Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

imidazol97

Glad you found a shoe solution to help your discomfort.

imidazol97

.

abacomike

oldfarmer50 said:

The PA turnpike is really expensive. 250 miles costs about $25. This was 3 or 4 years ago. How do I know? The bill showed up on my EZPass statement and there were 2 PA Tpk trips on it. I told my kid to take I-80 instead, a little longer, but a lot cheaper.

I don't want to make this too long because @driver100 has to get to bed. As of January of this year the PA Turnpike toll is 9 cents per mile with E-ZPASS and 13 cents per mile using cash. When PA started E-ZPASS they did not offer a discount for getting it. They figured the convenience alone was worth it. I was driving the pike every day but I didn't fall for that line so I decided to teach them a lesson. So I didn't get it. To make a long story short because @driver100 has to get to bed, after about a month of sitting at the toll booth behind at least a dozen vehicles every night coming home from work, I figured PA had learned their lesson so I decided to let them off the hook and I broke down and bought E-ZPASS. About 2 years later (I think) PA instituted the discount for E-ZPASS customers. I'm pretty sure my hold out helped to get the discount and I am proud I helped them see the light. Oh, one more thing (sorry @driver100 I almost forgot about this. Glad I didn't). Driving I-80 in the Winter is not going to be too safe. That area constantly creates its own weather, lots of snow there this time of the year. Nite, Nite @driver100 jmonroe

Thst Ezpass nonsense is a pet peeve of mine. MA, the state next door has eliminated all cash payment on the Mass. Pike. If you don't have a MA EZpass you get charged more. If you don't have any EZpass you get charged DOUBLE. So some poor low income sap like me gets taken to the cleaners. Very discriminatory, very unfair.

They are doing the same thing down here.  The only cash toll booths left down here in South Florida are at major junctions or major cities, and those will be gone soon.  If you don't have a "Sun-Pass" transponder, they use you license plate (rear - we have no front plates down here) and they mail you a monthly bill.  They add a service charge as well.

Sun-Pass users pay less than other users (15% I think).  Pretty soon, EZ Pass users will be able to use their transponders in Florida and vice versa!

ray80

oldfarmer50 said:

jmonroe said:

explorerx4 said:

The PA turnpike is really expensive. 250 miles costs about $25. This was 3 or 4 years ago.
How do I know? The bill showed up on my EZPass statement and there were 2 PA Tpk trips on it.
I told my kid to take I-80 instead, a little longer, but a lot cheaper.

I don't want to make this too long because @driver100 has to get to bed.

As of January of this year the PA Turnpike toll is 9 cents per mile with E-ZPASS and 13 cents per mile using cash.

When PA started E-ZPASS they did not offer a discount for getting it. They figured the convenience alone was worth it. I was driving the pike every day but I didn't fall for that line so I decided to teach them a lesson. So I didn't get it.

To make a long story short because @driver100 has to get to bed, after about a month of sitting at the toll booth behind at least a dozen vehicles every night coming home from work, I figured PA had learned their lesson so I decided to let them off the hook and I broke down and bought E-ZPASS.

About 2 years later (I think) PA instituted the discount for E-ZPASS customers. I'm pretty sure my hold out helped to get the discount and I am proud I helped them see the light.

Oh, one more thing (sorry @driver100 I almost forgot about this. Glad I didn't). Driving I-80 in the Winter is not going to be too safe. That area constantly creates its own weather, lots of snow there this time of the year.

Nite, Nite @driver100

jmonroe

Thst Ezpass nonsense is a pet peeve of mine. MA, the state next door has eliminated all cash payment on the Mass. Pike. If you don't have a MA EZpass you get charged more. If you don't have any EZpass you get charged DOUBLE. So some poor low income sap like me gets taken to the cleaners.

Very discriminatory, very unfair.

I don't like the Ezpass thing in Ma either, so far the route 20 option has worked better for me (Scenic kind of road also) to get into and back from NY state.

driver100

PF_Flyer said:

I always like the way the movies have envisioned the vehicles of the future, like in today's background movie

Well, it does resemble this:

carnaught

The talk of over charges at the time of rental car returns, and Ashley's Furniture when trying to make a legitimate return, reminds me why I use the "don't leave home without it" credit card. I've registered disputes with these types of charges, and they really go to bat for you. It has saved me paying these ridiculous, often fraudulent, charges. The CC company seems to have so much clout that they essentially "always" win these disputes.

driver100

I got an email today and this philosophical saying was at the end....I thought it was pretty good:

We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy.
The amount of work is the same. - Carlos Casteneda

OK, that's your lesson for living for today.

