Dale sent us his lengthy missive to Steve Jobs:

I am writing this in regards to an issue I have had with an iPod nano, first generation. I have included the relevant pictures of my iPod after this incident and links to related issues.

I had plugged the iPod in to charge on Saturday August 16, 2008. I was using the USB cable that came with the iPod and charging via the USB port on my PC. After being plugged in for somewhere between 5-10 minutes I heard a sizzling sound. I looked down on the iPod just in time to see it explode open and start shooting sparks and spewing smoke. I managed to unhook the iPod from my computer's USB port immediately. I had noticed that a small fire had started on the table I had the laptop and the iPod sitting on, and I managed to extinguish those flames quickly before any apparent damage could be done to my laptop. Unlike in other cases, I've read about, my iPod continued to spew smoke and spit sparks while throwing out some kind of sooty substance from the inside of the iPod for several minutes after removing the cable from the computer. I moved the still spitting iPod from the table and placed it on a book case across the room. I noticed that while doing this, the iPod was still extraordinarily hot to the touch.

I immediately called up the apple tech support line while I opened a window to clear the smoke out of my apartment. After weeding through their electronic menu, I was put on hold for around 15 minutes. This gave me some time to calm down, and after telling the representative that my iPod nano exploded, I was transferred directly to the customer support supervisor at the time. His extension is X86702. He walked me through a 20 minute survey regarding the issue before putting me on hold again to contact the "engineers". After this, he informed me that he did not get through, but would hear back from them that evening for certain. I was also informed that Apple would replace my iPod regardless at this point even though it's older. I have to take a few moments to commend him as he seemed to genuinely want to help me. I had asked what I could do to get a replacement iPod ASAP. I was told to go to the nearest apple store and they should be able to replace it. I also asked if it was ok to make an appointment for that evening, and I was told it would be fine as we should have heard back from the "engineers" by then.

After waiting several hours and not hearing back from the supervisor, I attempted to contact him at the extension and number I was given. This was transferred directly to his voicemail and I did not hear back from him that night. I had then traveled to the local apple store in Pittsburgh, PA to see what could be done about the iPod. Here I was told that "it's been submitted as a request to the 'engineers' and can't be handled". The support tech at the Genius Bar seemed genuinely concerned and opened a separate case file to see if he could do anything to help me out. He found out that all he could do was submit it to the engineers who would NOT be in until monday. At this point, I became overly frustrated that the original tech had led me to believe this issue could have been sorted out that day. Also I do not think I'm being unreasonable by asking a company to replace the iPod with a different iPod product, as I could easily have been hurt or injured by the one that had malfunctioned!

I had asked the tech if there's any way he can replace it as the guy on the phone had told me that the local store could swap it out. He then went into the office to confer with the manager and the GM via phone. He returned to tell me that they can NOT exchange the iPod, and can only escalate the claim to the "engineers". At which point, I became upset that, once again, the original tech was wrong that this could be handled on-site at the local apple store. I once again asked if they could do anything as I'm overly frustrated with the service I'm receiving; I was told that the iPod would be replaced regardless. At this point, the tech went back to the office to confer once again with the manager.

The manager comes out with the tech shortly after and explains to me that no one at apple has EVER heard of this happening (although, I have found articles that counter this), and that she did not believe there was anything that she could do. She asked me to "do her a favor" and wait until monday night (EST) to handle this matter. I informed her that I understand that she's stuck in a hard situation, but I was promised by someone in the support that this could be handled at a local store, and that the iPod would be replaced. She walks back into the back room, and shortly returns with a phone number. She calls up the GM and puts him on the phone with me. At this point, I want to commend the in-store staff as they seemed concerned about this issue and really wanted to make it right. I really do not wish to paint the store employees in a bad way as they had really tried to help me. The GM is, of course, another issue.

The GM gets on the phone and tells me who he is and he's sorry to hear this. He goes on to inform me that they CAN NOT and WILL NOT give me another iPod. He mentions that this has to go to the engineers first before he will even CONSIDER dealing with the issue. I mention that I have read the reports of this happening before, and that there are numerous instances. He scoffs at this and implies that this is a completely unusual occurrence and no one he knows of has heard of it.

I mention to him that the guy at tech support had told me this can be replaced at the local store. Once again, he says that NOTHING will be done until the engineers look at the iPod, and until he talks with them on monday. I ask why that is, and he says "to make sure there are no safety issues or concerns." I asked what were the issues regarding the safety, to which he replied "there are numerous things that could probably cause this". I asked him to name a few, and was met with "the list is too long to mention." I found this odd, as he had told me before he had never heard of this issue, yet could think of a long list of things that could cause an iPod to explode and catch fire.

I continued to ask what the safety issue would be if he just replaced the iPod. To which he said "it could be the cables". I told him that the tech support on the phone informed me that i should not use those cables, and that they would be replaced when the iPod is. The GM informs me that they DO NOT replace cables. I continued to say, but, if he was to replace the iPod and the cables, that it would eliminate any safety risk. He assured me that was not the case. I then informed him that it sounds like he was accusing me of intentionally doing this to my iPod. He claimed he wasn't, but I pointed out that if you replace any and all apple hardware involved, there's no safety issue, UNLESS the issue is with my existing hardware that's not apple. he informed me that that was not the case. I informed him that if this was due to a defective iPod, replacing the iPod eliminates the safety issue. He told me that it might not be that case. To which I asked, what exactly safety issue there was if the fault was NOT with apple software. He repeated that they need to look over the iPod to determine any safety issues before even considering replacing the iPod. I became very frustrated at this point that he was trying to use double speak in order to make excuses and push the blame onto me.

At this point I offered to leave the faulty iPod with the apple store to send off to the engineers as needed, but that I wanted my iPod replaced as I was promised by the tech on the phone. The GM informs me that the tech was in no way, shape, or form allowed to make that guarantee to me. At this point, and I am ashamed to say, I lost my temper with the GM. I told him that I was not pleased at all with this service since I was promised that the iPod would be replaced, and yet it was not going to be. The GM informed me that he wasn't even sure if it NEEDED to be replaced let alone if apple WOULD replace it. After this turn, my language became peppered with profanity. The GM continued on to tell me that he's not going to do anything about the issue, and that I could sit there all night and tell him how he should handle it, but it is NOT now he will handle it.

In other words, the GM wanted to take up more of my time in order to try and push the blame on me for the iPod breaking, completely negate anything I was told originally by tech support, and try to get me out of their store as quickly as he could without doing anything to resolve the issue.

After reading another issue or two, it appears as though apple is now saying that even if it is a faulty piece of equipment and does damage to other objects or people, that it is NOT their responsibility to replace it unless you have a current warranty. I had not picked up the extended warranty due to the fact that, at the time, I had not received word of any issues. Now, I am fully regretting that decision as I'm sure that they would not allow me to take out a warranty now to cover the issue. This upsets me as they have made a precedent to replace products, even out of warranty, if the issue is due to a severe product malfunction such as this.

After this, I can fully say that I am not pleased at all with how this issue has been handled by apple. I have been informed of an email address within the Apple company, and I plan on sending a copy of this email, along with the pictures to that address also. From the various stories I have read, of which I have included links, it has been made clear that this is NOT an isolated incident as Apple would have me believe. I do not feel that Apple has been doing a sufficient job of resolving this matter in any way, shape, or form. Based on the other reports, I do not have much hope that this matter will be resolved in any timely fashion, that my iPod will be replaced, that I will be compensated for anything, that I will get an apology for their tech support making claims that they were not permitted to, or for the store obviously not being on the same page as tech support. Frankly, in my search for information regarding the iPod, I've found other reports that claim this type of fault for other issues. This ranges from problems with computers, to mp3 players, and even to censoring comments and forum posts regarding bugs with their products. By bringing this up, I hope to make it known that these type of issues appear to be common with apple. Like other manufacturers, they sometimes produce faulty products, however, they seem to want to protect their corporate image and pockets more than make up for their faulty product. In this case, it was a known issue with this model of iPod and the company did not seem to make any motions to address the issue. I hope that by making this public, people may be able to avoid this issue happening with their own electronics, and that they may be prepared for what they would have to deal with in the process of attempting to resolve the issue. While Apple may produce numerous ad campaigns that make them seem almost invincible, their products are like any others: buyer beware.

