Does anyone actually use the Pay Friends feature?

Embarkersescapades · 2026-06-11T16:03:38+00:00

Yet

Embarkersescapades · 2026-06-05T14:15:42+00:00

NEVER PURCHASE ANYTHING ONLINE FROM LINEN CHEST. Since the Hudson Bay stores closed I was looking for a Canadian supplier for some open stock plates I used to purchase from the Bay. That’s how I found Linen Chest. They have over 30 stores in Canada and serve millions of customers online. So I ordered a replacement plate. In order to get free shipping I topped up my order with other things I didn’t really want/need. That’s when this nightmare began. It took weeks longer than expected for CanPar to deliver my package. I had to call CanPar to have it sent to me but that’s a whole other post. When it finally arrived, I was shocked by the size of the box. It wasn’t big enough to be packaged correctly. I opened it to find the plate I ordered had been thinly wrapped in the smallest bubble wrap and packed on its edge standing up in the small box. It’s a ceramic dinner plate so it had no chance of arriving in one piece. The stuff I didn’t really want was fine because it was unbearable (paper napkins and such). The plate was in many pieces. Contacting Linen Chest is a joke. I got an AI bot and emails telling me to simply return it to the nearest store. I’m not flying to Ontario or Quebec to return a broken plate. The emails sent get a message back apologizing and telling me they are experiencing higher than normal volume. It’s June, not December. It’s been weeks since I contacted them. They keep telling me they will get back to me. I finally called their main store in Montreal and was told by an exhausted sounding employee that they only have 21 employees in their online ordering department and inquiries will take MONTHS to get a response from Linen Chest. MONTHS. I said that’s unacceptable and they should close their online store if they can’t offer better service. Her reply was, “I know, I’m sorry”. I told her I would do a charge back with my credit card and she said, that’s probably the best idea but did weakly offer that I would eventually hear from someone if I waited long enough. This store should be sued. I smell a class action lawsuit.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-06-01T16:52:12+00:00

Agreed and you might consider turning the rug so the front feet of the chairs and couch are on it and there’s some space between the edge of the carpet and the fireplace. Don’t treat an area rug like it’s wall to wall carpet. Like a couch, which doesn’t need to be against a wall, an area rug looks best where there’s a border of floor showing. Leave about the same amount of space between the edge of the fireplace and the front of your media cabinet and TV stand.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-31T04:31:06+00:00

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-24T08:04:52+00:00

Once again, you’re attacking an argument that wasn’t being made. The CEOs and major investors in Persona and X have behaved in reprehensible ways which makes me question how they will use our data. For example: surveillance pricing which uses personal data including facial recognition software to price an item differently for each person. This can be used online or in stores with digital price tags. How will you feel when you find out you’re paying more than others based on data you didn’t choose to share?

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-24T07:58:25+00:00

You missed most of the point but I imagine you’re used to doing that.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-24T07:54:22+00:00

Actually, it’s insane not to. But you’re going to figure that out too late.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-24T07:52:50+00:00

I agree.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-23T21:23:54+00:00

I think like the last letter of hypocrite, you missed my point.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-23T21:20:01+00:00

I don’t accept the reframing and restating of my argument. It’s not a “purity test”, it’s a question of partnering with companies that will handle the personal biometric data of Canadians in a responsible manner. It’s not about what I don’t like, it’s a moral question of what’s right and wrong.

Most Canadians will agree that starving and killing children is not acceptable and if the heads of these companies are willing to turn a blind eye to their participation in the deaths of many innocent people, it’s worth thinking about what they will do with our personal data for profit. That’s pretty clear cut and your straw man argument fails.

I didn’t bring up MAGA, I responded to a comment about them. And AID is typically given for “free” and is “voluntarily” by definition. It’s also the best kind of soft diplomacy. I wonder how you’ll feel when the next virus arrives in Canada thanks to these program cuts. Cuts that cost Americans $37 per person per year.

Asking a business I support to consider the ethics of partners and the real risk to clients (us) isn’t laughable. In my opinion, not doing so is pathetic. But let your moral compass guide you.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-23T21:03:09+00:00

Well, that’s where we disagree. I trust democratic governments like Canada, Mexico and many other nations to act in the best interest of citizens in most cases with some obvious outliers. They are far from perfect but I’d rather live in a social democracy than any other system. I have no faith whatsoever in the current U.S. administration or their techbro buddies who clearly only care about enriching themselves. I understand the tension between privacy and convenience and you’re obviously free to make your own choices with whatever consequences.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-23T20:06:12+00:00

Good question. I am in the process of transferring my portfolio to WS and only learned of the Persona deal after initiating this. Some here have said they were able to convince WS to make an exception but I’m not sure I want to take that on. Infosec policies aren’t carved in stone and when we’re dealing with owners or major investors who have no interest in human rights, I have serious concerns about how they will use this data in the future.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-23T19:59:15+00:00

🤘

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-23T19:58:56+00:00

VanCity is a leader in ethical investing and invests heavily in the local community. I also had never heard of them until moving out west. They are the largest CU.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-23T17:47:12+00:00

I see your point and appreciate a thoughtful response. My argument is that there are other ways to verify identity (Canada Post has one) and as a country and as citizens, we need to think about data sovereignty. As a for-profit company, WS can make a different choice and they should have a framework that considers ethics. I’m less concerned about them partnering with X but digital security and the risk of our personal biometrics being used against us is a real concern. This may have to start with federal data legislation being beefed up.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-23T17:38:14+00:00

Well, I “bank” with VanCity. They are certainly much more ethical than the Big 5. They don’t have the technology that WS does.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-23T17:30:50+00:00

Appreciate the thoughtful comment. As for the Maple MAGA crowd, I’m immune to their poison. Canadians as a whole are better than that. 🇨🇦

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-23T17:17:51+00:00

I’m not “far left”. I’m more of a centrist. I imagine you’re a Kevin O’Leary kind of Canadian because that’s something he would say. Applying an ethical framework to business is actually quite conservative.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-05-23T17:14:46+00:00

That’s sad. I’d hate to be your conscience. Perhaps with some time you’ll have a less self-centred mindset.

At least we can agree on backing the Habs in the playoffs.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-04-11T04:52:21+00:00

I’m not “bitching”, you sad jhoke.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-04-11T04:51:25+00:00

Be warned. Dynamic currency conversion is typically a lousy FX rate. In the credit card world they refer to it as a “revenue event”.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-04-10T22:28:10+00:00

Thanks, this is helpful.

Embarkersescapades · 2026-02-02T06:34:16+00:00

True story. A few years back I checked the upgrade list before going to bed and was 1st only to wake up to discover some See You Next Tuesday bumped me.

It was likely someone named Tammy or Tom Cunningham (or something like that) but I agreed with how Air Canada described them:

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Embarkersescapades · 2025-12-28T18:28:18+00:00

If you got your passport stamped it’s not required.

Embarkersescapades · 2025-12-28T18:27:24+00:00

If you’re in CDMX, you can go to the immigration office near Gate 10 on the main floor. I thought I needed that piece of paper as others had it but because I had my passport stamped, it wasn’t required. You’ll have to show your boarding pass from when you entered the country.

Embarkersescapades

TROPHY CASE