Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

driver100

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

......all for $80 buck$!

Cash, of course?

I'm not saying.

imidazol97

The inside teller at the bank refused my check from a Canadian company. It came recently as a dividend payment on a US bank. She said it was a January 12 2021 check and past the 6-months expire date.

When I called the company, she said it was December 1 2021 that the check was written: the date is European style with the day-of-month first!

I heard lots of French and English with French accents as I waited online and through several menus trying to get to a live person. A live person who probably laughs about the US callers unfamiliar with the date system.

Happy 12/13/2021. Or is it Happy 13/12/2021?

ab348

Going way back, I remember spending some software development dollars on modifying a cheque printing program to output the numeric content of the month field as the name of the month to avoid that problem.

snakeweasel

OK I was going through some old paperwork that I have had sitting around for the longest time without really looking at it. Well in it hidden in some other paperwork I found my grandfathers draft notification dated October of 1918. The thing I found interesting is that the hand written address instead of having "Chicago, IL" on the last line it just had "City" and he still got it.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

What went wrong? Can you spot it?

It has been fixed, and at least they didn't hand paint the missing letter into the space.

It happens, even in an environment with a lot of smart people:

jmonroe1

@snakeweasel said:
OK I was going through some old paperwork that I have had sitting around for the longest time without really looking at it. Well in it hidden in some other paperwork I found my grandfathers draft notification dated October of 1918. The thing I found interesting is that the hand written address instead of having "Chicago, IL" on the last line it just had "City" and he still got it.

When they want you they’ll get you. No hiding from that outfit.

jmonroe

snakeweasel

imidazol97 said:

The inside teller at the bank refused my check from a Canadian company. It came recently as a dividend payment on a US bank. She said it was a January 12 2021 check and past the 6-months expire date.

When I called the company, she said it was December 1 2021 that the check was written: the date is European style with the day-of-month first!

I heard lots of French and English with French accents as I waited online and through several menus trying to get to a live person. A live person who probably laughs about the US callers unfamiliar with the date system.

Happy 12/13/2021. Or is it Happy 13/12/2021?

I'm old school, happy 11/30/2021.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

The inside teller at the bank refused my check from a Canadian company. It came recently as a dividend payment on a US bank. She said it was a January 12 2021 check and past the 6-months expire date.

When I called the company, she said it was December 1 2021 that the check was written: the date is European style with the day-of-month first!

I heard lots of French and English with French accents as I waited online and through several menus trying to get to a live person. A live person who probably laughs about the US callers unfamiliar with the date system.

Happy 12/13/2021. Or is it Happy 13/12/2021?

So did you ever get your money?

jmonroe1

@oldfarmer50 said:
So did you ever get your money?

Probably at the reduced Canadian rate.

jmonroe

graphicguy

stickguy said:

This weather is absurd. I just went out to run the mower out of gas so I could put it away. Figured I would clean up some leaves too. But once I got going, discovered it had grown so much since the weekend after thanksgiving, the whole lawn needed mowing. So I did that, and worked up a sweat. Not normal for less than 2 weeks until XMas in NJ.

Waiting until Wednesday to wash the car, when it is supposed to be in the mid 60s again. Might even throw a coat of wax on it.

Did the same yesterday. Cut the grass. Let the Deere run out of fuel to put it away for the winter. I think this is the latest I’ve ever cut grass.

While the tractor was running, I was going to put the hose away. Decided while I had it un-coiled, may as well wash the TLX. Ended up putting another coat of Zaino on it, too.


It helped that the GF was so impressed she had a Jefferson’s Reserve on the rocks waiting on me when I came in from doing “chores”. Then, she served some home made Philly Cheese Steaks for dinner out of some good ribeye. This was all after she came home after a full day’s work. Gotta luv’er!

Well worth my efforts….just not by design!

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

imidazol97 said:

The inside teller at the bank refused my check from a Canadian company. It came recently as a dividend payment on a US bank. She said it was a January 12 2021 check and past the 6-months expire date.

When I called the company, she said it was December 1 2021 that the check was written: the date is European style with the day-of-month first!

I heard lots of French and English with French accents as I waited online and through several menus trying to get to a live person. A live person who probably laughs about the US callers unfamiliar with the date system.

Happy 12/13/2021. Or is it Happy 13/12/2021?

So did you ever get your money?

Yeah. After I embarrassed myself calling Canada to be corrected on the European date system, I took the check back to the ATM in the evening and deposited it.

