Monday, June 21, 2004
Monday, June 21, 2004
I have always thought Paypal.com is a terribly, sneaky, underhanded company. But they provide a great service that no one else can match and I have no choice but to use them. With all the stuff I sell on ebay, Paypal is the best way to do it.
They use to be a completely free service, but then they started charging fees for credit card payments. It sucks but I agree this is fine since they are paying Visa 3%. The problem is the system becomes confusing because you aren't allowed (by law) to say "if you pay me with a credit card, please add 3%." As the "merchant" you must pay the fees
I had a bunch of trouble with Paypal a couple years ago when I was selling a bunch of stuff on ebay. Everything was fine: I was taking payments, shipping products. Then as soon as I transferred the Paypal money to my checking account, they locked my account for fraud. They wanted me to send them receipts for items and ups shipping labels. They wanted me to pay to get those documents to them before they would give me MY MONEY. I had to use my friends who work at Paypal so get out of that mess.
So this past week I sold my 17" PowerBook on ebay. I specifically said "no credit cards" because I know I can't take them with Paypal personal accounts. I got the payment from Paypal with a message that said I hit my $1000/month receiving limit and I would have to start paying 3% in fees.
I had no idea they changed this policy. I'm sure it went out in some email, buried in pages and pages of small text. I called Paypal and reasoned with them. I had no idea of this new restriction, and I was in a jam. I couldn't afford to pay 3% on this item because I sold it for a price assuming there were no paypal fees. And I couldn't back out of the auction because I would get negative feedback on ebay (which paypal should understand since ebay bought them)
The customer service rep seemed nice and understanding but eventually said he couldn't do anything. I asked to speak with the supervisor. Some guy named "Craig" came on the phone with the worst attitude you could ever imagine. It was like right off the bat he had made up his mind to not help me and to be a total jerk.
Not only did he completely refuse to do anything for me, but he brought up my past history. "I see you have received X dollars through Paypal in the past. You are making money from us, you should be a business account." I have never broken Paypal's rules and I have no intention of taking away their profits. If I'm able to work within their system and minimize the fees I pay, there's nothing wrong with that. They can't try to make me feel guilty like I owe them something.
In the end I had to bite the bullet and pay some fees for this transaction. After I received payment, I saw that the fees were $5, much less than 3% of the payment. I went to the Paypal fee schedule and at the bottom in small print it said "e-check payments have a max fee of $5." Why didn't they tell me this on the phone? I still wouldn't be totally happy since they changed the policy out from under me, but I have no problem paying them $5 here and there. Paypal does deserve to make money.
I'm really surprised by their $1k limit. It's quite low. Someone could sell 1 computer on ebay and be unable to use Paypal for the payment. And sometimes at Newcastle we would transfer more than $1k between us for rent stuff. Then I saw that the 1k limit only applies to "auction payments". So you can work around it by telling people to say the payment type is "Quasi cash" and not "auction".
Anyways, the real issue here is Paypal is getting greedy. They are making money from my through ebay, and then AGAIN through paypal for that same item. And they are raising their fees without making it totally clear so they put you in a situation where you have no choice but to pay them.
Sadly, this is the end of a great time for Paypal. I think from now on I will be back to accepting checks by mail only. Why can't all the major banks just get together and create a electronic transfer mechanism? It can't be that hard. Cut out the greedy middle man.
Paypal is getting a letter from me in the mail.
They use to be a completely free service, but then they started charging fees for credit card payments. It sucks but I agree this is fine since they are paying Visa 3%. The problem is the system becomes confusing because you aren't allowed (by law) to say "if you pay me with a credit card, please add 3%." As the "merchant" you must pay the fees
I had a bunch of trouble with Paypal a couple years ago when I was selling a bunch of stuff on ebay. Everything was fine: I was taking payments, shipping products. Then as soon as I transferred the Paypal money to my checking account, they locked my account for fraud. They wanted me to send them receipts for items and ups shipping labels. They wanted me to pay to get those documents to them before they would give me MY MONEY. I had to use my friends who work at Paypal so get out of that mess.
So this past week I sold my 17" PowerBook on ebay. I specifically said "no credit cards" because I know I can't take them with Paypal personal accounts. I got the payment from Paypal with a message that said I hit my $1000/month receiving limit and I would have to start paying 3% in fees.
