u/VoodooInfinity

Due to a recent separation, I’m going to need to change wireless providers from Verizon to a different carrier soon. I’ve looked up the process for porting my number, and I’m aware it requires an Account Manager to provide a PIN number to approve the transfer.

My problem is that I’m not able to get an Account Manager to do that for me, as my Father-in-law is the sole Account Manager and he’s recently hired a fiduciary to handle his finances, and the woman in charge of his accounts is being completely obstructionist and unwilling to assist anyone. My son recently had to do the same thing, and she refused to assist him unless he paid her a $250 “Processing Fee”.

This is only one of many things she’s done since being hired to hinder his entire family’s lives. We’ve tried talking to him about it and he refuses to listen, even my wife (an only child) is unable to make any progress with him. So my question though is whether anyone knows if there’s a way to get a number ported without going through the Account Holder (or in this case his POA)? I really need to keep my current number, and am looking for any assistance anyone could provide.

I’m working on a 1993 Camaro with the LT1 5.7 L V8 engine. While my son was tightening one of the bolts on the starter, the bolt hole cracked off the block leaving half of the bolt hole on the block and half missing. There are 3 bolt holes, so my question is whether it’s feasible to rely on only two of those bolts to keep the starter mounted correctly. Or is there a way to repair this without replacing the entire block?

I’m working on a 1993 Camaro with the LT1 5.7 L V8 engine. While my son was tightening one of the bolts on the starter, the bolt hole cracked off the block leaving half of the bolt hole on the block and half missing. There are 3 bolt holes, so my question is whether it’s feasible to rely on only two of those bolts to keep the starter mounted correctly. Or is there a way to repair this without replacing the entire block?

I’ve been reading some of the posts/comments on this sub, and have noticed a lot of the same complaints about deliveries/drovers/package thefts being repeated. I deliver for Amazon, and thought I’d write up a few tips that might help some people having problems. These won’t all apply to everyone, but they are all things Amazon doesn’t do a good job of relating. And to be upfront, many of these will help the delivery driver also, but these are things with simple solutions that can make both driver’s and customer’s lives a little easier.

And none of this is meant to be critical of anyone, or to blame the customer over the driver. Drivers do a lot of stupid stuff, I’ll be the first to admit that. But

1. If you live in a gated or secured apartment complex, provide a gate or door code if your complex makes these available. Make sure this is in the delivery notes.

2. If your complex doesn’t allow you to provide codes for delivery, ask your leasing office if they are part of or can sign up for Amazon Key. This is a free service that apartment complexes can sign up for that allows the delivery driver to tap a button when they arrive and use their phone like a key fob. There is no cost to the complex, and details can be found here (give the link to the leasing office when requesting it): Key for Business.

3. If none of the above is possible, avoid scheduling deliveries a) the Leasing Office is closed, or b) before 8am or after 8pm. Amazon restricts drivers from calling or texting outside of these hours, so your package will either be returned to the warehouse, or more likely left somewhere unsafe, such as outside the Leasing Office doors. The reason for most drivers leaving the package somewhere as opposed to returning it is that failing to deliver a package for ANY reason results in the driver being penalized. It’s better for the driver to take the chance it will not be stolen than to return it and try later. They MIGHT get a negative mark if it’s left unsafely, but they WILL get one if they return it.

4. If you live in a house and have concerns about porch pirates, you can get a lockable (not included) delivery box for your porch. Get a combination padlock for it and include the combination in the delivery notes.

5. For a less secure but free approach, put something on your porch that can block the view of the package from the street. Pillars are useful, but if your house doesn’t have them then something like a large planter will work. It won’t secure the packages, but it can help. The goal is to make it difficult for a pirate to see the package from the street (although some will walk right along the porch-line, so the more obscured the better). Also put the specific location you want it delivered in the notes. Unfortunately not all drivers read them, but if it’s in the notes you can report that your directions weren’t followed, and then the driver is responsible. Good drivers will attempt to obscure packages regardless of the notes, but some (unfortunately) will just fling them wherever.

6. The harder it is for a driver to get to your door, the less likely they are to be more cautious with the package. There are countless videos of drivers throwing packages from the driver seat, and while some people will just do this because they have no work ethic, most only do so when it’s difficult or unsafe to get closer. This includes dogs (see below), severely overgrown yards, questionable/rickety stairs, a “Protected by 2nd Amendment” sign, etc.

7. Amazon’s policy concerning dogs is for the driver to prioritize safety. If it’s a choice between placing the package in a safe location or possibly getting bit, the driver (with Amazon’s backing) will choose safety every time. And your dog may be the nicest dog in the world, but delivery people don’t know that (and no amount of notes about how nice he is will help), they’re going to toss the package as soon as that dog comes running and barking.

