Wednesday, January 21, 2009

misc.consumers.frugal-living - 25 new messages in 6 topics - digest

misc.consumers.frugal-living
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living?hl=en

misc.consumers.frugal-living@googlegroups.com

Today's topics:

* Netflix/Post Office - 4 messages, 4 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/3bb948d1bcdacdde?hl=en
* Tracfone-adding service days? - 4 messages, 3 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/a3b764c895b6232c?hl=en
* How to thanks for your beloved ? - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/051c92e4e9839f60?hl=en
* Supply New NiKE Air Jordan 24(30$) AirMax TN 10(23EURO)Free Shipping at www.
cicigogo.cn - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/d94df07c08bf3cf7?hl=en
* Ebay alternative? - 13 messages, 6 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/81ad82de073681df?hl=en
* Good deal on LSD batteries? - 2 messages, 2 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/883c9288f70b4b1b?hl=en

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Netflix/Post Office
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/3bb948d1bcdacdde?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 4 ==
Date: Tues, Jan 20 2009 10:17 pm
From: The Real Bev


JR Weiss wrote:

> "Vic Smith" <thismailautodeleted@comcast.net> wrote...
>> Yesterday (Monday) my wife dropped 3 flicks into the PO box inside her
>> work. It's a large corporation, if that matters.
>> Yesterday was MLK day, and the post office is closed.
>> Today (Tuesday) Netflix sent e-mails that they received the 3 flicks.
>> The e-mail times were 6:14 AM.
>> They shipped the next 3 flicks about noon.
>> I don't have a Netflix envelope now, so I don't know where they ship
>> to.
>> But it doesn't make sense anyhow.
>> Any ideas how that could happen?
>
> The Post Office does pickups on Sundays and holidays, even though it doesn't do
> residential deliveries. Read the labels on some of the public mailboxes near
> you...

The large corporation probably delivers its mail to the post office. I seem to
remember hearing that some post offices scan the Netflix envelopes which
transfers the info to Netflix immediately. Or maybe that was Blockbuster...

--
Cheers, Bev
==================================================
Segal's Law: A man with one watch knows the time.
A man with two is never sure.


== 2 of 4 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 9:26 am
From: info_at_1-script_dot_com@foo.com (spendwize.com)


Just because the post office is "closed" doesn't mean the mail isn't
picked up and maybe even sorted. Netflix has local offices thruout the
country, so the movies may not have traveled too far. All in all, Netflix
runs its operations as smoothly as one could expect, don't you think?
xxxxo
-------------------------------------
Vic Smith wrote:


> Yesterday (Monday) my wife dropped 3 flicks into the PO box inside her
> work. It's a large corporation, if that matters.
> Yesterday was MLK day, and the post office is closed.
> Today (Tuesday) Netflix sent e-mails that they received the 3 flicks.
> The e-mail times were 6:14 AM.
> They shipped the next 3 flicks about noon.
> I don't have a Netflix envelope now, so I don't know where they ship
> to.
> But it doesn't make sense anyhow.
> Any ideas how that could happen?

> --Vic

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== 3 of 4 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 10:34 am
From: Vic Smith


On 21 Jan 2009 17:26:58 GMT, info_at_1-script_dot_com@foo.com
(spendwize.com) wrote:

>Just because the post office is "closed" doesn't mean the mail isn't
>picked up and maybe even sorted. Netflix has local offices thruout the
>country, so the movies may not have traveled too far. All in all, Netflix
>runs its operations as smoothly as one could expect, don't you think?

No complaints here.
But that's the first time in over 2 years Netflix got my mail the next
day.
The first time. And it was 6 AM. And it sent on a "postal holiday."
WEIRD!!!
I'll check where they are sent to when the next ones come.
I'm thinking Barb was right in suggesting the post office scan is sent
to Netflix.

--Vic


== 4 of 4 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 5:11 pm
From: "Lou"

"Vic Smith" <thismailautodeleted@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:66qen45us6bqauve21ggc3nuighkslnt0k@4ax.com...
> On 21 Jan 2009 17:26:58 GMT, info_at_1-script_dot_com@foo.com
> (spendwize.com) wrote:
>
> >Just because the post office is "closed" doesn't mean the mail isn't
> >picked up and maybe even sorted. Netflix has local offices thruout the
> >country, so the movies may not have traveled too far. All in all, Netflix
> >runs its operations as smoothly as one could expect, don't you think?
>
> No complaints here.
> But that's the first time in over 2 years Netflix got my mail the next
> day.
> The first time. And it was 6 AM. And it sent on a "postal holiday."
> WEIRD!!!
> I'll check where they are sent to when the next ones come.
> I'm thinking Barb was right in suggesting the post office scan is sent
> to Netflix.
>
Why not write to Netflix, complimenting them on the excellent service, and
by-the-way ask how they do it?

