Overheard at Work

[HairyUpperLip]

Based on the looks on faces later, I don't think they're used to seeing credit scores that start with an 8.

Neither am I, how did you manage that?

Mine was around 801 at 30 y/o before I bought a house. I never did anything special except pay my bills on time and even then I fucked up a little as a youngin' but nothing worse than a few late payments. But those were a long time ago and did not show up. 

[mm1970]

Based on the looks on faces later, I don't think they're used to seeing credit scores that start with an 8.

Neither am I, how did you manage that?

My husband and my credit scores have started with an 8 for as long as I can remember.

[RecoveringCarClown]

Based on the looks on faces later, I don't think they're used to seeing credit scores that start with an 8.

Neither am I, how did you manage that?

My husband and my credit scores have started with an 8 for as long as I can remember.

Same here for my wife and I, pretty close to breaking 830, but I don't actively try to game it either.  I hear gaming it to hit the max is actually "thing".

[merula]

Long history of flawless on time payments over a variety of account types.

Exactly. At the time I had 15 years of credit history, still had my first accounts open and no late payments of any kind.

I would take it too if there was a way to do it without buying a new car!

Buying a new car is one of the best ways to kill your mustache.  Let's face it, even a 2-3 year old car is a ridiculous luxury that deserves punches to the face!

I may have made a different decision had I been reading this site at the time, but I had my justifications, among them being that a model shift 3 years prior meant significant improvements in the safety ratings and fuel efficiency. And for the record, this is my second car purchase ever after 8 years of carlessness, and is the sole car in my two-driver household.

[Sibley]

Something I found out today at work, so it counts, right?

Another team in my department was supposed to have a new person start this week. Orientation Monday, then first day in the department Tuesday. He wasn't here yesterday. Today, I found out why. Monday, he emailed HR and said that he wasn't taking the job, and was going to stay with his current company. He'd accepted the job offer 2-3 weeks ago.

He's blacklisted with HR - will never even get an interview here again.

[Donovan]

Something I found out today at work, so it counts, right?

Another team in my department was supposed to have a new person start this week. Orientation Monday, then first day in the department Tuesday. He wasn't here yesterday. Today, I found out why. Monday, he emailed HR and said that he wasn't taking the job, and was going to stay with his current company. He'd accepted the job offer 2-3 weeks ago.

He's blacklisted with HR - will never even get an interview here again.

Meh, I don't see this as that strange if you are in a high demand field. The last time I switched jobs, my boss was trying to get me to stay up until the time that he walked me out to my car on my last Friday (with me starting the new job the following Monday).  I didn't take those last minute counter offers because I had non-financial reasons for leaving the company, but if that had not been true and the counter offers had been high enough I would have performed a last-minute turn around at the car with no remorse.  Maximizing your own time and value is more important than loyalty to some organization that you don't even work for yet, especially given the 'at-will' employment laws in most of the US.

[dragoncar]

Something I found out today at work, so it counts, right?

Another team in my department was supposed to have a new person start this week. Orientation Monday, then first day in the department Tuesday. He wasn't here yesterday. Today, I found out why. Monday, he emailed HR and said that he wasn't taking the job, and was going to stay with his current company. He'd accepted the job offer 2-3 weeks ago.

He's blacklisted with HR - will never even get an interview here again.

This is probably the same HR that provides a nice booklet filled with information about how your employment is "at will" and can be terminated at any time

[MgoSam]

Something I found out today at work, so it counts, right?

Another team in my department was supposed to have a new person start this week. Orientation Monday, then first day in the department Tuesday. He wasn't here yesterday. Today, I found out why. Monday, he emailed HR and said that he wasn't taking the job, and was going to stay with his current company. He'd accepted the job offer 2-3 weeks ago.

He's blacklisted with HR - will never even get an interview here again.

This is probably the same HR that provides a nice booklet filled with information about how your employment is "at will" and can be terminated at any time

True, but it's generally considered good form to let your new employer know that you aren't taking the job. A few years ago we interviewed and hired someone that was very excited at the job, didn't say anything negative about it. The man was currently unemployed.

