Consumer News: New national coalition wants to make life easier for families with pets

ResumeBuilders report points to a trust problem in online recruiting

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• ResumeBuilder found 86% of recent job seekers had encountered a listing they suspected did not represent an active opening.

• More than half said they had interviewed for a suspected ghost job, highlighting the uncertainty applicants face.

• Applicants can protect their time by verifying openings, asking about hiring timelines and continuing to pursue other opportunities.

A job advertisement may look promising, but applicants increasingly question whether an employer actually intends to hire anyone.

ResumeBuilders Ghost Jobs Report surveyed 1,011 U.S. adults on August 27, 2026, who had searched for work within the previous two years. It found 58% had interviewed for a position they later suspected was a ghost job.

The consequences extended beyond wasted applications: 39% reported greater stress or frustration, 32% said they trusted employers less, and 20% felt less motivated to keep applying.

Respondents warning signs included stale or repeatedly advertised listings and hiring processes that stopped without explanation.

The findings suggest applicants face an additional burden: determining whether an opportunity is active before investing substantial time.

There is a limitation, however. The survey measured applicants suspicions, rather than independently verifying employers intentions. Its findings do not mean 86% of job listings are fake or establish that ghost jobs are increasing.

What it says about the job market

The report offers evidence of frustration and distrust in recruiting. By itself, it cannot determine whether the broader labor market is strengthening or weakening.

It also should not be treated as proof that official job-opening figures simply count questionable online advertisements. The Bureau of Labor Statistics collects its Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey from employers. To qualify as an opening, a specific position must exist, work must be available, the job must be able to start within 30 days, and the employer must be actively recruiting externally.

For applicants, the practical implication is that the number of advertisements they see may be a poor guide to how many employers are ready to make an offer.

How applicants can protect their time

A few steps can help applicants evaluate opportunities before committing to lengthy interviews or assignments:

• Verify the opening. Look for the position on the employers own careers page. If it appears only on a job board, contact the company through independently verified channels.

• Ask direct questions. Ask whether the position has hiring approval, when the employer expects someone to start, and what steps remain before a decision.

• Investigate repeated postings. An older or frequently reposted advertisement deserves a question, although its age alone does not prove the opening is inactive.

• Set boundaries. Before completing a substantial unpaid assignment, ask about its scope, purpose and expected time commitment.

• Keep searching. Continue pursuing other employers while waiting for an answer. Track applications and follow-up dates so one uncertain opportunity does not consume the search.

Applicants should also watch for outright fraud. The Federal Trade Commission advises job seekers never to pay to obtain a job and to research employers before sharing sensitive personal information. Requests for upfront payments or premature demands for bank-account details warrant particular caution.

Buyers are snapping up vehicles priced at $30,000 or less

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Lower-priced vehicles are selling much faster, with cars priced between $20,000 and $29,999 moving off dealer lots 20% faster than at the beginning of 2026, according to Edmunds.

• Affordability is driving buying decisions, as higher vehicle prices, rising fuel costs and expensive financing push consumers toward less expensive models.

• A shortage of affordable vehicles is complicating the market, with some compact car and SUV segments reporting declining sales even as available vehicles sell more quickly.

Americans shopping for a new car appear increasingly focused on price, and the latest industry data suggest dealerships are having little trouble selling their least expensive vehicles.

According to data from automotive research firm Edmunds, vehicles priced between $20,000 and $29,999 spent 20% less time on dealer lots in the third quarter of 2026 than they did in the first quarter. That was the biggest improvement in sales speed of any price category.

The trend extends to somewhat more expensive vehicles. Models priced between $30,000 and $39,999 sold about 18% faster, while those priced between $40,000 and $49,999 saw their time on dealer lots decline by nearly 12%.

The contrast with more expensive vehicles is striking. Cars priced below $50,000 generally sold in fewer than 60 days, while vehicles costing more than $50,000 took longer than 60 days to sell.

The findings, reported by CNBC, suggest consumers are increasingly seeking lower-priced transportation as household budgets come under pressure.

Affordable cars are getting harder to find

The faster sales pace comes with a catch: There aren't necessarily enough inexpensive vehicles available to meet consumers' needs.