The fiery Nano:

Dale's burnt desk:

The pictures look awfully similar to other iPods that have spontaneously combusted.

This iPod exploded yesterday and we don't see the harm in giving Apple a day to sort out what went wrong. Still, we're not sure how the engineers can do much without the physical unit, and it would seem wise for the Apple store to have an unspoken policy of 'Return Exploded iPod, Get 1 Free!'

Update: Apple agreed to replace the iPod.

Joanna is, of course, disputing the claim.

The video is still up, but now Viacom gets access to her video statistics. The worst part is the fear Joanna has that something she slaved and sweat over could be taken away from her. "I'm just a scared that my little film will be lost in the shadow of the hulking monolith...," she wrote on her blog. Also on her blog is a comment by another filmmaker indicating Joanna isn't the only filmmaker Viacom has fraudulently targeted in this manner.

YouTube used to be cool but the site allowing actions like this show how much it's become just another co-opted drek-hole... all because they're too cheap to hire enough people to vet either the uploads or the corporate takedowns.

Below, a screenshot of the creepy and baseless stake-claiming.

Viacom Wants To Steal My Film [Channel Federator Raw]
Juxtaposer [YouTube]

Eagan couple's sex ads on craigslist were a setup for ID theft [StarTribune] (Thanks to Gregg!)

After announcing deals on watches and exercise equipment, the email invites readers "Take 5 with Patrick, " which involves the CEO likening Wikipedia to mind-control and Wall Street corruption. Apparently the feud between Wikipedia and Overstock goes way back. Back in late 2006, someone from Overstock edited the company's Wikipedia page to read like an advertisement. This was reverted by one of the site's editors. Over the next few months, Overstock's "director of social media," Judd Bagley, used dozens of Wikipedia identities to revert Overstock's entry and harass editors. Overstock also began a site called antisocialmedia.net, run by Bagley. Fed up, Wikipedia banned all Overstock. IP addresses from editing Wikipedia pages. Since then, Byrne has used his "Take 5 with Patrick" postings to disseminate articles such as "Social Media - Hijacking the Discourse," "How to Handle a Corrupt Reporter," "A Small Thing Called, the First Amendment," and "Our Corrupt Federal Regulator the SEC."

Take 5 with Patrick
Forbes journalist Gary Weiss's posts about Overstock

"We're filling that black box of uncertainty — 'Has my pizza been forgotten?' — with information and entertainment," says Chris McGlothlin, technology chief at Domino's.

The system goes up Wednesday at 3,400 Domino's outlets and will be in all stores by June 30, he says. It even gives folks the first names of the workers who take their phone order and deliver their pizza — and asks customers to rate them.

Any customer comments about inappropriate behavior by order takers or delivery staff will be investigated, spokesman Tim McIntyre says.

Pizza Tracker
Where's your Domino's pizza? Track it online [USAToday]

"Sandvine already counts top U.S. cable provider Comcast Corp (CMCSA) among its customers, Barron's said." - Easing network debate may aid Allot/Sandvine-paper, Reuters, Sun Apr 8, 2007

Here's the orginal Barron's article (subscription required): Here's How the Drama Over 'Net Neutrality End

Sandvine also posted the article in the press archives section on their very own website.

Oops. Hard to play the no comment game when the facts are already in print.

PREVIOUSLY:
LEAKS: Insider Tells Us There's Proof Comcast Contracts BitTorrent Sabotaging To Sandvine
Comcast's "We Don't Throttle BitTorrent" Internal Talking Points Memo

All,
You may get customers who are contacting us with regard to several articles which were published recently, accusing Comcast of blocking or otherwise filtering customers' Internet traffic. An in-depth AP story suggests Comcast is hindering our customers' ability to use BitTorrent, a peer to peer file sharing program. If a customer contacts us to inquire about this, please use the following talking points.

Comcast does not block access to any applications, including BitTorrent

We respect our customers' privacy and we don't monitor specific customer activities on the Internet or track individual online behavior, such as which websites they visit. Therefore, we do not know whether any individual user is visiting BitTorrent or any other site...

We have a responsibility to provide all of our customers with a good experience online and we use the latest technologies to manage our network. This is standard practice for ISPs and network operators all over the world.

We rarely disclose our vendors or our processes for operating our network both for competitive reasons and to protect against network abuse.

If a customer asks:
I read that Comcast is limiting customer access to BitTorrent. Is this true?

Respond:
No. We do not block access to any applications, including BitTorrent. We also respect our customers' privacy and don't monitor specific customer activities on the Internet or track individual online behavior, such as which websites they visit. Therefore, we do not know whether any individual user is visiting BitTorrent or any other site.

We have a responsibility to provide all of our customers with a good experience online and we use the latest technologies to manage our network. This is standard practice for ISPs and network operators all over the world.

Are you working with Sandvine as these reports claim?

Respond:
We rarely disclose our vendors or our processes for operating our network both for competitive reasons and to protect against network abuse.

Please do not deviate from the responses above. If you have any questions about this issue, please reach out to Brian Becker, Gene Bridges or myself.

Thanx...
________________________________________
Michael S. Groman
Manager / IP Support
MD-DE-RCH Region

The insider tells us that employees were told not to say a word outside the pre-ordained script. Management said that anyone who otherwise discussed the issue would be terminated. A meeting was held last week to cover the issue as well.

Our source says, "It is definitely being covered under tight wraps. Why else would they go through with all this if they didn't have anything to hide?"

UPDATE: Insider Tells Us There's Proof Comcast Contracts BitTorrent Throttling To Sandvine

(Photo: cmorran123)

First, try these:

PayPal Buyer Credit 866-571-3012 Say "agent" at each prompt, ignoring messages.
PayPal F 888-221-1161 Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages.

Failing these, inside are 300 other internal numbers that might get you what you're looking for...

