The Condo is Rented

I received an e-mail from the property manager tonight during one of those freak moments when the Internet was working. Our condo has been rented for July 1st. They passed the inspections of the property manager and the Home Owners Association credit screening. 

As impatient as I can be at times, this really happened fast considering we have not owned it for 60 days yet.

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Florida Condo Updated

The property manager just sent me photos of the condo now that it has been painted, the appliances are all in place (with power cords), and the bathroom light has been replaced. He said the Realtor who they work with was very impressed believes it will rent quickly.

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All Washed Up, But Not Going to Dish It Out

Yesterday was the day our appliances were going to be delivered to our place in Florida. The property manager was planning on being there for the delivery and promised to e-mail a progress report. There was no reason for us to hang around, being six hours ahead and 3,000 miles away, so we went out for the evening.

When we returned home, I found this e-mail from our property manager. "I am at the unit with Brandsmart and it seems like you ordered 2 washing machines instead of a dishwasher, I have them taking one back to replace but I'm sure the dishwasher is cheaper so you will have to get a credit from them. I will verify the prices when I get back to the office but in the meantime please double check the order."

I start spinning like a top. I knew I did not order a dishwasher, but I was also positive I did not order 2 washing machines either. I found the receipts that I had already sent to the property manager, wondering where he even came up with the idea of a dishwasher. By gosh, I have to hand wash my dishes, the tenants should have to also. But 2 washing machines? Where was he getting this. 

I had multiple copies of receipts. I forwarded each one to Alain, our property manager, stuffing up his Blackberry with data. I envision his Blackberry becoming so engorged,  blackberry juice squirts in all directions drenching him. Well fine then. That will teach him to read the invoices properly and see there was never a dishwasher on the list. The 2 washing machines were the screw up of BrandsMart. What can I say?

For the 47th time, I look over the receipts for the appliances I had ordered. Refrigerator, microwave, stove, washing machine, dryer. Quantity: 1, 1, 1, 2, 1. Whoa! Back up there. Where did that 2 come from. As it turns out, with all of the order numbers, sku numbers, dimensions, prices, and capacities listed on the paperwork, the quantities did not pop out at me. I admit that I have a mild form of dyscalculia, the numbers version of dyslexia. My mild version results in number reversal. If I need to use 21, I have make sure I do not put 12 instead. This takes a great deal of time checking and rechecking, especially with all of the districts, building numbers, prices, and phone numbers included in my books.

Calling Florida to get this straightened out again is going to be another joy ride, but life is one adventure after another. 

The icing on the cake is that the appliances did not come with power cords. You have to buy them separately. When the hell did that happen? Every washer and dryer I have ever bought had an electric cord permanently attached to the back. When did this stop, but the better question is why did it? To gouge more money from the buyer? These cords are $15-30. each. God bless capitalism, consumerism, corporations, and God help the working poor, the destitute, the disadvantaged.

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Two Shakes of a Lambs Tail and Internet Magic

Here is the next phase, deciding on an appliance store. My first thought was Sears. Has any American grown up without a Sears Kenmore product in their home? I would think you are in the minority if you had. My grandparents as well as the next generation swore by them. However, when I mentioned it to the property manager, he said they were overpriced and I should use BrandsMart, a local chain. 

I had concerns about whether or not the appliance store would let me order online. There is the credit card issue, living in Europe, but using American issued credit cards can sometimes be difficult.The property manager said they would not accept my card. Mike, my friend on the ground called the local store and they said yes they would. I found that they would on their web site, but e-mailed them to confirm it and they said no, they would not. Talk about mixed messages. 

I could have sent a check to the property manager with my wish list, but I was not sure how much tax and delivery would be, but the bigger issue was getting my frequent flier miles. I want everyone I can get.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I shopped the Brandsmart web site like I was buying today, which I was if it would let me. I picked out the largest of what would fit into spaces in case they rent to a family: My choices were a: 

Hotpoint 3.2 cub. ft washing machine

GE 7.0 cub ft dryer

GE 5.3 cub ft Electric range (I hope it is large enough for a good sized Thanksgiving turkey)

GE 1.5 cub ft over the range microwave

Frigidaire 18 cub ft top freezer/refrigerator

After arranging all of these so nicely in my shopping cart, making sure no edges were sticking out that would slam into any other shopper or their cart, I called American Express.

