Consumer News: Here’s why it’s harder to find a job right now

Tape, label, done: USPS grabs it at your door

• Some shoppers now see a USPS doorstep-pickup as anAmazonreturn optionschedule a free pickup, print a label, box it, and USPS grabs it

• Amazons label-free, box-free drop-offs (Whole Foods, UPS Store, Kohls, Staples, etc.) still exist and are often fastest if you dont want to print/pack

• Who benefits most: No-car or mobility-limited shoppers, apartment dwellers with secure package rooms, and anyone returning bulky-but-light items that are awkward to carry

Amazon has quietly turned on a USPS doorstep-pickup option for some returns. The feature started rolling out over the summer and is appearing for select items/addresses when a return is initiated.

Amazon hasnt shared the full coverage map yet, but early user reports (e.g., Nashville) match what the company confirmed: if you see it, you can schedule a free USPS return pickup, print a label, and box the item yourself.

Why this is happening

Returns are now a front-door battleground. The U.S. Postal Service is chasing return revenue that has been dominated by UPS in terms of Amazon returns. A pickup return option embedded in Amazons flow helps USPS grow that slice while giving Amazon another way to absorb the post-holiday flood of returns.

Whats actually new vs. what already existed

If you see a USPS pickup option within Amazons return choices, youll get to pick a return window and the USPS comes to your door for the item. Coverage is very spotty for now but look for that to change in 2026.

USPS has long allowed free Package Pickup for prepaid labels during normal delivery. I personally use the option all the time for items I sell on eBay and its incredibly convenient. Amazon is effectively routing some returns into that preexisting service.

Still there: Amazons label-free, box-free drop-offs (Whole Foods, UPS Store, Kohl's, Staples, etc.), which most shoppers have within 5 miles. For many items, thats still the fastest path if you dont want to print the label and box up the item.

Who this helps the most

The slow rollout of this service clearly helps those without a car and those with mobility issues. Folks who would otherwise have to find a ride to a return drop-off location would greatly benefit.

It would also be super convenient for returning those bulky-but-light items (pillows, small appliances) that are awkward to carry, but easy to tape up and set on the front porch.

Also, apartment dwellers with safe and reliable package rooms could place the return where USPS normally delivers.

Fine print & gotchas

Not universal: If you dont see USPS pickup in your return options, your item or address likely isnt supported yet. Try a different method.

You must box it up: Unlike label-free drop-offs, you provide the box and printed label. (If you lack a printer, drop-off may be easier.)

Hazmat/oversize rules apply: Some categories cant be shipped via standard USPS pickup.

Security reality: Porch pickups are definitely convenient, but if your building lacks a secure area, you're taking a risk that could be avoided by dropping your return at Whole Foods, Kohl's, Staples, or a UPS Store.

Quick shopper playbook

Start the return on Amazon and be sure to compare methods side-by-side. Pick the one thats $0 and the least hassle. (USPS pickup vs. label-free drop-off)

Package smart for USPS pickup: sturdy box, interior padding, label fully taped; set it where your carrier normally delivers.

Time it right: Post-holiday slots will probably fill quickly. If youre eligible for pickup, schedule early once you decide to return the item.

Document the condition (a quick phone photo before sealing the box) and keep the receipt and return confirmation until youre refunded.

Lawsuit follows earlier controversy over Flex program

Lawsuit accuses NZXT and partner Fragile Inc. of misleading advertising and deceptive leasing terms
Customers claim rent-to-own promises and premium hardware offers were false
Company has until December 23 to respond to the complaint in federal court

A class action lawsuit has been filed against PC hardware maker NZXT Inc. and its partner, Fragile Inc., over the companies Flex PC rental program. The complaint, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accuses the firms of conspiring to defraud consumers through gross misrepresentations and illegal business practices.

According to the filing, Fragile acted as a debt collection and payment services company that administers and manages the Program. The lawsuit claims NZXT and Fragile misled consumers through influencer campaigns and online advertising that suggested the Flex program was a rent-to-own option rather than a rental service. Ads allegedly promised no contracts, no commitment, and zero strings attached, along with a lifetime warranty and the right to own the rented PCs after regular payments assertions the complaint says were untrue.

Discrepancies in PC specifications

The complaint also alleges that customers were promised new, high-end hardware but received used or lower-spec components instead. One example cites a customer expecting a system with an RTX 4090 graphics card who instead received a model containing an RTX 4080. The suit claims that Flex PCs were marketed using the same names as NZXTs pre-built desktop lines, despite offering different specifications.

Heres a short explainer sidebar to run alongside the main story:

What is NZXTs Flex program?

NZXT launched its Flex PC rental service in 2023 as a way for gamers to access high-performance desktops without paying full retail price upfront. The program allowed customers to lease pre-built PCs on a monthly basis, with the option to upgrade or return them after the term ended.

The service was promoted as a flexible, commitment-free alternative to ownership and in some influencer advertising, was portrayed as a rent-to-own path to acquiring a gaming rig. That distinction is now central to the class-action complaint filed against NZXT and its partner, Fragile Inc.

Under the program, customers could select systems branded similarly to NZXTs retail models, such as the Player or Creator series, and pay a monthly fee that covered maintenance, support, and potential upgrades. Critics and some former participants have claimed the marketing created confusion about whether payments built equity toward ownership.

While the program remains listed on NZXTs website, all product pages for Flex PCs currently appear inactive, and its unclear whether the service is still accepting new customers.