e(402)935-2114 Kay P. ACH / Check Service
(402)935-2212 ACH Processing Main Line ACH / Check Services
(402)935-2284 cindy ACH / Check Services Processing / Bank Only
(402)935-2295 Chuck ACH / Check Services Processing Manager
(402)935-2255 Jasmine Account Review
(402)935-2256 Jamie Account Review
(402)935-2257 Jamie Account Review
(402)935-2328 Chris Account Review
(402)935-2333 Luke Account Review
(402)935-2114 Kay P. ACH / Check Services
(402)935-2212 ACH Processing Main Line ACH / Check Services
(402)935-2284 cindy ACH / Check Services Processing / Bank Only
(402)935-2295 Chuck ACH / Check Services Processing Manager
(402)935-2223 Sheryl AUP Compliance
(402)935-2250 Katrina AUP Compliance
(402)935-2275 Lisa AUP Compliance
(402)935-2332 Julie Gonzales AUP Compliance
(402)935-5140 Alahandre Elise(?) AUP Compliance
(402)935-2029 Todd Business Development
(402)935-5126 Shane Business Development Schedule: 8:30~5PM M-F
(402)935-5197 Ken Holston Business Development Business Management & Account Management
(402)935-2000 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2007 Call Center Inbound Line Call Center
(402)935-2012 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2011 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2014 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2017 Call Center Inbound: Debit Cards Call Center
(402)935-2019 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2021 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2022 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2023 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2024 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2025 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2030 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2050 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2053 Call Center Inbound: Premier Services Call Center
(402)935-2057 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2065 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2079 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2080 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2081 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2082 Premier Service Line Call Center
(402)935-2084 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2085 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2092 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2100 Call Center Inbound Call Center Premier Services Line
(402)935-2106 Call Center Inbound Call Center Premier Services Line
(402)935-2107 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2124 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2148 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2166 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2194 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2233 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2300 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2323 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-5119 Call Center Inbound Call Center
(402)935-2165 Jessica Card Services
(402)935-2396 Tamara Spurlock Card Services
(402)935-5181 Lisa Weaver Card Services Debit Card Team
(402)935-2015 Teresa Rains Charge Backs
(402)935-2141 Mikalea Charge Backs
(402)935-2152 Anna Charge Backs
(402)935-2189 Margaret Charge Backs
(402)935-2340 Debbie Charge Backs
(402)935-2063 Taj Education Team Product Education
(402)935-2064 Dona Education Team
(402)935-2116 Elizabeth Executive Escalations Works closely w/Tiffany(detp.mgr). Very Responsive.
(402)935-2129 Joe Executive Escalations
(402)935-2156 Brian Executive Escalations
(402)935-2157 Megan Executive Escalations
(402)935-2172 Adam Executive Escalations
(402)935-2173 John Executive Escalations
(402)935-2174 Jackie Executive Escalations
(402)935-2192 Eric Executive Escalations
(402)935-2128 Stacy Executive Escalations
(402)935-2228 Stacy Executive Escalations
(402)935-2238 Tiffany Executive Escalations Manager of Executive Escalations.
(402)935-2268 Beth Executive Escalations
(402)935-2269 Michelle Executive Escalations Schedule: Tues~Thur 9:30AM~8PM
(402)935-2334 Luke Executive Escalations
(402)935-5145 Melanie Executive Escalations Schedule: M-F 4PM~Mid. CST
(402)935-5146 Leslie Executive Escalations
(402)935-5163 Rick Martin Executive Escalations
(402)935-2112 Gloria Finance
(402)935-2207 Jeremy Finance
(402)935-2371 Julie Finance
(402)935-2239 Collin Fraud & Security Fraud Prevention
(402)935-2267 Mark Fraud & Security Trust & Safety
(402)935-2272 Michael Fraud & Security Protection Services
(402)935-2366 Suzanne Combes Brown Fraud & Security Risk Management Manager
(402)935-2368 Sheryl London Fraud & Security Protection Services: Senior Agent
(402)935-5134 Bill Gray Fraud & Security Internal Audit. Mountain View Office: 650-864-8046
(402)935-2044 Paula Adams Global Services Global Help Desk
(402)935-2127 Amy Bush Global Services
(402)935-2048 Joyce Brown Human Resources Training Department
(402)935-2051 Melanie Human Resources Training Department
(402)935-2128 Michelle Human Resources HR/Benefits Coordinator
(402)935-2169 Sterling Blackwell Human Resources Employee Development
(402)935-2283 Amy Human Resources Staffing
(402)935-2318 John Latke Human Resources Training Department
(402)935-2339 Michelle Mullis Human Resources
(402)935-5128 Michelle Human Resources Benefits Coordinator
(402)935-2001 IVR Testing Line Internal / IT Tests voice recognition, play around.
(402)935-2004 IVR Testing Line Internal / IT Tests voice recognition, etc.. play around
(402)935-2026 Password Prompt (?) Internal / IT Line immediately prompts for password. Unsure of it's use.
(402)935-2032 Employee Attendance Line Internal / IT (try user: 1234 pass:1234, works to play around with)
(402)935-2069 ECS System Testing Internal / IT Play around, not sure of purpose.
(402)935-2299 Internal Software Helpdesk Internal / IT
(402)935-5100 Employee Attendance Line Internal / IT (user: 1234 / pass: 1234 to play around)
(402)935-5151 Hold Music / Advertisement Internal / IT Test Line for Hold Music ?
(402)935-5149 Monitoring Line? Internal / IT
(402)935-5168 Monitoring Line Internal / IT
(402)935-5184 Gene (or Steve) Internal / IT Technical Support Manager
(402)935-5199 Call Center Status Line Internal / IT This ext. will place the call center in Emergency or Normal state.
(402)935-2274 Matthew Member Services Member Services Supervisor
(402)935-2321 Michelle Member Services Supervisor (Sat/Sun/Mon 11A~Mid)
(402)935-2357 Terry Dale Member Services
(402)935-5161 Tim Loban Merchant Fraud & Risk Weekend Supervisor (Sat/Sun/Mon 11AM~Mid)
(402)935-5169 Alicia Merchant Fraud & Risk
(402)935-2074 Tammy Galvin Quality Development
(402)935-2226 Jenny Quality Development
(402)935-2034 Janie Bartlett Resolution Services
(402)935-2132 Bryant Resolution Services Team Leader
(402)935-2241 Lynn Vogue Resolution Services
(402)935-2251 Mike McCormick Resolution Services Resolution Services Supervisor
(402)935-2266 Rich H. Resolution Services
(402)935-2353 Lorie Kilstrom Resolution Services
(402)935-5120 Tim Underlow Resolution Services Product Education Trainer for Resolution Services
(402)935-5141 Resolutions Department Line Resolution Services
(402)935-2218 Douglas H. Security
(402)935-5172 Michell Security
(402)935-2002 April Garner Unknown
(402)935-2005 Adonocca Banks Unknown
(402)935-2010 Nick Unknown
(402)935-2013 Pat Unknown
(402)935-2018 Vicki Hernandez Unknown
(402)935-2020 Mary Jo Unknown
(402)935-2028 Megan Unknown
(402)935-2039 Jeff Hagan Unknown
(402)935-2040 Mary Steeley Unknown
(402)935-2041 Michelle Parkins Unknown
(402)935-2049 Jason Finer Unknown
(402)935-2052 Eduardo(?) Unknown
(402)935-2054 Tonya Unknown
(402)935-2055 John Freeze Unknown
(402)935-2061 Rick Unknown
(402)935-2062 Nick Unknown
(402)935-2066 Michelle Unknown
(402)935-2073 Kelly Shipley Unknown
(402)935-2086 Jeff Allen Unknown
(402)935-2087 Patience Unknown
(402)935-2091 Dawn Mouski Unknown
(402)935-2095 Steve Unknown
(402)935-2098 Dona Shong Unknown
(402)935-2099 Shelly Unknown
(402)935-2101 John Unknown
(402)935-2103 Latrisha Harris Unknown
(402)935-2104 Lisa Hughes Unknown
(402)935-2110 Amy Lescott Unknown
(402)935-2113 Kelly Unknown
(402)935-2115 Maggie Mentato Unknown
(402)935-2118 Paul Ingles Unknown
(402)935-2119 Stacy Price Unknown
(402)935-2123 Kelly Unknown
(402)935-2125 Koreen Unknown
(402)935-2126 Michelle Unknown
(402)935-2134 Cindy Langstrom Unknown
(402)935-2136 Lynette Lane Unknown
(402)935-2138 Kim Unknown
(402)935-2142 Kimberly Unknown
(402)935-2149 Mark Rosenthal Unknown
(402)935-2150 Eddie Unknown
(402)935-2154 Charles Unknown
(402)935-2158 Bill Unknown
(402)935-2168 Peggy Unknown
(402)935-2170 Deb Myer Unknown Schedule: M-F 8AM~4:30PM
(402)935-2171 Trish Unknown
(402)935-2175 Zack Unknown
(402)935-2178 Lashaun Unknown
(402)935-2179 Beth Unknown
(402)935-2181 Valerie Dasante Unknown
(402)935-2182 Erin Crain Unknown
(402)935-2183 Frank Unknown
(402)935-2184 Kevin Armstrong Unknown
(402)935-2186 Emily Heldridge Unknown
(402)935-2187 Erin Unknown
(402)935-2188 Lamay Unknown
(402)935-2201 Ray Unknown
(402)935-2203 Sherry Unknown
(402)935-2204 Lisa Thompson Unknown
(402)935-2205 Kimberly Unknown
(402)935-2206 Osma Unknown
(402)935-2216 Tracy Unknown
(402)935-2217 Shaun Unknown
(402)935-2224 Meliss Unknown
(402)935-2225 Jim Unknown
(402)935-2227 Eric Harrison Unknown
(402)935-2129 Name not known Unknown
(402)935-2229 unknown Unknown
(402)935-2230 Mark Peterson Unknown
(402)935-2234 Dave Unknown
(402)935-2236 Brock Unknown
(402)935-2237 Shaun Unknown
(402)935-2240 Angie Anderson Unknown
(402)935-2244 Julie Gonzales Unknown
(402)935-2246 Sally Unknown
(402)935-2253 Deb Unknown
(402)935-2254 Ellie Unknown Number changed to 935-1835, per voicemail.
(402)935-2259 Tereasa Unknown
(402)935-2264 Eric Unknown
(402)935-2265 Doug H. Unknown
(402)935-2271 Cynthia Unknown
(402)935-2273 Leslie Walker Unknown
(402)935-2276 Heather Johnson Unknown
(402)935-2281 Jason Alexander Unknown
(402)935-2288 David Unknown
(402)935-2291 John Unknown
(402)935-2298 Chris Unknown
(402)935-2302 Jim Norway Unknown Call was forwarded to a Nextel Phone Afterhours (management?)
(402)935-2305 Amanda Unknown
(402)935-2308 Cathy Unknown
(402)935-2316 Laurie Unknown
(402)935-2317 Jason Unknown
(402)935-2322 Jamie Swanson Unknown
(402)935-2324 Jessica Carasoul Unknown
(402)935-2335 Steve Unknown
(402)935-2336 Marissa Unknown
(402)935-2341 Laurie Unknown
(402)935-2342 Torrence Unknown
(402)935-2349 Karen Unknown
(402)935-2350 Beverly Unknown
(402)935-2351 Karen Lovette Unknown
(402)935-2358 John Kimmee Unknown
(402)935-2363 Claire Shumiker Unknown
(402)935-2364 Mary Viella Unknown
(402)935-2365 Frank Unknown
(402)935-2367 Mary OBrien Unknown
(402)935-2369 Kelly Carson Unknown
(402)935-2370 unknown Unknown person answered, unsure, will recheck later.
(402)935-2372 Bob Miles Unknown
(402)935-2375 Renee Unknown Schedule: Tues~Fri 1:30PM~Mid.
(402)935-2376 Foreign Speaking Employee Unknown Foreign Employee.. anyone identify language ?
(402)935-2377 David B. Unknown
(402)935-2381 Tina Unknown
(402)935-2386 Cameron Unknown
(402)935-2387 Cindy Unknown
(402)935-2391 Alisha Rhea Unknown
(402)935-2392 Cindy Kathork Unknown
(402)935-2393 Andres Unknown
(402)935-2394 Robin Unknown
(402)935-2395 Jim Unknown
(402)935-2397 Mark Davis Unknown
(402)935-2399 Janice Erickson Unknown Schedule: M-F 6AM~2:30PM
(402)935-5103 Nicole Unknown
(402)935-5105 Natalie Unknown
(402)935-5106 Angie Unknown
(402)935-5108 Gene Unknown
(402)935-5111 Doug Maxum Unknown
(402)935-5113 Becky Unknown
(402)935-5115 Carrie Unknown
(402)935-5116 Paula Baldwin Unknown
(402)935-5117 Dave Burchill Unknown
(402)935-5121 Andy J. Unknown
(402)935-5123 Micheal Jones Unknown
(402)935-5129 Marlow Rumington Unknown
(402)935-5133 Jeanette Unknown
(402)935-5136 Quincy Unknown
(402)935-5138 Terrell Anderson Unknown
(402)935-5144 Lisa L. Unknown
(402)935-5147 Evan McCaul Unknown
(402)935-5152 Jessica Palamino Unknown
(402)935-5156 Steve Unknown
(402)935-5164 Tonya Lynn Unknown
(402)935-5165 Devon Unknown
(402)935-5171 Carrol Unknown
(402)935-5175 Cindy Unknown
(402)935-5148 Jeff Lonka Unknown Admin maybe (msg says if urgent, call: 402-490-9749)
(402)935-5176 Sheila Unknown
(402)935-5178 Unknown Employee Unknown
(402)935-5179 Tim Maxwell Unknown
(402)935-5185 Rich Unknown
(402)935-5186 Jerry Lowe (female) Unknown
(402)935-5187 Brian G. Unknown Voicemail says w/Ebay
(402)935-5189 Brian Unknown
(402)935-5192 Christian Reese Unknown
(402)935-5194 Reese Unknown
(402)935-5195 Angie Unknown
(402)935-5196 Scott Unknown