8. One of the biggest problems for drivers is house numbers. It’s incredible how many houses are either poorly marked or not marked at all. If the driver can’t see a number, all they have to go off of is the GPS indicator in the app, which is not at all reliable. True story: Two days ago I had a stop that was going to 102 on a street I can’t remember. The GPS was telling me to go to 101, across the street and down a house. I almost left it at 101 because neither house had numbers on them. It was only by counting from 3 houses down that I realized the issue and put it on the correct porch. To help ensure you get your packages, put the house number in a clearly visible spot. Even if it’s just written in Sharpie on a piece of cardboard taped to the door, it will help.

9. For some unknown reason, Amazon refuses to give drivers bags to put over packages during rainy weather (they are supposed to per policy, but warehouse staff often refuses when asked). If you’re concerned about your package being damaged and don’t have a covered porch, put a Rubbermaid tub or similar out for the packages to be put in, and add this to the notes.

10. Just an FYI, that screen in the app that says there are xx stops before your delivery is not set in stone. Drivers can (and do) go in the most logical order to deliver, and Amazon’s routing is notoriously horrible.it may say you’re the next stop, but that’s only if the driver chooses to go there next; and Amazon’s policy is that their route is a suggestion, not something drivers are required to follow.

That’s all I can think of right now, hopefully this helps some people improve their experience.

There is a special place in hell for residents of apartments unwilling to let delivery people into the building. I understand there are security concerns, but I’m standing there wearing the vest, struggling to not drop 2 large weirdly shaped packages, and I get the “I can’t let you in the building, but here’s how to call the resident” speech.

I had already called the people, neither answered. That’s why I chased him down a half a block to ask him for help. And it’s not like this is New York City, it’s a nice area of Austin. And like I said, I had two weirdly shaped large packages; if I was just using props, wouldn’t an envelope or a small box make more sense?

Honestly I think security has gotten ridiculous anyways. If someone REALLY wants to get in, they’re getting in, no real way to prevent it.

Okay, done ranting, just needed to throw that all out…

I’ve been playing this game for the past few days (on Xbox), struggling through it despite the rather sloppy controls. In fact if not for the controls I would be absolutely loving it, but they’re less than stellar to say the least.

At any rate, I’ve found an “ability” that I do t see mentioned anywhere in the tutorials, and I’m not sure if it’s intentional or technically a bug. Basically, once you get the double jump ability, you can jump up just about any spike-free walls endlessly by dashing into the wall, pushing the stick diagonally up and away from the wall, and jumping again. I would assume this is a bug and not intended, but there are some areas that I’ve reached that I can’t see how else you would ever get to without this. A perfect example is the switches opening the gates in the long vertical shaft in Seat of Valour (and a bit in Azhuka’s Vigil).

I can’t see another ability (although I haven’t gotten whatever the wind floating ability is yet) that would allow me to reach it, so I’m unsure if this is intended. If not, it allows for some incredible sequence breaking. 😉

Is there a way to deliver to these, where the Amazon locker is the equivalent of the Luxor lockers? I've tried codes provided, the help screen, calling support, etc, but I'm never able to deliver to it without a QR code (which isn't ever provided).

To be clear, these aren't the lockers publicly available in 7-11 or other places, they're the dedicated resident lockers.

Appreciate any help, thanks!

Has anyone had issues with the reserve offers acceptance time reflecting the wrong Rewards Level? I got to level 4 last period, so had 30 min to accept Reserve offers. Even since the new period started though, it’s only been giving me Level 2 (10 min) times to accept…basically reflecting what I’ve earned so far rather than the carry over it’s supposed to do through Sept 30.

I tried to contact support and that was a joke. He pasted the Reserve Offers rules text into the chat, and then suggestedI log out and back in. 🙄

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if they were able to fix it.

I’ve heard several people refer to the summer slump being a yearly thing. Just wondering if anyone can tell me about when it starts and ends. And also what the actual impact is. I’ve been getting two 3-4 hour blocks a day through the Reserve system, and wondering if I should expect this to change at some point soon.

Thanks!

Does anyone know if there’s something we’re supposed to do in the app when taking the non-Amazon locker returns? Like the Lexus lockers (that name sounds wrong, but I can’t remember the right one at the moment), when you log in it shows the list of yellow boxes with locker numbers asking you to take them and return to Amazon. I’ve taken the packages, and then return them to the depot, but it doesn’t seem that there’s any tracking so I’m not sure if I’m missing a step.

I tried asking a Depot employee (one of the yellow vests), and they didn’t seem to understand my question at all. So hoping someone here has some insight on the right way to handle this.