According to Cox Automotive, the average advertised price of a new vehicle reached $49,726 in September, putting the typical new car well beyond what many households can comfortably afford.

At the same time, sales of some affordable vehicle categories have actually declined. Compact car sales were down approximately 4% since the beginning of the year, while compact SUV sales fell nearly 8%.

That might seem contradictory. If consumers are eager to buy cheaper cars, why are sales declining?

Industry analysts suggest the answer may be limited inventory rather than a lack of demand. Some of the most popular affordable vehicles have become difficult to find, while automakers have steadily reduced the number of inexpensive models they manufacture.

The compact SUV market illustrates the problem. Toyota's popular RAV4 has experienced supply constraints as the automaker adjusts production and shifts the lineup to hybrid powertrains. Ford has also discontinued the Escape, removing another relatively affordable SUV from the market.

Automakers have moved away from inexpensive cars

The shortage of affordable vehicles reflects a longer-term transformation of the American auto industry.

Over the past decade, domestic manufacturers have largely abandoned compact sedans in favor of SUVs, pickup trucks and crossovers, which generally sell at higher prices and can generate larger profits.

Consumers looking for inexpensive sedans now depend heavily on foreign automakers.

Models such as the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta still have starting prices below $25,000, but shoppers have fewer choices than they once did.

That is especially challenging for younger consumers, first-time buyers and households that need basic transportation rather than a vehicle loaded with expensive features.

Edmunds Director of Insights Ivan Drury said trade-in data suggest many buyers purchasing lower-priced vehicles are either entering the new-car market for the first time or buying an additional vehicle for their household.

Financing costs add to the pressure

The demand for less expensive cars also reflects the growing financial burden of vehicle ownership.

Industry data show that approximately one in four consumers financing a vehicle purchase are taking out 84-month loans, a record share.

Those seven-year loans can reduce monthly payments, but they also extend the time consumers remain in debt and can substantially increase total interest costs.

Meanwhile, nearly three in 10 vehicles traded toward new-car purchases during the third quarter had negative equity, meaning owners owed more on their loans than their vehicles were worth.

Consumers who roll that unpaid debt into another loan can end up with even larger balances and higher monthly payments.

Rising gasoline prices are another consideration, particularly for buyers who are already stretching their budgets to afford a vehicle.

What it means for car shoppers

The Edmunds findings suggest consumers looking for inexpensive new vehicles may face a more competitive shopping environment than buyers considering luxury models.

That could mean fewer choices on dealer lots and less negotiating leverage on popular, lower-priced vehicles.

Consumers shopping for affordable transportation may benefit from comparing prices at multiple dealerships, considering different models and checking inventory before visiting a showroom.

A lightly used vehicle may also be worth considering, although rising used-car prices can limit potential savings.

For shoppers financing a purchase, comparing the total cost of the loan rather than focusing exclusively on the monthly payment is particularly important.

The larger message from the Edmunds data is that the demand for affordable transportation remains strong, even as the supply of inexpensive new vehicles has diminished.

For automakers, that presents a potential opportunity to attract price-conscious buyers. For consumers, it means finding a reasonably priced new car may require more shopping, greater flexibility and a willingness to act when the right vehicle becomes available.

The recall covers supplements sold nationwide over an 11-month period

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Vitality Works Inc. has recalled one lot of 365 Whole Foods Market Ashwagandha Capsules because of possible Salmonella contamination.

• The supplements were sold nationwide at Whole Foods Market stores and online through Amazon between November 24, 2025, and October 20, 2026.

• Consumers should stop using the recalled capsules and discard them. Refunds are available at Whole Foods Market stores.

A popular herbal supplement sold at Whole Foods Market and through Amazon is being recalled nationwide because it may contain Salmonella, a potentially dangerous bacterium that can cause serious illness.

Vitality Works Inc., based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, announced the voluntary recall of one lot of 365 Whole Foods Market Standardized + Full Spectrum Blend Ashwagandha Capsules. The recall was posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 30.

The company said the potential contamination was discovered during routine sampling of a single retail unit. No illnesses associated with the product have been reported.

The supplements were available for purchase for nearly 11 months, meaning consumers may still have bottles in their medicine cabinets.

