Search found 923 matches

by Trism
Thu Jul 07, 2022 12:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I need suggestions for my next Oakley frame?
Replies: 51
Views: 4737

Re: I need suggestions for my next Oakley frame?

Yes, everyone understands that. The point was that if everyone went to the physical store to get suggestions on frames and then bought online the physical store would eventually go out of business and then you wouldn't have anywhere to get suggestions on frames. Sometimes it is worth buying local to keep local businesses viable. I don't know how much difference you're talking, buy wherever you want but understand that the best prices online may be counterfeit knock offs if you're getting them from Amazon or whatever. Not everyone has the money saving mindset as us. We are Bogleheads and besides I am on a F.I.R.E journey. Got to pay the least amount and get the best quality. I am not concerned about physical location going out of business. ...
by Trism
Thu Jul 07, 2022 8:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Montreal and/or Toronto vacation
Replies: 56
Views: 5011

Re: Montreal and/or Toronto vacation

~5 years ago we spent a long weekend in Toronto with friends who grew up there.

tbh, I don't remember anything about Toronto itself.

Haven't been to Montreal, but I have to believe it would be more interesting.
by Trism
Thu Jul 07, 2022 6:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: booked flights on American without assigned seats UPDATE
Replies: 36
Views: 5014

Re: booked flights on American without assigned seats

The sorriest sort of airline seating is when you see one of the pilots, flying in uniform, seated in a middle seat in steerage. Is that any way to treat one of their most valued employees? Oops, sorry, they are not really valued? What's even more exasperating is spending $XX,000 a year with an airline and have an upgrade not go through, only to see a uniformed pilot (from the same or another airline) sitting in Biz/First. Or like a recent experience on a regional flight, where the bored gate agent was just too lazy to proactively process any upgrades for loyal customers at all. Half of First was empty. But they still managed to accommodate airline mechanics who were either working or just really proud of their ID badges. https://i.imgur.co...
by Trism
Thu Jul 07, 2022 5:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Charlotte Area vs Dallas Area (C vs D)
Replies: 125
Views: 15201

Re: Charlotte Area vs Dallas Area (C vs D)

Given the choice between these two cities, I'd go with whichever has the lower cost of living.

Neither has much appeal, but that's true for most places (I've been in Columbus, Ohio, for almost 8 years :shock: after relocating from San Diego for career reasons).

Wherever you go, it's what you make of it.
by Trism
Thu Jul 07, 2022 5:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Classic men's suit, what and where to buy? In San Diego.
Replies: 42
Views: 5178

Re: Classic men's suit, what and where to buy? In San Diego.

I attend one conference a year that requires a suit, so I tend to buy a new one about every 4-5 years. Price matters to me on suits more than many other things because of how little use I get out of them. I had zero luck at department stores in SD. I'm far from obese, but they seem to mainly stock selections that are sized for middle school boys. :? The chain suit stores are generally a turn-off because they often try to sell you two suits for the price of one, and won't discount just one. But last time I ended up walking in/out of a Men's Warehouse in about 10 minutes. The trick was (pleasantly/with a big smile), "Hi, I'd like to be your easiest sale of the day. I don't want two suits. Please show me the most boring navy blue suit you...
by Trism
Thu Jul 07, 2022 5:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I need suggestions for my next Oakley frame?
Replies: 51
Views: 4737

Re: I need suggestions for my next Oakley frame?

This is for prescription glasses not sunglasses. IRL? Why buy in person when it’s a lot more expensive there? They aren’t willing to match online prices. I already tried them on as stated in my post and the male staff member suggested Plank 2.0 over Airdrop. Well, regardless of the type of glasses, you've posted a bunch of specs and asked for input on how to make a decision that you've defined as an aesthetic one, so it's impossible to offer anything in the way of help. Why buy in person? I explained that in my post. You obviously found value in having a physical store that has invested in real estate, inventory, and pays staff to be there to answer questions and offer professional insight -- and to help you make the aesthetic decision tha...
by Trism
Wed Jul 06, 2022 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What exactly does it mean to buy a car for MSRP? Is that the total price, or should I expect extra charges?
Replies: 43
Views: 4734

Re: What exactly does it mean to buy a car for MSRP? Is that the total price, or should I expect extra charges?