The ATM had been blocked when I originally went to the bank-a lady had her card stuck in the machine from what the inside workers were telling those coming inside who had abandoned the drive up ATM line.

I had tried to use ATM on Saturday and the machine said it couldn't read either check, then crumpled both on the return out the opening. I had to pull each one out, gently of course.

A few months back the ATM at another location of this bank ate my son's card. He was really upset.

ab348

snakeweasel said:

The thing I found interesting is that the hand written address instead of having "Chicago, IL" on the last line it just had "City" and he still got it.

I remember back in the '70s having some mail arrive at our house addressed that way. For some reason I always thought it was a U.K. thing from years back but in the era of hand sorting of mail it worked.

driver100

imidazol97 said:

The inside teller at the bank refused my check from a Canadian company. It came recently as a dividend payment on a US bank. She said it was a January 12 2021 check and past the 6-months expire date.

When I called the company, she said it was December 1 2021 that the check was written: the date is European style with the day-of-month first!

Don't give JMonroe ideas...now he is going to start writing European style checks.

venture

ab348 said:

snakeweasel said:

The thing I found interesting is that the hand written address instead of having "Chicago, IL" on the last line it just had "City" and he still got it.

I remember back in the '70s having some mail arrive at our house addressed that way. For some reason I always thought it was a U.K. thing from years back but in the era of hand sorting of mail it worked.

When I was a boy, I remember my parents writing out Christmas cards and they used "City" if it was local. Of course, there wasn't a zip code to worry about then.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

imidazol97 said:

The inside teller at the bank refused my check from a Canadian company. It came recently as a dividend payment on a US bank. She said it was a January 12 2021 check and past the 6-months expire date.

When I called the company, she said it was December 1 2021 that the check was written: the date is European style with the day-of-month first!

I heard lots of French and English with French accents as I waited online and through several menus trying to get to a live person. A live person who probably laughs about the US callers unfamiliar with the date system.

Happy 12/13/2021. Or is it Happy 13/12/2021?

So did you ever get your money?

Yeah. After I embarrassed myself calling Canada to be corrected on the European date system, I took the check back to the ATM in the evening and deposited it.

The ATM had been blocked when I originally went to the bank-a lady had her card stuck in the machine from what the inside workers were telling those coming inside who had abandoned the drive up ATM line.

I had tried to use ATM on Saturday and the machine said it couldn't read either check, then crumpled both on the return out the opening. I had to pull each one out, gently of course.

A few months back the ATM at another location of this bank ate my son's card. He was really upset.

imidazol97 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

imidazol97 said:

The inside teller at the bank refused my check from a Canadian company. It came recently as a dividend payment on a US bank. She said it was a January 12 2021 check and past the 6-months expire date.

When I called the company, she said it was December 1 2021 that the check was written: the date is European style with the day-of-month first!

I heard lots of French and English with French accents as I waited online and through several menus trying to get to a live person. A live person who probably laughs about the US callers unfamiliar with the date system.

Happy 12/13/2021. Or is it Happy 13/12/2021?

That’s why I don’t use ATMs.

stickguy

My kid would say you need the banks phone app, so no need to use ATM. Unless you need cash, which they never actually have on them (which drives me nuts)

ab348

imidazol97 said:

The ATM had been blocked when I originally went to the bank-a lady had her card stuck in the machine from what the inside workers were telling those coming inside who had abandoned the drive up ATM line.

Reminds me of what I encountered yesterday. I had to spend the morning at the outpatient clinics at our main hospital. I arrived at the parkade around 0830 and there were 2 vehicles lined up to get in. A lady in an Escape was grappling with the ticket machine and was totally flummoxed by it. I waited patiently for a bit but watched her jabbing at the touch screen fruitlessly, so I backed up and then circled around to the other entrance on the opposite side. Got my ticket, found a parking spot, and started to head for the hospital doors on foot. Just as I was about to exit the parkade, I saw her finally roll past me in search of a spot. Criminy. I wonder how some folks survive the day.

tjc78

@graphicguy said:
Did the same yesterday. Cut the grass. Let the Deere run out of fuel to put it away for the winter. I think this is the latest I’ve ever cut grass.

While the tractor was running, I was going to put the hose away. Decided while I had it un-coiled, may as well wash the TLX. Ended up putting another coat of Zaino on it, too.

