Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

driver100

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

We love amazon prime. Buy stuff....don't have to go to 20 stores to see who has it, delivered to your door, reviews, answer questions, good programs. We are looking for a dog carrier for airplanes...pet store has 3 models, about $50, amazon has about 100 of equal value, from about $20 to $30.

Carnaught has the best way to get revenge....give them a really bad review.

No, no need to get excited over 5 bucks. Cheap lesson learned. We love Amazon Prime too, but this just sort of caught me by surprise so I thought I would give you guys a heads up. Imid got the idea I was trying to convey, just be informed before you order.

We've been a Prime member for years and I think their return policy used to be free return shipping, no questions asked. It has been years since we returned anything, so of course, I could be wrong.

Did you read the reviews before ordering? I would look for at least 4 out of 5, and some people will complain about anything....sometimes not even related to the supplier.
Occasionally, something goes wrong, but, considering all the money you save by using amazon you can even eat those glitches, it would cost more than $5 to find a store and drive to it if you do go to a store to buy the item.
I would still do the review to help other possible customers, and I would do it to get my revenge...you know how I love to get revenge.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

Speaking of Amazon, our TV never arrived. I filed a claim this morn. It really sucks because odds are I can't find as good of a deal again.

Stolen off your porch?

suydam

Mr_Shiftright said:

Speaking of Amazon, our TV never arrived. I filed a claim this morn. It really sucks because odds are I can't find as good of a deal again.

Stolen off your porch?

Amazon often takes pictures when they deliver so they can prove it was actually delivered to you. Did you call them?

oldfarmer50

js06gv said:

ab348 said:

Any Ford owners in the aufdience? This is getting expensive for them.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/ford+recalls+440k+vehicles+fire+risk+door+latch+trouble/13224178/story.html

While not specifically mentioned in the article, I had the door latches replaced under recall on my 2015 Mustang last month. Which reminds me, I need to take it back in because the exterior door handle on the passenger side is notchy now, no longer smooth when it retracts.

@oldfarmer50, did the recall affect yours too?

Evidently not because I never recieved any notices. Mine was built in June so maybe the glitch was fixed by then.

The problem I had was a sealing problem causing paint to bubble on the aluminum hood. Fixed under warranty. This has been a problem with Ford hoods for years.

How's your hood?

qbrozen

The seller provided a USPS tracking number (who the hell uses the postal service for a TV?), but the number comes up with no information on the USPS website (nor any other shipper). When I checked to make sure my claim was entered with Amazon, a note in there indicated the seller is no longer on Amazon's site. And it was a NEW seller when I purchased. So I think that probably dashes any hope of it actually being sent.

@houdini1 too bad I don't live anywhere near you. I'd take that off your hands in a heartbeat.

roadburner

I had a bit of fun on the drive home today; a guy in an early 2000's Mustang GT ended up beside me at a light. Very clean looking, with wider than stock tires and a loud(but nice sounding) exhaust. Alas, all his mods were in vain as I beat him by half a car length before I had to slow for the next light...

tbirdmarco

@js06gv have that problem from time to time to as whell when posting in hear or in any bords!

tbirdmarco

thanks for the heds up with Amazon all! usit from time to time! we all have those experances! yes best reveng is an bad revew!

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jNW_ZVQJXrQ

suydam

houdini1 said:

I have been a member of Amazon Prime for years and as best I recall, have never been charged a return shipping charge. I recently ordered a $10. item. It was of very cheap quality and I decided to return it. While printing the return mailing label I noticed they were going to charge $6.00 for shipping the item back, so I just decided to keep the item. I read their rules and they stated that free return shipping now only applies to items that have "free return shipping" displayed by the price of the item. I will be very careful what I order from them in the future.

