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Unscrewed: The Consumer's Guide to Getting What You Paid for | 
 enlarge | Author: Ron Burley
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $8.60
You Save: $6.35 (42%)
New (26) Used (17) from $4.66
Avg. Customer Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 35929
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 220
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5 x 0.6
ISBN: 1580087620
Dewey Decimal Number: 381.340973
EAN: 9781580087629
ASIN: 1580087620
Publication Date: August 15, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Condition: Brand new - minimal retail shelf wear, no remainder mark. I ship daily. Satisfaction guaranteed.
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Book Description
Every four seconds unsuspecting consumers are bamboozled, shafted, or duped by companies of all sizes. As customer service departments have become automated wastelands, our ability to get satisfaction within the conventional complaint system has eroded. In UNSCREWED, consumer advocate Ron Burley offers a logical and assertive five-step plan to convince companies to keep their word and do the right thing.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
 What Every Consumer Needs to Know February 3, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book is something that should be on the shelf in every home in America. It's disgusting the way companies treat us and even more disgusting to me that people put up with it! This book will show you how to get satisfaction in any possible situation when you have been ripped off and/or a victim or horrendous customer service.
 Techniques on becoming a David who defeats Goliath September 30, 2007
15 out of 18 found this review helpful
Rob Burley has the exterior of Mr. Belvedere and an interior which whirls like the Tasmanian Devil. And, when Big Business decides to throw its massive weight upon this hyper-energetic consumer advocate, he responds with ferocity. He is like the nagging fifi dog who won't let go of the intruder's ankle - he will not quit.
But, I enjoyed his style: Thesis with simple analysis followed by anecdotal true story. Very common in the "How To" industry of nonfiction novels. And, very true here. Makes the reading much easier.
In a nutshell he espouses consumer terrorism. Legitimate methods? Mostly. Ethical? Partly. Justifiable? Yes. And, it is the last answered question which the reader must understand. First, he commences all acts with the "give them the chance to do the right thing" telephone call. You must commence by offering the company a chance to fully understand what has transpired and how to resolve the issue without confrontation . . .
But, this does not always work (Actually Chapter 15 shows what happens when it works - and Big Business and the consumer are both winners). Upon there not being a successful remedy delivered, he then asks that you employ his five "P's" - Chapters 4-8. Then, after understanding the methodology (what I have coined as "consumer terrorism"), he seeks for the consumers to go forward, but to curtail their activity by a simple marginal cost analysis - Chapter 9: basically don't get overwhelmed. "[I]f getting what you deserve is going to cost you more than it's worth, forget about it and move on."
A few hints to the readers. First, Chapters 12 and 13 basically are recaps of the prior chapters, so those wanting to learn the tricks of his trade quickly can do so by reading these two chapters - much more efficiency.
Second, he is not a lawyer. And, on a few occasions he makes references to laws which are not accurately depicted for ALL consumers in ALL states. His statements about liens on homes is precisely the opposite of what happens in Florida. So to Floridians who choose to follow his advice about not being concerned about mechanics' liens, I say - beware. You will have got what you paid for.
Lastly, there are civil actions which are labeled "Civil Extortion." Many of the tactics employed in this book toe the line and could easily be determined "worthy of litigation" by many attorneys employed by "Big Business." Again, take caution.
But, when no one steps over the line and his tactics are not over-the-line, his David-like triumphs over Big Business make the reader both smile and cheer. One for the underdogs is always appreciated by a true spectator.
Unscrewed: A Must-Have for the Screwed September 29, 2007
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
...and we've all been screwed out of our money at one time or another. I'm sure every reader can relate to at least one of the Unscrewed true stories, if not more. Ron Burley takes the reader through the Unscrewed solution with enjoyable prose, and lays out the best practices for each of the tactics.
I've used the Unscrewed principles to resolve disputes with several companies who decided that taking care of me would cost less in the long run than ignoring me. Although I have not yet had to walk into a business with a manila folder full of flyers, keeping the Unscrewed principles in mind while talking to businesses has made a big difference in getting what I paid for.
I reccommend Unscrewed to any consumer who deals with a business who faces the possibility of getting screwed: in other words, everyone.
Awesome September 11, 2007
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
I have to say, I love Burley's writing style. It seems so natural and smooth. I can see his humor while reading this book. He has a lot of really good information and good ideas. I have to say that I don't think I have ever been "skrewed" by any major companies or anything like that - But I hear so many stories of companies taking advantage of their customers. Anything to get more money. Ron, you're a brave man doing some of the things you've done... But thank you for sharing your ideas so that I can avoid being taken advantage of in the future. Very good.
A book for all Goliath-fighting Davids! September 4, 2007
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
I loved this book! What I thought was most amazing is that Mr. Burley has found a way for all us little guys to finally... and I mean finally... have some leverage with the cell phone companies, credit card companies... all of them that have been ignoring us for years. The techniques for getting what we paid for are simple, easy and non-confrontational.
Burley writes about his years of experience as a consumer reporter, and it really shows. He knows what he's talking about and gives more than a dozen actual stories of regular people fighting back. What I found most valuable were his methods on how to entirely avoid the whole voicemail thing.
I worked in sales and customer service for many years and consider myself a bit of an expert on these matters. I've read a couple of the "trick" books out with codes to quickly get to someone. They never work. Even with my experience, Burley's book taught me how to get what I deserved... fairly and quickly.
What I found most inspiring was his admonition to never scream or yell or get angry. It was really refreshing. This guy is a class act. I read recently that he's now a columnist for AARP magazine. I've resisted joining that organization (age denial maybe?), but now I may have to.
The only downside of the book was that it was too short, and I wanted more of the stories. Even though they are about people's problems, Burley is a good writer and they are very funny. I would also like to know when the books on tape version is coming out. I'd like to hear Burley telling these stories himself.
I recommend this book highly and suggest it as a gift to that special someone in your life who is always being taken advantage of. They will find redemption with this book.
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