What happened to the EZ web and other rants

Investing for retirement made easy

2008-10-28T06:32:00.000-07:00

Yes: Go to work every day and have some money automatically taken out of your paycheck by the government who then will guarantee a monthly payment when you retire.

No: Figure out how to invest the money yourself.

All persons who have any NET POSITIVE returns for the period which started in 08/2007 feel free to leave comments and suggestions.

Bad Credit

2008-09-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

No, not as represented by the funny number FICO, but as OFFERED by the credit card companies. Really folks, you need to read all those words they throw at you before you apply. Why? Because if you find out later the credit card terms are crap, it is already being factored into your FICO score.

I use paypal whenever possible. I decided to look at the terms for the PLUS credit card they are always pushing. First, it was not easy to find the terms online. I ended up on an application screen where the terms displayed in a small, scrolling window (all 7942 words). Although it said there was a way to Print (via some print button), neither the browser print, nor the non-existent feature was going to help.

So I did a cut and paste into a text program. My first favorite part was where it said they would send all the real important info once the application was approved (what happened to full disclosure). The APR chart showed some pretty high rates (considering Treasuries are around 3%). The paragraph where I stopped reading was:

"We may, at any time and for any reason, change, add or delete provisions of the eBay MasterCard® or PayPal Buyer Credit agreement, including increasing rates or fees. These changes may affect existing balances as well as future transactions. We will send you notice of any terms change as required by applicable law. The information about the costs described above is accurate as of billing periods beginning after 8/1/2008. This information may have changed after that date. To find out what may have changed on PayPal Plus Credit Card, write to: PO Box 981064, El Paso, TX 79998-1064; to find out what may have changed on PayPal Buyer Credit, write to: P.O. Box 981064, El Paso, TX 79998-1064.
"

(I can just see the person whose job it is to change that date at the beginning of every month ... oops they forgot Sept ... oh, probably forgot due to the holiday)

Reserving the right to change anything at any time for any reason. That is the kind of contract I avoid. But maybe that has changed since 8/1. I should send a letter to El Paso and find out. Now when I get that letter I should check the date again and send another letter if it has changed ....

iPowerweb Sucks

2008-07-31T10:36:00.000-07:00

Excuse my language, but it is the truth. They have been hacked multiple times recently which results in them changing (breaking) customer accounts and then when you call customer service they a) officially deny everything, b) will not answer your questions, c) hang up on you, d) all of the above.

Think long and hard before you sign up with these people. There are other, cheaper providers. If you still are not convinced, Google "ipowerweb sucks". If reading from others is not enough, check out their BBB record

There are plenty of ISPs out there. Do not be afraid to move your account away from a bad one to a good one.

But what if I cannot speak

2008-07-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

I do not think the newer phone based customer "service" systems are designed to service all customers. I called CIGNA recently and noticed they assume the caller can speak. When the rep came on the line I asked if there was a number that mute people can call. He said NO.

How can that be? He said use the keypad but how does one know what keys to press? He put me on hold to get the answer. He told me 1=yes and 2=no. The other responses correspond to the number in which they are listed in the prompts. Guess your best on the correct way to enter the account information they ask for.

That is great, but if I could not call and ask how to use the keypad, how would I know? There did not seem to be any automated help!

Since the objective of the automated system is to provide as much information as possible without having to connect the caller with a live person, why then do I need to speak to use it?

I guess if you cannot speak to the automated system then you just need to write a letter!

The sound of silence

2008-06-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

Well maybe not the sound of silence ... maybe just silence the anthrophony just for a few moments. I have hiked in some remote areas and it never ceases to amaze the man-made noise (anthrophony) that makes its way everywhere. The Jun2008 issue of Wired magazine had an interesting essay on how man-made noises may be altering the easth's ecology (sorry, could not find the essay online). Of course it makes sense that we are effecting an ecological change with our ever-louder noise, including adding to our stress level. I know more than one person who avoids most media for its ability to agitate.

The essay also pointed me to the WildSanctuary.com site where I listened to some very cool sound bites recorded worldwide. They are the sounds of the nature. Go over and take a listen. Share it with some noisey people. Maybe it will help the loud talkers turn it down a notch when they are on their cellphones.

Freecycle

2008-06-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

Over the past three years I have found new owners for a KitchenAid cooktop (a young woman was adding a kitchen to a studio she rented), a bike (another young woman who needed cheap transportation), an old computer (twin middle school children), a washing machine (single mom with her first home), a twin bed (young family in transition), a big pile of useless CDs (the children's museum art program) and a broken bread machine (mr. fixit) via the fabulous Freecycle Network.

