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Question / Answer: |
| 6821. |
Jim
Missoula, MT Age: 30 Dec 3, 2009
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Re: Costco Business Member Application
I signed up for a Costco Executive membership a few months ago without showing any ID (although I did have my passport ready). I walked up to the customer service desk during a slower part of day, asked questions about the different plans and let the young rep 'talk me into' the more expensive plan (which I wanted all along). I started filling out the application while still talking to him, and when I got to the drive's license field, I said I was concerned about privacy and asked why it was needed. The rep said it was only used if I lost my card and needed a replacement. I told him that wasn't going to be an issue, and he let me write 'n/a' in that field. A few minutes later I walked out with two cards--one in my name and one in another persons name (completely different name). My picture was on both cards, but the rep said the other person's card would work fine even though it was a woman's name, and if she wanted a new card with her picture, she would just have to come in, show ID, and get a new card (which she will never do, and hasn't had any problems yet). I suppose one could use their 'pen name' for the second card, which would be printed with their own picture.
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Excellent work, Jim. You may proceed to the head of the class!
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| 6820. |
Fred
Los Angeles, CA Age: 35 Dec 3, 2009
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Costco Business Member Application
I recently reviewed the Costco Business member application and they are requiring a Drivers license. Has anyone gotten around this short of using a nominee?
Submitted Link #1: http://www.costco.com.au/Resources/press/Dual_Appl...
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Why not show up at Costco's Customer Service with your passport and see if that will be acceptable?
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| 6818. |
Mike
Orange County, CA Age: 30 Dec 2, 2009
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Nightmare experience registering CA vehicle in the name of an LLC at an AAA office
All,
I’d like to share my nightmare of an experience registering another of my vehicles in the name of an LLC at a So-Cal AAA office yesterday. This time I happened to be in Riverside County and went to another AAA office to see how easy it would be. After waiting in line, I was happy to see I would be helped by a female clerk. My happiness soon faded…
After sitting down and explaining that I’d like to gift my vehicle to my LLC, she immediately said “That is not possible.” I politely stated “Actually, it is. I’ve gifted and registered several of my vehicles at AAA offices under my company.” She got up to ask a supervisor if it was possible and after a few minutes returned and said “You will need a letter from the California Board of Equalization giving you permission to gift the vehicle.” I stated that the business does not operate in California and she cut me off saying “It doesn’t’ matter. You would have to sell the vehicle to yourself for fair market value to avoid this requirement.” Not wanting to spend the $2,000+ dollars and knowing that she was flat out incorrect, I requested that she call the AAA clerk at the other office I most recently visited. She stated “Well she must have done it wrong, because the DMV won’t allow it. Also, different AAA offices deal with different DMVs.” At this point I knew I was dealing with someone who just didn’t know what they were doing, so I requested that she call the DMV and ask them. After calling the DMV and specifically asking “can this person gift the vehicle to their corporation – the business doesn’t operate in California”, the DMV clerk stated “They will need a letter from the CA Board of Equalization.” She looked at me and said “See!? There you go!”
At that point I realized what was happening. I took a deep breath, regained my composure, and politely stated “Ma’am, I have done this MANY times before, and I assure you, it is not necessary for an LLC, but is required ONLY for corporations”. She immediately replied “Ohhhh this is an LLC???? Hold on one second.” She got up to speak to her supervisor again, came back, and said “You’re right! It’s not required for an LLC!”
Thinking I was home free, things got even worse. She began processing the registration and printed out a copy for me to review. To my dismay it showed some mutant address on it listing both the RESIDENTIAL ghost address street immediately followed by my PO Box number, but with only one city and ZIP code (even though the addresses are in different ZIP codes). Confused beyond belief, I stated “Oh there must be some mistake… You accidentally listed my residential address instead of my mailing address.” Proving just how poorly trained she really was, she stated “I didn’t make a mistake. ALL registrations are like that.”
At that point I decided to stop being nice, set her straight, and make this thing happen. I looked her square in the eye and said “YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY WRONG. What if someone wants to murder my family? Do they just break into my car, open the glove compartment, grab the registration, and find out my home address? OF COURSE NOT, THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A MAILING ADDRESS ON THE REGISTRATION. DO THAT MAKE ANY SENSE TO YOU?” Seeing a little light turn on in her head, she handed me a “registration correction” form, told me to write in “do not want home address listed due to personal security”, and 5 minutes later I walked out with my new registration with only a PO Box listed.
