Consumer Confidential: Sentiment, streets, Star Trek

Here's your finish-line-Friday roundup of consumer news from around the Web:

-- Consumer sentiment took a little tumble this month as the realization set in among many that jobs may not be a big factor in the economic recovery, at least not right away. Optimism among consumers is now at the weakest level in three months. Seems to me, though, that consumers have been pretty snippy for a long time now, so this isn't going to change the economic landscape much.

-- They take their privacy seriously in Switzerland. The country's privacy watchdog says he'll drag Google to court to make the Web giant change how it's photographing streets as part of grand plans to map the world. Swiss authorities want to ensure that all faces of Swiss folk are obscured, and that nobody gets a glimpse of private areas, such as walled gardens. Google says it'll fight for its right to take pictures of stuff, whether you like it or not.

-- When makers of the new "Star Trek Online" video game started working out the concept of the huge, multi-player setting, they originally didn't want to include allowing players to sit in Capt. Kirk's chair on the bridge of the Enterprise. In fact, they figured they wouldn't include the bridge of any starships. Happily, cooler heads prevailed, and the game makers now say that, yes, you can Kirk out as much as you want. Beam me up.

-- David Lazarus

Consumer Confidential: Foreclosures, cleaning products and video games

Here's your thick-as-Thursday roundup of consumer news from around the Web:

-- Things are still tough on the housing front but maybe not as tough as before. Market researcher RealtyTrac said foreclosure filings were down 3% last month from the month before, but were up 19% from a year earlier. Analysts say we aren't out of the woods yet, but the trend line suggests that the housing market is gradually improving. About time too.

-- Is it possible to keep your home too clean? A new report says yes. The group Women's Voices for the Earth says many households overdo it with disinfectant products, making people more vulnerable to asthma, hormone imbalances and other health problems. "Companies are working hard to convince consumers, and especially moms, that they need to regularly disinfect every surface in their homes to protect their families from illness," Alexandra Scranton, a staff scientist with the group. "But that’s simply not true, and it may not be healthy."

-- I wrote the other day about visiting with people in line at a Best Buy store for the latest "Call of Duty" video game. Today, I can close the loop by reporting that Activision Blizzard sold $310 million worth of games -- 4.7 million copies -- within the first 24 hours of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" going on sale. And that's just in North America and Britain. Could it be that a few of us have some aggression issues to work out?

-- David Lazarus

Consumer Confidential: Games, games and games

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

--Activision's new video game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, went on sale shortly after midnight today. Industry analysts expect the shoot-'em-up to be one of the fastest-selling titles ever, with as many as 13 million copies estimated to be sold by the end of the year. I stopped by a Best Buy outlet in West L.A. where Activision was planning a big launch party. Javier Rivera, 25, was first in line for the new Call of Duty. He said he'd gotten there at 5 a.m., meaning that he planned to stand around for 19 hours to get his hands on the game. "I'm not working today," he explained. "I am working tomorrow." But not very alertly, it's safe to assume.

--Maybe guys like Rivera are one reason that game retailer GameStop says it expects sales to remain brisk this holiday season, even though analysts say consumers aren't buying as many titles as they used to.

--Speaking of high-stakes games, the head of Bank of America, Ken Lewis, says history will vindicate his company's big-bucks purchase of brokerage Merrill Lynch & Co. Right after it vindicates the invasion of Iraq, that is.

— David Lazarus

Consumer Confidential: Recovery, video games, Exxon

Here's your thrilling Thursday roundup of consumer news from around the Web:

--The economy's on the upswing. Jobs, not so much. All eyes are now fixed on whether consumers will keep spending into next year, pushing corporate profits higher and maybe, just maybe, prompting one or two employers to start hiring again. I'm thinking that since the cash for clunkers program was such a boon to the auto industry, how about cash-for-pretty-much-every-other-big-thing? I'm sure there are lots of appliances and beds and other stuff that people would be more than happy to replace, if the price was right. Just saying.

