Inefficiencies That Drive You Nuts

[Cloneon]

I live efficiency. I know, sad, but true. Which doesn't leave me a whole lot of time for other types of thinking.
- First one that comes to mind is 'taxes': take the people's money, parse out administrative fees by lawyers for lawyers, subcontract private sector, pay them as little as possible and still increase the debt.
- Another one are 'manuals': Really? Forcing printing in multiple languages for pieces of paper where many instead defer to YouTube and in the same breath say they're environmentally conscious. And don't get me started on EVs.
- Amazon delivery model: though I love it in the mountains, it's incredibly inefficient. All they have to do is get the customer to accept 'weekly' aggregation of product for delivery instead of overnight. And, then charge a premium for overnight. Trust me. No one will complain.
- P.O.Box: All they'd have to do is 'virtualize' my P.O.Box. Then all I'd have to do is check it online before I hop in the car and drive all the way there to pick up content. Or, charge a very small subfee for a micro internet camera.
- Which brings me to the 'inefficiency' of Social Job Sites. They, like health clubs, do NOT want you employed. Why? Cause they're losing their customers. So, they've manufactured ways to keep you 'believing' they're working for you. Not!

 

[VeloClone]

I like roundabouts. People just need to get used to them. They actually make stuff flow so much better than stop signs and stop lights

One of the first roundabouts built in the Twin Cities is at the end of my block. I love it because I only have to stop there maybe once every 50 times I go through that intersection. It would be 50/50 if it were a 4 way stop.

Millions or even billions of gallons of gas and diesel are wasted every year in vehicles idling at stop lights in just the US alone. One estimate puts the total US idling waste at 6B gallons of fuel per year - that's all idling not just stop light idling.

 

[CycloneCJ]

- P.O.Box: All they'd have to do is 'virtualize' my P.O.Box. Then all I'd have to do is check it online before I hop in the car and drive all the way there to pick up content. Or, charge a very small subfee for a micro internet camera.

Do they offer Informed Delivery for P.O. Boxes? My wife signed us up (it's free) and we get emails with details of what's being delivered to our mailbox.

 

[madguy30]

One of the first roundabouts built in the Twin Cities is at the end of my block. I love it because I only have to stop there maybe once every 50 times I go through that intersection. It would be 50/50 if it were a 4 way stop.

Millions or even billions of gallons of gas and diesel are wasted every year in vehicles idling at stop lights in just the US alone. One estimate puts the total US idling waste at 6B gallons of fuel per year - that's all idling not just stop light idling.

They also help vehicle maintenance costs due to less braking/accelerating etc.

 

[BCClone]

You roundabouters, let me offer you the joy of driving a combine through a roundabout and people freaking out and trying to gun it to get in before you get to them.

 

[TABack]

Speaking of roundabouts, it is funny there's only 3 of them in Ames and you have to take all 3 to get to the ISU research park building or the fitness center. 3 in a quarter mile is just strange design.

 

[cyputz]

Being asked at the checkout “Would you like to round up” - no - why do all these people round up just to give store the ability for another write-off donation for the store itself.

 

[ISUTex]

I hate it when Heacock rushes 3 on obvious passing downs.

 

[VeloClone]

You roundabouters, let me offer you the joy of driving a combine through a roundabout and people freaking out and trying to gun it to get in before you get to them.

If you are driving your combine through the roundabout in my neighborhood you are doing it wrong.

 

[Prone2Clone]

People who are at a pharmacy pickup window for eons. WTH? Provide name. Pay. Get your order. Drive away. No talky talky!

 

[Spam]

That universities require students to come back for a week of class (and a week if finals) after Thanksgiving break.

Start the Fall semester a couple of weeks early, and finish before Thanksgiving.

 

[Frog]

The fact that we still have to waste a lot of time negotiating over a vehicle or big equipment purchase price. Publish best price and save us both time.

 

[BCClone]

That universities require students to come back for a week of class (and a week if finals) after Thanksgiving break.

Start the Fall semester a couple of weeks early, and finish before Thanksgiving.

Thinking it’s 2 weeks of class and a week of finals for ISU. Graduation is the 22nd.

 

[VeloClone]

Thinking it’s 2 weeks of class and a week of finals for ISU. Graduation is the 22nd.

Yes. Daughter says this week is normal, next week is dead week and the following week is finals.

At ISU, at least...

 

[1SEIACLONE]

Waiting, when I have an appointment. We purchased a new computer from Best Buy during the Black Friday sale to replace an old one down in the basement. Just needed something to pay bills on and a print items every now and then. Was told I need to bring the old one in so they could download the memory onto the new one and set an appointment for 11:40 Sunday morning. No problem, I luge the old one into the store, tell them about my 11:40 appointment and then I am told to sit and wait. 30 minutes later, I get called back to give them the computer and I am out of the store. Could they just let me drop it off and leave, why waste 30 minutes sitting there for a 5 minutes of chitchat.

 

[AgronAlum]

Another related tip. Create an account on their site and they will give you a pre-printed rebate form with your information already filled out. I saved as a PDF and just print one copy for each receipt. Saves a ton of time.

Tip - just let them accrue and then send a bunch of them in together. I used to worry about the mailing date but have missed it and still got the refund. I have sent them in months later and still got the rebate. Just let them accumulate and send them all in together when it is enough to be worth your while. You are just using one stamp too...

Home Depot matches Menards 11 percent rebates. The rebates are submitted online with the receipt number and they send you a gift card you can use online or print out and use in store. It’s so much easier and they have better products than Menards for most things.

 

[cyclonespiker33]

Stuck at a red light when I'm turning right but blocked by cars going straight. Turn lanes MUST be made mandatory at every intersection.

Having a right turn lane at EVERY intersection would be financially inefficient.

 

[cyclonespiker33]

Being asked at the checkout “Would you like to round up” - no - why do all these people round up just to give store the ability for another write-off donation for the store itself.

The only place I'll round up is at Goodwill.

 

[Mead For My Horses]

Having a right turn lane at EVERY intersection would be financially inefficient.

Hyperbole, man.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

The only place I'll round up is at Goodwill.

Goodwill, the store that sells donated items and keeps most of the money for themselves?