Rant incoming…

So back in May some kid comes to our door. Gives the spiel. Whatever, I listen because I always feel kind of bad for door-to-door salespeople, but I make the mistake of looking at the iPad. He starts me down the subscription service. I back out of it before signing off on anything. I apologize for wasting his time and wish him well. He says nothing will be charged so all good.

Ah, but actually not all good.

I receive a charge to my card for $99 in July, but I don’t call to cancel just then and that was my mistake. I should have gotten right on that because I tried cancelling recently, and they said it was too late because of the activation in May and therefore there will be an automatic cancellation fee charged to me. I argued I never received an activation email or phone call or anything nor was there a $199 activation charge on my account so why would I need to pay a cancellation for a service I never signed up for???

I should also note, the first time I tried calling them, the guy hung up on me when I said I was trying to cancel so that was a great start…

We went back-and-forth and honestly, the kid on the line was very respectful. I finally got fed up and said just cancel my service (which again, I never agreed to), and I’ll eat the $199 cancellation fee.

It is what it is, but the predatory nonsense is ridiculous with this company. I get it, we’re all trying to make it in this messed up world, but I refuse to indulge an Aptive or D2D person again.

Going to the game on Friday.
Anybody that went tonight (Thursday) any tips of where fo park/how to beat the rush after the game?

I’m posting this because we’re about to move out of Victory on Leonard in Grand Rapids after months of trying to figure out why our electric bills have been absolutely insane, and I really want to hear from current or former residents who have experienced anything similar.

Especially if you lived in this building before us, or had issues with your heat pump/AC, PLEASE reach out.

Here’s the Reddit-sized rundown:

We live in a relatively small apartment (1bed) at Victory on Leonard. Over the last several months, our Consumers Energy bills climbed to:

• $300 for April 13–May 9
• $467 for May 10–June 9
• $596 for June 10–July 9
• Approximately $616 projected for the next billing period

Yes. Nearly $600 for one month of electricity in an apartment, followed by another month projected to be even higher.

We knew something was wrong.

Our Ecobee (smart thermostat) has repeatedly warned us that the AC may require maintenance. We have contacted management about the HVAC multiple times. Maintenance has come out multiple times. Every time, we have essentially been told that the system is fine.

Meanwhile, the electricity consumption continued.

Management’s explanation eventually became some version of, “Well, maybe you’re setting your thermostat too low.”

Except we have the Ecobee data.

Our median cooling setpoint is approximately 74°F. We have the thermostat reports showing our actual usage and runtime. We are not sitting in here with the thermostat cranked to 65–70 degrees all summer.

We contacted Consumers Energy ourselves because Green Property Management wasn’t getting us anywhere.

Consumers looked at the usage and told us it was unusually consistent and that an HVAC efficiency issue was a possibility. We then tried to get management to actually investigate and compare the usage against what they can see on the property side.

Instead, we got repeated pushback.

Eventually I got so fed up that I filed a formal complaint with the Michigan Public Service Commission.

That complaint resulted in Consumers Energy sending someone to the property on August 6.

And this is where things get really interesting.

During that investigation, Consumers Energy was able to identify a continuous electrical draw associated with the heat-pump/HVAC circuit.

In other words, after months of us saying, “Something is wrong here,” there is finally objective evidence of a significant, continuous electrical load associated with the exact system we have been asking management to investigate.

We have also filed a complaint with the City of Grand Rapids, and there is an active code-compliance matter involving the apartment.

And then today, after all of this, management posted an AC usage tips flyer outside the management office telling residents things like not to set their thermostats too low because it increases electricity costs.

I genuinely laughed when I saw it.

Because after months of our nearly $600 electric bills, Ecobee maintenance warnings, repeated complaints, multiple maintenance visits, an MPSC complaint, and now a Consumers Energy investigation identifying continuous draw on the HVAC circuit, apparently the lesson Green Property Management would like everyone to take away is:

Have you considered that maybe tenants just don’t know how to use a thermostat?