Chardo wrote: Tue Jun 07, 2022 6:35 pm Car dealers are making a killing nowadays.
Margins are up but volume is down.

Some dealerships are having a hard time retaining salespeople who've been with them for decades because there isn't enough inventory to sell in order to earn a living (so the dealers are paying retention bonuses month after month in lieu of commissions, but don't have the sales to offset it).

Meanwhile buildings require lease payments, the utility bills don't stop, insurance premiums need to be paid, employee benefits expenses continue, and on and on.

It isn't all roses for many car dealers right now either.
by Trism
Wed Jul 06, 2022 7:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 3 week Rental car in Philly?
Replies: 18
Views: 1740

Re: 3 week Rental car in Philly?

Parkinglotracer wrote: Mon Jul 04, 2022 8:57 am Family member needs to rent a car for 3 weeks in downtown Philly area - any ideas of where to look for one?

I suggested to them to ask the body shop for a loaner or get referral from the body shop for a Rental company.
Is there a car accident involved here? Or is this just a general question about where/how to find the best deals on rentals cars?
by Trism
Wed Jul 06, 2022 6:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I need suggestions for my next Oakley frame?
Replies: 51
Views: 4737

Re: I need suggestions for my next Oakley frame?

Hello. I have been an Oakley frames owner for many years. I’ve wore Socket (not sure which version) and currently have the Crosslink Switch in Satin Black color. The size says 53 - 18 and on arms it says 140 OX3128-0153. My top 2 choices were Airdrop and Plank 2.0. I went to a LensCrafter and the male staff member said Plank 2.0 looks better on me. He said I have a top boxed shape face and bottom is narrow. After comparing prices online I found that Eye Buy Direct was the cheapest overall. It had a medium size of 53-18-139. The 139 is off from 140. Would that matter? I do have gray hair mixed with black hair on both sides of my head. I am a 44 year old male and want to look younger. Do I need to spend extra money on 1.74? Based on my presc...
by Trism
Tue Jul 05, 2022 5:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When does a Hybrid car break even?
Replies: 60
Views: 11676

Re: When does a Hybrid car break even?

Make sure you are evaluating realistic selling prices when you compare the relative costs of hybrid vs. non-hybrid models.

A lot of hybrids are commanding a premium over MSRP (some pure gas models also are, but their hybrid equivalents are going for an even higher markup).

I doubt most people are doing the math, given how common it is for Paul and Paula Public to put a bunch of money down and then brag about what a great deal the monthly payment is.
by Trism
Tue Jul 05, 2022 4:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Chase Credit Card
Replies: 14
Views: 1869

Re: Best Chase Credit Card

newyorker wrote: Mon Jul 04, 2022 7:10 pm I guess just stick with chase sapphire preferred for now? I dont plan on switching bank as it is very conveninent.
Where you bank and whose credit card(s) you carry are two different things.
by Trism
Tue Jul 05, 2022 4:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I need suggestions for my next Oakley frame?
Replies: 51
Views: 4737

Re: I need suggestions for my next Oakley frame?

Hello. I have been an Oakley frames owner for many years. I’ve wore Socket (not sure which version) and currently have the Crosslink Switch in Satin Black color. The size says 53 - 18 and on arms it says 140 OX3128-0153. My top 2 choices were Airdrop and Plank 2.0. I went to a LensCrafter and the male staff member said Plank 2.0 looks better on me. He said I have a top boxed shape face and bottom is narrow. After comparing prices online I found that Eye Buy Direct was the cheapest overall. It had a medium size of 53-18-139. The 139 is off from 140. Would that matter? I do have gray hair mixed with black hair on both sides of my head. I am a 44 year old male and want to look younger. Do I need to spend extra money on 1.74? Based on my presc...
by Trism
Mon Jul 04, 2022 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: what is your experience of using Opendoor for buying or selling your home?
Replies: 34
Views: 6800

Re: what is your experience of using Opendoor for buying or selling your home?

