Carbonite continues its explosive barnstorm of terror

NEVER once since I learned to program my first computer in 1958, the venerable IBM 650, have I experienced so much agony and witnessed with great sadness so many others suffering the consequences of trusting the computer — let me be more accurate — of trusting people who promise the wonderful services a computer can render if correctly programmed and honestly marketed.


Following my devastating and exhausting encounter with Carbonite in 2008, Jeff Robison held MY data hostage and categorically refused to return my data unless I sign a release that would protect them against a lawsuit. I decided to cut my losses, go on with my life, and never get close to Carbonite again. But then I witnessed too many travesties and hypocritical endorsements driven by greed.

Then I received emails from Marlene and Andrew; their stories broke the camel's back. It isn't the study of mathematics that gave me the tools for solving the equation

Amorality + Avarice + Apathy = Abuse.

In an abundance of caution, following my first-hand experiences and those of many others who came to me or spilled their heart out on the Internet, I must now conclude that Carbonite has not fixed its problem(s) and continues to promote and sell a product that is defective and causes great pain to the user.

Mr. Friend, fix the bug or get out of the computer backup business.

It is compassion and my commitment to the Golden Rule that sounds reveille. No one should suffer from bug-riddled computer services.

I also call on those highly respected personalities who apply their prominence in hawking Carbonite to join us. Kim and Rush, I will call on you, too.

Heinz Dinter, PhD

PS: Do you know of a prominent person who advertises/endorses Carbonite in a public forum? Please let me know their name, position and contact information.

Read
"Carbonite continues its explosive barnstorm of terror" at www.GrandLifestyle.com/carboniteterror.htm. 

Do the RealPlayer RealNetworks Honchos Master Avarice with Cyber Scam?

Wham! Did a cyber scam get me?
Sure did. Let’s look at the facts.

The fateful day was Friday, February 12, 2010. I had received my first DVD from www.NetFlix.com and was eager to watch The Reader on my computer. Trying several programs with the help of Google, I stumbled upon one that promised results — and trying SuperPass free of charge for 14 days and being charged $34.99 every three months thereafter sounded fair and I went for it.

Though the signup process was confusing, including the documentation of my commitment, I signed up and online handed over the critical information stamped on my plastic card.

Within the next three days I learned there is no need for this program and service that charges a recurrent fee month after month. Then I discovered my email system did not contain any confirmation of my subscription to SUPERPASS and I had no idea whom to call to cancel before the 14 days are up. But I took action: Without delay I uninstalled SUPERPASS, keeping my hope alive I would hear from the folks I placed my trust in.

Lo and behold, there was the $34.99 charge when I peeked at my bank account on Saturday, February 27, 2010.

Now I had a name and telephone clue to use in my investigation: SUPERPASS FROM REA and 866-212-1343

"Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!” as Gomer Pyle used to say. SUPERPASS FROM REA and 866-212-1343 are brought to us by the folks at RealNetworks, Inc. who bring us RealPlayer and their “Affiliates.” The registered nurses (RN) who believed RN signaled a product/service related to their noble profession now know the truth — it is RealNetworks. Is it the whole truth?

Like I, you will find much of the truth if you ask Google for a helping hand: Search on “SUPERPASS FROM REA” and ye shall find.

My anger should perhaps be dampened. After all, how can I prove RealNetworks or their Affiliate did not send me a congratulatory email with all the information needed to cancel before my 14-day trial is up? After all, there are protective email features that mistake genuine emails for sham bombardments.

Let me shed some light on the workings (promises and commitments of RealNetworks (they are the ones who bring you RealPlayer and SUPERPASS)

This is RealNetworks’ Privacy Policy. Does it imply they respect you?

This is RealNetworks’ Statement of Non-Discrimination. Does it imply they take money from everybody?

And here is RealNetworks’ Real Affiliate Program and how your money is taken from you.

How many people do you think have unwittingly and involuntarily filled the coffers of RealNetworks and its Affiliates? Hundreds? Thousands? Could it be hundreds of thousands? Annual revenues of more than $500 million require a real big number.

Why was there no company profit to report in 2009 and before? With revenues of $562.3 million in 2009, the net loss attributable to common shareholders of $212.3 million or $1.60 per share raise the eyebrows of the shareholders, I am sure.

Shouldn’t the plight of the shareholders (RealNetworks, Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ: RNWK) motivate the RN SUPERPASS FROM REA month-after-month benefactors not to call for a refund and punishment?

I continued my investigation and studied the RealNetworks, Inc. Form 8-K dated February 24, 2010 submitted to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

What do you think of the destination of your monthly taken by cunning subscription fee — the millions being paid to the top honchos?

On second thought, what if I let RealNetworks, Inc. and Affiliate keep my money ($34.99) and then press forward with the confirmation of and punishment for CYBER SCAM practices?

Robert Kimball
President and acting CEO
RealNetworks, Inc.
2601 Elliott Avenue, Suite 1000
Seattle, Washington 98121
Telephone: 206-674-2721
Press Contact:
Bill Hankes
Telephone: 206-892-6614
BHankes@real.com

I have double-checked and made absolutely certain that all programs from RealNetworks, including RealPlayer, are permanently removed from my computer.

What about you? What will you do?

When money is unreasonably coveted,
it is a disease of the mind which is called avarice.
Cicero (106 BC–43 BC)
Roman author, orator and politician

Carbonite problem — BIG problem — revealed

In a September 11, 2008 story in The New York Times (“Carbonite Steps Up the Competition in Online Backup”), Carbonite CEO David Friend was described as a bit of a doomsayer. “He rattles off horror stories of people who have lost all their digital photos, music and documents in a computer crash or a fire,” The Times reports. “For $50 a year, he promises to keep your stuff safe, should anything happen to your computer.”
Mr. Friend, we can now add another horror story — mine. My horror story is published at www.GrandLifestyle.com/carbonitedisaster.htm titled “Carbonite delivered disaster because I trusted Carbonite with my life.”
“Pure, simple, set-and-forget online backup is thriving,” Carbonite CEO Friend wrote in an email, pointing out that “Online backup is a great subscription business. You pay your money and your worries go away.”
Maybe that explains why EMC acquired Mozy for $76 million and Symantec paid $123 million for Swapdrive. Carbonite wouldn’t mind a pay-day like that: the three year old company has raised a total of $26.2 million in four rounds of funding from Four Rivers Partners, Menlo Ventures, 3i Group, and Common Angels.
“I think that when the dust settles in four or five years, the online backup market is going to look a lot like the anti-virus market. Almost every PC is going to ship with online backup built-in,” Carbonite Friend writes. Dell currently sells such a service.
“If you ever do run into a problem and need to restore your data, you can download your files at up to 15GB per day over broadband” goes the description of the Carbonite service.

The size of my download is one gigabyte (1GB) and the Carbonite Restore operation has been working for more than 14 days and I still do not have my valuable data back.

Here comes the real kicker:

I have not heard from Carbonite since they "worked on the problem" and told me "you shouldn't have any more issues with the restore".

