Consumer News: Sunlight as an alarm clock? new study says It works

USPS said the fee would cover the actual cost of shipping packages

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• USPS is proposing a new fuel surcharge on package deliveries to offset rising transportation costs

• The surcharge would fluctuate based on fuel price indexes and apply primarily to shipping services like Priority Mail and Parcel Select

• Critics warn it could raise costs for small businesses and consumers already facing higher shipping rates

Just days after warning that it is running out of money, the U.S. Postal Service said it is considering a new fuel surcharge on package deliveries. That could reshape shipping costs for businesses and consumers across the country.

The proposal, currently under review, is aimed at helping the agency manage volatile fuel expenses that have strained its delivery network in recent years.

According to USPS officials, the surcharge would function as a variable fee tied to national fuel price indexes. When fuel prices rise above a certain threshold, the additional charge would be applied to select package services, including Priority Mail and Parcel Select. When prices fall, the surcharge would decrease or disappear.

This temporary price adjustment will provide needed flexibility for the Postal Service by helping to ensure that the actual costs of doing business are covered, as required by Congress, the Postal Service said in a statement.

Transportation costs have been increasing, and our competitors have reacted with a number of surcharges.

Broader trends

The proposal reflects broader trends in the shipping industry. Private carriers such as FedEx and UPS have long used fuel surcharges to buffer against price swings.

However, USPS has historically avoided such fees, relying instead on periodic rate increases approved by regulators. The proposed fuel surcharge would have to be approved by the U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission.

If implemented, the surcharge would mark a significant shift in how the Postal Service prices its package delivery servicesan area that has become a critical revenue stream as traditional mail volumes continue to decline.

Impact on businesses and consumers

Small businesses, many of which rely on USPS for affordable shipping, are likely to feel the immediate effects. For e-commerce sellers operating on thin margins, even modest increases in shipping costs can have a ripple effect on pricing and competitiveness.

Consumer advocates also warn that the surcharge could ultimately be passed on to customers, contributing to higher prices for goods purchased online.

Some critics argue that the Postal Service should focus on operational efficiencies rather than introducing new fees. Others contend that the surcharge is a practical step toward financial sustainability, especially as USPS continues to modernize its fleet and infrastructure.

USPS has not announced a specific timeline for implementation but indicated that any surcharge would be introduced with advance notice to customers. Public comments and regulatory review will play a key role in determining whetherand howthe proposal moves forward.

The alert includes 1-pound, vacuum-packed packages labeled White Oak Pastures

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert for ground beef that may contain metal fragments.

• The affected product was sold at Moms Organic Markets in several East Coast states, including Virginia, Maryland and D.C.

• No recall was issued because the product is no longer available in stores, but consumers are urged not to eat it.

The U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for a ground beef product that may be contaminated with metal, raising concerns about possible injury to consumers.

The alert applies to 1-pound, vacuum-packed packages labeled White Oak Pastures, Radically Traditional Farming, Grassfed Ground Beef. The product was produced on Feb. 26, 2026, and carries the establishment number EST 34729 inside the USDA mark of inspection. It is also marked with a sell-by date of March 19, 2026.

According to FSIS, the ground beef was distributed to a distributor and sold at Moms Organic Markets locations across several states, including Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Company alerted by consumers

The issue came to light after the manufacturer, White Oak Pastures, received two consumer complaints reporting possible metal contamination. Despite the reports, there have been no confirmed injuries linked to the product, and FSIS said it has not received any additional reports of harm.

A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for purchase. However, officials warn that some packages may still be in consumers refrigerators or freezers.

FSIS is urging anyone who purchased the ground beef not to consume it. Instead, consumers should throw the product away or return it to the place of purchase.

Anyone concerned about possible injury should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers with questions can contact White Oak Pastures Processing Operations Manager Justin Wiley at (229) 641-2081 or by email at feedback@whiteoakpastures.com.

For additional food safety information, consumers can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or submit a report through the agencys online complaint system.

Scammers usually hang up when asked to identify themselves

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Call screening tools are becoming a frontline defense against scam calls and robocalls.

• New built-in features from Apple and Google can automatically ask unknown callers to identify themselves.

• Third-party apps are expanding the concept with AI assistants that filter, transcribe, and block suspicious calls.

Americans are no strangers to unwanted calls. From fake IRS threats to your package is delayed , robocalls remain one of the most persistent annoyances and risks consumers face.

Now, a new wave of call screening technology aims to stop those calls before they ever reach you. Both smartphone makers and app developers are leaning into a simple idea: make unknown callers prove theyre legitimate before your phone even rings.