If it isn’t labeled as Amazon Prime, there may be a returns charge. Most Prime items don’t charge. Recently a non-Prime seller contacted me after I filled out the Return form online and sent me a returns package with no fee. Very nice.

abacomike

Just got a text from my son in California - my grandson just signed his National Letter of Intent and turned it in. The High School he attends is planning something special for him tonight at his baseball game. He is the starting pitcher. My son said he got a call from the baseball coach at the high school asking him to attend tonight's game as they are going to surprise my grandson. I can't wait to hear from my son what they did at the game. I guess when a Senior is given a scholarship to attend college, they do a hoopla kind of thing. I hope he video tapes the shindig.

Since they live out in the desert, they play in the Fall League and Spring League in their division.

stickguy

speaking of prime, was looking for something the other day and found an item, listed as prime, and it had a bonus of $10 instant coupon (on a $35 item) to be applied at checkout. Hadn't seen that before. Turns out that it was like on a car where you get cheap financing or a rebate. The $10 was only if you took slow boat shipping. so instead of getting it today, it will show up next Tuesday instead (though already got an email that it shipped, so might arrive early) Since it is for Xmas, perfect timing.

stickguy

ILuv, thought of you today. I was next to an iA with a temp tag on it, so a new owner. It was red. Not bright, but darker red. really sharp looking color.

driver100

qbrozen said:

The seller provided a USPS tracking number (who the hell uses the postal service for a TV?), but the number comes up with no information on the USPS website (nor any other shipper). When I checked to make sure my claim was entered with Amazon, a note in there indicated the seller is no longer on Amazon's site. And it was a NEW seller when I purchased. So I think that probably dashes any hope of it actually being sent.

.

What happened to your credit card charge? Maybe someone was trying a scam or just posing as a vendor?
Was the TV being shipped from Nigeria or Russia?

isellhondas

I can't help but feel guilty whenever I order from Amazon Prime. They are killing brick and mortar traditional stores. I guess this "progress".

" All things must pass"

Michaell

I’m on pins and needles tonight. Big brush fire in the county I grew up in. I’ve got an elderly aunt close to the perimeter. Her and her son are still at the house, dealing with hot spots. I think she’s refusing to evacuate. Getting lots of pics from friends and family via FB - it’s in the town I used to work in, and inching closer to the ocean. 400 structures lost so far, but no injuries or deaths. 

suydam

Are you talking about the Thomas Fire? It’s pretty bad. We lost power overnight and we are a whole county away. Lots of smoke here too. Praying for those folks.

suydam

isellhondas said:

I can't help but feel guilty whenever I order from Amazon Prime. They are killing brick and mortar traditional stores. I guess this "progress".

" All things must pass"

If the retail stores had the items I wanted I’d buy them there. I just went to Home Depot to look at bathroom fixtures. They had a tiny display, all very cheap looking. I’ll try one other place and if I can’t find anything appealing I’ll let my fingers do the walking.

qbrozen

driver100 said:

The seller provided a USPS tracking number (who the hell uses the postal service for a TV?), but the number comes up with no information on the USPS website (nor any other shipper). When I checked to make sure my claim was entered with Amazon, a note in there indicated the seller is no longer on Amazon's site. And it was a NEW seller when I purchased. So I think that probably dashes any hope of it actually being sent. .

What happened to your credit card charge? Maybe someone was trying a scam or just posing as a vendor? Was the TV being shipped from Nigeria or Russia?

Its on my new amazon card. Since this all goes through amazon's system, I am fairly confident it will all be fine. The repercussions are on them because they take responsibility for their sellers.

iluvmysephia1

stick - I'm jealous! Yeah, I was thinking that I like a brighter red, but I'm growing to like this pulse red of Toyota Motor Corporation. The 2017 Toyota Yaris iA in pulse red is still for sale over in Bozeman. 

Michaell

suydam said:

Are you talking about the Thomas Fire? It’s pretty bad. We lost power overnight and we are a whole county away. Lots of smoke here too. Praying for those folks.

Yes, the Thomas fire.

My mom lost power for a while - apparently, it was a planned outage - in Oxnard for a bit last night.

