tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53869573112324748502024-03-15T21:10:17.734-04:00Shelley SaysA somewhat eclectic blog offering advice and suggestions based on my experiences on how to deal with numerous day to day situations, what to buy, where to buy it, how to negotiate and insight into major decisions you may need to make.ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-75074646642917360582023-08-10T15:29:00.000-04:002023-08-10T15:29:32.269-04:00What Happened to Training Those Working in Customer Service?<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">What happened to the good old days when you had an issue and more than likely received some resolution in a timely manner?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For me, I have no luck even attempting to resolve a problem in nothing less that 3 phone calls and possibly a Chat or two. Individual thinking is out of the question as it appears that everyone is reading from as script but has no grasp on how to solve a problem.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Let's take Xfinity for an example. I happen to have 2 Xfinity accounts in 2 different states and a problem arose at one location which wasn't resolved only to find I had the same problem with the other account. I had spoken to 3 different agents, each one telling me something different until I totally lucked out and the 4th agent resolved the issue in 5 minutes. Good Luck getting this one agent again!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">What I was being told to do would have resulted in even bigger problems so needless to say I am grateful to that last agent.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then one day I receive an email that a bill is overdue. I start a chat to say that I have been enrolled in Auto Pay for over 4 years so what happened? No resolution other than I had to go back into my account to re-enroll. In the meantime, the chat agent was more than happy to take my payment and I agreed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A week later I go to the website and check my bill only to see a fee added but it does not state "WHY." Again I start a chat. It seems that when an agent takes payment, you are charged a Convenience Fee. Well, did anyone mention that to me? I complain to the agent and he concurs that I was not informed so he will remove the charge. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the past 2 months I would say I have had spent at least 7 hours dealing with various issues. And why so many hours...no one knows what they are doing when they try to resolve the issue. It is as if just having a body available to either chat or speak with is the solution. And the classic line is that they are so sorry that I am having an issue and will work to resolve it. Resolution doesn't happen often enough considering what Xfinity service costs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then there is Land's End. I ordered an item and the very next day the price point was lower. I called and was told that they would issue a credit vs my cancelling the order and then reordering the item at the new price point. That was over 14 days ago and still no credit adjustment after writing and calling 3 more times. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I don't want to bore you with more stories but suffice it to say that it seems I spend way too much time on the phone or chatting with companies all due to issues which could be easily resolved if people did what they say they will do to rectify the problem.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And to add insult to injury, each time I chat or call, I then get an email or a pop up for a Survey. Do they even read customer comments?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Enjoy shopping but be vigilant.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-2897473277736088762023-03-21T16:18:00.000-04:002023-03-21T16:18:41.425-04:00No More Cuisinart Products<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Did you ever buy an item which had an expired warranty date as you were purchased it?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have and this is what happened:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I purchased a Cuisinart Toaster Oven from Bloomingdales on October 28, 2022. In February I noticed that the words on each push button were worn off.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Called Cuisinart and they asked me for the serial number, which I gave them and then was informed that my warranty had expired. HOW could that happen with a purchase date of October 28th? The rep told me that the store I bought it from must have had old ones for sale. Cuisinart does not go by your purchase date, they only use the Serial number and the date which it is attached to.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In all the years I have purchased products, this has never happened. I didn't even know that this could happen. So then the rep tells me that in order to cover this and send me a new one, I had to CUT the electric cord, send them a photo that I cut it and then they would send me a new unit. Think about this, they wanted me to destroy a working toaster oven which I could have donated, just because they obviously do not trust their consumers to return the defective item once they received an replacement. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I asked the rep if she would be willing to break her cell phone and then wait 10 days to get another one as she told me that it would be 10 days before a new Toaster Oven would arrive. Her answer was, "That's company policy."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So I called Bloomingdales, a store I have shopped in since getting my very first job after college! The rep was surprised at my story, saying he never heard that before and was very willing to make good and send me a replacement and a return label for the one I had.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">That is how a reputable store should respond! After this I just crossed Cuisinart off my list until they honor a warranty from the date of purchase!</span></p>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-85705715540845291052020-02-06T15:54:00.001-05:002020-02-09T17:20:19.363-05:00When is a Fig more than a Fig and other stories<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A fig can only be better than expected when it comes from <b>Shiloh Farms.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This company has a customer service department which is one of the best I have ever experienced.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I had a question about a product of theirs I had purchased, I not only received a very detailed answer, but before I knew it, I was sent a new one! And there was not anything wrong with the one I had but they wanted to make sure that I was totally satisfied.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All they wanted was for me to be happy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I continue to buy products from Shiloh Farms and have enjoyed them all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Great customer service seems to be harder to come by, so I need to give them credit for a job well done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now let's talk about dog food. I feed our Labrador great food from <b>Canidae</b>. Expensive but has everything you would want for your dog. I have gone through at least 4 of the 24 lb bags so far. With this last one, I noticed that there were white pieces sticking out from some of the kibble. I never saw anything like it before so I emailed the company and sent a photo. Their response was fast and assured me that what I was seeing was one of the ingredients in it and it was safe to eat. They also said they would bring it to the attention of quality control. On top of that, they offered to replace the bag through the website where I had purchased it, which was <b>Chewy.com</b>, another great company.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can't ask for more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>VITACOST.COM</b> is another company which allows you to ask for a refund or replacement directly on the website. You don't even have to call or chat. They are very responsive when you do call and always make things right. Aside from customer service, they have an incredible amount of products and deals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I also had a good experience with <b>Revlon and MyoBuddy.com. </b>MyoBuddy makes handheld percussive massagers which I learned about in physical therapy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The point is that there are those companies that actually care about their products and how they affect consumers and they need to get a <b>Thank You</b> and a <b>Shout Out</b> and our continued support! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Maybe the effort taken by a company is not overwhelming for them but it sure makes our lives easier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For the other ones who make things difficult for a consumer, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">we in turn should take offense and shop somewhere else.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Life is hard enough!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-88546290448106042202019-10-31T10:15:00.001-04:002019-10-31T10:22:24.137-04:00A Washing Machine in Need of a Quick Fix<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I only have good things to say about my Speed Queen Washer. When I was young, we had Speed Queen machines in the Laundry Room in our apartment building. You would put quarters in it to do a wash. Same for the dryers. Those were commercial machines but they were big and always worked. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last year I purchased a fairly simple model with knobs and limited cycles since I found I rarely use the other cycles anyway. They have a great setting called Auto Fill where it determines how much water your wash actually needs. The other setting I love is Normal Eco which uses a spray rinse for less water consumption and less hot water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Recently I had noticed that the vinyl ring sitting over the drum was shredding and pieces were getting into my clothes. I called Speed Queen, which is an Alliance Laundry Systems LLC company, and asked about this. They told me that this problem is new and that they will cover the replacement parts and service. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So I called the Appliance store and made a service appointment. The parts were ordered and service was done. It was actually a more involved repair than just the vinyl top of the drum. The inner and outer drums were also replaced. The unit was tested and the machine was working.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Before I did a wash using my now repaired machine, for some reason I held the agitator and turned the drum. I have no idea what made me do this as I had not tried that with the machine ever before. Hearing water splash around worried me since it seemed to be coming from between the inner and outer drum. I did two loads of laundry and all worked fine but that water sound still remained.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I looked online for answers to washing machine issues and all I would read is that a pump runs to remove water from the drums, so of course I assumed that I should not be hearing water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">First thing this morning I called Speed Queen. After explaining what I was hearing since the repair was done, the representative assured me that when turning the drum and hearing water swish around is normal. That water has a lubrication solution in it and is necessary to be there. If I didn't hear water, then I would have a problem.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">By the way, I also have the matching dryer which works perfectly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There is something to learn everyday. And I thank Speed Queen for excellent customer service and taking care of an issue with great speed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-25322377053097964442019-04-04T18:04:00.001-04:002019-04-04T18:11:10.389-04:00Going on a Safari...Hold on to your Hat!<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It has been some months since I returned from a safari in East Africa, yet my memories are still very clear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The strongest memory I have is how long it took my body to recuperate from riding in Land Rovers for 12 days!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong, the trip was terrific. And with all the research I did in preparation, there are still some things you find out after the fact.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Depending on how much wear and tear your body can take, an important item to have with you is a cushion for the seat. Each camp has more or less the same type vehicles but not all are equal. You are travelling on roads where you will get bumped in every direction. The Safari guides love to say that it is like an African Massage, but I told them it also feels like an African Martini...totally shaken not stirred!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now that you have your cushion, we can get started.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Choosing the camp(s) you will stay at is an interesting process. I don't mind roughing it to a point so the choices are many. There are permanent camps which offer running water in your tent although how much water and if hot water is always available is another matter. Some camps have bucket showers, which for 2 days was not bad. You tell the person in charge of showers when you want to take your shower and he makes sure you have hot water which comes down from a bucket over your tent into your shower. Not a problem if you need a second bucket.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you want a slightly higher end type camp you can look at Sanctuary and Lemala brands. One of the Sanctuary camps we were at heats water by solar and there was a limited amount of hot water available at a given time. Once you decide on the camp, I would try to find out if you could reserve a specific "tent" since the location of each one in a specific camp may make a big difference to you. Basically you follow a path and the "tents" are usually in numerical order, although some have names only. Some require a longer walk from the main area, which you may not mind, but if you forget something and have to go back, the walk starts to matter. In the evening once dark you have to be escorted to and from your tent for safety reasons, and that is another reason to consider the distance of your particular "tent." We found that it was nice to be midway from the main area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The vehicles do vary such as some are open where windows would be, some with windows have an open top, some seats are better and some don't have doors! In our last camp, a vehicle pulls up and I kept looking at it, wondering how we get in. Well, you climb up into it! Ha, just what I wanted to do towards the end of our trip. My advice is to ask ahead of time about the vehicles to determine what works for you. We preferred the windowless ones since they are much easier for taking photos but...those with an open top allow more freedom to take photos, especially if others are in the vehicle. It's easier not to be blocked by anyone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Most of the guides we had are well informed and answer most of the questions you may have. Some are more enthusiastic in regards to how fast they drive to get you from place to place. When it comes to seeing a Migration or a leopard, a guide's driving speed may make all the difference as to getting there fast and getting a good space to watch all the excitement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We also found that if you rather stay out all day, you can arrange that with your guide. We liked having an early breakfast then going out for the day until as late as possible. A picnic lunch would be prepared for us and we were always happy with what was presented. We would come back to shower and go to dinner. After that long of a day, we could not get into bed fast enough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Each camp gave us a different experience and we enjoyed that. Some smaller camps have one large table at which you have your meals so all the guests sit together. A nice way of meeting other people from all over the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Clothes are easy. Comfort is the word and layers are a must. You do not need to dress for dinner, at least where we stayed and to do anything else is not necessary. Definitely have a sun hat or baseball cap or two. For shoes, anything comfortable and easy to wipe down since lots of dirt and dust will dirty your shoes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Use insect repellent on your skin and you can also treat your clothes with various products to be double safe. Sanitary hand wipes help a good deal, especially if you do a lot of pit stops during the day on Safari. Take various meds to help with diarrhea, infections, stomach issues for starters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Drink the water supplied by the camps which are either bottled or treated. Brush your teeth with the supplied water, not from the faucet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The food we had at most of the camps was terrific and beautifully presented. Had great coffee all the time, not to mention wine!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you have a special occasion to celebrate, let your booking agent know since some camps help you celebrate with an experience you won't forget. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wishing you a wonderful trip!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-41117404178637204652018-04-02T21:13:00.000-04:002018-04-02T21:17:34.363-04:00When a Verizon Reward is Not Rewarding<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While going through a pile of papers, I came across a Verizon Reward+Cards, issued by MasterCard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Having no idea if any money was left on it, I made a call or two. What I found out was not good news.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first call I made was to Verizon Rewards. The agent was able to tell me that I originally had money on the card but could not tell me what the balance was. It was suggested to call the actual card company and gave me the number.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I make call number 2 and through voice prompts I was able to find out that I had $0 balance on the card so that was good. I connected to customer service to find out what I need to do with this "empty" card.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Here is what I learned:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. If you are going to redeem points for cash to put onto a Rewards+ MasterCard, you should hold on to the card while money is on it or if you will eventually add to it. Otherwise they will charge you a fee for a lost card. They do not want to send you a new one unless you pay for it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. You have 12 months to use the money that you put on the card <b>THE FIRST TIME</b>. After that, any balance remaining on the card or added to the card at another time, is charged a monthly fee, starting with the 13th month, for as long as you keep a <b>balance</b>, no matter how small a balance. Remember, this is after the initial 12 months of having the card.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><b>In other words, you are paying MasterCard for the privilege of having this Verizon Rewards+ card after the initial 12 months, as long as money remains on the card or if you reload it.</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The agent at MasterCard was very nice and very upfront when I asked all the questions one would ask when they just can't wrap their brain around something which makes no sense, at least to the consumer. She said that if I read the back of the card I can see that it states all I was told about fees. My problem is that even with my good reading glasses, I cannot read the small type on the back of the card. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the agreement, even if you read it all, you have to look at the back of your card for more information:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqznpr39iGiAqeXJzBIyyvbc5Xk5z58Caw7-MYIcXbJeY_L7sHV1TzsDqlF0wMZkd9Eq5tXubejkNHzFElwOQVFoSly1G8SANGq8xdGCYm7d0nggW3aNAjREHTzSixNon2fVQ3xqI-yZg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-30+at+6.33.