PF_Flyer

driver100 said:

PF_Flyer said:

I always like the way the movies have envisioned the vehicles of the future, like in today's background movie

Well, it does resemble this:

Yea, Robbie's ride does have extensive grille "bling"..heh

imidazol97

We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same. - Carlos Casteneda

I like that.

venture

oldfarmer50 said:

abacomike said:

@cdnpinhead

Hey, pinhead, I really enjoyed your recap of your Subaru buying experience. It was obvious the dealership and your sales associate were honest/up-front with you throughout the entire process - a true rarity in the car business.

I noted that the F&I process was ill-equipped to handle you in a timely manner. I guess they only had one employee that handled F&I at the dealership, but that is not out of the ordinary. At least while you waited, you were able to accomplish quite a bit which made the time fly by more effortlessly.

There remains one process that invariably drives me nuts when I buy a new car (which means I've been driven to lunacy at least once a year for the past 10 or so years) - and that is F&I (Finance and Insurance). The process not only is quite time consuming, but there never seems to be a quick in-and-out of that office. I realize the deal has to be loaded into the F&I software by the sales manager and then the F&I employee has to continue data entry into her F&I system. In most dealerships, the sales data system is not compatible with the F&I data system. Additionally, when forms are printed, they still are required to use dot-matrix printers to make sure everything lines up properly.

If the car sales industry could come up with a more expedited system of getting car buyers in and out of that office in under 15-20 minutes, it sure would make the car buying process less taxing.

I've already extended my best wishes to you for complete enjoyment of your new Subaru, but I am going to repeat those wishes to make sure "it takes" if you know what I mean. Have fun, pinhead!!!

When I bought the Mustang the F&I didn't even mention extended warranties or even mop&glow. They came up with a lower financing rate than my credit union. A nice experience.

I always tell them, when I sit down at the F&I desk, that I don't want anything extra. Usually they thank me so they don't have to do their spiel. Occasionally they think I am trying to steal their kids food.

The thing that still bugs me is when they say you have to sign a paper stating that you didn't want the extras. Silly. As someone in here said once - that's like buying a quart of milk at a grocery store and having to sign a paper saying you don't want a turkey.

abacomike

imidazol97 said:

Glad you found a shoe solution to help your discomfort.

Well, time will tell.  Driving puts pressure on my right heel as I maintain speed using the accelerator.  

I was was going to fly up to Jacksonville on Jet Blue from FLL, but when you consider the time going through TSA, 35 minutes to get to the airport, 60-80 minutes waiting to board the plane, 45 minutes for the flight, baggage unloading and baggage claim, 45 minutes from JAX to my brother's house, driving takes about the same amount of time - about 4-1/2 to 5 hours.  So I'll drive up instead of fly.  I usually take the Turnpike to Ft. Pierce and then I-95 to Ponte Vedra - but since I have to see my oncologist Tuesday morning and he is east of I-95, I'll take I-95 straight up.

I think I'll take off my shoes during the drive to relax my heel and help with circulation.

jmonroe

abacomike said:

jmonroe said:

@abacomike, that is good news about the inserts.

Once you get used to them give me a call and I'll race you to your car. Since I know you don't want me touching your car, you will probably win the race. Then we will know you are the old Mike we used to know.

jmonroe

JM, if you promise to wash and wax my car, I'll let you win that race. Driver tells us you spend afternoons waxing your car and Mrs. JM's subie- but since it's so cold up there this time of year, c'mon down here and I'll put the both of you up - then you can take care of my car!  DEAL or NO DEAL?  

How about this...I'll teach you how to wax your car like nothing you have ever seen before. When you see the results you'll be so happy that you will jump for joy and not even realize your right heel has a spur.

