Credit Card Companies

I hate credit card companies. (Don't we all!) Seriously though, what are they thinking?

I received a letter today from one of my credit card companies telling me about a great opportunity for me!!! I could now arrange to receive me statements through an Online-Only" option! Whizz! bang!! Pop!!! Wow - ain't I lucky!

So if I sign up for this, I'll get my statement sooner, without all the muss and fuss of a paper statement. And of course I'll be able to access it any time online from a secure site. And... get ready for it... it's FREE!!!

To which I respond, "Who cares?" This is nothing new or revolutionary. In fact, I've been looking at this exact statement online for months now. The only difference is that now they want me to believe this is an added value to me.

If a credit card company wants to endear themselves to me, maybe, just maybe, they should consider that I'm a pretty smart consumer. I know a bit about this whole internet thing, and I realize that online statements are a great way for them to save money. I'm guessing it costs them (conservatively) about a buck per statement to process, print, and mail them. So what they're really telling me is, "Sign up to help us make some money! Won't that be great!!!"

My suggestion to this company (By the way, their name begins with "A"), is that when you want me to help you reduce your paperwork burden and cost, make it worth my while. Offer me a .25% reduction in my rate. Or tell me that every month, you'll contribute 25 cents per online statement to a charity of my choosing. Or do what my phone company did - be honest and tell me that ultimately this is about a cost reduction on your end, and if I want a detailed statement, you're going to start charging me for it.

You want me to help you? Then don't BS me.

Thanks, but no LRT/train for KW!!!

In the news recently...

The Region of Waterloo is considering spending $790 Million dollars to implement a rapid transit system to serve (principally) the cities of Kitchener & Waterloo. Based on my understanding that equates to about $1000 for every man, woman, and child in the region. What the...?

Having grown up in an urban centre much larger than Kitchener-Waterloo (London, England), I have seen a great transit system, in a city with the population density that makes it not only relevant but essential. But KW? Sorry, but I don't buy it.

Now before I go too far off with this, let me just say that I haven't (yet) delved into too much information about this project. All I'm basing this on is what I have read recently in our local newspaper. I trust that what they are printing is accurate. Anyway, let's assume for the moment they're correct.

Kitchener-Waterloo is not London, England. It is not Toronto. Although it is a lovely city/region, it really doesn't have the need for this project.

First, think about the typical Canadian commuter. Throughout the year, we need to deal with the ever-changing climate and weather conditions. During the summer, it's hot and sweaty; during the winter, it's cold and snowy. And the rest of the year is just plain unpredictable. How many of you would consistently choose to WALK to a station to take the train? No, really - how many? Given the limited number of residents directly along the travel corridor, how many riders would be on the train each day?

Will building the train generate new residential development along the route? Maybe, but I'm a bit skeptical. The city seems to be having a tough time with core revitalization anyway, and I'm not entirely convinced that the 'build it and they will come' approach will work.

I guess what I'm saying is that if the region has $790 million dollars to spend, I'd much rather see that money going into something else. Perhaps improving our medical services/resources in the region. $790 million would definitely be helpful there. Or maybe put some of it into social programs. Or education. Or... so many other options.

I know it doesn't seem this way, but I am a big proponent of public transit. But I believe that in order for something like this to be successful, there really has to be a viable case - not just Toronto-envy. Please someone - tell me where I'm wrong about this.

Vanity

So here's the first post into my Blog. How fascinating!!! I'm sure everyone is waiting with bated breath to read the words of wisdom I'll share. Or not.

Call me crazy, but there's quite a bit of vanity in the idea of creating a blog for my thoughts. Or is there? Not really sure, but maybe... just maybe I'll be able (at some point) to share something insightful... something that will be relevant to someone else. Or again, maybe not!

Over time I've come to realize that my opinions are in many ways fairly conservative But not extreme or right-wing or anything like that. Kinda boring? Yup, but it works for me! :)