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="774" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqznpr39iGiAqeXJzBIyyvbc5Xk5z58Caw7-MYIcXbJeY_L7sHV1TzsDqlF0wMZkd9Eq5tXubejkNHzFElwOQVFoSly1G8SANGq8xdGCYm7d0nggW3aNAjREHTzSixNon2fVQ3xqI-yZg/s400/Screen+Shot+2018-03-30+at+6.33.02+PM.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you very much MasterCard. Wouldn't it be nice if Verizon would be upfront about this also? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-16937925081315905632017-12-27T15:56:00.001-05:002017-12-27T15:56:27.520-05:00American Airlines Flies Away With Facts<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">By now you know me well enough to know that I need to share my experience when I don't care for the way a company conducts their business.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well hats off to American Airlines. They really did it this time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Let me set the scene: I was planning a trip. I wanted to use my miles. I want to book flights and because I didn't have enough miles, I was going to buy some right before I confirmed the booking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My flights took me on an American Airlines flight to a British Airways flight. Same, but in reverse, on the return. The representative told me that if I fly AA at least part of the way it would save on taxes and fees since BA charges more when flying over the water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I did it all and was ready to book but we changed our travel plans so our dates of travel changed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I called AA and moved the flights. Unfortunately there were no seats on an American Airlines flight using miles so I had to book British Airways all the way. That led to higher fees and taxes. OK, I can deal with that since it was still less money than buying a ticket outright.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had some questions for which I needed answers to before confirming flights and booking. Because my original flights had American Airline segments, I was able to get seat assignments on those AA flights. Now I had all British Airways flights. What about getting seat assignments on the BA flights? At least three AA agents said that as soon as I confirm my flights and pay, I can call BA and get my seats.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sounds good, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So now my dates are set and I call American Airlines to pay for miles and book the flight. For starters, I had been told that it is best to call to buy the miles I need so that the miles and the bonus miles they were offering would go into my account ASAP vs buying online and waiting for the miles to actually move into my account.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I call. I explain that I need to buy miles, book flights. The agent was totally clueless about the Bonus miles I was to get. I told the agent that I need to buy 48,000 miles and that I would get a 9,000 bonus miles to get me to the 57,000 I needed to buy the tickets. She had me on hold for almost 15 minutes because she thought the bonus miles get put into the account after I booked the ticket and that I had to purchase 57,000 miles. Now I am telling the AA agent that she is wrong and that I spoke to 3 agents over the past few days all who said the Bonus miles are immediately added to my account when I call. I had to leave for an appointment so I gave the call to my husband.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I return home, my husband and I discuss the amount charged for the additional miles as well for the tickets. You also have to pay fees and taxes when buying miles. The total seemed wrong, so I called American Airlines. The agent told me that because we did this over the phone, they charged an additional $80 for the phone booking vs online booking. I was ready to explode. I told them that the agents before told me to call and never mentioned it would cost extra money.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am steaming at this point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Finally they reverse that extra charge. I then get on the phone with British Airways. I am informed that in order to book a seat assignment <b>now</b> there are fees charged. Needless to say, I am in shock. Not once did American Airlines tell me that British Airways charges for seat assignments and considering I mentioned getting seat assignments 3 different times, I was in disbelief. I am told that unless you are an AA Executive Platinum member, you have to pay unless, are you ready for this, you get your seat assignments 7 days in advance of flight date. Well, when we are that close to a departure on a popular route, what are the chances that my husband and I would get seats together on a very long flight? AA did not charge for seat assignments when I made the original reservations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So I paid the extra fees which totalled $928. Each flight segment per person gets a fee charged. It seems that the idea of using and buying miles, then paying for seat assignments was not the great deal I thought it would be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I called American Airlines to tell them how disappointed I was in what I went through and it was a waste of my time. They couldn't have cared less. They knew that there were charges to get seat assignments. In fact one agent I spoke with afterwards laughed and said that "of course you have to pay for that on British Airways." I told her I wished I had her for my booking agent because then I would have used a different airline.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I then tweeted and DM'd with AA and got nowhere. They basically washed their hands of the fact that it would have been good customer relations had they at least mentioned that some airlines charge for seat assignments, especially since they partner with BA. I told them that in all the years I have been flying, I never had to pay for a seat assignment so how would I have ever imagined that this could happen. So they say they are sorry that I didn't know there would be a charge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My fault!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I end with this: from now on, before booking any flight, whether using miles or paying for a ticket, it wouldn't hurt to inquire whether or not you have to pay for a seat assignment. And if you are using miles, remember that there are taxes and fees on the miles so nothing is free. If you are buying miles, you also get fees charged to your purchase.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And to American Airlines I say, "Go fly a kite!" </span><br />
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ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-30582217047118663912017-05-28T16:06:00.000-04:002017-05-28T16:06:06.796-04:00Directv Should Call Itself MisDirectv<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The times we live in require the need to be a Consumer Advocate almost all the time. When <i>you have</i> to spend hours dealing with a company to constantly resolve issues, <i>you</i> <i>need</i> to take action.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today's rant has to do with Directv. In the past 2 years, I have had one issue after another all because the information I am given is always misleading. I am not sure if there is an actual lack of understanding on the part of the reps or that the reps are just not trained well enough to actually offer a solution to your issue. Or, and let's hope not, they do all this on purpose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You may be asking why I would continue to work with a company that causes so much aggravation. The answer is that there are few alternatives where my service is located. My challenge is to make the best of a bad situation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What I had just experienced these past two weeks will make your head spin. I cannot understand how you are told one thing from one rep and the opposite from a different rep and then a third rep tells you that what the first rep said was correct, followed by a fourth rep telling you that it wasn't. Confused, frustrated? Yes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have taken to social media as my last resort. Whomever is out there responding is much better informed than anyone you speak with on the phone. <i>They want to resolve your issue so that you don't keep Tweeting the negative.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What I managed to accomplish via Twitter Direct Message, that is after sending a general Tweet, was an appointment set up, as well as service, equipment and invoice explanations. It was much easier than making that phone call and batting zero. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Do you like to hear that your call may be recorded or is being recorded to help improve their service? </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Let me know when they actually put that logic to work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It begs the question: do companies like Directv believe that many people don't ask enough questions and accept most of what they are told? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The take-away from this is to make your life less stressful when trying to resolve a problem with a company. Dealing with the social media segment of a brand may be the best solution if you don't get your issue resolved by making that call. I would send a tweet to the specific company first to see if they respond. Hopefully their response will be to ask you to send a Direct Message to them and that will be the start of a productive outcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For me, this is one of the best reasons for using Twitter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Good luck!</span>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-78435998967890294382016-07-24T11:47:00.000-04:002016-07-24T11:47:18.966-04:00What One Can Accomplish with Creativity and Determination<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXLo8hQ0XuUnq3xq50Yxbku7QuvgXUtCvjb_Gr0YMnXiHmwTyHEN6qKbAJIH7tlO_VQg-PJgaVvYVVX30q0ZaPXIyA2YbhTn_tZAk-HYSgb9C0vZoABesRAQ4ZLKO9SygpcZUp8WmNFs/s1600/IMG_3233+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXLo8hQ0XuUnq3xq50Yxbku7QuvgXUtCvjb_Gr0YMnXiHmwTyHEN6qKbAJIH7tlO_VQg-PJgaVvYVVX30q0ZaPXIyA2YbhTn_tZAk-HYSgb9C0vZoABesRAQ4ZLKO9SygpcZUp8WmNFs/s200/IMG_3233+%25281%2529.