Wednesday, April 3

Web sites/phone numbers mentioned:
• erealty.com - online real estate help
• ziprealty.com - online real estate help
• johnnyjet.com - travel help site
• proposalwriter.com - grant writing help

Gouging gas prices
If you’ve filled up your gas tank in the past few days, you’ve probably had sticker shock. The run up in the price of gasoline is the highest in the shortest part of time since anyone has kept records. This is what economists refer to as “a perfect storm.” There are a number of overall factors in the oil market that have pushed up the price, plus our economy has gotten stronger, which has pushed up demand. Clark checked the wholesale price of a gallon of gas today. This is what really matters when it comes to gas prices. It’s at 80 cents, a huge run up from just a few weeks ago. When you look at premium wholesale, it’s 88 cents. But when you go to the pump, the price spread is more than 20 cents. We must also take into account the war in the Middle East, which puts a “war premium” on the price of gas. So, what happens when you gas up for your summer vacations? The truth is that no one knows. So, do what you can to control the things you can control. Buy smart fuel-efficient cars that use less gas. Buy gas at discount stations, not brand name stations. It’s the same stuff wherever you buy it. And, put regular unleaded gas in your car if that’s what it calls for. There is no reason to use premium unless it specifies on your gas door.

Online real estate help growing
The traffic on our Web site has grown each year as more and more people begin using the Web for research. The National Association of Realtors reports that 70 percent of all people looking for homes start their search on the Net. The Web was not a factor in this process at all several years ago. There was fear of losing information and fear that more people would try to sell their homes on their own. Well, the majority of For Sale Buy Owner (FSBO) sales are still in the hands of traditional agents. But how brokers work with us is changing. The Wall Street Journal reports that sites such as erealty.com and ziprealty.com are blazing a trail in this business. These sites list your information on the Web and do everything a traditional agent would do, but the commissions are much less. And, there are cash bonuses or one percent rebates for people using these sites. YHD Foxton’s is one traditional real estate agency that is offering graded packages that base commissions on the package of services you want. The fewer the services, the lower the commission. So, don’t feel that you have to choose a full commission deal. You have options and can do some of the work yourself to reduce the commission. Exercise your rights.

Stockbrokers get kickbacks
It’s the time of year when ads are everywhere about putting your money into IRAs and mutual funds. Be warned: Clark saw a shocking article in the Wall Street Journal, regarding crooked activity among stockbrokers and mutual fund companies. Basically, stockbrokers are being paid kickbacks to direct you to specific funds that may be no good. The money is shipped through something called a "reallowance.” Mutual fund companies are trying so hard to pump up the sales of their funds, that they are paying the broker to put you in funds that may stink. And where does that money come from? Out of your pocket. They charge their customers very high commissions to help pay off the brokers. Find Clark’s no-load recommended funds at clarkhoward.com. And remember that there is in inherent risk in buying investment products with commissioned salespeople.

Rude Americans
Are your fellow Americans are rude? According to the Public Agenda research group, 80 percent of us say that lack of courtesy is a real problem in the States. About half of those people surveyed say that people talking on cell phones is one of the main annoyances. Clark was recently in an airport where a cell phone “quiet zone” was designated. When it comes to driving, 60 percent of us say that other people drive aggressively. Maybe we could all learn how to back off a little and watch our tounges. Be aware that you may be annoying or rude to people and act on it.

Wow! No more Wow chips
Remember “Wow” chips? They came out a few years ago and were billed as the chips that contained no fat but tasted like real potato chips. Frito Lay, the manufacturer, claimed that the chips were processed easily with a fat substitute called Olestra. Well, rumors in the grocery world shows that Wow chips are going under. The company had to put a warning label on the bags because people were getting sick and experiencing severe stomach problems from eating them. The idea of us trying to eat healthier doesn’t really fit with fat substitutes. We want to be able to eat unhealthy foods and not face any consequences, but that really is not a reality. If you’re going to eat fatty foods, just enjoy them.

Lock in your gas rate
There have been more problems with Georgia's natural gas deregulation than any other free market initiative in Clark's opinion. But the state Legislature is working on smoothing things over. They are working on bills that create new protections for consumers. One of the good things is that there will be more competition. The electric membership corporations or EMCs, for example, are going to be able to fight for customers. Also, we, the consumers, are going to only partially subsidize the big corporations that use natural gas. One of the big, dirty secrets of the deregulation was to allow homeowners to pay more so corporations could pay less. Hopefully, this is changing. As for what you should do right now, it's a good idea to lock in your gas price for the next year now. You can get about 57 to 59 cents per therm right now, which is about half the price a year ago. Check our gas company list to call and compare. Remember, you can negotiate!

Need help?
Have you hit the brick wall of customer no-service? Can't get that satisfaction? Where do you turn? Give the Consumer Action Center a call. Or, post your question or problem on the Clark Howard Message Boards. Your fellow consumers just might have the solution for you.

Got a question for Clark?
The Clark Howard Show will take your consumer questions from
2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.