A friend told me that they are predicting the winds to die down a bit tomorrow, and I read a long update on FB where a whole bunch of reinforcements are due tomorrow, as well. Hoping they can make some headway on it.

The pictures I've seen from areas that I know very well from my childhood are, to put it mildly, disturbing.

oldfarmer50

So what's so special about this one. I'd pass just because of the seller's attitude.



https://nwct.craigslist.org/cto/d/1998-rhd-honda-integra-type/6411760769.html

qbrozen

I think you'd have to be a hardcore Honda fanboy to care. I think it is cool but not $15k cool. I bet somebody would jump on it though. 

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

So what's so special about this one. I'd pass just because of the seller's attitude.



https://nwct.craigslist.org/cto/d/1998-rhd-honda-integra-type/6411760769.html

I wouldn't buy it because of the right hand drive...and the price seems exorbitant.

driver100

Michaell said:

I’m on pins and needles tonight. Big brush fire in the county I grew up in. I’ve got an elderly aunt close to the perimeter. Her and her son are still at the house, dealing with hot spots. I think she’s refusing to evacuate. Getting lots of pics from friends and family via FB - it’s in the town I used to work in, and inching closer to the ocean. 400 structures lost so far, but no injuries or deaths. 

Wow Michael, hoping for the best. Saw the news this morning....trying to save horses from the flames. Those fires are devastating. At least with flooding and heavy rain you got some chance....fire, you have to leave on time.

driver100

I prefer to support local stores when I can....they are nice to have when you need them. Some items are hard to buy online...shoes, some clothing, furniture etc. But, when you need something and it isn't in a nearby store....amazon is a great solution.

iluvmysephia1

Although the Chromium's cool it's now #2 on my color list. And the one in Tacoma (Chromium) sold, too. The red (Pulse) one in Bozeman is still there, and, as I believe driver100 mentioned, since that's cowboy country, all those dudes are interested in buying is pick-em-up truuuccccckkkks!

So the little red screamer selling for only $14,496 oughta still be there in late December. I checked on the incentives and manufacturer offers and they're still valid as we move through December.

Yesterday Boss-man mentioned my upcoming 90-day probation milestone - I told him I started on September 18th. I honestly don't think he remembers that and I wouldn't expect him to be able to. So, if they count orientation week, my 90-day probation period ends on December 18, 2017. If they count the 90-day period ending 90 days after actually starting in the Department, the 90-day probation period ends on December 25, 2017. Hey, that's Christmas!

graphicguy

Michael....hoping for the best also. From what I’m hearing, the fires are pretty bad.

About the Type R....crazy asking money. It really bothers me that it hasn’t been, and maybe can’t be, titled. Was it imported illegally? For grins, I might call this guy’s bluff and find out why it can’t be/wasn’t titled. That might tell a whole lot about its history.

Amazon.....I like Amazon Prime. I get what you’re saying, Craig. If I can find something locally, I’d prefer to buy from those near me, if the prices are relatively close. Most local retailers are pretty close to Amazon pricing, at least around here.

Once you get into high buck electronics (Like big screen TVs), some 3rd party sources trade on slimmer margins and buying from one distributor vs another based on the monetary exchange rate. Then, they make money just like trading on the stock exchange...buying and selling on those fluctuations, and usually for electronics meant to be sold in other geographic regions. Those are usually “grey market” goods, and have questionable warranty validity.

Amazon does stand behind their sales...even of those by 3rd party merchants.

My son is looking for a new TV. He looked on line. He has his eye on a Sony 4K 65”, one of their higher end models. It was a middling deal at its price a couple of months about at $2K. Best Buy has it for $1.5K on sale, which is a really good bargain based on the quality of the set. He was looking at some online only stores who could beat the price by $50 to $100. As I told him, they charge delivery from the online sources, and if something goes sideways, he’d have to box it up and send it back himself. Not a big deal for something like an iPhone case. That’s a huge deal when speaking of a TV.

