posted by gut

If Trump comes out with BLUE "Make America Great Again" hats he'll confuse the hell out of a lot of people.

I'm torn.  On one hand, the fact that this would result in massive news coverage would be as absurd as the "tan suit scandal."  That's depressing.

But it would also be entertaining, in a nihilistic, semi-masochistic sort of way.

posted by geeblock

Actually like that was triggered, not me. I could care less 

How much less?

One of the passing "things" over the last few years was the downturn in NFL attendance due to he public's disgust with the kneeling players.  Guess what?  Dropping attendance is a problem for all major sports including college football.  OH  MY GOD, a situation that is actually more nuanced and has NOTHING to do with politics.  How do we fit that into our collective view that the universe breaks into facts caused by American conservative politicians and American liberal politicians????

https://www.si.com/college/2020/01/10/college-football-attendance-decline-ncaa

Door-to-door energy sales people asking to see your bill and telling you that your current utility company sent them out.

That can't still work, can it?  Their actual return has to be terrible per house.  It feels like a 419 scam; everyone has to see it coming by now.

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

One of the passing "things" over the last few years was the downturn in NFL attendance due to he public's disgust with the kneeling players.  Guess what?  Dropping attendance is a problem for all major sports including college football.  OH  MY GOD, a situation that is actually more nuanced and has NOTHING to do with politics.  How do we fit that into our collective view that the universe breaks into facts caused by American conservative politicians and American liberal politicians????

 

https://www.si.com/college/2020/01/10/college-football-attendance-decline-ncaa

 

$$$$ and travel.  I don't live that close to any major college program, or any major cities with pro sports teams either.  Dropping that amount of coin to watch grown men play a game will never be desirable to me.  Ever.  And I love sports.

posted by O-Trap

Door-to-door energy sales people asking to see your bill and telling you that your current utility company sent them out.

That can't still work, can it?  Their actual return has to be terrible per house.  It feels like a 419 scam; everyone has to see it coming by now.

Interesting that you post this, as I just received a text from a 419 number that said "Our thoughts and prayers are with you today.  Love you".  I do not know this number, but because of your post, I looked up 419 scam. I didn't know it is aka the Nigerian scam. Hmmmm

We used to get those energy scams on our land line. No more land line. Our town is one of a handful of municipalities in Ohio that have its own electric utility plant, anyhow. 

posted by O-Trap

Door-to-door energy sales people asking to see your bill and telling you that your current utility company sent them out.

That can't still work, can it?  Their actual return has to be terrible per house.  It feels like a 419 scam; everyone has to see it coming by now.

Ugh. These fucking people.

We get them at least once a year. I won't answer the door for them, but I've been caught off guard while being approached while I'm already outside in our yard. I'm usually very short and direct with them. "I"m not interested, I'm not showing you my bill. Please leave." They get pretty pissed off, but they're all scamming assholes.

posted by justincredible

Ugh. These fucking people.

We get them at least once a year. I won't answer the door for them, but I've been caught off guard while being approached while I'm already outside in our yard. I'm usually very short and direct with them. "I"m not interested, I'm not showing you my bill. Please leave." They get pretty pissed off, but they're all scamming assholes.

I get probably six of them a year, and yesterday, I was bringing the dogs in from a walk when they came by.

I did some digging into this once, when I got two of them in back to back months.  Most of the time the service itself is legitimate.  It's just a competitive alternative to the standard utility company.  There are places where it actually is cheaper overall (though sometimes, you have to dig through the whole "introductory rate" nonsense).

However, the minute they said Dominion sent them out to see if I was being double charged, I was like, "That's a lie. This just went from a sales pitch to fraud."

People don't realize that even just showing them your bill would be enough for them to defraud you if they were particularly unscrupulous.  You don't even need to sign anything.  All they need is your account number.

posted by O-Trap

I get probably six of them a year, and yesterday, I was bringing the dogs in from a walk when they came by.