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Tracfone-adding service days?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/a3b764c895b6232c?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 4 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 3:28 am
From: "Steve.IA"


Dennis <dgw80@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:stkcn45f8n0fqavsbf7t0qf4rkukltlnr9@4ax.com:

> On Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:37:23 +0000 (UTC), "Steve.IA"
> <saharv23@invalid.com> wrote:
>
>>I've read here (I think) that one can add service days to a Tracfone
>>without purchasing more airtime minutes. I've searched the tracfone
>>site and googled for an answer but can't find a way.
>>If you know how this can be done, your help will be appreciated.
>>Thank you for sharing.
>
> They call it the "Tracfone Service Protection Plan". Search for it
> from their homepage (or use the sitemap link at the bottom).
>
> You have to enroll for automatic monthly payment (I use a credit
> card). US$5 per month adds 1 month of service to your phone with no
> added minutes. US$60/year.
>
> The next cheapest alternative is to buy a 60-minute airtime card for
> US$20 and extend the service time to 1 year for another US$50. A
> total of US$70/year.
>
> Works as advertised for me.
>
> Dennis (evil)

Thanks, Dennis, I found it. The 'service protection' name was a little
obtuse for me to comprehend. Sounded like an extended warranty of some
kind.
They've raised the price to $6/month, so it makes it slightly cheaper to
buy the 60 card and extend for a year. Don't have to commit to auto
payments that way.
Thanks for your help.

Steve IA

--
"I know that there are people in this world
who do not love their fellow man, and I hate people like that."
- Tom Lehrer


== 2 of 4 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 6:58 am
From: SMS


Dennis wrote:

> The next cheapest alternative is to buy a 60-minute airtime card for
> US$20 and extend the service time to 1 year for another US$50. A
> total of US$70/year.

They now charge $5.99/month for the no-minutes protection, so you're
better off with t he $20+$50. If you already had the lower cost
protection then you keep that lower rate.

Tracfone is now included in the tables at
"http://prepaiduswireless.com/" though it's just to show people how
expensive it is compared to many of the other prepaid plans, both in the
minimum monthly cost and the per-minute cost.


== 3 of 4 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 7:33 am
From: SMS


Steve.IA wrote:

> Thanks, Dennis, I found it. The 'service protection' name was a little
> obtuse for me to comprehend. Sounded like an extended warranty of some
> kind.
> They've raised the price to $6/month, so it makes it slightly cheaper to
> buy the 60 card and extend for a year. Don't have to commit to auto
> payments that way.

Remember that the $5.99/month is only charged in months when your
service would otherwise expire. So if you had added an airtime card
which would prevent expiration, you don't get charged the $5.99. I think
they intended it only as last-resort protection, not as something many
people would be paying every month.

The best option for you would be to port your phone number to PagePlus,
then buy a $10 card (for $9.24) every four months, which would bring the
maintenance cost down to $2.31/month. But you have to remember to buy
that $10 card every 4 months.

What I did for my kids is to buy them an $80/1400 minute card (for $73),
then I add a $10/83 minute card (for $9.24), every four months. The per
minute rate is also much cheaper than Tracfone (around 5.4¢).

See "http://prepaiduswireless.com/".


== 4 of 4 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 1:24 pm
From: Dennis


On Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:58:30 -0800, SMS <scharf.steven@geemail.com>
wrote:

>Dennis wrote:
>
>> The next cheapest alternative is to buy a 60-minute airtime card for
>> US$20 and extend the service time to 1 year for another US$50. A
>> total of US$70/year.
>
>They now charge $5.99/month for the no-minutes protection, so you're
>better off with t he $20+$50. If you already had the lower cost
>protection then you keep that lower rate.

Hmm, I see you're right --, new subcribers now pay US$6/month.
Fortunately (for me), they are grandfathering existing subcribers at
the US$5/month rate, at least for now. I'll have to keep an eye on my
bill so I don't get caught by an unexpected increase at some point.