Please visit www.GrandLifestyle.com/carbonitedisaster.htm to read the horror story and return to leave your comment.

Carbonite delivered disaster because I trusted Carbonite with my life

I share with you what I experienced … and the saga continues.
Will I survive the Carbonite disaster?
The horror story of epic proportion is being told in the form of email back-and-forth documentary evidence at www.GrandLifestyle.com/carbonitedisaster.htm.

Please return to the blog to leave your comment.

Is Gov. Charlie Crist unable to keep his promise or accepting campaign contributions from the United Automobile Insurance Company?

Florida’s governor, Charlie Crist, is a busy man, but takes time out from his overwhelming schedule to promise serving the citizens of the Sunshine State with the resources of numerous departments, including the Florida Department of Financial Services.
The following two email messages — none of which has been responded to — trigger my concern and are self-explanatory.

From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:hdinter@grandlifestyle.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2008 6:06 AM
To: 'jessica.cordero@fldfs.com'
Cc: 'JFeldman@FeldmanGale.com'
Subject: Service Request Number: 1-526480377; United Automobile Insurance Company
Good morning, Ms. Cordero.
I was very happy to learn that the Florida Department of Financial Services has listened to my plea for help.However, besides your September 24 letter advising me you have not yet received a complete response from United Automobile Insurance Company and the September 26 hilarious letter from the attorney representing United Automobile Insurance Group threatening me with a libel lawsuit I have heard nothing.I trust you perused my two postings (July 8, 2008 and September 27, 2008) at http://www.grandlifestyle.blogspot.com/ and also read the attorney’s highly unprofessional threatening letter intended to scare me out of my wits.As you will have observed from my published reports on the Internet, I have begun intense research on Mr. Jack S. Ramirez et al. and their many interconnected and not so connected business enterprises. Am I on a hot trail of discovering massive fraud part of which may be under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Financial Services? The explanation offered by attorney Jeffrey D. Feldman as to the disposition of the moneys owed me may constitute one hint as to the operations of the Miami Gardens enterprising business people.Please let me know the status on your end. I am getting ready to publish another blog posting and would like to publish an up-to-date scenario of activities.Many thanks, Ms. Cordero, for all your help.

From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:hdinter@grandlifestyle.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 8:39 PM
To: 'jessica.cordero@fldfs.com'
Cc: 'JFeldman@FeldmanGale.com'
Subject: Service Request Number: 1-526480377; United Automobile Insurance Company
Good morning, Ms. Cordero.
You have not yet responded to my email inquiry of October 21, 2008.
Will you?

Looking forward to a response from Gov. Charlie Crist

From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:hdinter@grandlifestyle.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 11:53 AM
To: 'Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com'
Cc: 'jessica.cordero@fldfs.com'; 'JFeldman@FeldmanGale.com'
Subject: Verification of Facts
TO: Gov. Charlie Crist
Dear Governor Crist:
I direct your attention to information published in an article titled “Gun-toting postal exec politicks for condo leader on government time using government resources” at http://www.grandlifestyle.blogspot.com/.
The information published on my blog is of significant public interest and, therefore, is slated for worldwide publication, including but not necessarily limited to Grand Lifestyleä journal at our World Wide Web site on the Internet at http://www.grandlifestyle.com/.
Please review the information and — if any statements therein are contrary to the truth — identify such specific statements and bring them to my attention forthwith; otherwise, we consider all statements to be confirmed by you as being true and correct.
I also welcome your comments (which you may also publish on the Internet while visiting http://www.grandlifestyle.com/ or my Weblogs http://www.grandlifestyle.blogspot.com/, http://www.dadelanddoings.blogspot.com/, http://www.condomonium.blogspot.com/, and http://www.downtowndadelandcondos.blogspot.com/), and request an interview.
Thank you for giving this matter your prompt attention.

The constitutional protections of free speech and press were fashioned to assure the unfettered interchange of ideasfor bringing about political and social changes desired by the people.The United States Supreme CourtNew York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 US 254, 11 L ed 2d 686, 84 S CT 710 (1964)

Sincerely yours,
Heinz Dinter, PhD

How honorable are the insurance practices of United Automobile Insurance Company and its “affiliate” enterprises?

Here’s the continuation of the insurance saga I commenced to document on July 8, 2008 with my posting, “What makes for honorable insurance practices?”
On that very day I faxed a letter to Jack S. Ramirez, President of United Automobile Insurance Company to let him know of what I published. I don’t publish the results of my forensic endeavors behind the back of the investigation’s subject. Nobody from this insurance empire responded. Perhaps Mr. Ramirez was too busy tending to the many business enterprises operating from 1313 NW 167 Street in Miami Gardens, FL 33169, including the United Premium Finance Company.

That left me no choice. On August 16, 2008, I filed a complaint with the Florida Department of Financial Services and to the question “What would satisfy your complaint?” I stated: (1) Refund of $208.86, (2) Thorough investigation by the Office of Insurance Regulation.

My patient wait was soon rewarded; I received the encouraging letter dated September 24, 2008 from Ms. Jessica Cordero, Insurance Specialist III of the Florida Department of Financial Services.
Lo and behold, a second letter arrived dated only two days later (but 79 days after I advised President Ramirez of my blog posting), from the Feldman Gale law firm specializing in “Intellectual Property Law” and who proudly announced to the world “Feldman Gale, P.A. Attorneys Named Super Lawyers in 2009” which letter I hereby respond to as follows.

Dear Mr. “Super Lawyer” Feldman, you assert that I published the fact that United Auto has illegally withheld and refused to refund unearned auto insurance premiums. Will you kindly point out with certainty the exact location in my blog where you found this statement?
Rest assured any conclusion or judgment on the illegal conduct of Mr. Ramirez or his associates, employees or agents shall be left to the appropriate authorities. I do concentrate my efforts on forensic research in pursuit of documenting facts — the truth. The five lawsuits I was forced to defend (successfully!) in the state court and federal court triggered by my publishing the truth stand as evidence thereof.

On to continuing my reply to your fascinating correspondence.

It is YOUR prerogative to conclude from the publishing of my experience with United Automobile Insurance that this Miami-based insurance company is committing the crime of insurance fraud. I document the facts and let those who are charged with prosecuting alleged crimes do the prosecuting. And, I hasten to add, I am not the judge either.
Will you please do what is your duty and identify in specificity those published statements that are false and I shall promptly abide by the law and initiate forthwith the called for correction.

I trust you will also be guided by The Florida Statutes, Chapter 770, CIVIL ACTIONS FOR LIBEL. 770.01 Notice condition precedent to action or prosecution for libel or slander.--Before any civil action is brought for publication or broadcast, in a newspaper, periodical, or other medium, of a libel or slander, the plaintiff shall, at least 5 days before instituting such action, serve notice in writing on the defendant, specifying the article or broadcast and the statements therein which he or she alleges to be false and defamatory.

