You Can’t Use PayPal Anymore, or, How to Kill a Small Business

In late 2015, I launched MouseMingle.com – the dating site for Disney fans. A few weeks ago, PayPal banned MouseMingle from processing payments with no notice – effectively killing my small business. Why did PayPal choose to kill my small business? Your guess is as good as mine. Why would I say that? Because the official message on my PayPal dashboard says that I’m “in violation of PayPal’s Acceptable Use Policy.” The problem is, PayPal’s Acceptable Use Policy says nothing about wholesome websites helping people connect and (hopefully) fall …

FAIL: Scott’s RV in Vancouver, WA

Scott’s RV, Vancouver, WA 115 SE Ellsworth Rd, Vancouver, WA 98664 (360) 882-3444 https://scottsrvvancouver.com/ Everyone has bad days. Some people have bad weeks. Their cat just died. Their spouse left them. Their boss yelled at them… but there’s no excuse to repeatedly F-bomb a customer over a lost sale. Sadly, that’s what happened to me at Scott’s RV in Vancouver, WA yesterday. I’ve been researching RVs for several years, trying to understand storage, maintenance, RV park costs, tires, shower sizes, water tanks, and all the things you need …

Google Chromecast “Support”

This is the transcript from a Google Support chat. It’s sad when even the simplest support request is too hard for customer server / technical support to understand. Christine 10:34 AM – Thanks for contacting us! My name is Christine . I’m happy to answer any questions you have about Google Home. Christine 10:35 AM – Hi Dave! Christine 10:35 AM – How can I help you today? Dave Tavres 10:35 AM – Hi there… I’ve been using two Chromecast devices on two TVs for several years… In …

NEVER buy digital licenses from Microsoft

I’ve just spent three days talking to Microsoft “Technical Support”… often called “HELPLESS desk,” trying to activate Windows 10 Pro. Why? Because late last year, we upgraded from Windows 10 Home by using the “Microsoft Store” application in Windows. HUGE mistake! Why? Because when you pay for licenses through the Microsoft Store, they apply the digital license to your Microsoft account – but you do NOT get an actual product key… which means, if you have any problem, you have to spend HOURS on the phone with helpless …

Citibank “customer service”

Another not-so-good experience with another company. This time, Citibank. I’ve had an American Airlines credit card with Citi for YYYEEEAAARRSS… but in the past many years, I’ve only kept the card because of one of the features – virtual account numbers (“VANs”). Citi allowed me to sign into my credit card account, generate a virtual credit card number – with an amount and length of time before it expired. It was designed for buying things online… especially at merchants that might not be as trusted as others. I …

Wahoo’s Las Vegas… a disappointment

So sad :( Wahoo’s is in my top 15 favorites food joints. And coming from Southern California, I’ve been to MANY of their locations. This was my first time at Wahoo’s in Las Vegas. When I walked in, the place was *EMPTY*. On a Sunday night. I ordered a #1 – one fish taco, black beans, white rice (same thing I ALWAYS order.) I got my digital receipt at 8:00p on the dot… It took 14 minutes to get ONE fish taco, black bean, white rice. (8:14p is …

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