He’s going with Best Buy who offers free delivery, too.

iluvmysephia1

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/jal-invests-dollar10-mln-in-boom-for-supersonic-jet-project/ar-BBGfhf1

Japan Air Lines is throwing $10M into research and development of a new supersonic jetliner.

Japan Airlines said Tuesday it had invested $10 million in US airline company Boom Supersonic to help revive supersonic flights that could cut journey times in half.

The Japanese airline company will also have the option to buy up to 20 Boom aircraft through a pre-order arrangement.

The new-generation supersonic aircraft, scheduled to be launched in mid-2020s or later, has a maximum flying range of 8,334 kilometres (5,167 miles) at a speed of Mach 2.2 or 2,335 kilometres per hour. WHOA!

If it takes off, it would be the first supersonic passenger aircraft since Concorde took its final flight in 2003.

The aim is to produce a "reliable, easily-maintained aircraft that will provide revolutionary speed to passengers," said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic.

On top of the "strategic" investment, JAL will collaborate with Boom to refine the aircraft design and help define the passenger experience for supersonic travel, JAL said.

The Denver-based firm in return will help JAL receive necessary permits from authorities and work together to promote the introduction of the aircraft.

"Through this partnership, we hope to contribute to the future of supersonic travel with the intent of providing more time to our valued passengers," said JAL president Yoshiharu Ueki in a statement.

JAL received a government bailout after a high-profile bankruptcy restructuring in 2010. The carrier relisted on the Tokyo bourse two years later.

Wow - I'd love ta fly in one of these and go fast in the sky. Not A-16 fast, just faster than one of Boeing's 747-400's fast.

pensfan83

Got the email to re-up my Sirius XM subscription that expires in 3.5 weeks. 6 months for $30 and going with the invoice option that prevents automatically reupping at the regular rate and the stress that goes along with trying to cancel, I don't really see a downside.

ab348

Well, the supersonics were all the rage around 1970 before the environmentalists caused them to be dropped except for the Concorde. I was wondering how long it would take before someone tried to revive the idea. I always found it odd that airliners were basically unchanged except for size and fuel efficiency all those years.

fintail

Rare model, peak JDM, even more rare via our regressive bought-and-paid-for private import laws, where it can't be registered for another 5 years. Wait til its legal, and it will be worth that price. However, something like that would be gone in 60 seconds in my area.

The seller probably has dealt with a tremendous amount of timewasters, joyriders, tire-kickers, etc - a car like that will not attract the most serious mature purchaser, especially on CL. It should be on an enthusiast forum.

oldfarmer50 said:

So what's so special about this one. I'd pass just because of the seller's attitude.



https://nwct.craigslist.org/cto/d/1998-rhd-honda-integra-type/6411760769.html

fintail

Believe it when you see it. Seems like the kind of thing that can be vaporware.

Do you remember when JAL did pilot training in Moses Lake?

iluvmysephia1 said:

Wow - I'd love ta fly in one of these and go fast in the sky. Not A-16 fast, just faster than one of Boeing's 747-400's fast.

Michaell

driver100 said:

Michaell said:

I’m on pins and needles tonight. Big brush fire in the county I grew up in. I’ve got an elderly aunt close to the perimeter. Her and her son are still at the house, dealing with hot spots. I think she’s refusing to evacuate. Getting lots of pics from friends and family via FB - it’s in the town I used to work in, and inching closer to the ocean. 400 structures lost so far, but no injuries or deaths. 

Wow Michael, hoping for the best. Saw the news this morning....trying to save horses from the flames. Those fires are devastating. At least with flooding and heavy rain you got some chance....fire, you have to leave on time.

Saw a post on FB this morning from a former co-worker - their house is rubble, now.

Glad that my friends and family are safe.

iluvmysephia1

Well, the supersonics were all the rage around 1970 before the environmentalists caused them to be dropped except for the Concorde. I was wondering how long it would take before someone tried to revive the idea. I always found it odd that airliners were basically unchanged except for size and fuel efficiency all those years.