I had no idea they changed this policy. I'm sure it went out in some email, buried in pages and pages of small text. I called Paypal and reasoned with them. I had no idea of this new restriction, and I was in a jam. I couldn't afford to pay 3% on this item because I sold it for a price assuming there were no paypal fees. And I couldn't back out of the auction because I would get negative feedback on ebay (which paypal should understand since ebay bought them)
The customer service rep seemed nice and understanding but eventually said he couldn't do anything. I asked to speak with the supervisor. Some guy named "Craig" came on the phone with the worst attitude you could ever imagine. It was like right off the bat he had made up his mind to not help me and to be a total jerk.
Not only did he completely refuse to do anything for me, but he brought up my past history. "I see you have received X dollars through Paypal in the past. You are making money from us, you should be a business account." I have never broken Paypal's rules and I have no intention of taking away their profits. If I'm able to work within their system and minimize the fees I pay, there's nothing wrong with that. They can't try to make me feel guilty like I owe them something.
In the end I had to bite the bullet and pay some fees for this transaction. After I received payment, I saw that the fees were $5, much less than 3% of the payment. I went to the Paypal fee schedule and at the bottom in small print it said "e-check payments have a max fee of $5." Why didn't they tell me this on the phone? I still wouldn't be totally happy since they changed the policy out from under me, but I have no problem paying them $5 here and there. Paypal does deserve to make money.
I'm really surprised by their $1k limit. It's quite low. Someone could sell 1 computer on ebay and be unable to use Paypal for the payment. And sometimes at Newcastle we would transfer more than $1k between us for rent stuff. Then I saw that the 1k limit only applies to "auction payments". So you can work around it by telling people to say the payment type is "Quasi cash" and not "auction".
Anyways, the real issue here is Paypal is getting greedy. They are making money from my through ebay, and then AGAIN through paypal for that same item. And they are raising their fees without making it totally clear so they put you in a situation where you have no choice but to pay them.
Sadly, this is the end of a great time for Paypal. I think from now on I will be back to accepting checks by mail only. Why can't all the major banks just get together and create a electronic transfer mechanism? It can't be that hard. Cut out the greedy middle man.
Paypal is getting a letter from me in the mail.
Sunday, June 20, 2004
On the way back from the Newcastle party I was pulled over by the police. It was 4am and I had a couple beers (I was NOT drunk) but I decided to play it safe and I set my cruise control to 78 and let it ride.
Right at my exit as I slowed down this car that was behind me for AT MOST 15 seconds, flashed its lights and pulled me over. I was surprising not nervous at all. I just became eligible for traffic school this week, so a ticket wouldn't really hurt too much. The cop was actually pretty nice and said he had been pacing me at 79.
He pulled this "It's foggy out, you should go slower." Ok, I've driven from SF to the South Bay about 50 times and this was one of the CLEAREST nights I have ever seen. Give me a break.
I can't complain too much because the cop just gave me a warning and let me go. How to avoid this (I'm usually good at this): if you're driving fast at night, and passing people, that's fine. But if someone comes up behind you, slow down and let them pass. DON'T let someone follow you.
update: I screwed up my math. Speedometers generally read high, but because of my tire size mine is probably closer to being right on the nose. So I very likely was going 79. Getting pulled over for less than 80 on the 280 sucks ass.
Right at my exit as I slowed down this car that was behind me for AT MOST 15 seconds, flashed its lights and pulled me over. I was surprising not nervous at all. I just became eligible for traffic school this week, so a ticket wouldn't really hurt too much. The cop was actually pretty nice and said he had been pacing me at 79.
He pulled this "It's foggy out, you should go slower." Ok, I've driven from SF to the South Bay about 50 times and this was one of the CLEAREST nights I have ever seen. Give me a break.
I can't complain too much because the cop just gave me a warning and let me go. How to avoid this (I'm usually good at this): if you're driving fast at night, and passing people, that's fine. But if someone comes up behind you, slow down and let them pass. DON'T let someone follow you.
update: I screwed up my math. Speedometers generally read high, but because of my tire size mine is probably closer to being right on the nose. So I very likely was going 79. Getting pulled over for less than 80 on the 280 sucks ass.
