Neil Young @ Shea’s Performing Arts Center 5/19/10

Much has been written about Neil Young over the years.  Musical high’s followed by musical lows, arguments with CSN, the conversion of a vintage car to a highly fuel efficient ride.  The one thing that continually holds true though is that Neil is and will always be a musical genius.

On a 14 date tour to debut songs from an upcoming album, Neil pulled into Buffalo to play Shea’s where he last played on the Prairie Wind tour back in 2008.  The who was nothing short of spectacular.  With a blend of old classics, some re-invented and new material the solo performance was brilliant, captivating and purely entertaining.  Much has been documented on the set list so I will not relist it here.  I will say that the show consited of a blend of acoustic gems, grungy electric with a dash of keyboards incluing After the Gold Rush performed on a vintage pump organ.

For true fans, this was a great night and a chance to their musical legend wonder around on stage dawning his white fedora and striking fmailiar poses between takes.  For the casual fan, the show might have lacked in classic tunes.  The chance to see Neil live does not come around often so when it does, you have to leap on the tickets.  I left the show inspired and excited.  I will eagerly await the next chance to see him and will be counting the days for the new album to hit the shelves.

64 and there’s so much more… Thank you Neil.

Neil Young… it’s about time!

Neil Young Wins First-Ever Grammy Award http://bit.ly/94Z12O

Seen around campus…

Just watched a bird bounce off a vine covered brick wall and then fly away. Guess he thought he could get through.

useless thoughts

If everyone thinks outside the box, aren’t we really in the box?
Thanks,
Chuck

Chase Follow – up

So after filing my complaint with the OCC, I recently received a call from Chase in regards to my complaint.    The summation of the call was that the Corporate office asked if I received the initial letter that the rate was going up to which I answered no.  She then explained that I was given an opporunity to close the account which I responded that I had 5 years ago.  She then stated that she would reset the rate to my old rate and would send a letter of comfirmation to let me know it has been done.

THANK YOU to the OCC – I was skeptical but you followed through!  Chase on the other hand can continue to SUCK IT!

Thanks,
Chuck

Chase Response

Here is the email I received back from Chase in regards to my inquiry about the email I received from them stating they were honoring my opt out.  The official stance is that it was sent in error:

Chase Bank Part Deux

In my last conversation with Chase Bank (Alicia Mistler specifically), I requested that the bank send me the letter they say they sent me in January which I never received, a copy of the APR change from 2005 that I opted out of and closed my account and a letter stating they would not honor the email I received from them stating my terms of service would not be altered.  Well, I received 2 of 3 documents, can you guess which one I din’t get????

I have just fired back asking for a statement stating they would not honor the email I received from there company as promised by Alicia Mistler.  I will recap what I get back and post the response once I receive it.

Since my last post, I have contacted the Office of the Comptroller of Currency who has jusridsiction over Chase.  For anyone needing it, you may lodge a complaint – the following is their contact information:

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Customer Assistance Group
1301 McKinney Street, Suite 3450
Houston, TX 77010

www.occ.treas.gov
1-800-613-6743 Read more of this post

Chase Bank Lies Again.

I spoke with customer service at Chase Bank today after receiving this email from their customer support department stating that my department would not reflect the changes I chose to decline.  I call to confirm this with their CS department and ask to talk to a supervisor.  I get Alicia Mistler.  I explain my situation about how the account was closed after opting out of the original TOS changes.  I am assured by Alicia that there is nothing that she can do.  She sent a letter and I am told it is my fault for not noticing.  I explain that I received an email from Theresa Robles stating that my terms would not reflect the changes I just declined.  Alicia tells me that she can’t see that email on my account that it has not been scanned into the system yet.  She then goes on to tell me that the email is meaningless and that she is not changing the rate.  The email is below.  I have requested a copy of the letter they sent in January 2009, the original documentation that I opted out and a letter telling me they are declining the to honor the email that was sent by Theresa.  7 to 10 business days before I see that.  In the meantime, the emails I have received are documented on this site and  I will be scanning in the opt out agreement from 4 years ago to serve as proof.  What I could use is a good attorney who would take this on as pro-bono and any agency name that would look into these proceedings.  I never thought that once you opt out and agree to be locked into your original terms that you would ever need to opt out again, seems like a terrible business practice.  I will be writing officials here in the great state of NY and will be writing  officials in the state of DE where these companies set up shop due to flexible laws. Read more of this post

The Chase saga continues

To continue on from the first post regarding Chase Bank I sent a response back to their original message noting that my account had been closed and wondered if it is was standard business practice to raise the APR on closed account especially when I closed the account to opt out of a change in terms of service.  Here is the new response from Chase: I should note that I was able to pinpoint the close date (2005) and the original opt out. Read more of this post