Top 10 Rip-Offs of 2007

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to stop wasting money, Consumer Reports recommends starting with some of the regular products you buy.

The publication has released its Top 10 rip-offs for everyday items.

Although rip-off No. 10 has caused a few health scares, that's not why Consumer Reports recommends you toss bagged salad for good in 2008.

The publication said consumers are paying way too much for salad greens that don't stay fresh for very long.

Rip-off No. 9 are those cheap monthly plans the wireless companies offer. With all of the fees, Consumer Reports said, they cost 30 percent more than advertised.

The No. 8 rip-off is the toothpaste that claims to whiten your teeth. None of the special brands Consumer Reports tested works any better than the normal stuff.

Rip-off No. 7 is the automatic shower cleaner advertised on TV. The only thing it cleans, according to the magazine, is your wallet.

Expensive car batteries come in at No. 6. Apparently, they don't work much better than the cheaper ones.

Rip-off No. 5, are the quick stain remover sticks. According to Consumer Reports, the stains usually stay.

Gift cards from banks come in at No. 4. Unlike the ones issued by individual stores, bank gift cards often expire quickly and come with hidden fees.

Rip-off No. 3 is "wild salmon" fillets. Consumer Reports said "wild" salmon is out of season in the winter, meaning the stuff in the stores is often farm-raised.

Expensive packaging, like the no-waste squeeze bottles for condiments, comes in at No. 2. Evidently, you get more out of a jar.

And Consumer Reports' No. 1 rip-off are shrinking cereal boxes. Companies like Kellogg's are decreasing the box size but not the prices.

One more note if you like using fancy razors. Consumer Reports also tested Gillette's new, five-blade fusion razor and found that it doesn't work much better than the older one.

From Call 4 Action: Top 10 Rip-Offs of 2007 - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/14953738/detail.html?rss=pit&psp=news