It helped that the GF was so impressed she had a Jefferson’s Reserve on the rocks waiting on me when I came in from doing “chores”. Then, she served some home made Philly Cheese Steaks for dinner out of some good ribeye. This was all after she came home after a full day’s work. Gotta luv’er!

Well worth my efforts….just not by design!

Just finished my bottle of Jefferson’s reserve.

How is bourbon hunting in your neck of the woods?

I feel lucky to have scored two bottles of Buffalo Trace at retail recently, but I can’t get any Eagle Rare. I also want to try Colonel Taylor but that’s impossible as well.

I would think you have better access to the allocated stuff than we do here in NJ.

jmonroe1

imidazol97 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

imidazol97 said:

The inside teller at the bank refused my check from a Canadian company. It came recently as a dividend payment on a US bank. She said it was a January 12 2021 check and past the 6-months expire date.

When I called the company, she said it was December 1 2021 that the check was written: the date is European style with the day-of-month first!

I heard lots of French and English with French accents as I waited online and through several menus trying to get to a live person. A live person who probably laughs about the US callers unfamiliar with the date system.

Happy 12/13/2021. Or is it Happy 13/12/2021?

So did you ever get your money?

Yeah. After I embarrassed myself calling Canada to be corrected on the European date system, I took the check back to the ATM in the evening and deposited it.

The ATM had been blocked when I originally went to the bank-a lady had her card stuck in the machine from what the inside workers were telling those coming inside who had abandoned the drive up ATM line.

I had tried to use ATM on Saturday and the machine said it couldn't read either check, then crumpled both on the return out the opening. I had to pull each one out, gently of course.

A few months back the ATM at another location of this bank ate my son's card. He was really upset.

It sounds like you found the common denominator.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

The inside teller at the bank refused my check from a Canadian company. It came recently as a dividend payment on a US bank. She said it was a January 12 2021 check and past the 6-months expire date.

When I called the company, she said it was December 1 2021 that the check was written: the date is European style with the day-of-month first!

Don't give JMonroe ideas...now he is going to start writing European style checks.

Too late.

jmonroe

kyfdx

@tjc78

I'm headed to my local liquor store, today (in KY).

What is it exactly you are looking for, and I'll take a gander.

jmonroe1

kyfdx said:

@tjc78

I'm headed to my local liquor store, today (in KY).

What is it exactly you are looking for, and I'll take a gander.

Anything that’s free.

jmonroe

ab348

tjc78 said:

Just finished my bottle of Jefferson’s reserve.

How is bourbon hunting in your neck of the woods?

I feel lucky to have scored two bottles of Buffalo Trace at retail recently, but I can’t get any Eagle Rare. I also want to try Colonel Taylor but that’s impossible as well.

I would think you have better access to the allocated stuff than we do here in NJ.

Up here in NS we are OK for now with supplies of Buffalo Trace, but other US whiskeys are hit and miss because of shipping issues. Apparently the east coast of the US is deadly for shipping anything right now, with a shortage of both trucking and ocean freight carriers impacting our supply.

I was fortunate a few weeks ago to score a bottle of Weller bourbon, which is rather delicate but quite good.

oldfarmer50

I’m being told that one of my cars needs rear brakes because the pads are down to 3/32 thickness. Supposedly, 10/32 is new.

So how bad is that really?

tjc78

@kyfdx said:
@tjc78

I'm headed to my local liquor store, today (in KY).

What is it exactly you are looking for, and I'll take a gander.

Eagle Rare
Colonel EH Taylor small batch
Weller Special Reserve

All allocated and nearly impossible to find in NJ at all even at inflated retails

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

I’m being told that one of my cars needs rear brakes because the pads are down to 3/32 thickness. Supposedly, 10/32 is new.

So how bad is that really?

If you’re failing state inspection that’s bad. If it’s just a warning you should keep a close eye on it.

If it were my car I’d be getting out the lug wrench and changing the pads. If the rotors are good it’s just not worth the risk and expense.

Kinda like a stitch in time …

jmonroe

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

I’m being told that one of my cars needs rear brakes because the pads are down to 3/32 thickness. Supposedly, 10/32 is new.

So how bad is that really?

How far have you driven on the first 7/32nds?

stickguy

If you start to hear the squeal from the wear sensors, it’s time. If you hear metallic grinding, it’s past time.

[Deleted User]

And if you can't stop...

jmonroe1

dad23 said:

And if you can't stop...

There’s always something that will stop you.

jmonroe

jipster

@oldfarmer50 said:
I’m being told that one of my cars needs rear brakes because the pads are down to 3/32 thickness. Supposedly, 10/32 is new.