I did some digging into this once, when I got two of them in back to back months.  Most of the time the service itself is legitimate.  It's just a competitive alternative to the standard utility company.  There are places where it actually is cheaper overall (though sometimes, you have to dig through the whole "introductory rate" nonsense).

However, the minute they said Dominion sent them out to see if I was being double charged, I was like, "That's a lie. This just went from a sales pitch to fraud."

People don't realize that even just showing them your bill would be enough for them to defraud you if they were particularly unscrupulous.  You don't even need to sign anything.  All they need is your account number.

Yep, that's the scam. Find an unsuspecting victim to actually show you their bill, have your partner sneakily take a photo of the bill or write down the account number, and then sign you up for their service so they get their commission. My assumption is that they are all like this if they're coming to my door asking to see my bill, so I don't waste my time with them.

posted by justincredible

Yep, that's the scam. Find an unsuspecting victim to actually show you their bill, have your partner sneakily take a photo of the bill or write down the account number, and then sign you up for their service so they get their commission. My assumption is that they are all like this if they're coming to my door asking to see my bill, so I don't waste my time with them.

Even if they're one of the more scrupulous ones, there's no way to know, and the risk is DEFINITELY not worth the reward.

https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2020/01/13/mlb-hammers-astros-with-historic-punishments-after-cheating-probe/

So I guess if you cheat to win games you only get a slap on the wrist but if you bet on baseball you get a lifetime ban?  Screw you MLB.

Sincerely,

Pete

posted by justincredible

Ugh. These fucking people.

We get them at least once a year. I won't answer the door for them, but I've been caught off guard while being approached while I'm already outside in our yard. I'm usually very short and direct with them. "I"m not interested, I'm not showing you my bill. Please leave." They get pretty pissed off, but they're all scamming assholes.

I talk to them through my Ring doorbell.  Tell them I'm telling a massive shit but I'll come talk to them if they'll wait.  If they stay, I wait about 30 seconds and start making distress noises.  Then I tell them it might be a good idea if they come back another time.  

Today: I'm tired. Why?  Because the college football national title game didn't start until well after 8pm last night and did not finish until nearly 12:30am. This is dumb. Either put the game on a Saturday or move the time up. 

posted by ptown_trojans_1

Today: I'm tired. Why?  Because the college football national title game didn't start until well after 8pm last night and did not finish until nearly 12:30am. This is dumb. Either put the game on a Saturday or move the time up. 

While I agree, it's just something we have to deal with in Eastern Standard time zone.  I've come to grips with it.  Game started at 5:30 for west coast.  We move it up, and a lot of those people are still at work.

posted by ernest_t_bass

While I agree, it's just something we have to deal with in Eastern Standard time zone.  I've come to grips with it.  Game started at 5:30 for west coast.  We move it up, and a lot of those people are still at work.

True. I get that, My buddy in LA watched the start from his desk. But, even he said holy shit this game is taking forever. 

posted by ptown_trojans_1

Today: I'm tired. Why?  Because the college football national title game didn't start until well after 8pm last night and did not finish until nearly 12:30am. This is dumb. Either put the game on a Saturday or move the time up. 

Yeah, I tapped out at the end of the 3rd. If it was OSU I woulda stayed up but man it is late!

Saturday night will not happen as the NFL is not giving up their prime time playoff games.

I suggested Sunday night but the NFL has even pushed playoff round two later in the day on Sunday for ratings (Philly/Sea was highest rated WC weekend game, even having a dog team like Philly).   

I am not really seeing a way around it.   They wont stray from the 8pm start. Saw a chart of postseason ratings a few years ago across the major sports and college as well and the ratings were at its highest from 1130-1200.   End of the games, for sure, but also prime time out west.

Outside of a Friday or Saturday night game where folks will stay up to watch, I dont think they are going to fix this until........wait for it, they go to an 8 team playoff and the NC game is Saturday night of the AFC/NFC Championship game.....

posted by ptown_trojans_1

Today: I'm tired. Why?  Because the college football national title game didn't start until well after 8pm last night and did not finish until nearly 12:30am. This is dumb. Either put the game on a Saturday or move the time up. 

and do something about 4+ hour games. Absurd.

posted by thavoice

Yeah, I tapped out at the end of the 3rd. If it was OSU I woulda stayed up but man it is late!

