Goat With Your Heart (August 2022 Scapegoat Blame Thread)

@Walterbird There hasn’t been any room in the fridge after @shahnm stuffed his batteries in it.

And the avocado goat was ripe a few years ago.

So you’re probably smelling bird poop.

@mike808 @Walterbird

after @shahnm stuffed his batteries in it

You make it sound like that’s a bad thing…

@Walterbird actually if I recall there was a LOOONG streak of exceptional goats who set up scavenger hunts and puzzles and games and contests. And posting everyday. Too much too live up to

If you want to avoid mediocre bot we might have to downgrade to. “Here are some cute animals”, “have some memes”, “damn that sucks” every few days.

How is anyone going to live up to that level of excellence? I do not have that kind of time/focus.

Maybe we need a half dead goat

@hchavers

Better you than me!

@MarkDaSpark hmm then there was September…

@hchavers Well you want a cheaper ride now that you are goat? Here you go…

@Kidsandliz

@Kidsandliz
@MarkDaSpark You seem to like flirting with danger!

@MarkDaSpark I didn’t build the system, but I’d guess it’s likely because they don’t want you to have the coupon option still available after automatically getting that 10% discount.

@ExtraMedium @MarkDaSpark
EM is correct. It’s so you can’t stack the 10% with another discount code. It’s getting to be like figuring out Kohl’s discounts …

@ExtraMedium @mike808

I can see that … There’s quite a few sites that only allow 1 coupon code to be used.

But then again, it’s been a long time since I did any coding. Just seems like an “If-Then-Else” type situation.

Could just be that the powers that be were too cheap to pay for the time to code it in (or figured if people didn’t use the code …)

@ExtraMedium @MarkDaSpark @mike808

There was the great sears coupon stacking/points rolling of ~2012-2013 when that was a thing. You had to play with what could stack. And what could points roll. Cause you got custom coupons plus general coupons. Some would some wouldn’t.

At one point points stacked and were credited immediately and you could just keep ordering the same black rubber hose. For basically free by paying with points. Sears did not have their shit together and no I did not do that but I did roll coupons/points

@steeltoesenator I’ll goat^H^H^H^Hvote for that!

@hammi99
The first rule of Goat Emeritus Club is not to poop on the next goat.
Have a big cup of fresh boba tea…

@hammi99 @mike808 Euw.

@Kyeh @mike808 Wow.

@hammi99 Declining LACK? That means an increase in goat interest. Grammar gotcha. Penalty :Chug a bubble tea!

@OldCatLady
You tell 'em!

@tinamarie1974 UGH! Hang tough - that’s outrageous.

@tinamarie1974 Has a couple of those and none were covered by insurance and was told that upfront. But since the dentist told you it would cost you $ 200 he should have honored that. First one I paid close to $ 600 for and the second one (a different dentist) he charged me as if insurance would have covered it since I handled his account for the CPA firm for which I worked. For that one paid a little over $ 300.

@Felton10 that is my whole hang up. I have the summary of service they provided. No where does it say estimate, or pending insurance approval, etc.

The billing dept told me they clearly entered my discount structure into the system incorrectly. From my POV this is their issue and I feel strongly it is their responsibility to make it right. I really hope they do the right thing, because at this point, I am either paying what they quoted or they get zero and I am going elsewhere.

And I am aware I will pay similar elsewhere. It is the principle of the issue having been a patient there for over 20 years.

@Felton10 @tinamarie1974
No view on your situation, but I will share my dentist always makes sure that I know that their “quote” is an estimate and based on insurance co-pays and such. It’s stamped on the printout they give me.

This is because they have no idea what your deductible is until your claim is filed. However, the estimate always assumes you haven’t met your deductible, and as a result, will always be higher than when the co-pay kicks in.

I’m not covering for the dentist, just explaining that they may or may not have accounted for information they don’t have or control.

That doesn’t help you, and I’m sorry to hear how the mixup has affected you.