On the day he was supposed to come in, he didn't and didn't call or email us. We reached out to him and he said that he took another job and said that he didn't really want the job we wanted. When we asked him why he didn't say this, or bring up any concerns, or even tell us that he accepted another job he didn't really have a good response. Fast forward two years later, he got let-go from that company and had a friend of his who knows one of my employees well ask if there was a place for him.

My employee came in that Monday with a big smile on his face and told me this. Then he asked, "What should I tell him?"

I had to fight the urge to tell him to tell the original person, "TO GO #$#% themselves," only because I knew that my employee would send the message verbatim.

Oh, and the employee that brought me the message...we only hired him because the original guy backed out. I actually didn't like him, but am glad that I was overruled...this guy has been worth his weight in gold, and has been given raises every 6 months because he keeps justifying his worth.

Sorry for the long message, but I feel like people here would appreciate this story.

[Kitsune]

Something I found out today at work, so it counts, right?

Another team in my department was supposed to have a new person start this week. Orientation Monday, then first day in the department Tuesday. He wasn't here yesterday. Today, I found out why. Monday, he emailed HR and said that he wasn't taking the job, and was going to stay with his current company. He'd accepted the job offer 2-3 weeks ago.

He's blacklisted with HR - will never even get an interview here again.

Meh, I don't see this as that strange if you are in a high demand field. The last time I switched jobs, my boss was trying to get me to stay up until the time that he walked me out to my car on my last Friday (with me starting the new job the following Monday).  I didn't take those last minute counter offers because I had non-financial reasons for leaving the company, but if that had not been true and the counter offers had been high enough I would have performed a last-minute turn around at the car with no remorse.  Maximizing your own time and value is more important than loyalty to some organization that you don't even work for yet, especially given the 'at-will' employment laws in most of the US.

On one hand: yes. I've had conversations with old colleagues before where people will criticize other people for 'not having any loyalty to the company' and I'm like... please explain yourself. I have as much loyalty to the company as they have to me, which is to say, zilch. What we have is a mutually satisfying business agreement that can be disolved from either side should it cease to be satisfying. Since the company is NEVER going to give me more loyalty than that, I'd be kind of a fool to be 'loyal' in absence of returned loyalty.

That said: don't be a dick. Call the company with who you took the job and explain that, unfortunately, you won't be there Monday for X reason. Don't let people hang around and wait. You'll burn the bridge with the company either way, but at least this means you're maintaining some semblance of professional courtesy for those who hear about the story, who you will most likely run across again in your career.

[RecoveringCarClown]

It is funny, I am known to say something similar..."The deal is simple, I keep showing up and the paycheck keeps showing up, if either one stops, so does the other."

[dandarc]

It is funny, I am known to say something similar..."The deal is simple, I keep showing up and the paycheck keeps showing up, if either one stops, so does the other."

My stock answer to "how is work?" is along similar lines - "I keep showing up; they keep paying me."

[Beaker]

That said: don't be a dick. Call the company with who you took the job and explain that, unfortunately, you won't be there Monday for X reason. Don't let people hang around and wait. You'll burn the bridge with the company either way, but at least this means you're maintaining some semblance of professional courtesy for those who hear about the story, who you will most likely run across again in your career.

Pretty much that. Everybody understands the job market, but have the stones to let the employer know so they can call up the next candidate on the list - who might also need the job.

We had somebody accept a job, then not show up. He was such a wuss that he didn't even answer phone calls or emails, I guess hoping we'd just go away. After several days somebody finally managed to get the story from a friend-of-a-friend kind of route. HR was on the verge of calling for a police wellness check on the guy. Probably better to not hire somebody who's that averse to conflict anyway.

[merula]

Oh, and the employee that brought me the message...we only hired him because the original guy backed out. I actually didn't like him, but am glad that I was overruled...this guy has been worth his weight in gold, and has been given raises every 6 months because he keeps justifying his worth.

Could you give more detail on this? It sounds like a great attitude that you've come around. In my personal experience, managers seem to stick by people they liked and hired, regardless of performance, and continuously treat employees they were overruled on poorly. For that reason, if I ever knew that the person hiring me didn't want to but was overruled, I'd decline the job.

If it's too long and foamy of a story, feel free to PM me.

[firelight]

Oh, and the employee that brought me the message...we only hired him because the original guy backed out. I actually didn't like him, but am glad that I was overruled...this guy has been worth his weight in gold, and has been given raises every 6 months because he keeps justifying his worth.