(Thanks to Laura!)

(Photo: Travelin' Librarian)

For example, last week a 25-year-old Pennsylvanian filed a lawsuit against Google because his social security number spells a scrambled version of "Google" when turned upside down, and consequently his safety is in jeopardy. He's asking for $5 billion in damages. His handwritten complaint also states quite clearly that not only is his right to privacy being violated, but that "Plaintiff and defendant(s) have a responsibility to fight the War on Terrorism."

Or here's another example: sue Google and Yahoo for stealing their names from your grandparents, who hailed from the Gogo and Yao tribes of Tanzania, like someone in Texas did last week.

See? It's easy. Here are some more ideas to help get you started:

• I thought Google was a palindrome but it turns out it isn't (this one smells like class-action).
• Google's ads are not always for products or services I am interested in.
• Google is a euphemism for my genitalia, and therefore has caused me millions of dollars worth of humiliation.
• Google gave me diabetes.

Comcast even has a system ready to go where if you exceed the limit a popup will ask you to purchase additional gigabytes, our source says. The graphical user interface is completely designed and everything, but Comcast hasn't deployed it, because they're waiting for either another ISP to do it first, or to figure out how to do it without angering their customers, whichever comes first.

CEO Brian Roberts is said to have seen a demo and given his thumbs up.

RELATED: Comcast Customer Uses "Unlimited Service" Excessively, Gets Disconnected For A Year
(Photo: cmorran123)

Hundreds of listings of "Data Transfer" of type "Data" at rate code "MBRF," along with its kilobytes. Never mind if the customer is on an unlimited data transfer plan. New York Times technology writer David Pogue's bill was nine pages long. Daring Fireball's was 45.

The Poguester kills it best with, "This development illustrates yet another clash between Apple's typical philosophy of elegance and simplicity-and the unprepared, cluelessness of its cellular partner."

Another good reason for iPhone users, if they haven't already, to switch to paperless billing.

iPhone+AT&T Bill=Uh-Oh [NYT] (Thanks to Colin!)
Linked List: July 2007 [Daring Fireball]
(Photo: Getty)

Here's what I think happened. I think UPS's network was overwhelmed by Amazon's Potter-volume in some parts of the country and they had no way to deliver all those packages. (The forums for the book at Amazon and Google Blog Search are full of similar complaints from others...warning, spoilers! UPS even offloaded some of the volume to the USPS for "last-mile" delivery.) So, UPS just marked all of those packages they had no intention of delivering as "oops, we missed you, you must have been out".

Let's go back to Amazon's guarantee, which states that the refund "does not apply if delivery is attempted, but no one is available to accept the package". Amazon would be pretty angry with UPS if they cost them a bunch of money due to refunds and, more importantly, the loss of a bunch of customer goodwill...maybe Amazon would switch a larger portion of their formidable package output to another carrier, for instance. So UPS intentionally misclassifying those deliveries covers their ass with Amazon and covers Amazon's ass with regard to the refund.

Harry Potter and the Phantom Delivery [Kottke.org]
(AP Photo/Tina Fineberg)

Sunrocket customers need to immediately start porting their number (here's how), and filing chargebacks with their credit card companies to get their money refunded (here's how).

According to posts on bargain shopping forums, Sunrocket's CEO Lisa Hook resigned last Friday, their call center sent everyone home, and 300 employees were fired. Basically, there's just three people left to handle legal issues and no suitors lined up to buy the subscriber base.

A poster self-identifying as a former Sun Rocket employee wrote, "My condolensces to the people who did the work at SR for there hard work and effort has gone to the toilet because of one Captain Lisa Hook and her horde of AOL washouts." [sic]

"I've been a Sunrocket subscriber for a little over 4 months and had no problems with the service," writes Reader Patrick. "I even recommended it to a few folks (cashed in my reward points in time - whew!). This is a blow for cheapskates like me; I need a landline-like service but I'll never go back to Ma Bell. SkypeOut maybe. RIP little VOIP."

Callers to the customer service line hear a recording stating, "We are no longer taking customer service or sales calls. Goodbye," which then hangs up.

As of this posting, SunRocket still has a new subscriber signup form on their webpage and pitches, "3 Months Free. Act Now! Limited Time Offer."

