Nothing in Excess...

Wish I was farming

soraci — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:07:25 +0000

Today, like most days, I am at my desk wondering why the hell I am sitting at my desk. The next thing I know, I am thinking about farming…. again. I have no clue why but I have always had what I would call an un-natural attachment to farming. There is something about the heritage and history of farming that draws me in like a deer in headlights.

Farming was the backbone of this great country of ours and a way of life for so many families for so many years. There is something about harvesting and cultivating the land etc to sustain your family that really appeals to me. I mean, it is a distant cry from computers, technology and project management right? What could be better than heading out to plow the field and actually seeing results, something that does not happen to frequently at my desk.

In my next life, I hope I come back as a farmer and more than that, I hope farming and the family farmer are fruitful at that point, not like today’s world where you go bankrupt and inject steroids into your livestock.

Sincerely,

Farmer Brown

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

soraci — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:47:47 +0000

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!

soraci — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:52:05 +0000

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

Seen around campus…

soraci — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:17:22 +0000

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

useless thoughts

soraci — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:35:13 +0000

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

Chase Follow – up

soraci — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:39:44 +0000

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!

soraci — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 10:56:10 +0000

Thanks,
Chuck

Chase Response

soraci — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:47:24 +0000

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:

Date:	09-01-2009 12:19:14
From:	Credit Card Support
Subject:	Re: APR/Balance Transfer
Message:
Dear Charles Ray, Thank you for taking the time to re-contact us in regards to your account ending in 4626. Please be advised the email you received on 08/21/09 was sent to your account in error and the January Change in Terms opt out will not be honored. Our records show the change in terms was sent in the January statement and you had until 02/20/09 to opt out. Since we did not hear from you by the time frame your accounts Annual Percentage Rate (APR) was increased effective 03/01/09. I understand and appreciate your position regarding this issue and we are sorry that you are not satisfied with our decision on this matter. I would like to assure you that your inquiry has been reviewed extensively, and our position is based upon compliance with the terms of your account agreement. If you have any further questions, please reply using the Secure Message Center. If further questions should arise regarding the information above, please call me at the number below. If you have concerns regarding any other issue, please contact Cardmember Services at 1-800-436-7927. Thank you, Ms. Zamarripa Customer Care Specialist Mon-Fri – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST 210-586-5221 Account is owned by Chase Bank USA, N.A. and may be serviced by its affiliates. ******************************************************** ****** DO YOU KNOW AT CHASE ONLINE YOU CAN …. - Gain instant access to view and download your credit card information. - See and pay your bill online - Transfer balances - Change your address and much more…. ****************************************************** ******** Original Message Follows: ————————

Chase Bank Part Deux

soraci — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:19:37 +0000

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
1-800-613-6743In addition, I have also lodged complaints with the consumer complaint advocacy group, my state officials and the FTC. As one can imagine it turns out that if you have opted out of terms and closed your account and you have the documents to prove it, it just may not be legal to change the terms… the FTC can help you out if need be.

I should say, while I am torqued at Chase I am not complaining just to complain. I believe that companies have an ethical and moral responsibility to treat customers fairly. By allowing companies to behave this way, it strips all rights of the individuals. This is not about a increase in rates in so much as it is about treating people fairly.

Judging by the message boards and complaint boards, Chase has a record of doing this not just to me but to many of their loyall customers. Time to step up and take notice. Change is a coming and we are the catalyst!

Chase Bank Lies Again.

soraci — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:44:08 +0000

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.

Date: 08-21-2009 11:42:57

From: Credit Card Support
Subject: Re: APR/Balance Transfer

Message: Dear CHALRES L RAYJR: This e-mail is to confirm that your account will not reflect the change(s) that you recently chose to decline. Your account will remain subject to your current terms, including, if applicable, penalty Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) and fees. Please refer to your Cardmember Agreement and subsequent change in terms notices, which may amend your Cardmember Agreement from time to time, for details of your current account terms. You should continue to make at least the minimum payment due or pay any amount up to your full account balance. Please make sure that your payments are received by the due date. Thank you, Theresa Robles Email Customer Service Representative 1-800-436-7927 Account is owned by Chase Bank USA, N.A. and may be serviced by its affiliates. ********************************************************** ********** DO YOU KNOW AT CHASE ONLINE YOU CAN …. – Gain instant access to view and download your credit card information. – See and pay your bill online – Transfer balances – Change your address and much more…. ********************************************************** ******* Original Message Follows: ———————— How many times do I have to opt out of a change in terms or service? My account was closed after the result of a terms of service change in APR WAY PRIOR to January 2009. This is the most riduclous thing I have heard. DO you regulary change terms of service on accounts that have already opted out of a change in service and closed the account as a result? I am appauled and more than fuming at this point. CAn you tell me where the change in the terms of service was sent in January because I did not receive it. I would have called on the spot noting that I had already opted out of previous changes in terms of service and closed the account to continue to pay the blanace under the original agreement. I am not appreciative of the business practices you are currently employing. I have archived this message and your response. Do you ahve any record in your database of the original opt out of terms and the subsequent account closure? IF I would like to contest my account and cease paying my bill until this rectified, can you please send me the proper steps to do so? I am sure they were sent at some point somehwere that I should be aware of… Thanks, Chuck Ray