Unless you live way off the beaten path, there is a Freecycle group in your area. You post a message to OFFER the item, get responses, decide on the recipient and they come and pick it up. The washing machine was gone in 4 hours. How can I let these things end up in a landfill when there are plenty of takers. Oh, and you can also post a message if you need something.

A friend needed to clean out the home of a deceased relative recently. I mentioned Freecycle a number of times. But my friend went the traditional route -- Vetrans, GoodWill, etc -- and some of those organizations did collect items. In the end, some nice furniture and kitchenware was left. My friend called a junk hauling company who CHARGED them to cart the stuff away. And the junker literally smashed everything into a truck. Very sad for my friend to watch their relative's possessions going off that way.

Not every item finds a home. I was unable to find a taker for an old (still working) dishwasher. Still, there are many folks out there ready to reuse just about anything.

Try it. I think you will see that it is easy and satisfying for both the giver and the receiver.

Life Takes Cash

2008-06-05T16:24:00.000-07:00

You may have seen the TV ads that try to convey how much better your consumer experience will be if you pay with a debit/credit card instead of cash. If you have not seen the ads, look here and check out "Juggling".

I must say I hardly ever use anything but cash anymore because it always seems the quickest payment method. For example, I stopped by Trader Joe's to pickup ONE item I needed. Checking out turned into a lengthy ordeal because they were having glitches with their electronic payment system. Each transaction took over one minute to process, and it often failed, which meant a re-do. I tried to have "customer service" check out my one item, but they did not have the means to scan the item and thus could not ring me up! (Not to get off the track here, but the only way to enter a transaction is to scan?!?!?)

Relying on electricity and connectivity to buy a container of juice is exactly how the US ended up so wrapped up in energy.

Make an effort to embrace another GREEN lifestyle change ... USE CASH.

VISA ISA Re-invented

2008-04-21T15:29:00.000-07:00

"Beginning April 1, 2008, the conditions under which Visa USA (Visa) charges financial institutions its International Service Assessment (ISA) fee are changing. Previously, Visa only charged the ISA fee on international transactions that involved currency conversion. With this change, however, Visa will now charge financial institutions an ISA fee on all international transactions regardless of whether there is a currency conversion. If there is no currency conversion (a "single-currency transaction") the ISA fee is 0.8% of the transaction amount; if there is a currency conversion (a "multi-currency transaction") the ISA fee will continue to be 1% of the transaction amount. Visa defines an international transaction as a transaction where the card-issuing financial institution's country is different than the merchant’s country. Thus, a transaction over the Internet could qualify as an international transaction."

If enough people would just reject this type of blatant gouging by snipping their VISA in 2 and returning to sender, I believe these outrageous fees would vanish ... but sadly there are too many people willing to pay.

ah, what?

2008-04-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

A friend who has known me for 20 years just read through my blog entries and said "You need help with your writing." OK, can you be more specific? "You write the way you speak."

Does this mean I need help with my speaking too?!

US Postal Good example of ....

2008-03-12T11:52:00.000-07:00

One can never repeat how badly the US Postal organization operates often enough. I will spare you all the details. Imagine alot of annoyance and wasted time.

I think USPS is the BEST example of how to operate a crappy business, and how to train employees to be so dysfunctional they could never get a job any where else ... not even as phone support for earthlink.

Can we say PRIVATIZE.

The Global View

2008-02-21T11:02:00.000-08:00

I have long been a fan of BBC. My enthusiasm started with the BBC TV. I loved shows like Monty Python, the Weakest Link (UK version) and the BBC World News. I also think the BBC has one of the best websites on the internet.

Of course, EZ to use is very important and http://www.bbc.co.uk/ delivers. There is alot of information packed on each page but it is not crowded or hard to read. The navigation is straightforward and clear. The tabs help move easily through the main part of the site. And the look and feel is consistent throughout. In addition, they still offer a text-only version of alot of their content and have a section devoted to accessibility issues.

Further, the content takes the BBC site beyond just world news to a true global information site. I love that the news is available in 33 languages and I love that you can also Learn a new language. I like getting the world weather and listening to the audio programs and all the other content that brings the world into view. Plus the site is hip and happening without losing the oldsters.

If you are looking to spend a little surfing time in another part of the world, the BBC website is the place.

