Consumer News: Get ready to ‘spring forward’ this weekend

Bargains on clothing and furniture continue to draw shoppers

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Thrift store shopping has surged nationwide as consumers shift toward secondhand buying.

• Economic pressures, environmental awareness, and Gen Z cultural trends are driving the boom.

• The secondhand market now outpaces much of traditional retail and shows few signs of slowing.

Americans are flocking to thrift stores in growing numbers, reshaping a segment of retail once seen as niche into a mainstream shopping habit. For many, its the answer to the affordability issue. For others, it offers the thrill of the bargain hunt.

Recent industry data and consumer trends show that secondhand shopping isnt just a fad its becoming a fixture of how many people buy clothes, furniture, and household goods.

Once the domain of bargain hunters and charitable donors, thrift store visits are now rising across income levels and regions. Analytics firm Placer.ai reports that visits to thrift stores have outpaced traditional apparel shopping in recent years, drawing interest from suburban and higher-income shoppers alike a sign that thrift is no longer confined to any single demographic.

A growing market

Industry estimates project the U.S. secondhand market will reach roughly $61 billion in 2026, with apparel resale accounting for much of that growth. Secondhand apparel sales climbed about 14% from 2023 to 2024 and are forecast to continue expanding annually well into the decade.

Whats driving the boom? Economic reality. Persistent cost pressures from inflation to higher clothing prices are pushing more shoppers toward thrift stores for basic needs and value. Nearly half of consumers say new clothes have become too expensive, prompting them to redirect their budgets to secondhand options.

Environmental and ethical concerns are also a factor. A growing segment of shoppers views thrifting as a way to reduce waste and lessen the environmental footprint of their purchases. As sustainability becomes a more prominent part of consumer identity, thrift stores offer a tangible way to put values into practice.

Social media is also playing a roll. Younger generations, especially Gen Z, are enthusiastic thrifters, often blending vintage and unique finds into personal style. Many consumers enjoy the treasure hunt aspect of thrift shopping, and social platforms have amplified the appeal of rare and distinctive pre-owned items.

The rise of resale platforms like Poshmark and the booming online secondhand market have also helped normalize thrift shopping and given consumers alternative ways to shop used goods, further fueling demand.

Challenges and changes

With the surge in popularity comes complexity. Some thrift stores are beginning to adjust pricing and inventory strategies in response to competitive pressures and increased demand, while others grapple with balancing donations, resale interests, and sustainable mission-driven goals.

Retail analysts say thrift shoppings momentum is likely to continue as economic and cultural forces reinforce each other. As households rethink how and where they spend their money, thrift stores from local charity shops to curated vintage boutiques are poised to remain a dynamic part of the retail landscape.

Stop arguing with robots and start getting real help

• Use escalation trigger words. Say agent, representative, billing issue, or legal concern then stop talking so the system flags your request for a human.

• Keep responses short and direct. Long explanations trap you in automated help loops. Try short commands like: Billing error. Need agent.

• Reach out when humans are working. Weekday mornings and afternoons give you the best odds of a live rep. Nights and weekends are often bot-only support.

The next time you call any large company or brand, theres a great chance youre going to start with an AI bot trying to help you. Youcould havea billing question, maybe you want to cancel a service, or perhaps you need technical support. It almost always starts with AI these days.

Companies love AI customer service because it significantly cuts their costs, but it clearly adds a new cost for you: wasted time and major frustration.

The good news is that most AI systems have clever workarounds. You just have to know how to trigger them.

Below are some field-tested tactics that dramatically increase your chances of getting a human quickly, and more importantly, a real resolution to your issue.

Use the 'magic words'that force escalation

Most of these AI bots are trained to escalate your phone call to a human when they hear you say certain pre-determined words or phrases.

To get to a human as quickly as possible, try saying one of the following:

• Agent
• Representative
• Human please
• Escalate this issue
• File a complaint

If all of these fail, try this:

• This issue involves billing or legal rights.

Usually the word billing and legal trigger the AI system to transfer you to a person because many companies flag those categories as higher risk.

Pro tip: After you say your escalation word or phrase, shut up. Resist the temptation to add any new details. Every extra sentence you say gives the bot fresh keywords to latch onto and pull you away from an actual human.

Instead, just let the request sit there so the system flags it for human review instead of trying to solve it over and over again.

Dont over-explain your problem

Bots love long explanations because they can keep you stuck in the companys automated help articles.

