Park field and Stadium Field at Ridgewood High School to find that the artificial surface measured 30 degrees Fahrenheit higher than natural grass, but at 39 inches above the surface (about chest high on an average student athlete), the temperature difference was only 2 degrees. The report points out that the surface temperatures at the high school tennis courts and track field were "significantly higher" than on the turf.

Environmentally and financially, the report cited information provided by the Parks and Recreation Department that showed the natural grass field at Maple Park required 4,000 pounds of fertilizer annually, at a cost of $1,500 from March to November; 54 hours of mowing; more than 1 million gallons of water, costing $3,500; and 200 pounds of grass seed costing $1,000. The report also accounted for tractor exhaust emissions created by mowing the previous natural grass surface.

Also, Canada geese no longer litter the field with droppings since they cannot eat the turf and generally avoid it, according to the report.

Various sports coaches interviewed for the report said there are fewer injuries (especially knee and ankle) at Maple than on the natural grass fields due to "poor" conditions at the latter, which were attributed to weather impacting the consistency of the fields and the difficulty in maintaining them.

Field Turf backs an eight-year warranty for Maple Field, but its expected lifespan is between 12 and 15 years. REAC contacted Field Turf for the report and the company emphasized that it would recycle the field surface at the end of its usefulness.

The report also provides explanations from Field Turf as to why the drainage has improved at Maple Field. Underneath the turf surface there is an 8-inch layer of stone beneath the sand and rubber infill. Drainage channels under the stone layer direct water to the perimeter drainage trenches, where it slowly drains into the water table. The trenches can hold 8 inches of water, or between 20,000 to 25,000 gallons, before exceeding their threshold and draining into pipes that lead to the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook.

"… The stone base under the field has the ability to hold hundreds of thousands of gallons of water," the report states. "This means that a significant amount of water will be contained in the stone base beneath the field before the drainage trenches approach a level, at which they will begin to drain."

For the full report, visit ridgewoodreac.com.

E-mail: sedon@northjersey.com

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Relay Service Phone Scam Targets Southern Arizona Businesses - Tucson Citizen

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 01:38 PM PST

For the fourth time since March, a Tucson automotive repair facility has notified BBB that they were contacted by a scammer using a relay service intended to assist persons who are hearing impaired.

The scam can take slightly different forms, but will almost always involve the use of a stolen credit card. Here is a rundown of the various forms the scam has taken in Southern Arizona this year:

- On December 7, BBB received an email from Flash Automotive stating that they had been contacted by a scammer over the Telecommunication Relay System (TRS). The caller told Flash Automotive that he needed to have a car towed from Chicago to Tucson, and the towing company would not accept a credit card as payment for the $3,000 tow bill.

The scammer's proposition for Flash Automotive: he would give Flash his credit card and they would in turn wire cash to the caller to pay the towing company, while keeping a smaller sum for themselves as payment. Fortunately Flash Automotive didn't fall for this trick and politely told the scammer to get lost.

- In early September, BBB received a call from Jimmy's Broadway Automotive Service after they received a call via TRS from someone who said they wanted to have their car shipped to the shop for repairs. Using the relay service, the scammer offered to pay Jimmy's over the phone with a credit card.

However, there was catch: Jimmy's was to forward the money from the credit card transaction to the shipping company to pay for transportation of the car. Jimmy's told BBB that although the scammer "tried diligently" to lure them in for about 15 minutes, ultimately the call raised too many red flags and they refused the offer.

- On June 30, BBB received a call from Canyon RV Center, in Tucson, saying they had been contacted by someone using a relay service to inquire about buying $4,000 worth of parts. The caller used the name "Lisa Marie" and claimed a Yuma address.

She emailed the business a credit card number and attempted to make arrangements for someone to pick the parts up when the order arrived. The business owner became suspicious when he noticed that a passport provided as identification by the scammer was tampered with, and refrained from ordering the parts. Several days later the bank notified him that the credit card the scammer provided was stolen.

- In March, BBB reported a man had contacted a different Tucson auto repair facility via a relay service and told them he was going to have his car towed to their facility and he wanted to wire money directly into the business' account. When the business owner started asking questions the caller hung up.

If you receive a similar call don't provide account information to the caller, don't order any supplies, and be wary of any of payment the caller offers. Do try to get as much information as possible and contact your BBB at 520-888-5353 or info@tucson.bbb.org.

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