I'll bet you never knew the spin-off benefits of giving your car a great wax job could be so therapeutic.

jmonroe

stickguy

I assume the rental car companies in FLA screw you on that no cash toll deal? Meaning that visitors are not going to have a sunpass (or EZ pass if they take that too). So the registered owner is going to get the bill, and probably pass on with a nice surcharge for their trouble?

suydam

Oh yes they do. That happened to us. You have to pay extra to get their Sunpass on a rental and if you don't, and use a toll where you can't pay cash JUST ONCE, they'll charge you an exorbitant fee for the whole week. And there are several places that no longer have cash stations. And as a tourist you don't know that. Cash cow for the rental companies. Florida is also one of the few states where it's legal to charge extra -- $10 a day-- for your spouse to be a driver.

ab348

abacomike said:

Well, time will tell.  Driving puts pressure on my right heel as I maintain speed using the accelerator.

Seems a shame you bought that expensive new BMW and it didn't come with cruise control!

I guess it's really true how everything is an option on those German luxo-cars.

sda

venture said:

oldfarmer50 said:

abacomike said:

@cdnpinhead

Hey, pinhead, I really enjoyed your recap of your Subaru buying experience. It was obvious the dealership and your sales associate were honest/up-front with you throughout the entire process - a true rarity in the car business.

I noted that the F&I process was ill-equipped to handle you in a timely manner. I guess they only had one employee that handled F&I at the dealership, but that is not out of the ordinary. At least while you waited, you were able to accomplish quite a bit which made the time fly by more effortlessly.

There remains one process that invariably drives me nuts when I buy a new car (which means I've been driven to lunacy at least once a year for the past 10 or so years) - and that is F&I (Finance and Insurance). The process not only is quite time consuming, but there never seems to be a quick in-and-out of that office. I realize the deal has to be loaded into the F&I software by the sales manager and then the F&I employee has to continue data entry into her F&I system. In most dealerships, the sales data system is not compatible with the F&I data system. Additionally, when forms are printed, they still are required to use dot-matrix printers to make sure everything lines up properly.

If the car sales industry could come up with a more expedited system of getting car buyers in and out of that office in under 15-20 minutes, it sure would make the car buying process less taxing.

I've already extended my best wishes to you for complete enjoyment of your new Subaru, but I am going to repeat those wishes to make sure "it takes" if you know what I mean. Have fun, pinhead!!!

When I bought the Mustang the F&I didn't even mention extended warranties or even mop&glow. They came up with a lower financing rate than my credit union. A nice experience.

I always tell them, when I sit down at the F&I desk, that I don't want anything extra. Usually they thank me so they don't have to do their spiel. Occasionally they think I am trying to steal their kids food.

The thing that still bugs me is when they say you have to sign a paper stating that you didn't want the extras. Silly. As someone in here said once - that's like buying a quart of milk at a grocery store and having to sign a paper saying you don't want a turkey.

Unfortunately I think signing a paper stating that you decline is a way for the F/I management to confirm you were offered (arm twisted?) a product or service and you had the gall to decline. Behind the scene, more closing training for the F/I rep so he doesn't let the next customer decline.

iluvmysephia1

Florida sounds like a state where you're constantly turning towards your spouse and going Really? The state of Florida can legally do...that? 

berri

When I lived in Florida years back, a neighbor who was a transplant told me to be careful. He said that it was a mix of the worst crooks from the south combined with the same from the northeast, all looking to shyster you. That was probably a bit rough though!

abacomike

ab348 said:

Well, time will tell.  Driving puts pressure on my right heel as I maintain speed using the accelerator.

Seems a shame you bought that expensive new BMW and it didn't come with cruise control! I guess it's really true how everything is an option on those German luxo-cars.

You know, ab, that was the philosophy of BMW about 5-6 years ago whereby just about everything was optional on their cars.  When I bought my 2008 535i, even the Harman Kardin audio system was optional - everything was a stand-alone option including leather, xenon lights, rear sun shade, etc.

On the 740i, they offered "packages" as options.  I have 3 packages and a wheel/tire option, that's it.  No more a la carte like it used to be.

