‘Shopping spree' raises questions for county

When questioned, Skeans and Foust both admitted they "didn't know anything about it" and even went so far as to say they "never use a color copier."

What... did the Earth just go through the tail of a comet?

What is with all the "goofy" copier related stories? again, fact is funnier then fiction.

From the local news in the The Wabash Plain Dealer Online, an article by By SHEILA RHOADES-

"In a move that could be perceived as reckless government spending, the Wabash County Health Department has committed $13,725 in Homeland Security grant funds to more office equipment..."

It seems that the local health department down there had received some money from Homeland Security and "...only had one day to spend it...".

So of course, they went on a "shopping spree" - it's the American way.

And along this way, they seemed to have purchased a "...used photocopier machine..." for $9,000.00.

Huh?

"When questioned, Skeans and Foust both admitted they "didn't know anything about it" and even went so far as to say they "never use a color copier."

"Do you know what that costs for ink for that? And it would cost about 65 cents a copy," Commissioner Lester Templin said. "And you're not even going to use half of the things that are on there (copy machine). And it says on this paper that this is a 'repo unit'," he added."

OMG!

Seriously, this is funny.

"Beware of DLL, a business nightmare..."

Bad Leasing Story part Trios...or is it quatre It's gotta be bad if the very first line in the article is, "The following is a fictitious account of a business nightmare."

And it must be true if the names HAVE NOT BEEN changed, to protect the innocent.

This article from a paper in Philly, written by John F. McKenna an attorney with MacElree Harvey of West Chester, goes on to describe a bad experience with DLL.

"About DLL

Based in the Netherlands, DLL is a global provider of leasing, business and consumer finance solutions. They are listed as a Michigan corporation with United States headquarters in Wayne.

DLL never guarantees the performance of the equipment; it merely provides the financing. You are responsible for the payments regardless of the performance of the equipment, even if it never works."

I have a copy of their contract, and it is "standard" but is very one sided - as the article states :

"The standard contract states that you cannot have a jury trial. You further agree, that in the event of default, DLL can declare the entire balance of the unpaid lease payments for the full term immediately due and payable."

"payments for the full term immediately due and payable" - you gotta love that too.

His last two sentences sum up nicely,

"Sometimes you just have to take a risk when you lease equipment. Clarifying upfront what your duties and obligations are is always a good course of action."

I notice in the comments this guy takes some pretty good hits, but the overall information is valid.

Leasing is tough all over.

Bad Experiences with Leasing - Toshiba, IKON, Canon, Saxon

Again With The "Leasing"! Enough!

Citigroup Limits Meetings, Pares Color Photocopies

LOL!!! A little too little, a little too late...fact is funnier than fiction.

It seems that Citigroup has got to have one of the worst PR firms working for them.

"...Under the new policy, employee meetings must be held within Citigroup offices and client events will require approval, the memo said. Color photocopiers will be removed from some locations and their use will be limited to client presentations. The memo didn't say how much money the new rules will save."

How in the world is "returning color photocopies" and "limiting color use to client presentations..." going to help in any way shape of form?

I see a great deal of "Reductions In Field" in their future.

But if they are serious about reducing costs associated with printing, they should drop me a line.

Here is the article.

Citigroup cuts down on office waste

Posted Aug 26th 2008 5:20PM by Zac Bissonnette
Filed under: Citigroup Inc. (C)

"If you recently sent your CEO packing in the wake of $17.4 billion in writedowns, you need to do something to stop the outflow of cash.

For some that might mean eliminating the dividend or cutting back on out-sized executive pay. For Citigroup (NYSE: C), that apparently means cutting back on color copying and BlackBerry use.

The Associated Press reports that John Havens, the head of the company's institutional clients group, sent a note to employees admonishing them that "color copying and printing should only be used for client presentations," and "presentations should be printed double-sided to reduce unnecessary paper usage."

That's right:

when you're pulling that stunt that involves sitting on the copier and printing 20 shots of your derriere, use the black and white machine, thank you very much.

BlackBerry use will also be more closely monitored, and there will also be a cutback on outside management consultants and training, and functions held outside of the company's offices.

Of course the savings from measures like this are a pebble in the sand of hideously bad mortgage investments, but it's good to see that the company is clamping down on the waste of shareholder resources.

But doesn't it seem a bit, I don't know, hypocritical to be yelling at employees about wasting paper when the failed CEO left the company with a 9-digit parting gift?"


...I am still laughing...