Yeah, and these developments are going to take a while. I mean, starting from scratch, they are? JAL has been one of our customers at Boeing (I worked 20 years at the Everett Boeing plant - I was a Tech. Illustrator for Boeing) for many, many years. I remember JAL airplane drawings as 747 drawings, with nothing out of the ordinary as far as standard Boeing wing spar, tubing and electrical drawings. I do remember them ordering huge amounts of aircraft at one time. I mean, these guys, in their prime, must have 747's pulling up to concourses at all of the major Japanese airports, and they no doubt fly everywhere a modern Japanese businessman and family would want to fly for fun, too. American and European destinations abound.

But this is a whole other ballgame, supersonic transport. Immediately my mind would be thinking airplane engines. Rolls Royce? Who's already developing the engines? They're gonna need good, qualified help from all over the place to make this happen. I personally am pulling for them on this one. Like I said, I would love to fly in one of these come retirement time. If nothing other than to fly east from Spokane to Kansas City and port up to one of KCI's brand new concourses. Kansas City-ians are, for some strange reason, up until just now, a couple of weeks ago, happy with old, antiquated airports. Not any more. They finally voted to upgrade. Sheesh. Really nice ta see.So a flight over to KC to see our son would be cool. In a brand new JAL Supersonic jetliner - awesome.

oldfarmer50

iluvmysephia1 said:

Although the Chromium's cool it's now #2 on my color list. And the one in Tacoma (Chromium) sold, too. The red (Pulse) one in Bozeman is still there, and, as I believe driver100 mentioned, since that's cowboy country, all those dudes are interested in buying is pick-em-up truuuccccckkkks!

So the little red screamer selling for only $14,496 oughta still be there in late December. I checked on the incentives and manufacturer offers and they're still valid as we move through December.

Yesterday Boss-man mentioned my upcoming 90-day probation milestone - I told him I started on September 18th. I honestly don't think he remembers that and I wouldn't expect him to be able to. So, if they count orientation week, my 90-day probation period ends on December 18, 2017. If they count the 90-day period ending 90 days after actually starting in the Department, the 90-day probation period ends on December 25, 2017. Hey, that's Christmas!

Tell your wife that the car is HER Christmas present and it will go easier.

oldfarmer50

iluvmysephia1 said:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/jal-invests-dollar10-mln-in-boom-for-supersonic-jet-project/ar-BBGfhf1

Japan Air Lines is throwing $10M into research and development of a new supersonic jetliner.

Japan Airlines said Tuesday it had invested $10 million in US airline company Boom Supersonic to help revive supersonic flights that could cut journey times in half.

The Japanese airline company will also have the option to buy up to 20 Boom aircraft through a pre-order arrangement.

The new-generation supersonic aircraft, scheduled to be launched in mid-2020s or later, has a maximum flying range of 8,334 kilometres (5,167 miles) at a speed of Mach 2.2 or 2,335 kilometres per hour. WHOA!

If it takes off, it would be the first supersonic passenger aircraft since Concorde took its final flight in 2003.

The aim is to produce a "reliable, easily-maintained aircraft that will provide revolutionary speed to passengers," said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic.

On top of the "strategic" investment, JAL will collaborate with Boom to refine the aircraft design and help define the passenger experience for supersonic travel, JAL said.

The Denver-based firm in return will help JAL receive necessary permits from authorities and work together to promote the introduction of the aircraft.

"Through this partnership, we hope to contribute to the future of supersonic travel with the intent of providing more time to our valued passengers," said JAL president Yoshiharu Ueki in a statement.

JAL received a government bailout after a high-profile bankruptcy restructuring in 2010. The carrier relisted on the Tokyo bourse two years later.

Wow - I'd love ta fly in one of these and go fast in the sky. Not A-16 fast, just faster than one of Boeing's 747-400's fast.