Could you give more detail on this? It sounds like a great attitude that you've come around. In my personal experience, managers seem to stick by people they liked and hired, regardless of performance, and continuously treat employees they were overruled on poorly. For that reason, if I ever knew that the person hiring me didn't want to but was overruled, I'd decline the job.

If it's too long and foamy of a story, feel free to PM me.

I'd love me some foam!!!!

[Maya Freegalson]

Not something I overhead as much as something I saw during a work-related trip.

The night before we were due to fly home, my colleague paid $3 to print her boarding pass at the hotel, even though they can be printed at the airport FOR FREE. She just whipped out her credit card when the hotel computer said that printing cost money, without even blinking an eye.

Also seen on the same trip: She got a hotel room upgrade ($15/night, 4 nights = $60) so she could check in a few hours early. We arrived early on Sunday morning and the upgraded room was available whereas her booked room (that was paid for by work) was not. She had plans to go and explore the city, but I guess it was just that valuable to her to be able to drop off her bags in her room rather than at the reception desk...

[MgoSam]

Oh, and the employee that brought me the message...we only hired him because the original guy backed out. I actually didn't like him, but am glad that I was overruled...this guy has been worth his weight in gold, and has been given raises every 6 months because he keeps justifying his worth.

Could you give more detail on this? It sounds like a great attitude that you've come around. In my personal experience, managers seem to stick by people they liked and hired, regardless of performance, and continuously treat employees they were overruled on poorly. For that reason, if I ever knew that the person hiring me didn't want to but was overruled, I'd decline the job.

If it's too long and foamy of a story, feel free to PM me.

I'd love me some foam!!!!

I don't want to share too many specifics but I should add that when I said I didn't like him, I didn't mean that I didn't like him personally, I just thought that he wouldn't be a good fit here.

In general, the person is somewhat loud (unable/unwilling to control the volume of his voice) and repeats himself. During his interview he was asked a simple question that he repeated the answer three times to. I thought that this would turn off customers. His previous experience was working at a department store as a salesmen on the floor, which I didn't think was good experience.

He's as sturdy as Tardigrade and won't take no for an answer from a customer. Within a week of working there he demanded that he be allowed to go out and sell to local stores. At the time my company dealt almost exclusively with wholesalers and I thought that he would do it for a day or two and give up, instead he went and sold more than I expected and at much higher margins than we get selling to wholesalers.

Additionally, his work ethic is unreal. It turns out that he lived in Spain before coming to America and was a salesmen there, and was really good, but left it off his resume due to some bad advice. Had he done so, he likely would have gotten hired by another company far sooner.

There are a ton of products that I'm not able to move to wholesalers that he's been able to sell. As a result I've been able to bring in a lot of products that I wouldn't have considered previously.

Let's just say that I am very glad to be wrong.

[ender]

Was talking to some coworkers about houses, since a few folks I work with are buying / bought houses.

Somehow credit cards came up and the idea of paying interest vs just paying them off came up and coworker basically implied that when you buy a house there are lots of big purchases that you have to pay interest on (appliances, furniture, etc).

Oh well. I'd guess they are putting very little down, too.

[Basenji]

He's as sturdy as Tardigrade and won't take no for an answer from a customer.

Let's just say that I am very glad to be wrong.

I love this story, thank you.

[Davids]

Not something I overhead as much as something I saw during a work-related trip.

The night before we were due to fly home, my colleague paid $3 to print her boarding pass at the hotel, even though they can be printed at the airport FOR FREE. She just whipped out her credit card when the hotel computer said that printing cost money, without even blinking an eye.

Also seen on the same trip: She got a hotel room upgrade ($15/night, 4 nights = $60) so she could check in a few hours early. We arrived early on Sunday morning and the upgraded room was available whereas her booked room (that was paid for by work) was not. She had plans to go and explore the city, but I guess it was just that valuable to her to be able to drop off her bags in her room rather than at the reception desk...

Since you say this is work related was this on the company credit card.

[Maya Freegalson]

Since you say this is work related was this on the company credit card.