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Usually I write to compliment a business or make mention of an issue I had with them or to tell you about something of interest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today I am writing about my husband, the most creative and determined person I know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aside from his talent writing for years in the Advertising business, he possesses a mind where any challenge is welcomed, no matter the subject.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have been spending more time in our home in Martha's Vineyard, and having more time here gives us more time to do work around the house. Going to the beach...well we can always do that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since we have been here we have had to do repairs, some of which would mean ordering expensive parts from the manufacturer or hiring someone to fix the problem.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not my husband. He has repaired everything, without ordering expensive parts or hiring anyone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All began with our desire to improve the water pressure in our shower. For 24 years we could not enjoy the shower since the water came out so poorly yet no one knew why. Lee </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">decided to change the shower arm, thinking it was too wide and the water flow was too dispersed. From Home Depot, we purchased a new arm for $10. The original one was removed, but to our disappointment, there was an additional copper pipe jammed inside the wall and which took 2 days to get it out thanks to sheer determination and some WD40. After the new arm was installed, out came great water pressure! Now our shower days are happy ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The mice love to eat away at our garage doors. Aside from patching the wood which was eaten, he devised a stop gap using metal along the sides of the door, which the mice can't eat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then the door jam was eaten away and he used wood filler and all sorts of materials to make it look brand new. That project took almost a week, but looks great.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The best was when the light went out under the oven hood. We pulled the trim kit and bulb out but one of the springs holding the trim in place snapped and disappeared up into the oven hood. We struggled for an hour trying to find the spring since the trim piece would not stay in without it. We dismantled the hood and finally found the spring. But the spring was sprung and was not usable. I called the company and they seriously wanted $136.80 for a piece worth 5 cents. They actually offered to waive shipping costs. There was no way we would spend that. After contemplating the situation, he just bent an edge of the trim up into the opening and it held in place!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today he wanted to change the electrical receptacle on a light switch in a closet, which only had 1 switch for a light, but we needed an outlet and a light switch. After removing the original switch, he found the wiring lacking in order to add the light/outlet combo. Rummaging through our storage room, he found wiring from old lighting we had and is using that to attach to the existing wiring in the wall to get the switch to work. Watching YouTube helped to figure out the repurposing of the wiring and now we can set up our office equipment in the closet!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now onto the garden. After 36 years of marriage, we finally have a garden. It started out small since we are such novices, though before I knew it, Lee doubled the size, bought all these tools (thanks in part to our friend, an avid gardener who made some suggestions,) put up fencing and stakes, laid down soaker hoses and now we watch while the plants grow! Spending much too much time working in the garden but the rewards are many.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And here is the final accomplishment so far...last week we were dining at a restaurant and the person next to Lee started to choke. Lee looks at me and then says that he will try doing the Heimlich Maneuver although he had never done it. He completes the movements 3 times and the person is fine. What a night!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's to all of you out there who go the extra mile! </span><br />
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<br />ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-29881567491583960712015-12-29T08:32:00.000-05:002015-12-29T08:52:44.475-05:00Whole Foods Does Not Have Their Whole Act Together<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If anyone has watched South Park lately, you would have seen that Whole Foods became the object of ridicule. In the end, the store leaves town in the form of a spaceship, possibly returning to the planet it came from.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sounding negative is not unusual for me. This time my complaint is about shopping at Whole Foods. And it is the little things that really bug me. When it comes to Customer Service, I feel that is one area a business should put in some effort. My following comments relate to the store in the Time Warner Center in NYC. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After going down an escalator, I land smack in the middle of people going every which way, with or without their shopping carts or baskets. It's enough to make you want to march right back up the escalator. There is no rhyme or reason in how entering the store is structured and you can have people walk right into you while they are wandering around trying to make some sense of their surroundings. So one thing that needs to be done is make entering the store more manageable. I should not get stressed in a store which sells products to help you stay healthy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today all I wanted/needed was apples. I walked over to Customer Service to ask if I could check out with them since all I had was a bag of 4 apples. The response, in a tone which made me feel she did not give a hoot, was, "I don't have a scale so you will just have to get in line." She could have at least said she was sorry but unfortunately she has no scale.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They have an express line for 10 items or less. Two weeks ago I got on that line and the line which was not express, moved much faster. On my way out I asked Customer Service if that made sense and was told, "It just depends." Today I went to a non-express line with my bag of 4 apples and again, it moved faster than the express. I guess people buying their lunch think that they will get out faster on the line meant for small purchases, so the line gets longer than the regular check out line. There is something wrong with the way that is set up. Maybe they should call it the "Less Item Lane" for people who want to spend even more time in Whole Foods.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another time I had come in and they were out of a bakery item which was on sale. I went to Customer Service for a rain check since I didn't think I would get back there before the sale was over. It took over 20 minutes for Customer Service to get someone who worked there to go back to the bakery to ask about the sale and come back to report the findings and only then was I issued a rain check. You would think I asking for my lottery winnings and they had to prove my ticket was real.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's this attitude that makes me wonder why I would go back to shop at Whole Foods. At least make me feel that you care if I remain a customer.</span>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-1680027333290508362015-12-18T15:09:00.000-05:002015-12-18T15:09:28.265-05:00EBATES, EBATES, EBATES...Have you signed up yet?<div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wrote about it before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am getting so much money back especially now, since some companies are offering 10 - 15% back on your purchases.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And you don't need to do anything to earn money back other than going through Ebates to your favorite site and shop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can set it up for the magic "E" to show up when you open a website. Just go to Ebates.com and get it going. This way you never can forget to attach the "E" to your shopping experience. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When you see the "E" flashing on the website you are shopping on you click it and it creates a shopping ticket for Ebates and then the website you are shopping at reappears. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since I started, I have earned close to $400 back. And if you know my mindset, I love to get money back or at least figure that the items I bought actually cost less when I factor in the "rebate from ebates."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here is a link, from me to you, to sign up and start shopping:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=oNhZNqwVHZaEuvUFeFcbFQ%3D%3D&eeid=28187</span></div>
</div>
ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-64605125396500208682015-12-08T09:03:00.000-05:002015-12-08T12:31:54.740-05:00Super Automatic Coffee Machines Are Not Super If They Break Down<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhmokm3PEN6hNaWyfUbALnjj6_C6CbUbKcYFNYxUpG1-qw1LKcWo0jgrxBcRJau5YvGVxSHpj2xhmSg3-wwff8GHrqHNSGl64VRfIuId6y3YkxUGeHK2C8mPt0oEMgSvgENKeuAeYy1w/s1600/search-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhmokm3PEN6hNaWyfUbALnjj6_C6CbUbKcYFNYxUpG1-qw1LKcWo0jgrxBcRJau5YvGVxSHpj2xhmSg3-wwff8GHrqHNSGl64VRfIuId6y3YkxUGeHK2C8mPt0oEMgSvgENKeuAeYy1w/s200/search-1.jpg" width="167" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">I am on my second Super Automatic coffee machine since 2005.</span> Both had to be sent back to the company for repairs. Both cost a good deal of money to do so. Both had new issues further down the road.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Someone from a site which sells this type of machine recently told me that if you use these all the time, their life span is about 5-6 years. I guess that with all the parts in use just to grind beans and make coffee, it makes some sense that things will go wrong, even if you take great care of your machine, as I do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Why am I telling you this? Two weeks ago, I had an issue where the water was not coming out of the machine into my cup, or if the water came out, it came out in places it was not meant to drip from. I called the manufacturer, and in my case it was Jura Capresso, and as always, they are very forthcoming with advice on troubleshooting. After I tried all of their suggestions, the problem persisted. I was presented with 2 choices: I could either send the machine back for repairs or I could trade it in and put the trade in value towards purchasing a new machine from a list of specific models. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not too bad, but I was upset thinking of all the money I had spent on purchasing this machine and previously repairing it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Onto the Internet in search of help. <b>Did I luck out!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Found a video on <b>YouTube</b> which showed how to take the machine apart and do repairs. The YouTube channel is <b>PartsGuru USA</b>. The website is: <b>partsguru.com</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The video was clearly shot and detailed. And an added benefit of being able to open up the machine correctly, was that we were able to clean it, remove mildew build up, flush grinds out of the water tube and make it look almost new again. Could not have done it without this video.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I scrolled down the video page, I saw how many people were helped by his videos, and how grateful we all are for his help. He quickly responded to the two questions I asked. If you need the proper tools to do the repairs, he has them. We were lucky that we had whatever we needed and although it took us a few hours to make sure we did everything correctly, our machine is working again! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Videos of many well know brands appear on his YouTube channel and many machines are available to purchase on his website. He also does repairs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am forever grateful to PartsGuru for what he offers us. Considering the expense of owning these machines, what a coup to at least try to fix it yourself!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Check out:</span></b> <a href="http://partsguru.com/" target="_blank">partsguru.com</a>. </span>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-16263659131282460202015-10-06T18:27:00.001-04:002015-10-06T18:27:22.213-04:00I Want My Phone to be My Camera and Not A Phone...When I Travel Out of the Country<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Good News: I can use my phone as my camera when I go out of the country.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But why then did I accumulate $800 in charges on my phone, which I left on but put in my suitcase, on my last trip?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It all depends on where you are going.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you Verizon for making it easy...only joking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I was on a ship in Costa Rico, I forgot to turn my phone off. I tucked it away in my suitcase, never to be seen until I reached the US of A.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What a surprise that I had accumulated charges of $800. No, don't worry, I didn't have to pay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So this time, now that I am off somewhere else, I called to ask: how can I use my phone as my camera and not get charges on my bill?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Easy, said the rep. Where I am now going, if I don't put a Global Plan on the phone, I can't use it anyway, so go ahead and make it your camera!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why then did I have an issue with the last trip? The rep said: where I travelled to last time didn't need a Global Plan. How was I to know that? I was out of the country, so one would assume you would need a different plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My advice: call your carrier before taking a trip to get the correct information. Maybe then you can use your phone as your camera...and nothing else.</span></div>
ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-71542049249172707902015-10-02T12:23:00.001-04:002015-10-04T15:14:49.250-04:00Power of Attorney is a Powerful DocumentWe are aging and so are our parents. Along with their aging comes a little more responsibility on our part to take care of things.<br />
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With that in mind, it is important to have a Power of Attorney, putting someone in charge of dealing with our parents' lives.<br />
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Not everything or everyday but enough to be able to call a bank or insurance company on their behalf and be able to have a dialogue with the representative.<br />
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It is almost impossible to get information without a POA and I had tried many times, sometimes pleading with the representative, just so that I could straighten out an issue an older relative was having.<br />
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If your parent has to be hospitilized and then have surgery and they don't have a spouse (not unusal as they age,) they need someone to advocate for them. I am not talking about a Living Will or Health Care Proxy, although those are very important. I mean you need to be able to make other types of decisions, sign documents.<br />
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What I have learned is that it is a difficult world out there when what has to get done is not really clear to the elderly person and they don't know how to handle situations. They need help and the help has to come from someone they trust.<br />
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For the past 4 months I have had to deal with hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home care aides, insurance, bills, checking accounts and credit cards for starters. You can't blame a company for not wanting to speak with someone whom they don't know especially if it is over the phone. Too much fraud in our world. <br />
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Many parents may not want to give up their independence, knowing that someone else can do things for them, even without their knowing or understanding. That too is the point: sometimes they don't understand and can make bad decisions. Or they show signs of dementia and may forget to do something which needed to be done. So many scenarios, each situation has its own concerns.<br />
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Take time to discuss this with your parent or relative or sibling or whomever may need you down the road. And visa versa. You don't want to learn the hard way and have to scramble to accomplish what could have been done under less stressful conditions.<br />
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<br />ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-51267581678938772882015-07-23T16:48:00.000-04:002015-07-23T16:48:28.656-04:00FEDEX...EXCEPTIONALLY SLOW<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>This will be a short one. I am out of patience with FEDEX.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I track my package online.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Shows delivery on 7/23.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today is 7/23.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is 4pm so I call FEDEX to ask where it actually is since the last info they post is that it is somewhere in CT at 3am and I cannot imagine it getting here, to Martha's Vineyard, today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Get told it is being delivered tomorrow. I keep my dogs in most of the day since they love jumping into the truck.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now I am told that the info online is not correct.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, I ask, why is there not an update?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And they say it takes 24 hours to update.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I say, that can't be. Not in this day and age.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With UPS, you not only get up to date info, they say that it will be delivered by a certain time at the latest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The agent tells me that she is taking notes, registering my comments.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I told her that I am calling the company sending the package never to use FEDEX again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am so annoyed and so are the dogs. They missed chasing another rabbit!</span>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-13024291639549870752015-06-04T15:18:00.003-04:002015-06-04T21:03:52.186-04:00Prescriptions Not Covered by Insurance? Take a Good Look at GoodRx.com!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDUphI7mEdiVzpMQWh9NMPvNrW93iYHLA3f2giYZ6hZGySGKIXK1stZ_MylAms16CDNWXKi5hVUWxMeECiaD5c8HxlVBHHtDPR7plbUI4gBPRhYrrJUsnMOWktx1HCIrhDFdQrlz50xE/s1600/338276.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDUphI7mEdiVzpMQWh9NMPvNrW93iYHLA3f2giYZ6hZGySGKIXK1stZ_MylAms16CDNWXKi5hVUWxMeECiaD5c8HxlVBHHtDPR7plbUI4gBPRhYrrJUsnMOWktx1HCIrhDFdQrlz50xE/s1600/338276.png" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">As good as our insurance coverage may be, there are those prescriptions which are just not covered. </span> For example, your doctor gives you something to help with spots on your skin. The spots are not serious, they just show up on your skin as a sign of getting older!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now the prescription is considered "cosmetic" and most likely is not covered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is a site to go to: GoodRx.com, which may offer you a coupon for a discount on the retail price of the prescription, considering you are buying it with or without insurance coverage. And because GoodRx.com compares pricing amongst pharmacies, you can shop at the best priced one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I used it the other day and truthfully, I was shocked that it actually worked. The only caveat is that the price you are quoted on the site COULD vary once the prescription is placed. Mine was a $3.00 difference. I called GoodRX and they did confirm that all pricing is an estimate and it can vary. I guess if you don't like the final pricing, you can refuse the prescription at time of pick up, as you can do with any prescription you fill.