#292: Cheap Mail-in Rebates

Mail-in rebates are already a scam in that they hope the hassle causes you not to apply for it or to mess up somehow and they take forever to send you your check. But what really gets me annoyed is when I see ads for products like Scotch tape that have some price listed which includes something like a $1.50 mail in rebate. Then, the hassle really isn't worth the trouble and the cost of a stamp alone takes 1/3 of the rebate away. These cheap mail-in rebates are simply scams so that ad pages like Walgreens can brag about low prices and hope no one notices that this price is after the mail-in rebate that is not worth doing. Severity: 3

#291: Interviews during game

When I'm watching a game, usually hockey, and they are interviewing someone during a stoppage but then when the play starts up again, they and them in a little box that blocks part of the action. There is no reason to have to keep showing the fool being interviewed. The main action of the game is the important thing and they should just have the audio of the interview as the game continues leaving the screen uncluttered. Severity: 3

#290: Bad Thinking

Someone that says "Who'd 've thunk it?" Another tired cliche that has ceased to be clever. Severity: 1

#289: Cursive Capital Q's

I don't think they look like Q's, they look like 2's. I always had trouble making them when I was a kid and I think they should be abolished. Severity: 1

#288: Airline Beverage Service

I can't figure out why they don't ask you before the plane takes off what you want to drink. If they did, then they could immediately start bringing the drinks out much faster. Severity: 3

#287: Poker Players Saying "Sick"

When I watch poker on TV, every time some low probability event occurs or some other surprising action, like a tough call is made, many of the pros always say "That's so sick" and I am sick of it. It's gotten real old and these people are lame for saying it so much. Severity: 4

#286: Incorrect Tip Calculation

In restaurants when you pay by credit card, they provide a recommended tip calculation for various level of generosity, 15%, 20%, 25%. However, they do this calculation based on the total AFTER tax. The tip calculation is supposed to be done on a pre-tax basis. This obviously is a scam intended to extract extra tip from the patron, or make them feel guilty for giving below the recommended amount. I don't feel guilty, but I'm mad they are trying to pull this scam. Severity: 3