Use this bit of information to your advantage and instead, keep your responses short and simple:

• Billing error. Representative.
• Account problem. Need agent.
• Human support.
• Speak to representative.

If you tell the bot your entire issue, it will try to solve it with prewritten responses and help articles.

But if you use short phrases, youre more likely to get escalated to an actual human quickly.

Pro tip: Think of your interaction with the AI bot like using elevator buttons, its purely a means to an end. Remember, wedo not want to have a real conversation.

This means that short phrases are always more likely to get you to a human, whilelong, full sentences can keep you stuck in the self-help loop that ends with you pulling out your hair in frustration.

Time your contact for when humans are actually working

Many companies quietly switch to AI-only support during off-hours, which means no matter what you type, there may simply be no human available to take over. If a bot feels unusually stubborn or keeps looping you through articles, timing could be the real issue.

Best odds of reaching a real person:

• Weekdays
• Mid-morning (911 a.m.)
• Mid-afternoon (14 p.m.)
• Avoid evenings, Sundays, and major holidays

If youre stuck, try again during standard business hours simply because youll get routed to a human much faster because live agents are actually available.

Pro tip: Whenever I call a company, it doesnt matter the reason, I avoid saying technical supporteven if that may be why Im calling.

Instead, Ill say something like cancel service, close account,or even dispute charge. These will get you to a human fast because companies know those calls can lead to losing a customer.

Keep in mind that the first person you talk to can easily transfer you to a technical support rep without putting you back in the system.

Skip chat. Try social media support instead.

Heres a little-known secret: Many brands still have real humans running their Twitter/X support accounts, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram DMs.

And the takeaway here is that public posts often get the brand or company'sattention fast.

Heres an example Ive used with success several times:

@Company Ive been stuck in chatbot loops for 30 minutes trying to fix a billing error. Can a human help?

Without fail, Ill get a human response inminutes which leads to a quick resolution of my problem.

Pro tip: When using social media, be sure to keep your messages short and specific. That way your message can be triaged quickly and they know exactly what the issue is without guessingor having to contact you with further questions.

Also, provide just enough information so they know youre a real customer. This might mean including your order number or the last four digits of your account number.

Keep a record of everything

If AI denies your initial request for any reason, remember that keeping some documentation is going to be your secret power.

Specifically, keep a record or screenshotof all of these:

• Chat transcripts
• Denial messages
• Confirmation numbers
• All emails and correspondence

Then, if you have to escalate the issue at a later date to a supervisor, a BBB complaint, or even a state consumer protection office, you have all the proof you need to make your case.

Plus, the proof youve kept in the form of screenshotsshows that you tried to resolve the issue reasonably first.

A tip for getting a human when using Live Chat

When youre using the live chat feature on a companys website, be aware that the system often decides within the first message or two whether youll stay with a bot or be routed to a human.

If you open the conversation by describing your problem in detail, the software assumes self-service will work and sends you into automated troubleshooting. You dont want that.

Instead, always start with something like:

Hi, I need to speak with a live agent about my account.

Then repeat the same message again if the bot tries to keep you in their AI system. Repeat it as many times as necessary.

What this does is set the interaction type as human support rather than FAQ help. After that, resist the urge to answer a bunch of bot questions. By replying too quickly, or adding superfluous details, it can re-trigger the AIautomation.

Once a human finally joins the chat session, thats when you can share the full story and get the resolution youre looking for.

Researchers reveal how everyday kitchen appliances may be shedding microplastics into the drinks we rely on most

• Hot coffee may contain more microplastics than you think. Heat, pressure, and daily use can cause plastic parts inside coffee makers even BPA-free ones to shed tiny particles into your drink.

• Not all appliances pose the same risk. High-heat brewing and single-use plastic pods are bigger contributors, while cold brew and appliances with stainless steel or glass components tend to shed less.

• You dont have to give up coffee to reduce exposure. Simple changes like choosing reusable pods, avoiding dishwashing plastic parts, and opting for metal or glass where possible can help limit microplastic intake.

We worry about what goes into our food sugar, sodium, additives we cant pronounce. But what if part of the problem isnt the ingredients at all, but the tools we use to prepare them?

From coffee makers to blenders, modern kitchens are built for speed and convenience. Push a button, get a hot cup of coffee or a perfect smoothie. But according to new testing from WaterFilterGuru, that convenience may come with an invisible side effect: tiny plastic particles leaching into the drinks we consume every day.