How can you honestly state that United Auto has fully complied with its legal obligation? In an abundance of caution I hint that you have done nothing to confirm your reckless, self-serving statement. I am owed a refund which according to my calculations is $208.86.
Your statement, “United Auto returned the unearned portion of your premium to the financing company that initially paid your premium” reminds me of the hilarious acts of The Three Stooges. On top of it you insult my intelligence and that of everyone else reading your hilarious “justification” of why I have not received the refund due me. What adds insult to injury is the fact that the financing company you make reference to is also owned by the Jack Ramirez clan. I venture to opine that you know that. After all, aren't you supposed to know your client?

Do you know what I believe? I strongly believe I am the victim of theft carried out by ruthless, greedy individuals who carry out their activities under the insurance license issued by the State of Florida and other authorities controlling the insurance industry.

You demand “an explanation for the contents of the subject blog and the specific basis for your allegation that United Auto has engaged in any unlawful conduct.” I published the facts (the truth!) under the protection of the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution and if you recognize those facts as unlawful conduct, then should you not have the obligation as an officer of the court to bring such unlawful conduct to the attention of the appropriate authorities? I, for one, stand ready to cooperate in and actively support the investigation of Mr. Jack S. Ramirez and his business enterprises.

I shall not remove “the defamatory article” from my website because I have published the truth and no retraction is necessary. Please abide by the legislation, specify the false statements, and I shall forthwith take corrective action.

Black’s Law Dictionary defines theft as follows: The taking of property without the owner’s consent. The fraudulent taking of personal property belonging to another. It is also said that theft is a wider term than larceny and that it includes swindling and embezzlement and that generally, one who obtains possession of property by lawful means and thereafter appropriates the property to the taker’s own use is guilty of a “theft”.
Isn’t your description, Mr. Feldman, of what happened to my property in tune with Black’s definition? And isn’t he who is guilty of theft a thief?

Mr. Feldman, permit me to share one final thought with you. Would I have heard from you if I had not filed a complaint with Tallahassee?
Are you a betting man? How much are you willing to wager Mr. Ramirez or one of his lieutenants instructed you to send your threatening letter to me only AFTER your clients heard from the Florida Department of Financial Services? Are you on?

Did Debbie Meyer get me stuck in mire with her GreenBags?

Whose ears wouldn’t perk when the message, “Prolong the life of your fruits and vegetables” hammers away on late-night television?
Let me confess before I go on: My home is occupied by one complete stranger to the mastery of kitchen- and food-related details; and all other occupants are delivering love only pets can muster without the skills of appraising the good and bad of ethylene gas.
I reached for my mouse and went hunting for the website. Dear Debbie is making her pitch on the Internet at http://www.greenbags.com/. With little hesitation I handed over $26.90 ($9.95 for the 20 green-colored bags + $6.95 for P&H +$10.00 for upgrading to the “Lockin’ GreenBags” version.

Here’s my experience:

• Of the 20 bags received 10 refused to open. In my struggles to open the obstinate baggies they wound up ripped to the point of no longer being qualified to hold anything.



• The remaining 10 bags were put to the test — unscientific, I hasten to add.
  I majored in mathematics and didn’t think much of (nor accomplished much either) in chemistry. Hence, dear Debbie’s reference to ethylene gas didn’t tell me much; actually it meant nothing to me.
  The 10-week test period has ended. The volunteer subjects from the fields of bananas, apples, broccoli, and carrots have been relieved of duty; some were enjoyed and others tossed into the garbage disposal. In either case, no distinction could be made where the candidates for permanent disposition came from, the protection of Debbie Meyer’s GreenBags or the exposure to Mother Nature.
  

That concludes my test — unscientific, I hasten to add.
The conclusion: I hereby confirm I am $26.90 poorer and dear Debbie Meyer is rolling in my dough.

Dr. Koop, do you know who you teamed up with?

Dear Dr. Koop:
“If Life Alert protection could enhance your quality of life and later, replace or delay going to a retirement facility, wouldn't you be interested in a FREE informational brochure?” asks the message on the website of Life Alert Emergency Response, Inc.
Your personal message on the website, http://www.lifealert.com/, and in TV infomercials — aimed at millions of senior citizens — is meant to fortify the sales pitch and give it credibility.
Permit me to share with you my experience; it isn’t very pretty. And here is why.
I dialed 1-800-360-0329 and asked for the brochure. Before it arrived, I was called by a company “personal representative” and was reminded of the used car salesman who tried to sell me a car some 50 years ago. High-pressure selling! That’s what it was called then and nothing has changed. Using heavy pressure and intimidation works so well with the elderly, you know.
When I suggested we wait until I have read and studied the brochure, I was informed the brochure does not contain much information; I would learn all there is to know in this telephone call; I should sign up right now; the system installation date would be scheduled right away; and my life would be saved so much sooner. And the pressure pitch went on. Give me your bank information right now and you will start saving thousands of dollars by replacing moving into a retirement facility with the Life Alert system.
“I need to read the contract before I hand over my bank information,” I argued. That’s a reasonable request I figured. After all, I will have to sign on the dotted line.
My “personal representative” was set on closing the sale on the same day and faxed the two-page “Security Center Monitoring Agreement and Retail Installment Agreement” from 818-700-7000 as soon as the sales call had ended.
I couldn’t read the contract I am required to sign. Can you? The nearly two pages of fine print confirmed the validity of the two-word descriptor of the long list of legalese. “How fine it is!” Jackie Gleason used to proclaim. Oops! The ageless exclamation was referring to sweetness. And I wasn’t about to seek the aid of a magnifying glass. Would you have?
About an hour or so later the phone rang again. My “personal representative” asked about the arrival of the fax and without loosing much of a breath asked for my bank information again. We want you to get started on the system as soon as possible was the justification.
“But I cannot read the contract,” I confessed bashfully.
Nobody has ever complained to me like that was the retort.
Dr. Koop, I trust you will be proud of me: I suggested I receive the readable contract in the mail and hung up the phone.
How reasonable is it to wonder how many senior citizens are pressured into making a commitment that may spell agony because of a significant financial obligation? Agony does not enhance one’s quality of life. Does it, Dr. Koop?
P.S.: I will mail a copy of this blog posting to you, C. Everett Koop, M.D., c/o Life Alert Emergency Response, Inc., National Headquarters, 16027 Ventura Blvd., Suite 400, Encino, CA 91436.

Hurricane Preparedness: Torrid Aftermath Shenanigans

With the hurricane season once again upon us, I urge one and all to also be prepared for the aftermath should the storm’s fury play havoc with our peace-of-mind lifestyle.

Please read these two postings. You find them in the Archives.

• 
  
  My posting of November 10, 2005, "Lady Wilma's Scorn," will hopefully convince you of the hurricane's strength.


• My posting of August 6, 2006, “Hitting the roof for a septuagenarian widow: The shameful business practices of dealing with helpless hurricane victims” tells a torrid story.

Is Cuisinart out of business?