@Felton10 @mike808 and that makes complete sense. If that were the case I would feel completely different about the situation. But thanks for your feedback

I have read and reread the summary document making sure I didnt miss anything. I also asked if I needed to check w the insurance company, when they gave me the cost summary. I’ve never had anything beyond fillings and the odd root canal so I wanted to be sure. I was told, nope we have all the info in the computer and know what you will be charged/insurance will cover.

Im just really frustrated with the entire situation given their complete confidance in what was provided and then their lack of responsibility when they made a mistake. I mean they admitted they made the mistake, they just dont want to be responsible for it.

@Felton10 @mike808 @tinamarie1974
@Felton10 @mike808 @tinamarie1974 i have nothing productive to add other than my full support for you but it just got me to wondering if your dentist is just a frustrated proctologist and is trying to practice in his preferred field.

OK, time to put the phone down and go nighty night

Oh, and this…

@Felton10 @mike808 @ybmuG

@Felton10 @mike808 @ybmuG @kyeh. Called the Dentist office back and got a different lady. She was NOT friendly.

Basically told me that it doesnt matter if the cost sheet does not state estimate, pending insturance approval. Doesnt matter that they had my benefits entered wrong in their system or that I was assured the pricing was correct. Their stance is that I should have confirmed with insurance anyway and that they do not stand behind their price. It is always my responsibility to confirm

It took great restraint on my part, but I politely told her that if that was the case I was not interested in purchasing the night guard from their office. They were welcome to keep it or throw it away, but that I would not be coming in for my final fitting. Also, that she can adjust my account because I would not be paying for any portion of it.

Back to the drawing board…

@tinamarie1974 You can buy moldable mouthguards online at the A-z-n place - you dip 'em in hot water and mold it yourself - they are inexpensive and they work just as well as a dentist’s mouthguard, at less than $10. Kids use them for sports, too. Get the heavier weight ones, the lighter weight ones are more for making a custom mouth tray for whightening gels, etc.

@Kidsandliz

I am either paying what they quoted or they get zero and I am going elsewhere.

TWSS

@Kidsandliz yeah, not paying full price. I have a cousin who is a dental assistant. Worst case Ill call her about switching to her office. The dentist there is suppose to be great. If I pay him full price that is ok.

And if I am being honest I am a little skeptical about the lady I am seeing anyway. The old guy retired and she took over. Ive seen her a total of theee times and EVERY time I have at least one cavity that needs work. I brush, I floss, do I get cavities, yeah but historically not at that rate. I think she has done five (?) fillings since taking over.

@tinamarie1974 It sounds like something fishy is going on to support her money habit. If you can afford it do a side by side comparison. See what someone else you trust says and then go to her and see what she says. If they don’t match you know she engaged in malpractice, money grubbing or is just a shitty dentist.

I just had this experience: Dental assistant student over seen by a dentist who checked up after her - 2 cavities (where 2 teeth touched) and three areas not cleaned as well as they should have been (so that was fixed). Sliding scale dental place catering to the broke - no cavities. First place did bite wings, second place did round the head x-ray. Currently a dental chain is offering free both kinds of x-rays (of course they then have incentive to find income) that I am going to Friday to see what a third opinion says. Clearly something is amiss somewhere.

@Kidsandliz I hate to think it, but I know it happens. Like I said, my cousin works at a dental office locally and I can call her. I trust her and know she works for an ethical guy. Read: she has quit other offices for unethical behavior many times.

@Kidsandliz @tinamarie1974

Good luck to you both!

I took my son to a Pediatric Dentist my sister had taken her kids to see … he was always finding cavities every visit! My insurance was great, and I should have realized what he was doing.

---

My dentist was the son of my first dentist (did both kids and adults). Both were great, although I do have an issue with the dad before he retired … I complained to him about pain when I bit down on my right side back teeth (I was in my teens).

Just had an X-ray the previous visit, so he didn’t take one this time. He didn’t see anything, so you would think he’d get another one done. Nope! Not sure if there was dental insurance back then, so not sure if it was due to that or health reasons (limit radiation exposure).