Advocates of the compromising position

2008-02-14T14:40:00.000-08:00

I made my first online purchase in 1996. It was a pair of jeans from Lands End. The motivation for that purchase was to evaluate and understand the online shopping experience. As I recall it was EZ and fairly fast (even on my dial up). I am very comfortable with the online shopping process and have purchased (too) many items.

A few years back, when MBNA introduced SHOPSAFE. This is basically a temporary credit card number that is restricted to one vendor for a limited time and dollar amount. Fantastic! I loved not having to worry about my credit card number being stolten from an online site. And MBNA had a good way to minimize problems related to stolten cards. I have used SHOPSAFE over the years with very little trouble ... that is until Bank of America bought MBNA.

Like many, I was very unhappy that BOA bought MBNA. I have my share of BOA stories ... and none of them are good.

At first, everything was fine. Then one day the SHOPSAFE app stops working for me. Usually apps stop working because I use Firefox so I try it with internet explorer. Still nothing. When I look at the program error message (you all know how to do that right? EZ. NOT) I see it is trying to grab an unsigned ActiveX component. I do not allow unsigned ActiveX because it is very unsecure.

By the very fact that half of all the eyes reading this have now glazed over, we know EZ has left the building.

Basically BOA was blocking my use of SHOPSAFE unless I agreed to put my computer in a compromising position. Is this stupid or what?!? If you think the ActiveX security hoopla is overblown, read this recent article.

While I love to bash BOA, I have to say that Citibank managed to break their version as well. And when you call either company's help-not line, nobody knows anything about it. I figured it out because I am a techie ... what about the rest of the folks?

Oops, gotta run and buy some stock in PAYPAL.

Flash must be EZ

2008-01-22T11:06:00.000-08:00

I hate to waste time removing/cleaning/scanning my computer because of software vulnerabilities "which can be exploited by malicious people". So I have restricted scripting and plug-ins for my browser. I congratulate all the websites out there that continue to function for those of us who choose security.

Unfortunately, there are way too many FLASH only sites. I understand that using flash may be easier (and cheaper). Do these sites realize, and/or do they care, that their site is not accessible, user-friendly or EZ if all the visitor sees is an empty box. Why can't I just get the content I am after and forget all the flashing?

In this example, clicking on the links only results in opening another window of flash only content. Even the contact link is useless. I feel so left out.

Great for eyeglass try-on but ordering not EZ

2008-01-16T10:10:00.000-08:00

A couple of years ago I ordered perscription sunglasses online. I knew what I wanted and the process was easy. I decided to try ordering perscription eyeglasses but knew I needed to get some idea of how they would look on. I found FramesDirect.com and their wonderful interactive try-on feature.

This is a feature where you upload your picture and then you can "try-on" frames by clicking on them. SWEET! Getting my pic uploaded was fairly fast and easy. Then I spent HOURS going through the hundreds of frames. I narrowed it down to a handfull. I then looked at other frame sites on the web to get a better idea of the real colors and finalized my selection.

Even though framesdirect.com did not have the cheapest price, I went ahead and submitted my order with them because I really liked their try-on feature.

The next business day I receive a call from framesdirect about the frames I ordered. They are not available in the size and colour I wanted. Hmmm, OK so what colours can I get? "When we called the manufacturer they only have ..." two of the 4 colours. OK, when I look at your "inventory" online it is not really what is available (?!?!). "That is just the catalog. We have to call the manufacturer to find out what they have." So I spent HOURS picking out something and I get nothing.

I inquire as to how often they have to call people because the frames selected are not available ... the response is EVERY DAY.

I proceeded to cancel my order and go some place else.

Can someone really make money providing an eyeglass try-on feature?

Just before I wrote this post I went to framesdirect and confirmed that I could still order the same frames in the unavailable colour and size.

2008-01-15T14:58:00.000-08:00

The ezweb.com domain name was registered in January of 1995 to be used by a startup internet services business. The business came and went with some small amount of success. The internet services business did not agree with me, but the simple elegance of the domain name continues to appeal to me.

Over the years there have been many offers to acquire the domain. At one point my partner did try to sell it to the obvious buyer who clearly was not serious about buying. I would say that the rest of the offers were no more serious.

So with the dawn of 2008 I find myself with the time to do some blogging ... lucky you ;)

Thank you to Google for making blogging so easy to do.

But not much is EZ on the web these days. It has bugged me for some years now how unfriendly the web has become. The EZ has been lost down the same drain as customer service I suspect.

In the coming posts I will seek to expose the unEZness as well as congratulate those sites that help the EZWEB survive.