60+ year old thread.

The Costco food court is open to the public but to buy hearing aids or glasses from the optical dept. you need a membership. You can use the pharmacy in the states that Costco is required by state law to sell Rx to non-members. I’m not sure what states those are

 

You could be right. I have been a member so long... I was told that by someone.
Sorry for the confusion, if wrong.

 

Good morning fellow Porchatonians!!!

 

Unfortunately I'm not a vet. I was in the navy for 2 weeks, I got sick from one of the vaccinations and they kicked me out.

 

The Costco Signature 10, made by Phonak, Cost $1500.00. Packed with features and they pair with Samsung and Apple phones. You should visit an Audiologist, trying to find a good Audiologist that does not sell hearing aids, is rather hard. For the most part Costco does not employ a degreed Audiologist. Until these hearing aids the only hearing test I had was raise your hand when you hear the tone. Today is totally different and the tests are extensive. One of the tests measure your hearing in one ear by injecting a tone in the other ear. There are quite a few lengthy tests devoted to the spoken word and your ability to hear different phonetic sounds.

Same here. The technician I worked with at Costco was really decent. I had my test results from my Audiologist which made the process easy. I think I am going to use Costco for my next prescription glasses order. I have an appointment with my Ophthalmologist on January 31st. I already know Costco does not carry the frames I like.

Took apart the coffee bean grinder yesterday. The problem is the on/off switch. Ordered one on Amazon and it will be here Saturday. This is when I really do miss Radio Shack.

 

Ask a "Service Officer" at the VA. They are usually DAV, VFW, American Legion, or such, and file a claim for medical discharge.
You will be responsible for the evidence, but you can get the records to prove it.
Worth a try.

 

Morning all:

Here you go Mark, dual purpose!

 

Good Morning Porch Peoples! Well, looks like a darn good day to sit inside, make some important phone calls, putz the house, and wait for the chimney sweep! No way I'm getting my steps in today, but I'll just find a way to live with that! In the 30*s all day, and somewhere in the 20*s tonight. Any precipitation is expected this afternoon. No snow, but sleet and freezing rain. I'd rather get dusted with snow! But we're not going anywhere, anyway.
And, more coffee is called for....

 

That really sucks. The rejection you must have felt must have been tremendous. Of the benefits available to Vets, by far, the most valuable is the honor of having served.
I believe the cut off is 90 days active duty to be eligible for the VA, but dig up your DD214 and give it a try.

 

I poked the quote button, but not sure it worked.

I have tried 2 Costco hearing aids and probably 8 or 10 PSAPs. The latest PSAPs are rechargeable. I do not like the rechargeable ones because once in a while a forget to charge them, but... Have an appointment with Costco to try again.

The problem with the PSAPs is they are not customized to my hearing loss. There are some online places that supposedly use test results to sell hearing aids. That might be an inexpensive way to go. I can't vouch for their products, tho.

Costco's prices beat the competition--around $1500 to $2000 vs two to three times that. Some of the online vendors are a bit lower.

The VA has income limits for its services--around $35k a year, as I recall.

 

The VA has no income limits for eligibility. Higher income levels have a nominal copay, but regardless, no charge for hardware at all. State of the art devices at zero cost beats all competition in my book.

 

Have any of you guys gotten a bill from your insurance company lately? Insurance on your house and cars?

Boy... have I been getting educated.

This may vary from state to state, but I'd imagine that if yours can get away with it they will be doing it. The recent increase in home prices and lumber costs have spiked insurance rates. In my state they don't allow a person to set the value on their home, so we have to pay "replacement value" prices for insurance. That means the value of my house being four times what I paid for it a dozen years ago. And they also couple house insurance with personal property. A ratio of what they think the house is valued at. It doesn't matter if you are a minimalist with a bed and a hotplate, or a hoarder with a collection of fine art, they set the price of your belongings at 3/4 the price of your house. In my case that means I am paying for over a hundred thousand of PP insurance over the actual value of the contents in my home.

And then there is the way they ding you if you are not taking out loans and like to pay cash for everything. In fact if you pay monthly for insurance you get a lower price yearly than if you have paid for the entire year, for over a decade. Paying cash lowers your credit score so you get dinged for that. And then I found out that if you drive a vehicle with a rebuilt title, something the state considers roadworthy and has no problem registering, the insurance company adds about $200 a year just for liability. I don't insure my vehicles for comprehensive since they aren't financed, and if you want to insure a rebuilt title car the payout if totaled is about half what the payout is on a car with a clean title... even though the premiums are the same or higher.

The thing that torques me the most is the automatic rate increases, and especially the rise in the personal property. There is no way in hell I have that kind of money in my personal possessions. Not even close. And I can go out and buy a place for about half of the "replacement cost" they are charging me for.

I'm considering making some flyers and sending them out. I'd bet that insurance rates are about twice what it needs to be to adaquately cover what people actually own. And you damn well know that when it comes time to do a payout they will be nit picking to keep their payout as low as possible.

It ain't fair... and if someone doesn't hold them accountable they will just get worse.

 

Evening all:
Sounds like a good case for Jewish Lightning!
I've run into some of the same things that you have mentioned, one is where they add extra because your credit score is low, doesn't matter that you can pay cash for everything! I used to pay ins. every 6 mo., found out it was cheaper to pay yearly in my case.
When I switched from Nationwide to Erie because Nationwide was raising my rates substantially, I got more insurance coverage for less, might pay to shop around.
The 66 Impala is insured for stated value through Hagerty, way cheaper than having it insured by a regular ins. co, lust saw where Hagerty is being listed on the NYSE, wonder how long that will last now that shareholders are involved.

 

We like Erie, their service is great.

 

Eeegads, I need to start shopping insurance again. I think I'm getting hosed here in CA.

BTW, do I have to apply for a members card here? I hit the minimum age requirement this past Tuesday.

 

Newbies fill the cooler... and don't sit in Mike's recliner.

 

Evening all:
Welcome to the porch Tim, yup, just fill up the cooler, pull up a chair on the porch and join in.

 

Copy that! Never mess with a man's well defined ass groove.

 

Welcome from Central Texas, Tim.
Look at all the pretty colors we got tonight!

 

evening boys. Welcome Tim and happy belated birthday