Talk to the boss

So, the saga continues with the car insurance company.

This time, a month later, the cheque for damage to the car still hasn't arrived. Call back, and the insurance agent does not respond. Finally, I reach his boss (extension in his answering machine). The boss checks and tells me that it hasn't been mailed yet. I demand that he send it to me, and he politely agrees.

So, apparently the message "... if this is an emergency, you can reach my manager..." was a "... if you ever want your check, call this number...", and I can't sue them for the delay because, well, they left a message with instructions.

sheesh!

Symantec rebate

In 2006, Symantec sold free internet security software at outpost.com
The $70 rebate came in the mail in the form of two charge cards (50+20). It's a debit card without pin. One has to specify at the cash register (twice) that it's should be charged as a credit card.

The problem with this is that the charge, if exceeds the amount remaining on the card, will be refused. And since you don't have the pin, you won't know how much is left.

The card, then expires December 2007, conveniently keeping what ever change you couldn't get out of it. Note that the rebate is two cards, not one worth $70. Definitely, another sales trick to make back the change.