I had my billing address temporarily changed to my friend's home in Santa Fe, NM. Then I went back to my shopping and registered for an account. 

Dum-de-dum-dum...the moment of truth...will he or won't he be able to make this purchase. Praise be to capitalism it was successful. The store swallowed up $1,911.72 like a compressed sponge soaks up water. Sluuuuup. Delivery date is set for May 5th. Ta-da!!

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Done Deal

It only took 1,493 e-mails, but it is done. We now own a condo at 4035 W. McNab Rd. # 203F in Pompano Beach, FL 33069 or the alternative address that the electric company seems to prefer is 4035 SW 15th Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33069. The closing was completed today at 9 am Florida time.

I hired a property manager who will start on May 1st. The painter I hired will start tomorrow. When that is done, the order for the stove, refrigerator, microwave, washer and dryer will be placed and delivered. We will be all set to open for the business of renting.

If Mike G. should ever read this, I owe him a humongous debt of gratitude for being my eyes on the ground and reporting back to me everything he observed. He went above and beyond a long-term friend, but since I have only known him from e-mails and than only since February, he is incredible.

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Customer Service Stupidity - Bank of America

When friends tell me who great customers services are in the US, I wonder which planet they are really living on.When we were in CA, I spent at least 3 hours a week on the line with some customer service agent and that was only for personal reasons. For work, you could multiple that number by 3 again.

Even here, I am not immune to the stupidity of customer services in the US. This is an actual transcript of my latest attempt to get information from Bank of America. Just in case, this s real live person, I changed his name. However, I have suspicions that is a computer program that finds key words to send canned responses. I had to give my full name to sign in and then again I was asked for my last name, but notice that he addresses me as James, not Mr. James. Later, he asks again what my last name is and I type in James, but he still refers to me as James.

Chat Information Welcome to an online chat session at Bank of America. Please hold while we connect you to the next available Bank of America Online Banking Specialist. Your chat may be monitored and recorded for quality purposes. Your current wait time is approximately 0 minutes. Thank you for your patience.

Chat Information Thank you for choosing Bank of America. You are now being connected to a Bank of America Online Banking Specialist.

NK: Hello! Thank you for being a valued Bank of America customer! My name is N.

NK: Welcome to online Chat. How may I assist you with Personal Checking and Savings accounts?

You: My account is in CA, but we are buying a condo in FL that will be run by a property manager. How can they make deposits by mail?

NK: I completely understand your concern regarding the deposit by mail.

NK: I will surely provide you all the information.

NK: To begin with, may I please have your complete name and account last four digits?

You: Last name is James, but you will have to wait for me to get my check book for the digits.

NK: Sure.

You: XXXX

NK: Thank you, James.

You: or maybe is it

You: never mind, that is the check number

NK: Its correct last four digits.

You: It is 9709

NK: James, deposit can be make through Bank by mail.

NK: Bank by mail is the service that helps deposit checks to be deposited in the accounts when the customer is not in U.S or from other state.

NK: Let me provide your Bank by mail address.

You: What about deposit slips?

NK: Let me check this information.

NK: James, if deposit make through Bank by mail is not mandatory.

NK: Your Bank by Mail address is: PO Box 29966, Phoenix, AZ 85038-0966

NK: The customer can endorse the back of the item with their signature and account number .

You: Do you mean if it is done by bank by mail a deposit slip in not needed?

NK: Yes, you are right.

You: The issue is that I don't live in CA any longer. I live in Europe. I want them to be able to send the check directly to my CA account. I will not be around to sign the check. If I were there, I could deposit it myself.

NK: James, there is one more alternative for you.

NK: You may utilize Bill Pay to make a payment to an individual.

NK: The individual payee will receive a check at the address that you have entered for that payee.

You: That does not make sense. I am not trying to pay a bill. I want to deposit money.

NK: Sorry for the confusion.

NK: From out of us Deposit can be make through Bank by mail.

NK: Deposit slip is not required you can endorse the back of the item with the signature and account number .

You: We are back to the issue of my NOT being able to sign the check since I live in Europe.

Last text message received

NK: Please tell the depositor to make the deposit in any of the nearest bank branch in any state.

You: That works. Thanks, but I will call the bank to speak to a live thinking person, if they still hire them.

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