NAYCALM ℠

Don't be calm. Be NAYCALM!

[naycalm]

Apple Is Being Sued for False Advertising Over iTunes Season Pass by Luke Bouma on October 11, 2018 in All News, Apple TV News

Last week in California, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Apple over how they advertise iTunes TV season passes.

A season pass allows you to buy all the episodes of a season for one flat rate. According to the lawsuit, Apple is misrepresenting the number of episodes you will get with the season pass because they include promotional clips.

“Consumers purchase the Season Features, reasonably believing that each episode is a standard, plot-based episode and that, by purchasing the Season Features, they are receiving a significant discount over purchasing each episode individually,” states the complaint. “However, because many of the episodes in the Season Features are promotional clips, consumers are not receiving the number of episodes and the discount they expected.”

Davis, California, resident Gabriela Zaragoza is the co-lead plaintiff. According to the complaint, she bought a season pass for Genius: Einstein for $24.99 believing she was getting 13 episodes, a discount over the individual purchase price of $2.99 for each episode, but there were only six episodes and seven promotional clips.

“Until Apple redesigns its iTunes store, or Apple is enjoined from making further false and misleading representations, Plaintiffs and other consumers will continue to bear this ongoing injury,” states the complaint.

[naycalm]

Auto Lease Extortion?

Auto Lease Extortion.

Beware of the Disposition Fee that you will get hit with when you turn in your leased vehicle. Not only will you get charged for excessive wear and tear on the car but you will have to pay a “Disposition Fee”. The reason this fee is on your lease contract is sell you another car at the end of your current lease. See the example below.  Turn in fee or Disposition Fee $350.00. This is the latest Fee to gouge you out of more money. However, see the 3 asterisks. Loyal customers who buy or lease a new vehicle can have this fee waived.

So if I understand this correctly, I don’t have to pay a fee if I buy another car form you but I do have to pay the fee if I don’t? Hmmm, sounds like extortion to me. “Yeah, buy this from me and the fee, forget about it.”

See if you can negotiate the fee off the contract when you lease you next car.

Oh, not so friendly Honda people now. 

[naycalm]

A 90% Reduction is Service From Moviepass?

@moviepass has issued the new structure with a 90% reduction in service for the same price. From 31 movies a month to just 3 and still possible blackouts.

With the Oscar contenders coming out at the end of the year this is a big blow to the Moviepass subscriber. I think it is time for AMC’s Stubs A-List and dump Moviepass.

See the bad news below.

Dear MoviePass Member, On August 15, 2018, we will hit the one-year anniversary of MoviePass’ revolutionary price point of $9.95 a month. We’ve experienced tremendous growth, and we know that at times, the frequent changes to our service have been frustrating to you. But through it all, one thing is clear: we’ve gotten people excited about going to the movies again. Over the last year, we have tried different things and we’ve discovered what our members love about our service — the low price point and the ability to go to more than 91 percent of theaters nationwide. We’ve also learned what people don’t like about the service — features including Peak Pricing and Ticket Verification. So now, with almost a full year of learnings under our belt, we’re introducing a new pricing plan that retains the features you love the most and removes the ones you don’t. Most importantly, this new plan will ensure that we can run a sustainable business and continue providing you with an amazing deal to go see movies in theaters. Here are the details:

Under our new plan, MoviePass members will be able to see up to threestandard movies a month for $9.95, and be given up to a $5.00 discount to any additional movie tickets purchased. Today, 85 percent of MoviePass members go to three movies or less per month, so these changes cater to the majority of our movie-going community.

The new plan will include many major studio first-run films, however there will be some exceptions (note that theaters with e-ticketing will include all movies and showtimes with no restrictions).

We will be suspending Peak Pricing and Ticket Verification requirements for all members in the new plan described above.

Over the coming days, MoviePass members with a monthly subscription renewing on or after August 15th will be given the option in the MoviePass app to transition to the new plan. Quarterly and annual subscribers will not be impacted until their renewal date.

The truth is, disruption and innovation require staying flexible and having an open mind. We genuinely strive to offer you a service that is a great deal, and we believe that the new plan we’re introducing will be attractive to the majority of our members. It’s been an exciting journey so far, and MoviePass is here to stay. Your endless support, understanding and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated. Thank you, Mitch Lowe

[naycalm]

The greedy ways Apple got to $1 trillion

For being the richest company ever with $243 billion in cash, Apple sure cuts corners in the stingiest ways. The hardware giant became the first trillion-dollar company this week. Yet it’s tough to reconcile Apple earning $11 billion in profit per quarter with it still screwing us over on cor…

$243 billion in cash? Greed is correct, Apple should distribute that cash to hire more people, lower prices and hidden costs. Not to mention pay taxes and not hide it in Ireland. Mr.Cook, Gordon Gekko would be proud.

[naycalm]

MoviePass TicketVerification=BS

This is stupid! More hoops to jump through and its up to Movie Pass to police the usage of their service. Not to put the burden on the customer!

Here is what I want you to do. If you have to take a picture of your ticket, in the same picture include a note or some other gesture to show movie pass how much you “love” them.and enjoy this verification process.

Thanks!

“Please read this entire email, as it contains important information about your MoviePass service. We are implementing a few systems to protect our service from fraudulent activity to ensure that MoviePass is sustainable for the entire community. As part of this initiative, we are testing some new safeguards. Please note that failure to cooperate with the below safeguards could result in irreversible termination of your subscription.

