Author Archives: jik

I just made some phone droid’s day

Chase keeps sending me these checks to get me to enroll in one of the various services they offer, like their “Chase Fraud Protector” service.  The deal is that depositing the check causes you to be enrolled in the program automatically, and then if you cancel within a month they don’t actually charge you anything.

Tom Clancy needs to find a new line of work

I recently read Tom Clancy’s two most recent novels in his “Jack Ryan” universe, Red Rabbit and The Teeth of the Tiger. They are, quite simply, horrible.  Not horrible in the sense of, “if you don’t like Tom Clancy books you won’t like these either,” but rather, “incredibly bad even to people who liked previous Tom… Read More »

Sub-par service from the Marriott

I recently stayed at the Marriott hotel in downtown Durham, North Carolina while traveling on business.  There were signs plastered all over the hotel about the hotel’s “Whatever It Takes”  initiative for making their guests comfortable.  Shortly after my arrival, I went down to the front desk to ask if they had any Advil or… Read More »

CVS Photo Center strikes out

July 13, 2006 Thomas M. Ryan, President CVS Corporation One CVS Drive Woonsocket, RI 02895 Dear Mr. Ryan, They say that 96% of customers you lose won’t tell you why they left, even if you pay them. Pay attention… I’m the other 4%.