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Can you hear me now? Me neither.

A recent Consumer Reports survey revealed only 54 percent of people were completely or very satisfied with their cell phone service.

That comes as no surprise in our Greensboro household.

We often have to step into the backyard to prevent calls from getting dropped, and even that’s not foolproof.

When it’s cold outside? Can you hear me shivering now?

The solution, at least for us (we love our cell phones, just not the monopolized, poor service), was to give magicJack a try.

The matchbox-size gadget lets you make phone calls through your computer.

It works by plugging a USB connector on one end of the gadget into the computer. A landline phone is then connected on magicJack’s other end. It’s worked like a charm for us so far. Calls are clear as a bell.

It costs $39.95 and is available at plenty of big box stores you’ll find in the Triad, such as Walmart.

It includes one year of free calling to places such as the United States and Canada.

It’s $19.95 a year if you decide to keep using it. You also get free caller ID, free voicemail and free call waiting.

A couple of things you should consider, however, before buying one. You need high-speed Internet service, something commonly referred to as broadband. Your computer also needs to be on and connected to the Internet.

Deals for your weight-loss resolution and your wallet

If you’re hoping to trim your waistline and your shopping budget in 2010, a good place to get started might be Mechelle’s Resale Boutique (403 State St.; 574-4496).

In January, get 20-percent off store owner Jana Lindenberg’s weight-loss introductory package, which is normally $99.99.
That includes consultation, calorie counter, food diary and exercise plan.

She’s also offering a 20-percent discount on all merchandise this month in her store, which opened in May.

Mechelle’s Resale, which relocated into bigger digs in August, sells clothes, home accessories, furniture and fabric by the yard, plus new and consigned items.

She’s also accepting what she considers the best consigned items by appointment only.

Store hours are by appointment only Monday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

Small, extra-small buys available at Sylvia’s Outlet

Sylvia’s Outlet ( 4654 U.S. 29; 621-6466) is having a sale on clothes that are small in size.

Tops, blazers and jackets labeled small or extra small are 50 percent off through Jan. 31 while supplies last.

Read reviews before buying into infomercials

I’ll admit it. Those infomercials sure are fun to watch.

All those shiny, happy people promising everything from dicing veggies in a snap to super easy household cleanup. I’ve caught myself a few times reaching for the phone.

But to quote something Yoda might say, “A deep breath, you must take.” Before you succumb to infomercial temptation, you might want to read Consumer Reports’ take on whether they’re the real deal.

The magazine recently put 15 products sold through infomercials to the test, concluding many of them aren’t worth it.

Those include the Slap Chop dicer, the Snuggie, the ShamWow, the Ab Circle Pro, Debbie Meyer Green Bags and the iRobot Looj gutter cleaner.

Bottom line?

“Consumers should pause 10 minutes before buying anything from an infomercial and see if they can get the same job done for free or with a product that they already have in their house,” Jeff Blyskal, senior editor of Consumer Reports, said in a news release.

The full report is available in the February issue of Consumer Reports, which hit newsstands Monday.

You also can see it at www.ConsumerReports.org.

Readers have their say about local coupon books

In my last column, I recommended getting the new year started right by investing in some coupon books packed with savings for Triad shoppers.

I also asked if you use them.

Here’s what Deanna Miller wrote to me in an e-mail:

“My husband and I both lost our jobs this past year, so our wallets are tighter than ever. Often, the coupon book was our opportunity to eat out once in awhile.

In fact, for this past year, we only ate at the places that offered coupons.

Interestingly, we went to some restaurants we wouldn’t normally have known about and we trade out the coupons that are in other parts of Guilford County with my father-in-law who lives in Jamestown.”

Helen Watson of Greensboro replied that she’s not a big fan of the Entertainment coupon book.

“I had bought the Entertainment coupon book for two years and was very disappointed with the coupons,” she writes. “Most were in other cities besides Greensboro.”

Watson is partial to the Attractions Dining and Value Guide. “A friend gave me some coupons from an Attractions book and I used a lot of them in restaurants,” she writes. “I will be buying that book from now on.”

We bought both books and are hoping to make full use of them this year.

At my blog, Bargain Blog at news-record.com, I’m keeping track of how much we’re saving using those books under the “links of interest” section.

For information about the Attractions Dining and Value Guide, visit www.attractions book.com or call (800) 897-1004. For information about the Entertainment coupon book, visit www.entertainment. com or call (888) 231-7283.

Become Web Savvy

Check out Bargain Blog at news-record.com, where you also can sign up to become a fan of the blog’s Facebook page.
Also, subscribe to the free, weekly Bargain Bytes e-newsletter at www.news-record.com/bargains. You can sign up for my Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/bargainblog.

Do you have a retail tip for Savvy Shopper? Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3465 or michael.fuchs@news-record.com