Why buy? Memories of a music consumer

Mar 7, 2014
Earlier this year, Billboard reported the first drop in digital music sales since the iTunes store made its debut in 2003. CD sales continued their steady decline and overall album sales experienced an 8.4% drop.
100 Cassette-only releases from the 80's and 90's interned in a wood case
Marc Arsenault/flicr Creative Commons

Dissatisfied customer? Assert your consumer rights

Jun 21, 2013
What to do when a negative customer service experience turns into a nightmare? LA Times consumer columnist David Lazarus discusses how to assert your consumer rights to achieve satisfaction.

Podcast: Consume all of 'Consumed' in one sitting

Jun 14, 2013
Every once in a while we like to take a step back and look at the big picture. This week, the Sustainability desk did just that with "Consumed."
Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal comparison shops for a pair of new running shoes.
Kenneth Brown/Marketplace

Economic value check: How much is enough?

Jun 14, 2013
Can we afford the consumer economy? Yes, but there are costs. And not all of them have dollar signs attached. Let's talk about values.

Opportunity cost: A simple Whiteboard explainer

Jun 13, 2013
Economists love to use the term "opportunity cost." In fact, you've probably heard it before. But what is it exactly? Senior producer and Whiteboard expert Paddy Hirsch explains.
Economists us the term "opportunity cost" all the time. Do you know what it means? 
Marketplace

How Adam Smith's economic philosophies apply in today's world

Jun 10, 2013
Most people remember the idea of the free market's "invisible hand," but it turns out, Adam Smith had a lot to say about consumers, too.

Parents hire personal trainers to give kids a leg up

Jun 10, 2013
We all want our kids to get into the best colleges they can. Some families take extra measures and spend extra money in pursuit of an edge.

For public good, not for profit.

Can we afford the consumer economy?

Jun 7, 2013
Marketplace will spend a week looking at all aspects of the consumer economy -- from businesses to workers to shoppers -- and ask: Can we keep going at this rate?
Host Kai Ryssdal heads out on a shopping trip to help uncover problems with the consumer economy as we know it today.
Kenneth Brown/Marketplace

Americans are not happy with their Internet service providers

May 22, 2013
The latest American Customer Satisfaction Index is out, and one industry in an unfortunate spot when it comes to customer satisfaction: Internet service providers.

Personal income, spending up for American consumers

Apr 1, 2013
Consumers had a strong February -- spending jumped 0.7 percent and personal income rose 1.1 percent.