Sunday, June 20, 2004
I went to the Newcastle pirate themed party last night. Lots of fun, as always. It was cool to hang out with Eric who was very drunk and fun.
Towards the end of the party (around 3am), a couple guys were sorta being assholes. One guy was complaining about the lack of food at the party. "Can't you guys make a Costco run? I guess you can't afford it after paying rent." Little does he know the rent at Newcastle is amazingly low.
They later got locked out the house and I laughed at them through the window. Eric and I brought up some food from the basement and we taunted them with it. Eric eventually let them in.
Then they took frozen jalapeno poppers and put them down eric's back, and they landed on the floor. So not only are they being drunk and stupid and annoying, but they are wasting food.
We took a quick poll in the kitchen and voted 3 to 2 that the dude was being stupid.
He then proceeded to complain about the lack of alcohol (it was finished by 3am) and how at his parties he would bring out more alcohol from his room (even his good stash). What the fuck is that? Out of the 200 or so people who have come to a Newcastle party, maybe 5 or 10 at most have ever invited me to one of their parties. How the FUCK do these people COMPLAIN about a FREE party they are going to? WOW.
I attend every Super Happy Fun House party I can (they're rad) and every time I take a case of beer with me. And I invite them to every party I throw.
Who invited that guy, anyway?
Towards the end of the party (around 3am), a couple guys were sorta being assholes. One guy was complaining about the lack of food at the party. "Can't you guys make a Costco run? I guess you can't afford it after paying rent." Little does he know the rent at Newcastle is amazingly low.
They later got locked out the house and I laughed at them through the window. Eric and I brought up some food from the basement and we taunted them with it. Eric eventually let them in.
Then they took frozen jalapeno poppers and put them down eric's back, and they landed on the floor. So not only are they being drunk and stupid and annoying, but they are wasting food.
We took a quick poll in the kitchen and voted 3 to 2 that the dude was being stupid.
He then proceeded to complain about the lack of alcohol (it was finished by 3am) and how at his parties he would bring out more alcohol from his room (even his good stash). What the fuck is that? Out of the 200 or so people who have come to a Newcastle party, maybe 5 or 10 at most have ever invited me to one of their parties. How the FUCK do these people COMPLAIN about a FREE party they are going to? WOW.
I attend every Super Happy Fun House party I can (they're rad) and every time I take a case of beer with me. And I invite them to every party I throw.
Who invited that guy, anyway?
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Holy crap this is a fun car. It's not fast, has pretty cheap tires on it, is pretty loud. But it's INCREDIBLY FUN to drive. The car is so low and nimble. I can't go as fast through turns as the BMW, but it's still more fun because you're on the edge of traction at slower speeds.
Some interesting things:
The engine and suspension are SMOOTH. I bought some used speakers from a car in Marin and I let him drive the car. He was amazed by the engine (smoother than his 1994) and he couldn't believe there isn't a single dent or ding on the car.
The exhaust has a great note to it. Partially because it's old :)
The convertible is awesome. I haven't driven it much with the top up. Going over the Golden Gate bridge top down was cool.
I definitely have to learn to drive this car differently. I have to downshift a lot more than the BMW to get power going up hills. Plus this car has no traction control, no stability control, and no ABS. So if I fuck up on a turn, it won't save me like the BMW will.
The car has a touch of oversteer which is fucking PERFECT. You can take a turn going 20mph, give it just a bit of throttle at the apex and the tail comes around a tiny bit. It's super predictable, super easy to control, and lots and lots of fun.
I think I scare more people in this car than in the BMW. It's way slower, but when the tires squeal and rear end breaks loose, people freak out. I love it :)
A 2200 rear wheel drive convertible? Doesn't get much better than that. And if you think this is a chick car, drive one. That's all it takes. You're welcome to drive mine anytime.
Coming soon: License plate "2 FUREUS" :)
Some interesting things:
The engine and suspension are SMOOTH. I bought some used speakers from a car in Marin and I let him drive the car. He was amazed by the engine (smoother than his 1994) and he couldn't believe there isn't a single dent or ding on the car.
The exhaust has a great note to it. Partially because it's old :)
The convertible is awesome. I haven't driven it much with the top up. Going over the Golden Gate bridge top down was cool.