As for cruise control, I really like that adaptive cruise control with active steering.  It will make the trip up there much easier.  I just have to pack warm clothes as it gets very cold up there at night - often in the 30's and 40's - and much cooler in the daytime.

iluvmysephia1

Yeah, berri, but your comment adds...character, though, to what sounds like a state full of characters...our Florida.
 

driver100

stickguy said:

I assume the rental car companies in FLA screw you on that no cash toll deal? Meaning that visitors are not going to have a sunpass (or EZ pass if they take that too). So the registered owner is going to get the bill, and probably pass on with a nice surcharge for their trouble?

Yeh, one year I had a rental car and I went through an EZ Pass toll that wasn't even marked. Car rental company added a $40 surcharge for one toll.

I believe there were so many complaints about this, and because of all the tourists they don't want to upset, there is now a cap of $10 or something like that, that can be charged.

andres3

venture said:

oldfarmer50 said:

abacomike said:

@cdnpinhead

Hey, pinhead, I really enjoyed your recap of your Subaru buying experience. It was obvious the dealership and your sales associate were honest/up-front with you throughout the entire process - a true rarity in the car business.

I noted that the F&I process was ill-equipped to handle you in a timely manner. I guess they only had one employee that handled F&I at the dealership, but that is not out of the ordinary. At least while you waited, you were able to accomplish quite a bit which made the time fly by more effortlessly.

There remains one process that invariably drives me nuts when I buy a new car (which means I've been driven to lunacy at least once a year for the past 10 or so years) - and that is F&I (Finance and Insurance). The process not only is quite time consuming, but there never seems to be a quick in-and-out of that office. I realize the deal has to be loaded into the F&I software by the sales manager and then the F&I employee has to continue data entry into her F&I system. In most dealerships, the sales data system is not compatible with the F&I data system. Additionally, when forms are printed, they still are required to use dot-matrix printers to make sure everything lines up properly.

If the car sales industry could come up with a more expedited system of getting car buyers in and out of that office in under 15-20 minutes, it sure would make the car buying process less taxing.

I've already extended my best wishes to you for complete enjoyment of your new Subaru, but I am going to repeat those wishes to make sure "it takes" if you know what I mean. Have fun, pinhead!!!

When I bought the Mustang the F&I didn't even mention extended warranties or even mop&glow. They came up with a lower financing rate than my credit union. A nice experience.

I always tell them, when I sit down at the F&I desk, that I don't want anything extra. Usually they thank me so they don't have to do their spiel. Occasionally they think I am trying to steal their kids food.

The thing that still bugs me is when they say you have to sign a paper stating that you didn't want the extras. Silly. As someone in here said once - that's like buying a quart of milk at a grocery store and having to sign a paper saying you don't want a turkey.

That sales tactic probably works on 1 out of every 200 people. Makes them think twice about something, as if signing a paper means maybe they are passing up something important that most people buy.

berri

Seriously Aba - your expensive BMW does not have cruise control? If so, that's worse than GM! I think even most, if not all, Corolla's and Civic's include cruise.

abacomike

berri said:

When I lived in Florida years back, a neighbor who was a transplant told me to be careful. He said that it was a mix of the worst crooks from the south combined with the same from the northeast, all looking to shyster you. That was probably a bit rough though!

South Florida is like that.  The fraud, identity theft, etc., is among the highest, if not the highest, in the country.  Because of that, I pay one of the highest auto insurance rates in the country and I just found out my condo insurance went up 14% to $895 a year.  Pathetic! 

jipster

carnaught said:

The talk of over charges at the time of rental car returns, and Ashley's Furniture when trying to make a legitimate return, reminds me why I use the "don't leave home without it" credit card. I've registered disputes with these types of charges, and they really go to bat for you. It has saved me paying these ridiculous, often fraudulent, charges. The CC company seems to have so much clout that they essentially "always" win these disputes.

I spoke to my wife about filing a dispute with my credit card company, which I used to purchase, and she said unless fraud was involved they wouldn't do anything. You think I have a good case? Guess I'll call tomorrow and see what they say. 

berri

Did you already pay the charge bill with it included? If not, you may accumulate interest if it doesn't go your way down the road?

suydam

driver100 said:

stickguy said:

I assume the rental car companies in FLA screw you on that no cash toll deal? Meaning that visitors are not going to have a sunpass (or EZ pass if they take that too). So the registered owner is going to get the bill, and probably pass on with a nice surcharge for their trouble?

