AIG's Bailout Get-a-way Plan
Well as I use AIG as an insurance provider to myself after they purchased 21st Century I do not think I want to continue to be aligned with a company that makes headlines as above. Last night I started looking for new insurances, and today I will be switched over to a new plan with a different company. I originally purchased my insurance from 21st Century about 4 or 5 years ago. I went from spending $3000 a year in full coverage for a Toyota Camry to about $1300 a year for full coverage on a Toyota Avalon. Pretty dramatic price savings I saw switching from Progressive to 21st Century. In the last six months I found out when having to make a payment that AIG took over 21st Century.
In my own opinion when you are request assistance from the government to help your company to survive you do not take $500,000 company trips to get pampered. You look where you can cut cost, and areas you can save money in without shrinking your work force, and without providing your customer with a lesser experience. When you're company is in need of 85 billion dollars you don't spend half a million on a retreat (compared to $85 billion that is like nickles and dimes). You probably shouldn't be giving out the crazy bonus of millions and millions of dollars to the CEO and other leadership for the company. Obviously they aren't leading the company in the right direction if they are needing a bail out. Yes, the economy is bad, and it's not their fault. But they are responsible for the company, and I know some companies will flourish in these rough times as they will step up, and provide that extra customer service, and go that extra mile to keep their customers.
Anyways, what I'm trying to get across here is companies like this is the reason that our economy is in the place that it is. They are to busy creating a lavish lifestyle for a few executives, and throwing them millions of dollars when it really isn't needed. Yes the executives should be taken well care of for leading a business to success, but on the other hand if they are leading the business to become a flop they should go down along with it. Just think if you were an employee of AIG and was told we're going have to lay you off because we can afford to pay you, or your benefits. Then you come to find out that you've been laid off while these executives are spending what you make in 15 years on a weekend get-a-way.
Happy Hump Day,
Eric N Cincy
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Issue Six, Casino's in Ohio.
So once again they some how got a vote going for Legalizing Casino's in Ohio. Hopefully this time around people will vote yes. In my own opinion I like the idea of going to the casino that is paying tax dollars to Ohio, not to Indiana.
Currently I would say I go to the Casino once a month with my buddies. We take no more than we can loose, and is normally $60 to $100. We plan on loosing the money when we walk in the front door. Just like as if we were to walk into Dave and Busters, or any local bar. I do not drink much, so a bar does not appeal to me. I love Dave and Busters ever now and then it's just farther away from home. My point is a Casino is another form of entertainment. When you plan on spending money on entertainment you don't plan on having the chance to win money back.
Reasons to vote yes on letting casino's build in Ohio are many just as reason as not to let them build. The biggest reason I would vote yes on a casino is because it would put one possible closer to home, and help out Ohio rather than Indiana which is where Argosy is. It is no more than 20 minutes away from myself, and most of Cincinnati. Putting one in Cincinnati would eliminate some of the people driving over to Indiana for their gambling. And putting some Tax dollars into the local government. People say Casino brings crime. With a Casino 20 minutes away I wouldn't know of the crime it brings. But with the crime it also brings more jobs on the police force. Weak argument probably but it is true that if crime is on a rise it will effect the funding on hiring new police officers, paramedics, and fire fighters.
May these be good or bad arguments they are how I feel about a Casino. I suggest that you take a look and make your own decision. There is always two sides to just about everything, good and bad. You just have to decide which ones are worth taking the risk of.
In other news today Congress voted down the bailout and Stocks dropped large amounts. This should be interesting to watch unfold onto our country as we know it. This is probably going to effect the middle class more than any previous blows.
God Speed,
Eric N Cincy
Currently I would say I go to the Casino once a month with my buddies. We take no more than we can loose, and is normally $60 to $100. We plan on loosing the money when we walk in the front door. Just like as if we were to walk into Dave and Busters, or any local bar. I do not drink much, so a bar does not appeal to me. I love Dave and Busters ever now and then it's just farther away from home. My point is a Casino is another form of entertainment. When you plan on spending money on entertainment you don't plan on having the chance to win money back.
Reasons to vote yes on letting casino's build in Ohio are many just as reason as not to let them build. The biggest reason I would vote yes on a casino is because it would put one possible closer to home, and help out Ohio rather than Indiana which is where Argosy is. It is no more than 20 minutes away from myself, and most of Cincinnati. Putting one in Cincinnati would eliminate some of the people driving over to Indiana for their gambling. And putting some Tax dollars into the local government. People say Casino brings crime. With a Casino 20 minutes away I wouldn't know of the crime it brings. But with the crime it also brings more jobs on the police force. Weak argument probably but it is true that if crime is on a rise it will effect the funding on hiring new police officers, paramedics, and fire fighters.
