Consumerist.com's 'Worst Company in America' Tournament Whittles Down to the Final Four

Next Round Includes: Bank of America, Comcast, Cash4Gold, and Ticketmaster

NEW YORK, April 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumerist.com's "Worst Company in America" tournament kicks off its Final Four today.  Companies who have hit a low point with consumers for poor customer service and shady business practices have advanced, including the undervalued bling of Cash4Gold.  Top-seeded Comcast, Ticketmaster and Bank of America were all featured companies in the 2009 Final Four and are back in the mix this year. The first match-up, posted today on Consumerist.com, will be Bank of America versus Ticketmaster.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100421/DC90480)

"The perennial 'Worst Company in America' fave, Comcast, has been on a hot streak beating out all the other companies they have faced," said Ben Popken, Co-Managing Editor of Consumerist.com.  "We are looking forward to seeing if this year they can advance to become the 2010 Grand Champion and receive the prestigious Golden Poo Award."

The bracket-style, single elimination tournament, similar to the NCAA basketball tournament, has been rolling full steam ahead since March 24.  Each week companies are pinned head-to-head and scaled down by Consumerist.com visitors' votes until the final round on Friday, April 23.  Consumers can log on to Consumerist.com today to participate in the 'Worst Company in America's' Final Four.  Match-ups for this round of the tourney will commence on Thursday, April 22.

"This tournament provides our readers with a platform to air their qualms about companies they interact with on a regular basis," said Meghann Marco, Co-Managing Editor of Consumerist.com.  "Their votes and comments continue to be heard loud and clear and they will not be silent to bad customer service and poor business decisions."

Consumers can check back regularly at Consumerist.com for updated brackets and voting opportunities throughout the week.  The 2010 Grand Champion will receive the Golden Poo Award, a golden statuette modeled after a pile of poo, on Monday, April 26.

Upcoming elimination dates:

• April 21 – Final Four
• April 23 – Championship Battle
• April 26 – Winner!

Ready? Set? Play ball! 2010 Final Four are…

Click here for direct link to bracket.

About Consumerist.com

The Consumerist is a subsidiary of Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, and ConsumerReports.org, and the nation's leading not-for-profit consumer advocacy organization. Since its founding in 1936, Consumers Union has fought for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. To maintain independence and impartiality, CU accepts neither outside advertising nor free samples. It employs a staff of "mystery shoppers" who buy products in retail stores around the country, just as any other buyer would, and then ship them to the Consumers Union labs, where technical experts test some 3,000 products yearly.

To further advance its mission, CU employs a dedicated team of grassroots organizers, advocates and outreach specialists who work with the organization's more than 600,000 online activists to change legislation and the marketplace in favor of the consumer interest. Consumers Union is also the leading publisher of information to help consumers choose the right products, stay safe, and protect themselves against unfair business practices. In addition to The Consumerist and Consumer Reports, CU's publications include ConsumerReportsHealth.org, ConsumerReportsEnEspanol.org, ShopSmart magazine, Consumer Reports on Health and Consumer Reports Money Adviser. CU's publications have received many major awards, including multiple National Magazine Awards, several Webby Awards and numerous awards for public-interest and health-care reporting.

SOURCE Consumer Reports