Starting over the next few days, each time you purchase a movie ticket with your MoviePass card, you will be asked to upload a photo of your ticket stub. This photo needs to be uploaded before you're able to purchase your next movie ticket through MoviePass. You'll be prompted to submit the photo of your ticket stub through the MoviePass app. This feature will help us better track user behavior and ensure that subscribers are abiding by our Terms of Use. If you fail to submit your ticket stub more than once, your account will be canceled and you'll be ineligible to sign up for a new MoviePass account.

Click here to learn more about Ticket Verification

https://youtu.be/VQGy1aWE_6s

The process is really simple. Continue to check-in to a movie the same way through the MoviePass app. After you check-in, you’ll be asked to take a photo of your ticket stub. The first time, you will be asked to enable camera access in order to do so. Once the photo verification is processed (this will only take seconds), you'll be able to purchase your next ticket the following day. You will have to repeat these steps each time you use your MoviePass card. We don't believe this extra step should impact your experience.

Our ultimate goal is to continue providing you with access to movie theaters for a low cost, and we appreciate you working with us as we upgrade our systems.

Additionally, we wanted to take this time to remind you to always double-check the MoviePass app to confirm your preferred showtimes and theaters are available for the movie you’re planning to see before you leave for the theater. What happens if I don’t have my ticket stub?

You are prompted to take a photo of your ticket stub immediately after clicking on your showtime and checking in. It’s best to take a photo of your stub immediately after it prints out. We understand that sometimes things happen and you may lose your stub. However, abuse of the "Don't Have Your Ticket Stub?" feature can lead to account termination. Be sure to submit pictures of your ticket stubs in the future. Failure to do so could affect the status of your account. What if I'm having issues with this process? Please make sure your app is up to date in the App Store or Google Play Store. If you have any further questions, please send us a chat through the MoviePass app by clicking on Account, and then Help.

Thank you for your continued support. The MoviePass Team”

[naycalm]

Hey @moviepass, If you have peak pricing, you should have sub pricing too. So you can get better pricing when the theaters are empty. Example, I saw Uncle Drew (Don’t Judge) and there was 6 people in the theater. 

[naycalm]

Why nobody ever wins the car at the mall

We had a hunch that no one ever actually wins those mall car giveaways. But we had no idea how deep the rabbit hole went…

Good article by the Hustle.com. It’s all about your data.

[naycalm]

Over 400 Washington Post employees demand fair pay and benefits

An open letter sent by more than 400 Washington Post employees to CEO Jeff Bezos petitioned for fair pay, benefits, and job security. It also criticized present practices calling them shocking.

Spread the wealth!

[naycalm]

YouTube TV Forces You to Watch Ads on DVR'd Shows - Cord Cutters News

It seems Google has found a new way to make money on YouTube TV… Forcing you to watch ads on shows you DVR’d. It seems if you record a show on YouTube TV once it comes to on demand your recording will be replaced with the on demand. version. Yet the on demand version wont …

YouTube TV, Did I make the wrong choice by choosing you over my DirectTV Now $35.00 100 channel subscription? Your connection speed is great, no buffering. Channel selection is OK, wife misses HGTV but she will be fine. So you know what is coming next, the how and ever.

However, one of the greatest inventions in the TV history has to be the DVR. I have had a DVR, a DVR was a good friend of mine, YOUTUBE TV, are no DVR. I am unable to skip commercials which is really the only reason a DVR exists. To illustrate this I wanted to show my son an act on America’s Got Talent. In order to get to the point in the show I had to endure five segments of commercials. 15 minutes of nothing but ads, just to get to a two minute act.

You DVR is not a feature since it uses the Networks App functions. Not a recording which I can control. Please restructure you DVR service to act like a DVR. It’s your only hope.

Naycalm Neal

[naycalm]

Chipotle to relocate its HQ to Newport Beach, Calif., impacting 400 staffers

400+ lives disrupted because one person want to move closer to home. Selfish CEO gets what he wants as if $3 million in guaranteed salary and bonus, another $1-million bonus upfront and $5 million in stock-based incentives weren’t enough. I have a bitter taste in my mouth.

[naycalm]

Don’t Be Scared About The End Of Capitalism—Be Excited To Build What Comes Next

Instead of fixating on a fight between capitalism and socialism, imagine innovating a future economy that transcends old binaries.

“The path to a better future will be cut by regular people being curious and open enough to challenge the wisdom received from our schools, our parents, and our governments, and look at the world with fresh eyes.”

Amen.

[naycalm]

Why Can’t Americans Get a Raise?

Things are not supposed to work this way.

Just one front on the war against employees.

[naycalm]

With deceptive ‘discounts,’ retailers are manipulating us to spend more. Here are the worst offenders.

Washington Consumers’ Checkbook tracked prices for 10 months.

A “sale” is now a relative term. Buyer beware.

[naycalm]

Starbucks Closes 8,000 Stores For Racial Bias Training -- Is It Enough?

The big customer service and experience news for this week happened Tuesday, when Starbucks shut down 8,000 stores in North America to train approximately 175,000 employees about racial sensitivity.

This seems like Starbucks has turned this incident into publicity. Closing all the stores at the same time? Why? What needs to be done is to have a sustained continuing education on matter such as these.

[naycalm]

Lowe's Is Making Managers Sign Arbitration Agreements If They Want Their Bonuses

We're going to see a whole lot more of these "voluntary" agreements after last week's Supreme Court ruling.

Extortion!

[naycalm]

But you are a robot. Don’t be calm!