READ MORE: ATTENTION SUNROCKET CUSTOMERS!: Helpful link and information for your Dead Sunrocket Service (Unlock Gizmo and other options) [Slickdeals]

Internet-call service SunRocket cuts off service [Reuters] (Thanks to Jerad!)

1. Sell your cellphone contract.

2. Complain that service isn't up to par, file complaints with PUC, FTC, BBB, AG and cc them to the company.

3. Wait for the company to change its rates (like text-messaging), then call to cancel based on the material change of contract. These are usually for the default rates and you won't be able to cancel if you have a package that takes care of it... hint: so get rid of the package and call back.... Here's some recent rate changes and cancellation success stories:
Sprint
AT&T/Cingular
Verizon
T-Mobile
US Cellular

4. Move to an area outside the plan's coverage area.

5. Join the armed forces - you'll need to fax in a copy of your orders.

6. Die - someone will need to fax in your death certificate on your behalf. You'll be dead, but at least you're in heaven. iPhone heaven.

For more tips and war stories, check out our cellphones/cancellations tag.

In order to make sure I was on the right track, I compared their contents examples from ex-employees, also on Aftermath and Ripoffreport, and to the Midtown Promotions ad that started this whole investigation...

Creative Mind Insights, Inc specializes in promotional advertising and event marketing for clients in the non-profit industries(D.A.R.E AMERICA AND TOYS FOR TOTS). We are seeking motivated and career minded individuals to develop into an Executive Manager; through all areas of advertising, marketing, sales, and executive client management. A large part of our success is due to our hands-on program, which focuses on developing management and customer service skills in a professional environment. We are looking to cross-train all qualified candidates from the ground up.

2. Stafford Business Solutions (HotJobs, Career Builder)

Growing Firm Looking for Hard Working CAREER MINDED Individuals: Stafford Business Solutions
View more jobs like this
Job ID 1
Company Name Stafford Business Solutions
Job Category Sales; Marketing
Location Philadelphia, PA Allentown, PA
Position Type Full-Time, Employee
Salary Unspecified
Experience 1-2 Years Experience
Date Posted March 1, 2007 (Reposted Jun 18)

Stafford Business Solutions
View Stafford Business Solutions profile and job listings
Apply Now: A Better Job Search Experience. Learn Why

entry level marketing, sales/marketing, entry level, full time, sales

Stafford Business Solutions, Inc. is currently offering positions at the entry level for sales and marketing.

We are expanding this year to four new locations. As we provide paid training and promote only from within, all individuals must begin by getting the sales experience needed to grow in the marketing industry. This position involves face to face sales to new customers. Therefore, all individuals must possess excellent communication skills, professionalism and integrity to be trusted with our client's business accounts. Once proving they have the basic communication and sales skills needed to move forward in the marketing industry, individuals will be trained in various other areas of management from meetings to human resources, finances, leadership and more.

All applicants must possess the following:
- Experience in a team or people related field.

- Great communication and analytical skills.
- Ability to excel in unsupervised solo assignments as well as team projects.
- The personality to thrive in a merit-based environment.

We are in search of candidates looking for a challenging career, not just a temporary job making a temporary paycheck. We will not hire someone if we do not see them growing within our company.

Entry-level account executives are responsible for the following:

- Meeting business clients to discuss current and new Business Accounts
- Assisting in the daily operation of a start-up company.
- Developing and implementing original training techniques to achieve

internal goals.
- Developing strong leadership skills to build a high performance, cross-

functional team environment.
- Managing external customers needs.
- Developing excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.

If you possess these skills, please do not hesitate, we are looking to fill our openings as soon as possible.

Please email your responses to : hr@sbssolutionsinc.com (please cut and paste your resume) NO ATTACHMENTS!!

To expedite the process, you may also contact our human resource manager, Jessica, to schedule a preliminary interview with one of our hiring managers @ (610)-825-0210.

Proud Member of the Better Business Bureau

www.sbssolutionsinc.com

*Stafford Business Solutions, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, sex, or age. Compensation on pay for performance basis.

Keywords: Entry level sales, sales and marketing, entry level sales and marketing, team player, new grad, sales, entry level, sales rep, sales and marketing, sales, entry level sales, entry level, sales and marketing, entry level sales rep, entry level sales and marketing, sales and marketing, team player, sports-oriented, help wanted, new grad, Full-time, New grad, sales, sales, entry level sales, entry level, sales and marketing, entry level sales rep, entry level sales and marketing, sales and marketing, team player, sports-oriented, help wanted, new grad, Full-time, New grad, sales.

[Hotjobs]
[Career Builder]

3. Child Safety Enterprises Inc. (Career Builder)

Contact Information
Contact: vicky
Phone: 631-860-0232
Email: Send Email Now >>
Fax: Not Available
Ref ID: Not Available

* Posted: 5/27/2007
* Location: US-NY-Long Island
* Base Pay: $40,000.00 - $50,000.00 /Year
* Other Pay: bonuses and incentives
* Employee Type: Full-Time Employee
* Industry: Advertising Retail Public Relations
* Manages Others: Yes
* Job Type: Marketing Entry Level Training
* Req'd Education: High School
* Req'd Experience: At least 1 year(s)
* Req'd Travel: Up to 25%
* Relocation Covered: No
* Division: training

ENTRY LEVEL PAID SUMMER INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE!

***STUDENT HOT LINE 631-860-0232 CALL NOW***

COLLEGE STUDENT?
COLLEGE GRADUATE?
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE—-—INTERVIEW NOW, WHILE THEY LAST!

EARN WHILE YOU LEARN: SUMMER INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE: MARKETING, PROMOTIONS, ADVERTISING, PUBLIC RELATIONS, TRAINING

CHILD SAFETY ENTERPRISES, INC.is New York's fastest growing promotional event marketing firm. With offices that recently expanded to Boston, Florida, and Texas, we are working with more national clients than ever. Due to our expanding client base, we are looking for ambitious and driven individuals with high-energy attitudes to join our team.

Our advertising and marketing firm is the leader in direct advertising and event marketing industry. We represent clients at sporting events, fairs, festivals, malls and major retail locations and department stores. Our portfolio includes national charities and non-profit organizations as well as the sporting and racing industries.

We currently have entry-level openings in:

# Promotions

# Event Marketing

# Sales and Public Relations

# Management

www.childsafetyent.com

To apply: Cut and paste your resume and email it to [Click here for email] NO ATTACHMENTS WILL BE OPENED!

For immediate consideration please call Colleen @ 631-860-0232

People from all backgrounds seeking full time opportunities or internships in the following areas are encouraged to inquire about our program: sales, customer service, part time, managers, accounting, marketing, clerical, management, public relations, human resources, driver, security, administrative assistant, purchasing, medical, administrative, receptionist, retail, maintenance, warehouse, sports teams, entry level, education, finance, director, telecommunications, real estate, training, engineering, insurance, data entry, project manager, information technology, part time, printing, technician, legal, automotive, teacher, winter, banking, analyst, nursing, restaurant, controller, network, public relations, environmental, nurse, design, quality, safety, secretary, office, assistant, hotel, accountant, account executive, vice president, medical assistant, transportation, supervisor, general, public relations, advertising, writer, fraternity, social services, finance, java, all, graphic, public relations, mba, holiday, office manager, sales manager, field representative, mortgage, social work, training, cms, attorney, research, payroll, oracle, executive assistant, paralegal, courier post, drivers, pharmaceutical, operations, president, web, help wanted, rn, advertising, law enforcement, auto cad, health care, executive, food, production, chef, sports oriented, cad, project management, tax, auto, editor, hospitality, hvac, training, team player, pharmaceutical sales, tourism, it, collections, spanish, unix, art, buyer, facilities, professional, mechanical, bartender, help desk, hospitality, travel, logistics, call center, truck driver, inventory, financial ,computers, communications, pharmacist, police, teaching, counselor, chemist, plant manager, ncaa, photography, promotional advertising, book keeper, medical sales, electrical engineer, health, trader, bilingual, business analyst, recruiter, junior executive, cfo, accounts payable, account manager, sports, sorority, cashier, financial, music, social worker, publishing, project, support, business development, lpn, welder, clerk, technical, quality assurance, promotional sales, government, distribution, secretarial, sales management, mental health, nanny, child care, registered nurse, cna, Japanese, technical support, administration, property manager, cook, shipping, pharmacy, coordinator, entertainment, management training, new grads.