On May 31, 2008, I emailed the following plea for help with four photos describing the broken part (two are displayed here) to customerservice@cuisinart.com, to wit:
"I own a Cuisinart SmartPower Chrome Blender 7-Speed Electronic, Model SPB-7CH, Serial Number 80120.
The part pictured below broke and I would appreciate your sending me a replacement.
Please let me know the cost and I will furnish you my credit card number or mail you my check.
Many thanks for your assistance."

So far there has not even been a peep from what I thought to be a reputable provider of kitchen appliances. After all, that’s why I purchased the blender from this company.
They either have gone out of business or don’t believe in customer service.
We all know the company is alive and well because people keep buying their products.
Have they now lost one customer — me? Let's face the facts: without replacing this small part, the blender is useless and if Cuisinart thinks I will run to the store to buy a replacement they are right because I need a working blender — BUT it will not be another Cuisinart. There are other companies that manufacture blenders.
What do you know? What’s been your experience?

What makes for honorable insurance practices?

Have you ever purchased insurance and in honorable fashion paid the premium and relied on the promises of the insurance company they would in honorable fashion pay claims submitted and do whatever else the laws of the land, regulatory agencies, and their own promises meant to guide them in their business practices prescribe?
Indeed, we hear so much about INSURANCE FRAUD which points the accusing finger at those who commit a felony crime taking FROM the insurance company.
What about the other way around? It’s the case where money goes TO the insurance company and is kept — without right and justification.
I cancelled my insurance because I decided to place my trust and confidence into the hands of a company I have confidence in.
In response to my advising them I have gone elsewhere, I received the ex-insurer’s cancellation notice which reads in part as follows:
NOTICE OF CANCELLATION
YOUR POLICY IS CANCELLED AS OF 12:01 A.M. April 26, 2008
REASON FOR CANCELLATION: INSURED REQUEST
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED POLICY, YOUR INSURANCE WILL CEASE AT AND FROM THE HOUR AND DATE MENTIONED ABOVE.
IF THE PREMIUM HAS BEEN PAID, ANY UNEARNED PREMIUM WILL BE MAILED TO YOU WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF CANCELLATION.
The unearned premium was not returned to me in a timely manner. I wrote on June 13, reminding my ex-insurer that I am still waiting for the return of the unearned premium. Forty-three (43!) days have gone by and I am still waiting.

• Has the United Automobile Insurance Company committed insurance fraud — a felony crime?
• Should I ever reconsider doing business with this company or its many affiliates, all of which are part of a big family business enterprise?
• Am I committing a dishonest act were I to recommend any of the companies operating under the umbrella of United Automobile Insurance Group (UAIG) and owned/managed by the 11 individuals listed below?

What do you think?

Before you decide on who to trust
with your insurance needs

Here are some facts gleaned from their website and other sources for your consideration
United Automobile Insurance Company (UAIC) was incorporated on March 2, 1989 in North Miami Beach, FL to provide a high quality and low cost insurance product to the non-standard automobile insurance market. The company is family owned and is one of the largest privately held property and casualty insurance companies in the United States.
UAIC’s Mission Statement
The mission of the United Automobile Insurance Company is to provide a quality, affordable insurance product to a diverse segment of the American population. Through constant analysis and investments in technology and infrastructure, UAIC will continue to grow, and will strive to become a leader in the nonstandard automobile insurance industry, while never losing sight of the underwriting discipline and claims philosophy that contribute to consistent underwriting profitability.

United Automobile Insurance Company
1313 NW 167 Street, Miami Gardens, FL 33169
305-935-2119; 305-935-5045 (Fax)
http://www.uaig.net/

These are the companies owned and operated by the 11 individuals listed below:

• United Automobile Insurance Company (UAIC)
• United Automobile Insurance Group, Inc. (UAIG)
• United Premium Finance Company
• Argus Fire & Casualty Insurance Company,
• National Insurance Management Company.
• NIMC Insurance Services, Inc,
• Safeway Premium Finance Company,
• Segura Premium Finance Company,
• Southwest Underwriters, Inc., and
• 3icomp, Inc.

The officers and directors of UAIC are

• Jack S. Ramirez, President and Director
• Michael R. Parrillo, Director
• Richard P. Parrillo Sr, Director
• Paul Polachek, Treasurer
• Patrick A. McCarthy, Director
• Charles J. Grimsley, Esq., Secretary

Since we are dealing here with a family-owned operation, there are more names to round up all who are engaged in running this pile of corporate enterprises as officers and directors:

• Beau W. Parrillo
• Barbara McCarthy
• Richard P. Parrillo Jr
• George Tarsitano
• Dennis Leon.

What will it take to get my money back?

Noble House Grove Isle Hotel & Club Truths

Facts, news and commentary focusing on Noble House Hotels & Resorts, owners and operators of the Grove Isle Hotel & Spa and the Grove Isle Club in Coconut Grove (Miami), Florida.We welcome your thoughts. Please post your comment.
NOBLE HOUSE LURES YOU: "For our guests, this means arriving into a very distinctive setting. As a result, each property has its own character, yet maintains the consistent, high standards of the collection as a whole."
Please visit http://www.nobletruths.blogspot.com/.

Majon International Matthew Hesser just takes the money

This company — claiming to be "Internet Marketing Specialists" — offers services to the public using the following websites: http://www.majon.us/, http://www.majon.com/, http://www.majon.cc/, http://www.majon.net/, http://www.safeannounce.com/, http://www.clickexposure.com/, and http://www.coolsurveys.com/. Majon International owner and president: Matthew Hesser, matthewh@majon.com

Please visit http://www.gotchatruths.blogspot.com/ for the story.

You Say the Time But Who Will Ring the Bell at the Appointed Hour?

Eureka! I've been looking for you and finally found you. But did I?

The Say the Time website (http://www.saythetime.com/) proudly proclaims, "It's a clock. It's a calendar. And it's so much more! Say the Time will help you to manage your time better than ever before — you'll wonder how you ever managed without it." BUT it doesn't nudge me gently in the morning or sound the alarm when the time has arrived to dress for tennis. Indeed, as you know, time flies.

I won't take up the space and valuable time to brag and list the features that make my day. Go to the Say the Time site and let them tell you. I love them all, BUT ...

Unfortunately, I am unable to put my RadioShack alarm clock out to pasture and reward it with a gold wrist watch for impeccable service for a quarter century of shrill-sounding but punctual service. Say the Time will not render this service.

I decided to do the good deed of the day and suggest the addition of this feature via a brief email message. The folks at Provenio Software Corporation, the program's publisher, won't let me do that. (What a pity!). I relented to jump through the silly hoops of clicking numerous boxes to identify myself and my reason for contacting someone at the company. (Oh, how I despise this complicated means of communicating a simple message!) Then I waited for a response and I am still waiting. Doesn't common courtesy call for a quick "Thank you" or "We will look into this" or something like this? Where has customer service gone?