Saturday night will not happen as the NFL is not giving up their prime time playoff games.

I suggested Sunday night but the NFL has even pushed playoff round two later in the day on Sunday for ratings (Philly/Sea was highest rated WC weekend game, even having a dog team like Philly).   

 

I am not really seeing a way around it.   They wont stray from the 8pm start. Saw a chart of postseason ratings a few years ago across the major sports and college as well and the ratings were at its highest from 1130-1200.   End of the games, for sure, but also prime time out west.

 

Outside of a Friday or Saturday night game where folks will stay up to watch, I dont think they are going to fix this until........wait for it, they go to an 8 team playoff and the NC game is Saturday night of the AFC/NFC Championship game.....

So shoot, why not a Friday night game?

posted by queencitybuckeye

and do something about 4+ hour games. Absurd.

Yeah, that seemed bananas, too.  When I looked at the clock at 12:15 and saw the scoreboard, I just decided it was time to turn in.  Pro games don't even take that long if they aren't the Superbowl.

posted by O-Trap

So shoot, why not a Friday night game?

Yeah, I dont think that will happen either.  Most big time sporting events stay away from Friday Night games.  Also.....revenue for the area.  Monday night game you have thousands coming to your city Friday late or saturday and stay until Tuesday.    Put it on a Friday I would envision more show up on Thursday and likely head back Saturday?

posted by thavoice

Yeah, I dont think that will happen either.  Most big time sporting events stay away from Friday Night games.  Also.....revenue for the area.  Monday night game you have thousands coming to your city Friday late or saturday and stay until Tuesday.    Put it on a Friday I would envision more show up on Thursday and likely head back Saturday?

Why Saturday instead of Sunday?

Here's a crazy freaking idea.  Make it so that the NCG is January 1, with all your other huge games. NCG can be your marquee 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. matchup, while all other big bowls alternate hour time slots throughout the day.  Make January 1 what it used to be, and let January 1 be it!  So what if the Little Ceasars Castrol Kroger bowl is in the middle of the day on December 6, between Oral Roberts and Urbana.  Cram the meaningless bowls together on meaningless days (or eliminate them) and shorten everything! 

posted by ernest_t_bass

Here's a crazy freaking idea.  Make it so that the NCG is January 1, with all your other huge games. NCG can be your marquee 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. matchup, while all other big bowls alternate hour time slots throughout the day.  Make January 1 what it used to be, and let January 1 be it!  So what if the Little Ceasars Castrol Kroger bowl is in the middle of the day on December 6, between Oral Roberts and Urbana.  Cram the meaningless bowls together on meaningless days (or eliminate them) and shorten everything! 

CFB already owns NYD.

They want to own another day!

 If you go with 1 Jan, not a bad idea, then the semi's would be Dec 15-17th time frame.  I think it is doable and can still have the bowl games on NYD like they do. Move the Rose Bowl game up to 4pm and the NC game at 8.  

then it all has to shift when it goes to 8.  

posted by O-Trap

Why Saturday instead of Sunday?

Since you responded I was looking for an article I read a year or so ago about travel and bookings as it spoke to it. There was a study done on occupancy of hotel rooms, VRBO, Airbnb, etc around major events.

Days prior there was a steady increase in occupancy starting from 3 days prior and obviously spiked the night before and night of said event.   The dropoff the day after the event was like an anvil off a cliff aimed at the roadrunner.  It was believed that is how most people fray the cost of a trip.   The article was suggesting for those who do have VRBO/airbnb, etc to offer a significant decrease in the price the night after big events that bring a lot of people into town.  I showed it to my buddy who has about a dozen different places and he pretty much agreed that is the bookings go and he has sig lowered his prices and has had a little bit more success than before.

In thinking of my bookings where the destination was a concert, game, or some sort of one day event I found myself doing the same thing.   Arrive a day or two early, attend and then pop smoke that next day.