Unless they can resolve the sonic boom problem it would be restricted to trans ocean flights. That's one reason Concorde never made money. I seem to remember reading that there has been progress on that front so who knows. Travel at those speeds is an expensive proposition.

oldfarmer50

iluvmysephia1 said:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/jal-invests-dollar10-mln-in-boom-for-supersonic-jet-project/ar-BBGfhf1

Japan Air Lines is throwing $10M into research and development of a new supersonic jetliner.

Japan Airlines said Tuesday it had invested $10 million in US airline company Boom Supersonic to help revive supersonic flights that could cut journey times in half.

The Japanese airline company will also have the option to buy up to 20 Boom aircraft through a pre-order arrangement.

The new-generation supersonic aircraft, scheduled to be launched in mid-2020s or later, has a maximum flying range of 8,334 kilometres (5,167 miles) at a speed of Mach 2.2 or 2,335 kilometres per hour. WHOA!

If it takes off, it would be the first supersonic passenger aircraft since Concorde took its final flight in 2003.

The aim is to produce a "reliable, easily-maintained aircraft that will provide revolutionary speed to passengers," said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic.

On top of the "strategic" investment, JAL will collaborate with Boom to refine the aircraft design and help define the passenger experience for supersonic travel, JAL said.

The Denver-based firm in return will help JAL receive necessary permits from authorities and work together to promote the introduction of the aircraft.

"Through this partnership, we hope to contribute to the future of supersonic travel with the intent of providing more time to our valued passengers," said JAL president Yoshiharu Ueki in a statement.

JAL received a government bailout after a high-profile bankruptcy restructuring in 2010. The carrier relisted on the Tokyo bourse two years later.

Wow - I'd love ta fly in one of these and go fast in the sky. Not A-16 fast, just faster than one of Boeing's 747-400's fast.

fintail

Remember what tickets on the Concorde cost back in the day - I suspect we'd all still be flying on 747s

Especially between Spokane and Kansas City - do they have twin engine or greater planes flying out of those places yet?

iluvmysephia1 said:

I would love to fly in one of these come retirement time. If nothing other than to fly east from Spokane to Kansas City and port up to one of KCI's brand new concourses. Kansas City-ians are, for some strange reason, up until just now, a couple of weeks ago, happy with old, antiquated airports. Not any more. They finally voted to upgrade. Sheesh. Really nice ta see.So a flight over to KC to see our son would be cool. In a brand new JAL Supersonic jetliner - awesome.

dino001

oldfarmer50 said:

Unless they can resolve the sonic boom problem it would be restricted to trans ocean flights. That's one reason Concorde never made money. I seem to remember reading that there has been progress on that front so who knows. Travel at those speeds is an expensive proposition.

Not just sonic boom. Even start/landing noise was incredible (thrust needed due to relatively low lift of the wings) and those restrictions only got worse. Unit cost per mile was also so high that it was a money loser even at prices for a small seat comparable to lie-flat seats in the fist class.

However, there is something to be said about the Airbus-Boeing duopoly that has a strangle hold on the market and quite low level of innovation in those machines. Small incremental gains like 15 percent fuel, 10 percent thrust, increased cabin pressure, or blue lighting in the cabin, are heralded as such break throughs, whereas the machines are still essentially running on principles introduced in 60s - just less and less space and more and more rude flight attendants.

If you look at pace of technology change on the ground, especially in information and connectivity and realize that $100-million machine can still disappear over the ocean, never to be found, the pilots still cannot see their engines or wings from the cockpit (cameras are soooo expensive, right?), things simply don't compute. Even critical technology, like flight data/voice recorders have batteries that would only last 30 days, or are still much more vulnerable to impact and fire than they should. What's worse, the airlines don't feel compelled to retrofit their older machines with newer safety technology, cause why bother. If you want to see how the tech looked like 10 years ago, all you need to do is board the plane, even a new one.

iluvmysephia1

Exactly. That's partly why I looked at this JAL article with interest. If they can produce this airplane and make it's flights affordable and control costs during development (all of that is going to be extremely difficult going by past data)I would be perking up my ears to hear anything and everything I could about this project.

abacomike

I ordered a large poinsietta to be delivered by Avas flowers this past Sunday for delivery in LaQuinta CA this past Monday.  I received an email stating the poinsietta was delivered at 4:30 PM PST.  