So how bad is that really?

Had oil change on the Accord last week. Service advisor said pads were in the "green". Recommends changing at 3/32.

But, that's dealerships for you. Possibly closer to 4/32 than 3/32. You still have that wallet open from that head gasket, they want to get their hands in there while the window of opportunity is still open.

kyfdx

tjc78 said:

@kyfdx said:
@tjc78

I'm headed to my local liquor store, today (in KY).

What is it exactly you are looking for, and I'll take a gander.

Eagle Rare

Colonel EH Taylor small batch

Weller Special Reserve

All allocated and nearly impossible to find in NJ at all even at inflated retails

Those are all Buffalo Trace brands, right?

My local purveyor got a good chuckle out of my request.

oldfarmer50

jipster said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

I’m being told that one of my cars needs rear brakes because the pads are down to 3/32 thickness. Supposedly, 10/32 is new.

So how bad is that really?

Had oil change on the Accord last week. Service advisor said pads were in the "green". Recommends changing at 3/32.

But, that's dealerships for you. Possibly closer to 4/32 than 3/32. You still have that wallet open from that head gasket, they want to get their hands in there while the window of opportunity is still open.

That’s just what I thought. I made an appointment at my indie guy for January since he’ll be cheaper. I can’t fault the service advisor too much, they’re required to upsell you or they get fired. They voluntary did the Takata airbag fix even though I didn’t even know a car that old had them. I did let them change the oil while they were in there. I said no to tire rotation.

tjc78

@kyfdx said:
Those are all Buffalo Trace brands, right?

My local purveyor got a good chuckle out of my request.

Yes they are. I see people online getting them, but they must be very friendly with the liquor stores. Thanks for checking. If you can’t get it in Kentucky it certainly is a tough find!

kyfdx

tjc78 said:

@kyfdx said:

Those are all Buffalo Trace brands, right?

My local purveyor got a good chuckle out of my request.

Yes they are. I see people online getting them, but they must be very friendly with the liquor stores. Thanks for checking. If you can’t get it in Kentucky it certainly is a tough find!

Checked two stores. One is the highest volume store in the state.

Of course, those brands might get held for the customers that spend $1000s each month.

roadburner

I refuse to mow my grass before April 15th or after October 31st.

driver100

@oldfarmer50
According to Boulevard Tire: A fast visual check of the brake pads, consisting of a fast measurement of the staying pad, can identify whether the pads need changing. Many mechanics advise that if a pad has below 2/32 of an inch left, it must be replaced.

This is me now: Wouldn't the last 1/32 of an inch wear down a lot faster than the 1st 1/32nd of an inch...because of the difference in circumference size?
Personally, I wouldn't fool around, January should be fine, but why gamble over 1/32nd of an inch when the repair could be a lot more if not done on time?

stickguy

Only really matters if you are trying to do pads only without touching the rotors. Need to do that sooner.

andres3

mjfloyd1 said:

@andres3 said:

It always amazes me when people defending the use of a slush box torque converting automatic in Audi's sportier models mention the boats, RS6 and RS7 as the crux of their argument that somehow it's better than a DSG because Audi is "using it" in those models, while conveniently leaving out the TTRS and R8 use DSG.

As a fellow Audi owner, can I half jokingly ask if it truly matters which transmission you have when the engine grenades first?

If you read the online forums, everyone says "avoid the B8 DSG's" like the plague, as the 8.5 DSG's seem to be more bulletproof.

Most say the engine is bulletproof, which inspires me to chime in, but I've resisted so far. I've had much more luck with my 2.0T's, with way more miles, but as they say, your mileage and experience may vary.

jwm40517

52 Kroger stores in Central Ky will have signups for 4 days for a drawing to be able to purchase a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle at retail. 6 versions at each with the 23YO selling for $299.99 and you could sell for a few thousand. Some people get friends together to make a road trip and sign up at as many stores as possible in the day.

andres3

snakeweasel said:

andres3 said:

snakeweasel said:

andres3 said:

snakeweasel said:

andres3 said:

It always amazes me when people defending the use of a slush box torque converting automatic in Audi's sportier models mention the boats, RS6 and RS7 as the crux of their argument that somehow it's better than a DSG because Audi is "using it" in those models, while conveniently leaving out the TTRS and R8 use DSG.

I would say that 99.99% of the people wouldn't notice one way or the other.

For S and RS model buyers that percentage is at least halved.