Hi, I recently sold one house, and am under contract to sell another. I got offers from Offerpad, Opendoor, and RedfinNow. I went with RedfinNow for both sales, but I can summarize my experiences with all three in case that helps at all. For house #1, RedfinNow had by far the highest initial offer, so I did not followup with Opendoor or Offerpad and went with them. It just closed last week and everything went pretty smoothly. I think I got a higher price than the market would have given me. For house #2 (the one still under contract) I got offers from all three. Opendoor was the highest, but RedfinNow was close, so I went went to the inspection with both. For Opendoor, I just had to walk around the inside and outside of the house for 10-15...
by Trism
Mon Jul 04, 2022 6:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4535
Views: 625568

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

Yesterday I acted on several cash-back offers on various credit cards.

10% (up to $6) back at Petco on three cards (two Chase and one Bank of America).** Stocked up on Orijen dry cat food in three separate transactions, and did store pickup to save another 10% (yes, I know, cost of gas, but I had other errands so I was out anyway).

$10 back on a $50+ gas purchase on my US Bank card. Accidentally overshot and put $50.45 in the tank, so there's that. :p I have the same offer an another US Bank card, and I'll use that next time.

** After I got home I noticed the same offer on three other cards. :shock: Debating whether I should buy another 36# of food for our two cats.
by Trism
Sun Jul 03, 2022 7:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Puerto Rico in December
Replies: 8
Views: 1703

Re: Puerto Rico in December

The idea of wild horses running around Vieques is charming until you arrive.

Think about what comes out of the back of the horse, and then picture yourself trying to avoid that wherever you walk.

And it doesn't matter where you walk, it smells like what a horse ate the day before.
by Trism
Sun Jul 03, 2022 7:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are your experiences with Banks
Replies: 41
Views: 3991

Re: What are your experiences with Banks

No matter which bank you ask about, you will get responses from people who recoil in horror and share a dreadful story. I choose financial products based on what the product itself does better for my specific needs than its competitors, not by who offers it. (Sometimes "better" is a new account bonus, and then I move on). Overall I have much better luck with products from banks. On an exception basis I will deal with a credit union here or there. Much of their reputation as a class comes from their folksy marketing messages, as very few have best-in-breed products if you take an honest look at the marketplace. I clicked on a Facebook ad yesterday for Mission Federal CU (San Diego area), and they're paying 0.03% APY on savings righ...
by Trism
Sun Jul 03, 2022 7:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Autoslash WAY cheaper than direct or priceline.
Replies: 7
Views: 1450

Re: Autoslash WAY cheaper than direct or priceline.

I am a huge fan of Autoslash, and almost never find the best deals through Costco Travel anymore (nor through Hotwire, which for years was also a "must check" source).

With that said, I work for a large company and can use the same corporate rental car discount rates for personal travel.

Most of the time Autoslash still has the best deal (almost always through Priceline, as noted by others), but I can still beat the Autoslash offers with the corporate rate about 20% of the time.
by Trism
Sun Jul 03, 2022 6:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Points or vouchers for Southwest flight?
Replies: 10
Views: 1600

Re: Points or vouchers for Southwest flight?