The next day (Tuesday) I had not heard from my son’s SO, which surprised me - she always acknowledges gifts and flowers I send her.  So I called her and she said she never got a deliver of a poinsietta plant.  This was at 5:30 PM EST yesterday.  She said she never got a phone call to schedule a delivery like I told Avas Flowers.

So I called them wanting to know why they sent me an email that the delivery was, in fact, completed as required, and that my don’s Significant other still has not received the poinsietta.  I further told them that she was home all day Monday and Tuesday.  Their response was that they needed to contact the florist in CA to find out what happened.  I said I wanted a refund and I told them to cancel the order.  They refused stating the would look into it.

So I called AMEX and had the $90 charge reversed.  I again called Avas Flowers (they are like FTD) and told them I refuse to pay for something I never received - in this case an order to deliver a poinsietta on Monday.  I informed them I had AMEX reverse the charge and that they lost me as a customer.

I subsequently found out that florists frequently send the floral company confirmation of delivery before the delivery is made in order to collect the funds due for an order quickly.

So last night I contacted a florist in Palm Desert directly and ordered the poinsietta plant for delivery today and sent my son’s SO the name of the florist and their phone number.  I ended up getting a poinsietta twice the size of the one previously ordered at the same price and did not have to pay the expensive fees.

What I’ve learned from this experience is that online florists are undependable and frequently lie about deliveries and that I will contact s local florist directly when I send flowers or plants.  It was a pathetic experience with this company.  

abacomike

I saw on the news the awful fires in Ventura County CA.  I used to live about 10 miles south of those fires in Chatsworth which is in the far northern part of LA County.  I lived 10 minutes from the Reagan Library in Simi Valley.  I pray the get these fires under control and that no lives are lost.

stickguy

I did

ab348

dino001 said:

However, there is something to be said about the Airbus-Boeing duopoly that has a strangle hold on the market and quite low level of innovation in those machines. Small incremental gains like 15 percent fuel, 10 percent thrust, increased cabin pressure, or blue lighting in the cabin, are heralded as such break throughs, whereas the machines are still essentially running on principles introduced in 60s - just less and less space and more and more rude flight attendants.

If you look at pace of technology change on the ground, especially in information and connectivity and realize that $100-million machine can still disappear over the ocean, never to be found, the pilots still cannot see their engines or wings from the cockpit (cameras are soooo expensive, right?), things simply don't compute. Even critical technology, like flight data/voice recorders have batteries that would only last 30 days, or are still much more vulnerable to impact and fire than they should. What's worse, the airlines don't feel compelled to retrofit their older machines with newer safety technology, cause why bother. If you want to see how the tech looked like 10 years ago, all you need to do is board the plane, even a new one.

It is quite remarkable. You make some very good points. It is as if GM and Ford were still making the same front-engine, RWD carbureted pushrod V-8 Sedan that they made in 1961, just refined.

tjc78

abacomike said:

I ordered a large poinsietta to be delivered by Avas flowers this past Sunday for delivery in LaQuinta CA this past Monday.  I received an email stating the poinsietta was delivered at 4:30 PM PST.  

The next day (Tuesday) I had not heard from my son’s SO, which surprised me - she always acknowledges gifts and flowers I send her.  So I called her and she said she never got a deliver of a poinsietta plant.  This was at 5:30 PM EST yesterday.  She said she never got a phone call to schedule a delivery like I told Avas Flowers.

