Amazon offers same-day shipping to selected cities (none in California)

In anticipation of the holidays, Amazon.com has unwrapped a same-day delivery service to recipients in seven U.S cities. Local express delivery will be available in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Las Vegas, Seattle and Washington, D.C., according to the company, and will soon be extended to Chicago, Indianapolis and Phoenix.

So what's wrong with California? Amazon has overlooked our sunny cities filled with deep-pocketed consumers ready to satiate their shopping cravings. On the bright side, perhaps the exclusion is tacit acknowledgment of Californians' ability to plan.

According to Amazon, "Now, if a customer needs a last-minute present for a birthday or wants a copy of their book club book before the weekend starts, they can order from Amazon instead of the hassle of a last-minute trip to the mall."

The service costs $5.99 per item for Amazon Prime members. For others, charges depend on the price of the purchase.

-- Melissa Rohlin

Consumer Confidential: Fees, sales and coupons

Here's your totally-Tuesday roundup of consumer news from around the Web:

--Only an airline would think of charging a fee for avoiding fees. Our friends at United Airlines have announced a new program in which passengers can pay $249 a year for the privilege of checking in two -- yes, two! -- standard bags without paying extra. But United says the program won't cover overweight bags, so you're still on your own there. Anyone want to bet how long it takes all the other carriers to follow suit?

--We've been hearing that it's going to be an ugly holiday season for retailers. But how ugly are we talking? The National Retail Federation says it expects sales this season to be down about 1% from last year, to $437.6 billion. My hunch is that this'll prompt most stores to slash prices in a bid to woo the few dollars shoppers are willing to spend. Keep a sharp eye out for sales.

--Ask.com wants to make bargain hunting easier. The search site is unveiling a new service that will allow users to sift through dozens of discount sites in search of money-saving online coupons. It will also mark regular search results with a special icon to let people know that a related coupon may be available. Electronic coupons now account for about 3% of all coupons used. Expect that number to grow as services like this make it simpler for people to ferret out deals.

-- David Lazarus

Buy a smoothie, get one for $1 at Jamba Juice

Cool off on the cheap at Jamba Juice.

Buy any size smoothie and get an additional 16 oz. smoothie for a buck. Just take in this coupon before it expires Sept. 27.

The limit is one coupon per customer and the deal is not available at Safeway, Vons or Pavilion locations. Check here for your nearest location.

-- W.J. Hennigan 

Half off at Boston Market over Labor Day weekend

Don’t want to barbecue this Labor Day weekend?

Let Boston Market do the work.

Stop by any participating Boston Market restaurant Saturday through Monday and get 50% off a purchase of any Family Meal or Market Feast. Just present this coupon.

Check with your local restaurant and make sure it recognizes the deal.

-- W.J. Hennigan

Baja Fresh burrito giveaway on Facebook

Baja Fresh's last promotion involving free burritos was madness, but the restaurant chain is at it again.

It's giving away free burritos with a large beverage purchase from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. today at some of its locations. Check with your local restaurant. Many are not participating.

To qualify for the deal, customers will need to become a fan of Baja Fresh on Facebook for the coupon. Then, print out your Facebook page.

Present the printout with a valid ID and you can help yourself to a free burrito -- as long as you pick up a large beverage in the process.

Why is all the verification necessary?

Back on July 22, Baja Fresh planned on giving away about 1,800 free burritos to fans who downloaded a coupon from its Facebook page. Instead, the coupon went viral, people made copies and Baja Fresh ended up giving away more than 50,000 burritos.

After cooking and rolling up 48,200 more burritos than planned, Baja changed the game plan.

-- W.J. Hennigan

Purchase a burger, get free fries and drink

Here's the latest fast-food effort to lure stingy diners: Grab a new Angus burger from McDonald’s and get a medium order of fries and medium drink for free.

The fast-food giant is offering the deal through this printable coupon. The offer is only good at participating restaurants until Aug. 31, so check with your local Mickey D’s and see if it’s honoring the coupon.