We just came back from a trip to San Diego to attend my father's funeral. We paid for roundtrip direct flights on SW Airlines from Baltimore to San Diego. About a month before the trip, SW changed our flight to have layovers in Nashville on the way out, and in Chicago on the way home. On the morning of our return trip from San Diego, we noticed that we had a 2nd stop on the way home...first in Chicago and then in Cleveland. We didn't have to get off the plane in Cleveland, but it was still a surprise to us. Question...is it worth complaining to SW Airlines? Will they give you any sort of travel voucher or extra points? We still had a good trip overall...the layovers just added some inconvenience and a few travel hours each way. I'm very so...
by Trism
Sun Jul 03, 2022 5:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cleaning Corners on the Floor
Replies: 41
Views: 5118

Re: Cleaning Corners on the Floor

One of the most satisfying decisions I've made is hiring house cleaners, and then mentally holding them to a standard that's about 85% of what I would expect from myself.
by Trism
Sun Jul 03, 2022 4:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone used Costsaver tour (part of Trafalgar)?
Replies: 12
Views: 3007

Re: Anyone used Costsaver tour (part of Trafalgar)?

On tours we value time away from the group and prefer a more a la carte model, so Costsaver works well for us. We travel quite a bit and don't enjoy trying to cram 16 hours of activities into every day. With occasional exceptions we generally consider tour meals to be time wasters, and almost never attend group dinners even when they're included. Tours tend to cover a lot of ground quickly, so if we find a particular city intriguing we can always go back on our own for a more immersive experience... so I honestly don't care if the hotel is in the city center or in an exurb. In the evenings we like being away from mobs of people, and we are fine as long as the hotel is clean, there's something mediocre to eat, and the wifi works. [When we're...
by Trism
Sun Jul 03, 2022 4:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Selling Car-First Dealer Offered Over KBB/CarMax
Replies: 8
Views: 1664

Re: Selling Car-First Dealer Offered Over KBB/CarMax

Get more offers from as many online buyers as you can (takes just a minute or two each).

Carvana, Vroom, Driveway, Autonation, and more, plus if you live in or near a metro area there are a number of regional players. It generally just takes a minute or two per request.

Also note that KBB used car values (like "trade-in" value) are worthless.

KBB has an Instant Cash Offer feature, where you may receive actual offers for your vehicle -- which is actually useful, because the opinion on the value is from a willing buyer (which is all that matters).
by Trism
Sun Jul 03, 2022 4:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do u always ask for and review receipts for credit card purchases?
Replies: 89
Views: 7938

Re: Do u always ask for and review receipts for credit card purchases?

island wrote: Thu May 26, 2022 3:57 pm
some family members tend to be lax at asking for a receipt (by print, text or email) if not automatically given one. And apparently don't always check the bill shown on the device before paying.
Assuming you are okay paying for every charge for everyone to whom you've given a credit card, have each family member "reimburse" you with the receipts.

For any transactions that are missing receipts, they reimburse you with their own money.

Introducing accountability solves a lot of problems.
by Trism
Sun Jul 03, 2022 3:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Capital One Credit Card Fraud Issue **UPDATE **
Replies: 43
Views: 6402

Re: Capital One Credit Card Fraud Issue **UPDATE **

Finally got this resolved. First, I tried submitting my issue in writing to the address on the back on the statement for "mistakes on your statement" as advised by SpaethCo and Turbo29. I waited a month after sending that letter and nothing came of it. So then I filed a complaint on the CFPB website as advised by multiple posters. That was pretty easy as I already had all of the info needed in my previous correspondence and attached that to the complaint too. Amazingly, a week later Capital One credits me with the three charges I complained about and considers the problem resolved (as do I). Once I spend what was credited to that account, I'm still going to close all my Capital One accounts. They don't deserve my business after a...
by Trism
Sat Jul 02, 2022 5:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommend toaster
Replies: 55
Views: 5453

Re: Recommend toaster

OnTrack2020 wrote: Mon Jun 27, 2022 11:02 pm
Trism wrote: Sat Jun 22, 2019 9:09 am This Breville toaster will change your life.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A1AjNjJFGs4
We have one of these. Husband bought it; he was concerned about the price. I absolutely love it!! Who knew that making toast would be so enjoyable.?! And it works like a charm for bagels.
I'm glad you're enjoying yours as much as we do!

