BofA has photograph deposits? Since when? Last time I asked one of their tellers, they said "not yet". And their ads since then have had a marked lack of that feature.

Liese, is that an actual mini check scanner you've been using? If they offer photographed deposits, what ita said! I can't find it on their site. And yeah, your experience realizing that you've been doing duplicate work all these years is just the kind of reason I am trying to figure these things out before I start logging expenses.

Sassy! Thanks for the de-lurk! I will check and see if Wells still has that offer.

Hey Sassy, thanks for the tip. Just opened that principal rebate card. I doubt I'll use it much since I am pretty much on the pay-off-all-debt mode now, but it's nice to know that a bit goes towards paying off principal when I do have to spend. I shall keep that card balance unused and only use it on house emergency stuff. It will be handy.

No, BoA doesn't. It's one of the reasons I'm moving away from them. It's the new local bank that has the scanner thingy. Sorry I was unclear.

Java, that's awesome!

I'm psyched -- I've been asked to write a weekly guest blog for a local freelancing site (no $, but they have a BIG following, so it's marketing), I scored an editing job last night, editing 3 one-act plays, I've been contacted to possibly do patient profiles and interviews for one of KC's biggest hospitals' magazines, and I just got head-hunted to do freelance copyediting for another e-book company.

So I'm pretty cheerful!

Of course I still have 8 milllion things to do, including taxes and website tweaks, but...WOO!

Erin, that is wonderful news!! Go you, with your kickass word slinging self!!

Thanks! Let's hope they all pan out!

That's fantastic, Erin! Go on with your fierce networking self.

A big part of business is customer relations, and I am delighted to share a great example of the good variety.

This past weekend we stayed at Swissôtel Chicago. It was a lovely hotel that I chose mostly because that is where DH stayed the few times he went to Quito. The only shocker is when we checked out there was a $55 per day charge for the parking. I had expected it to be something, but not $110! There were no signs or indications anywhere until the final bill. When I got home I wrote a very polite note expressing my disappointment and this was the reply I received.

Happy Anniversary! We’re so excited that you chose Swissôtel Chicago to celebrate this milestone. Unfortunately, we did not display our Swiss hospitality and we hope that you will accept our apologies. While we understand that we’re unable to re-create the moment, we would like to reverse the parking charges which will compensate you for the inconvenience.

We’re very serious about customer service and we’re pleased that you took the time to share with us your experience. Our hope is that you will consider this to be an isolated incident and that you will consider us in your future plans when you travel to Chicago.

We look forward to reversing the parking charges as well as reversing your lasting impression of Swissôtel Chicago.

Yes, indeed. He did a lot to give me a lasting impression of being a valued customer. Note to self, make my customers feel this way.

Laura - that is excellent.