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Check out the site:</span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://goodrx.com/">goodrx.com</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It works with or without insurance. I would think that what your co-pay is will determine if you want to use the site or not. I priced one of my generic prescriptions covered by my insurance and found that my co-pay was much less than what the site offered. It does NOT work with Medicaid or Medicare or any Federal or State funded program.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For those with pets, you can also find coupons and pricing for their prescriptions. The beauty of this site is that you get the pricing and can decide to use it or not. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I did it all online and sent myself an email with the coupon info. If you do it in a store using the app, just make sure you have service on the phone. The store I was in yesterday had the pharmacy one flight down from the street and I had no cell service, so I was glad that I had already opened the email I had sent myself before I got there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Good to do business with GoodRx.com. Nice to save some money whenever we can!</span>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-50549325440779332742015-04-23T20:28:00.000-04:002015-04-23T22:13:58.913-04:00Macy's Should Be Known As Incompetence, Inc.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajp52cE7hJUXNGOxlN-hst0Fj4BjmwDHGADJgPwrLFx8MvHysrzGV9dckwBUx-kIRUaMUYpWpdwX4ZyF7hX2tqO-X6fTM91_6K1vS4-L9qBeaXbOMNEOlk6j5iQI-YnQmBDbRbgypdgg/s1600/2469129_fpx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajp52cE7hJUXNGOxlN-hst0Fj4BjmwDHGADJgPwrLFx8MvHysrzGV9dckwBUx-kIRUaMUYpWpdwX4ZyF7hX2tqO-X6fTM91_6K1vS4-L9qBeaXbOMNEOlk6j5iQI-YnQmBDbRbgypdgg/s1600/2469129_fpx.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">I shop online most of the time. </span> Anything is better than having to go into a store and wait in a long line whenever they have a sale.<br />
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Last week I ventured onto Macy's website because they seemed to be having a good sale. Very rarely do I shop at this site or in the store but I thought I would try it.<br />
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After doing my research and putting the right items in my cart, I checked out. Mission accomplished.<br />
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Not so, as of the next day when they now offered a 15% additional discount on what I just bought. It was not even 24 hours after I placed the order.<br />
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Being who I am, I called up customer service to see if they would give me the additional discount or maybe I would just cancel the order and start from scratch.<br />
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Speaking with the rep, I just lost all of my energy because she was inept and didn't grasp what I wanted to do. I had to end the call before I "lost it."<br />
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I called back a little later and after explaining the reason for my call, which this second rep understood, she informed me that there was a change to one of the items in my cart, so that what I wanted the discount on was actually not in my cart. A substitution was made. She could not tell me who changed it since I certainly didn't. Now we were dealing with a different issue altogether. The item I originally ordered was a comforter which was a Down alternative. The one which now appeared in my cart was not listed as a Down Alternative. The rep said it was made of Down. At that point, she nor I had a clue as to what happened so I asked for a supervisor.<br />
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Finally someone came back to the phone. I needed to start the saga all over again. He told me that he would order the correct one for me, ship it for free, give me the discount and will call UPS to intercept the "incorrect" one for a pick up. He said the problem must be with Macy's. No kidding! Now I had to explain that the original one was shipped with other items, so that if he asks UPS to intercept the package before it is delivered, I wouldn't get my other items.<br />
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Now he was perplexed. I suggested that he does not ask UPS to return it, but rather let me receive it, take out the other items from the package, then call him for a merchandise pick up. He agreed but I still did not know if he understood.<br />
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Guess what? Both packages arrived and they were the same exact item! Go figure that one out. I called today to ask for a pick up and was told that it takes 10-12 business days for UPS to come for the package. They also said that UPS will send me an email letting me know when they are coming. I am not holding my breath about any of this and will have to check back with Macy's customer service if no email arrives.<br />
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Will I ever shop online at Macy's again? No way, no matter what price point they offer. So much of my time was wasted so it was not money well spent.<br />
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And that is just not right. <br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Alert:</span> Today on their site the item is now $20 more, but there is a 20% coupon. How can anyone shop that way?ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-240707427903109172015-03-25T16:39:00.000-04:002015-03-30T08:08:58.301-04:00No Keurig Coffee "Cups" in my Landfill<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With all the negative publicity about how many Keurig coffee "cups" are in landfills, a company has come out with Biodegradable coffee "cups" which work in the original Keurig machines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The article below, written in 2013 states that the coffee "cups" are 97% biodegradable. I reached out to the company for an update and as of this writing, have not heard back. I know they were working on making the "cups" 100% biodegradable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even so, 97% less for the landfills is a great start:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">http://www.rogersfamilyco.com/index.php/mystery-bio-degradable-onecup-revealed/</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aside from these coffee "cups" Rogers Family Coffee Company sells great coffee beans, a good amount of which is organic. I use the whole coffee beans in my Jura Capresso machine and totally enjoy the taste. Choose from Zen Blend, Rainforest Blend, Hurricane Espresso to name a few. There is even one called Gorilla Decaf! The coffee "cups" are also available in a variety of flavors and types.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For those with a Keurig 2.0 which only allows use of actual Keurig cups, there is now a "Freedom Clip" so that you can use these coffee "cups" from Rogers Family Coffee Company:</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>https://www.gourmet-coffee.com/Keurig-DRM-Freedom-Clip.html </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hope you enjoy your morning coffee!</span>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-12489212886133647702015-02-26T07:36:00.000-05:002015-02-26T07:44:04.762-05:00Bed Bath and Beyond: Customer Service Is Beyond Expectations<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YhrWGZ0Cy_vEJwx3avlA1gFix-otmpkXvsuvgzUpNMszzBadQbN3-uKLyf3jyTJ_sdbxBnCXHy1k41kJV9hduPFbD0inhi4mhs12JU4fXXgxLN1tD-1JBGeFU62z_krFhRsal9Z-mHY/s1600/logo_bbb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YhrWGZ0Cy_vEJwx3avlA1gFix-otmpkXvsuvgzUpNMszzBadQbN3-uKLyf3jyTJ_sdbxBnCXHy1k41kJV9hduPFbD0inhi4mhs12JU4fXXgxLN1tD-1JBGeFU62z_krFhRsal9Z-mHY/s1600/logo_bbb.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">The other day I was searching for a specific humidifier which I did find at numerous stores.</span> The price points varied as well as shipping fees. As I pride myself on being a conscientious consumer, my first thought was to buy it at Bed Bath and Beyond and use a 20% off coupon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My problem was that the item was not in any of the stores near me, but available online.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ah, although I have lots of coupons for the store, I didn't have one to use for an online purchase.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Writing to Customer Service got me a rapid response. Here is what they wrote:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>"Thank your for your email. If you choose to place your order online, you can take the invoice, coupon and credit card used to make the purchase to any of our stores and you will be credited for the discount amount. You also have the option to visit your local store to place the online order. Payment is processed at the register, so you will be allowed to apply your coupons. Please note that stores cannot accept coupons over the phone."</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How is that for exceptional customer service as well as an exceptional store policy?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>FYI:</i> if you sign up for emails from Bed Bath and Beyond, every now and then you will get an offer for an Online Coupon. Yes, it has an expiration date, but nice to know if you do want to order online and don't want to make a trip to the store.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Considering the magnitude of items available on their website, I am happy to have learned that I never need to be concerned about getting my discount...and I love my discounts!</span>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-56211911969062364472014-08-14T18:25:00.001-04:002014-08-14T18:38:12.730-04:00As Billy Joel said, "I'm Moving Out!