***STUDENT HOT LINE 631-860-0232 CALL NOW***

[Career Builder]

4. Matrix Distribution, Inc. (Career Builder, Monster)

Must be an offshoot of Matrix Marketing on Michigan; while looking up Matrix Marketing, I came across this ad, which is almost, word for word, a copy of DS-Max ads by other companies.

Contact Information
Contact: Human Resources
Phone: 614-844-5976
Email: Send Email Now >>
Fax: 614-540-7445
instantly fax your resume >>
Ref ID: spt,mkt-178

* Posted: 6/15/2007
* Location: US-OH-Columbus
* Base Pay: N/A
* Employee Type: Full-Time Employee
* Industry: Advertising Public Relations Sales - Marketing
* Manages Others: Yes
* Job Type: Management Marketing
* Req'd Education: Not Specified
* Req'd Experience: None
* Req'd Travel: Up to 25%
* Relocation Covered: No

Marketing. Advertising. Public Relations. WORK WITH SPORTS MERCH
Company: Matrix Distribution, Inc.

Description: Marketing. Advertising. Public Relations.

Based in the Worthington area, Matrix Distribution is a promotional advertising/ marketing company that specializes in marketing for the consumer products industry. Setting up and expediting promotions for our clients is our main focus. This year, our success with our blue chip client base has lead us to increase our marketing and management team. We value innovation, leadership, growth potential and a positive attitude; we offer career opportunities and fun work environment.

MATRIX DISTRIBUTION is a marketing firm that strongly believes when people are excited about what they do, they are more productive. For that reason, we strive to create a fun atmosphere that is still conductive to learning. We represent top-notch clients and focus on bringing in new quality accounts for them. Over the last 2 years we have accumulated over 500 national clients. We are now evaluating candidates for an account management position to help oversee our client's expansion. Growth and compensation based on personal performance.

www.matrixdistinc.com

Account Managers are responsible for demographic research, client meetings, campaign meetings and ensuring the overall satisfaction of the client in regards to their campaign. No experience is necessary. The successful candidate is extremely articulated, competitive by nature, motivated to succeed and excels in a fast-paced, high-energy environment. All openings start out at the entry-level and are ideal for the recent college graduates, experienced marketing professionals and persons seeking a career change.

If you feel you fit the criteria email your r sum to ([Click here for email])
No Attachments - Copy and Paste resume

Qualified candidates will be contacted regarding an interview. For immediate consideration contact Human Resources at 614-844-5976.

Requirements
People from all backgrounds seeking part time or full time opportunities in the following areas are encouraged to inquire about our program: sales, customer service, part time, manager, accounting, marketing, clerical, management, sports marketing, advertising, computer, human resources, sports advertising, marketing manager, driver, security, product advertising, administrative assistant, marketing assistant, marketing sports promotions, manager, purchasing, sports merchandise, sports merchandising, marketing assistant, administrative, receptionist, retail, maintenance, warehouse, entry level, sports and recreation, education, product marketing, promotions, finance, director, public relations, telecommunications, real estate, advertising specialist, public relations specialist, sports, insurance, sports marketing, project manager, advertising assistant, information technology, promotional marketing, printing, technician, automotive, teacher, public relations, sports merchandise, sports merchandising, banking, analysis, nursing, controller, advertising manager, network, public relations, environmental, nurse, design, safety, Secretary, office, assistant, hotel, accountant, medical assistant, transportation, supervisor, General, advertising, social services, office manager, communications, sales, manager, mortgage, social work, training, executive assistant, hospitality, pharmaceutical sales, collections,

[CareerBuilder]
[Monster]

If you spot a multi-level-marketing scam ad online, report it to the job posting site and request a takedown. Check out this post on identifying these types of ads.It's really pathetic that these sites don't do more to police their postings. As if finding a job wasn't hard enough. It's a great disservice to job-seekers to have to wade through scam crap. And of course, DS-MAX affiliates are but the tip of the iceberg. There's many other scams floating through these sides readily apparent to anyone with basic reading comprehension abilities. — BRIAN FAIRBANKS

PREVIOUSLY: How To Spot A DS-MAX Style MLM Scam Job Ad
Our DS-MAX Thread
Our Undercover Investigation Into A DS-MAX Affiliated Company

Note: No definitive ties have been established between Midtown Promotions and DS-MAX/Innovage.

Microsoft
Steve Ballmer, CEO
(425) 706-8448
steveb@microsoft.com

Oh, and apparently this one is for Mr. Bill Gates:
billg@microsoft.com

Undoubtedly, both email addresses are answered by secretaries. But would you rather your plea be answered by high-level secretaries who can walk across the office and drop sugar in their master's laps, or some guy in India with a laptop powered by a heifer's holy nipples? — BEN POPKEN

RELATED: HOW TO: Complain

Now, every single story on the front page contains the cracked number in some way.

The madness began after not only was the initial story deleted, but the user's account was deleted as well. Other people who submitted stories linking to the number also got their accounts deleted and their sites received takedown notices. Even people who submitted stories about the deleting of other accounts, stories which did not contain the number, also got deleted. That's when things really got bonkers.

Users are hiding the number in all sorts ways. One story claimed that a new Jules Verne manuscript was found, entitled, "09:F9:11:02:9D:74:E3:5B:D8:... Leagues Under the Sea." Others link to pictures of the number. A new one says Jesus has "the secret key." Others coyly ask, "anyone know what this number is?" Diggers are digging the stories like crazy, trying to keep the number on the front page and thumb their nose at Digg and the MPAA.

Screencap of the chaos, inside...

Fostering internal civil disobedience cements Digg's status as a democratic news site. The question is whether it can endure what it created. Will all the stories get removed? Will all the users that submitted them get banned? Will Kevin Rose get his panties sued off if they don't fully comply with the MPAA's directive? Will people ever understand that trying to ban something on the internet only ends up making it propagate like meth bunnies?!?!

It'll probably be all over by morning, with only a top-ranked Digg story to recap the memories. — BEN POPKEN

RELATED: The New HD-DVD/Blu-Ray Hack: What It Might Mean For Us [Gadget Lab]

Simply type "San Francisco real estate" or "homes for rent in Manhattan" in the Google search box. Below the sponsored links on the search results page it will say something like "Find results for homes for sale in manhattan in Housing search."

Click on that to get a beautiful Google map populated with listings.

Or just click here to go directly to the search page.

(Results may not be available for all locations).

Suggestion: why not offer integration with My Maps so people can more easily manage and share their housing search?

Otherwise, it's a neat and handy Google mashup for prospective buyers and renters. — BEN POPKEN

Google Housing [Official Site]
Homes, not just homepages [Official Google Blog via My Money Blog]

Gmail is the best email system in the world but many users experience great frustration after getting their accounts disabled for no apparent reason.

There are actually a couple of reasons, like logging in from multiple locations quickly, or sending mail to many people in a short period of time - basically anything that makes you look like a spammer.

Recently, we finally convinced our girlfriend to switch from earthlink crapola to Gmail. A day later, she was locked out, and very, very, very, pissed. We suspect that the change of address email she sent to 165 or so people might have triggered the action, but really, that seems like a small number, and how else does Google think people are supposed to "make the switch?"

If your account gets locked out like this, you can file a report here. Reinstatement are said to usually occur with 24 hours, but that's small solace for people running their job, lives, or brain from their Gmail.

It's probably no coincidence that the uptick lockout complaints corresponds to the time that Google opened up Gmail for registration without invitation.

Lifehacker offers two options for Gmail backup, using fetch or Thunderbird. — BEN POPKEN

1. Pay Attention to overages

If you notice any overages thus far (#646# then send for mins, #674# then send for text) and your bill cycle isn't over yet, call customer care, ask them to upgrade your minutes/text plan/etc. Tell them to backdate it, if you don't need the large amount next month (we all have those off, busy months) then downgrade again....

