A few other aspects about the delivery, though not horrendous in absolute terms, however in comparison to the typical service provided by Homeruns, were noticeably poor.  First, when I opened the door to let the delivery person in, he handed me the flowers and a bag of groceries to bring inside -- I did this with some trepidation because if my union boss ever found out that I performed this act, I'd be in big trouble.  Second, he placed some items on the floor -- this was the first time that a Homeruns employee had placed an item anywhere other than on the counter (and the counters were totally clear and sparkling -- I was proud of the shine).  Third, when I gave him the recyclable bottles and cans -- the cans were inside the 12-pack soda box -- he removed the cans from the box, gave me the box and let me know that they do not take the boxes.  I have always done this and, in fact, I have always asked the delivery people if this was ok or if they would prefer the cans in a bag -- every single delivery person up until today has said that having the soda cans in a box is fine (again, please keep in mind that I am highlighting items that were different from the usual experience and not terrible in absolute).  Fourth, as he was leaving, he handed me an evaluation form -- which is usually stapled to the order form and left for me to fill out and mail in (postage paid) -- and expected me to fill it out right then (I'm thinking, "yeah right, we're an hour behind schedule for going on our family picnic because of you and you think I'm going to delay our picnic a few more minutes to fill this out now?  Tcha, right.").  He also added that the evaluation forms are how the delivery people get their tips, and that the delivery people are trying to get the "no tipping" policy changed.  Thanks for letting me know.  He should be happy that I did not fill out the evaluation form.  Oh, I almost forgot, Noosie (see Noosie list).

I received an email from from Priceline in regards to my first gasoline purchase. 

"Dear Bruce Weinberg:

We hope your visit to (the) Texaco Service Station on 8/6/00 (at) 7:48:00 PM was good.  Our records indicate you pumped 18.87 gallons of Premium gas at your prepaid price.

You can have a total of 50 gallons in your account at any time, and may pump up to a total of 100 gallons per calendar month. To lock in additional gallons click on the link below (AOL customers cut and paste the link into your browser). Use your gas at your convenience; any gallons you don't use will remain in your account for a full 90 days from the date your gallons were locked in. If you have not used the gas at the end of 90 days, it will be removed from your account and will no longer be useable. You will not receive a refund for expired gas.
http://gasoline.priceline.com"

I love this email.  This email partially reflects how the marketing costs for selling gas are reduced, and in turn, how gasoline costs for customers are reduced.  I'm a Priceline customer.  I was satisfied with my first transaction.  Priceline has easy and permitted access to me.  They provide easy access for me to buy more gasoline via their enclosed link.  I do not need to see an ad to remind me to buy gasoline with such and such brand.  I do not need to see my gas tank needle approaching empty on the gas gauge.  I can buy gas right now, even though my tank is 1/2 full (or is it 1/2 empty?) -- by the way, my tendency is to buy gas when the gas tank is near empty.  This is beautiful, I can buy gas at any time, not just when my car's gas tank is near empty.  In spirit, I am holding inventory -- in the form of a contract -- for the gas station.  In addition, my business for the next couple of fill-ups is locked in for Texaco. 

This partially removes the value of geography in certain gas buying situations.  For example, suppose I was downtown and realized that my car's gas gauge needle was closing in on empty.  It is conceivable that the nearest gas station, all else being equal, would get my business.  This is no longer the case.  When the gas needle approaches empty, I'll be heading for the Texaco station.  Part of Texaco's sales are now certain (even if something happens so that I can not use all of my allocation, Texaco will be paid for 50 gallons -- the amount that I purchased).  Remember, setting policy and operating in a known environment is desirable and makes life and business much easier.  Priceline has created a system where the future, in spirit, is know with certainty.  As Colleen would say, "how exciting is that?"

Can you imagine what it would be like if General Motors knew ahead of time that only six people wanted a a PontiacAztek in the Aztek Yellow color?  Instead of manufacturing 1200 Azteks in Aztek Yellow (by the way, I am using this number as an example, I have no idea how many GM will actually produce in Aztek Yellow) and having to either discount 1194 of them or indirectly force car salesman to play games to get 1194 people to buy them, General Motors would manufacture exactly six Pontiac Azteks in Aztek Yellow.  That saves GM money; that saves dealers hassle and money; and it would likely save consumers money and lead to a better consumer experience.
 

Luis Castillo RBI Watch (Through August 12, 2000)

Number of Hits......Batting Average......Number of RBI......Runs Scored
......129.......................352............................9........................73

Luis went 0-5 as the Marlins lost to the Padres, 2-1 in ten innings -- the score was 0-0 after nine innings. He led off the first, fourth and sixth  innings by grounding out to the shortstop, second baseman and the pitcher, respectively.  In the eighth, with a man on first base, he grounded into a double play -- his hamstring has still got to be bothering him somewhat.  In the tenth inning with one out and men on first (Redmond) and third (Berg), Luis reached first on a fielder's choice ground ball to the pitcher (Berg was thrown out at home plate).  Luis did manage to steal second base before Kotsay struck out swinging for out number three which ended the ballgame.  (These data are obtained from ESPN.com.)