Nope - we work for the government and anything extra like an unnecessary room upgrade needs to be paid out of pocket. She did try to include the $3 printing charge on her travel claim, but was rejected.

[crispy]

Something I found out today at work, so it counts, right?

Another team in my department was supposed to have a new person start this week. Orientation Monday, then first day in the department Tuesday. He wasn't here yesterday. Today, I found out why. Monday, he emailed HR and said that he wasn't taking the job, and was going to stay with his current company. He'd accepted the job offer 2-3 weeks ago.

He's blacklisted with HR - will never even get an interview here again.

Meh, I don't see this as that strange if you are in a high demand field. The last time I switched jobs, my boss was trying to get me to stay up until the time that he walked me out to my car on my last Friday (with me starting the new job the following Monday).  I didn't take those last minute counter offers because I had non-financial reasons for leaving the company, but if that had not been true and the counter offers had been high enough I would have performed a last-minute turn around at the car with no remorse.  Maximizing your own time and value is more important than loyalty to some organization that you don't even work for yet, especially given the 'at-will' employment laws in most of the US.

On one hand: yes. I've had conversations with old colleagues before where people will criticize other people for 'not having any loyalty to the company' and I'm like... please explain yourself. I have as much loyalty to the company as they have to me, which is to say, zilch. What we have is a mutually satisfying business agreement that can be disolved from either side should it cease to be satisfying. Since the company is NEVER going to give me more loyalty than that, I'd be kind of a fool to be 'loyal' in absence of returned loyalty.

That said: don't be a dick. Call the company with who you took the job and explain that, unfortunately, you won't be there Monday for X reason. Don't let people hang around and wait. You'll burn the bridge with the company either way, but at least this means you're maintaining some semblance of professional courtesy for those who hear about the story, who you will most likely run across again in your career.

The gentleman in Sibley's story did contact HR to let them know he wasn't coming although it was definitely last minute.

[ender]

I am as loyal to my company as they are to me..

Want more loyalty from me? Build a contractual notice period of say two months both ways.

[FuturePrimitive]

Since you say this is work related was this on the company credit card.

Nope - we work for the government and anything extra like an unnecessary room upgrade needs to be paid out of pocket. She did try to include the $3 printing charge on her travel claim, but was rejected.

Wow, rejected for $3? I understand it was rightly rejected as it was completely frivolous and unnecessary but my company doesn't even require a receipt until the expenditure hits $75. They discovered it was actually costing the company more to pay people to analyze every single expense than we were losing to any low-level "fraud" through expense reports. To be honest, there just wasn't a lot of unjustified expenses being claimed. I can think of only 1 person in the last ~15 years who was fired for something semi-related and that's because he was towing his boat with his company van. While it's possible unjustified expenses have increased (since nobody is really looking too close at the little things now) but in talking "off the record" to my peers I don't think so.

[CmFtns]

So my coworker who is around my age chose to sign up for cable when he moved into his apartment because he plans to get a TV at some point (he has no TV)

But he can't get his TV yet because he needs somewhere to sit so he needs to buy a recliner first.

But he can't buy a recliner yet because he hasn't done any research or shopping for his recliner.

And he hasn't done any research or shopping because he hasn't had enough time or been to lazy to do it

and he can't cancel cable because he is planning on getting a TV at some point... ya know... after he buys his recliner



that's how our infinite looping conversation goes once a week

[MgoSam]

Since you say this is work related was this on the company credit card.

Nope - we work for the government and anything extra like an unnecessary room upgrade needs to be paid out of pocket. She did try to include the $3 printing charge on her travel claim, but was rejected.

Wow, rejected for $3? I understand it was rightly rejected as it was completely frivolous and unnecessary but my company doesn't even require a receipt until the expenditure hits $75. They discovered it was actually costing the company more to pay people to analyze every single expense than we were losing to any low-level "fraud" through expense reports. To be honest, there just wasn't a lot of unjustified expenses being claimed. I can think of only 1 person in the last ~15 years who was fired for something semi-related and that's because he was towing his boat with his company van. While it's possible unjustified expenses have increased (since nobody is really looking too close at the little things now) but in talking "off the record" to my peers I don't think so.

Government employment has come under greater scrutiny in the past decade, perhaps that could be why they are so stingy on reimbursements, even though it likely costs the taxpayers more to monitor each expense.