(Photo: medalian1)

2. Make the reps notate EVERYTHING

First rule with this is going to have to be, make sure they notate EVERYTHING, if you have to, have them read back what they have, especially if you have been offered any sort of deal, supervisors will honor any notated offer when the rep goes to ask (like they will when they realize they cant do it), I've seen a lot of crazy deals happen with free phones, offers that didn't exist, etc, just because reps have messed up and put "offered free blackberry pearl" or something relevant in notes. I've also seen reps not backdate text/rateplans properly but because they notated it, I've been able to credit the overages.

3. The real retention department kicks in after you're a customer for 10 months

Once you've gone over 10 months of being with t-mobile, you're eligible to go to the real retention dept, any time before 10 months, you deal with customer care. Again, I've seen some crazy deals come from retention, special rate plans, phone deals, etc. (all of which WILL renew your contract, but some of the deals are quite worth it)

4. Don't call angry

We all get upset at incorrect charges, etc. but chances are if you come on the phone angry or yelling at the rep, you wont get what you want, there have been times I've told customers that due to them demanding things from me, and being rude, I wouldn't waive charges. Honesty helps your case sometimes as well. I was always more willing to help someone who recently changed plans and got overages than someone who repeatedly denied using the minutes calculated or say they never sent a text in their life, when in reality their children used AIM on their phone for a day.

5. 2-Year contracts are for suckers

Quite similar to the Verizon rep's comments, don't get 2 year contracts, usually its just a 50$ discount, with t-mobile every 11 months of active service, you get a full discount again. TRUST ME your nokia 6103 will NOT last 2 years. Pay the extra $50 and then you can upgrade in 11 months as opposed to 22. The sales rep will try to talk you out of this, because they get an extra payout for it, but it is not worth it.

6. Call the second you think your phone is lost

For the love of god, call in the second you notice its missing, even if it may be in the car. Why is this? Because you are responsible for all charges up until you called in to suspend it, meaning if someone made 10 calls to Guatemala then you called in, you would have to pay those 10, however if from the time the suspend button is hit and the line fully suspends, you're in the clear.

7. Upgrades

If you upgrade your phone in store and decide to return it within the 14 day trial period, make sure that sales rep memoes your account noting the price you paid, when it was returned, and make sure they call Customer Care to undo the contract extension. If you don't ask, they won't do it. It's that simple. Then, if you decide to upgrade later, and the sales rep hasn't done this, you're f'd as there is no paper trail to prove you returned your phone and undid the extension. You'll end up getting hosed on your next upgrade.

8. If you're looking to activate new service, do it at the end of the month and do it at a slower location.

Sales quotas with T-Mobile are a real bitch, and they have a new focus on "accountability," meaning if sales reps aren't meeting their quotas, they can now be fired (one of many reasons why I quit). If you buy your phone towards the end of the month and have a rep who's desperate for sales, he'll cut whatever deal he can to close the sale.

9. If the bill payment kiosk in your store is closed, it's because the sales manager in that store wants reps to offer you a new line of service when you come to pay your bill in person.

Avoid the hard sell and pay your bill online or in a store with a working kiosk.

10. Features are EVERYTHING to a sales rep at T-Mobile.

You are in a much better bargaining position for phone pricing if you're willing to add on a few features to your account. Then, just go to the website and cancel them.

11.Not happy with your rate plan, and are out of your contract?

Talk to customer care about "preferred" rate plans. They're a little known secret, and will not be proactively offered to you unless you ask.

12. T-Mobile sales reps are forbidden from saying anything disparaging about any handset in the store.

Do your homework before you go in. Reps know the specs of their phones, but they will not tell you that the RAZR is a hunk of crap, or that the DASH needs to be reset every two months or so.

13. MyFaves is a joke if you have a lot of friends who use T-Mobile.

All reps are aggressively selling MyFaves plans, and most people don't need them. If you have a lot of friends and family who use T-Mobile, just add the unlimited Mobile-to-Mobile for $6.99 and save yourself some money.

14. Even if you have T-Mobile Web or Unlimited Data service, Instant Messaging programs still use your SMS bucket, and are not part of your unlimited data plan.

15. You are ALWAYS eligible for a mail-in rebate.

Even if the rep discounts your phone down to $0, if there is a mail-in rebate for it, you just have to go to tmobilerebates.com and download the rebate form and send it in.

16. Phone insurance is a total scam.

You pay a $40, $70 or $110 deductible (depending on the model) for replacements, and they won't replace it in the store. You need to talk to Asurion (the insurance company) and not T-Mobile to get a replacement shipped to you. Once your shipment is confirmed, you'll need to get a replacement SIM card in the store, and if you're lucky, they might have a loaner phone for you, but that is extremely unlikely.

17. T-Mobile's security precautions are a joke.

Put a password on your account that only you know, and make sure Customer Care has a special instruction to verify either that password or a photo ID in store before anyone can access the account. Otherwise, anyone with the last four digits of your SSN has essentially full access to your account.

18. If you see the phone for free on the website, but don't see the phone in the store, that is a RED FLAG.

It means the phone sucks and they couldn't unload them in the store (Motorola PEBL, for example).

— BEN POPKEN

PREVIOUSLY:
10 Things We've Learned From 'Confessions of A Wireless Sales Rep'
8 Confessions Of A Former Verizon Sales Rep
7 Confessions of a Cingular Sales Rep
6 Confessions Of A Former Sprint Sales Rep
11 Confessions of a T-Mobile Sales Rep
8 Confessions of an Alltel Sales Rep

Google, either encouraging physical fitness or zero population growth, offers the above helpful suggestion when mapping the route from Chicago to London.

Screw air travel: Google suggests you get out and swim [Upgrade: Travel Better]

• T-Mobile price matches. "T-Mobile has a policy that they do not advertise that is called a price match guarantee. This states that they can honor any price that has been printed (advertisement), as long as the terms and conditions are the same as T-Mobile's. It also states that you can get an account credit if the price of the phone goes down within 30 days. "

• T-Mobile lets reps give away accessories. "Most reps have the ability to give away accessories for free without checking with their managers. If we give any bit of discount, we don't get paid out on the accessory so you might as well ask for it for free. Things like waived activation or discounts on phones can be done, but usually through the manager or senior sales reps permission."

• Use features to get free stuff, avoid insurance. "As other reps have stated, features are a big portion for reps. Any data feature nets the rep some extra cash. Use that to your advantage and ask them to throw in some accessories if you buy unlimited messaging or t-zones. The only thing that does not earn us money is insurance, so stay away from that one."

• Shop at the end of the month. T-mobile has a quota system for reps. They'll be more generous at the end of the month. "Go in to purchase service during the last 5 days of the month. This is the time that is most crucial for store reps and their managers. They need to make sure to get quota, and everyone is more lenient during the end of the month." If it's not the end of the month, you can still try to take advantage: "If you have already been approved for service and you are not offered the deal that you want, give the rep your phone number and tell them to call you when they can give you a good deal. I had a customer do this and get what they want on the last day of the month because we were 2 activations short of goal."

• Never get a 2 year contract. "As the VZW rep said, only sign a one year contract. Yeah you have to pay 50 bucks more, but you can upgrade again in 11 months. "

• Your rate plan doesn't mean anything at T-Mobile. "At T-mobile, we don't get paid very much on how high the rate plan is, so don't push that you are going to spend a lot on the plan. We care about the accessories and the features. "

• Get your rebate at the store and on-line. "As the cingy guy said, if you ask and get an in-store instant rebate, you can still find the mail in rebate at www.tmobilerebates.com. The rebate center will still honor it."