Dennis (evil)
--
The honest man is the one who realizes that he cannot
consume more, in his lifetime, than he produces.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: How to thanks for your beloved ?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/051c92e4e9839f60?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 4:11 am
From: clams_casino


maky wrote:

>Take the chance of the Valenitne's Day
>

Must be one of your Chinese holidays.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Supply New NiKE Air Jordan 24(30$) AirMax TN 10(23EURO)Free Shipping at
www.cicigogo.cn
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/d94df07c08bf3cf7?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 5:41 am
From: cicitrade500@yahoo.cn


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==============================================================================
TOPIC: Ebay alternative?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/81ad82de073681df?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 13 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 10:52 am
From: OhioGuy


I've been looking for an alternative to Ebay to sell some things on,
ever since they jacked their fees up about a year ago, and then again 4
months ago or so.

I looked at a couple of promising websites that had a lot of things
listed, only to find when I did a search for some popular items that had
actually sold over the past year, only 3 or 4 came up. (I would have
expected at least dozens) So while many things are listed, few are selling.

Can anyone recommend a place that folks are actually checking out?


== 2 of 13 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 11:03 am
From: "JR Weiss"


"OhioGuy" <none@none.net> wrote...
> I've been looking for an alternative to Ebay to sell some things on, ever
> since they jacked their fees up about a year ago, and then again 4 months ago
> or so.
>
> Can anyone recommend a place that folks are actually checking out?

Craig's List. www.craigslist.org


== 3 of 13 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 11:08 am
From: "Dave"

"JR Weiss" <jrweiss@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:gl7riu$pdl$1@news.motzarella.org...
> "OhioGuy" <none@none.net> wrote...
>> I've been looking for an alternative to Ebay to sell some things on,
>> ever since they jacked their fees up about a year ago, and then again 4
>> months ago or so.
>>
>> Can anyone recommend a place that folks are actually checking out?
>
> Craig's List. www.craigslist.org
>

I second that. Other than some really small items that can be sent Priority
Mail AND fit in a regular sized mailbox, ebay is useless. Use craigslist
for everything else. -Dave

== 4 of 13 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 11:13 am
From: OhioGuy


Ebay owns a minority stake in Craigslist. Also, I've noticed that
local listings on Craigslist rarely result in a sale, even when priced
40% below going prices on Ebay.

Wish Yahoo hadn't dropped Yahoo Auctions - that was a great place to
buy and sell coins.


== 5 of 13 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 11:40 am
From: "Rod Speed"


OhioGuy wrote:
> I've been looking for an alternative to Ebay to sell some things on,
> ever since they jacked their fees up about a year ago, and then again
> 4 months ago or so.
>
> I looked at a couple of promising websites that had a lot of things
> listed, only to find when I did a search for some popular items that
> had actually sold over the past year, only 3 or 4 came up. (I would
> have expected at least dozens) So while many things are listed, few
> are selling.

> Can anyone recommend a place that folks are actually checking out?

I havent found any operation that comes close to ebay volume of
transactions wise except one operation they took over years ago.

Presumably your problem is that their fees dont suit the type of thing you are selling.


== 6 of 13 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 12:48 pm
From: "Dave"

"OhioGuy" <none@none.net> wrote in message
news:gl7s6b$1fnj$1@news.ett.com.ua...
> Ebay owns a minority stake in Craigslist.

That is troubling news. Very troubling. Craigslist is awesome. Ebay will
ruin it, though.

> Also, I've noticed that local listings on Craigslist rarely result in a
> sale, even when priced 40% below going prices on Ebay.

How would you know? Local listings expire eventually, unless the lister
takes other action to edit and/or delete the listing. I know several items
I've purchased from Craigslist posters...the listing was still active on
Craigslist several days later. SOME Craigslist users will edit their
listing to say "sold" when the item is gone. Most seem to just let the
listing expire after the sale. So if you are going by the listings that say
"sold", you would get the impression that almost nothing ever sells. More
common, unfortunately, is that items sell within minutes of being listed on
craigslist. I say unfortunately, as it's frustrating to see something that
you really want, just posted a few minutes ago, only to call the people and
have them tell you that it's GONE already. -Dave

== 7 of 13 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 2:00 pm
From: OhioGuy


>How would you know?

Well, I've been trying to use it as an alternative to Ebay for about
the past two years. Despite discounting some items severely compared to
what I've seen them going for on Ebay, usually I still don't get a sale
after 2 months.

The exception to this seems to be computer hardware. I usually seem
to get rid of that within a few days. Coins, stamps, comics and misc.
items are another story.


== 8 of 13 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 2:14 pm
From: OhioGuy


>Presumably your problem is that their fees dont suit the type of thing
>you are selling.