[dandarc]

So my coworker who is around my age chose to sign up for cable when he moved into his apartment because he plans to get a TV at some point (he has no TV)

But he can't get his TV yet because he needs somewhere to sit so he needs to buy a recliner first.

But he can't buy a recliner yet because he hasn't done any research or shopping for his recliner.

And he hasn't done any research or shopping because he hasn't had enough time or been to lazy to do it

and he can't cancel cable because he is planning on getting a TV at some point... ya know... after he buys his recliner



that's how our infinite looping conversation goes once a week

Wow.  Paying for cable is one thing.  Paying for cable that you can't even use?  Just wow.

[Inaya]

So my coworker who is around my age chose to sign up for cable when he moved into his apartment because he plans to get a TV at some point (he has no TV)

But he can't get his TV yet because he needs somewhere to sit so he needs to buy a recliner first.

But he can't buy a recliner yet because he hasn't done any research or shopping for his recliner.

And he hasn't done any research or shopping because he hasn't had enough time or been to lazy to do it

and he can't cancel cable because he is planning on getting a TV at some point... ya know... after he buys his recliner



that's how our infinite looping conversation goes once a week

There was an old woman who swallowed a fly...

[Playing with Fire UK]

Wow, rejected for $3? I understand it was rightly rejected as it was completely frivolous and unnecessary but my company doesn't even require a receipt until the expenditure hits $75.

I had an expenses claim rejected because I had under claimed by 18p. I spent an afternoon first explaining that I wasn't bothered about 18p, then that this was only because I'd applied an exchange rate to a total rather than rounding every item, and then redoing the entire claim. This tied up my time and a senior partner's time. When we are not arguing about expenses we each bill at over £1000 per day.
18p.

[nouveauRiche]

Not overheard at work but seen via coworker's FB page:

Coworker regularly posts photos of exotic vacations & nice meals out.  She recently bought a brand new Subaru Something (can't remember).  Then posted photos of the new seats she bought to replace the brand-new seats that CAME WITH THE CAR! 

More recently she posted a photo of new (expensive) wheels for her older (10 year old) car.

Today, a photo of the new shoes she just bought.  She included the shoe box in the photo so we can see the brand.  I looked up the brand and they go for $235 - $295 per pair.

I used to see stuff like this and think the person must make a lot of money.  Now I see it and think the person is deep in debt.

[AlwaysLearningToSave]

Today, a photo of the new shoes she just bought.  She included the shoe box in the photo so we can see the brand. 

This is amusing to me.  Of course the box must be included in the picture, otherwise people with think they are just a pair of new shoes.  "But this is not just a pair of new shoes," coworker thinks, "it is a pair of [insert brand name] shoes and I want to make sure everyone knows it." 

I understand paying for high quality shoes but at that price point you are just paying extra for the brand name. 

[BDWW]

Today, a photo of the new shoes she just bought.  She included the shoe box in the photo so we can see the brand. 

This is amusing to me.  Of course the box must be included in the picture, otherwise people with think they are just a pair of new shoes.  "But this is not just a pair of new shoes," coworker thinks, "it is a pair of [insert brand name] shoes and I want to make sure everyone knows it." 

I understand paying for high quality shoes but at that price point you are just paying extra for the brand name. 

I think mine were about $260, but that was almost 6 years and several thousand miles ago. And I doubt they match her aesthetic.

[nouveauRiche]

This is amusing to me.  Of course the box must be included in the picture, otherwise people with think they are just a pair of new shoes.  "But this is not just a pair of new shoes," coworker thinks, "it is a pair of [insert brand name] shoes and I want to make sure everyone knows it." 

Hit nail on head.

You might recommend this film to her: Its all about the Shoes.

That was awesome.

[runningthroughFIRE]

So my coworker who is around my age chose to sign up for cable when he moved into his apartment because he plans to get a TV at some point (he has no TV)

But he can't get his TV yet because he needs somewhere to sit so he needs to buy a recliner first.

But he can't buy a recliner yet because he hasn't done any research or shopping for his recliner.

And he hasn't done any research or shopping because he hasn't had enough time or been to lazy to do it

and he can't cancel cable because he is planning on getting a TV at some point... ya know... after he buys his recliner



that's how our infinite looping conversation goes once a week

There was an old woman who swallowed a fly...

