Don't believe the Iphone hype!

Although very attractive, don't be fooled by Apple's iPhone. It is the most arrogantly, overrated cell phone that I've come across recently. Most low budget phones can forward simple text messages, not the iPhone. Most popular phones have some sort of access to instant message, not the iPhone. This phone costs in the mid-$400's and Apple only provides a 1 year LIMITED warranty that covers only defective phones and an additional extension for the low price of $69.99 (gas, thanks). There is NO insurance for this phone that I know of. And don't crack the screen, the geniuses at the genius bar can't recover the data. Oh, but they do refer you to an outside company who may or may not be able to help; cost is approximately $1000 for a consultation. Sounds like another business getting over on another (thousand) consumers. Tell me about your iPhone woes.

Is Parking Enforcement getting over too?

I recieved a $30 parking ticket on CSUEB's Hayward campus for a "no permit" violation. I immediately appealed the citation because I have paid (full price) for a current parking permit. Why was my claim denied and what purpose is served (besides sticking it to students) by letting the citation remain valid? Where does CSUEB's parking fees go anyway? Has anyone else experienced this?

Cell phone companies get over on the consumer!!

I have an issue with T-Mobile's award winning customer care (sham) and their billing system including the online service (always inaccurate). My 4 1/2 year t-mobile account was cancelled for nonpayment on February 16. On March 28, I called t-mobile's award winning customer care line to inform them of my hardship and to inquire about bringing my account current and possibly restoring service (because my contract ends in July). The rep informed to me that I had 90 days to restore my account from the date of the cancellation; I could pay the outstanding balance minus the $200 early termination fee and pay a $20 restoration fee to restore the main line on my account. I guess I assumed that I had time to restore my account especially since a little time later, I received a paper t-mobile bill in the mail dated April 2 stating that my full balance is due April 22. WRONG-- I received a letter from a credit collection agency dated April 7. T-mobile closed and sent my account (including the early term fee) to a credit collection agency either on April 4(according to one t-mobile rep) or March 31(according to the last manager I spoke to); either way, no more than a week after I spoke to them on March 28. Two of t-mobile's managers could not explain why I was, according to them, given the wrong restoration info nor could they explain why I received two conflicting letters/invoices on t-mobile's behalf. When one manager couldn't logically explain the discrepancies, he insulted me and went as far as to blame me for my account not being paid in the first place (as if I didn't get that part). The manager said that I should have known that it would be sent to collections (even though he stated that they, as t-mobile managers, don't know when an account would be referred to collections because t-mobile has no procedure, nor guidelines, nor timeline for such actions). What?

Please share your thoughts and experiences with cell phone companies

More School Budget Cuts...Will College Students Ever Catch a Break?

Who else feels like they are getting screwed every quarter with the constant increase in tuition fees and textbooks? I know I do! In my opinion, if we are considered the minds of the future, why is the government making it so difficult and expensive for us to get a higher education? Here is Schwarzenegger's view on the subject....

Pain In The GAS, GAS, GAS...

My tank is on E, not again. Someone please help us, gas prices these days are a joke. As consumers of this highly demanded product with supplies being scarce, we are paying the price. We need to seriously start looking for alternative fuels to power our world of automobiles. I don't know about all of you, but I'm sick and tired of paying $3.94 for regular. What would happen if we all stopped buying gas for a week and used alternative sources of transportation? Do you think the prices would go down? Don't forget to check out gasbuddy.com for the cheapest gas in your area. Check out the video below.

money...goes faster than it comes...

I am paid on the 1st and the 15th...bills are mailed out on the 10th and the 20th. Fortunately for me I have been able to make my cash flow steady; however, recently I have been noticing the amount I keep declining. I look at the hours I worked and their the same, I look at the fridge and it looks empty, I look at my closet and nothing new....what going on? Inflation. I can't buy anything anymore without taking a step back and confirming I am not buying on impulse...I HATE IT! Well throughout this blog we will be sharing our thoughts on what it is that we speculate is experiencing inflation and possibly together we can gain an advantage by sharing ideas of how to get around the invisible thieves.