Your Money

By Daniel Eisenberg and Kathleen Adams

RETURN THE PAGE Online book buyers were in an uproar last week when Amazon.com admitted it had been selling publishers prominent placement for their books in sections such as "Destined for Greatness" and "What We're Reading." Amazon denies it ever spotlighted a book without editors' approval, but it will let customers return any book it ever recommended, no matter how beaten up. Amazon will also now disclose to customers which digital displays are paid for.

CELL FORWARDING It's one of the reasons cell-phone users give out their numbers to only a select few: they have to pay for every incoming call. But last week William Kennard, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, pledged support for a more traditional system, in which the person dialing foots the entire bill. For the moment, though, wireless callers can save with bundled digital plans from AirTouch or Sprint PCS, which don't charge for the first incoming minute, and with Nextel, which charges by the second rather than rounding up to the next minute like most other carriers.

FOUL BALL After winning back baseball fans with last season's home-run heroics, how does Major League Baseball express its gratitude? By jacking up prices, of course. The average ticket will cost $15.26 this year (an increase of 7%), ranging from the Minnesota Twins' $8.22 to the Boston Red Sox's $23. Judging by their '98 home-game records and '99 ticket prices, here are a couple of teams that potentially offer the most (and fewest) wins for your money.

--By Daniel Eisenberg and Kathleen Adams