--Despite the fact that my family finally took the plunge and bought a Wii this year, committing us to a never-ending cycle of splurging on new games, our friends at Nintendo say their profit fell by more than 50% since April. The main reason: Wii sales are on the wane. I'll cut you a deal, guys. Slash your game prices and I'll buy everything with "Mario" in the title. A win-win for us both.

--Exxon Mobil says its profit fell by 68% in the most recent quarter as oil prices came down. Man, that just breaks my heart. Last year, lest we forget, the oil giant pocketed the biggest wad in U.S. corporate history -- more than $45 billion.

-- David Lazarus

Consumer Confidential: Low fares, video games, home prices

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

--How's this for a deal? Southwest Airlines is charging the same for a one-way ticket that some other carriers charge just to check a bag. The airline says it will charge just $25 for a one-way ticket to travel up to 375 miles. The price rises to $50 if you're going up to 549 miles, and to $75 for up to 999 miles. If you're flying more than 1,000 miles, that'll be a nice, round $100. One catch: The fares apply only for travel between Dec. 2 and Dec. 16, and Jan. 5 and Feb. 10. And, as they say, other restrictions apply.

--Heads up, sofa spuds: Time to put all that video gaming to use. GameStop says it's hiring about 15,000 seasonal workers to help with the holiday rush for games. The company wants experienced gamers who know a thing or two about "Grand Theft Auto" or "Lego Star Wars." And, the economy being what it is, GameStop says it fully expects to receive more applications than it can accommodate with open positions. One other thing: Those positions pay just minimum wage.

--Home prices are up for a third straight month. If you're in the market for new digs and you haven't bought yet at fire-sale prices, that train's about to leave the station.

-- David Lazarus

Target settles CPSC allegations of selling toys with lead paint in $600,000 fine

Target Corp. has agreed to pay a $600,000 fine for allegedly violating the federal lead paint ban for toys, the Consumer Products Safety Commission said.

The civil penalty is a part of a settlement between the Commission and the Minneapolis, Minn., retailer that stems from accusations by the agency that Target knowingly imported and sold multiple toys with paint or other coatings containing illegal amounts of lead from May 2006 to August 2007.

The agency also accused Target of failing to prevent toys or other children’s products with lead in them from being imported or sold in its stores, which created a risk of lead poisoning and children's health problems.

As a part of the settlement, Target has denied Commission allegations that it broke any laws.

Target voluntarily recalled the toys in question, including Anima Bamboo Collection Games, Happy Giddy Gardening Tools, Kool Toyz and Sunny Patch Chairs, the agency said.

Lead has been banned from toy paint since 1978.

-- Nathan Olivarez-Giles

Photos: Recalled Kool Toyz products (top) and Anima Bamboo Collection Games (bottom). Credit: Consumer Product Safety Commission

Burning 'Wii-mote' controller charging stations lead to recall

The Nintendo Wii is known for its innovative motion-sensitive controllers and interactive game play. 

But the fun can come to a stop if the "Wii-mote" controller hurts your hands because of a burning battery -- which is why Griffin International Cos. recalled about 220,000 charging stations today, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

Griffin's Wii controller accessories, the Psyclone Essentials and React four-dock battery recharging stations, can overheat and pose a burn or fire hazard, the commission said.

The Minneapolis company has received six reports of controller battery packs overheating, with two consumers receiving minor burns to their hands, the agency said.

The charging docks and battery packs were made in China.

The product's model numbers, Psyclone (PSE6501) and React (RT530), can be found on the bottom of the controller dock.

The Psyclone chargers were sold at Target, Toys 'R' Us and Amazon.com and the React units were sold at Best Buy stores from January 2008 to July 2009 for about $50, the commission said.

Consumers are asked to immediately stop using these products. Griffin is offering a free replacement and can be contacted at 888-344-4702, by e-mail at productsafety@psyclonegamer.com or online at www.psyclonegamer.com/Wii4Dock.

-- Nathan Olivarez-Giles

Photos: Wii-mote controllers docked in a Psyclone Essentials Wii four-dock battery recharging station. Credit: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

'The Biggest Loser' coming on Wii, Nintendo DS

 

If you think Bob and Jillian are relentless on NBC's "The Biggest Loser," wait until they're actually inside your living room.