It is not so much that as how I've slowly seen the fees "creep" from
reasonable to unreasonable over the past 13 years.

Yes, I was one of the folks selling things on Ebay back when it was
called "Auctionweb". I also sold on Yahoo Auctions at around the same
time, when they were totally free for a couple of years. Then Yahoo
started charging about 10 cents.

There are several changes over the years that really stick out, though:

1) when they started charging both 'final value' and 'listing fees', to
psychologically break up the fees and make them seem smaller

2) when they started charging fees even when your item did not sell

3) When they said if you advertised Paypal acceptance, you had to
accept credit cards, and "upgrade" from a personal account This would
have been fine and dandy, because I only offered Paypal as a convenience
option in a followup email. However, Ebay's interpretation of their
statement was forcefully different. One person funded a Paypal payment
with a credit card, despite my email explaining that a huge 3 week delay
would be caused if they tried it, followed by a forced refund. My
options were to either accept the payment and 'upgrade' my account, or
totally refuse it.

4) When they told me that my positive feedback of 93 was not "good
enough" - evidently 100 was needed - and I could no longer list any
auctions without Paypal - and credit cards - as a payment option.


Of course, this means that Ebay now gets huge extra fees, even if
someone pays with an existing Paypal balance.

And finally, when I noticed that I was paying over 20% to sell some
of my items lately, it just got to the point where I stopped listing
things, and got a bit depressed. I hadn't noticed it until I summed up
all the little fees spread all over the place.


== 9 of 13 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 2:25 pm
From: "Malcolm \"Mal\" Reynolds"


OhioGuy <none@none.net> wrote in news:gl85v8$1mnv$1@news.ett.com.ua:

> >How would you know?
>
> Well, I've been trying to use it as an alternative to Ebay for about
> the past two years. Despite discounting some items severely compared to
> what I've seen them going for on Ebay, usually I still don't get a sale
> after 2 months.
>
> The exception to this seems to be computer hardware. I usually seem
> to get rid of that within a few days. Coins, stamps, comics and misc.
> items are another story.
>

Have you tried Amazon?


== 10 of 13 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 2:47 pm
From: "Dave"


> 4) When they told me that my positive feedback of 93 was not "good
> enough" - evidently 100 was needed - and I could no longer list any
> auctions without Paypal - and credit cards - as a payment option.

OK, as ebay exists now, the feedback rating is useless.

However, before ebay put draconian rules in effect limiting who could give
HONEST feedback to whom...
(essentially destroying what USED TO BE somewhat effective)

93 would be a piss-poor ebay feedback rating, the equivalent of an F- on a
letter grade scale. Someone who sells a lot had to be pretty dishonest
(read: a crook) to get lower than 98 on ebay's feedback rating scale. Sad
to say, but it was true...even the worst sellers on ebay could usually get a
98% or better quite easily.

While I still cared to try to use ebay, I wouldn't buy anything from anybody
with less than 99% feedback. Even then, if the feedback was 99%, I
scrutinized comments from buyers carefully before I'd place a bid or "buy
now".

So no, your feedback of 93 was NOT "good enough". Not excusing ebay's
actions at all, but if they wanted to restrict somebody, then somebody with
a 93 feedback seems like fair game to me. -Dave

== 11 of 13 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 4:08 pm
From: "Rod Speed"


OhioGuy wrote:

>> Presumably your problem is that their fees dont suit the type of
>> thing you are selling.

> It is not so much that as how I've slowly seen the fees "creep" from
> reasonable to unreasonable over the past 13 years.

I think its more that they are only unreasonable for the sort of thing you are selling.

> Yes, I was one of the folks selling things on Ebay back when it was
> called "Auctionweb". I also sold on Yahoo Auctions at around the same
> time, when they were totally free for a couple of years. Then Yahoo
> started charging about 10 cents.

> There are several changes over the years that really stick out, though:

> 1) when they started charging both 'final value' and 'listing fees',
> to psychologically break up the fees and make them seem smaller

It was more to make the auction system work better, particularly for
those who listed great rafts of stuff that never did get any bids etc.

> 2) when they started charging fees even when your item did not sell

Because so many were listing stuff at prices that didnt attract many and just
leaving them there forever, effectively more like a retail store than an auction.

> 3) When they said if you advertised Paypal acceptance, you had to accept credit cards, and "upgrade" from a personal
> account This would have been fine and dandy, because I only offered Paypal as a convenience option in a followup
> email.

It should be obvious why there werent too keen in that sort of thing.