The Bank of America Opportunity Revisited

This is a sequel to “Bank of America. What Is the Succorable American Opportunity?” posted on Wednesday, April 11, 2007.

#14 Email sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 3:26 PM
From: Heinz Dinter, PhD HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com
To: shirley.norton@bankofamerica.com
Subject: Research
TO: Mr. Kenneth D. Lewis, Chairman, CEO and President, Bank of America.
I invite your comments at my blog http://www.grandlifestyle.blogspot.com/.
Ms. Norton, please forward this message to Mr. Lewis.

[I found a way to be heard. I was unable to find a valid email address for the Bank of America CEO and president. Shirley Norton is one of the many Bank of America employees in the Newsroom catering to the media.]

Eureka! On Monday, April 16, I received a telephone call from Arin Faison, Assistant Vice President at the Bank of America Executive Office (direct line 813-882-1208) who promised to help — and she did.

#15 Email sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 9:49 AM
To: Arin Faison (Arin.Faison@bankofamerica.com)
Subject: My accounts
Good morning, Ms. Faison. Many thanks for your help yesterday.

[Ms. Faison was very helpful in creating new accounts and debit cards; she even untangled the mess of the $280 in overdraft charges triggered by the Bank of America blunder.]

#16 Email sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 3:33 PM
From: Faison, Arin Arin.Faison@bankofamerica.com
Subject: RE: My accounts
Mr. Dinter, I am more than happy to get the checks ordered for you. I will have them sent out complimentary [I supplied the emphasis] and expect them within 7-10 business days. I hope you have a great day! Thank you for your business,
Arin Faison, Assistant Vice President, Executive Relations

#17 Email sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 10:58 AM
To: Shelly Lewis (Shelana.M.Lewis@bankofamerica.com)
Subject: My Debit Card
Good morning, Ms. Lewis. On Monday, April 23, I visited your branch to have the PIN number of my new debit card activated. Will you kindly let me know the name of your colleague who rendered this service for me? Many thanks.

[What triggered this email is carefully reported to Ms. Faison in my email of May 8 presented below, labeled as #19, and bearing the subject “The tragic journey of my new Bank of America Platinum Check Card.” It is, indeed, a story most difficult to believe.]

#18 Email sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 3:21 PM
To: Shelly Lewis (Shelana.M.Lewis@bankofamerica.com)
Subject: My Debit Card
Good afternoon, Ms. Lewis. You have not yet replied to my email of April 25 sent at 10:58 am; it is shown below. I will very much appreciate receiving a reply. Thank you.

#19 Email sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 1:01 PM
To: Arin Faison (Arin.Faison@bankofamerica.com)
Subject: The tragic journey of my new Bank of America Platinum Check Card
Good afternoon, Ms. Faison. I hope you enjoyed your vacation and recharged your batteries. I waited a while because, I am sure, your inbox was filled to the brim upon your return. My email, however, is not intended to take advantage of your refreshed energies. However, I consider the events significant enough to document them here for you.

On Monday morning, April 23, I received the new debit card you had ordered for me. I placed the required telephone call to activate the card, but gave no thought to the PIN number. I didn’t realize there was an additional envelope with the new PIN among my mail.

My attempt to pay with the card at Costco on Monday afternoon failed. Calling Customer Service, I was advised the PIN number could be changed and activated at the branch office.

At approximately 2:00 pm I visited the Cutler Road Banking Center in Miami where I changed and activated the PIN number with the assistance of a Bank of America associate. I then used the card successfully on Monday.

Lo and behold, my attempt to use the card the following evening resulted in an incomprehensive surprise: My card was declined at Home Depot. The “declined” status was confirmed on Wednesday morning when I attempted to pay the $26 “bad check charge” which had resulted from the Bank of America debit to my account and the following not-carried-out advice the debit had been carried out in error and my account would be credited. The misleading communication also resulted in a $101 loss of credit I had in my Cingular account in addition to $110 bank charges not credited to my account. That’s what poor communication does.

A telephone call on Wednesday to Customer Service, then transferred to Bank of America’s Fraud Department, provided the shocking answer: My card had been reported stolen from the West Chester Bank of America branch in Miami on Tuesday afternoon. WOW! Who did the reporting, I asked. I was not given an answer. Why not? Why? What has happened to trust?

I did not report a theft. The card was in my possession and inaccessible to anyone else at all times. Only two (2) people in Miami knew the card number — I and the Bank of America employee at the Old Cutler Banking Center who assisted me on Monday. I will gladly cooperate in this matter if my assistance is called for.

On Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 10:58 am I sent the following email message to Ms. Shelana (“Shelly”) Lewis, manager of the Old Cutler Banking Center:
Good morning, Ms. Lewis.
On Monday, April 23, I visited your branch to have the PIN number of my new debit card activated.
Will you kindly let me know the name of your colleague who rendered this service for me?
Many thanks.
Not having received a reply, I sent another email at 3:21 pm on Thursday, April 26:
Good afternoon, Ms. Lewis. You have not yet replied to my email of April 25 sent at 10:58 am; it is shown below. I will very much appreciate receiving a reply. Thank you.

At 4:51 pm, Ms. Lewis telephoned and furnished me the name I had requested in my two emails: Lisa Sacco.

On Monday, April 30 I received a new card which I promptly activated. But, what a surprise. A second envelope had arrived containing a second card. I called Customer Service and was advised this second card is no good and should be destroyed. I did.

By the way, I received a letter from Bank of America “Foreign Clean Collections” advising me Bank of America charged me a $40 collection fee; none was charged by the Bank of Montreal. I am still at a loss about the way this transaction was handled.

Thank you again for your prompt help.

#20 Email sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 1:16 PM
To: Arin Faison (Arin.Faison@bankofamerica.com)
Subject: FW: Double trouble for ID theft victim - MSNBC.com
Ms. Faison, a friend shared this MSNBC.com report with me. I thought you like to know.
Latest post from: Double trouble for ID theft victim (http://redtape.msnbc.com/2007/05/id_thief_bounce.html).

#21 Email sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 9:05 AM
To: Arin Faison (Arin.Faison@bankofamerica.com)
Subject: Checks
Good morning, Ms. Faison. You had advised that you ordered complimentary checks for my new business account ****9285. The checks have not yet arrived. Please advise. I wish you a Happy Mother’s Day.

#22 Email sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 8:21 AM
To: Arin Faison (Arin.Faison@bankofamerica.com)
Subject: Mailing address
Good morning, Ms. Faison. Please let me know your mailing address. I wish to send you a thank you gift of one of my books.

#23 Email sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 3:59 PM
To: Arin Faison (Arin.Faison@bankofamerica.com)
Cc: Shelly Lewis (Shelana.M.Lewis@bankofamerica.com)
Subject: Account activities
Good afternoon, Ms. Faison. Though you did not reply to my email of May 8, 2007 identified by the subject, “The tragic journey of my new Bank of America Platinum Check Card,” I am compelled to communicate again.

