Fezmid

Yeah, heaven forbid people who scratch and claw their way up the food chain not be smacked down again.

That's correct. My father-in-law is a pilot, and when we go up in his Cesna, he never files a flight plan. He just talks to the tower and tells them where he's going.

Yeah, the Kindle doesn't look like a traditional computer screen - it's like a piece of paper (and uses eInk technology).

I can't imagine trying to read a book on a Blackberry. Wife LOVES her Kindle though. I'm thankful that it's on her parents' account -- she reads way too many books in a month.

Already planning on that - the charge went through today, so I'll be filing a formal complaint and see what happens... Worst case scenario I sell the card for ~$250 and take a $20-$30 loss on it -- about what I would probably lose due to the "restocking fee" issue.

I contacted Dell about how they wanted me to return the card since the order was supposed to have been canceled a few weeks ago. Based on their response, I think I'm going to invoke the FTC rule and see if I can keep it as a "gift." Check this out: "I understand from your e-mail that you cancelled the order for Radeon HD 5850 1 GB GDDR5 PCI Express Graphic Card placed under the order number ######## and yet it shipped and also that you want to return the order (once it is delivered). I apologize for the inconvenience caused to you. I would request you to please accept delivery of the order and if you choose not to keep it and for further assistance regarding the restocking fee or return shipping, contact Dell Consumer Customer Care at 800-624-9897 between 08:00 AM to 09:00 PM CST, Monday to Friday and 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM CST, Saturday and Sunday within 21 days of the invoice date for a return authorization." WTF? "We screwed up by not canceling the order, so please accept the package and then contact us to see how much you owe us to send it back." I don't think so.

Jordan. She has an endearing quality. But yeah, she seems dumb as a box of rocks.

I have a Garmin Street Pilot 2720. It rocks. We've used it for a few road trips, it was able to bring us into downtown DC (and back out!) when we visited. Has maps for Canada as well, which is nice when we're driving from Niagara Falls to Minnesota. Determine what you want your GPS to do. Do you only care about your local area? Some only have a single state in them, and you need to upload maps of different states if you travel. Some have all of North America in them (useful for road trips). Those ones usually cost a bit more though.

I suppose... And if they hadn't allegedly canceled my order on at least three separate occasions, I wouldn't even consider keeping it. But in this case, they called me twice (voicemail once, physically spoke to me once), and also sent emails saying it was going to be canceled.... So that's why I'm on the fence. I emailed them about the screw-up, so we'll see how they reply.

For whom, Dell or me...?

I think you're right! http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/a...th%20the%20Rule Specifically: Unordered Merchandise Whether or not the Rule is involved, in any approval or other sale you must obtain the customer’s prior express agreement to receive the merchandise. Otherwise the merchandise may be treated as unordered merchandise. It is unlawful to: Send any merchandise by any means without the express request of the recipient (unless the merchandise is clearly identified as a gift, free sample, or the like); or, Try to obtain payment for or the return of the unordered merchandise. Merchants who ship unordered merchandise with knowledge that it is unlawful to do so can be subject to civil penalties of up to $16,000 per violation. Moreover, customers who receive unordered merchandise are legally entitled to treat the merchandise as a gift. Using the U.S. mails to ship unordered merchandise also violates the Postal laws.

Seriously....? Well that would be a nice little windfall.... I'll have to look into that.

As some of you may know, I'm in the middle of building a new high-end, water-cooled PC ( http://fezmid.wordpress.com ). One of the things I ordered was a Radeon 5850 from Dell back in January. After a few days, they sent me an email telling me it was backordered. No big deal, as I had other components to buy. A few weeks later, they send me an email that says, and I quote: "Your order has been delayed again and we need your permission today to continue processing your order or it will be automatically canceled (as required by the Federal Trade Commission)." At this point, I say screw it, don't reply, and find another store to buy my card from. A week later, I get another email from Dell telling me that the order has been delayed yet again. I ignore it, since the email says my order should've been canceled. Last Thursday I get an automated message on my voicemail from Dell, telling me (in 3 languages...) that if I don't call them and give them permission to continue the order that it will be canceled. Well duh, you did that already with the email. Whatever. Later that night I receive another phone call from Dell, and the woman tells me they need my permission to continue the order. I flat out tell her to CANCEL THE ORDER. She asks for my address (the whole thing -- apparently calling me, and me giving my house number and street name isn't enough - she required the entire city, state, and zip too. Ok....), and then says the order is canceled. Great - I haven't thought about it since. Until this morning, when I receive a tracking number for the video card. WTF, Dell? How many ways do I have to cancel the order before you get the hint?!?! Not sure what to do now - write "return to sender" on the box and drop it off at the UPS store? Keep it and tell them, "Screw you, you shouldn't have shipped it?" The only thing I know is that I'm not spending a penny to ship it back. Maybe I should look at the FTC's website.... </rant>

Don't do it, Jack. It's a couple of hundred bucks - they don't care if you pay them $15/month for 24 months (giving them double) or if you pay it all at once. Your account isn't actually going to be deleted from their system - so it makes no difference to them whether you have a balance or not. Just pay your bill in full and be done with it.

Agreed. It's utterly ridiculous that they don't have HD at this point.

Picture on the link is not exactly safe for work.

You're assuming someone is a circle - and people aren't circular (I hope... ).

I'd hardly consider 17.1" to be "enormous...."

You have an aisle seat, and your elbow/shoulders get in the way of the drink cart. And you could easily shove your lower half towards the window or into the aisle if you want as well. I'm not seeing the difference.

Isn't the real issue that the seats are only 17" wide? Seriously, 17"??? In addition, their policy states that the definitive measure is whether you can lower the armrests down... And Kevin Smith says he did... So what's the problem? http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/cos_qa.html "What is the definitive gauge for a Customer of size? The armrest is the definitive gauge for a Customer of size. It serves as the boundary between seats and measures 17 inches in width. Customers who are unable to lower both armrests and/or who compromise any portion of adjacent seating should proactively book the number of seats needed prior to travel." And the reason this is completely BS is this section of the FAQ: "If a Customer has broad shoulders, will he/she have to buy a second seat? Again, if a Customer cannot lower the armrests, the additional purchase is necessary. Simply having broad shoulders would not necessarily prevent another Customer from occupying adjoining seat. The upper body can be adjusted, but the portion of the body in the actual seating and armrest area doesn't have this flexibility." So basically they're saying, "Your hips better not intrude into another seat, but if you're a football linebacker, go ahead and shove your shoulders into someone else's space." How does that make any sense if they're saying they're doing it for the comfort of other passengers? Shouldn't it be ANY part of your body moving into an adjacent seat?

<stands far, far, away from VA when Lana sees this....>

He's already got Lana.... We're trying to help him remain faithful!

I have one of those in my office, and everyone loves it! I have one of these too, and everyone gets a kick out of playing with it when they come visit: http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/science/964e/ And one of these: http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/9380/ Get a Bills calendar, and you're set.

I already answered this earlier. Corrupt politicians.