> However, Ebay's interpretation of their statement was forcefully different. One person funded a Paypal payment with a
> credit card, despite my email explaining that a huge 3 week delay would be caused if they tried it, followed by a
> forced refund. My options were to either accept the payment and 'upgrade' my account, or totally refuse it.

> 4) When they told me that my positive feedback of 93 was not "good enough" - evidently 100 was needed

Presumably you mean 100 feedbacks, not the percentage good ones.

> - and I could no longer list any auctions without Paypal - and credit cards - as a payment option.

Yeah, quite a few didnt like that and my country banned them from doing that.

> Of course, this means that Ebay now gets huge extra fees,

They arent huge at all.

> even if someone pays with an existing Paypal balance.

> And finally, when I noticed that I was paying over 20% to sell some of my items lately, it just got to the point where
> I stopped listing things, and got a bit depressed. I hadn't noticed it until I summed up all the little fees spread
> all over the place.

Clearly hasnt affected most who sell stuff on ebay.

== 12 of 13 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 4:11 pm
From: "Rod Speed"


Dave wrote:

>> 4) When they told me that my positive feedback of 93 was not "good
>> enough" - evidently 100 was needed - and I could no longer list any
>> auctions without Paypal - and credit cards - as a payment option.

> OK, as ebay exists now, the feedback rating is useless.

Its nothing like useless, just got some imperfections.

> However, before ebay put draconian rules in effect limiting who could give HONEST feedback to whom...
> (essentially destroying what USED TO BE somewhat effective)

Its nothing like destroyed.

> 93 would be a piss-poor ebay feedback rating, the equivalent of an F-
> on a letter grade scale. Someone who sells a lot had to be pretty
> dishonest (read: a crook) to get lower than 98 on ebay's feedback
> rating scale. Sad to say, but it was true...even the worst sellers
> on ebay could usually get a 98% or better quite easily.

> While I still cared to try to use ebay, I wouldn't buy anything from anybody with less than 99% feedback.

More fool you, particularly with those that hardly ever sell anything.

> Even then, if the feedback was 99%, I scrutinized comments from buyers carefully before I'd place a bid or "buy now".

> So no, your feedback of 93 was NOT "good enough". Not excusing ebay's actions at all, but if they wanted to restrict
> somebody, then
> somebody with a 93 feedback seems like fair game to me.


== 13 of 13 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 5:08 pm
From: "Lou"

"OhioGuy" <none@none.net> wrote in message
news:gl86q7$1nke$1@news.ett.com.ua...
> >Presumably your problem is that their fees dont suit the type of thing
> >you are selling.
>
> It is not so much that as how I've slowly seen the fees "creep" from
> reasonable to unreasonable over the past 13 years.
>
(snipped)
> 4) When they told me that my positive feedback of 93 was not "good
> enough" - evidently 100 was needed - and I could no longer list any
> auctions without Paypal - and credit cards - as a payment option.

Would you buy something at the local supermarket, shoe store, computer store
or whatever where you were dissatisfied with 3 out of every 10 items you
bought? I wouldn't even think about it without an ironclad guaranteed way
to get my money back, and even then, I'd probably conclude it wasn't worth
the trouble and go somewhere else.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Good deal on LSD batteries?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/883c9288f70b4b1b?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 2:19 pm
From: OhioGuy


I need to find a deal on low self discharge NiMH batteries. These
are the Eneloop type which comes precharged, and keeps roughly 3/4 of
the full charge after a year in storage. I had purchased some Rayovac
Hybrid batteries a few months ago. Now I find that I need at least 4 to
8 more of the AA size.

The best I can seem to find is about $12 shipped through Amazon.
That comes to about $3 per battery.

Can anyone suggest a better deal online, or a B&M deal where I can
avoid shipping? Thanks!


== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 21 2009 2:26 pm
From: "Malcolm \"Mal\" Reynolds"


OhioGuy <none@none.net> wrote in news:gl872i$1nob$1@news.ett.com.ua:

> I need to find a deal on low self discharge NiMH batteries. These
> are the Eneloop type which comes precharged, and keeps roughly 3/4 of
> the full charge after a year in storage. I had purchased some Rayovac
> Hybrid batteries a few months ago. Now I find that I need at least 4 to
> 8 more of the AA size.
>
> The best I can seem to find is about $12 shipped through Amazon.
> That comes to about $3 per battery.
>
> Can anyone suggest a better deal online, or a B&M deal where I can
> avoid shipping? Thanks!
>

Costco?


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