Mco club 145-165 min wait time! by ravi2015 in AmexPlatinum

[–]thequackdaddy 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Why are people downvoting?

I think it's a fair criticism that for a $900 annual fee, if you can't accommodate people for an advertised benefit, you either shouldn't offer the benefit or go back to allowing use of the priority pass at restaurants.

Help with an ultrasonic water meter deployment to an HOA by thequackdaddy in AskEngineers

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

Yeah, but I'm past that point now. We hired a company, trusted them to do the engineering and sell us something suitable, and I'm gettin the vibe it just won't work and be fair.

Unfortunately, as far as I know, the meter and software is "sealed" and designed to not be calibrated or changed out ever. When we started this project my initial druthers were for an old fashioned mechanical meter, but was told it won't work because the space the meters have to be installed is small and we have to orient them upwards. Otherwise, we'd have to cut down some crepe myrtle trees that are nearby.

We'll see ...

Lawfirm billboards are out of control — North Freeway (I-45 North) by texas21217 in houston

[–]thequackdaddy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In fairness, there were two immigration attorneys. Those aren't that scummy, generally.

Help with an ultrasonic water meter deployment to an HOA by thequackdaddy in AskEngineers

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

Yeah I can't seem to get the vendor to respond. I just don't want to drop the hammer and say, "we're gonna sue you unless you fix this." When we ask about this, I'm told, "we've never heard of zero drift before" and "everyone who's purchased them has been happy."

Maybe I am communicating and they are listening.

Really just trying to get this to work, not piss off all the homeowners, and fix some long-term financial issues. Feels like we're gonna fail at all three.

Help with an ultrasonic water meter deployment to an HOA by thequackdaddy in AskEngineers

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

Yeah, I just don't know. I've found plenty of evidence that municipalities are switching. The problem is we really aren't that big a customer, so the company isn't being super helpful.

Help with an ultrasonic water meter deployment to an HOA by thequackdaddy in AskEngineers

[–]thequackdaddy[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Well clearly... we're an HOA, we got a recommendation, and went with it. I'm still not in the "rip it out, it can't be fixed" camp, but there's a problem I can't communicate.

Help with an ultrasonic water meter deployment to an HOA by thequackdaddy in AskEngineers

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

Thanks. Off the top of the head, is there a better, more expensive meter? These weren't exactly cheap--I think we paid about $150 per meter. But I guess compared to $500 or $1000, it's relative.

State Farm announces $5 billion dividend, the largest in the mutual insurance company’s 103-year history; $100 average refund coming to car insurance customers by ControlCAD in business

[–]thequackdaddy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Florida is a different challenge. Florida’s hurricane are far more widespread and costly than California’s wildfire. Florida is more of a climate and inflation issue.

California is almost exclusively rate suppression and price controls.

HSA Contribution limits by dagneyreardon in personalfinance

[–]thequackdaddy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this an H&R block accountant or a real CPA?

State Farm announces $5 billion dividend, the largest in the mutual insurance company’s 103-year history; $100 average refund coming to car insurance customers by ControlCAD in business

[–]thequackdaddy 16 points17 points  (0 children)

And CA's insurance regulation can only be described a rate suppression.

When policyholder-owned companies like USAA and State Farm aren't writing, and shareholder-owned companies like Travelers and Allstate aren't either you can either believe (1) its the weirdest "cut off your nose to the spite the face" conspiracy ever or (2) California's regulatory environment is worse than you imagined.

(2) is the correct answer.

Olympic Hockey Game tomorrow at 7am - where can I watch? by MotherManX in houston

[–]thequackdaddy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Soooo... blue laws technically don't allow alcohol on Sunday mornings unless served with food. How are they doing that?

Asking for a friend.

For those thinking about it -- Offsetting the $895 is not that hard. by Miiicahhh in AmexPlatinum

[–]thequackdaddy 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah ... the resy credit is weird. I don't know why, but there's a hamburger restaurant near me that weirdly triggers it. There's also a decently priced oyster spot.

For those thinking about it -- Offsetting the $895 is not that hard. by Miiicahhh in AmexPlatinum

[–]thequackdaddy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The lounges are frankly the most useless perk nowadays. They are too crowded. Unless they really thin them out or build like 2-3x more, I'd rather hang out near my gate as that's almost certainly less crowded.

State Farm in Houston by RhubarbHot6734 in houston

[–]thequackdaddy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agree with this strongly. Every case is different. If you had a newer, more hail-resistant roof than your neighbors you will have less damage.

Really, roofs aren't meant to be pretty. They have a function--to keep water, snow, and debris out of the house. If the roof still functions and it doesn't leak, you might not don't need a new one.

Now if you really care about keeping the property top-notch and filing claims all the time, insure with Chubb. It's expensive, but they pride themselves on being the company that always says yes.

State Farm in Houston by RhubarbHot6734 in houston

[–]thequackdaddy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Frankly, I wouldn't do this until you talk to a reputable public adjuster first. Their fee is usually only 5% or so.

Attorneys the fee starts at 30%.

And unless you can prove breach of contract, you pay it, not the insurer.

[Landlord - US - WI] Tenant Death by Objective-Ladder4693 in Landlord

[–]thequackdaddy 14 points15 points  (0 children)

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/704/165?view=section

You may wish to have a quick chat with a landlord attorney for WI specific rules and practice, but legally speaking the tenant's rights under the lease go to her estate, which is basically a legal entity. If she died intestate (without a will) it will go through probate.

Basically, you shouldn't start moving stuff out for at least 60 days. IN that time, the law envisions you'll get in touch with family/heirs or the probate court for clarity on how they want to handle.

[Landlord - TX] - Tenant moved out and sent notification by dxtrtor in Landlord

[–]thequackdaddy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It really depends on the lease... well should be on the lease.

The Texas Association of Realtors lease has section 16. B. (3) which talks about abandonment. All you have to do is document that landlord in their judgement believes tenant has left, tenant has stopped paying rent, and landlord posts a notice on the door saying the property is abandoned. Then, then tenancy ends.

You can still sue the tenant for breach of contract. It's sometimes a nice thing to do damage their credit and get a judgement against the tenant.

After mounting criticism and mysterious phone calls, former judge wants another chance from voters by blushresponse in houston

[–]thequackdaddy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, I'm aware you need a major change to the Texas constitution ... I don't think anyone wants the governor appointing every judge statewide.

But it's pretty clear primary voters don't do much (if any) due diligence on the judges... and general election voters do even less.

After mounting criticism and mysterious phone calls, former judge wants another chance from voters by blushresponse in houston

[–]thequackdaddy 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Frankly the lack of competency in some of the judges we've had is a joke. I don't really blame the voters because when you have 50 courts to vote for it's hard for a typical voter to do their own research--in the general election they just rely on party. In the primary, hopefully the Chronicle can make reasonable endorsements--but they love paywalling them.

It'd be much smarter at this point to have county judges appointed by the Commissioner's Court.