I got some negative spousal feedback at the time of purchase, but on a recent Airbnb stay I heard the words of a convert...

"I've obviously taken for granted what it means to have a decent toaster." :happy
by Trism
Tue Jun 14, 2022 7:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: USAA credit card
Replies: 26
Views: 3074

Re: USAA credit card

Also, your 2.5% card will be devalued to 2% or less inside of a year (put a reminder on your calendar for 11/6/19 to come back to this thread and tell me I was wrong). They've already stopped offering this reward rate to new applicants. 3% for the next year > 2.5% the one year (or less) you have left before the inevitable devaluation. Several years after your deadline it remains %2.5 CB. Timing was off, but as predicted your card is now circling the bowl at 1.5% back, and tax payments now earn nothing . LOL The inevitable devaluation was even worse than I predicted. Effective April 26, 2022, your USAA Limitless Cashback Rewards will automatically be converted to the Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Credit Card. Your new Preferred Cash Rewards V...
by Trism
Thu May 05, 2022 8:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Expensive front load washer/dryer worth it?
Replies: 78
Views: 9449

Re: Expensive front load washer/dryer worth it?

Would you buy a car if you had to leave the door open when you weren't driving it, to keep it from smelling like rotting garbage inside?
by Trism
Mon May 02, 2022 1:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Font transfer
Replies: 10
Views: 1104

Re: Font transfer

I don’t understand your answer. Could you please be more specific? Still looking for printable paper. Checked Amazon but it’s at least $20 and I only need it for printing 2 full names. Then print on regular paper, cut it out, and apply to the album using good ol' Elmer's glue. What is your price point? Few of the heart's desires can be satisfied for $20 or less. :) If the photo album is a physical album with actual printed photos already attached, as JoMoney stated, try something like this: https://www.avery.com/blank/labels/94200/gc-film?qty=1&msclkid=35772b6077c21e45a529490feca1fa31&gclsrc=ds&gclsrc=ds That price is for one sheet and doesn't include shipping... so just an example. Microsoft Word has built-in templates that ma...
by Trism
Mon May 02, 2022 5:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How I got American Airlines to answer the phone
Replies: 19
Views: 4216

Re: How I got American Airlines to answer the phone

Also, in case anyone finds this useful, the AA app has a chat function that you can access from the "Contact American" button on the main screen.

Image

You can also reach AA customer service on The Twitter Machine.
by Trism
Mon May 02, 2022 3:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Font transfer
Replies: 10
Views: 1104

Re: Font transfer

What is your price point? Few of the heart's desires can be satisfied for $20 or less. :)

If the photo album is a physical album with actual printed photos already attached, as JoMoney stated, try something like this:

https://www.avery.com/blank/labels/9420 ... &gclsrc=ds

That price is for one sheet and doesn't include shipping... so just an example. Microsoft Word has built-in templates that make printing on stock Avery and some other common label types really easy.

[And this is obviously completely unsolicited, but fussy, ornate fonts like that are rarely used in professional design because they're very hard to read...]
by Trism
Sun May 01, 2022 7:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Desiccant to Harden Paint
Replies: 22
Views: 2287

Re: Desiccant to Harden Paint

ClassOf2021 wrote: Sun May 01, 2022 7:15 am I’ve been using paint hardener ( not for oil based) from Home Depot but it cost $. Stir it in can, close and dump in garbage.
Out of curiosity, what's the benefit of hardening the paint before dumping the can into the trash?