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmINvQARaslhUjg0419OVzjWl8kaMFyKPwmcwThgaVXU9oCzeP8-gdzwXhSCLXPbrRxR-KGetISmW7ZG1cZNu6nKA48vrZYSsd8mYDmAx4VAssuz81nFT5vTjTtSygHDz1UozNmeDsDI/s1600/photo+2+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmINvQARaslhUjg0419OVzjWl8kaMFyKPwmcwThgaVXU9oCzeP8-gdzwXhSCLXPbrRxR-KGetISmW7ZG1cZNu6nKA48vrZYSsd8mYDmAx4VAssuz81nFT5vTjTtSygHDz1UozNmeDsDI/s1600/photo+2+(9).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">There is no such thing as an easy move unless you are in a college dorm! </span> But then you may have had your parents helping you so you were not alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the past two months we have been going through each room and storage area in the house and just shake our heads at how much we accumulated in almost 14 years in our home. That is not counting the other 16 years of living in our previous home where the contents came along with us to our current one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I have now stated to anyone who will listen, there is no such thing as "What If?" I will no longer say that we have to save something because what if we need it later? What if the kids want to see the cards they sent us when they were in Kindergarten? What if I gain weight and I need to wear my old jeans? What if I need that 40th basket or glass vase?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Out it all will go but at least we were able to donate so much to some organizations which do need those things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cleaning out is not only tedious and dirty, it is back breaking and neck hurting. Not to mention that I cut myself on a broken hanger. Someone asked me why we didn't have help doing all this, and I answered that a stranger could not help us go through 30 years of memories before throwing it all out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last week I was working in the last room of the basement and found a shopping bag buried under 5 cargo bags which have not been used since our daughters stopped going to camp. I could not imagine what was in that shopping bag so I took it upstairs and started going through it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had to call my husband and tell him what I had found...all his "drawings" of me when we first dated and then when I was pregnant. I laughed so hard at the captions to the drawings that tears came down and actually smudged the ink on the pages! These are definitely a book in the making. Ok, so I was happy that I had not thrown this out. And I am going to keep these precious drawings until I can scan them and put them on a USB drive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We think that saving all our kids' everything is great and that they will want all of it when they get older. But the truth is, or at least in my situation, they loved seeing it all, took some photos and then said it was ok to throw away. They have no room to store any of it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More and more people I speak with tell me how much they save. I tell them my story. They say that is good to know, but I know that most of them will continue to save and save. It seems to be human nature.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Please remember that if you find yourself in a similar situation, you can always call Big Brothers Big Sisters at 1-877-399-2570 or schedule a pick up at: www.bbbsdonate.org. They will come to your house with a truck to get your items. Also call the Vietnam Veterans of America at 1-800-775-8337 or go online to schedule a pick up at: www.scheduleapickup.com. Both groups are wonderful and are so grateful for your donations. Just be aware of what they won't take, such as TV's and they can't take anything that 1 person can't pick up by themselves, like a big sofa.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Needless to say, we don't ever want to experience this again. If we never save a paint can again, it will be too soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-86622327207818898062014-03-06T18:42:00.000-05:002014-03-06T18:42:02.520-05:00FICO SCORES: The Ups and Downs<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nothing in life is simple.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When using your credit card, if you keep to under your spending limit your FICO score likes this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When you then charge so much that you are very close to your credit spending limit, your FICO score will go down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why? Read the quote below and see why no matter what you do, it is a "catch 22" situation. But what I leaned is that your FICO score keeps changing so one month it may be better than another due to your spending activities and how you are paying for them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So one month you charge a good deal and the next month you don't owe too much. Your score will be revised.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If asking for a credit increase is not for you, then try making a partial payment during your billing cycle to then open up your credit availability during that billing cycle's period.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here is the quote:</span><br />
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<li id="yui_3_14_1_2_1394148666317_130" style="list-style: none; margin: 5px 0px; padding: 0px;">Proportion of balances to crdt limits is too high on bank / revolving accts <a class="arrowFico expand" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="descLink2" style="background-image: url(https://gif.barclaycardus.com/servicing/img/base/global.png); background-position: 0px -1698px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #54558e; cursor: pointer; height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.25em 14px; width: 18px;">Hide details</a></li>
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Consumers who use a high percentage of their available credit (generally known as utilization) have a higher risk of delinquency (falling behind on payments) and charge-off (loan default) over time. Lower use of available credit allows consumers who have the need to temporarily carry higher loan balances to do so, because they have available credit on their accounts. Consumers with heavier credit usage cannot absorb changes to their financial situation as easily, which can lead to higher risk over time. Keeping credit balances lower in relation to available credit will help reduce the negative impact on a credit score over time.</div>
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ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-58118281081624662032014-03-06T17:48:00.005-05:002014-03-06T18:23:15.914-05:00Credit Card Credit Limit Ceiling...How High is Yours?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Did you ever try to have your credit limit increased on your credit card? Were you successful? </span>If not, here is what you need to know about credit cards and your spending limits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let's say you spend, on average, an amount not too close to your limit. Let's say the reasons you don't are either because you don't need to most of the time, or if you charge a large amount, you might use up your limit and not be able to use your card again in that billing period. If the latter applies to you call your card company to request an increase.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Your card company may have a voice prompted system for this request and you do not actually speak to anyone. In a few days you find out you were denied the increase. The reason: in the past year you never needed an increase because your charges never reached close to your limit. Now you have to call to actually speak to a representative in the credit area. So you say, "If I had a higher limit, I would be able to use the credit card more often, but since I don't, I can't use the card all the time. And the response you get is, "But because you don't get close to your limit, the bank doesn't see why you need an increase." It is a "catch 22" situation. You can't use something you don't have. This has nothing to do with whether you can't afford it or your credit rating not being good enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now the representative says that they will do a "manual" credit line increase request. They ask you if you have a mortage and the amount and then ask for your yearly income. They then ask if you have a minimum amount you would accept for the increase. Done. Next thing you know, you have the increase. Granted, this is not always the case, but this is most likely what happens when you do a manual request. (I cannot promise that every credit card company functions the same way.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Of course I am not advocating that you should spend more than you can afford. It is good to know how to go about this and what to expect if you should need an increase. Funny thing is that if you did spend close to your limit all the time, the credit card company may increase your limit without you having to ask.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Please look for my upcoming post about how all this <b>affects your FICO score</b>. It will be short and sweet.</span></div>
