Snails - Response on Threads Part 8

[AttyPops]

Yeah, IDK Bear. Jacob?

I at least liked it when they named them after women. You know, "Mother Earth" type of names. Mother nature. Natural processes happen. The male connotation has divine retribution attributes, no matter how misogynistic you think such practices are, they're part of patriarchal religions.

Although this name, Jacob, is also interesting. Jacob's ladder....etc etc etc.

 

[AttyPops]

Good morning Bear, and good luck.

 

[AttyPops]

P.F. Chang's won't tell me the balance of a gift card...

The thing is, I was waiting for Chinese New Year. The card was from Christmas 2018, but I didn't get a chance to use it (missed Jan 2019) and set it aside, and thought I'd use it now. Because Chinese New Year 2020 Right? I know, I know. But fed law says you get 5 years. But then I read that they can charge an "inactivity fee" after 12 months.

So, I innocently go check the balance on their website:
"Try again later".


Tried two browsers.

Either a problem with old cards, or a problem with the website.
Conclusion: Don't buy P.F. Chang gift cards.

 

[SilverBear]

P.F. Chang's won't tell me the balance of a gift card...

The thing is, I was waiting for Chinese New Year. The card was from Christmas 1998, but I didn't get a chance to use it (missed Jan 1999) and set it aside, and thought I'd use it now. Because Chinese New Year 2020 Right? I know, I know. But fed law says you get 5 years. But then I read that they can charge an "inactivity fee" after 12 months.

So, I innocently go check the balance on their website:
"Try again later".


Tried two browsers.

Either a problem with old cards, or a problem with the website.
Conclusion: Don't buy P.F. Chang gift cards.

Is there a phone number on the back of the card?

(NY has had a "no expiration" / "no fee" law in place for quite a while.)

 

[AttyPops]

OH! Good point.
<Goes checking state laws>
One moment please. Please stand by.

 

[tiburonfirst]

morning, dale, atty and bear!

you're going to need lots of luck, atty!


how aggravating that every year brings new cons to getting older little comfort that most people over 50 develop floaters - i hate it!

 

[AttyPops]

Michigan:

Also, no non-use fees or service fees may be deducted from the value of the gift card.

These laws do not apply to a prepaid card issue by a financial institution that may be used at many different types of retailers (such as a prepaid Visa card).

Furthermore, companies cannot refuse partial payment of a good or service with a gift card. In other words, even if the total sale is more than the balance on the card, a business must accept the gift card as partial payment for the good or service. Companies also cannot refuse gift cards during sales or closeouts.

Michigan Laws on Gift Cards and Gift Certificates are Changing - Detroit Business Law
Winner.

I guess it's OK to buy P.F. Chang's gift cards, just don't expect to see the balance online.

 

[AttyPops]

little comfort that most people over 50 develop floaters - i hate it!

Yeah, sucks.

SWAG: 1) How's your blood pressure? 2) Have you had an eye exam by an optomologist (real doctor type)?

 

[SilverBear]

Have you had an eye exam by an optomologist (real doctor type)?

... and hope "vision" is part of your coverage!

2019's appointment (which I made due to floaters... probably can find posts if I
looked back) included a couple extra tests. Nice $$$ due. PLUS... it triggered
a vision field test for this coming March ($) with a follow-up "results and 'nother
exam" less than a week later ($$$). Mind you: NOTHING alarming was found
in 2019. "Floaters happen".

(Vision and dental are NOT part of my ACA plan... but I could have added riders.)

 

[FranC]

Good morning, Bear, Atty and dale Lost internet for a bit

 

[AttyPops]

Yeah. It's all a catch-22, but with fees.

It's like most things are OK, 90% of the time, and the other 10% is a problem. And if they DON'T check, they're negligent so they have to do due-diligence. And then there's the other 10% of the time they find something.

Ask me about "nodules" sometime (not eye). 2 scans later, and a dose of radiation, and I'm fine. But it was covered.

They put me through the ringer on a regular basis. Don't get me going on liver enzymes.

I suspect that THEY get THEIR fee income this way. And THEY monitor the profession. So how much is "unnecessary testing" and how much is "due diligence"? IDK. No way for me to tell. So if you "have something" you check it out.

If I understand properly, the doctors often own/buy-into the testing facilities too.

It's all part and parcel of them doing business. And then there's their costs side too.

We need national healthcare to get a handle on all this. Simplify the process at least on the billing side. That might let them reduce their expenses a bit. This isn't even counting the product/pharma side.

 

[daleron]

Good morning Dale.

Good morning Atty

And a pleasant Saturday AM to all.

Looks like it's going to be a no-errand day around these parts:

View attachment 864279

How long have they been naming Winter storms?

Good morning Bear, I know they did last year

morning, dale, atty and bear!

you're going to need lots of luck, atty!


how aggravating that every year brings new cons to getting older little comfort that most people over 50 develop floaters - i hate it!

Good morning Tibs
Yep getting older is not for the whimpy

Good morning, Bear, Atty and dale Lost internet for a bit

Good morning Fran

 

[AttyPops]

(Vision and dental are NOT part of my ACA plan... but I could have added riders.)

At your age? Why the hell didn't you add vision? And you should have dental too BTW.

 

[SilverBear]

At your age? Why the hell didn't you add vision? And you should have dental too BTW.

If memory serves me correctly, the policies/plans (only 1 each for vision and
dental available) had "waiting periods". "Meh"... what I save with actual
medical no-premium / no-co-pay makes it easier to take. Still think I'm
ahead of the game... and that's just what it is. A game.

 

[tiburonfirst]

"Floaters happen".

that about sums it up but yearly eye exam scheduled for march ............

 

[tiburonfirst]

If memory serves me correctly, the policies/plans (only 1 each for vision and
dental available) had "waiting periods". "Meh"... what I save with actual
medical no-premium / no-co-pay makes it easier to take. Still think I'm
ahead of the game... and that's just what it is. A game.

those plans are very skimpy and usually not worth paying for

 

[SilverBear]

those plans are very skimpy and usually not worth paying for

And full of "terms and conditions" outlined in multi-page contract-ese.

 

[mightymen]

As you get older you have fewer teeth and I do my best work in the dark.

 

[mightymen]

P.F. Chang's won't tell me the balance of a gift card...

The thing is, I was waiting for Chinese New Year. The card was from Christmas 1998, but I didn't get a chance to use it (missed Jan 1999) and set it aside, and thought I'd use it now. Because Chinese New Year 2020 Right? I know, I know. But fed law says you get 5 years. But then I read that they can charge an "inactivity fee" after 12 months.

So, I innocently go check the balance on their website:
"Try again later".


Tried two browsers.

Either a problem with old cards, or a problem with the website.
Conclusion: Don't buy P.F. Chang gift cards.

Put it on eBay.....

 

[FranC]

Looking at the "blUNDERmap"... have about 2 hours before it starts.

Sigh.

Saying 3 hours here.