I definitely have to learn to drive this car differently. I have to downshift a lot more than the BMW to get power going up hills. Plus this car has no traction control, no stability control, and no ABS. So if I fuck up on a turn, it won't save me like the BMW will.
The car has a touch of oversteer which is fucking PERFECT. You can take a turn going 20mph, give it just a bit of throttle at the apex and the tail comes around a tiny bit. It's super predictable, super easy to control, and lots and lots of fun.
I think I scare more people in this car than in the BMW. It's way slower, but when the tires squeal and rear end breaks loose, people freak out. I love it :)
A 2200 rear wheel drive convertible? Doesn't get much better than that. And if you think this is a chick car, drive one. That's all it takes. You're welcome to drive mine anytime.
Coming soon: License plate "2 FUREUS" :)
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
We're all moved in to SF now and my roommates are getting their first taste of TiVo. Adam says, "TiVo is great. I won't watch regular TV again." And he isn't new to PVRs. He used one on his computer for a while.
We had to give presentations on famous photographers in my photo 1 class. It's crazy how shitty PowerPoint looks. Living in a Mac world, I'm spoiled by Keynote with its smooth fonts and graphics, OpenGL transitions, and slick animations.
Right now Apple is having a special on 14" G4 iBooks for employees. They are $999 for the 1GHz model. I've already ordered SIX for people in the past couple weeks. If you are interested, email me.
Setting up a wireless network should be easy. Three years ago Apple pioneered simple wireless networks with Airport. Everything was plug and play, and antennas were built into computers. It took the industry 2 years to catch up.
We're trying to setup a network in my house with two wireless bases on the same network so that as you walk through the house, your computer picks the strongest signal and you never cut out. After two weeks (about 8 hours of actually working on this) we figured out that every base we tried (Netgear and Linksys) didn't support some of the protocols we needed.
Guess what? Apple's airport supports them all. It costs more, now I see why.
update: we're trying to mount our base in the hall, but there's no power there! Too bad our base can't get power over ethernet. The airport bases can.
We had to give presentations on famous photographers in my photo 1 class. It's crazy how shitty PowerPoint looks. Living in a Mac world, I'm spoiled by Keynote with its smooth fonts and graphics, OpenGL transitions, and slick animations.
Right now Apple is having a special on 14" G4 iBooks for employees. They are $999 for the 1GHz model. I've already ordered SIX for people in the past couple weeks. If you are interested, email me.
Setting up a wireless network should be easy. Three years ago Apple pioneered simple wireless networks with Airport. Everything was plug and play, and antennas were built into computers. It took the industry 2 years to catch up.
We're trying to setup a network in my house with two wireless bases on the same network so that as you walk through the house, your computer picks the strongest signal and you never cut out. After two weeks (about 8 hours of actually working on this) we figured out that every base we tried (Netgear and Linksys) didn't support some of the protocols we needed.
Guess what? Apple's airport supports them all. It costs more, now I see why.
update: we're trying to mount our base in the hall, but there's no power there! Too bad our base can't get power over ethernet. The airport bases can.
Monday, June 07, 2004
Today Apple released AirPort Express. It's badass. A tiny little wireless 802.11g base that just plugs directly into the wall. Super cool.
But the best feature is it has an audio out so you can hook it up to your stereo. Then in iTunes there is a new button "Send this audio to my stereo" and it will wirelessly go to the stereo.
I was thinking about buying a Home Pod to send my computer audio to my stereo. But it's $300, and I didn't like having to control what's playing by using the small LCD on the device. I wanted to be able to control the audio on the computer itself.
The integration with iTunes is great because it will only send the music to the stereo, not your other IM and alert sounds.
It's incredible that Apple basically came out with the EXACT product that I wanted to buy. This is the device I described, well before Apple released this. I was talking about this to some of the guys at Newcastle a few months ago and we thought it would be great to have a device in each room, so as you moved through the house the music would follow you. This can do that! You have a base in each room with a stereo, and in iTunes you just select which room you are in.
So cool...
But the best feature is it has an audio out so you can hook it up to your stereo. Then in iTunes there is a new button "Send this audio to my stereo" and it will wirelessly go to the stereo.
