Sycamore's "Shit, that was alive, wasn't it?" Roadtrip/Tour 2003 - Page 6

elSicomoro · 04-29-2003, 11:51 PM

Good question, my friend. I'm gonna slap some 20" rims on it, some low-profile Toyo tires, drop the suspension on it, put one of those monster mufflers on it, tint the windows, and stick 6 15" subwoofers in the trunk area. That way, I can look as cool as some of these dopey ass white boys in the area that trick out "dorky" cars (e.g. a Chrysler Cirrus).

I already stuck a bumper sticker from Vintage Vinyl (a St. Louis record store) on it last week. Tomorrow, I am going to remove the "God Bless America" bumper sticker that my parents put on there. (Call me Mr. Unpatriotic.) And I want to get a vanity plate for the front of the car (since we only use one license plate in PA)...maybe something with the Blues on it. Oh, and maybe a license plate border for the back (Blues, Cardinals, or Rams). I also have a pair of brand-new Pioneer speakers to replace the current front speakers (my brother bought them for my mom for Xmas, but never had a chance to put them in). But that last one is going to wait for a bit...at the moment, Putt-putt is feeling jealous and needs a little bit of brake work done.

wolf · 04-30-2003, 12:06 AM

To complete the pimpin'mobile (to go along with the pimpin' coat and pimpin' phone) are you going to go for the color coordinated fuzzy dice, the disco ball, or one of those plastic crown air fresheners?

elSicomoro · 04-30-2003, 12:24 AM

Fuzzy dice are definitely an option...I had them in my last car. I haven't seen the crown air fresheners for some time though...I couldn't find them for my last car.

We took the car out for a drive around the city tonight. I was hoping to go to the Shore Saturday, but it's supposed to rain. Maybe we'll just go tomorrow...why not? It's not like Rho and I have much else to do.

Did I mention that this car gets whoopass gas mileage on the highway? 37 mpg at an average of 70 mph. That's better than Putt-putt.

elSicomoro · 04-30-2003, 10:40 PM

It appears that someone did try to take me for a ride on one lost/stolen credit card, my Mobil gas card.

They racked up about $500 worth of charges, all at 3 gas stations in South Chicago between Saturday and yesterday.

I didn't report that one stolen until Monday, b/c I assumed that if I canceled the card, it would cancel my Speedpass key tag, which I needed to get back to St. Louis and Philadelphia. I assumed incorrectly, as Mobil was able to link my new number directly to the tag. So, at worst, I'm responsible for $50 of the charges.

The funny thing is...that card was still apparently active yesterday, as there were several charges on there from yesterday...wtf?

juju · 04-30-2003, 11:12 PM

You could match up the time of purchases with the videotapes from the gas stations and get a picture of the guy. Of course, the gas stations would probably never give you a copy of the tape, 'cause you're only a "little guy".

And the cops could probably get a warrant for it, but of course, they'd probably just give you the run-around, too.

But hey, maybe you could get one of your relatives to talk the gas station manager into it?

elSicomoro · 05-01-2003, 09:30 AM

The amount that was racked up is a felony in Illinois. (The limit there I believe is $500, and sure enough, they charged $614.)

I already called Mobil about it, and they're sending it to their research department. They handle all that type of shit...and I'm sure the dealers/owners will be scrutinized by the company, especially if they were taking the card inside the store without checking the signature.

What surprises me is that nowadays, many CC companies would suspend a card if there was "unusual activity." I mean, these people used the card 3 times at one station in the same day for almost $90 total. Then used it two more times at another station for over $40. Then repeated this process for 2 more days, including a $100 mini-mart charge on Monday.

I'm tempted to go after these merchants myself. But I'm going to see how Mobil handles my dispute for the moment.

perth · 05-01-2003, 09:47 AM

all my cards have "see i.d." in place of my signature on the back.

i figure that 1 out of 10 people will actually look at it, but i hope that in the event my wallet is stolen, the presence of the phrase will deter the thief. wishful thinking.

what irks me is that nowadays i could go into a grocery store or a 7-11 and use almost any valid card on earth, because the clerk never even touches the card. i guess i dont understand why the cc company requires you to sign the back when its easily the worst security measure ever.

~james

elSicomoro · 05-01-2003, 09:53 AM

And I'm sure that if you look at the back of your card, perth, you'll notice that it probably says "Not valid unless signed."

Not that that "ask for ID" thing is necessarily bad, but I firmly believe that merchants should ask for ID whenever you use a credit card. That doesn't happen a lot here in Philadelphia from what I've seen, but they do it quite a bit in St. Louis.

wolf · 05-01-2003, 10:01 AM

I do the "request ID to verify identity" thing too ...