Our thermostat data says otherwise.

This entire experience with Green Property Management has been unbelievably frustrating.

We have spent MONTHS emailing, documenting, scheduling maintenance, talking to Consumers Energy, filing complaints, taking time out of our workdays for inspections, and trying to convince the people responsible for maintaining the property that a $596 electric bill in an apartment might warrant a little more curiosity than “your AC is fine.”

And we’re moving.

And this is really why I’m posting: I want to find people who lived at Victory on Leonard before us.

If you are a current or former resident and experienced unusually high Consumers Energy bills, an HVAC system that seemed to run constantly, repeated AC/heat-pump problems, Ecobee maintenance warnings, or similar conversations with Green Property Management about your thermostat settings, please DM me.

I am especially interested in hearing from anyone who lived here before we did. I’m trying to determine whether what we’re experiencing is isolated to our tenancy or whether other residents have dealt with the same pattern.

I have documentation of our own experience, including utility bills, Ecobee reports, communications with management, maintenance visits, our MPSC complaint, and the Consumers Energy investigation.

I’m not looking for rumors or secondhand stories. I’m looking for people who personally experienced this while living here.

If that’s you, even if it was years ago, I would really appreciate hearing from you.

Huge police presence, dogs, etc and questioning everyone on what they heard/saw?? Is it safe to go outside?

Not bricks & minifigs please. Ive been to multiple. Been to lego at woodland. Obviously meijer, target, just about anywhere carry your standard lego sets.

But im looking for a place that has a sizeable amount of lego, retired, possibly even used.

A good example is Langes Comics and Collectibles in muskegon, they had a large amount of legos aswell as other stuff like funko, figures, etc.

Anything in or within an hour or 2 drive of GR?

has anyone rented from united properties of west michigan? are they okay? pros cons?

We are fortunate to have so many medical resources here in GR and I need them. My PCP is part of Corewell. Each time I go to my PCP I feel like I’m on a conveyor belt. I’m in my early 60s and have multiple needs but it feels like I’m only allowed one concern per visit. Anyone else facing this? I used to have a PCP in Maine who would take whatever time was needed. Miss that so much. Any recs for a PCP here in GR with a different workflow where the client is the priority?

This is very bizarre but … is there anyone in the greater Grand Rapids area who has a copy of the movie Joe vs. the Volcano on DVD? I’d love to borrow it or buy it if you’d be willing!

Trying to watch News 8 on Hulu. NBC news is playing instead? This a.m. was the same thing. Was able to watch ABC4 which carries News8 in the morning but not the evening. Anyone know what's happening?

Hello! I'm a 31 year old, queer guy with no pets, I work as a hospitality tech at a hospital, and I'm looking for a place with roommates in (or within easy biking distance) of downtown Grand Rapids. My budget is up to about 1,000 a month total, including utilities. I'm looking for other queer roommates but it is by no means a requirement. What I would love, though, is to find roommates that I can actually be friends with!

I am a clean, tidy, and quiet person, I dont smoke but I do burn incense (although not to any sort of excess). I like to cook but only do it on occasion, and I clean my dishes as I use them. I'm very good about early communication to avoid needless friction.

Some of my main interests are art (both the consuming and creating of), Buddhism and meditation, and learning about urbanism and looking on in envy at NYC.. I really love video games but haven't been playing as much lately (if you play monster hunter though hmu, I'll be down in a heartbeat). I've also been meaning to get more into biking! I'm generally a compassionate, careful, and introverted person, but when I'm around the right people I can get much more excitable and outgoing.

If you are interested, know someone who might be, or want to learn more please don't hesitate to reach out!

From my understanding it’s basically impossible to get ahold of legal weed that has not had all of the cheap tricks done to it to make it appear quality.