So next visit rolls around, pain still there when biting down, so X-ray taken. (Drum Roll)

Somehow, instead of coming in at an angle, my wisdom tooth had come in directly beneath my back molar! So when I bit down, the wisdom tooth was grinding the molar’s root! There very little if the molar left, about 20%. (So long ago, I seem to think it was both wisdom teeth on the right, but not sure.)

He’d never seen anything like it before, still, he should have gotten the x-ray done the visit before!

So off to to the doctor who does extractions. Full anesthesia IIRC, because Mom said I came out crying.

Years and years later, now going to his son, needed the other 1 or 2 wisdom teeth extracted (Dad took me that time, no crying then, but different office). Even with x-rays, somehow he’d missed it going into my molar sideways.

TL:DR … I have a Wisdom Tooth instead of a molar on the right, and missing a molar on my upper left!

@Kyeh tis a worthy goal you have achieved

@carl669

@carl669 @Kyeh Yes definitely. There is also something to be said for not clicking anymore so you can save that for posterity so everyone can congratulate you over the years (grin). Or you could save your screen shot and frame it instead.

@carl669 @Kidsandliz Well, it’s not my signature number, so I’m not stopping, but there might be one someday!

@Kidsandliz any outlook on getting out of there? Or are you just going to hang on and force them to upgrade around you?

The things they can get away with to force tenants out…

@unksol It’s hud. It takes about 2 years around here to vote with your feet (I am on waiting lists outside of this town).

@Kidsandliz well that still sucks. I think I met more just. Leaving. I guess have some kittens(2 weeks ago) ? Sorry.

@unksol Kittens are always good. That was a litter of 7!!! That mama must have been glad to gibe birth. Of course then the fight over nipples and her supervision problem increases. That is a lot of butts to lick clean of poop and pee. Maybe that tastes like chicken?

@Kidsandliz well… What actually happened was because I thought I had them separated but didn’t the boys knocked up the girls which. Again epic fuck up.

Summer had 3… Or maybe 4. She lost all but 1. One was still born. I believe. Was dead right after I heard the first one crying. Next one kept trying to find a nipple and she sat for that… but it never worked. And she’d walk away after a while. That one was freezing when she did so I kept trying to put it in a heated bed with a heat pad so it could eat. but it wouldn’t take a bottle and every time I left the room she grabbed it and ran off up the cat tree or the back of the closet. So I left her alone. Lost that one too. One made it.

The other 5 are Whatcha’s, she didn’t lose any. but. They kind of share like cats do. I honestly don’t know what’s up with the pic they look huge but they are only 2 months/hold in your hand.

Def fully functional/going wild/climbing shit

@Kidsandliz @unksol
OMG - two litters?

@Kidsandliz @Kyeh thought I had explained my fuck up before? Not that you should be keeping up.

The boys are prolific… And going to the vet.

Because of work and life I thought I had isolated them when the girls were in heat. I was wrong.

Summers litter mostly died despite my best efforts. I don’t think she knew what to do. Or … Idk. Whatchas is fine. . regardless cat don’t care whose is whose so two mommas. 6 kittens they have it covered.

@Kidsandliz @unksol I knew there were kittens but didn’t realize there were two moms involved. Poor kitties who died, but at least the remaining ones seem healthy and happy. Good luck - it must be somewhat overwhelming. I wish you could get a vet who’d come to your house.

@Kyeh @unksol Yeah you had explained. I just forgot.

I guess you are in the demented toddler stage with those babies. Cute to watch for a limited period of time only - and especially not in the middle of the night when they get the zoomies then too. Hope you have a ladder or stool handy when they climb the curtains and then can’t get down.

@Kidsandliz @Kyeh
One of summers was stillborn. I think. It was dead and cold by the time I heard the next one.

