A reader writes: "I stumbled across a property in Auckland and decided to go to the open home and the auction. A few groups came along and the auctioneer opened bidding at $700k, but there were no bids. I contacted the agent to make an offer, but the agent said the owner wanted over $800k. I searched for the sales history of the property and found it was bought by the current owner just last month for $700k. Buyers beware and check the sales history."
How to frustrate a poor memory
"I find this bamboozling," writes Sally. "IRD now offers 'secure online services' for things like filing GST returns. Great idea. But woe betide you if you forget your password. I did and so happily clicked 'Forgot Password' only to be prompted to complete my 'Forgotten Password Phrase' - normally the website prompts the user with the password phrase to enable you to remember it ... if I knew my password phrase I would know my password!"
A clown at the wheel
A U-turn caused a crash involving a van full of clowns in West York, Pennsylvania. Four clowns were in the van, and the driver, 83-year-old James Billingsley of York, also known as "Dimples the Clown", suffered a minor bump on the head. Police say the clowns were going to the York Fair when the driver missed the entrance and attempted to turn around. The driver was wearing oversized shoes but police don't believe his footwear was a factor in the crash.
Lift disconnected
A reader writes: "The zillion dollar bridge across the motorway in St Marys Bay is now impassable for cyclists and the disabled ... the lifts are dead because the power has been cut off. Someone hasn't paid the bill."