May these be good or bad arguments they are how I feel about a Casino. I suggest that you take a look and make your own decision. There is always two sides to just about everything, good and bad. You just have to decide which ones are worth taking the risk of.
In other news today Congress voted down the bailout and Stocks dropped large amounts. This should be interesting to watch unfold onto our country as we know it. This is probably going to effect the middle class more than any previous blows.
God Speed,
Eric N Cincy
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
A Day out with Thomas
So being a father and having a two year old son I know that kids love Thomas the tank engine and his friends. I decided to take my son to the "A day out with Thomas". I have to say the best thing about this event is that all the extra stuff is free; yeah free. You don't find that very often. Normally you go to one of these events and have to pay for everything you do while you're there. The only charges were for food, drinks, and gifts. Which that stuff you expect to cost. The kids could get free tattoos, pictures with Sir Topham Hat, pictures with Thomas, play golf, and many many toys around to play with. If you wanted the picture they took they had them for sale but none of the people there said anything about taking your own pictures. I believe my son enjoyed this part of wondering around, playing with the toys, and seeing the other kids better than riding the train.
The train ride was painful at best. The first issue is we bought tickets for train two thinking that we would be closer to Thomas since that is what I wanted my boy to see. We ended up on the opposite side of Thomas, by the real train. This would be my fault as I did not investigate to prove that train two was by Thomas or not.
Once we started boarding we found out that train cars one, and two ended up being shut down. So train cars one, two, and three all got stuck into the same car. The seats they have you sit on are about 8 inches long. I am about six foot, two hundred pound and couldn't fit all the way on the seat. I can only image everyone else's discomfort from the seat.
The train car that we were in also was filled with a gas smell that gave me a headache, and was making myself and others sick. I am guessing this is because we were close to the train. I would have expected it to be a train using coal, not gas.
The conductor that made the safety announcement was a guy that was extremely rude. He turned around from the chubby that was right behind me and started yelling at people for talking. If you expect to have hundreds of people on train cars with excited children there is a good chance you are not going be able to get silence to fall over your audience. So his outburst was pointless, and only made him seem like he didn't want to be there. I guess it's a job to him, but hospitality is part of this event. I believe his name was Jim, and he failed at making my family, my son, and me feel welcome. He invited me back and I doubt that I would ever take that ride again.
Overall I have to say it was a good time, and I don't think my son enjoyed the train ride as much as I would have expect. I know I didn't. If you're son or daughter is older and asking to ride the train then it might be more fun. But I think being under maybe 3 or 4 years of age it isn't a big deal to ride the train; seeing it would be good enough. It was just a bunch of noise, and a cluster of people.
Cheers,
Eric N Cincy
The train ride was painful at best. The first issue is we bought tickets for train two thinking that we would be closer to Thomas since that is what I wanted my boy to see. We ended up on the opposite side of Thomas, by the real train. This would be my fault as I did not investigate to prove that train two was by Thomas or not.
Once we started boarding we found out that train cars one, and two ended up being shut down. So train cars one, two, and three all got stuck into the same car. The seats they have you sit on are about 8 inches long. I am about six foot, two hundred pound and couldn't fit all the way on the seat. I can only image everyone else's discomfort from the seat.
The train car that we were in also was filled with a gas smell that gave me a headache, and was making myself and others sick. I am guessing this is because we were close to the train. I would have expected it to be a train using coal, not gas.
The conductor that made the safety announcement was a guy that was extremely rude. He turned around from the chubby that was right behind me and started yelling at people for talking. If you expect to have hundreds of people on train cars with excited children there is a good chance you are not going be able to get silence to fall over your audience. So his outburst was pointless, and only made him seem like he didn't want to be there. I guess it's a job to him, but hospitality is part of this event. I believe his name was Jim, and he failed at making my family, my son, and me feel welcome. He invited me back and I doubt that I would ever take that ride again.
Overall I have to say it was a good time, and I don't think my son enjoyed the train ride as much as I would have expect. I know I didn't. If you're son or daughter is older and asking to ride the train then it might be more fun. But I think being under maybe 3 or 4 years of age it isn't a big deal to ride the train; seeing it would be good enough. It was just a bunch of noise, and a cluster of people.
Cheers,
Eric N Cincy
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Sirius Radio
Well I would have to say that I have had my Sirius Radio for the last 4 years, and loved every last minute of it. I have very rarely even had to call in for any type of services or issues. In the four years of using my Streamer GTR I only have called Sirius four times. Three of them have been since they acquired XM Radio.