That one was freezing and I put in a heated bed with a rice pack but it would not eat from a bottle. And when it tried to nurse from her could not latch. She took it to somewhere she felt safe… Repeatedly… So I decided to let her handle it… Then she had at least the living one. I didn’t realize cats could have them over a day not just all at once.

they are not that bad. In the master suite cause I live alone but I’ve slept in there a few times. One like to try and grab my foot now and then. Otherwise some bouncing around. I can’t sleep at night normally so I usually have some antihistamine and melatonin.

I can hear them going batshit above me while I’m at work under them. I have a camera I can check on them with.

Assholes can already jump baby gates.

@Kidsandliz one of them did get a claw stuck in the curtains but I was in there thankfully. I know they’re messing with it but thankfully not much. They have a preexisting can tree in there they all learned to use really quick

@Kidsandliz also 6’4 so I don’t need a ladder but thanks for the idea of one getting stuck up there… Better make sure my camera can cover that angle.

@unksol Baby kitties are so very cute and I love it when they want to cuddle and play but they can also get themselves into some dangerous situations and/or get under foot and get hurt. When one of mine was a baby she got stuck on a top shelf after going from the curtain to the shelf. As I said, the demented toddler stage.

I used the bathtub as a playpen when I had 3 that were small (but 3 mo apart). Toss in a ping pong ball, three kittens and they had a blast. And couldn’t get out on their own until bigger. The drawback was for months they associated the bathtub with playtime and would bring balls in there in the middle of the night. That makes a racket. Couldn’t close the door as that was where their dirt boxes were.

@Kidsandliz they are fully functional. I mean sprinting around the room. And capable of crying if they get in trouble. The only reason they aren’t loose is I don’t really want them in the basement. They could jump one side but not back. It they start doing that… Well…m I have to. And some balls need cut so we don’t have another. As cute as they are the world does not need more

@Kidsandliz just realized I’ve been calling Snickers summer this whole time… Summers been gone for a long time…

@Kidsandliz @unksol
I was thinking those were awfully big kittens. So cute! What do you do with all of them, do you have a easy time finding homes for them in your area?

@Kidsandliz @Lynnerizer they are a little over 2 months so not going anywhere till 3 months. I’ve never asked anyone to adopt a cat. I’ve just… Kept the lost/strays that made their way to me which other than KitKat were all girls. And he was fixed as a kitten. So haven’t gotten much past maybe putting a sign in the yard. Need to expand on that.

They are still hold in your hand small. The scale on that photo was weird. But they are absolute bonkers. My office is under the master bedroom and the chaos you hear…
Maybe better scale

@Kidsandliz @Lynnerizer I did decide to open up the main floor after this. There are kittens everywhere

@Kidsandliz @Lynnerizer @unksol
Wow. You must have perfected the shuffle-walk, to avoid stepping on anyone!

@Kidsandliz @Kyeh @Lynnerizer they went a little nuts than returned to home base. Really the adults were the ones banging on the door when something was cut off. The kittens are just now learning the whole “you better not shut a door”

@Kidsandliz @Kyeh @Lynnerizer OMG they’re so many moving and going meh. I might be going a little just

@tinamarie1974
If it was part of the scratch and dent woot sale They say they will take it back if you are not happy. In anyway.

https://forums.woot.com/t/ninja-foodi-9-in-1-digital-airfry-oven-s-d/1106248/6

As far as the dentist… If they have a billing department and you can get through to them they will likely know they will get more from you then attempting bill collection for pennies on the dollar and you’re obviously correct. But if your insurance wont pay at all… And yes if you didn’t have prior auth or went out of network… Insurance in the us is an overpriced mess of slimey lawyers.

If they have a billing department you might get somewhere saying her is the bill. I will pay. Else nothing

@unksol it was a woot refurbished item! As long as the new rack fits I am ok. It should arrive tomorrow, so fingers crossed!!

As far as the dental office, sadly I was talking to the billing dept. The lady today was plain mean and honestly I was being polite. I am going to call back Monday when the usual lady is there just to make sure she credits my account accordingly. Not getting stuck with any charges.

Also called my cousin. She said that the cost I was given was much higher than what her office charges and that she didn’t understand the three month turn around. Said the whole process should have taken 2 to 3 weeks. She is going to set up an appt w her dentist so hopefully it goes better at her office.

