mac-phisto commented on What Would You Do For Free Gas?

"@Bladefist: the thing is, we're missing a MASSIVE opportunity here - this is a chance to invest in conservation & reap the benefits for years to come."

mac-phisto commented on Brooklyn Ice Cream Shop Owner Stole $25,000 From Customers

"@P41: i'm sure there will be other charges, but the id theft comes in b/c essentially he was acting as the owners of the cards when he swiped them - he was assuming their identity. ==== i imagine he got away with it as long as he did b/c of small charge amounts - cc issuers pay for chargebacks ($10-$20), so some opt to just eat small charges that their cardholders dispute. i wouldn't be surprised if it was also determined that he was selling card data - that's quite a lucrative business & restaurateurs are often courted as a source for data (b/c of the ease of skimming data in a restaurant atmosphere). a few posts back, i ranted about how the networks (visa/mc) don't do enough to prevent fraud & enforce their rules - this is essentially what i was talking about."

mac-phisto commented on Starbucks Charged Me Extra For The Vanilla In My "Vanilla Latte"

"@FatalisticDread: i see you opted for the double espresso."

mac-phisto commented on Starbucks Charged Me Extra For The Vanilla In My "Vanilla Latte"

"@FatalisticDread: dude, -1 on reading comprehension."

mac-phisto commented on Starbucks Charged Me Extra For The Vanilla In My "Vanilla Latte"

"@ludwigk: then take 30¢ out of the tip cup."

mac-phisto commented on Starbucks Charged Me Extra For The Vanilla In My "Vanilla Latte"

"@jaredutah: in my area, the double cheeseburger came off the dollar menu this past winter."

mac-phisto commented on Starbucks Charged Me Extra For The Vanilla In My "Vanilla Latte"

"simple - take it out of the tip. a great one at dunkin donuts used to cost $1.92."

mac-phisto commented on Plan a Money-Free Weekend

"well, i like tag saling & flea markets, which technically would involve spending money, but i can walk around without a dime in pocket - i just like looking at other people's junk."

mac-phisto commented on The 43.5% APR Credit Card

"@chrisjames: p.a."

mac-phisto commented on FDA: Go Ahead And Eat Tomatoes, We Give Up

"@hurkon: nah - the book had a profound impact on me & i still eat lots of meat. i just tend to stay away from delicacies like chicken in a can."

mac-phisto commented on L.L. Bean Backpacks Are For Trusting Souls

"@Superawesomerad: & as an expatriate, i think i can speak for (most) maniacs by saying, "thanks for visiting our coast, not straying west of the turnpike, nor north of bar harbor & feel free to leave the way you came, twice as fast as you got here.""

mac-phisto commented on FDA: Go Ahead And Eat Tomatoes, We Give Up

"@hurkon: i know you're at least half-joking, but if you haven't read it already, read "the jungle" by upton sinclair."

mac-phisto commented on 10 Banks That Could Be Next To Go Under

"@InfiniTrent: it's where the first bank was built."

mac-phisto commented on What Does A Bank Run Look Like In 2008? A Lot Like 1912.

"@mac-phisto: should be right on at the beginning there."

mac-phisto commented on What Does A Bank Run Look Like In 2008? A Lot Like 1912.

"@Techguy1138: ht on - & the most recent change was to raise the limit on retirement accounts to $250,000 - i believe that change was made within the last few years. this was in response to pressure from certain forces within the government to raise the limit, but instead of an across-the-board increase, they opted to just increase retirement accounts."

mac-phisto commented on 10 Banks That Could Be Next To Go Under

"@smonkey: b/c banks are "safe" (as in, you can't lose your money) vs."

mac-phisto commented on L.L. Bean Backpacks Are For Trusting Souls

"@JerBearHtL42: no kidding!"

mac-phisto commented on Did UBS Help Rich Americans Hide Billions Of Dollars In Liechtenstein?

"@JustThatGuy3: actually, i clearly do, but thanks for playing! if ubs were to fail, their premiums would only be a drop in the bucket compared to what the u.s."