In a real-world analysis of common household appliances, researchers found that heat, friction, and repeated use can cause BPA-free plastics to shed microplastics into liquids especially hot ones.

To better understand whats happening inside our appliances and what it could mean for consumers ConsumerAffairs spoke with Brian Campbell, founder of WaterFilterGuru.com, about how these tests were conducted, which appliances shed the most, and what practical steps (if any) consumers can take to reduce exposure without throwing out their entire kitchen.

Where are the risks?

If youre a hot coffee drinker, you may want to think about turning that cup into an iced coffee. According to Campbell, heat is one of the biggest risks to increased microplastic consumption.

High brewing temperatures, especially those above 170F, can accelerate plastic components breaking down inside a coffee maker, particularly in water reservoirs, tubing, and internal filters, he said. Factor in water pressure, acidic coffee compounds, and repeated daily use, and microplastics can shed very easily.

When using a cold brew method, theres minimal heat involved, so there's far less plastic breakdown. If youre worried about microplastics, cold brew is significantly safer from a leaching standpoint."

Another thing to be aware of: disposable coffee pods. Campbell explained that many single-serve coffee systems use plastic capsules that can leach particles under heat.

His best advice is to look for compostable, plant-based, or reusable metal options, as they're better for both your body and the environment.

The plastics to look out for

If youre not sure what to be on the lookout for, Campbell said that polypropylene is the most commonly used plastic in coffee makers especially in the water reservoirs. While polycarbonate is sometimes used, its less frequent because of BPA.

While some brands use BPA-free plastics, that doesnt mean theyre microplastic-free, he clarified. BPA-free often gets confused with safe from leaching, but thats not always the case.

The health risks

The long-term health risks associated with ingesting microplastics are still being studied.

However, recent studies have linked hormone disruption, gut health issues, and immunity concerns to daily microplastic ingestion. On top of that, Campbell said that chemical additives in microplastic can attract toxins, which can lead to long-term health risks.

What to do

You dont have to kick your coffee habit to lower your risk of ingesting microplastics!

Instead, Campbell has some tangible advice for consumers.

Switch to coffee makers that use stainless steel or glass for all components that come into contact with hot water, he said. That means avoiding plastic tubing and reservoirs where possible. Also, run a water-only brew cycle before the first use of any new machine to flush loose particles, and avoid dishwashing plastic parts, as that accelerates wear."

Shoppers can maximize their budgets through February 7

• Dollar General is hosting a seven-day sale featuring daily doorbuster deals on essentials and favorites, each one-day only.

• The deals are tailored for everyday needs from laundry to snacks to gift cards.

• Shoppers will get extra bonuses with delivery savings via the DG app.
  

Dollar General is hosting a 7 Days of Savings special promotional event through Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, with a different deal available each day.

These are special, one-day-only offers, so shoppers need to mark their calendars and plan their trips to snag the best prices.

The idea is simple: move through the week with fresh deals that help with everyday shopping whether youre restocking the pantry, prepping for a big game, or upgrading household staples.

Dollar Generals savings events are a great way to stock up on everyday essentials. With the big game around the corner, these deals include even more ways to gear up and save on fan-favorite snacks and drinks, Bryan Wheeler, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at DG, said in a news release.

Each daily deal is designed to bring added value to the communities we serve, making it easier for customers to stretch their dollars when it matters most.

Daily deals to know about

Heres a day-by-day look at whats on offer:

• Feb. 2 (Monday): Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent Buy One, Get One Free deal.

• Feb. 3 (Tuesday): TrueLiving 18-gallon storage tote for $5.

• Feb. 4 (Wednesday): Assorted six-pack bottles of Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, or Fanta 3 for $11

• Feb. 5 (Thursday): Wolf Brand Chili (two 15-oz cans) 2 for $3.

• Feb. 6 (Friday): 20% off select gift cards (includes Academy Sports + Outdoors, DoorDash, Outback Steakhouse, Nordstrom, and more).

• Feb. 7 (Saturday): Chips deal buy two Fritos or Ruffles, get one 18-count multipack free.

Theres also a Super Saturday offer on two-liter Pepsi bottles for around $1.50 each as part of the weekend event. Prices may vary by location.

