The Rant

[MeredythB 38]

Rant: People who argue with me on a public thread, because they're posting inaccurate information and I (and several others <cough>Nola<cough>) call them on it, then write me a personal comment, attempting to shame me and telling me that I'm culturally ignorant, immature, and intolerant. I don't care that it's what you think of me, I'm still going to sleep fine tonight, but have the cojones to do it in public. It's not my fault you're wrong. Of course, I responded. I'm feeling petty that way today.

(I'm imagining that this is a different digit going up)

Edited March 23, 2013 by MeredythB

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Rant: People who argue with me on a public thread, because they're posting inaccurate information and I (and several others <cough>Nola<cough>) call them on it, then write me a personal comment, attempting to shame me and telling me that I'm culturally ignorant, immature, and intolerant. I don't care that it's what you think of me, I'm still going to sleep fine tonight, but have the cojones to do it in public. It's not my fault you're wrong. Of course, I responded. I'm feeling petty that way today.

(I'm imagining that this is a different digit going up)

I wish I had gotten that PM.

[MeredythB 38]

I wish I had gotten that PM.

Oh, it was all said in a perfectly sweet, passive-aggressive tone. But it was so easy so see through. I'll see if I can forward it to you.

[MeredythB 38]

I think I might make "Culturally Ignorant, Immature, and Intolerant" my description. Thoughts?

[oohpartiv 484]

I think I might make "Culturally Ignorant, Immature, and Intolerant" my description. Thoughts?

Why would they single you out? There were several very vocal people who had the same opinions.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

The thing is that PM was such overkill for that and since what you said had nothing to do with culture at all, the response just seems weird.

[NikLR 13,227]

I also got a PM, but of a different nature. Explanation as to why there is no personal information. Basically, I don't care why you don't share. You don't have to share anything, ever IMHO. There are immigration websites that specifically state never to share information. VJ is a community that is different. I probably OVER-SHARE, LOL!!! But don't spread misinformation.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Be sure that they inspect your roof carefully. It's almost impossible that hail that size didn't damage your roofing especially if you have asphalt shingles. If you roof is more than 5 years old I would insist they replace it.

ok - not really a rant but a big sigh of relief! I have spent almost all of the time since last Monday dealing with the issues of what has now been described by the weathermen and the insurance company as a catastrophic event. Yesterday was one of the most frustrating days of my life and most of it spent in tears of frustration. Last Monday and Tuesday, we filed two claims with AllState - one for the hail damage on the car, and one for the hail damage to the house and property. We have since had 4 free estimate inspections of the roof and the unanimous decision from all has been 'yep, new roof'. Even though we filed both claims within a few hours of the event, AllState only got around to scheduling adjustment inspections for today - and they wouldn't have happened if my husband hadn't got on the phone yesterday and chewed out each level of service until he got to someone who was willing to look deeper into the claim to find out why no one had contacted us yet for inspections while neighbours with AllState who had filed 3 days after us had their inspections the following day. It turns out that the employee who took the claim information didn't list it as part of this catastrophic event but just as regular claims, so we just kept getting moved to the back of the list as more and more of the claims came in and they were properly listed. Even when AllState found this out, they were more interested in saying, 'well, mistakes happen and you'll just have to wait it out'. That is when my husband almost lost it and finally got someone to admit, 'uh, yeah, I guess we could correct the mistake and list it properly and get someone out to do the inspections . . .'. (Duh!)

Anyway, of course this morning it is teaming rain and our house inspection is for 8 am. We fully expected the adjustor to cancel but he showed up. One of the contractors who had given an estimate offered to be here as well even though we hadn't made any decision about hiring yet, and he showed up as well - in the pouring rain. We got some initial business done, a walk around at the ground level to see the 'collateral' damage, looked at the pictures and the two golfball sized hailstones I put in the fridge (they had shrunk somewhat so are now down to golf ball size), and arranged for him to come back when the rain had stopped, hopefully later today. The rain did stop, he came back and went on the roof. AllState requires 14 obvious damaged shingles in a 10'x10' space on each roof section before they will replace it. It didn't take him long to find all he needed for documentation, documented all of the other damage (the pergola, the gutters, the chiimney, the various extrusions from the roof (vents, metal pipes, etc.) and yep, we're getting a new roof, one wall resided and other incidentals.