The moral of the story? Don’t give up when a hardheaded or poorly trained clerk thinks they know more than you. Stay persistent and exhaust all avenues before walking away and trying another clerk/office.
Good luck…
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Well, Mike, I see another moral to this story. If they don't treat you nice at one office, just try another. I speak from personal experience!
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| 6817. |
Hu
Ayutthaya, Thailand Age: 54 Dec 2, 2009
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Internet Privacy
This is for those who may have some questions as to what to do to for Internet Privacy, here is an Article that has some good advice and is a follow up of one he did earlier.
To get to the previous one-the link to it from this article may not work-google Practical Internet Privacy by Paul Green. He also goes into ways to get around censored websites. Read it and enjoy.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig9/green-p3.1.1.html...
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| 6816. |
Drake
LA, CA Age: 34 Dec 2, 2009
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The idiocy of adultery
Tiger Woods voice message to one of his mistresses quoted below illustrates the stupid that comes out when people are involved in elicit activity - they generally lose their minds.
"Hey. It's , uh, it's Tiger. I need you to do me a huge favor. Um. Can you please take your name off my phone? My wife went through my phone and may uh, may be calling you. If you can, take your name off that, and if you can just have it has a number on the voicemail. Just have it as your number. Do me a huge favor. Okay?"
Taking her name off the Caller ID and leaving it just a telephone number wouldn't hide her pal. She'd have to turn off her service and get a new number under a different name to hide from the wife. THEN the wife could have a PI research the history of the old number recorded on his phone, and the mistress would be discovered anyway.
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| 6814. |
Everett
Panama City Beach, FL Age: 57 Dec 2, 2009
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Florida Driver's License
The new Real ID driver's license requirements may not be a insurmountable problem for privacy seekers after all. Florida has created a website that tells what documents that you can submit to verify your address. I have four of the ones that will be accepted with a "ghost" address already on them, and you only need two. Presumably, other states' new requirements will be similar. The key is to be prepared in advance.
Submitted Link #1: http://gathergoget.com/...
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(In order to find the page with "2 Proofs of Residential Address" I had to fill out a form. However, I used random information and it led me to the next page, no problem.)
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| 6813. |
Carl
Cincinnati, OH Age: 43 Dec 2, 2009
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Cell phones & GPS
By law, all cell phone providers are part of the e911 network, whereby 911 calls can be tracked via AGPS (advanced GPS) using cell towers if not satellite.
Recently I had a client whose soon-to-be-divorced wife was tracking him via cell phone. His wife was also getting his text messages. She'd show up at the most inopportune times, like when he was at a motel. I didn't have a chance to examine his phone for tracking apps (they are available for smartphones!), but it was obvious to me his phone was compromised. I advised him to get a new phone with a separate carrier and dump the company phone he was using (family business). If you own a smartphone, you definitely need to limit access to it as you would a computer.
Most phones have a feature whereby one can disable the location features, though I am sure it does not disable e911. I am not privy to all the features of e911 that are available to law enforcement and whether they can track a phone with the location features disabled outside of 911 calls. The e911 feature cannot be disabled.
Most people are not aware that GPS has evolved into AGPS, so that when a satellite GPS signal is lost, say in a large building, AGPS reverts to triangulating from cell phone towers, which is not nearly as accurate. In my experience with a nat'l provider, a satellite signal can track my phone to within 10-20 yards of its location when it's got a clear satellite signal, like when it's in my car. If the signal is jammed by a building or some other structure, the location jumps out to 150-200 yards, or more. Again, this is with the location feature ENABLED. Disable the location feature built into your phone for added privacy.
FYI, Carl
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As stated in the instructions, if you wish to separate paragraphs, you need to add the html code. (I added the codes this time.)
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| 6809. |
Jack
Portland, OR Age: 32 Dec 1, 2009
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LLC purchase, NM listings
I saw Rosie's message at the top of the blog announcing her new sales record for November. I was among those who bought from her and was quite satisfied with the service. Mr. Luna, please don't encourage her to raise prices; some of us have a hard enough time affording the current cost.