How call screening works

Call screening flips the traditional phone experience. Instead of your phone ringing first, the system answers unknown calls automatically and asks the caller to state their name and reason for calling.

You then see that information often as a live transcript and decide whether to:

• Answer the call

• Send it to voicemail

• Block it entirely

The goal is straightforward: Scammers and robocall systems typically wont respond to prompts or provide meaningful answers, making them easier to filter out.

Built-in features from Apple and Google

Major phone makers are now building this technology directly into their devices.

Apple has introduced call screening features that automatically intercept unknown callers and request identifying information. Users can review the callers response in real time before choosing to pick up.

Googles version, powered by Google Assistant, goes a step further by interacting with callers and transcribing responses instantly. It can also suggest whether a call isspam based on what the caller says or doesnt say.

These built-in tools are appealing because they dont require downloading additional apps and are tightly integrated with the phones operating system.

Third-party apps add AI to the mix

Several apps are expanding on call screening with more advanced features:

• Truecaller Assistant uses AI to answer calls and summarize what the caller wants.

• RoboKiller screens calls and can block known scam numbers, while wasting robocallers time with automated responses.

• KONTXT and similar apps act as virtual receptionists, handling unknown calls and filtering out suspicious ones.

Many of these apps maintain large databases of known scam numbers, adding another layer of protection.

Why scammers struggle with screening

Call screening works particularly well against scam calls for a few reasons:

• Robocall systems often cant respond to open-ended questions like What are you calling about?

• Scammers rely on urgency and surprise, which screening removes by giving you time to evaluate the call.

• Callers who refuse to identify themselves are easy to ignore or block.

In short, screening forces friction into a system that scammers depend on being fast and automated.

What consumers should know

While call screening can significantly reduce unwanted calls, its not foolproof.

Legitimate callers like doctors offices or delivery drivers may not always respond clearly, and some users worry about missing important calls. Others may find the feature unfamiliar or confusing at first.

Still, for many consumers, the tradeoff is worth it.

Call screening represents a shift in how we handle unknown calls from reactive to proactive. Instead of deciding whether to answer after your phone rings, you can now decide before you ever pick up.

As scam calls continue to evolve, tools that put control back in consumers hands may become less of a luxury and more of a necessity.

Everything you need to know before signing up

• Its Prime built for businesses: Includes fast shipping, multi-user access, and spending tools through Amazon Business.

• Best for teams or frequent orders: The value shows up when multiple people are buying stuff or you order often.

• Savings arent guaranteed: Higher plans get pricey quickly, and the free perks only matter if you actually use them.

If you run a business and buy a lot of routine stuff online likeoffice supplies, breakroom snacks, tools, printer ink, cleaning products, and replacement parts, Amazon would really like you to stop treating that as personal shopping.

Thats the basicpitch behind Amazon Business Prime, a membership built for companies instead of individual households.

On paper, it sounds pretty compelling. Amazon also says more than 70% of U.S. orders for Business Prime arrive the same or next day, which is a pretty big deal if your business constantly needs supplies fast.

For the right company, it could simplify purchasing and save you money. For the wrong one, it could turn into another annual subscription you barely use. Lets break it all down so you can decide if its right for you.

What Amazon Business Prime actually is

Business Prime is a paid membership for people using an Amazon Business account, which is separate from a regular personal Amazon account.

You need the Amazon Business account first, even before you sign up for Business Prime. The business account itself is free and includes things like multi-user access and business-only pricing on eligible items, even without the Prime membership.

That part matters!

A lot of small business owners hear Business Prime and assume it is just regular Prime with a business label slapped on top. It's not exactly that. The membership is designed for work purchasing, and one plan can cover multiple users on the same business account instead of requiring separate Prime accounts for individual employees.

Amazons current Business Prime tiers break down like this:

• Duo Free for Prime members, oneuser.
• Essentials $179/year, up to fiveusers.
• Small $499/year, up to 20 users.
• Medium $1,299/year, up to 200 users.
• Enterprise $10,099/year, unlimited users.

The higher you move up, the more Business Prime stops being a free shipping membership and starts becoming a tool to help you buy what you need for your business in an organized way.

What you actually get

At the basic level, the biggest draw is still the fast, free shipping on eligible Prime items.

Amazon also layers in business-only pricing, quantity discounts, and access to Prime-exclusive deals.

The Duo, Essentials, and Small plans also include Business Prime Rewards, which Amazon says can offer up to 4% back on certain eligible Amazon brands and other qualifying purchases or account actions.

Then there are the more business-y features, which include:

• Spend Visibility dashboards to easily track what your organization is buying.
• Guided Buying to steer employees toward preferred products or suppliers.
• Spend controls and approval workflows on larger plans.
• Spend Anomaly Monitoring for unusual-purchase alerts and AI-based recommendations on Enterprise.
• Extended payment terms on eligible plans, subject to approval.

