Consumer News: Target kicks off early Black Friday with massive markdowns across every aisle

Experts say darker commutes and fatigue make November one of the riskiest times to drive

• Shorter days and darker commutes after the end of daylight saving time increase the risk of crashes, especially during evening rush hour.

• Fatigue and reduced visibility make it harder for drivers to spot pedestrians, signs, and other vehicles leading to slower reaction times.

• Experts urge drivers to adjust their routines, stay alert, and use extra caution during the weeks following the time change.

When the clocks fall back this weekend, most of us look forward to that extra hour of sleep but what many drivers dont realize is that the end of daylight savings time can also make the roads more dangerous.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, nearly half of all traffic fatalities occur at night, and as the sun sets earlier, more commuters find themselves driving in the dark during rush hour.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with a representative from Travelers Insurance, warning that shorter days, limited visibility, and unpredictable fall weather can all increase the likelihood of accidents especially in the weeks immediately following the time change.

The biggest risks for drivers

Travelers shared some of the biggest risks that drivers face during daylight savings:

• Shorter days, darker commutes, and unpredictable fall and winter weather make for dangerous driving conditions after the clocks fall back.

• Reduced visibility makes it harder to spot road signs, pedestrians, and other vehicles. Combine that with slower reaction times and fatigue, and the risks on the road increase.

• Turning the clocks back an hour can negatively affect drivers alertness. One hour may not seem like much, but it can impact the ability to sustain attention behind the wheel, which increases the likelihood of accidents.

Dos and donts of driving

While the risks are evident, consumers can take precautions to make their trips safer and easier.

Some dos and donts of driving during daylight savings include:

• Plan ahead the night before to prepare for the time shift. Setting your clock in advance and adjusting your morning routine can help your body adapt.

• Your internal clock may take time to adjust, so give yourself extra time and drive cautiously especially in the dark.

• To enhance safety, increase your following distance to give yourself more time to react to sudden stops or hazards, slow down to compensate for reduced visibility, and ensure your headlights are clean and properly adjusted.

Drivers often feel more fatigued and less alert during the week following the time change, Travelers told ConsumerAffairs. Even though these tips focus on the time shift, dark roads and hazardous weather conditions persist throughout fall and winter. Its a good idea to keep these safety practices top of mind before getting behind the wheel.

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