On July 12, 2007, Bank of America paid what was supposed to be a check issued by me in the amount of $30. This so-called check is as phony as a three-dollar bill and was not issued by me. The following day, July 13, 2007, Bank of America took the opportunity and charged my account an “Overdraft Item Fee” in the amount of $35.

When I contacted Bank of America’s Customer Service, my telephone call was transferred to Bank of America’s Claims Department. Upon being advised a check fraud specialist would join in the call, an automated message followed and advised me that all representatives are busy and to try my call later. Bank of America then hung up on me.

Please advise forthwith what Bank of America will do. The account number is **** 0465.

#24 Email sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 1:03 PM
To: Arin Faison (Arin.Faison@bankofamerica.com); Shelly Lewis (Shelana.M.Lewis@bankofamerica.com)
Subject: Please close my two Bank of America accounts effective immediately
Dear Mses. Faison and Lewis:
It is unfortunate that you and your colleagues at Bank of America ignore my attempts to communicate.

Please close the following Bank of America accounts effective immediately:
Heinz Dinter, Account number **** 0465
Grand Lifestyle Publisher Inc., Account number **** 9285.

#25 Voicemail left on July 30, 2007 at 4:01 pm
This is Arin Faison with the Bank of America Executive Office.
I see that you sent me an email. However, I am unable to access it. I do see your subject line about closing your accounts. Unfortunately, that’s not something I can do for you via email; your emails are getting blocked.

[In an effort to assure that written communication is not interrupted by Bank of America’s blocking of my email communications, I faxed a letter to Mses Faison and Lewis containing my email message of July 30, 2007. There was no response.]

[To further make a concerted effort to communicate in writing
with Ms. Faison, I faxed a letter to Ms. Lewis on July 31
requesting Ms. Faison’s fax number. There was no response.]

On July 31, Bank of America debited my CLOSED business account the “Monthly Maintenance Fee” of $17, pulling this account into the red. Who would expect me to leave $17 or more in the account? Will the account now be hit every month with the monthly service fee and be accompanied by the $35 “Overdraft Item Fee?

What an OPPORTUNITY
to bolster the Bank of America profit margins!

Is this lawyer ethical? Is this judge guided by integrity? What about morality?

I present to you here facts embedded in my letter to help you understand. Then you will be able to judge and comment.

• The lawyer is Paul R. Marcus who is a member of The Florida Bar and is practicing in Miami.
• The judge is The Honorable Gloria Gonzalez-Meyer who is a County Court Judge in the County Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida.

June 18, 2007

Paul R. Marcus, Esq.
9990 SW 77 Avenue, Ph-1
Miami, FL 33156
Via Paul@MarcusCentre.com

Reference: Paul R. Marcus vs. Defendant

Dear Mr. Marcus:

On June 13, 2007, I faxed you my note bearing the following message:

Thank you, Mr. Marcus, for so promptly faxing me a copy of the Retainer
Agreement you presented to the Court today. Unfortunately, you only faxed me the
first three (3) pages. Please be so kind and fax me the remaining page(s) of the
Retainer Agreement, including the page containing your signature and that of the
Defendant. Many thanks.

You have not responded to my request.

At the trial on June 13 you represented to the Court the Retainer Agreement was duly signed by you with your signature stamp and was signed by the Defendant, your client. Though I requested to also see the Retainer Agreement following your showing the allegedly signed contract to the judge, my request was ignored by you and Judge Gonzalez-Meyer.

In an abundance of caution and based on the evidence or lack thereof, I describe your appearance before Judge Gonzalez-Meyer as dishonest and deceitful. You misled the Court in order to unjustifiably benefit materially from the Court’s ruling.

Here are some facts, for example, re the Retainer Agreement:
1. Your complaint states you represented the Defendant based on a verbal contract at $300 per hour.
2. Your response to the Request for Production re the Retainer Agreement states “Not Available at this time.”
3. Your response to the Interrogatories re the Retainer Agreement states “Same appears to have been misfiled.”

The Defendant and her mother can confirm under oath that the Defendant did NOT sign a Retainer Agreement. Will you under oath confirm your representation to the Court that you have in your possession a Retainer Agreement that was signed by you and the Defendant?

The handling of the award of costs and attorneys’ fees at the trial was improper and in violation of the Rules of Court.

Attorney fees and costs were awarded without any proof of entitlement!

This bogus trial and the resultant rulings were not based on facts with respect to the award of costs and fees. Is it now permissible for a judge to award costs and fees without requiring proof? Why are blatant lies uttered before the Court by an officer of the court neither challenged nor punished? Are we not setting a terrible precedent with devastating consequences for our system of justice? How can we have respect for our judiciary when power takes the place of justice?

One more point, Mr. Marcus. How dishonest, unethical and unprofessional is it to ask the Court for attorneys’ fees when the attorney who represented you in this case did not lift a finger?

I found it abhorrent to witness such blatant misuse of our judicial system as I observed in Courtroom 2-6 at the South Dade Justice Center on June 13, 2007. I am ashamed having to admit to others of what I witnessed. What transpired in this Miami courtroom must not be swept under the rug at the expense of the disfranchised and for the benefit of those wielding misused power.

Should unprofessional conduct by members of The Florida Bar and the Judiciary — and who are making a mockery of our system of justice — be investigated by the appropriate authorities charged with overseeing professional conduct? I think so.

By copy of this letter, I am asking Chief Judge Farina of the 11th Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida for guidance in proceeding with the disciplinary actions. I also pledge full cooperation with all entities pursuing inquiries into the issues raised.

Sincerely yours,
Heinz Dinter, PhD

Copies to:
The Honorable Gloria Gonzalez-Meyer
County Court Judge
South Dade Justice Center
10710 SW 211th Street
Miami, FL 33189-2834
Via mailto:ggonzalezmeyer@jud11.flcourts.org

The Honorable Joseph P. Farina
Chief Judge
Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
175 NW 1st Avenue, Room 3045
Miami, FL 33128-1835
Via jfarina@jud11.flcourts.org

Here are some postcript comments and thoughts:

• The Defendant is a single mother who turned to Mr. Marcus for help in a child support matter.
• Do you wish to learn the many details of how Mr. Marcus carried out his representation?
• Are there other cases Mr. Marcus has taken to the Court to seek a judgment in support of his efforts for collecting money (earned and unearned) — fees and costs?
• How much money has Mr. Marcus contributed to the election campaign coffer of Judge Gonzalez-Meyer?
• Why must competent judges beg for money from lawyers to finance their reelection campaigns?
• Who will come to the rescue of SINGLE MOTHERS?

Mosey Along With Mozy Online Backup

“Download and install Mozy to ensure your data is safely backed up at a secure, remote location.”

And what we faced will astound you.

Dear Mr. Johnston, I addressed an email on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 4:36 pm to someone at Berkeley Data Systems in American Fork, Utah, who had identified himself as Benjamin Johnston in Customer Support for the Mozy Online Backup program (http://www.mozy.com/).

Frankly, I should have addressed my email to Josh Coates, founder and CEO of Berkeley Data.

