Koozie Notes

Vacation Certificates

I'm on a roll.  Today, I received another noticed that I've been awarded "Two Round Trip Airline Tickets to Any Major International Airport Anywhere in the Continental USA."  All I have to do is call 800-507-5010.  Yeah, right.

They even included a marketing flyer that resembles an airline ticket from about 10 years ago.  On the back, it lists the travel provider as:

Millenium Travel & Promotions
4647 S Clyde Morris Blvd
Suite 501
Port Orange FL  32129

I found a BBB report on the above company.  I also found a link to their toll-free number.

This firm also mentioned that you will receive "$300 in Gas Rebates"

Whatever....

--Chris

2 Minute Survey Postcard: Sounds like a Scam

Today in the mail, I received a postcard stating that by participating in a two (2) minute survey, I will receive 2 nights accommodations and possibly $250 worth of Exxon Gasoline.

[Your Name Here], simple for calling and participating in a two minute life-stye survey you will receive 2 Nights Accommodations at the Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Select of our choice.  Call in the next 48 hours and receive $250 in Exxon Gasoline.  Call 888-287-5525 IMMEDIATELY!!!!!

Their number, 888-287-5525, which I googled and found some posts referring it to a time-share marketing company.  I also found their page on the East Texas BBB web site.  Looks like I will be tossing this little postcard in the trash.

--Chris

Company Name Listed on the Card:

J. Marketing & Re
1910 E SE Loop 323
Suite 294
Tyler, TX 75701

Telemarketing to Cell Phones

Don't you hate it when telemarketers call you on your cell phone? This morning [14 MAY 2008 @ 09:45 am CST] I received another one, claiming I was eligible for some sort of credit offer.

I went ahead and posted my experience to 800notes.com.  The caller-id on my cell phone read (850) 433-1850.

Also, I have filed a complaint with the National Do Not Call Registry.

-Chris

Vacation Invitation Postcard

In today's mail, I received a postcard claiming that I won "Two Roundtrip Airfares to Anywhere in the U.S.!"  They also noted on the card:

• WE'VE BEEN GOING CRAZY TRYING TO CONTACT YOU!
• This is NOT a solicitation for a Time Share. *Certain Restrictions Apply

This might not be pitch for a time share, but I will assume that they will be trying to sell you something.  Their toll-free number is 800-979-3072.

I also found related stories about similar post cards on the 'net.
    Star Vacation Club/Vaction Resort Group
    800 Notes
    Consumer Alert

-Chris

Telemarketing to Cell Phones

Don't you hate it when telemarketers call you on your cell phone?  Especially ones that claim you won a free trip to Las Vegas or San Francisco.

I went ahead and posted my experience to 800notes.com.  The caller-id on my cell phone read (301) 882-9967.

-Chris

Ron Mueck Collection

On Sunday, I had a chance to view the Ron Mueck Collection at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.  His sculptures seem truly life like. 

While staring at his work, I wondered what would happen if one of his sculptures started to move.  These thoughts seemed to creep me out a bit.

-Chris

Ron Mueck Flickr Photos

They Call Me Insane

What happens when you share with friends that you signed up to run a marathon?  ...

"Are you insane?", seems to be the winning response.

Anyway, I've been training over the last few months using Jeff Galloway's "Book on Running" as my guide.  If all goes well -- knock on wood, no injuries -- I should be ready to tackle this race in February.   One side effect of my training program is that I'm really enjoying my long weekends runs.  I'm just hanging out by myself, running, reflecting and mulling over issues while enjoying Austin's scenery.

-Chris

$75.00 Pay-at-the-Pump Gas Limit

This past Saturday it happen again.  While attempting to fill up my 2004 Suburban, the gasoline pump stop dispensing fuel when I hit the $75.00 mark.  This is annoying and it is getting more common than ever since gas started going over $3 per gallon.

I did a bit of research, and it seems that companies that run gas stations should take the most blame on  setting these artificial limits.  Bruce Schneier has a good post on the subject of these type of credit card limits and even refers his readers to article at SF Gate, which covers this problem as well.

So now it is time for me to contact this particular company and complain.

-Chris

God Bless Us Everyone

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  This morning I enjoyed watching my three girls dig into their gifts with childish enthusiasm.  I was snapping photos with my trusty Nikon D70 and Grandpa was recording with our Sony camcorder.

Prior to Christmas eve, I had a chance to read Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," something I've been trying to complete for a few years.

-Chris

Awards Verification Center Letter

A few days ago I received an "Official Prizewinner Notification" letter from the dubious Awards Verification Center aka Silverleaf Resorts, 2400 W Pioneer Pkwy, Suite 210, Arlington, TX 76013.  Susan Murray, their Awards Director, stated that I had recently one of four prizes [Mercedes Benz M-Class, BMW X5, Porshe Cayenne, etc.]

After some internet searches, I found out that this outfit is in the Time Share business and seem to have a record with the Dallas BBB.

Article 1
Article 2

*UPDATE*  21 NOV 2006

This is too strange.  Today, I received the "blue post card" in the mail from -- Awards Verification Center.  Susan Murray is still their Awards Director and she wants me to speak to one of her assistants named Sandra or Kim.  Their toll free number is 888-383-7152.

Hmm.  I wander how much they squander on postage for all of these mailings?

Article 3

Article 4 [Fort Worth Star Telegram]

*UPDATE* 5 DEC 2006

You will never guess what I received in the mail today.  A Christmas card from a high school bud? Wrong.  A bill from the cable company?  Wrong again.

Disguised in a yellow and brown envelope, I received another letter from.....the mysterious Awards Verification Center.  They were sending me my FINAL NOTICE.

Upon further review I realized:

1. They listed a new toll free number 866-804-8591.
2. Sandra and Kim are still Susan Murray's assistants.
3. Susan Murray still holds office as the Awards Director.

*UPDATE* 3 AUG 2008

While listening to a Clark Howard Podcast, Clark tells the story about receiving a post card from the Award Verification Center.  [Link to Podcast as MP3]  Podcast --> 7/18/2008 - Hour 1

[Link to Clark Howard's Archives]