Yeh, one year I had a rental car and I went through an EZ Pass toll that wasn't even marked. Car rental company added a $40 surcharge for one toll.

I believe there were so many complaints about this, and because of all the tourists they don't want to upset, there is now a cap of $10 or something like that, that can be charged.

Well they were still doing it a year ago when I was there.

jmonroe

jipster said:

carnaught said:

The talk of over charges at the time of rental car returns, and Ashley's Furniture when trying to make a legitimate return, reminds me why I use the "don't leave home without it" credit card. I've registered disputes with these types of charges, and they really go to bat for you. It has saved me paying these ridiculous, often fraudulent, charges. The CC company seems to have so much clout that they essentially "always" win these disputes.

I spoke to my wife about filing a dispute with my credit card company, which I used to purchase, and she said unless fraud was involved they wouldn't do anything. You think I have a good case? Guess I'll call tomorrow and see what they say. 

Not sure about this but I'd say the CC company will say if it is stated in the contract you are responsible. But I guess it won't hurt to ask.

All that being said, it's pretty bad you don't have a grace period of a couple days.

I could have been a lawyer too if I wanted to be.

jmonroe

jipster

berri said:

Did you already pay the charge bill with it included? If not, you may accumulate interest if it doesn't go your way down the road?

My credit card payment is due March 7th. So in looking at possible reasons to"file a dispute", the one that's says, "The merchandise or service was not as described." , seems to be my best bet for claiming fraud.

oldfarmer50

abacomike said:

ab348 said:

abacomike said:

Well, time will tell.  Driving puts pressure on my right heel as I maintain speed using the accelerator.

Seems a shame you bought that expensive new BMW and it didn't come with cruise control!

I guess it's really true how everything is an option on those German luxo-cars.

You know, ab, that was the philosophy of BMW about 5-6 years ago whereby just about everything was optional on their cars.  When I bought my 2008 535i, even the Harman Kardin audio system was optional - everything was a stand-alone option including leather, xenon lights, rear sun shade, etc.

On the 740i, they offered "packages" as options.  I have 3 packages and a wheel/tire option, that's it.  No more a la carte like it used to be.

As for cruise control, I really like that adaptive cruise control with active steering.  It will make the trip up there much easier.  I just have to pack warm clothes as it gets very cold up there at night - often in the 30's and 40's - and much cooler in the daytime.




I'd much prefer the stand alone option lists just like the old days. Several times I've had to forgo a desirable feature, like leather seats, because it only came as part of a package with other things I didn't want or because the package boosted the total price too high.

karhill1

Oh those F&I managers.

Recently helped my daughter buy a Honda HRV in Maryland. The price negotiations and trade were easy, took half an hour. This was Criswell, a dealer from which I have purchased many vehicles. The buying process is easy but each time there was an issue in the F&I office.

This time we waited about 2 hours to visit F&I. Of course I had already computed the monthly payment based on the selling price and interest rate. Once in the F&I office, the manager proudly presented the payment.

I inquired as to the interest rate and the term. Oh, said the F&I manager. The interest rate is 4.9 percent and the term is 72 months.

I told the F&I manager she would finance for 60 months and the interest rate she could get from her CU was 2.3 percent, which was the rate at which we would buy that day.

Here is where this F&I manager took a turn I had never seen before. He proudly stated the 4.9 percent was what the dealer was offering. I asked for the buy rate, he refused. I said thanks but we will look elsewhere and he could explain to the sales manager why we did not buy. At this point, the F&I manager said "well, why don't you sign at 4.9 percent and then refinance when you get home."

This is the first time I have ever encountered the "suggestion" from an F&I manager. Hard to believe this guy thought we, who do understand the car buying process, would buy and then refinance.

I looked at him in disbelief and said thanks. There was no way I was going to allow him nearly 2 percent of dealer reserve. At that time, I used any buyers best negotiation tool, we got up from the chairs to leave.

I knew he would change his tune. He said please wait, I will check with my manager. I told him we would wait but we were not buying at more than 2.3 percent. He came back five minutes later, I suspect he had a quick cup of coffee, and changed the interest to 2.2 percent.

Why do some F&I managers play such silly games?

cdnpinhead

Because they work, more often than not. The people who inhabit these boards are not like the general public.

sda

karhill1 said:

Oh those F&I managers.