The car guy also showed up in the rain (I had to buy a tarp to cover the car ), and since it is a 2013 basically said - yep, replace the hood and the roof and the trunk, the two windshields and repair the or replace the other parts of the car damaged, and that was that. The car has now been picked up by a towing company and delivered back to the dealership's collision shop. I had also finally been able to get the rental on Thursday noon - the local car rentals had also lost vehicles to the hail and had to bring in more cars to handle all the claims. They didn't have a car available for me even though I notified them first thing Tuesday. I now have the use of a brand new Toyota Corolla - 29 miles on it - for up to 30 days. The dealership thought they would be able to get my own car taken care of in that time unless something unforeseen comes up.

Now I can at least get on with my life again. I did learn a lot of very interesting stuff, though, about roofs and shingles and working with contractors and insurance companies. I just wish AllState had been more on the ball about this as they created all sorts of totally unnecessary stress and frustration in an already stressful situation. Oh yes - the contractor who showed up to help with the inspection this morning? We've hired him. (Everything else checked out and he was the head of my list to choose but his being there even without a contract or a promise of a contract made a big impression and the company does have a very good reputation - and they're relatively local).

I never want to go through this sort of experience again.

Edited March 23, 2013 by Kathryn41

[NikLR 13,227]

Hail damage is very frustrating. I'm happy that you finally got your insurance on the ball, thanks to an irate husband! Kudos on the contractor who showed up, he knows how to keep himself in business for sure. I hope he does a great job for you and that your car is fixed up better than new! (well much of it will be better than new... LOL or at least "newer")

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Kathryn - wow! What a busy week you've had. At least everything is getting fixed and on its way back to normal, though.

[MeredythB 38]

I also got a PM, but of a different nature. Explanation as to why there is no personal information. Basically, I don't care why you don't share. You don't have to share anything, ever IMHO. There are immigration websites that specifically state never to share information. VJ is a community that is different. I probably OVER-SHARE, LOL!!! But don't spread misinformation.

I also got the explanation as to why they do not post personal information. I wasn't aware that there WAS much personal information on the official timelines. I've seen plenty with no names, no photos, and you don't have to include your wedding date if you don't want to, which seemed to be the main concern that I was told about. Don't want to do a signature? Sure. No problem. I understand that you don't want personal information that is easily read. But if you feel that you can post several hundred times without revealing too much, I'd imagine you could finagle the timeline to reflect the proper length of waiting time (even if the dates aren't specifically correct). Yes?

Edited March 23, 2013 by MeredythB

[MeredythB 38]

Why would they single you out? There were several very vocal people who had the same opinions.

I'm fairly certain that I got my PM because I called them obtuse. It was certainly featured, so it's the best guess that I've got. NikiR also got one, so the wealth was spread a little. I guess we're just special like that.

[NikLR 13,227]

I also got the explanation as to why they do not post personal information. I wasn't aware that there WAS much personal information on the official timelines. I've seen plenty with no names, no photos, and you don't have to include your wedding date if you don't want to, which seemed to be the main concern that I was told about. Don't want to do a signature? Sure. No problem. I understand that you don't want personal information that is easily read. But if you feel that you can post several hundred times without revealing too much, I'd imagine you could finagle the timeline to reflect the proper length of waiting time (even if the dates aren't specifically correct). Yes?

Considering they're not going thru a visa process, it'd be hard to provide a timeline. I'm unsure why someone would stick around, but hey if you're bored, you're bored!

I just hate the misinformation.

I also really dislike that I can't block a person. Can you? I can't figure out how. I'm not obtuse, stupid or computer illiterate either but I can't see the feature here that would let me.

[MeredythB 38]

Considering they're not going thru a visa process, it'd be hard to provide a timeline. I'm unsure why someone would stick around, but hey if you're bored, you're bored!

I just hate the misinformation.

I also really dislike that I can't block a person. Can you? I can't figure out how. I'm not obtuse, stupid or computer illiterate either but I can't see the feature here that would let me.

To be honest, I didn't read her thread. I have no interest. She gave me a general background in her PM. Yet, even after all that, she STILL sent me ANOTHER PM reiterating her argument- that there are foreign field offices and that those offices adjudicate applications originating in the countries they cover. Seriously!

I can't figure out how to block someone, either. I'm fairly computer literate, so it's getting me frustrated. Anyone else out there?

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

How to block: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/389607-blocking-people/