I totalled my car a couple of weeks ago and will handle my next vehicle with privacy in mind: buying from a private owner in cash and registering with an LLC. I don't know whether to look forward to my first LLC car registration or to dread the potential headaches and unanticipated pesky questions.
I was curious to see if my LLC would really be listed on New Mexico's web site, and indeed it is. For those who would like to check out their own LLCs, use the search box in the link below.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.nmprc.state.nm.us/cii.htm...
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| 6808. |
Michael
Detroit, Michigan Age: 21 Dec 1, 2009
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Mary's Post
My thoughts after reading mary's post below:
There is a lot of pressure to go to college and I know I don't actually want to but I'm not sure what else there is sometimes. I've wrestled with the idea of if I should or not for a few years now. Any chance I could check out your ebook too? I'd really like to avoid college if I can. I don't want to be anywhere near all the parties, drugs and debauchery...
I try to live a clean life close to the divine and I know college definitely isn't an environment conducive to what I really care about in life. It seems like college would mostly just fill my head full of 95% useless information and occupy so much of my time that I can't focus on anything that matters to me. Seems more like brainwash in a lot of ways.
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A copy is on the way. My number one complaint is the immoral atmosphere of college campuses nowadays--a far cry from the years just after WW II when most of us were working our way through college and had neither the time or the money for parties, girls, or binge drinking. At least not at the University of Minnesota, St Paul campus.
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| 6805. |
Mary
Lancaster, PA Age: 20 Dec 1, 2009
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Skip College
Hi J. Luna, I noticed on your blog website a ways back that you were offering a complementary copy of Skip College for young people if they would write to you and describe the situation. I started college, but being part-way through, and am rethinking the cost (and my future) whether I may be better off in the long to start earning money now and take college courses much later in life, if it's needed.
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I will send this to you at once. I hope it encourages you to bite the bullet and drop out, at least for now.
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| 6804. |
John
Seattle, WA Age: 40 Dec 1, 2009
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Moving to Canada
We have a 2007 RAV, needs another 9K to pay off and i want to register it using your NM LLC.
(1) Should I pay off the vehicle, and use it for NM LLC, or sell it and buy a diff one using cash for this purpose?
(2) Also, I have scoured the site and have yet to see someone in Canada successfully use a NM LLC to register a vehicle there. Is this possible?
(3) Lastly, before we move, will it be prudent to keep a ghost address, mail forwarder, and friend/nominee here in the states? I have a US based business and want to maintain a US address so my clients think I am still in the US.
Thanks for all you do.
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1) It might be simpler to sell the RAV4 and get a new one in Canada, but check first. Perhaps you can license the SUV in Canada without paying tax. But if that doesn't work, contact me. I know someone who is looking for a 2007 RAV4 (All wheel drive). ... 2) Not that I know of. ... 3) Yes. You might even consider the Alaska ghost address if not much actual mail will be involved.
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| 6803. |
Mike
Columbus, Ohio Age: 41 Dec 1, 2009
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Law Enforcement access to Cell Phone GPS Information
Sprint disclosed that law enforcement made 8 million requests for GPS information last year from them alone. Yet another reason to be concerned of technology in the governments hand.
Submitted Link #1: http://paranoia.dubfire.net/...
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| 6802. |
Fred
Los Angeles, CA Age: 35 Dec 1, 2009
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Paper Shredders
Greetings Mr. Luna,Is there a specific brand of paper shredder that you like. A friend of mine has a Kobra shredder but its very expensive. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.consumersearch.com/paper-shredders?gcli...
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ConsumerSearch has a review of shredders. See link below.
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| 6801. |
Moses
atlanta Age: 21 Dec 1, 2009
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job application
Hello, Mr. Luna I recently interviewed for a position with the local school system; a few days later I received a call back to come in to handle my paper work. I began to think to myself what address should I use. However before filling out anything I wanted to get your opinion or maybe even one of your readers. I have three viable options: my mother’s current address which is the address I use for my driver’s license that was just renewed, although she is preparing to move, my father’s address which is pretty much permanent out of state, or my cousins address who lives in state.