Do I still have to feel sympathetic when they swallow the horse?

[Slee_stack]

Co worker came in with a brand new Mustang that is replacing a 1.5 y.o Mustang.

Its a new car but it costs the same as the old one did each month!! he crowed.

I think I have scars from biting my tongue so often around here.

[Kitsune]

"I bought a new car; I couldn't afford the repair work the old one needed!"

According to he mechanic AT THE DEALERSHIP, 1.5K in repairs would have kept her 5-year-old, paid-off, car running for another 2 years, or long enough to put the equivalent of her current car payment in the bank and buy a decent 2-year-old car with zero payments. Or, alternative: go see a non-dealership mechanic and get a second quote! But I guess if someone doesn't have 1.5K in the bank or even available on a line of credit, 400$/month seems reasonable. Somehow.

[Paul der Krake]

"I bought a new car; I couldn't afford the repair work the old one needed!"

According to he mechanic AT THE DEALERSHIP, 1.5K in repairs would have kept her 5-year-old, paid-off, car running for another 2 years, or long enough to put the equivalent of her current car payment in the bank and buy a decent 2-year-old car with zero payments. Or, alternative: go see a non-dealership mechanic and get a second quote! But I guess if someone doesn't have 1.5K in the bank or even available on a line of credit, 400$/month seems reasonable. Somehow.

This is when the astute coworker swoops in and buy the "troubled" car at a 30% discount. Unfortunately the math-challenged coworkers tend to only share these stories after the fact.

[FuturePrimitive]

Co worker came in with a brand new Mustang that is replacing a 1.5 y.o Mustang.

Its a new car but it costs the same as the old one did each month!! he crowed.

I think I have scars from biting my tongue so often around here.

To be fair, if I had bought a 2014 Mustang I'd also be looking to trade it in on a 2016, they are very different cars.

Who am I kidding, if I'd bought a 2014 Mustang I'd be selling it and looking for something I could pay cash for.  Though I'd still wistfully frequent Ford's build-your-own-Mustang-I-can't-actually-afford website. (Yea, cars are a weak point for me.)

[DutchGirl]

I just remembered this gem from a few years ago.  A coworker said she was bummed that she didn't have $1000 to pay to see a psychic.

So let me get this straight:  You don't have $1000 to your name but if you did, you would give it to a psychic.  I can predict your future for free.

I saw a psychic when I was a teenager. The cost was $20.

Your coworker knows a very smart psychic if they can bilk her out of $1,000. I'm a little impressed.

@nouveauRiche: psychology. People distrust goods or services that are "too" cheap. So I guess this is a smart swindler...

[TomTX]

Wow, rejected for $3? I understand it was rightly rejected as it was completely frivolous and unnecessary but my company doesn't even require a receipt until the expenditure hits $75.

I had an expenses claim rejected because I had under claimed by 18p. I spent an afternoon first explaining that I wasn't bothered about 18p, then that this was only because I'd applied an exchange rate to a total rather than rounding every item, and then redoing the entire claim. This tied up my time and a senior partner's time. When we are not arguing about expenses we each bill at over £1000 per day.
18p.

I've had an expense claim rejected because I explained using a hotel not on the list (no additional cost, hotels on list were full) in only ONE location on the form, instead of BOTH locations.

[TomTX]

Based on the looks on faces later, I don't think they're used to seeing credit scores that start with an 8.

Neither am I, how did you manage that?

Long history of flawless on time payments over a variety of account types.

I've had a score starting with 8 for at least 15 years. In 1996 when we bought the first house it was high 7.

Really not that difficult.

[ender]

My wife and I both have scores about 800 (5/6 were over when we just applied for a mortgage).

Both of us have had 1-2 credit cards for about 10 years. I had a car loan for ~1 year total. No late payments ever.

[Cellista]

Yeah, I'm 811.  Maybe because I have large VISA bills and pay them immediately? Non-mortgage debt is a small share of income.

[MoonShadow]

I'm stuck in the upper 7's.  I'm hoping because I have two mortgages, and that will improve once I finally sell the old house.  I've been renting it out for 3 years now.