I was thinking about buying a Home Pod to send my computer audio to my stereo. But it's $300, and I didn't like having to control what's playing by using the small LCD on the device. I wanted to be able to control the audio on the computer itself.
The integration with iTunes is great because it will only send the music to the stereo, not your other IM and alert sounds.
It's incredible that Apple basically came out with the EXACT product that I wanted to buy. This is the device I described, well before Apple released this. I was talking about this to some of the guys at Newcastle a few months ago and we thought it would be great to have a device in each room, so as you moved through the house the music would follow you. This can do that! You have a base in each room with a stereo, and in iTunes you just select which room you are in.
So cool...
Saturday, June 05, 2004
iTunes music store sells Disney soundtracks. It's amazing how many songs I know all the words to, even 10 years after I last watched those movies.
I moved to San Francisco last week!!!! I am now living in Noe Valley with Adam Rodriguez and Daniel Braithwaite. It's so awesome. I've wanted to do this for a while now. We are just a few blocks from 24th St in Noe. I've already walked there several times for food and groceries. It's a nice, quiet neighborhood, near the freeway, lots of free parking.
Now there's no reason to go out every night :). On Tuesday I saw the Shins at the Warfield, and then ate at the Nan n Curry. Great show, great food, and something I wouldn't have done if I didn't live in SF.
And for some other big news...
Three days ago I bought a 1991 Mazda Miata!!!!!!!!! I talked about doing this a few times over the past yearAt first I thought about doing Spec Miata racing, but decided it was too expensive, and my BMW is already set up for the track. Then I decided the Miata would be great as a commuter car. Over the next 2 years I should be able to put about 30k miles on the Miata instead of the BMW, which should more than cover the cost of the Miata.
The Miata is incredibly fun to drive. It has this reputation as a little chick car, but it's actually one of the best sports cars out there. Rear wheel drive, very low, stiff suspension, sticky as hell, very short 5 speed shifter, pulls 0.90g on the skid pad STOCK, clutch grabs quick, only 2200 pounds! It's a tiny little go-kart. In the 90s it was often named one of the top 10 sports cars AT ANY PRICE.
I was shopping for one of these for a month before I found this one. These cars are in huge demand here, and are selling for well over blue book. I got a good deal on a single owner car with full maintenance records, good paint, new top, new tires, glass rear window, etc etc.
Being able to commute in the Miata, having a convertible in the summers, and having a car that I can work on myself will be lots of fun. This is probably the first car in my permanent collection :)
And thus begins an all new chapter in my life...
I moved to San Francisco last week!!!! I am now living in Noe Valley with Adam Rodriguez and Daniel Braithwaite. It's so awesome. I've wanted to do this for a while now. We are just a few blocks from 24th St in Noe. I've already walked there several times for food and groceries. It's a nice, quiet neighborhood, near the freeway, lots of free parking.
Now there's no reason to go out every night :). On Tuesday I saw the Shins at the Warfield, and then ate at the Nan n Curry. Great show, great food, and something I wouldn't have done if I didn't live in SF.
And for some other big news...
Three days ago I bought a 1991 Mazda Miata!!!!!!!!! I talked about doing this a few times over the past yearAt first I thought about doing Spec Miata racing, but decided it was too expensive, and my BMW is already set up for the track. Then I decided the Miata would be great as a commuter car. Over the next 2 years I should be able to put about 30k miles on the Miata instead of the BMW, which should more than cover the cost of the Miata.
The Miata is incredibly fun to drive. It has this reputation as a little chick car, but it's actually one of the best sports cars out there. Rear wheel drive, very low, stiff suspension, sticky as hell, very short 5 speed shifter, pulls 0.90g on the skid pad STOCK, clutch grabs quick, only 2200 pounds! It's a tiny little go-kart. In the 90s it was often named one of the top 10 sports cars AT ANY PRICE.
I was shopping for one of these for a month before I found this one. These cars are in huge demand here, and are selling for well over blue book. I got a good deal on a single owner car with full maintenance records, good paint, new top, new tires, glass rear window, etc etc.
Being able to commute in the Miata, having a convertible in the summers, and having a car that I can work on myself will be lots of fun. This is probably the first car in my permanent collection :)
And thus begins an all new chapter in my life...