Amazon also pitches outside vendor perks as part of the value. Depending on your plan level, you might get discounts or bundled offers from QuickBooks, Gusto, and CrowdStrike.

Amazon says U.S. Business Prime members can unlock nearly $1,000 per year in added value through these offers and rewards.

The four biggest pros:

1. It can be a clean way to separate business and personal shopping.

This is probably the most underrated benefit for solo operators and small businesses.

If you have ever tried to sort your personal Amazon orders from your business purchases during tax season, you already know the pain.

A separate Amazon Business account paired with Business Prime Duo or Essentials can create some much-needed separation. That alone can make bookkeeping less annoying. Amazon specifically positions Duo for sole proprietors and very small businesses.

2. It gets more useful when multiple people order supplies.

Once more than one person is buying for the business, things get messy fast. Duplicate orders happen and random off-brand purchases start popping up.

Thats where the multi-user structure, spending visibility, and Guided Buying tools can actually help, especially on the Small and Medium plans.

3. The shipping value can be real.

If your business orders frequently and speed matters, free shipping can be more than a convenience. It can reduce downtime.

A restaurant, office, daycare, contractor, or property manager waiting around for routine supplies may care a lot about same-day or next-day arrival rates. Amazon says over 70% of U.S. orders arrive same or next day.

4. Some of the partner perks could offset the fee.

This will not apply to everyone, but if you already pay for bookkeeping, payroll, or cybersecurity tools, the included or discounted offers can reduce your costs. But always remember that those perks only matter if you were going to use those services anyway.

The four biggest cons

1. A lot of the value is theoretical.

This is the biggest red flag with memberships like this.

Amazon can say you can unlock nearly $1,000 in value, but that does not mean you personally will.

If you do not use QuickBooks, Gusto, or CrowdStrike, and do not place enough orders to benefit from the shipping or rewards, the math gets much less impressive quickly.

2. Many small businesses may not need the paid tier at all.

This is the part a lot of businesses should think about harder.

The free Amazon Business account already includes some business-focused features, including business-only pricing on eligible products.

So before paying for Business Prime, it is worth asking whether the free account solves most of your problems already.

3. Higher-tier plans can get expensive fast.

Duo being free is great. Essentials at $179 is still manageable. But once you move into $499, $1,299, or especially $10,099 territory, this becomes a real procurement decision, not an impulse subscription.

4. It can make Amazon even more of a default vendor.

Convenience is great until it starts shutting down price comparison.

One of the easiest ways for businesses to overspend is by making one platform the automatic answer for everything. Fast shipping can hide mediocre pricing.

Even with business discounts, Amazon will not always be the cheapest source for paper goods, break room supplies, janitorial products, tools, bulk food, or industry-specific items.

This last point is an inference based on normal purchasing behavior, not a claim Amazon makes. The risk is real: speed can make people lazy about checking price-per-unit elsewhere.

Tips to consider before you sign up:

• Start with the free Amazon Business account first.Do that before paying for anything. You may discover that business-only pricing, multi-user setup, and cleaner bookkeeping are enough without adding Business Prime.
• Price-check your top 20 repeat purchases.Before you buy a plan, look at the stuff your company orders all the time: toner, trash bags, coffee pods, paper towels, batteries, safety gear, cleaning supplies. Compare Amazons business pricing against Walmart Business, Staples, Costco, Sams Club, and Office Depot.
• Match the plan to your size.A lot of businesses overbuy software and subscriptions because a more advanced plan feels professional. But if you only have one person buying stuff, the Duo or Essentials may be plenty.
• Audit the partner perks often.A discount on QuickBooks is useful only if you were going to pay for QuickBooks anyway. Same with Gusto and CrowdStrike. Dont count savings on services you would never actually buy.
• Watch the rewards fine print.Amazons rewards structure is not universal across every plan and product type. Make sure the kinds of items you actually buy qualify, and pay attention to any term changes.

Experts share how to find the real deals and avoid overspending

• The Big Spring Sale isnt the same as Prime Day:The best deals are in seasonal categories like home, beauty and travel, not big-ticket tech.

• Shopping with a plan is key: Compare prices across retailers, stack discounts and cash back, and focus only on what you actually need.

• The biggest risk is overspending: Urgency tactics and endless deals can lead to impulse buys, so set a budget and dont be afraid to wait for better sales later.

Amazon kicked off its Big Spring Sale on Wednesday, March 25, and it will run through Tuesday, March 21.