The first time I called in it was late into the evening that I got the device. It was birthday gift from an ex. Ha, the device lasted longer than the relationship. I called in to activate and it was an American speaking gentleman. This obviously would provide Sirius with bonus points for any new customer in the USA. American's answering phones around 8-9pm EST is almost becoming unheard of now-a-days. I believe that is how it should be, and out sourcing does not help the economy that is diminishing our dollar.
The second time I called into Sirius was in the afternoon during my lunch about some billing issues. This was into the third year of having the device. I got it straightened out by telling them I was wanting to cancel as I was getting annoyed with being transferred around. Once I mentioned canceling my account I was transfered one more time. All of the representatives for Sirius was understandable but you could tell everything was extremely scripted and did not come natural to them.
My third telephone call was to Sirius about my device emitting a stronger FM frequencies than the FCC approves of. It was said to not be harmful to anyone but it would interfere with outside radio communications. They gave me a few options to fix this in an email. I'm not really interested in changing anything as it has been working fine. The last time I got a fix for something that was suppose to be broken but working fine was my dish washer. Once they repaired that I had to purchase a new one less than six months after the repairs. So I call them up and ask about the email indicating that I'm suppose to pick one of these options for free for my radio. I told the representative that I wasn't really interested in any of the options because it would be more wires that would have to be cluttering the car. Or it would be an inconvenience to drop my car off somewhere while they install the devices that they offer. I wasn't really able to understand the guy but he told me that these were just options they had to offer. It was not required that I do anything. That is the option I took as I've had the device and it's been fine for almost four years.
My fourth call into Sirius was probably a month after my third call. I found this kind of ironic that I told them I didn't want to choose any of the options they offered for my device, and about a week later the device started to have so much static it was unbearable. The sound quality has always been good, but lower volume than a CD, Tape, or Radio directly from the car. The last three weeks I have been off and on usage of the Sirius Radio, and last night I made the phone call to see what is happening; hoping that there was just satellite issues or upgrades going on. The only option they could offer was the the one from the email. They opted to send me a tape to plug into the car, along with a professional install of the system since I don't really want any wires hanging out. I already have enough of them from the power cord, and the receiver. I am not sure how well this will work out, and expect it to be interesting trying to schedule the installation along with working my 45 hour work weeks. And having my hands full on the weekends with a son.
I am pretty disappointed in the company as lately and I hope they are just recouping from the newly acquired XM merger. I really hope that they decide to move more of their customer service on the phone back into the US. It's horrible that all these American Companies are moving their phone centers out of the USA. There should be heavy penalty for not keeping them in the USA to a certain percent. I will give them a chance with the fix they offered me as I know they want to keep me a customer. But my suggestion to them would be to get people to work for you that do not sound scripted, and find people that can make it sound like they care. When I call up and get someone that I don't understand, and sounds like he or she is reading what is put in front of them it will not keep my loyalty to your company. I know I'm only one person, but I also know that my blogs can reach a lot more. Word of mouth does amazing thing for, or against companies.
Cheers,
Eric N Cincy
The first time I called in it was late into the evening that I got the device. It was birthday gift from an ex. Ha, the device lasted longer than the relationship. I called in to activate and it was an American speaking gentleman. This obviously would provide Sirius with bonus points for any new customer in the USA. American's answering phones around 8-9pm EST is almost becoming unheard of now-a-days. I believe that is how it should be, and out sourcing does not help the economy that is diminishing our dollar.
The second time I called into Sirius was in the afternoon during my lunch about some billing issues. This was into the third year of having the device. I got it straightened out by telling them I was wanting to cancel as I was getting annoyed with being transferred around. Once I mentioned canceling my account I was transfered one more time. All of the representatives for Sirius was understandable but you could tell everything was extremely scripted and did not come natural to them.
My third telephone call was to Sirius about my device emitting a stronger FM frequencies than the FCC approves of. It was said to not be harmful to anyone but it would interfere with outside radio communications. They gave me a few options to fix this in an email. I'm not really interested in changing anything as it has been working fine. The last time I got a fix for something that was suppose to be broken but working fine was my dish washer. Once they repaired that I had to purchase a new one less than six months after the repairs. So I call them up and ask about the email indicating that I'm suppose to pick one of these options for free for my radio. I told the representative that I wasn't really interested in any of the options because it would be more wires that would have to be cluttering the car. Or it would be an inconvenience to drop my car off somewhere while they install the devices that they offer. I wasn't really able to understand the guy but he told me that these were just options they had to offer. It was not required that I do anything. That is the option I took as I've had the device and it's been fine for almost four years.