Ashwagandha is an herbal supplement commonly marketed to help manage stress, improve sleep and promote general wellness. The plant has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and has become increasingly popular among Americans seeking natural health products.

The recall involves a specific production lot, not all ashwagandha supplements or all products sold under the Whole Foods 365 brand.

How to identify the recalled product

Recalled product details

• Product: 365 Whole Foods Market Standardized + Full Spectrum Blend Ashwagandha Capsules

• Size: 120-count bottle

• UPC: 9948252099

• Lot number: 2025-26227

• Expiration date: October 13, 2028

The capsules are packaged in white plastic bottles. Consumers can find the lot number and expiration date printed on the bottom.

The products were sold from November 24, 2025, through October 20, 2026. The company initially described distribution as limited to certain states but updated its announcement to clarify that distribution was nationwide.

Why Salmonella contamination is dangerous

Salmonella is a bacterium most often associated with contaminated foods, but it can also contaminate dietary supplements and other products that are swallowed.

Infections can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Some people may also experience bloody diarrhea.

Although many otherwise healthy people recover, Salmonella can be especially dangerous for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

In rare cases, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause life-threatening complications, including infections involving blood vessels and the heart.

The FDA notice emphasizes that Salmonella infections can sometimes be fatal among particularly vulnerable populations.

Consumers who develop symptoms after taking the recalled supplements should contact a healthcare professional, especially if they experience severe diarrhea, dehydration or persistent fever.

What consumers should do

The company is advising consumers who purchased the affected supplements to stop using them immediately.

Unlike some recalls that instruct customers to return products to retailers, Vitality Works says consumers should discard the recalled capsules rather than bring them back to a store.

Refunds are available at any Whole Foods Market location.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Vitality Works at (505) 268-9950, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time.

The company has not reported any confirmed illnesses, but the recall is intended to prevent possible infections.

Consumers can find additional information, including photographs of the recalled bottles, in the FDA's official recall announcement.

Company will add stirring spoons and warnings to future sales of affected products

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Bodum is recalling 5.9 million French press coffee makers following 70 breakage reports, including 48 reports of burns.

• The recall covers eight models with replaceable 8-cup and 12-cup glass carafes.

• Owners can request a free plastic stirring spoon and warning label.

Bodum USA is recalling millions of French press coffee makers because damaged glass carafes can unexpectedly break during use, posing a serious burn risk.

The October 29 recall covers Bistro, Brazil, Caffettiera, Chambord, Crema, Java, Jesper and Kenya models sold from 1974 through October 2026 for approximately $15 to $65. Retailers included Target, Walmart, Amazon and coffee and home goods stores nationwide.

Why the stirring utensil matters

In a separate statement, Bodum said the voluntary recall is intended to reinforce instructions against using damaged carafes and stirring coffee with metal utensils. Metal spoons can damage the glass, potentially leading to breakage while the press is being used.

Bodums published instructions for its Chambord French press already call for stirring with a plastic or wooden spoon. Those directions describe adding hot water to the grounds, stirring, allowing the coffee to brew for four minutes and then slowly lowering the plunger. The stirring step makes the choice of utensil a practical concern during everyday brewing.

The company characterized the rate of reported breakage incidents as extremely low compared with the millions of products it has sold over decades. It said injury reports are taken seriously and described the additional spoon and label as measures to encourage safe use.

Bodum also said future sales of the affected products will include the plastic stirring spoon and additional warning label. Existing U.S. owners can obtain those items at no charge.

How to check your coffee maker

The Bodum name appears on most models frames and inner lids, and is engraved on the glass with product warnings.

Capacity labels may require a closer look. Bodum measures its coffee makers using European cup sizes, with each cup representing approximately four ounces. Its FAQ lists an 8-cup press at 34 ounces and a 12-cup press at 51 ounces. Consumers comparing their coffee maker with the recall description should use those product capacities when checking the size.

What owners should do

Stop using metal utensils in the carafe immediately, and do not use cracked or damaged glass.

For assistance, call 888-879-8213, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, email Bodum3302@sedgwick.com, or visit the recall website for photos, model identification and remedy information.