I'm pretty sure that if you could get two of the exact same car but one with the DSG and one with the automatic and have them mapped to the same shift points I would say that 99.99% of drivers wouldn't be able to tell which transmission they had.

I doubt it. I've driven things back to back that get as close as you can get to that in reality:

1. B9 S4 vs. B8.5 S4 (granted, other variables like engine, boost turbo vs. supercharged) and shift points I'm sure are mapped differently if for no other reason than the DSG being 7 gears vs. the ZF's 8.
   
2. 
   
3. B8.5 A4 vs. B8.5 S4 (now this limits the differences to gears and shift points and 1L of engine (and 2 cylinders).
   

To counteract that 2.0 vs. 3.0 variable, I'd driven cars with the 2.0 engine with DSG to compare to the A4, and same story.

The point is, these cars drive night and day different.

Not exactly an apples to apples comparison there (not that that is practical), plus it wasn't a blind test so we cannot rule out confirmation bias so I will stand by what I said.

I suppose, but an S6 I test drove felt sluggish and I questioned the car knowing it has a V8 and DSG, instead of confirming a bias in favor of both those things.

andres3

mjfloyd1 said:

@andres3 said:

It always amazes me when people defending the use of a slush box torque converting automatic in Audi's sportier models mention the boats, RS6 and RS7 as the crux of their argument that somehow it's better than a DSG because Audi is "using it" in those models, while conveniently leaving out the TTRS and R8 use DSG.

As a fellow Audi owner, can I half jokingly ask if it truly matters which transmission you have when the engine grenades first?

The other hilarious recent post I read was a guy saying the B8.5 S4 is an awesome car, when it works, everything's fine. When something breaks or goes wrong though, it's "1 or $2K."

How I so wish that were true!!!!!!!

On the bright side, the market has spoken!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rjZD8B6p/2015-audi-s4

tjc78

@kyfdx said:
Checked two stores. One is the highest volume store in the state.

Of course, those brands might get held for the customers that spend $1000s each month.

Thanks again. I believe you are correct. They are saved for the big spenders.

andres3

Driving in our first of the season super heavy downpour rain on Interstate 15 this afternoon with half worn out Bridgestone R71's designed for dry tracks was interesting.

It proved that while quattro AWD can help in the rain, first you must have proper tires.

Second, you must have proper wear (or lack of it on those tires).

The S4 is my rain car but is still currently out of commission.

As such the 65 MPH speed limit was observed for the first time I can think of in my lifetime today, in "free flowing" conditions of traffic.

explorerx4

So nobody bid on a shot of this whiskey?
https://whiskeyraiders.com/american/midleton-very-rare-whiskey-opened-ohio-pub/

stickguy

tjc78 said:

@kyfdx said:

Checked two stores. One is the highest volume store in the state.

Of course, those brands might get held for the customers that spend $1000s each month.

Thanks again. I believe you are correct. They are saved for the big spenders.

I got curious so looked at the BT website. they offer most of those brands (models?) at the distillery. Except all of them were sold out, other than some Vodka they make.

so good luck finding it!

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

So nobody bid on a shot of this whiskey?
https://whiskeyraiders.com/american/midleton-very-rare-whiskey-opened-ohio-pub/

Talk about desperate for a drink.

kyfdx

Friends threw a surprise birthday party for my wife, last night. Lots of drinking.

Anyway, they pulled out a bottle of "bourbon cream". It's like Bailey's Irish Cream, only made with bourbon. I'd never seen or tried it. Didn't expect to like it, as I'm not a bourbon drinker, but it's just as good as Bailey's.

And, the brand? Buffalo Trace!

Michaell

kyfdx said:

Friends threw a surprise birthday party for my wife, last night. Lots of drinking.

Anyway, they pulled out a bottle of "bourbon cream". It's like Bailey's Irish Cream, only made with bourbon. I'd never seen or tried it. Didn't expect to like it, as I'm not a bourbon drinker, but it's just as good as Bailey's.

And, the brand? Buffalo Trace!

Interesting. Wife and I don't really drink much, but we both enjoy Bailey's. I'll have to see if my local liquor superstore has anything like that in stock.

mjfloyd1

@andres3 said:
I suppose, but an S6 I test drove felt sluggish and I questioned the car knowing it has a V8 and DSG, instead of confirming a bias in favor of both those things.

RS7 with TTV8 with slush box is definitely not sluggish. In fact it can be frighteningly fast.