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Have you really read and studied How to be Invisible? If so, the principles are all there. You alone know which level of privacy you are seeking, and you alone are the one to decide which address will be best in your own case. Doesn't that make sense?
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| 6800. |
Tony
St. Cloud, MN Age: 20 Nov 30, 2009
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Question about going into business for myself after reading
I recently finished reading "Skip College" and I highly recommend this book to everyone! Especially people around my age. Everything Luna says in the book fits with my personal observations about college. All of my peers just go without even thinking about it. 90% of them are through their generals and have no idea what they want to do for a living. They take a year off trying to decide on a major but a year later they still don't know and won't even consider the idea of not going. They have a huge pile of student loans and no direction whatsoever. Most are quite depressed. Many around me who are out of college get a job making less than me when I never went and I have ZERO debt because i refuse to touch credit.
There is one question I have after reading "Skip College". When does a person need to have an LLC? When does a person have to register a business by law? I will be acting alone with no partner and no employees. Do I not need one by law?
I have developed what I can do for my business after reading mr. luna's book but I'm unsure about the above.
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I see no reason for using an LLC for a one-person business. Follow the instructions in "Skip College."You alone can decide if you wish to get a permit for your business. When there is little traffic to your home, many might just keep this information to themselves.
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| 6799. |
Seth
collbran, co Age: 50 Nov 30, 2009
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Ultimate Shredding
Keep it simple.
cross-cut (diamond) shred everything, put it in a 35 gallon plastic trash can, about 3/4 full, add a gallon or two of alcohol to dissolve ink and stimulate cellulose breakdown if you like, fill with water, stir a bit and then let marinate for a week or so, till it becomes a sodden, gluey mass of unrecoverable paper fibers, then screen out the excess water, dump it in a heavy-duty trash bag and put it in a dumpster somewhere. (or put the bag in the trash can first and save a step...)
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When you say "simple," you're kidding I presume.
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| 6797. |
Mark
Dutch Harbor, Ak Age: 35 Nov 30, 2009
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Shredder la pew
If you own a pet, make friends with the owner of the pet store you use. (Preferably a Mom and Pop store)They use shredded paper as bedding for nearly all the animals they sell, rabbits, dogs, etc. Offer to bring by your shredding. If it is important bring half in one trip like Jack says and half in another. The "stench factor" will be yet another deterrent. Your shredding will be but a drop in the ocean of paper they use!
Cheers!
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| 6794. |
Dorothy
Topeka, KS Age: 40 Nov 29, 2009
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shredders, the obvious solution
Somebody previously mentioned the idea of adding water to the shredded strips or cross-cuts. I would take it one step further. Add a little flour to the water and make a beautiful paper mache sculpture. Then spray paint it. :)
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| 6793. |
Marc
Seattle, WA Age: 53 Nov 29, 2009
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Shredders
With this availible to the public think what the govenment must have.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.unshredder.com/www/407/1001127/home--de...
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As you see, folks, my recent e-email to you who are on the list was not an exaggeration. If you are using a strip shredder, additional security measures ARE necessary.
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| 6792. |
Don
PA Age: 38 Nov 29, 2009
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NM LLC in a police state
I believe the tri state area(NY,NJ,PA) is slowly being locked down into a Police State. I would not recommend anyone interested in privacy/liberty find it here. i purchased a NMLLC a few months ago and visited several DMV agencies but to no avail.1. All required & were very picky/inconsistent about the Authorization Letter. 2. Insurance ID card required upfront and must be in LLC name. Here's where it gets intolerable: 3. Motor vehicle docs. to an in-state address require LLC have PA TIN. 4. Motor vehicle docs. to an out-of-state address will not be issued w/o filing form MV-8(7-07) which requires certification by an authorized agent of out of state business with no PA address to provide: a) Documentation showing existence of LLC in state other than PA. b) The authorized agent's out-of-state DL and c) Documentation of WHERE the vehicle is being used in PA' Therefore, I am currently hiring an Authorized Agent w/nonPA DL to perform the transaction here in PA or my other(& at this time prefered) option is to assign the title to the NMLLC and register it in a freedom-loving state--to which i would gladly accept direction & compensate anyone willing to facilitate the process. Feel free to contact me at dwatp@yahoo.com or post here if you can assist in any way. Let Freedom Ring!
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