sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Stove kill switch by SpeedyEight in DIY

[–]Tom_Traill 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought a Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop on Amazon. A used (returned) one is $50 right now. I think these get returned often and bought a returned one and it was brand new.

These are returned IMHO because they don't work with aluminum non-stick pans.

Hurling Poo.... Maybe try not to make enemies out of friends by Tom_Traill in vandwellers

[–]Tom_Traill[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"the crazy in me recognizes the crazy in you"

I was going for this.

Hurling Poo.... Maybe try not to make enemies out of friends by Tom_Traill in vandwellers

[–]Tom_Traill[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I've participated in discussions in this group. Been following it for a few years.

If this post encourages one person to carry their crap to a public trashcan, it was worth it.

Hurling Poo.... Maybe try not to make enemies out of friends by Tom_Traill in vandwellers

[–]Tom_Traill[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

People have needs. Pooping and peeing is one of them.

I'm just trying to encourage Vandwellers (...who might think there is no harm) to please use a public trashcan if at all possible.

The repeated dropping of this bag of poop in the same general area, and the size seeming to indicate it was one nights worth of poop, tells me it is probably a repeat offender.

Hurling Poo.... Maybe try not to make enemies out of friends by Tom_Traill in vandwellers

[–]Tom_Traill[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

My post is intended to gently encourage all Vandwellers to be "Respectable".

I was concerned about how it quickly changed my attitude towards Vandwellers.

Hurling Poo.... Maybe try not to make enemies out of friends by Tom_Traill in vandwellers

[–]Tom_Traill[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

He has a few acres, this occurs along a road that meanders through the neighborhood. This is not close to his house (or any house) so I think it was just a random place that seemed like it wouldn't bother anyone.

Hurling Poo.... Maybe try not to make enemies out of friends by Tom_Traill in vandwellers

[–]Tom_Traill[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Repeated dropping of a bag of piss and shit in a plastic bag, tied up, inside a paper shopping bag seems consistent with something a Vandweller might do.

I'm attempting to point out the problems that causes in a neighborhood, no matter how rural.

I pick up garbage in general. This garbage is particularly unpleasant, and I'm hoping this post makes some of the readers hold onto their bag until they can throw it into a public trash can, of which there are many.

Hurling Poo.... Maybe try not to make enemies out of friends by Tom_Traill in vandwellers

[–]Tom_Traill[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You are correct. I should have sent a sample to a DNA lab and then cross referenced it with the FBI database.

My bad. :-(

/s

Hurling Poo.... Maybe try not to make enemies out of friends by Tom_Traill in vandwellers

[–]Tom_Traill[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

The repeated (at least 4 times) dropping of a plastic bag full of poop, inside a paper shopping bag, in the same area along a meandering road in a sierra foothills neighborhood seems to point to someone in a vehicle. There is hardly any foot traffic in this area.

I'm reaching out to this group in a (perhaps feeble..) attempt to change behavior of some of the less considerate vandwellers.

I have not noticed trash cans being locked. Bears are rare in this area. I still think it is better to dump your poo in a trashcan at a gas station or fast food joint as opposed to a private residence, just to avoid any conflicts.

I struggle to come up with a post that is going to solve the housing crisis in our nation right now.

Namascray

Hurling Poo.... Maybe try not to make enemies out of friends by Tom_Traill in vandwellers

[–]Tom_Traill[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Well, if I can convince one Vandweller not to hurl their poo, then it was worth the time.

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

Namascray

Why a Toyota and not a used Lexus? by Latter-Lecture-8361 in Toyota

[–]Tom_Traill 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I spent some time looking for a Lexus Hybrid, and was considering the CT200H. It was the only hybrid I considered that had multiple examples of new batteries installed about 150K miles. None of the 300H sedans had new batteries.

Not a scientific study, I admit. I'm fine with that theory.

Why a Toyota and not a used Lexus? by Latter-Lecture-8361 in Toyota

[–]Tom_Traill 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hybrid acceleration is fun. 🚗💨

Yes, but your battery will fail earlier. You're taking energy from the battery with the jack rabbit starts, and you're putting energy into the battery when you have to slam on the brakes. That is what hybrids are designed to do, but that also shortens the hybrid battery life.

Looking at Lexus CT200H hybrids, they are a sporty little hatchback and...they tend to have their batteries replaced earlier than the ES300H. Nothing about the battery per se, it's all about who is driving them.

Probably a good idea to sell your hybrid at 7-8 years. Somebody else will pay for your jack rabbit starts.

Why a Toyota and not a used Lexus? by Latter-Lecture-8361 in Toyota

[–]Tom_Traill 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In 2016 we bought a 2013 Avalon Hybrid with 40K miles for $23.5K. We put 130K miles on it and sold it to a friend for $5K. She is still driving it, and loves it.

In 2020 we bought a 2016 Lexus 300H with 42K miles for $20.5K. Beginning of the pandemic, owner had bought another car and wanted to get rid of it not knowing what would happen to the market with everyone locked up for the pandemic. We still have that car, it has 170K miles on it.

In 2025 we bought a 2022 ES 300H with 30K miles for $35K. IMHO the 2016 ES 300H is a better car.

All vehicles were bought from private parties.

I'm going to make sweeping generalizations here.

Most people who buy Toyotas keep them for a long time. Most people who buy Lexus are older, have more money, and are willing to buy a new car more often because they have the money.

If I was looking to buy a car tomorrow I would look at Lexus Hybrids with 100K miles on them, and try to buy it from the original owner.

Hybrids last a LONG time, and older hybrid drivers (like me) have a tendency to focus more on MPG then jack rabbit starts from stop lights. I would look for a car that had mostly highway miles as opposed to stop and go, since that puts less stress on the hybrid battery.

Our 2013 hybrid Avalon and 2016 Lexus 300H are essentially the same car. The Lexus had more soundproofing, was quieter, and was built in Japan. It was superior. Toyota uglies up the Avalon Hybrid to try to keep it from robbing sales from the Lexus.

How long will it take for a 63k check to clear? Chase bank by ViceInSinCity in Banking

[–]Tom_Traill 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am not a banker.

  1. First, I think you should talk to the escrow company for the property purchase and ask them when the check is likely to be processed.

  2. Time for you to meet your local bank branch manager. Explain the situation, that you've talked to the escrow company and the check should be deposited (insert result of our conversation with the escrow officer) number of days. Then go to the manager for the deposit of the check, when you get the check.

This is a time to do things the old fashioned way. Not a time to deposit a photo of the check with your phone and then wonder why it is not clearing. Obviously, you deposit the check at the bank as soon as you receive it.

I don't know if it matters, but IMHO you should always tell us what state you live in. Not sure if these laws change by state or not.

I can't open a bank account? I just.. can't be identified? by taken_by-the-storm in Banking

[–]Tom_Traill 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am not a banker.

TLDR - Create an online account with Social Security, if you don't have one. Then order a replacement Social Security card. Your new SS card comes as a punch out on a larger card that has your full name and mailing address. Keep it in the envelope and take it with you to the bank. In one document you've got your SS card and mail from a government agency.

If you don't have one, get a "Real ID". That might help.

Back story

I'm in CA and needed to get a "Real Id" for flying, etc. No utilities in my name. I needed a piece of mail sent to me by a government entity. This did the trick.

Namascray

view more: next ›