@tinamarie1974 she is probably right. However if they already have it fitted, right there, you have liked your dentist so far, and they don’t want to eat the total cost. They should honor it if you play some hardball.

Even if they were wrong on the quote they lose less money giving it to you than throwing it away.

But I would seriously question letting someone near my teeth I pissed off and dentist can’t write off their mistakes like large medical practices so… Eh?

@unksol well I tried that approach. I was willing to pay what was discussed and agreed upon, but not more. Certainly not 400% more! When I spoke to the lady in billing today she was obstinate, the office was not willing to honor the price and she would rather throw away the appliance than sell it to me at the agreed price. So, I told her that was fine, she could keep it and do with it whatever she wished. I REALLY wanted to tell her where to put it, but I held back. No point in dragging myself to her level

As far as the dentist I had already decided to go to a different one. Like I said before the number of fillings I have needed since my last guy retired and the new lady took over is crazy. Three cleanings and I think 5 fillings. Never have I ever had that kind of issue w my teeth. Also, did I mention the higenist mentioned to me that the new dentist uses her husbands company for the night guards. So I find it interesting that I was told the cost was “X” then it jumped 400%. Thinking she has quite the racket going.

And this particular practice is huge, not your typical one dentist shop. Moving on, I’ll have an appt made w the new guy (cousins office) on Monday.

@tinamarie1974 oh I would definitely be jumping ship than. I was thinking family dentist something something.

The woot return is only 30 days per what thuderthighs poster so if you don’t get it in time…

@unksol no family dentist is a whole different situation.

Thanks for the heads up on the return policy. See what happens tomorrow

@tinamarie1974 @unksol Think if you threaten (or acually do it) to report them to the state authority that licenses dentists for unethical billing practices, that will get their attention. Had this issue with some orthodics made by a foot doctor once and he never responded to my concerns until I wrote a complaint to the state and then he told me he would go to arbitration if I would withdraw my complain. Basically told him to go fuck himself as I wanted my complaint on the record so anyone who checked him out to see what a POS he was.

@Felton10 @unksol that is a great idea. Ill check that out Monday

Hey how is Mrs Felton doing?

@unksol got the new grate in the mail and it fits!!! The one theybsent was about 1.5" wider than the correct one. Go figure.

@Kidsandliz
Good for you! You’ve been dealing with that crap forever, thank goodness you’ve got help now! There’s going to come a day when you’re able to have a good landlord and be stress free of all the BS. You deserve to just be enjoying your children! Sunshine, peace, prayers, hugs and love for you all!

@Felton10 Geeeez … how did it go, though?
Is she doing okay?

@Felton10 You know our time never counts. Ever. They’d rather us wait two hours then them 2 minutes. Although my oncologist once did something amazing. He had cancelled my visit two times in a row pushing it out 6 weeks due to having to go out of town as an invited speaker. I made a mild comment and he decided to come in the morning he was leaving and saw me despite that wasn’t the usual day he saw people and went to the airport from the clinic. Amazing. Hope your wife is doing OK.

@Felton10 File a review with your insurance network and there are doctor reviews/ratings sites.

Doesn’t seem like they have a “patient first” attitude in their practice.

I bet if we got discounts on billing for our waiting time to compensate us for our time we are unavailable for anything else and exclusively available for them, we wouldn’t have such a fucked up entitled “professional” class. Same for lawyers.

@mike808 This wasn’t my first experience with this joker who has no regard to how long his patients wait or how much he inconveniences them. For one of my wife’s procedures they call us two hours before we were scheduled to be there and asked if we could come in earlier. Since we live approx 45 min away from the hospital not that much time was going to be saved, but it meant we had to drop everything and leave right then.

Another time my wife wanted to come in to see him and they called and said one of his procedures had been cancelled and we could come in then to see him. When we got there we were told he was still at the hospital but was expected shortly. We finally saw him 2 1/2 hours after we arrived at his office.

