They can't read, don't think, or think I'm too stupid to live up to what I say!

I've been attempting to sell some stuff on Craig's list.  You've heard of it.  They've got a good reach.  Only problem:  You never get the answers you want or need.  I've sold a few things, but... When you make a post, say one particular method of payment and ONLY that...And then they write?

I've been trying to sell a good, upright freezer.  Solid idea, need cash.  Before today, I posted with the ad :CASH ONLY.

Damn asshole tried to get my name and address for a payment sent by UPS or FEDEX.  Didn't ask for dimensions.  Didn't ask for specs.  Didn't ask for age or color. Didn't even ask for pictures.

I told him, "The ad said cash only."

I didn't hear back from him.

Yesterday, I reposted the ad.  Today, I had a person inquiring.  Wanted to know if still available.  I answered in the affirmative.  He replies "Remove it from CL, you've sold it."  But didn't ask for pictures, dimensions, color or age.  He tells me he's getting married next year.  Great.  But he wants Name, address... FOR UPS/FEDEX payment.  I posted TWICE on this one:  CASH ONLY.  and "Other methods of payment will not be considered."

I've not checked my Email since.  If he's going to try to get me to take "UPS" or "FEDEX" payment, he'd better do one of three things:  1) Learn to read.  2) Learn that I mean what I say when I say CASH ONLY. or 3 ) Go to jail, go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect a free freezer.

Like I say, I've not checked my Email yet.  I expect either a scathing reply with threats or a deafening silence.  If I am wrong and he wants to bring the cash, GREAT.  But he's not gonna get me to take a "Certified check" or "money order."  I know better!  IF he wants to make it a personal check, and is willing to wait UNTIL THE CHECK CLEARS... or until I call the bank to verify the person's name, address, licence, phone, account, and balance.... OR if he wants to bring cash...well, we'll see.

IF I get a reply, I'll post it here.  But remember, folks:  I'm on to the scams.  If I can't meet you face-to-face for deals, I doubt that I'll do a thing.  I had ONE guy...no, make that two... who actually bilked me.  Actually, one charged 100 bucks for something I could have gotten at the library for FREE... (I was young and foolish), and the other one stole info from my wife...at a cost of 47 bucks.  I guess that's why all payments are electronic today and checks are going the way of the dodo.

As they said in THE MUSIC MAN:  "CASH for the Merchandise, CASH for the HARD GOODS..."

Sorry, folks.  Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, Shame on me.  I'm gonna keep you honest, you S.O.B.  And I ain't gonna get bilked by the scammers!

Loan Sharking operations are alive and well.

Read that title again.  Loan sharking operations are alive and well.  They are disguised as "banks" -- credit card issuing banks.  One could argue that with all the fees banks are charging, even those that don't issue cards, all banks are in loan sharking.  But I refer only to credit card issuing banks, and two in particular. I refer to these banks by name because that's who they are.  And I have their terms and conditions stuff available on the web or here...and everything that is going to be said is TRUTH.  They can't call it libel, they can't call it slander...because everything can be backed up! My wife received an offer from "Credit One Bank."  I read the the terms and conditions.  Then I exploded.  She had signed up -- I managed to get it canceled.  A  $250.00 credit limit.  Annual fee, first year, $75.00.  After that, $100/ year, billed monthly.  WTF?!  Add that to the stated interest rate at 34.9%.  And my wife had the audacity to not read the terms and conditions?  I read about the company in complaints on the web.  Charging late charges on "early" payments.  Charging for cards that were never ordered.  Charging for cards that were never activated.  Charging for cards that were canceled.  Charging interest on cards that carried a ZERO Balance.  Loan sharks live! I thought that card was bad.  Then my wife received another offer.  Now, "Credit One" looks tame by comparison to "First Premier Bank."  Fortunately, my wife did NOT sign up for this one!  $175 first year annual fee.  Then it drops to $49.  BUT AT THAT TIME they start adding in a "Maintenance" charge of $174.00 a year, billed at $14.50 a month.  So, your "annual fee" has actually increased by $48.00 a year.  And to top it off, they charge 36% interest. I read the complaints:  Charging for cards that were never ordered.  Rude individuals.  Fees totaling more than the credit limit, forcing over-limit fees.  Late charges on bills that were received well in advance of the due date.    Interest rates all over the board.  False reports to credit bureaus. $6.00, late, costing $261! Yes, LOAN SHARKING lives.  And if you try to deal with THESE companies, loan sharks hiding behind the appellation of "bank", you're begging for trouble.  AVOID THEM, at ALL COSTS.  That's the best thing you can do -- AS I SEE IT!

The JUNE Canaries! Gotta love 'em!

GOTTA LOVE those Canary awards. Last month, I issued none because I just didn't have enough nominees to make it worth while. (Remember, I issue for the previous month. June would be May's canary awards)

Today is July 2nd, and I had more than enough nominees to fill the bill and make a canary tweet.

So, who is gonna get THE BIRD?

For 3rd place, The PRESIDENT gets a canary. Spending too much time on the golf course, not enough on the oil spill in the Gulf, and his nomination of Kagan for the SCOTUS. Buddy, why don't you DO SOMETHING, instead of sitting on your duff, or working on your Golf Swing. Maybe Tiger Woods can offer some tips on your game, but I'm afraid you need a BRAIN to work with the rest of the stuff. But I don't think Tiger is going to be able to offer any celibacy tips. If he does, he's barking up the wrong tree.

The SILVER Canary goes to "Enhanced Recovery Systems," one of our famous, hated enemies.

They tried to collect a "Debt," upon which requested validation. They received our letter, but within 15 days (And without validating) they sold it to someone else. I've not been able to establish any connection between ERS and the winner of June's Canary (The Gold Canary)

The Winner of the GOLD CANARY is the company to which ERS sold the "Debt," to which we STILL have received no validation. I grant you, they still have a little time (to the 15th) to gather and send the information. But we requested validation from THEM, as well. The Group "West Asset Management" still has a few days to get this stuff to us (IF they can gather it). And if we don't receive the requested info, they will have to withdraw the claim. (And I WILL report both ERS and WEST to the Dept. of Commerce for the state. I did that LAST time (For NCO and Transworld), and they were forced to withdraw the claim IN WRITING. I don't know what my success average will be at the end of this month, but I know it will be no less than 50%. And batting 500 is still pretty darned good.

So, you got the "Winners"-- who are actually LOSERS -- In our CANARY AWARDS -- Losers, all: AS I SEE IT!