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ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-44642663660223699592014-02-11T12:28:00.000-05:002014-02-12T06:45:25.303-05:00The Supply Side of Your Electric Bill<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPC0a9DPvPjkV4TUo8J5Py4eAXvlT6jBeg4KZY50qyP8KsHqBrTQ79V1fNDujBdMKaQM6ZxEldvzDORlE166PNf5nd330yTKGN4td28cGvuvj03UMWJS5JGdrfbZVjSp7_vPPSq5l2kFI/s1600/PageBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPC0a9DPvPjkV4TUo8J5Py4eAXvlT6jBeg4KZY50qyP8KsHqBrTQ79V1fNDujBdMKaQM6ZxEldvzDORlE166PNf5nd330yTKGN4td28cGvuvj03UMWJS5JGdrfbZVjSp7_vPPSq5l2kFI/s1600/PageBanner.jpg" height="41" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">It seems we spend more and more time trying to find the best price for anything and everything. </span>And with the internet, this is not difficult to accomplish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Same goes for the price we pay for our electricity, at least from the supply side of the equation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many states allow consumers to choose which company will supply the electricity although the delivery of electricity is the responsibility of your local electric company such as Con Ed, NYSEG, PSEG to name a few.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These supply companies may offer fixed or variable rates for the year. There are some companies offering fixed prices for 24 months. Some companies have a cancellation fee if you leave the contract before the time period stated in the contract.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So many variables to say the least.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I started my search once I received a letter from my exisiting supply company letting me know that my contract is up and what my new fixed price was going to be for the coming year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I then set out to see what other companies were offering. This is easy enough. Just log on to the sites listing ESCO companies in your state. There are lists upon lists of each company showing fixed or variable pricing, length of contracts, cancellation fees, if any, and the website or phone number you can call to get more information.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For example, in NYS try this website:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>http://www.newyorkpowertochoose.com/</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Usually the contract takes about 2 months to get in place and most likely your new company will take over after a meter read date. Most companies can't let you start anytime you choose so beware of any cancellation fees you may have on your current contract. Paperwork is filed with your local electric company to let them know you changed supply companies. Then you will get a letter stating that you have changed your supply company, or that you are continuing with your current one, and the letter will give you the start date of your new service.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You will also receive a letter from your new supply company. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All very organized.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My first action was to take care of my house and I signed up with NYSEG Heating Solutions through DirectEnergy.com. Apparently Direct Energy either owns or took over NYSEG Heating Solutions. It also represents Gateway Energy. When I mentioned that I needed to also change the supplier for the barn, I was connected to the person in Commerical accounts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had an extremely buttoned up representative from DirectEnergy.com handling Commercial accounts. (Since the barn is unoccupied, my electric company considers it Commercial and the rates are different from Residential. Maybe I need some horses!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was an issue as far as when my current contract ended and when I could begin with a new company to avoid any cancellation fees and the representative, her name is Sandy, made sure that my contract started past the time my old one ended. She even checked my Residential account to assure me that I would be OK with the start date. We went over everything carefully to make sure I was clear on contract and procedure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sandy's professionalism surpassed almost every representative I deal with on a daily basis. She gave me her number so that I could reach her if I had some any questions. And guess what? She was there when I called!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next time you get your electric bill, check to see who supplies your electricity and what you are paying per KW hour and then see if you can find a better price.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And don't forget to see what your cancellation policy is before you commit to a new company. You don't want to lose money before you can start saving.</span>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-68051021367384730502013-10-20T20:14:00.000-04:002013-11-05T08:36:13.091-05:00Your Kitchen Needs This Book: "BRILLIANT FOOD TIPS AND COOKING TRICKS"<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikj0ar6bCIRp7KZti4jZMJL54v3CCLJeilGgkyqX-SKSZvFsdKq3dvAZ93rAV6rURRw2yRI948fVG3-Jl75ryPp0KMBsRsmKPBYvX-gyLCYk0UDEhrlJEviGzGOON_qUcKmdHa4j2C1N0/s1600/31pq0FyN0HL._AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikj0ar6bCIRp7KZti4jZMJL54v3CCLJeilGgkyqX-SKSZvFsdKq3dvAZ93rAV6rURRw2yRI948fVG3-Jl75ryPp0KMBsRsmKPBYvX-gyLCYk0UDEhrlJEviGzGOON_qUcKmdHa4j2C1N0/s200/31pq0FyN0HL._AA160_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">For all those who know me, I cook by experimenting, not always using recipes. </span> I enjoy it but I am never sure if what I prepare will come out decently. Sometimes I need help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aside from all the cookbooks around, I have in my possession a wonderful book entitled, "Brillant Food Tips and Cooking Tricks" by David Joachim.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not only does it contain over 900 recipes, but it has "5,000 ingenious kitchen hints, secrets, shortcuts and solutions."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This book is one of the few in my kitchen which is opened all the time. So much better than searching Google for all the answers on different sites while greasy hands are all over your keyboard or screen. All you need to know is in one book and who cares if the pages get a little dirty?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When you first open the book and look at the inside cover, the chart of Common Cooking Measures and Equivalents will be worth the price of the book. Then there is the Guide to Pan Sizes. This is followed by Common Temperatures and Conversions and Container Size Equivalents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Turn to the back inside cover and find "Emergency Substitutions." It reads, "if you're out of this...use this..." You just might save yourself an extra trip to the supermarket.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The book structure is in alphabetical order. You don't even have to go to the index, just open to the letter of the subject you want to know about and there it is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do you want to learn how to extract pulp from fresh corn kernels, learn about mushrooms, how to choose oysters, how to butterfly a pork loin or how to cook "en papillote?" Read this book and find out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All you need to know under one hardcover book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The edition I have was published in 2001 and I have not found a newer version on Amazon so this must be it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Check it out on <a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com </a>and see if this book needs to be part of your kitchen. My kitchen can't live without it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5386957311232474850.post-7708645304556200752013-10-02T19:19:00.001-04:002013-10-04T19:34:06.236-04:00Your Cell Phone's Share Plan...GB Gone Wild<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpn1prsyb7G9M25aHb9DrpRbFirlCezCzSKyJY8UmWfE689P5-pkiF_nn-veO95S0cdJ7eIuZM3VNy2bZazIUBeuD4WF_KWokGh9SBXSTflqKAiSt3ZYBVhIzvpuQ8aE9e8ZJ1UweJts/s1600/shareEv_doMore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpn1prsyb7G9M25aHb9DrpRbFirlCezCzSKyJY8UmWfE689P5-pkiF_nn-veO95S0cdJ7eIuZM3VNy2bZazIUBeuD4WF_KWokGh9SBXSTflqKAiSt3ZYBVhIzvpuQ8aE9e8ZJ1UweJts/s320/shareEv_doMore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #bf9000;">I finally had to leave my old "pay for minutes" phone plan. </span> I put off making the change fearing that the new "Share" plan would cost me more. As of this writing, I am spending a little less each month. At least for now. The experiment is just beginning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are 4 phones on my plan. It goes without saying that some of us on the plan use more GB than others, like me...I don't do much with my phone other than call, text and clear out emails. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But for those out there who use their phones for everything, I thought that I would find out what uses the most GB and how to control your data usage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Each cell phone company refers to their new plans differently, but it all boils down to data usage now. Calls and texts are unlimited. Texting seems to be fast, easy and the texts go through even if you don't have a great signal for a call. So I text a good deal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Starting with emails, each time you receive an email you are using data, even if it is a minor amount. Each time you open the email, you use additional data. And if the email has photos or attachments, more data is used.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Watching videos on You Tube for example definitely uses data. Movies, for sure. Your phone as a GPS. Checking FourSquare, Facebook or for searching the Web. The list is endless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For those of you who never delete emails, the more you keep on the phone, the more data you use each time you turn on your phone. Deleting emails from your computer is an easy way to get rid of them on your phone. Afterwards, you refresh your emails on your phone and they are gone. Less data to be used.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To make better use of data, I started to "unsubscribe" to all those emails sent to me which I never opened anyway. Do I really need to know everything about every company's sale, or the zillions of "coupon" discounts on every service known to mankind?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It takes some getting used to because on the old plans you paid for call minutes and may have had an unlimited data package, as I did. What I hope to accomplish is to keep with the 6GB plan, but if things don't go according to plan, I can upgrade to the next offered GB amount. My cell phone company will send texts letting me know if I am getting close to reaching my 6GB max. They warn me at 75% and then at 90%. This way I can upgrade to the next amount in my billing period for less than I would pay if I went over my limit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Use less data and you might have some extra money for something else, like a new case for your phone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>ShelleySayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575354125245028900noreply@blogger.com0