It's more of an academic question, because I usually keep leftover paint for touch-up until it's dried out and no longer serves a purpose, and at that point the can gets discarded.
by Trism
Sun May 01, 2022 7:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Airfare discussion - Split from: U.S. stocks in free fall
Replies: 16
Views: 1736

Re: Airfare discussion - Split from: U.S. stocks in free fall

For the past ~8 years I've flown between the same two city pairs roughly every three weeks, and only stopped briefly (< 1 month) during the pandemic. One-ways between these two city pairs, pre-pandemic, typically ranged from $175-300 with a couple of weeks' notice... schedule of my choice. During the pandemic I was picking them up for $125-200. Advance purchase didn't make much difference. I normally wouldn't do this, but I currently have everything purchased through the end of July, and I've paid $300-550 each way for these. Some of the more expensive trips are the ones furthest out (no idea where everyone's going on 6/26, for example), and I've accepted some itineraries that I wouldn't consider in normal times. Cost was only one factor in...
by Trism
Sun May 01, 2022 6:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Once you are FI how do you learn to spend it?
Replies: 230
Views: 21683

Re: Once you are FI how do you learn to spend it?

Image

It isn't easy.

Just 30 minutes ago I went to order a light fixture we'd picked out earlier this week, but the sale apparently ended and the price is now almost 20% more... so I decided to wait.

But thank you for the reminder. I'm going to order it anyway.
by Trism
Sun May 01, 2022 5:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Meal Delivery Service?
Replies: 61
Views: 9359

Re: Best Meal Delivery Service?

I have a neighbor who gets stuff delivered from Schwan's. He's told me they have plenty of variety, they have their own trucks that deliver weekly, and his family likes the food. From the looks of their trucks, everything is frozen. I have noticed their trucks around more than I used to. I had Schwan's meals delivered to my grandparents during their final couple of years they were still in their own home. They were a godsend for my grandfather who, in his mid 90s, still had enough strength to be the primary caregiver for my grandmother, who had dementia, but he struggled to also prepare meals every day. Yes, they were frozen, but they were really easy to prepare (heat in the oven or microwave and serve). I didn't personally try any of them...
by Trism
Sat Apr 30, 2022 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11149
Views: 2085160

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Image

And of course, now I'm reading Mastering the Art of French Cooking (original volume from 1961).
by Trism
Sat Apr 30, 2022 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2020 Toyota Camry - Battery drainage software bug
Replies: 3
Views: 3218

Re: 2020 Toyota Camry - Battery drainage software bug

Someone in my circle (can't recall who, or what type of vehicle) had a similar problem when the keys were left in the laundry room just inside the house from the garage... maybe 10-12 feet from the car.

The proximity key and the car constantly communicated until the car battery went dead. Happened more than once before the root cause was finally figured out.

Not sure if the 2020 Camry is so equipped, but I thought I'd take a stab just in case it might be something else beyond your first theory.

Good luck.
by Trism
Sat Apr 30, 2022 12:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking at a new Camry or Rav4. Is a Rav4 easier to drive?
Replies: 26
Views: 4606

Re: Looking at a new Camry or Rav4. Is a Rav4 easier to drive?

There are only two vehicles that I won't accept from a rental car company unless there are no other options: RAV4 and Mirage. This has nothing to do with what I choose to drive on my own time. It's not just performance. The RAV4 is genuinely unpleasant in every way. Last week Avis gave me a Subaru Forester, which is also something I wouldn't put in my own garage, but I was perfectly content driving it around for a couple of days. At the airport they can give me a Chevy Cruz. A Kia Soul. A Corolla. But that RAV4 is strictly from hunger. Of course we are all entitled to our personal preferences. Many other drivers have a preference for the RAV4 which happens to be the best selling car in the US. I get that. By the same token, there are enoug...
by Trism
Sat Apr 30, 2022 8:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recent Experience with Costco Auto Program?
Replies: 40
Views: 7494

Re: Recent Experience with Costco Auto Program?

You can generally use those whether or not you use Costco's useless (to me) white-labeled TrueCar auto buying program. You just get a code and take it to a dealer and have it applied after you negotiate the rest. Costco doesn't use TrueCar. But I agree that in the current market, it's probably not very useful. I knew I would pay the internet forum price for not re-stating my qualifier, yet posted that anyway. :happy My experience: - I put in a request through USAA's auto buying service (powered by TrueCar); - I put in a request through Costco's auto buying service; - I did NOT put in a request through TrueCar; - One and only one dealer responded to each inquiry (same dealer, same cars in both emails), and the dealer was 100 miles away (des...
by Trism
Sat Apr 30, 2022 7:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recent Experience with Costco Auto Program?
Replies: 40
Views: 7494

Re: Recent Experience with Costco Auto Program?