Despite the hype, this event isnt quite the same as the retailers Prime Day. Many consumers may go in expecting deep discounts across the board especially on electronics and end up missing where the real savings are actually hiding.

That misconception is one of the biggest mistakes shoppers make. While the sale can feel a lot like Prime Day, the strongest deals tend to land in more seasonal categories, like travel gear, home products and beauty items. That means shoppers who come in with a game plan (instead of clicking on every discount they see) often walk away with the best bargains.

With the sale kicking off March 25, knowing what to buy, what to skip for now, and how to shop strategically can make a big difference especially when the sheer number of deals can feel overwhelming.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with RetailMeNots Retail Insights Expert to break down the best and worst categories to shop during the Big Spring Sale, smart ways to maximize savings, and expert tips to help you stay focused so your cart doesnt spiral out of control.

Best and worst buys

With the sale already kicking off, what are the categories to jump on immediately and which ones can wait for future sales? Carls gave us all the details.

Amazon is running deals across 35 categories this week, she said. The sweet spot is anything youd actually use this season: spring cleaning products, small kitchen appliances, beauty, home organization. Brands like Shark, Apple and KitchenAir are seeing real markdowns, some up to 50-60% off. If a robot vacuum has been sitting in your cart since January, its time.

Another tip: Dont skip the winter clearance.

Some of the best value during a spring sale has nothing to do with spring, Carls said. Coats, boots, cold-weather layers are getting pushed out right now and you can stock up for next year at prices that wont come back around until next March.

On the other hand, not everything is a must-buy right now.

Skip big-ticket tech and major appliances, Carls said. Youll see discounts, but theyre basically appetizers. The real meal is Prime Day or Black Friday.

Patio furniture and grills same story. Retailers put out spring teasers and then slash prices in July when theyre actually trying to get rid of the stuff. If you wouldnt have bought it without the sale, the discount didnt save you anything.

The sale is not equivalent to Prime Day

Carls warns shoppers not to get ahead of themselves and add everything they see to their cart. The Big Spring Sale is not the same as Prime Day that means the discounts arent the same, either.

Amazon's Big Spring Sale leans seasonal: warm-weather fashion, beauty, travel gear, gardening, bedding, Carls said. Prime Day goes wide. This goes specific. And specific can work in your favor if youre shopping the right categories.

One thing that actually makes this interesting: the sale is open to everyone, not just Prime members. Prime members get exclusive deals with a badge, but you dont need a subscription to shop.

How to make the most of the sale

If you want to know how to make the most of the week-long sale, Carls shared her best tips for shoppers:

• Make your list before you even open the app. Amazon is dropping different deals every day for seven days. That rotating format is built to give you a reason to come back tomorrow. And the next day. And the next. Without a list, youre not shopping. Youre just wandering through a very well-designed store with no closing time.

• Check other stores. Walmart, Best Buy, Target and others are running competing sales the same week and some of them are actually beating Amazon on the same products. People default to Amazon out of habit. That habit has a cost.

• Stack everything. Sale price, promo code, cash back, credit card rewards. Most people look at the listed sale price and stop there. But once you start stacking a promo code and cash back on top, that math shifts. A product that looks cheaper on Amazon at the sale price might actually cost you less at Target or Walmart after you apply a code and activate cash back. The lowest sticker price and the lowest final price are often at two different retailers. The final price after everything is applied is the only number that matters.

Avoid overspending

As Carls mentioned, Amazon isnt the only retailer hosting a sale this week. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed by the seemingly endless stream of deals and discounts, here are some tips to help you shop smarter and avoid overspending.

• Pick a budget before you start scrolling. By category. Actual dollars. When its gone, close the app. Not wind down. Close it.

• Notice the built-in sense of urgency. Amazon is rotating themed deals daily, running doorbusters at 40% off, and dropping curated Top 100+ lists throughout the week. Countdown clocks. Limited stock badges. Little orange banners telling you 73% of the inventory is claimed. Amazon built every bit of that on purpose. Once you see the urgency for what it is, it loses most of its power.

• Make a plan. The people who overspend during sales like this didnt have a plan going in. The sale did. Show up with a plan and you are fine. Show up curious and suddenly theres a sunrise alarm clock on your doorstep that seemed like a great idea at 11pm.

Amazon now runs three major sale events a year Big Spring Sale, Prime Day, and Prime Big Deal Days in October, Carls said. Thats a lot of urgency packed into 12 months. And thats kind of the point. Every few months theres a new reason to feel like youre missing out if you dont buy now.

Youre not missing out. If the price isnt right this week, Prime Day is a few months away. The most underrated shopping skill right now is being totally fine with saying 'not yet.'