And my wife wants to know why I am so pissed at this guy?

@Felton10 Perhaps there is another doctor in-network that deserves your business (and insurance payments). Vote with your dollars and your feet.

@Felton10 @mike808

I bet if we got discounts on billing for our waiting time to compensate us for our time we are unavailable for anything else and exclusively available for them, we wouldn’t have such a fucked up entitled “professional” class. Same for lawyers.

Amen. I have never agreed with you more.

I’d also put scheduled house visits (such as cable installations, utility moves, or appliance repairs) on that list. They give you a four-hour “window” to be there for, then they are late for that.

@Felton10 @mike808 @phendrick I had always thought sending a bill for $75/hour would be fair. Also the same billing for all the time I spend on the phone trying to straighten out bills of any kind when the mistake/problem is at their end.

@Felton10 @Kidsandliz @mike808 @phendrick
After going to this one Dr’s office that’s always keeping everyone waiting I decided that 45 minutes of sitting in ANYONE’S waiting room is the absolute max and then I simply reschedule. (sometimes I’m out in 30 min depending on my pain)
I also ask if they’re on schedule when I check in.

How’s Mrs Felton doing, did everything go well?

@Kyeh We got a tiny bit of rain yesterday evening. Not a measureable amount, but it was rain!

@Kyeh
I think everyone must be loving the little bit of rain! With this heat we’ve been having it’s been a real chore for my mom to go out and water every day, sometimes twice!

@lisaviolet Hmm that explains something else paypal did last night. I sold something. She paid me by paypal family and friends and she had to choose to pay the fee herself. I am thinking FEE???

@Kidsandliz

I just found this:

https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/1/23191214/paypal-friends-and-family-payments-business-accounts

@lisaviolet She had a personal account. Too weird. Maybe they are ending that as well?

@Kidsandliz That would suck.

@lisaviolet USBank has had bill pay for a long time. If the business or whomever you are paying (even individuals) isn’t in their system, you enter the payee info (name, your account # with them (make one up if you pay a person), address, and a phone number.

USBank then prints and physically mails them the check if they can’t send it electronically. I don’t need stamps, envelopes, etc. and it costs me nothing. It may be due to my paycheck being Direct Deposit that they waive the $7 monthly fee. And all the kids are using Zelle, which USBank uses, for person-to-person instant payments.

I pay all my bills this way. No automatic drafts from anyone, they’re all scheduled payments from me.

@macromeh
I’m wondering WHY nobody wanted to call you back, seems like everyone wants to work these days or I should say NEEDS to work these days! People aren’t answering phone calls, they don’t know where you live when you’re calling.
Anyway… Glad you found someone and you’re happy with the results! A cedar deck sounds fantastic, GO FOR IT!!

@Lynnerizer There is lots of new construction going on in this area. My guess is that contractors would rather get a gig in a multi-house new development than commute out to the sticks to work on a single tear off/replace job. But I don’t know.
I’ve already got the cedar deck - it needs some repair and refinishing. I’ve done it myself a couple times over the years, but I am older and less enthusiastic these days.

@Felton10 he clearly has good taste!!

@tinamarie1974 why shouldn’t he-he is our son.

@hammi99 Yeah, another ghost goat.
@ExtraMedium, I think it would be perfect if Mediocrebot revived his annoying reaction to the word blame - he did it back in 2019, jumping in with crazy stuff and saying “@chienfou is definitely to blame” and stuff like that, with giphys of Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber. I think AWOL goats need to be harassed that way (chienfou definitely didn’t because he was a GREAT goat.)

@Kidsandliz Awwww - I had an orange cat with swirl patterns just like that.

@Kidsandliz @Kyeh
Well at least now you know where he went!

@chienfou @Kidsandliz
If you mean my cat, I wish that were true.
If you mean our current goat - I pictured him more like this:

@Kidsandliz @Kyeh
Cat

@chienfou @Kidsandliz Oh - cat is long gone to cat heaven.

@mike808 OMG !