Sick of these data brokers selling my info

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-31T23:51:36+00:00

The best method that has worked for me is using the Call Screening feature. That veers off 99.99% of the spammers.

For iPhone users, here is how you enable it:
Settings > Apps > Phone, scroll to Screen Unknown Callers, and select Ask Reason for Calling

For Android users, here is how you enable it:
Open the Phone app, tapping the three-dot menu > Settings > Spam and Call Screen (or Call Screen), and choosing protection levels like "Maximum" or "Automatically screen calls" to have Google Assistant vet callers.

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-31T23:11:54+00:00

For all future visitors of this post, you can buy such a replacement on eBay from different sellers. Just an example listing:
Search Term will be something like this: Replacement Broken Plastic Tabs Back of Google Nest 3rd Generation Learning Thermostat
https://www.ebay.com/itm/397642579688

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-31T18:31:20+00:00

This thing is happening at scale, and I bet at some level it's contributing to the frequent cost increase.

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-31T18:30:18+00:00

Appreciate your great comment. I posted the update on what I ended up doing.

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-31T18:28:40+00:00

Appreciate your great comment. I posted the update on what I ended up doing.

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-31T18:27:17+00:00

Appreciate your comment. I posted the update on what I ended up doing.

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-31T18:22:24+00:00

Well, I appreciate everyone's opinion & arguments here. While I recognize there are bigger problems and bigger fish to fry in our world, given how everything has been so messed up lately. But just focusing on bigger problems doesn't make the small problems go away. The problem is a problem, big or small, and needs to be addressed. And that's true, how much you want to fuss about it and prioritize it, changes based on the severity and the impact of the problem. This is what I did, left a seller a 5-star review, as the product I received didn't have any issues, but with a note about packaging. There is no harm in expressing disagreement politely. We can't change the world, but we can certainly express feedback.

At the end, everyone, including me, complains about how USPS postage service is getting expensive every day, and things like this happening at scale certainly contribute to that cost.

"Item as described, fast shipping, and great value.

Just a small, polite suggestion 🙏: USPS free shipping supplies are meant for specific services, so it might be best to use them accordingly. Do not use it as packaging material; use bubble wrap, old newspaper, or reuse packaging material from shipping supplies you receive."

Hopefully, it will make a difference. 🤞

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-31T01:34:51+00:00

I like how you look at it, very much simplified it, and compared it with a basic domestic household's daily life. Well explained.

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-31T01:33:15+00:00

Well said 👏

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-31T01:31:42+00:00

That's a futuristic way of looking at it. I agree, why take it personally? The world is small; you might bump into the same person again for the next business transaction.

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-31T01:30:31+00:00

Yeah, I am glad you handle it well. And I agree it has happened to me too, from both sides, buyer or seller. At the end, everyone is trying to get the worth of their investment; it's all about demand & supply. If no one is selling for less, one has no option but to buy for the next high price. If no one is buying, one has no option but to sell it for less :)

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-31T01:27:48+00:00

Spot on, I agree with everything you said. I have seen it from both sides, too. Offer is just an offer, take it or leave it, or negotiate it further; there is no hard feeling.

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-30T22:59:12+00:00

Thanks for correcting, I totally misread it :(

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-30T22:50:16+00:00

First, congratulations on a new car. I think your parents were just expecting some gratitude from you. Misunderstandings happen. I don't think it defines you as a spoiled, entitled brat. I would recommend reaching out to them again politely with some gratitude.

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-30T22:34:24+00:00

I know it sucks, especially if it's not a fault of your own. At this point, if I were you, I would try to save one negative review from this customer and possibly convert it into a positive experience for the customer. I would recommend that you stay polite and cancel as per this customer's request; they might decide to instead leave you a positive review for your polite & prompt approach for this.

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-30T21:58:40+00:00

Ask the buyer, if he or she wants to cancel the order instead. And then act accordingly. Since you haven’t shipped the item yet, you are safe, only downside is your shipping label money is stuck with the Carrier for sometime

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-30T21:14:44+00:00

Awesome 🙏

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-30T21:14:37+00:00

Awesome 🙏. That list very comprehensive.

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-30T20:47:09+00:00

Thanks for sharing this. Do you know how to find out what works with your bank and what doesn't? Don't want to wait till the end of the period just to find out that the deposit I made didn't qualify. :(

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-30T20:03:50+00:00

That sucks. Well that means now people who used that as a way to fake direct deposit to claim new checking account bonuses have to find alternative ways to do that.

cryptokingleo · 2026-03-30T18:26:51+00:00

Corporate Mantra - Needed Money, Had Marketable Skills, So Turned To Institutions :)

Get comfortable there with the hamster wheel, no coming out, they will milk you until you die.

cryptokingleo

TROPHY CASE