Your experience with this program is going to be highly dependent on how many/which dealers participate in your geographic area. If I'd gone with them last time around (normal market/2019) I would have overpaid by somewhere in the neighborhood of $15,000-20,000 (on a $105k car). There is no Costco magic here. As I understand it, this is just TrueCar. Just like USAA. There is no substitute for researching the make/model/market and knowing how to find every available incentive. Except that Costco is known for having its own incentives for certain makes at certain months. You can generally use those whether or not you use Costco's useless (to me) white-labeled TrueCar auto buying program. You just get a code and take it to a dealer and have i...
by Trism
Sat Apr 30, 2022 7:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recent Experience with Costco Auto Program?
Replies: 40
Views: 7494

Re: Recent Experience with Costco Auto Program?

Your experience with this program is going to be highly dependent on how many/which dealers participate in your geographic area.

If I'd gone with them last time around (normal market/2019) I would have overpaid by somewhere in the neighborhood of $15,000-20,000 (on a $105k car).

There is no Costco magic here. As I understand it, this is just TrueCar. Just like USAA.

There is no substitute for researching the make/model/market and knowing how to find every available incentive.
by Trism
Sat Apr 30, 2022 6:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Question about using CC with chip in Europe
Replies: 83
Views: 6654

Re: Question about using CC with chip in Europe

Not every credit card with a chip is going to deliver the same experience. FTFs aside (that's obvious), the main cards I would never recommend relying on solely (or primarily) while on international travel include any card with a Discover logo (I've had a terrible time even in Canada) and any card issued by a small/mid-sized bank or by virtually any credit union. The major card issuers that target frequent travelers (Chase, for example) have a lot more experience screening "unusual" transactions because their customers are a lot more mobile. On my airline-branded credit card, the issuer knows where I'm traveling and when, because they received the data from the merchant (airline) when I bought the ticket. This is also tremendously...
by Trism
Sat Apr 30, 2022 5:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Highly rated (michelin?) farm to table type restaurant in the midwest
Replies: 23
Views: 2940

Re: Highly rated (michelin?) farm to table type restaurant in the midwest

lightnoise wrote: Fri Apr 29, 2022 9:28 am Thank you to everyone for your recommendations. Given the lack of choices outside of Chicago (coupled with difficulty in getting reservations) I think we will opt for something in the city of Chicago given the wider availability of choices. I will report back with a review of the experience.
Alinea has been on my list for a long time.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
by Trism
Sat Apr 30, 2022 5:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Highly rated (michelin?) farm to table type restaurant in the midwest
Replies: 23
Views: 2940

Re: Highly rated (michelin?) farm to table type restaurant in the midwest

Would you consider a 1-3 hour flight vs. a 2-3 hour drive?

From ORD or MDW, the non-stop flight options would be numerous.
by Trism
Sat Apr 30, 2022 5:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Experience buying a new car recently?
Replies: 122
Views: 19862

Re: Experience buying a new car recently?

I've dropped out of the new car market for now, and earlier this month I bought the leased car that I'd been planning to turn in in June.

This is how far I'd have to travel right now just to test drive the models of interest that have the right engine, regardless of color/options.

Note that we live in an MSA with over 2,000,000 people.

Choice #1 - 191 miles
Choice #2 - 457 miles
Choice #3 - 97 miles

It's also possible that these vehicles are still advertised but already sold, so this would be best-case scenario.