The Wii and Nintendo DS/DSi version of "The Biggest Loser,"coming this fall, seems to promise everything except someone who will come over and do the workouts for you: Set at "The Biggest Loser" ranch, the game features Bob and Jillian coaching you through workouts and challenges. Interactive features include using the Wii Balance Board to monitor your movements as you perform more than 60 exercises such as squats, lunges, cardio and -- Bob's favorite -- yoga. There's also diet and fitness advice and recipes. There are multi-player options and the ability to set goals and pick a four-, eight- or 12-week program to get there. (The Wii will go for $39.99 and the DS/DSi version for $29.99.)

Can't help but wonder: If you start slacking off, will Bob read you the riot act like he did with Joelle last season? Or will it include Jillian's now infamous line, "Unless you faint, puke or die...KEEP WALKING!!!"

-- Rene Lynch

Photo credit: www.biggestloserthegame.com

L.A.'s last Virgin Megastore launches going-out-of-business sale

The Hollywood Virgin Megastore has started the process of cutting prices and emptying its shelves in preparation for an expected mid-June closing. It's part of the nationwide shutdown of the music store chain announced in March.

Here's the lowdown on what the closure means for shoppers from our colleague Todd Martens over at the L.A. Times' music blog Pop and Hiss.

"The countdown has begun. The last remaining Los Angeles outpost of the Virgin Megastore retail chain launched its going-out-of-business sale last week, with music, DVD and video game products marked down from 10% to 30%.

The clearance sale officially began Thursday. A weekend visit revealed the store to still be fully stocked, and as of Sunday night one would hardly know the store was on its last legs. April's music and DVD releases were on wide display, and most CDs and DVDs were discounted 20%. Those looking for video game bargains may have to hold out a bit, as discounts in the electronic department were largely at 10%.

The staff hasn't been given a timetable for the sale, and an official closing date has not yet been announced, said one of the store's workers. The largest discount right now is at 30% off, but that number will increase in the coming days.

If and when Pop & Hiss gets an official closing date, we'll update this post. A Virgin spokeswoman says the store is expected to close in mid-June.

The closure of Virgin will leave the neighborhood with one last notable record store -- the indie behemoth Amoeba Records. There has, however, been a recent influx of vinyl-centric stores in nearby communities."

-- Nathan Olivarez-Giles

Dodgers lower prices for soda, water, beer and All-You-Can-Eat-Pavilion

The boys in blue want to help you save a little green.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are lowering prices $10 this season for tickets in their popular All-You-Can-Eat-Pavilion in right field, as well as shaving a couple bucks off the cost of soda, water and beer sold at Chavez Ravine. All-You-Can-Eat-Pavilion serves unlimited Dodger Dogs, Nachos, Peanuts, Popcorn, soft drinks and water.

Here's the rundown on the dropped prices at Dodger Stadium, as reported today by our brother blog Dodger Thoughts.

• Soft drinks will start at $3.75, down from $5; bottled water will start at $3.75, down from $5.75; and beer will start at $6, down from $8. In addition, there will be no increase in the price of the popular Dodger Dogs or any other food items from concession stands or vendors. (Those who bring their own food to the game will continue to pay $0.)
• Price of the All-You-Can-Eat Pavilion will drop from $35 per game to $25 per game for 70 of the 81 home games.
• As previously announced, all 2009 ticket prices remain the same as in 2008. Children’s tickets start at $7 (when purchased day of the game), adults tickets start at $9 (when purchased in advance), and with a 12-game mini-plan, ticket prices start at only $4.
• Also back from 2008: Autograph Alley, which gives families an opportunity to meet a Dodgers Legend and get his autograph before every game, and Kids Corral, which allows children who come early to go onto the warning track next to the Dodgers Dugout and see the players up close, with the chance to get autographs. And similar to a program started in 2008, kids can shag home-run balls behind a new, low, center field fence during batting practice.

-- Nathan Olivarez-Giles

Photo: A Dodger dog with ketchup, mustard and relish. Credit: Los Angeles Times