Except for POS where the customer doesn't surrender the card (i.e., most supermarkets), 9 out of 10 times the salesclerk looks at the back of the card and asks for my ID.

I thank them warmly to reinforce the behavior.

(remember the days when it was a big deal for a clerk to catch a stolen card? Don't they still get financial rewards from VISA/MC/AMEX for turning one in?)

elSicomoro · 05-01-2003, 10:05 AM

I got $50 when I busted a fraudulent MC card in the mid-90s.

Cam · 05-01-2003, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wolf

(remember the days when it was a big deal for a clerk to catch a stolen card? Don't they still get financial rewards from VISA/MC/AMEX for turning one in?)

One of my friends worked at Circuit City a few years ago and she said they got a reward for busting someone.

perth · 05-01-2003, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sycamore
And I'm sure that if you look at the back of your card, perth, you'll notice that it probably says "Not valid unless signed."

true, but based on my experience, i could write "fuck visa" and there isnt a merchant on the planet who wont accept it.

Quote:

I firmly believe that merchants should ask for ID whenever you use a credit card.

couldnt agree more.

Quote:

Except for POS where the customer doesn't surrender the card (i.e., most supermarkets), 9 out of 10 times the salesclerk looks at the back of the card and asks for my ID.

target is the only place ive been to that does this. i dont know if youve seen them, but here we now have express checkouts that are entirely automatic. you scan your stuff, pay for it and go on your merry way without ever talking to a clerk. only time a clerk is needed is if youre buying beer or smokes, or if you want to pay by check (and even then i think only if you havent written a check there before).

~james

05-01-2003, 11:13 AM

Best Buy checks too. Not that I did it, and not that I sign anything that even resembles my signature whenever I buy something. I've taken to signing "Jean Claude Van Ham", and soon I shall move to something else.

Whit · 05-01-2003, 12:46 PM

Back in the early 90's I was working at a cafeteria when they added the ability to pay with credit cards. The rep that came out to train those of us that ever did the cashier job advised against signing the back of the card. He said all it did was give the card thief a copy of your signature. If your ID gets snagged too it wouldn't really matter, but if it's just your card then chances are their sig won't look anything like yours.
This may or my not matter depending on your card companies policies. Still, none of my cards are signed and I've never had a problem.

Cam · 05-01-2003, 12:59 PM

Another thing about the signature line is that unless you write extremely small normally there is no way the sig on the back of the card will be very accurate. I do write extremely small so it's not a problem for me but some of my friends really have issued when they have to write small.

Also when it comes to ID checks, i've seen people get pissed off about people asking for their id's when they use their Credit Card, I'm sure this kind of deters some cashiers from asking for ID. I personally feel like smacking the person upside the head when they bitch about it.

04-30-2003, 12:06 AM	#77
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	To complete the pimpin'mobile (to go along with the pimpin' coat and pimpin' phone) are you going to go for the color coordinated fuzzy dice, the disco ball, or one of those plastic crown air fresheners? __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

04-30-2003, 11:12 PM	#80
juju no one of consequence Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,839	You could match up the time of purchases with the videotapes from the gas stations and get a picture of the guy. Of course, the gas stations would probably never give you a copy of the tape, 'cause you're only a "little guy". And the cops could probably get a warrant for it, but of course, they'd probably just give you the run-around, too. But hey, maybe you could get one of your relatives to talk the gas station manager into it? Last edited by juju; 04-30-2003 at 11:14 PM.

05-01-2003, 10:01 AM	#84
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	I do the "request ID to verify identity" thing too ... Except for POS where the customer doesn't surrender the card (i.e., most supermarkets), 9 out of 10 times the salesclerk looks at the back of the card and asks for my ID. I thank them warmly to reinforce the behavior. (remember the days when it was a big deal for a clerk to catch a stolen card? Don't they still get financial rewards from VISA/MC/AMEX for turning one in?) __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

05-01-2003, 12:46 PM	#89
Whit Umm ... yeah. Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 949	Back in the early 90's I was working at a cafeteria when they added the ability to pay with credit cards. The rep that came out to train those of us that ever did the cashier job advised against signing the back of the card. He said all it did was give the card thief a copy of your signature. If your ID gets snagged too it wouldn't really matter, but if it's just your card then chances are their sig won't look anything like yours. This may or my not matter depending on your card companies policies. Still, none of my cards are signed and I've never had a problem. __________________ A friend will help you move. A true friend will help you move a body.