Recently helped my daughter buy a Honda HRV in Maryland. The price negotiations and trade were easy, took half an hour. This was Criswell, a dealer from which I have purchased many vehicles. The buying process is easy but each time there was an issue in the F&I office.

This time we waited about 2 hours to visit F&I. Of course I had already computed the monthly payment based on the selling price and interest rate. Once in the F&I office, the manager proudly presented the payment.

I inquired as to the interest rate and the term. Oh, said the F&I manager. The interest rate is 4.9 percent and the term is 72 months.

I told the F&I manager she would finance for 60 months and the interest rate she could get from her CU was 2.3 percent, which was the rate at which we would buy that day.

Here is where this F&I manager took a turn I had never seen before. He proudly stated the 4.9 percent was what the dealer was offering. I asked for the buy rate, he refused. I said thanks but we will look elsewhere and he could explain to the sales manager why we did not buy. At this point, the F&I manager said "well, why don't you sign at 4.9 percent and then refinance when you get home."

This is the first time I have ever encountered the "suggestion" from an F&I manager. Hard to believe this guy thought we, who do understand the car buying process, would buy and then refinance.

I looked at him in disbelief and said thanks. There was no way I was going to allow him nearly 2 percent of dealer reserve. At that time, I used any buyers best negotiation tool, we got up from the chairs to leave.

I knew he would change his tune. He said please wait, I will check with my manager. I told him we would wait but we were not buying at more than 2.3 percent. He came back five minutes later, I suspect he had a quick cup of coffee, and changed the interest to 2.2 percent.

Why do some F&I managers play such silly games?

Though you had a nice experience up to F&I that is enough sour the overall buying experience if you let it. Hopefully it didn't.

oldfarmer50

Here's something new.

I'm watching Good Morning America and they are doing a story on driving in winter. They stated that "because of technology" you shouldn't steer into a skid any more because it will confuse the electronic nannies. Huh? They say just steer where you want to go and let the electronic controls take over.

Most of my cars don't have stability control but I wonder if I could trust my life to car electronics getting me out of a skid.

I also wonder about going between older and modern vehicles with different technology. Back in 2005 my son got his first car with ABS. He learned to pump the brakes in drivers Ed so when he got into a skid he did so and promptly went into ditch.

oldfarmer50

cdnpinhead said:

Because they work, more often than not. The people who inhabit these boards are not like the general public.

Maybe that's why I had such an easy time on my last purchase. I threw about a bunch of car terms like "holdback" and "trunk money". They probably figured me for an Edmunds pro.

driver100

suydam said:

driver100 said:

stickguy said:

I assume the rental car companies in FLA screw you on that no cash toll deal? Meaning that visitors are not going to have a sunpass (or EZ pass if they take that too). So the registered owner is going to get the bill, and probably pass on with a nice surcharge for their trouble?

Yeh, one year I had a rental car and I went through an EZ Pass toll that wasn't even marked. Car rental company added a $40 surcharge for one toll.

I believe there were so many complaints about this, and because of all the tourists they don't want to upset, there is now a cap of $10 or something like that, that can be charged.

Well they were still doing it a year ago when I was there.

They know it is a problem and are trying to find a solution. Some want the charge capped but others don't think they should dictate prices to car rental companies.
Fees rental car customers pay to cover unpaid tolls:

▪ Alamo, Enterprise, National: $3.95 per day, $19.75 maximum.

▪ Avis, Budget: $3.95 per day, $16.95 maximum.

▪ Dollar, Thrifty: $15 per toll, $105 maximum.

▪ Hertz: $4.95 per day, $24.75 maximum.

Source: Florida Legislature

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article41835621.html#storylink=cpy

Notice....good old Hertz!

driver100

jipster said:

carnaught said:

The talk of over charges at the time of rental car returns, and Ashley's Furniture when trying to make a legitimate return, reminds me why I use the "don't leave home without it" credit card. I've registered disputes with these types of charges, and they really go to bat for you. It has saved me paying these ridiculous, often fraudulent, charges. The CC company seems to have so much clout that they essentially "always" win these disputes.

I spoke to my wife about filing a dispute with my credit card company, which I used to purchase, and she said unless fraud was involved they wouldn't do anything. You think I have a good case? Guess I'll call tomorrow and see what they say. 