What shoppers should know

Here are a few consumer tips to make the most of the sale:

• Plan ahead: These are daily specials once a deal expires at midnight or sells out, its gone. Check the schedule and shop on the right day for the item you want.

• Stack savings with the DG app: Dollar Generals app lets you clip digital coupons and use myDG Delivery for home delivery. During this event, free delivery is available through Feb. 28 with some orders.

• Mix essentials and fun items: Deals range from everyday necessities (like toilet paper and laundry detergent) to snacks and gift cards great for prepping for game day or everyday routines.

Casual sippers vs. daily regulars: the rewards gap widens

• Starbucks now rewards heavy users more:Better perks and faster earning only happen if you rack up lots of Stars each year.

• New low-level reward added:60 Stars now gets you $2 off, but full free drinks still require more spending.

• Stars can expire for casual customers:Infrequent visitors can lose Stars after sixmonths, while loyal members keep theirs.

Starbucks is rolling out a new three-tier Rewards system starting on March 10, and depending on how often you go, this could either get you perks faster or push drink and treat freebies further out of reach.

Heres what you need to know before the big launch on March 10^th.

There will now be three levels instead of one

Depending on how many Stars you earn in a year, youll be put into one of three categories:

Green (entry level)

• 1 Star per $1 spent
• Birthday freebie
• Personalized offers and games
• NEW: Free Mod Mondays (one free drink add-on per month)
• Stars expire after six months unless you stay active monthly

Gold (500 Stars per year)

• 1.2 Stars per $1 spent
• Stars never expire
• At least fourDouble Star Days per year
• Seven days to use your birthday reward

Reserve (2,500 Stars per year)

• 1.7 Stars per $1 spent
• At least six Double Star Days per year
• 30 days to use your birthday reward
• Access to exclusive merch and invite-only experiences

Translation: The more you spend, the faster you earn. But top perks now require some fairly serious Starbucks loyalty.

Free rewards got a small boost for casual users

Starbucks also added a new 60-Star reward that gives $2 off any purchase.

Thats the lowest-effort discount theyve ever offered, and it helps occasional customers who never rack up enough Stars for full drinks.

Other reward levels:

• 25 Stars Free drink add-on (extra shot, syrup, cold foam)
• 60 Stars $2 off (NEW)
• 100 Stars Brewed coffee, tea, or bakery item
• 200 Stars Handcrafted drink or hot breakfast
• 300 Stars Lunch items or packaged coffee
• 400 Stars Merchandise up to a $20 value

Star expiration rules changed

This is one of the biggest shifts.

Green members: Stars expire after six months, but you can extend them by making a purchase, redeeming a reward, or reloading your card each month.

Gold & Reserve members: Your stars will never expire, which is a great perk. Especially when considering that Chipotle and Dunkin are both putting expiration dates on their points.

Frequent customers win here. Occasional visitors will need to stay active or lose rewards.

What this really means for customers:

Starbucks is shifting rewards toward people who go often, and making it harder to casually rack up freebies.

Occasional customers

If you tend to only visit Starbucks on occasion, youll definitely need to pay more attention.

The main reason is because Stars now expire after six months at the Green level unless you stay active.

That means you cant slowly build toward a free drink like before.

Upside: The new 60-Star reward for $2 off is fairly easy to reach.

Downside: Youll need to use your Stars sooner or risk losing them.

In reality: I think the best way to think of Stars now is like coupons with an expiration date. If you dont go to Starbucks often, dont hoard those stars. Use them as soon as you reach 25, 60, or 100 stars.

Regular customers

If you tend to visitonce or twice per week, this update will mostly help you.

In particular, once you reach Gold status, your Stars will never expire which is awesome.

Plus, youll earn them faster at 1.2 or 1.7 Stars per dollar, depending on how much you spend in a 12-month period. Youll also see more Double Star Days which will get you to free or discounted drinks much quicker.

Upside: More rewards if Starbucks is already part of your coffee routine.

Catch: You have to earn 500 Stars every year to keep that Gold status.

In reality: I think the bottom-line for loyal customers will likely be more freebies over time.

Heavy Starbucks fans

The new Reserve tier is for big spenders who rack up at least 2,500 Stars in a 12-month period.

You earn Stars the fastest and youll get access to exclusive perks. But reaching this level requires some serious spending, so it only makes sense to aim for Reserve if youre already there naturally.

In reality: Some nice bonuses if youre already a superuser. But its definitely not worth spending extra money every week just to qualify.