The new Angus Third Pounder comes in one size, of course, but three flavors: deluxe, mushroom and swiss, and bacon and cheese.

-- W.J. Hennigan

Toys "R" Us back-to-school offers

With the school year right around the corner, retailers are starting to  roll out back-to-school specials.

Toys “R” Us has a number of "buy one, get one free" offers. Check out its website for deals on crayons, colored pencils and Elmer’s glue – among others.

The store also has an offer for a free lunch kit with the purchase of any backpack that costs $12.99 or more.

The offer runs until Aug. 1 while supplies last. Ask your local store for details.

--W.J. Hennigan

Frugal Festival comes to Van Nuys

Like-minded penny pinchers will come together Sunday in Van Nuys for the Frugal Fe$tival, which, not surprisingly, is free to the public.

The event, to be held from 1 to 4 p.m. in Woodley Park, will feature coupon exchanges, 15-minute appointments with a professional financial adviser and other activities for the thrifty-at-heart.

Guests can bring electronics to recycle while participating in a free raffle with prizes such as a Toshiba laptop, copies of “The Scavengers’ Manifesto” and the “99 Cent Only Stores Cookbook,” $20 Gelson's gift certificates and cash.

Frugal fair-goers can also see a demonstration of the new website BargainBabeLA.com.

-- Tiffany Hsu

Panda Express offers free entree item with purchase

If you’re really hungry and short on cash, Panda Express has got you covered.

The fast-food Chinese restaurant is offering a free single-serving entree item with a purchase of a two-entree plate.

That means help yourself to a free order of Kung Pao chicken, along with your Orange chicken and Mongolian beef.

If you want the goods, bring in this coupon. And make sure to check with your local restaurant to see if it will honor the offer.

Be quick, the deal expires Wednesday.

-- W.J. Hennnigan

Consumers expected to scrimp on back-to-school shopping

The economic downturn is expected to have a major impact on back-to-school spending, with 85% of Americans making changes to their back-to-school plans this year.

The average family with students in kindergarten through high school is expected to spend $548.72 on back-to-school merchandise this year, a decline of 7.7% from $594.24 in 2008, according to a survey released today by the National Retail Federation. Total back-to-school spending is expected to reach $17.42 billion.

The survey found that back-to-school shoppers plan to hunt for sales more often (56.2%), spend less overall (49.6%), purchase more store-brand or generic products (41.7%) and increase their use of coupons (40%).

“The economy has clearly changed the spending habits of American families, which will likely create a difficult back-to-school season for retailers,” said Tracy Mullin, president of the retail federation. “As people focus primarily on price, strong promotions and deep discounts will ultimately win over back-to-school shoppers this year.”

Spending in most back-to-school categories is expected to decrease, with one bright spot: electronics. With personal laptops and desktop computers increasingly affordable for most families, spending on electronics and computer equipment is expected to increase 11%. According to the survey, the average family plans to spend $167.84 on electronics, compared with $151.61 last year.

Families will also spend an average of $204.67 on clothing and accessories, $93.59 on shoes and $82.62 on school supplies.

The poll of 8,367 consumers was conducted from June 30 to July 7 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1%.

Although discount stores (74.5%) will be the most popular destination for back-to-school shoppers, the number of people planning to buy school items at drugstores is expected to rise.

According to the survey, 21.5% of families will shop at drugstores for back-to-school items, compared with 18.2% last year. Drugstores have become more popular recently as their merchandise mix has broadened beyond health and beauty products to include school supplies, small electronics and groceries.

In addition to discounters and drugstores, more than half of back-to-school shoppers will head to department stores (54.4%), nearly half (48.4%) will shop at a clothing store and 41.2% will visit office-supply stores.

Also, 22.2% will shop online, 20.8% will shop at electronics stores and 18.2% will shop at a thrift store.

-- Andrea Chang