Company response and current status

NZXT has not yet filed a formal response to the lawsuit, with the court extending its deadline to December 23, 2025. In the meantime, the companys Flex Program website appears to have been taken offline, preventing new sign-ups.

While the lawsuits filing does not constitute proof of wrongdoing, it marks another reputational setback for NZXT, whose CEO Johnny Hou previously issued a public apology for issues with the program in a 2024 YouTube video. The company has said it does not comment on pending litigation.

Compensation tops $134 million for top ten execs in Consumer Federation study

More than a dozen people aboard the jet were treated at hospitals

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The JetBlue Airways flight 1230 en route from Cancn International Airport (CUN) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) experienced a sudden loss of altitude and was forced to make an emergency landing.

• The aircraft an Airbus A320 dropped roughly 14,500 feet in five minutes and then an additional 12,200 feet in the next five minutes, before diverting to Tampa International Airport (TPA).

• Around 15 to 20 passengers sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including at least one head laceration, and were transported to local hospitals after the aircraft landed safely at approximately 2:20 p.m. in Tampa.

More than a dozen people aboard a JetBlue flight from Mexico to New Jersey were injured when the jet abruptly lost altitude. JetBlue Flight 1230 departed Cancn bound for Newark when, about an hour into the flight, the crew reported a flight control issue. According to altitude tracking data, the jet plunged dramatically before beginning its diversion.

The aircraft landed at Tampa International Airport, where emergency medical crews were prepared. Local rescue services confirmed 15 to 20 people were evaluated and transported to hospitals for treatment.

In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is investigating the incident, and JetBlue announced the aircraft has been removed from service for inspection while emphasizing passenger and crew safety as its top priority.

Injuries and passenger accounts

While no fatalities have been reported at this stage, the injuries sustained ranged from head lacerations to shock and minor trauma, largely due to the rapid descent and unexpected turbulence. Emergency radio audio captured at the time included a report of at least three people injured maybe a laceration in the head.

Passengers described the event as sudden and terrifying: one moment cruising, the next a sharp plunge. Flight attendants and crew moved swiftly to secure the cabin, and medical personnel met the plane on arrival.

JetBlue issued a brief public statement saying: Our team has taken the aircraft out of service for inspection, and we will conduct a full investigation to determine the cause. The safety of our customers and crewmembers is always our first priority, and we will work to support those involved.
The FAA confirmed it has opened an investigation into the descent and equipment/flight-control systems of the Airbus A320.

The carriage dispute comes at a crucial time for sports fans

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• More than 10 million U.S. subscribers to YouTube TV lost access to a major lineup of networks from The Walt Disney Company, including ESPN, ABC, FX and National Geographic, after the carriage agreement between the two sides expired without renewal late Thursday.

• The dispute centers on fees and competitive positioning: Disney accuses Google (YouTube TVs parent) of using its market dominance to demand below-market rates, while YouTube TV claims Disneys proposed terms would force a subscription-price hike for customers and steer viewers toward Disney-owned platforms like Hulu + Live TV.

• As the blackout kicks off just as the college-football season hits a high point, YouTube TV is offering a $20 credit to affected subscribers if the channels remain unavailable for an extended period.

In a dramatic escalation of carriage-fees tensions in U.S. streaming television, YouTube TV and Disney failed to strike a renewal deal by the midnight deadline, prompting the immediate removal of Disneys collection of premium networks from YouTube TVs lineup.

Late Thursday night, YouTube TV alerted its users that channels owned or operated by Disney would go dark, shortly before the official contract expiration time. Disney responded by accusing Google of refusing to pay fair rates for its content, while YouTube TV fired back that Disney was attempting to raise costs on its platform and drive customers toward Disneys own live-TV services.

In a statement on X, Google TV said the standoff is over higher rates demanded by Disney, and that the platform is holding firm to protect subscribers from higher rates.

The blackout affects networks across the board: major sports outlets like ESPN are unusable on YouTube TV, ABCs linear broadcasts are gone, and broader entertainment and factual-programming brands such as FX, National Geographic and Freeform are also off the service.

Why now?

The underlying issue is two-fold:

1. Escalating rights costs and subscriber pressure. YouTube TV, which claims more than 10 million subscribers, says it refuses to accept a deal from Disney that would push more costs onto consumers and degrade the value of the bundle.

2. Streaming competitive dynamics. Disney argues that the contract fight is less about cost and more about YouTube TVs desire to integrate Disneys streaming apps (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) into its platform, something Disney has rejected. Meanwhile, Disney views the blackout as serving its strategy of steering viewers toward its own platforms.

Impact on consumers and sports viewers

The timing couldnt be worse for sports fans: the beginning of college footballs most intense weekend coincides with the blackout, meaning YouTube TV subscribers may miss marquee match-ups as well as ESPNs flagship shows like College GameDay. Viewers who rely solely on YouTube TV for live programming may now have to resort to alternate services, antennas or other subscriptions to catch the action.

Each side says it remains willing to negotiate, though neither is blinking yet. YouTube TV has promised a $20 credit for subscribers if the channels remain off the service for an extended period. Disneys public messaging signals that it will hold firm, framing Google as leveraging its size to undercut industry norms.

Historically, carriage disputes like this have sometimes resolved at the eleventh hour, but given the layers of streaming competition and strategic stakes this time, analysts worry the outage could last longer than past fights.