Credit Card companies don't usually get involved in cancelling a store transaction. Somewhere on the contract it probably states there will be a service charge if order is cancelled.

Once I had monthly cell phone charges on my credit card bill, and I didn't have a cell phone from that company. Credit card company said they can't do anything about it. Had to get through to cell phone company - not easy and they found they had keyed in the wrong credit card number.

imidazol97

jipster said:

I spoke to my wife about filing a dispute with my credit card company, which I used to purchase, and she said unless fraud was involved they wouldn't do anything. You think I have a good case? Guess I'll call tomorrow and see what they say.

If I recall when the business gets a charge back there's a fee they pay to the CC company. I don't know if that is for the charge back whether it's found to stand or be sent to be paid by the cardholder or only if the cardholder ends up winning. But something on the order of $40-50 was the amount I recall. So you could feel good knowing you cost them some money even if they eventually get the money for the toll charge in the end. LOL

carnaught

jipster, each time I disputed a charge (only a hand full), the CC company and myself prevailed. They told me that after I reported it, the dispute would be investigated, and in the meantime they told me not to pay the overcharge. I don't believe they would have charged me interest on the balance if the dispute was lost, but you should definitely ask your CC company. So, depending on your CC company, you probably have nothing to lose by disputing the over charge.

graphicguy

carnaught said:

The talk of over charges at the time of rental car returns, and Ashley's Furniture when trying to make a legitimate return, reminds me why I use the "don't leave home without it" credit card. I've registered disputes with these types of charges, and they really go to bat for you. It has saved me paying these ridiculous, often fraudulent, charges. The CC company seems to have so much clout that they essentially "always" win these disputes.

That is truth. I use AMEX for ALL of my business travel. Plus, the points I have accrued are taking car of my hotel on an upcoming trip Barcelona this coming Fall.

AMEX does have clout. They'll investigate any issue and go to "fight" for the card holder. That's rare to have that sort of clout with consumers these days.

graphicguy

oldfarmer50 said:

Here's something new.

I'm watching Good Morning America and they are doing a story on driving in winter. They stated that "because of technology" you shouldn't steer into a skid any more because it will confuse the electronic nannies. Huh? They say just steer where you want to go and let the electronic controls take over.

Most of my cars don't have stability control but I wonder if I could trust my life to car electronics getting me out of a skid.

I also wonder about going between older and modern vehicles with different technology. Back in 2005 my son got his first car with ABS. He learned to pump the brakes in drivers Ed so when he got into a skid he did so and promptly went into ditch.

Interesting.....it probably took me a decade to change my behavior of not pumping the brake pedal in a car with ABS when panic braking. This is going to take me awhile to unlearn.

Side note...this 'burg isn't too far from me. Ruling just came down this city (which is teeny) has to repay $3M....
http://www.wlwt.com/article/speeders-want-3m-back-from-new-miami-s-traffic-cameras/3568516

graphicguy

I'm going to be doing some serious international traveling in the next several months for work. I have the TSA pre-check, but never got the Global Access check. Filled out the on line paperwork, and now was informed I have to go for an interview (SOP). Couldn't find anything in Cincinnati, so called Homeland Security. I was looking in the wrong place. It's listed in KY, which is where the Cincinnati Airport is (yeah, confusing). Anyway, the Homeland Security Officer informed me that interviews out of KY are scheduled out through NOVEMBER.

Looked at Chicago, where I go fairly often....scheduled an interview next month. How can Chicago be relatively current, when it's 5X the size of Cincinnati?

Michaell

graphicguy said:

I'm going to be doing some serious international traveling in the next several months for work. I have the TSA pre-check, but never got the Global Access check. Filled out the on line paperwork, and now was informed I have to go for an interview (SOP). Couldn't find anything in Cincinnati, so called Homeland Security. I was looking in the wrong place. It's listed in KY, which is where the Cincinnati Airport is (yeah, confusing). Anyway, the Homeland Security Officer informed me that interviews out of KY are scheduled out through NOVEMBER.

Looked at Chicago, where I go fairly often....scheduled an interview next month. How can Chicago be relatively current, when it's 5X the size of Cincinnati?