My fourth call into Sirius was probably a month after my third call. I found this kind of ironic that I told them I didn't want to choose any of the options they offered for my device, and about a week later the device started to have so much static it was unbearable. The sound quality has always been good, but lower volume than a CD, Tape, or Radio directly from the car. The last three weeks I have been off and on usage of the Sirius Radio, and last night I made the phone call to see what is happening; hoping that there was just satellite issues or upgrades going on. The only option they could offer was the the one from the email. They opted to send me a tape to plug into the car, along with a professional install of the system since I don't really want any wires hanging out. I already have enough of them from the power cord, and the receiver. I am not sure how well this will work out, and expect it to be interesting trying to schedule the installation along with working my 45 hour work weeks. And having my hands full on the weekends with a son.
I am pretty disappointed in the company as lately and I hope they are just recouping from the newly acquired XM merger. I really hope that they decide to move more of their customer service on the phone back into the US. It's horrible that all these American Companies are moving their phone centers out of the USA. There should be heavy penalty for not keeping them in the USA to a certain percent. I will give them a chance with the fix they offered me as I know they want to keep me a customer. But my suggestion to them would be to get people to work for you that do not sound scripted, and find people that can make it sound like they care. When I call up and get someone that I don't understand, and sounds like he or she is reading what is put in front of them it will not keep my loyalty to your company. I know I'm only one person, but I also know that my blogs can reach a lot more. Word of mouth does amazing thing for, or against companies.
Cheers,
Eric N Cincy
Friday, August 29, 2008
Dell XPS 700
Let me first start out by saying that I have purchases a plethora of computers from Dell. Two for myself, 2 laptops for my mother, and one for my best friend. I have also configured via Dell.com seven desktops, and 3 laptops for my friends working at Cincinnati Bell for personal use. Telling them "this is what you want, and what you need. You'll be happy with the price, performance, and customer service long as you call at the right times." This is just in the last 4 years, and does not include the printer I picked out for what my mother was looking for last Christmas. Still to this day I am pretty happy about my purchases and suggestions. I've yet to hear of any of my friends complain about their dell's. DUDE I GOT A DELL!
I have noticed with my Dell XPS 700 that it has been slowing down some. So while being bored I figured I would look around and see what the cost factors of upgrading the processors would be. Currently it is running a duel core process at 1.86gighertz. It really isn't doing to bad for considering I've had it for 2 years now. I figured this would be an easy upgrade to find. As I started out on the Dell.com site by putting in my Service tag and trying to peruse upgrade options and paths. I noticed that there wasn't any suggestions on processors. So figuring it was just an issues with the site and didn't recognize my system; it is two years old after all. I figured I would give Dell's spare parts, and upgrade phone number a call.
It was about 4pm est on a Thursday afternoon. I called the first time, and got a hold of something within 20 minutes and only 3 prompts of the automated system. Not bad at all considering I've been on hold with places for hours at a time with a call back option. I start talking to a guy that went by the name Dan. After a few second of small talk I was able to get Dan to speak slower so that I could understand him. He was obviously outsourced. As I was providing Dan with my service tag we got disconnected and I had a Thank You for calling Dell disconnection. I don't know if he transferred me by mistake or what but I ended up hanging up after listen to music for a few minutes. The next time I called in was maybe 30 minutes later. This time I got disconnected before I was even transfered to a representative. I gave up for a while hoping that if I call back later into the evening I would get someone that would be able to help.
I decided to try and do some research myself across the world wide web. I found some helpful, and some illrelevant information. Some of the sites below I found to be helpful, and disappointing at the same time.
Direct 2 Dell Blog about upgrading Mother Board
Dell Forums with Customers in my situation
Later that evening around 10pm est I gave my 3rd attempt of seeing if someone could help me with figuring out my processor dilemma. I gave the spare parts, and upgrade phone number another call. Surprise again about being disconnected. Waited a few more minutes, and tried once again. Got through this time and was speaking to a lady, Dee. She was nice and understandable. She even called me back when our phone call got disconnected. So far I've got disconnected from these people from my phone on my desk at work, my cellphone, and my home phone. Someone has bad lines, and with my 3 options I really hope it isn't me. Once Dee realized that I wasn't going be a sales opportunity because she couldn't find a processor to upgrade my system to we got disconnected, again. After letting my irritation die down a little I called back. This time Mary was there to help me. I provided her with my service tag, and asked what processors can I upgrade to. When she couldn't find a processor she tried to tell me that it wouldn't help the system any by upgrading the processor. She told me that I needed more ram, and bigger better hard drives. I am pretty sure that XP does not recognize anymore than 3.5 gigs of ram which I have 4gigs in it currently, and a duel core processor will have issues with Vista. So I asked her what am I to do with my situation. I purchased this system that was a few thousands
dollars. I purchased my Dell XPS 700 because it advertise how easy it would be to upgrade. This has became anything but easy.