• Get free stuff by calling within 14 days and threatening to switch to another carrier. "If you want to squeeze a bit more out of the deal and you are within 14 days of new service, call the store and ask to speak to the rep that helped you. Remind him/her who you are, and ask what you need to do to cancel. This will set off alarms in the reps head since you are their customer, and they will get a chargeback if you cancel. When they ask why you want to know how to cancel, let them know that you have been offered a deal for a similar type phone for the same price from a DIFFERENT carrier, but with a couple free accessories and waived activation. Most likely the rep will try to offer you a free accessory to stay with us, being as how they worked hard at getting you to sign that initial contract and don't want to lose the sale. You have to tell the rep it is a different carrier because if you say its another Tmobile store, the rep will not lose the credit if you cancel and sign back up with a different store. "

• Replace a broken T-mobile phone with a prepaid one."Go to Walmart and buy a T-Mobile prepaid phone. Your contract sim card will work in the phone no problem, and there is NO difference (software or hardware wise) between a prepaid phone and one that is upgraded with contract. Then put the prepaid activation code and sim card up on ebay, and make $10. (from what I hear, this is the same with Cingular and Verizon)"

• Upgrade over the phone, not in a store. At T-Mobile, reps don't get paid much for upgrades and don't care if you get a deal on a phone. Upgrade over the phone to get the best deal.
"If you are out of contract, you have a bargaining chip with customer care over the phone. Ask for a cheaper price on a phone, or a "preferred" rate plan that's cheaper but gives you the same amount of minutes. If you have been a good customer and made payments on time, you have a good chance of getting a discount. T-Mobile corporate store reps cannot discount the upgrade price at all in store. We don't make very much money off an upgrade, and many will spend less time with you if its busy. Go in during a off-peak time if you want an honest opinion or to chat about the phones. There is nothing worse for us than to get an hour-long upgrade on a Saturday and watch as our coworkers are getting new lines and getting paid."

• Unlock your phone. Immediately call into customer care and ask to have your phone unlocked. Unlocking your phone allows your phone to be used with any GSM carrier (Cingular is the only other national US carrier). T-mobile will unlock your phone for free at anytime during or after you contract. Once you unlock your phone, you can now use a cingular sim card or any sim card in the world. Whether or not you plan on traveling, you have still increased the resell value of your phone by quite a bit.

Would you like to confess to the Consumerist? Do you work at Alltel or US Cellular? Best Buy? Office Max? Walmart? Microsoft? Dell? Toyota? Ford? United Airlines? Delta? JetBlue? Do you have a job? We want to hear your confessions. tips [at] consumerist [dot] com. Your job sucks and you're not appreciated. Heal with us. —MEGHANN MARCO

(Photo: medalian1)

UPDATE: Another T-Mobile rep rebutts some of the statements made above:

Being a TMO sales rep myself and having been with the company for over three years, I must point out a few possible inaccuracies in the other rep's post on Consumerist:

Most reps have the ability to give away accessories for free without checking with their managers. If we give any bit of discount, we don't get paid out on the accessory so you might as well ask for it for free. Things like waived activation or discounts on phones can be done, but usually through the manager or senior sales reps permission.

This may be true in that rep's market or area, but is most certainly not true in many markets across the country. For example, in my area, management forbids any sort of discounting on accessories at all without a darn good reason, so unless you're getting four or five new lines, don't expect this to happen. The prices of accessories are what they are. YMMV. (Although, activation fees are waived pretty regularly in my market.)

Go to Walmart and buy a T-Mobile prepaid phone. Your contract sim card will work in the phone no problem, and there is NO difference (software or hardware wise) between a prepaid phone and one that is upgraded with contract. Then put the prepaid activation code and sim card up on ebay, and make $10. (from what I hear, this is the same with Cingular and Verizon)

Don't expect a rep in a store to suggest this, as it's considered commission fraud and I've seen reps reprimanded and terminated for suggesting it to customers.

T-mobile will unlock your phone for free at anytime during or after you contract.

This is completely false. TMO will unlock a phone at your request, but you must have continuous service with us for at least 90 days, be an active customer (not suspended or canceled) and in good standing.

RELATED:
6 Confessions Of A Former Sprint Sales Rep
7 Confessions of a Cingular Sales Rep
8 Confessions Of A Former Verizon Sales Rep

Simple design in Amazon's case generated higher cart abandonment and statistically significant decreases in customer conversions.

That's based on slide 18-19 of "Front Line Internet Analytics at Amazon.com," [PDF] a talk Ronny Kohavi and Matt Round gave at at EMetrics in 2004.

It's an interesting read as you watch Amazon tweak and optimize... remember the tab mountain? — BEN POPKEN

Amazon: screw the simplicity, stick to what sells [Alex Moskalyuk]

"From: Mike Jandreau <[redacted]@lycos-inc.com>
Date: February 2, 2007 11:04:24 AM
To: [redacted]@gawker.com
Subject: http://tinyurl.com/2ftcg6 violation of my privacy.

Hello,

As a retaliation for enforcing company policies, one of our users, has been slandering me across various message boards and blogs.

Now, I find that an unauthorized photograph of myself is posted on "consumerist.com", violating my personal privacy.

I have had 81 death threats since last night, and 6 individuals have shown up at our corporate offices, looking to speak with me. All 6 of those individuals were asked to leave the premsises. [sic]

My photograph is located on: http://tinyurl.com/2ftcg6

I immediately request that this website and photograph be removed, as it is a violation of my privacy.
Under Federal Law, you must comply with this request."

Dear Mike,

We're sorry, no one here has any intentions of helping you with anything.

We are the manager of all of Customer Service. There is no one higher than us that you will speak with.

You violated our policy, which is, despite what you say, to not be a jerk to your customers.

Your image will be held hostage. After you apologize to Whitney and restore her emails, your image will be deleted.

P.S. The picture was gleaned from your site, MovieSnobs. You may want to cc your letter to Google Images as well. — BEN POPKEN

Previously: Lycos Deletes All Of Customer's Email, Tells 'Em To Suck It
(Original blog entry down to CPU overload, here's a Google cache).

He's the guy who, after you complain, tells you to go suck an electrical socket.

Your job is to ask, "how hard?"

At least that's what happened to Whitney. When she bemoaned the evaporation of 104 weeks of her personal correspondence, Mr. Jandreau at Lycos responded,

"I'm sorry, no one here has any intentions of helping you with anything.

I am the manager of all of Customer Service. There is no one higher than me that you will speak with.

You violated our policy, which is, despite what you say, completely clear.

No one is holding anything hostage. Your e-mails have been completely deleted, and no amount of money can now restore them. "

Policy it may be, but this is no reason to treat a customer, even if most people aren't even sure that your company exists anymore. Lycos owes Whitney an apology and the restoration of all her deleted email.

For the future, why can't email services let us port our email archives just like address books? That way customers like Whitney could dump Lycos for something that doesn't suck, like Gmail. — BEN POPKEN

Lycos SUCKS: they held my emails for ransom for $19.95, then deleted them [idaho-hum]
UPDATE: Original blog entry down to CPU overload, here's a Google cache.

This is huge news for artists, writers, coders, and other small or individual merchants, especially those who'll profit from being able to sell little things for cheap. Nobody would pay $5 for a neat poem I wrote (you can get a book of poems for that!), but they might pay $0.50 to download a .pdf or $1.50 for a signed print.

You can take payments of as little as $1.00 on PayPal, but of course with PayPal you have to give them access to your bank account, and with Google, not so.

Google Checkout continues its relentless pursuit of excellence/Paypal smashing. Why haven't we bought shares in yet? Oh wait, because it's expensive, has low cash flow, and Google keeps issuing stock to employees.

Aside: Google Checkout's promotional $10 off $30+ and $20 off $50+ program ended today. — BEN POPKEN

Google Checkout Does Micropayments! [*The *Transcendental *Wildcard]

Unlike Paypal, Google Checkout never holds onto your money. It's linked to your credit card, not your bank account. For privacy, your full credit card number is never fully disclosed to the merchant.

So what happens if a store messes up your order and you want to do a chargeback? Will Google still be there for you?

Google's Michael Kirkland answers our questions, inside...

CONSUMERIST: Since Google Checkout appears to act as a of transparent middle-man between Consumer and Merchant, what are the policies that Google has in place to help the consumer mediate transaction disputes? Although Google Checkout has a mediation procedure, your FAQ says it's non-binding.

GOOGLE: With Checkout, we're trying to create a safe and convenient experience for both buyers and sellers. Buyers will always have their chargeback rights to fall back on in a dispute, but Google's mediation procedures are designed to bring both parties together before it comes to that. In our experience, nearly all disputes can be resolved if the buyer and the merchant have an opportunity to