The company’s website provides Web browsers with the following information:

“Berkeley Data Systems is an emerging software technology company that specializes in data protection. In 2006 Berkeley Data released the Mozy Online Backup service to home users; and in 2007, Berkeley Data released MozyPro to businesses and resellers. Today the company has more than 180,000 total customers worldwide. Founded in 2005, Berkeley Data Systems is funded by Novell co-founder Drew Major, Tim Draper of Draper, Fisher, Jurvetson; and Wasatch Ventures. For information, visit http://www.berkeleydata.com/.”

I am responding to your email of May 15, 2007 sent at 11:10 am and which I labeled “Email Message Number 21” below.

Your claim of having sent an email to me on Monday evening via support@mozy.com is not credible because I have not received it though we have received others from that address, including your company’s auto response emails, or your claim confirms the lack of Berkeley Data System’s credibility and the lack of trust in the Mozy Online Backup services.

Furthermore, you make the following promise in your auto response emails: “[J]ust to let you know that our hours are between 7:00AM and 5:00PM Mountain Time Monday through Friday. If you've contacted us within these times, you can expect an answer before the end of the day. If you've caught us after hours, we'll answer your email the next business day.” That promise is false as our documented experience shows. Please see below.

Below I document in detail my many efforts pleading for Berkeley Data System’s help to solve the very severe problems we encountered in our attempts to make the Mozy Online Backup system work and in the process we suffered significant damages because of your irresponsible actions, the flaws in the Mozy Only Backup program, and your lack of support. We struggled for eight (8) full days and were unable to attend to our business during this time period. We had no choice but to remove the Mozy Only Backup program from our computer and cancel the service.

It appears your Mozy Only Backup has not been fully debugged and tested and your customer support service is lacking the expertise and/or dedication to service necessary to gain credibility in the marketplace. We shall submit the issues pertaining to the quality and reliability of the Mozy Online Backup system and the required support services that must go hand in hand with such services to the Internet marketplace for feedback and invite you to participate in addressing the issues at hand.

I have said it before: I am very disappointed in the quality of the Mozy Only Backup service and the dismal support rendered by Berkeley Data systems.

Berkeley Data Systems has misrepresented and continues to misrepresent the program performance and support capabilities of the Mozy Online Backup system and services.

Here follows the detailed documentation of our unsuccessful efforts in making the Mozy Online Backup work which documentation will be carefully annotated and explained in the blog which I hope you will visit to post your comments.

In summary of our efforts over a period of 12 days to make the Mozy Online Backup program run successfully, a total of 22 email were exchanged between me and Customer Support at Berkeley Data Systems:
1. I sent 14 emails pleading for help and, finally, giving up and advising Berkeley Data Systems I removed the program and cancelled the Mozy Online Backup service.
2. Mozy Support responded with 5 auto response emails promising to answer not later than the next business day, none of which resulted in an answer.
3. Mozy Support responded with 3 emails, none of which resulted in any help.

In all my struggles trying to get help from Berkeley Data Systems, I have not even addressed yet the severe performance degradation of my computer when Mozy Online Backup is running.

Do you wish to learn the details of our experience? It's a long story, but I will gladly comply. Please send me an email at HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com.

With support like this, how can you sleep in peace,
trust the Mozy Online Backup program
backs up your data properly,
and your data are safe in the hands of
Berkeley Data Systems?

The bottom line: Mozy is not (yet?) fit to be entrusted with your data.

mosey —verb (without object)
1. to wander or shuffle about leisurely, stroll, saunter (often fol. by along, about, etc.
2. to leave quickly, decamp.

Saddle up and come mozy down ...

Bank of America. What Is the Succorable American Opportunity?

After fifty-five years of mutually beneficial banking relationships, including the last five with the "Bank of Opportunity," I now observe in awe the verification of a medieval Latin legal principle exceptio probat regulam in casibus non exceptis ("the exception confirms the rule in the cases not excepted"). Not included here is the confiscation of my tiny savings by the communist regime when, at the age of 17, I turned my back on dictatorial brutality and sought a lifestyle of freedom in America — the America of Opportunity.

When a problem arises, there's no better vehicle toward a mutually beneficial resolution than communication. I suffer from the lack thereof.

Who can help get a message to Kenneth D. Lewis, Chairman, CEO and President of Bank of America? Don’t you think the chief executive of a major enterprise — and a bank serving people at that — would like to know what’s going on? And I am not just referring to foofaraw. Who can deliver the magic?

An unbiased, objective review of documented problems affecting customers is key to reward-deserving customer service.

The local branch manager in Miami, Shelana Lewis (305-233-8340; Shelana.M.Lewis@bankofamerica.com) ignores all my telephone calls and emails; and an email to Kenneth.D.Lewis@bankofamerica results in a “User unknown” response. I scoured http://www.bankofamerica.com/ in search of a viable email address (Ms. Lewis had ignored my request) and, lo and behold, find one embedded in a PDF file. It's a news release titled "Bank of America To Unveil New Brand Campaign Celebrating the Power of Opportunity." It belongs to Joe Goode at joseph.l.goode@bankofamerica.com. Unfortunately, Mr. Goode claimed not to have received the email addressed to Mr. Lewis, but emailed to Mr. Goode’s address. I sent the email again. Not having heard from anyone, I am willing to wager my communication to Chairman Ken Lewis landed in File 13. Is that the fate of all problems created by customers, employees, or both?

Each effort to communicate described above resulted in complete failure. Not a single response was forthcoming. I conclude managers, higher-ups, junior and senior executives — those with authority and decision-making power — do not communicate with customers. Where is the “Bank of Opportunity” slogan aimed?

Charlotte, we have a problem. That’s Charlotte, North Carolina, the headquarters of Bank of America.

Kenneth D. Lewis: "Bank of America helps build strong communities by creating opportunities for people — including customers, shareholders and associates — to fulfill their dreams."

Are the pursuit of profit and compassionate, dedicated customer service mutually exclusive business activities?

Is this “Customer Service”
YOU consider satisfactory?

I list below my attempts to communicate with Shelana M. Lewis, Assistant Vice President and Banking Center Manager of a local Bank of America branch (details, explanations and commentary are forthcoming):

#1 Email sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 12:51 PM — NO RESPONSE
#2 Email sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 8:15 AM — NO RESPONSE
#3 Email sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 8:29 AM — NO RESPONSE
#4 Email sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 8:38 AM — NO RESPONSE
#5 Phone call placed Thursday, April 05, 2007 1:34 PM — NO RESPONSE
#6 Phone call placed Friday, April 06, 2007 9:11 AM — NO RESPONSE
#7 Email sent Friday, April 06, 2007 12:27 PM — NO RESPONSE
#8 Phone call placed Friday, April 06, 2007 1:50 PM — NO RESPONSE
#9 Email sent Monday, April 09, 2007 9:02 AM — NO RESPONSE
#10 Email sent Monday, April 09, 2007 1:19 PM — NO RESPONSE
#11 Email sent Wednesday, April 11, 2007 1:16 PM — NO RESPONSE
#12 Email sent Thursday, April 12, 2007 3:56 PM — NO RESPONSE
#13 Email sent Friday, April 13, 2007 11:44 AM — NO RESPONSE

These 13 attempts to communicate cover a period of twenty-four (24) consecutive days, not the five (5) years I have been a customer of Bank of America — Bank of Opportunity.