So I called them wanting to know why they sent me an email that the delivery was, in fact, completed as required, and that my don’s Significant other still has not received the poinsietta.  I further told them that she was home all day Monday and Tuesday.  Their response was that they needed to contact the florist in CA to find out what happened.  I said I wanted a refund and I told them to cancel the order.  They refused stating the would look into it.

So I called AMEX and had the $90 charge reversed.  I again called Avas Flowers (they are like FTD) and told them I refuse to pay for something I never received - in this case an order to deliver a poinsietta on Monday.  I informed them I had AMEX reverse the charge and that they lost me as a customer.

I subsequently found out that florists frequently send the floral company confirmation of delivery before the delivery is made in order to collect the funds due for an order quickly.

So last night I contacted a florist in Palm Desert directly and ordered the poinsietta plant for delivery today and sent my son’s SO the name of the florist and their phone number.  I ended up getting a poinsietta twice the size of the one previously ordered at the same price and did not have to pay the expensive fees.

What I’ve learned from this experience is that online florists are undependable and frequently lie about deliveries and that I will contact s local florist directly when I send flowers or plants.  It was a pathetic experience with this company.  

Flowers is such a racket.... I had the local florist deliver a bouquet to my wife (just for a "pick me up" during the hell of construction) it was right around $100.00. I can buy a nicer bouquet at the produce store for $10.00, add in a $7.00 china made vase and I'm way ahead.

Just Sunday I got get 24 pink and lavender roses for $5.00. Imagine the cost of that delivered....

qbrozen

I have decided flower DELIVERY is the racket. I have 2 flower shops near my workplace where I can walk it and pick up a very nice bouquet for $10, and a nice arrangement in a vase for $20-$25. I once called one of those places to have something delivered to my wife rather than me picking it up. It was $75! So triple what I could get it for by walking in there off the street.

dino001

ab348 said:

It is quite remarkable. You make some very good points. It is as if GM and Ford were still making the same front-engine, RWD carbureted pushrod V-8 Sedan that they made in 1961, just refined.

It's exactly like that. And guess what, until they went bankrupt (GM), or almost bankrupt (Ford), they were doing exactly that (well not carburated perhaps, but old pushrods with 4-speed old tech ATs were essentially present throughout their lineup up to 2010 or so).

Now, some people claim that we are on an edge of a true breakthrough in personal transportation, driven by maturing electric engine technology and rapidly developing autonomous driving. There are some very interesting consequences if such switch becomes true. I don't subscribe to the time line given by those people, but the fast evolution of the technology will pose pressure in many surprising areas.

dino001

iluvmysephia1 said:

Exactly. That's partly why I looked at this JAL article with interest. If they can produce this airplane and make it's flights affordable and control costs during development (all of that is going to be extremely difficult going by past data)I would be perking up my ears to hear anything and everything I could about this project.

I think it's the opposite. $10 million "investment" bought them a press conference in front of a mock up. It wouldn't even pay gas for the ground crews. Somebody wake me up if they invest 10 billion.

roadburner

dino001 said:

ab348 said:

It is quite remarkable. You make some very good points. It is as if GM and Ford were still making the same front-engine, RWD carbureted pushrod V-8 Sedan that they made in 1961, just refined.

It's exactly like that. And guess what, until they went bankrupt (GM), or almost bankrupt (Ford), they were doing exactly that (well not carburated perhaps, but old pushrods with 4-speed old tech ATs were essentially present throughout their lineup up to 2010 or so).

Now, some people claim that we are on an edge of a true breakthrough in personal transportation, driven by maturing electric engine technology and rapidly developing autonomous driving. There are some very interesting consequences if such switch becomes true. I don't subscribe to the time line given by those people, but the fast evolution of the technology will pose pressure in many surprising areas.

I believe that electrics and hybrids will grab a larger share of the market as battery capacity/vehicle range increases and charging times drop. However, I don't see the autonomous/pod-sharing future happening outside of heavily populated urban areas.