Bigger population, more staff to process applications and give interviews?

suydam

driver100 said:

suydam said:

driver100 said:

stickguy said:

I assume the rental car companies in FLA screw you on that no cash toll deal? Meaning that visitors are not going to have a sunpass (or EZ pass if they take that too). So the registered owner is going to get the bill, and probably pass on with a nice surcharge for their trouble?

Yeh, one year I had a rental car and I went through an EZ Pass toll that wasn't even marked. Car rental company added a $40 surcharge for one toll.

I believe there were so many complaints about this, and because of all the tourists they don't want to upset, there is now a cap of $10 or something like that, that can be charged.

Well they were still doing it a year ago when I was there.

They know it is a problem and are trying to find a solution. Some want the charge capped but others don't think they should dictate prices to car rental companies.
Fees rental car customers pay to cover unpaid tolls:

▪ Alamo, Enterprise, National: $3.95 per day, $19.75 maximum.

▪ Avis, Budget: $3.95 per day, $16.95 maximum.

▪ Dollar, Thrifty: $15 per toll, $105 maximum.

▪ Hertz: $4.95 per day, $24.75 maximum.

Source: Florida Legislature

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article41835621.html#storylink=cpy

Notice....good old Hertz!

The actual toll is around a dollar. It is such a ripoff. And it comes months after you get home so it's easy to miss on your credit card statement.

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

I'm going to be doing some serious international traveling in the next several months for work. I have the TSA pre-check, but never got the Global Access check. Filled out the on line paperwork, and now was informed I have to go for an interview (SOP). Couldn't find anything in Cincinnati, so called Homeland Security. I was looking in the wrong place. It's listed in KY, which is where the Cincinnati Airport is (yeah, confusing). Anyway, the Homeland Security Officer informed me that interviews out of KY are scheduled out through NOVEMBER.

Looked at Chicago, where I go fairly often....scheduled an interview next month. How can Chicago be relatively current, when it's 5X the size of Cincinnati?

Caddy probably put you on the no fly list out of revenge for your uppityness.

sda

Is the snow storm in the northeast as bad as what the news people are saying? A good test for nyccarguy's snow tires!

PF_Flyer

sda said:

Is the snow storm in the northeast as bad as what the news people are saying? A good test for nyccarguy's snow tires!

Not the END OF THE WORLD, as everything seems to be reported now, but I did get to shovel for a soild 90 minutes this morning

ray80

sda said:

Is the snow storm in the northeast as bad as what the news people are saying? A good test for nyccarguy's snow tires!

I'm in Northern CT (nyccarguy's in the Southern part). Here it is 25 with heavy snowfall rate and some wind (closer coast likely much more wind) and some thundersnow around the state. Listening to HAM radio reports and measured snow in town next to me is 10 inches so far.

Mr_Shiftright

West Side of Manhattan right now:

abacomike

graphicguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Here's something new.

I'm watching Good Morning America and they are doing a story on driving in winter. They stated that "because of technology" you shouldn't steer into a skid any more because it will confuse the electronic nannies. Huh? They say just steer where you want to go and let the electronic controls take over.

Most of my cars don't have stability control but I wonder if I could trust my life to car electronics getting me out of a skid.

I also wonder about going between older and modern vehicles with different technology. Back in 2005 my son got his first car with ABS. He learned to pump the brakes in drivers Ed so when he got into a skid he did so and promptly went into ditch.

Interesting.....it probably took me a decade to change my behavior of not pumping the brake pedal in a car with ABS when panic braking. This is going to take me awhile to unlearn.

Side note...this 'burg isn't too far from me. Ruling just came down this city (which is teeny) has to repay $3M....
http://www.wlwt.com/article/speeders-want-3m-back-from-new-miami-s-traffic-cameras/3568516

Even before the ABS "relearning curve", there was the FWD relearning curve - with FWD, you step on the accelerator in a skid to "pull you out of a skid". So for one generation, you turn in the direction of the skid; for the next generation, you step on the accelerator to pull you out of a kid; for the next generation, you step on the brake; and for this new generation, you do nothing? I guess we can't teach our kids how to drive any more - they need to pay better attention in driver's ed. All we are doing is giving the kids incorrect information based upon current technology - good grief!!!