Painting with a broad brush, it's easier to find volume models with a given manufacturer. So you'll be more likely to find a new Macan nearby before you'll locate a 911, for example.
by Trism
Sat Apr 30, 2022 4:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Eliminating Persistent E-Mail Spam
Replies: 17
Views: 2288

Re: Eliminating Persistent E-Mail Spam

I have the opposite problem with Gmail. I routinely have to go into my Spam folder and move messages to my inbox. Email from the same senders needs to be moved over and over and over and over. It doesn't matter how many times I select these messages and click the "Not Spam" button, they keep ending up there. Example senders: San Diego Airport, a furniture store I really like, tollway account notices. I do not know what that is a problem but you might try adding them to your contact list to see if that stops them from being flagged as spam. If you give then a name like ZZZ-furniture store that will put them at the end of your contacts. Thanks for the suggestion. I generally don't maintain a list of contacts in any Google product, ...
by Trism
Sat Apr 30, 2022 4:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking at a new Camry or Rav4. Is a Rav4 easier to drive?
Replies: 26
Views: 4606

Re: Looking at a new Camry or Rav4. Is a Rav4 easier to drive?

I can't speak to recent Camry models, but I seem to get a lot of RAV4s as rentals, and they're really awful... Loud, crude, underpowered engine, uncomfortable to drive for more than an hour, poorly placed controls (hood release and gas lid release invisibly buried under the dash so you don't know which one you're about to pull). The display screen in the center looks like it's running Windows 3.1. Expectations vary with regards to performance. The current base model RAV4 has 120 hp/ton, which is slightly better than several of its peers like the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Hyundai Santa Fe. With that said, Car and Driver did mention in their review that the RAV4 is a bit noisy. Also note that the RAV4 had a design update for 2019 to its 5t...
by Trism
Fri Apr 29, 2022 10:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ideas for disabling/shredding old hard drive?
Replies: 102
Views: 8089

Re: Ideas for disabling/shredding old hard drive?

Drop it into the bottom of a bag of trash that you leave on the curb on pickup day. No one who paws through your garbage bag (whether at the curb or in a landfill) would know what to do with it if they found it. I'm sure you're not being serious, but as I said you don't want to do anything to the drive that will prevent any of the components from being recycled. I don't think we've established what type of damage if any might prevent optimal recycling. I was being serious (honest may be a better word). I don't obsess over recycling a single item of this size , which I will only discard a handful of times in my entire lifetime. Life is too short to spend my waking hours tracking which middle school on the other side of town hosts an electro...
by Trism
Fri Apr 29, 2022 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Problem with watchlist emails from eBay ...
Replies: 5
Views: 585

Re: Problem with watchlist emails from eBay ...

Same behavior on multiple devices?
by Trism
Fri Apr 29, 2022 9:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Audible ranking method: Why does almost everything rank above 4 stars?
Replies: 10
Views: 1049

Re: Audible ranking method: Why does almost everything rank above 4 stars?

This is fairly common.

You may have noticed that none of the restaurants on OpenTable suck.

If it really matters (a meal for a celebration, for example), I'll consult at least one other source.
by Trism
Fri Apr 29, 2022 8:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vacation in Hawaii
Replies: 32
Views: 4287

Re: Vacation in Hawaii

blackwhisker wrote: Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:12 pm
Is summer in Hawaii too hot and humid?
I absolutely despise the climate in Hawaii.

I've visited three times, at different times of the year, and sitting at the beach during the day is like being broiled alive while locked inside of a humidifier. It's obviously even worse if you're doing anything active.

Evenings can be pleasant, and Hawaii has some spectacular beauty, so I wouldn't advise someone who's never been there not to go, but I would not go back unless business required it.

Last time I was there I changed my flight and returned a day early.
by Trism
Fri Apr 29, 2022 8:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ideas for disabling/shredding old hard drive?
Replies: 102
Views: 8089

Re: Ideas for disabling/shredding old hard drive?

Drop it into the bottom of a bag of trash that you leave on the curb on pickup day.

No one who paws through your garbage bag (whether at the curb or in a landfill) would know what to do with it if they found it.