Latest Puppies, 6 days old

Liberal states suck

Liberal states suck

Tax Time

So I was all excited about our tax refund this year. Due to refinancing our home, we got back $4900. Since Turbo Tax Online is free, and state and federal filing is free for servicemembers, I went ahead and filed. As preparing to file electronically I stumbled upon the Turbotax "Refund Bonus" site.

http://www.turbotax.com/refund_bonus/

I quickly glanced at the offerings and narrowed my selection down to 2 choices: Lowe's Gift Cards or American Express Gift Cards. I believe both were available for the price of $180 for a $200 gift card. The $180 would be deducted from your Tax Refund and the cards sent to you. This sounded like a good deal. We do like Lowes, but I thought an American Express gift card would be more versatile. So I decided to order the max amount of 4 cards at $180. Subtract the $14.95 handling fee and I got $800 in gift cards for only $734.95.

Caveat emptor

We recieved our tax refund direct deposit on March 24th, and the 4 gift cards on March 30th. I promptly attempted to use my American Express gift card at Home Depot. Since I went through the self checkout the card didn't appear to work as a Credit card. I didn't think that much of it, and just used my regular Debit card. On April 1st, I attempted to use the card to put gas in my auto mobile, but once again it didn't work in the gas pump card reader. Once I got back home I decided to research and determine just where I could use this gift card. I went to the website listed on the back of the cards:

www.refundshoppingcard.com

"Simply present the Card, as you would any charge card, at any of the participating merchants listed below."

If I had taken the time to actually read about the "American Express Gift Cards" I was buying, I would have realized the catch. These cards are nothing like the actual "American Express Gift Cards" we purchased as gifts for the kids on our Christmas trip. No, these "American Express Shopping Cards" can only be used at a few "select" retailers. If you look at the list, at least 75% of them are found at a mall, the place where we rarely shop. So, let the buyer beware! I would much rather have prefered some Lowes gift cards or none at all. I would have never purchased the bogus "Shopping Cards"

What me worry?

So Donna and I decide to call Turbotax and American Express to see if there is any way we can trade these cards back in and just get our money back for them. Guess what they said?

"You purchased these cards online, so you entered a binding agreement and there is no way to refund the money"

So basically I'm screwed.

I realize that I should have read more about these cards, but in my excitement I failed to do so. Even so, I would think that Turbotax or American Express should be more flexible about this.

So this blog is a warning to others and I hope it helps some to see the light before making a mistake that cost us over $700.

Call from missy, talked to

Call from missy, talked to chris

Waiting for Amanda's road test

Waiting for Amanda's road test

@ james concert

@ james concert

Here's Donna and I getting ready to hit the honky tonk!

James the pimp!
Skyline Homecoming 2005

So I've been listening to my son's copy of Green Day's American Idiot. I admit I like it, and feel it's a better overall album than Dookie. I did try to ignore the one song "Holiday" due to it's political monolog towards the middle of the song. Yes I understand that Punk Rock has always been anti-establishment, but was willing to go along with some of the newer bands due too their catchy tunes. Besides, half the time you can't understand what they are saying.

Saturday night on VH1 I happened to catch part of the show Storytellers. They had Green Day on and were performing all of the songs from American Idiot. The band goes into a quick question and answer session or just comment about each song. Since I had not started watching until they had gotten to the song Boulevard of Broken Dreams I had missed the first few songs and comments. At the end of the show, VH1 announced that you could catch the same show uncut, later on that day. I set my Tivo to record the whole thing, to watch later. I did finally get around to watching it on Sunday night. I was looking forward hearing them perform Jesus of Suburbia since that is one of my faves on the CD. The show started with them singing American Idiot, then they broke into the q & a portion. An audience member then asked the question "Do you think that the people who voted for Bush, are american idiots?". The lead singer Billy then proceeded to answer by saying "No, I don't think they are american idiots, they are just uninformed idiots". Needless to say I didn't find this amusing and proceeded to delete the show from my Tivo. So I appreciate Billy utilizing his freedom of speech, and I shall chose to utilize my freedom to not listen to them anymore...

My Nerd/Geek Score

South Korea WTF?

On Friday evening, a small group of protesters rallied near the U.S. Embassy demanding that Seoul reverse its decision to aid the American-led campaign. Hundreds of riot police prevented them from marching on the embassy.

Y'know, we bail them out of being overrun with communists in 1950, and this is how they thank us? What the fuck?!

We are just about to head out to the Renaissance Festival here next to the beautiful Superstition Mountains. I'm looking forward to steak on a stake and Black and Tans on tap. :)

MSNBC - Saddam's legacy of violence and war

This is an informative article that outlines Sadam's rise to power.

I'm just testing out this blog service. Every once in awhile I need to write down what is zipping through my head.