HSBC figures out clever money-making strategy: don’t email statement until after payment is due

My wife and I have a Jordan’s Furniture charge account issued by HSBC NV, a somewhat shady subsidiary of HSBC with a history of predatory lending and suspicious practices. They issue “private label” charge accounts for Jordan’s and many other retailers. We have a balance on the account under one of their frequent “buy now,… Read More »

Disastrous snow handling in Boston

(Simulblogged.) February 1, 2011 Mayor Thomas M. Menino 1 City Hall Square, Suite 500 Boston, MA 02201-2013 mayor@cityofboston.gov (617) 635-4500 Dear Mayor Menino, On the brink of yet another major snowstorm, I am writing to complain about how incredibly bad the city’s handling of the snow has been this winter.

Citizens Bank credit card dispute idiocy

I recently sent Citizens Bank, the issuer of our primary credit card, a letter disputing a charge on the card. Being eminently familiar with the rules surrounding such disputes, I included in my letter all of the required information. A week or so later, I got back this letter:

Apple Support disappoints

As I recently wrote, I had trouble on my iMac when one user was suddenly unable to send mail using Mail.app. After attempting to fix the problem myself, I opened a support case with Apple under our AppleCare contract on Friday, December 24.

Sounds like theft to me

Letter I sent to the Herald this morning: To the editor: Wellesley Parking Clerk Bonita Legassie dispatched a parking attendant with a handheld computer Legassie knew was broken (“Driver finds survey ticket a wrong turn”, Jan.10). The broken handheld issued parking citations which Legassie knew were bogus. Legassie did nothing to dismiss the bogus citations,… Read More »

Lands’ End “Guaranteed. Period.” falls short

January 8, 2011 John D. Goodman Executive Vice President, Apparel and Home Sears Holdings Corporation 3333 Beverly Road Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 Dear Mr. Goodman, “Guaranteed. Period.®” is a lie. In case you’re not familiar with it, here is the entire guarantee offered at www.landsend.com: The Lands’ End guarantee has always been an unconditional one.… Read More »