Additional research discovered additional Bank of America staff members with email addresses — all confined to the “Newsroom” at www.bankofamerica.com:

Bank of America in the Community

ernesto.anguilla@bankofamerica.com, greg.barnard@bankofamerica.com, susan.povak@bankofamerica.com, vickie.b.tassan@bankofamerica.com

Consumer Banking

betty.riess@bankofamerica.com, john.greaves@mbna.com, diane.wagner@bankofamerica.com, joe.miller@bankofamerica.com, shirley.norton@bankofamerica.com

Marketing

joseph.l.goode@bankofamerica.com

The New AT&T: Ask Not For Whom the Bell Tolls

Call it desperation or utter frustration. I saw no other effective option to get a problem solved. I sent the following email.

From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 4:17 PM
To: Michael Coe (mcoe@attnews.us)
Cc: Cheryl Urqhart (CherylUrqhart@bellsouth.com)
Subject: Ask Not for Whom the Bell Tolls

TO: Mr. Edward E. Whitacre Jr., Chairman & CEO, AT&T Inc.
c/o Mr. Michael Coe, Media Relations, mcoe@attnews.us

Dear Mr. Whitacre:

Ask Not for Whom the Bell Tolls

My sincere congratulations on AT&T’s acquisition of BellSouth at the beginning of the year — accompanied by ardent wishes from all who clamor for the peace of mind free from frustration-inducing services that the merger will truly mean we, the consumers, “will continue [sic] to get the same affordable products, dependable service, and local commitment you [that’s us, the consumers] expect.” (I gleaned this message from your website, www.att.com.)

In the past — spanning decades of monopolistic and then freedom-of-choice communication services — when BellSouth services went awry, I tempered my desire to bid Ma Bell adieu because apologies and promises made me believe. And then it happened again.

Let me share with you the gist of the dilemma I was subjected to — the details are (hopefully) imbedded in the files of the BellSouth computer system. If not, I will gladly assist and share with you the documentation that detail what happened and the actions of those who “screwed things up royally.”

I moved from one end of the Magic City to another dictating a change in telephone numbers, but making only one change in the BellSouth services I was subscribed to: I agreed to pay an additional monthly fee of $9.00 to switch from the BellSouth FastAccess DSL Xtreme 3.0 (promising speeds of 3 Mbps) to the Bellsouth FastAccess DSL Xtreme 6.0 service that promises speeds of 6 Mbps and, I was assured, is delivered in that section of Miami I had moved to. (As an aside, don’t you think I am wasting my money because I have yet to benefit from a speed in excess of 2.9 Mbps? Thoughts of misrepresentation in light of competitive pressures also come to mind.) My move and transfer of telephone services succeeded without a hitch.

BUT THEN … the telephone began to ring incessantly with BellSouth telemarketers offering me BellSouth services I was not subscribed to.

AND THEN … I succumbed and fell victim to the BellSouth siren’s pitch tangling a sweet carrot in front of my nose — BellSouth will reward me with $75 if I sign up for unlimited domestic long distance. Wow! What a deal! Yes, I admit, I grabbed this sweet deal. AND NOW I PAY FOR IT DEARLY. Oh, Ma Bell, what have you wrought!

Without my authorization and without my knowledge, BellSouth turned my Complete Choice® Two-Line Plan into two, separate “Complete Choice® Plans.” The “Complete Choice® Two-Line Plan” turned my first line into a “Complete Choice® Plan” (one line) and reduced the “Total Local Monthly Service” fee by $14.95. My second line, also labeled “Complete Choice® Plan” (one line), has turned into a $201.79 monster bill and, I presume, is climbing every day.

Instead of benefiting from the “unlimited domestic long distance” plan, my BellSouth bill now lists long distance calls at 18 cents per minute. (Prior to signing up for the BellSouth unlimited domestic long distance, I enjoyed the savings of using a competitive service at 8 cents per minute.)

Instead of benefiting from not having to pay for an international calling plan because I did not subscribe to it, yes, you guessed correctly: I am now being charged a monthly fee labeled by BellSouth “International Select Value Plan.” I neither need nor authorized this service. Mr. Whitacre, all my international calls are conducted in a money-saving fashion with Skype at www.skype.com.

Oh, about the reward I was promised. A postcard arrived over the weekend from BellSouth advising me “you did not have the services required to receive this reward.

My second telephone line advises callers now that it “is being checked for trouble” and it appears that “checking” will continue unless I make myself a willing, obsequious AT&T/BellSouth customer.

As we all should surmise, the $75 carrot is meant to turn into a windfall, unearned profit for AT&T. Don’t you agree, Mr. Whitacre?

Who needs to tango with Ma Bell and suffer elevated hypertension when telephone services (the wired and the wireless kind), rate-reduced domestic and international telephoning, multi-channel television services, and high-speed Internet access beckon from several sources?

I DID NOT ORDER/REQUEST/ASK FOR/SUBSCRIBE TO or otherwise do anything that would or should turn my account with BellSouth for the Complete Choice® Two-Line Plan into the above-described horrific mess.

The BellSouth services of the Talmi gold variety do, indeed, dictate attention.

Addressing the worldwide Internet audience from your website at www.att.com, you proclaim as follows: “What does the AT&T-BellSouth merger mean to you? … It also means that in the near future, you will be able to take advantage of innovative services that combine the best of wireless and wireline, enhanced customer care, and greater convenience in buying communications and entertainment services for your home and business.” It makes common sense to believe you and hope for the better in the near future. Can we?

I trust you won’t treat my report to you as a foofaraw not worth your attention and a follow-up.

Sincerely,

Heinz Dinter, PhD

C: Ms. Cheryl Urqhart, Manager, BellSouth, CherylUrqhart@bellsouth.com

Heinz Dinter, PhD, Editor & Publisher
Grand Lifestyle Publisher
HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com
305-251-4944 • 305-251-4825 (Fax) • HDinter (Skype)
PO Box 558250 • Miami, FL 33255 USA

www.GrandLifestyle.com • www.GrandLifestyle.blogspot.com
www.ChuckleThink.com • www.miamiMagic.net • www.MiamiCondoNews.net
NEW RELEASES:
101 Tips For Spurring Business Success
Condo Serfs

No response in support of solving the problem. What am I to do? Give up and leave this problem in limbo? NOT ON YOUR LIFE! Quitting is definitely not an option.

Thank you, Mr. Whitacre, for listening. The problem was solved

satisfactorily before Mr. Watts' letter arrived.

I do wish the "NEW AT&T" well.