[I'm a red panda]

Wow, rejected for $3? I understand it was rightly rejected as it was completely frivolous and unnecessary but my company doesn't even require a receipt until the expenditure hits $75.

I had an expenses claim rejected because I had under claimed by 18p. I spent an afternoon first explaining that I wasn't bothered about 18p, then that this was only because I'd applied an exchange rate to a total rather than rounding every item, and then redoing the entire claim. This tied up my time and a senior partner's time. When we are not arguing about expenses we each bill at over £1000 per day.
18p.

I've had an expense claim rejected because I explained using a hotel not on the list (no additional cost, hotels on list were full) in only ONE location on the form, instead of BOTH locations.

I just had one rejected because the email I attached to show payment (using the corporate card- so exact amount was very clear) didn't include a date.

I work for Company X. The payment was for a conference put on by Company X. The credit card payment was listed to "Company X", the email was from Company X.

But Company X couldn't verify my expense report without a proper date (which they didn't put on the email THEY sent!)


I also had one rejected because I titled it "All Company Meeting", but my department met for the two days before the meeting, so they told me the all company meeting was only 2 days long, not 4.  So I changed the title to "week of all company meeting".  Our auditor is kind of ridiculous.  And she is so hard to work with.

[RetiredAt63]

Our auditor is kind of ridiculous.  And she is so hard to work with.

If the auditor group for the Canadian Senate had been this careful over the last several years, we would have not had a bunch of expense scandals.  Fussy can be good.

[limeandpepper]

Of course the box must be included in the picture

I've noticed that people who are into Tiffany jewellery (and particularly if it's a gift from their partner, and especially if it's an engagement ring) seem to be most prone to this affliction.

[nobodyspecial]

Of course the box must be included in the picture

I've noticed that people who are into Tiffany jewellery (and particularly if it's a gift from their partner, and especially if it's an engagement ring) seem to be most prone to this affliction.

Isn't there an app for that ?

[Matilda]

2. "Buy a new car from our dealership and get financing at 0% for 84 months!"

To be fair, I would do that. If I needed a car. They say 0% because they don't expect ANYONE to qualify for that.

I needed a car and had picked out a model that was rated as very reliable with high resale value. And 2-3 year old used versions were selling at less than 10% off new. They were offering 0.9% financing and when I came in and asked about that they smirked and said that amount was for well-qualified buyers and they would do the best they could for me.

Based on the looks on faces later, I don't think they're used to seeing credit scores that start with an 8.

Free money for 7 years?! I'll take it.

My parents did that with a car back in the 90's.  They are natural mustachian types, in most ways, and generally paid for vehicles outright, no financing. But when they went to look into getting my sister a car, the dealership was offering zero percent financing.  The funds were in a money market account making good interest (90's, remember?), so they took the financing, left the money in the money market, paid the payments from the account, so the remainder of the funds could continue to accumulate interest.   

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

2. "Buy a new car from our dealership and get financing at 0% for 84 months!"

To be fair, I would do that. If I needed a car. They say 0% because they don't expect ANYONE to qualify for that.

I needed a car and had picked out a model that was rated as very reliable with high resale value. And 2-3 year old used versions were selling at less than 10% off new. They were offering 0.9% financing and when I came in and asked about that they smirked and said that amount was for well-qualified buyers and they would do the best they could for me.

Based on the looks on faces later, I don't think they're used to seeing credit scores that start with an 8.

Free money for 7 years?! I'll take it.

My parents did that with a car back in the 90's.  They are natural mustachian types, in most ways, and generally paid for vehicles outright, no financing. But when they went to look into getting my sister a car, the dealership was offering zero percent financing.  The funds were in a money market account making good interest (90's, remember?), so they took the financing, left the money in the money market, paid the payments from the account, so the remainder of the funds could continue to accumulate interest.

My mother did this last year. Qualified for a seven-year zero-interest loan on a brand-new, fully loaded Kia Sorento. She said they ran her credit and then asked her how many more cars she wanted to buy.

Well, it's not what I would do with money, but at least she can afford it. She's not that frugal but she is retiring comfortably at 62.

[FuturePrimitive]

$1400/mo for a car payment?! Holy crap. that's more than my mortgage, which at ~1300 is I think on the high side compared to most here!