05-01-2003, 12:59 PM	#90
Cam dripping with ignorance Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grand Forks ND Posts: 642	Another thing about the signature line is that unless you write extremely small normally there is no way the sig on the back of the card will be very accurate. I do write extremely small so it's not a problem for me but some of my friends really have issued when they have to write small. Also when it comes to ID checks, i've seen people get pissed off about people asking for their id's when they use their Credit Card, I'm sure this kind of deters some cashiers from asking for ID. I personally feel like smacking the person upside the head when they bitch about it. __________________ After the seventh beer I generally try and stay away from the keyboard, I apologize for what happens when I fail.

04-29-2003, 11:51 PM	#76
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Good question, my friend. I'm gonna slap some 20" rims on it, some low-profile Toyo tires, drop the suspension on it, put one of those monster mufflers on it, tint the windows, and stick 6 15" subwoofers in the trunk area. That way, I can look as cool as some of these dopey ass white boys in the area that trick out "dorky" cars (e.g. a Chrysler Cirrus). I already stuck a bumper sticker from Vintage Vinyl (a St. Louis record store) on it last week. Tomorrow, I am going to remove the "God Bless America" bumper sticker that my parents put on there. (Call me Mr. Unpatriotic.) And I want to get a vanity plate for the front of the car (since we only use one license plate in PA)...maybe something with the Blues on it. Oh, and maybe a license plate border for the back (Blues, Cardinals, or Rams). I also have a pair of brand-new Pioneer speakers to replace the current front speakers (my brother bought them for my mom for Xmas, but never had a chance to put them in). But that last one is going to wait for a bit...at the moment, Putt-putt is feeling jealous and needs a little bit of brake work done.

04-30-2003, 12:24 AM	#78
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Fuzzy dice are definitely an option...I had them in my last car. I haven't seen the crown air fresheners for some time though...I couldn't find them for my last car. We took the car out for a drive around the city tonight. I was hoping to go to the Shore Saturday, but it's supposed to rain. Maybe we'll just go tomorrow...why not? It's not like Rho and I have much else to do. Did I mention that this car gets whoopass gas mileage on the highway? 37 mpg at an average of 70 mph. That's better than Putt-putt.

04-30-2003, 10:40 PM	#79
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	It appears that someone did try to take me for a ride on one lost/stolen credit card, my Mobil gas card. They racked up about $500 worth of charges, all at 3 gas stations in South Chicago between Saturday and yesterday. I didn't report that one stolen until Monday, b/c I assumed that if I canceled the card, it would cancel my Speedpass key tag, which I needed to get back to St. Louis and Philadelphia. I assumed incorrectly, as Mobil was able to link my new number directly to the tag. So, at worst, I'm responsible for $50 of the charges. The funny thing is...that card was still apparently active yesterday, as there were several charges on there from yesterday...wtf?

05-01-2003, 09:30 AM	#81
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	The amount that was racked up is a felony in Illinois. (The limit there I believe is $500, and sure enough, they charged $614.) I already called Mobil about it, and they're sending it to their research department. They handle all that type of shit...and I'm sure the dealers/owners will be scrutinized by the company, especially if they were taking the card inside the store without checking the signature. What surprises me is that nowadays, many CC companies would suspend a card if there was "unusual activity." I mean, these people used the card 3 times at one station in the same day for almost $90 total. Then used it two more times at another station for over $40. Then repeated this process for 2 more days, including a $100 mini-mart charge on Monday. I'm tempted to go after these merchants myself. But I'm going to see how Mobil handles my dispute for the moment.

05-01-2003, 09:47 AM	#82
perth Strong Silent Type Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 1,949	all my cards have "see i.d." in place of my signature on the back. i figure that 1 out of 10 people will actually look at it, but i hope that in the event my wallet is stolen, the presence of the phrase will deter the thief. wishful thinking. what irks me is that nowadays i could go into a grocery store or a 7-11 and use almost any valid card on earth, because the clerk never even touches the card. i guess i dont understand why the cc company requires you to sign the back when its easily the worst security measure ever. ~james

05-01-2003, 09:53 AM	#83
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	And I'm sure that if you look at the back of your card, perth, you'll notice that it probably says "Not valid unless signed." Not that that "ask for ID" thing is necessarily bad, but I firmly believe that merchants should ask for ID whenever you use a credit card. That doesn't happen a lot here in Philadelphia from what I've seen, but they do it quite a bit in St. Louis.

05-01-2003, 10:05 AM	#85
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	I got $50 when I busted a fraudulent MC card in the mid-90s.

05-01-2003, 11:13 AM	#88
dave Guest Posts: n/a	Best Buy checks too. Not that I did it, and not that I sign anything that even resembles my signature whenever I buy something. I've taken to signing "Jean Claude Van Ham", and soon I shall move to something else.

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