Consumer Issues

By MARY BETH MCLAUGHLIN
Monday, November 20, 2006
Automated teller machines revolutionized the banking business when they were introduced nearly 40 years ago, but today's customers are proving to be fickle.

A growing reliance on debit cards for such everyday purchases as a fast-food lunch, coupled with the ease of online banking to track balances, means use of the machines in dollar terms has declined locally and nationally.

But rather than abandon the machines, banks are seeking new places for them and are experimenting with sophisticated equipment to make transactions easier.

"People still want them and they still want them where they need them," said Paul Meinerding, senior vice president of KeyBank in Toledo.

By MARVIN WALBERG
Monday, November 20, 2006
Dear Mr. Walberg:

I worked for my previous employer for six years and always received regular, generous raises, and never received any negative comments regarding my work, demeanor, or ability to contribute to my team.

Early this year, I had to go on FMLA, family leave, to care for my daughter who was diagnosed with colon cancer.

By RICHARD WILLIAMSON
Monday, November 20, 2006

2007 CHRYSLER ASPEN LIMITED

TYPE: 4-wheel-drive, seven-passenger, four-door sport utility vehicle.

PRICE: $33,520 base ($30,668 invoice

By RICHARD WILLIAMSON
Thursday, November 16, 2006
At Chrysler, design is destiny.

Lacking the quality reputation of Toyota or the market share of General Motors, the smallest member of the traditional Big Three, has sought to dazzle the world with breakthrough designs on cars such as the retro PT Cruiser, the cunning Crossfire and the dramatic 300 full-size sedan.

Thus, stylists had to come up with something pretty keen for the introduction of the first sport utility vehicle to bear the Chrysler nameplate.

By SUE STOCK
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Through the course of this experiment, I got 90 e-mail messages, 45 letters and a couple of boxes of samples.

Companies that responded in a timely, personal manner made me feel good about the company.

By SUE STOCK
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
For me, coupons are a way of life. I clip them, file them and use them to save. I swap extras with friends, print coupons online and look forward to the Sunday paper all week long.

On a really good week, I can save as much as 70 percent on my grocery bill.

And I'm always looking for ways to save more.

By HOLDEN LEWIS
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
In the next couple of years, a combination of rising mortgage interest rates and falling home values could plunge thousands of homeowners underwater.

Being underwater means owing more than the house is worth.

By JUSTIN BERTON
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Jonathan Chee, a freshman at University of California Davis, recently overheard some buddies in his dorm laughing about the "World of Warcraft" episode of "South Park." Because Chee doesn't own a television, he watched the show on his laptop later that evening via GoogleVideo.

By JON CHAVEZ
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
With Thanksgiving a mere two weeks away, Web sites listing bargains that national retailers plan to feature on Nov. 24 have begun revealing those closely guarded secrets once more, much to the dismay of some big chains.

Black Friday Internet sites thus far have uncovered specials to be offered by nine large retailers, including Kmart, Sears, J.C.

By JAMES DERK
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Reader mail fills the box this week as people are hitting the stores looking for their Playstation 3. (As George Clooney said, Good Night and Good Luck.)

Q.