Lupe Lasano’s Dirty Gossip Burger

STONY BROOK, N.Y., June 16 (UPI) –

U.S. researchers say they found that people really believe that there is no free lunch, or you can’t get something for nothing.

Study authors Michael A. Kamins of Stony Brook University, Valerie S. Folkes of the University of Southern California and Alexander Fedorikhin of Indiana University find that describing a bundled item — like razors and razor blades — as free decreases the amount consumers are willing to pay for each product when sold individually. They call this the freebie devaluation effect.

Why does a freebie decrease the price consumers are willing to pay for each individual product? Our research shows that consumers tend to make inferences about why they are getting such a great deal that detract from perceptions of product quality, the study authors say in a statement. For example, consumers figure the companies can’t sell the product without this marketing gimmick.

However, the study authors s…

See the full post at People skeptical about \’free\’ products

BERLIN, May 15 (UPI) –

Lead users use products before others do, but opinion leaders are more familiar with products than the average person, European researchers say.

Study authors Jan Kratzer of Berlin University of Technology and Christopher Lettl of University of Aarhus in Denmark examined the attitudes and networks of children who are lead users, people who are most likely to develop and disseminate commercially attractive innovations.

Lead users not only develop novel concepts but also use new prototypes and products before others do, the author said in a statement. This study reveals that lead users are positioned as ‘boundary spanners’ between different social clusters or groups, whereas ‘opinion leaders’ tended to be influential in more local terms.

The researchers gathered data from 537 students ages 9-11 in nine randomly selected public schools in the Netherlands. The children completed surveys that determined whether they might be le…

See the full post at \’Lead users\’ use new products first

CLEVELAND, Oh., Apr. 21 (TOTI) –

In this article, we’ll take a look at the benefits of hybrid cars. Hybrid vehicle sales are on the rise as climate change becomes a greater problem for society. When gas prices stay high, consumers tend to look for ways to cut the expenses of driving. That’s the area where hybrid cars can really excel.

There are three main advantages to owning a hybrid car.

Fuel efficiency. Since a hybrid vehicle uses a combination of a traditional gas engine along with an electric one, fuel efficiency goes up. Electric energy will fuel your car for part of your trips, conserving gas. This will result in a much lower day to day bill for gas.

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Since you’re burning less fossil fuels, your car will pollute much less and be much kinder…

See the full post at Benefits Of Hybrid Cars

CLEVELAND, Oh., Apr. 16 (TOTI) –

Let’s take a look at the hybrid car tax credit, which could help you save money on the purchase of your next hybrid vehicle. In the United States, this tax break is officially known as the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit. The program is relatively straightforward.

“The Energy Policy Act of 2005 replaced the clean-fuel burning deduction with a tax credit. A tax credit is subtracted directly from the total amount of federal tax owed, thus reducing or even eliminating the taxpayer’s tax obligation. The tax credit for hybrid vehicles applies to vehicles purchased or placed in service on or after January 1, 2006.”

The credit is available to the original car purchaser, and is based on a scale that’s derived from the make and model. Her…

See the full post at Hybrid Car Tax Credit

For more information: Auto Knight

Since 2003 Superdry have been putting out designer t-shirts and other designer garments to the fashion conscious public. Only recently though since the appearance of the clothes on a few notable celebrities has the brand come into the view of the mainstream public.

You may not have heard of the name Superdry but, whether on the back of David Beckham, Jude Law, Kate Moss or even some of the punters down your local on a Friday night, I can almost guarantee that you will have seen someone, somewhere sporting a tee with one of their designs. Familiar images such as the Wildcat logo, the infamous Osaka baseball t-shirt, or the Superdry motor oil icon seem to be everywhere these days.

Started in 2003 following an inspirational trip to Tokyo, the brand has grown from its humble UK beginnings and is now available in over 22 countries worldwide with over 8 stores …

See the full post at Superdry T-Shirts

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, March 18 (UPI) –

Live and conscious pigs were accidentally dumped in boiling water at four Swedish meat-processing plants, the National Food Administration says.

The animals are supposed to be heavily sedated before being put into the water but at times some of the animals did not get an adequate dose, said Michael Hugosson, a part-owner of two plants in Lulea. He said the speed of processing might have led to pigs being inadequately dosed.

Christer Lindberg, a veterinarian, told Sveriges Radio he saw pigs regaining consciousness in boiling water.

It’s rather easy to understand that being boiled alive is probably not something someone wants to experience, he said.

Scan, a large Swedish meat producer, shares ownership of the plants in Lulea. Sveriges Radio, citing food agency documents, said similar accidents have occurred at plants in Visby, Rattvik and Kristiansand owned by Scan.

See the full post at Agency: Pigs boiled alive in Sweden

LOS ANGELES, Ca., Mar. 11 (TOTI) –

The base price of the new Honda Insight will come in just under $20,000 at $19,800.

The model is aimed directly at the popular Toyota Prius. With a competitive price and advanced fuel efficiency, Honda Motor Co. thinks they may have created a “Prius killer.”

The Prius carries a base sticker price of $22,000. It looks as if Honda has decided to look for the value-oriented shoppers who are obviously concerned with both gas prices and total cost of ownership.

The Honda Insight is also $4,000 less than the popular Honda Civic. Honda plans on making hybrids an attractive alternative to even its own popular car lines. With several new lines coming in the hybrid lineups, this could be the year the hybrid vehicle comes of age.

The 2010 Toyota Prius will offer 50mpg combined gas…

See the full post at Honda Insight Base Price To Be $19,800

A new review takes a look at the Toyota Venza AWD. The 2009 Toyota Venza AWD V-6 is a cross between a full-sized sedan and an SUV.

Toyota Venza AWD V6

CNN found the car to be constructed in a “high quality” fashion and enjoyed the spacious interior.

In particular, we like the quick view feature that automatically displays point of interest data for the next few exits as you drive along. For example, if you’re speeding down the hig…

See the full post at Toyota Venza AWD Reviewed

LOS ANGELES, Ca., Feb. 11 (TOTI) –

People want better gas mileage, and Toyota is prepared to deliver it to them with their 2010 Prius. The Prius has been the top-selling and award winning Hybrid Electrical Vehicle (HEV) since it’s introduction. The car has always offered consumers a comfortable ride and high fuel efficiency for a reasonable price.

Toyota has put a great emphasis on fuel efficiency with their next generation Prius model, and now motorists can expect a 50mpg average.

“To get there, Toyota switched to a larger and more powerful 1.8-liter I-4 engine. Using what’s known as the Atkinson Cycle, the gasoline side of the powertrain develops more torque — in this situation good for better launch and for i…

See the full post at Toyota Prius 2010 Model To Get 50 MPG

CLEVELAND, Oh., Jan.18, (TOTI) –

If you’re planning on upgrading your TV viewing experience, the Sharp Aquos 42 Inch LCD HDTV is definitely worth checking out.

This large screen LCD HDTV weighs in at 65 pounds and offers full HD 1080p resolution, so picture and sound quality is top notch, making
TV viewing of Blu-Ray DVD and HDTV programming a true theatrical experience. The Sharp Aquos offers 5 HDMI inputs and is
compatible with 1080p signals, and has 2 HD 1080p component video inputs.

This flat screen television is versatile and can be mounted or set on top of an entertainment center for viewing. Watching this large screen television from a side angle isn’t a problem, unlike other flat screen TVs on the market today.