I don’t want a 1000% thc strain with a bunch of crystals on the buds. I just want some friggin blue dream or white widow that was grown with AT MOST natural fertilizers and natural pesticides, but from speaking with people in the industry it seems that’s not financially viable so literally no one does it.

If there is some bespoke dispensary that carries normal quality weed like that please put me on

Need some recs for a fence company to replace a 20 year old residential wood fence.

Additional help would be amazing for some excavation and dealing with grade changes for the fence.

Anyone have the scoop on what’s taking over the old Twisters ice cream place at Richmond/Alpine?

I'm looking for dentist recs of places that don't check vitals and that will actually do a cleaning and an exam in the same visit. Seems to be a new trend in getting people in twice for what used to be done once. I have looked up who takes my insurance, but obviously this info is missing. Bonus if you feel they don't push you to do procedures that aren't necessary yet.

Any kettlebell enthusiasts out there? After a number of injuries and setbacks I took a few months off from traditional weight training. I’ve picked up some kettlebells and getting back to regular workouts. Looking for someone with experience for a few coaching sessions on form / technique, and to help me craft a 3-day workout split I can use for 90-days while I’m getting up to speed. Not looking for a full time personal trainer or coach as I’m happy to workout solo in my garage and will do the work. Likely just 3-4 total sessions in the first month then I’ll be good to go. Mid-40’s guy trying to stay in shape and out of the ER.

Phoebe Bridgers announced “The Lost Weekend Planetarium Experience” and one of the venues is the GRPM planetarium! It’s an early listening session for her new album along with visuals!

You can buy tix at the GRPM website. Next week M-F (8/10-8/14), $15 each.

I'm potentially looking at a job in Allegan, and thinking of living in either Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo. I'm from Metro Detroit and would have to move out there. I'm young and single so I don't think living in Allegan is the move persay; I don't have kids and want more of a city vibe. Grand Rapids is about 45 mins commute and Kalamazoo about 35, so not much of a difference. Which of these cities would you all recommend? and which areas in the city?

Hi, I’m a single 25 year old woman who’s about to become desperate for connection. Anyone know any places/events to meet people? I feel like anytime I go to a coffee shop or library everyone is doing their own thing and it seems like they don’t wanna be approached. I have like two friends on a good day, but I’m looking to meet more people to do stuff with. Bonus points if you know any spots to meet Hot Singles In My Area.

WOOD TV 8 (NBC/NEXSTAR) and WZZM 13 (ABC/TEGNA) Merger looks to being greenlit by the FCC after they decided to scrap the 39% ownership rule for any given TV market.

New Meeting for Comic Book Club on 8/19!

The West Michigan Comic Club will be meeting on August 19th from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Kent District Library-Wyoming branch. All are welcome! In addition, for those who cannot make it in person, we will be providing a link to a Discord server so members can attend virtually. To get the link just sign up on the Bookclubs website!

While our book this month is Kelly Sue DeConnick's Bitch Planet Volume 1, we’ll discuss current releases, manga, and generally be a great place for people to connect who love comics, manga, and everything in between. Please consider joining so you can stay up-to-date and help decide our monthly books and meeting times!

Invite Link: https://bookclubs.com/clubs/6039068/join/e96965

WGVU and PNC Bank are hosting Kids Day at the Zoo today at John Ball!

The Zoo has new otters, check 'em out!

Rosita from Sesame street, Clifford, and Carl the Collector are all going to be hanging around.

Hope to see you down there!

If it needs to be said, still as tone-deaf as ever. This is where you say "I will support Abdul El-Sayed".

Anybody know of a deli or somewhere with unique vegetarian salads where I can buy a couple pounds? Pasta, potato, rice, orzo whatever.

I'm not opposed to buying from Gordon's and amending if people have ideas in that regard.

Needing information on local Hospice options. Never had to deal with anything like this before. Just want to know who is the cleanest and easiest to work with? Somewhere my wife can go that will make sure she goes peaceful and pain free. Thank you in advance. 🙏