In closing it looks like this machine is going end up the biggest paper weight that I own. As it seems like Dell never sent out any type of notification about the system being a lemon. No notification that I would have issues with the Mother Board and future upgrades. I find the integrity of these actions low, very low. I wouldn't expect to see my dollars going to Dell anymore. And this is sad because I really like the computer, but I expected spending $4000 or so I wouldn't have to overhaul as system for many, many years. I figured I could do $~300 upgrades about once a year and keep it up to date for longer than the warranty will last.
Update:
The upgrade they gave the customer that knew about the issues will cost me about $490. This does not even include a processor that I would have to purchase on top of it so that I can continue using my system. Looks like I will continue to use my system as is until it dies. And I'm sure that I will look else where for a new one when the time comes. It's sad its that way. I really liked the company and services for the most part.
Cheers,
Eric N Cincy
I have noticed with my Dell XPS 700 that it has been slowing down some. So while being bored I figured I would look around and see what the cost factors of upgrading the processors would be. Currently it is running a duel core process at 1.86gighertz. It really isn't doing to bad for considering I've had it for 2 years now. I figured this would be an easy upgrade to find. As I started out on the Dell.com site by putting in my Service tag and trying to peruse upgrade options and paths. I noticed that there wasn't any suggestions on processors. So figuring it was just an issues with the site and didn't recognize my system; it is two years old after all. I figured I would give Dell's spare parts, and upgrade phone number a call.
It was about 4pm est on a Thursday afternoon. I called the first time, and got a hold of something within 20 minutes and only 3 prompts of the automated system. Not bad at all considering I've been on hold with places for hours at a time with a call back option. I start talking to a guy that went by the name Dan. After a few second of small talk I was able to get Dan to speak slower so that I could understand him. He was obviously outsourced. As I was providing Dan with my service tag we got disconnected and I had a Thank You for calling Dell disconnection. I don't know if he transferred me by mistake or what but I ended up hanging up after listen to music for a few minutes. The next time I called in was maybe 30 minutes later. This time I got disconnected before I was even transfered to a representative. I gave up for a while hoping that if I call back later into the evening I would get someone that would be able to help.
I decided to try and do some research myself across the world wide web. I found some helpful, and some illrelevant information. Some of the sites below I found to be helpful, and disappointing at the same time.
Direct 2 Dell Blog about upgrading Mother Board
Dell Forums with Customers in my situation
Later that evening around 10pm est I gave my 3rd attempt of seeing if someone could help me with figuring out my processor dilemma. I gave the spare parts, and upgrade phone number another call. Surprise again about being disconnected. Waited a few more minutes, and tried once again. Got through this time and was speaking to a lady, Dee. She was nice and understandable. She even called me back when our phone call got disconnected. So far I've got disconnected from these people from my phone on my desk at work, my cellphone, and my home phone. Someone has bad lines, and with my 3 options I really hope it isn't me. Once Dee realized that I wasn't going be a sales opportunity because she couldn't find a processor to upgrade my system to we got disconnected, again. After letting my irritation die down a little I called back. This time Mary was there to help me. I provided her with my service tag, and asked what processors can I upgrade to. When she couldn't find a processor she tried to tell me that it wouldn't help the system any by upgrading the processor. She told me that I needed more ram, and bigger better hard drives. I am pretty sure that XP does not recognize anymore than 3.5 gigs of ram which I have 4gigs in it currently, and a duel core processor will have issues with Vista. So I asked her what am I to do with my situation. I purchased this system that was a few thousands
dollars. I purchased my Dell XPS 700 because it advertise how easy it would be to upgrade. This has became anything but easy.
In closing it looks like this machine is going end up the biggest paper weight that I own. As it seems like Dell never sent out any type of notification about the system being a lemon. No notification that I would have issues with the Mother Board and future upgrades. I find the integrity of these actions low, very low. I wouldn't expect to see my dollars going to Dell anymore. And this is sad because I really like the computer, but I expected spending $4000 or so I wouldn't have to overhaul as system for many, many years. I figured I could do $~300 upgrades about once a year and keep it up to date for longer than the warranty will last.
Update:
The upgrade they gave the customer that knew about the issues will cost me about $490. This does not even include a processor that I would have to purchase on top of it so that I can continue using my system. Looks like I will continue to use my system as is until it dies. And I'm sure that I will look else where for a new one when the time comes. It's sad its that way. I really liked the company and services for the most part.
Cheers,
Eric N Cincy
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)