skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

How the heck did this happen?

16 years ago

In yesterday's mail, we got a bill from a urology clinic in Orlando mailed to Harry, with the same middle initial and last name. Only the street address and city and state were in Bonita Springs, FL. Of course, he didn't realize the mistake until he'd opened it.

Now how in the world did something get mailed from Orlando and come to Ocala instead of Bonita Springs? It had the correct Bonita Springs zip on it. And the street address was nothing like ours. Isn't that strange?

Harry called the clinic and they said they'd send the other Harry a new bill. Hope the next one doesn't end up here too!

Also hope the clinic gets their money. That bill was way overdue and ready for the collection agency.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

sue_va
16 years ago
I think I would also call the post office and see what they have to say about it.

Sue
mariend
16 years ago
It could be that they are fishing to find someone (anyone) with the same name to pay the bill. You might contact them and ask why you got the bill, especially if this is the first time you received it. Many years ago, this happened to my Dad. He called the hospital, and they told him that they just send the bill to all those with the same name, because they knew someone would pay it without checking. Also watch your credit report so they do not put a negative report out, all though it is harder now, due to social security numbers.
Like I said, I don't think it was a mistake--just looking for a person with the same name, probably off phone books or people search. PO sorts by zip, regardless what city/name.
Related Discussions
Grass mysteriously showing up in my Garlic Chive pot.
Q
Comments (2)
TVG Occasionally I get grass growing in my containers, and since they're on a high deck, I know it's from seeds blown in. I also get little maple trees started in the containers. Same thing -- wind-borne seeds. Spring is a time when there are gazillions of seeds floating around in the breezes, so any bare and wonderful soil in a container is a perfect place for them to land and send down roots!
...See More
Shoot! They dried out!
Q
Comments (10)
Re- too wet: Make sure you have enough holes in the bottom, even the sides. What I do, if it rains for several days, I just throw a plastic tarp over them. I don't like them to sit in water too much. and too dry- I noticed mine were drying out much quicker this year than usual. Then I realized it has been so windy this month, so I have had to water more frequently. ellen
...See More
What the heck happened to my duranta? (pics)
Q
Comments (10)
Coffeemom, I thought about that too, but it doesn't smell like anything on the bush or in the soil at all. No dog pee smell. Just weird. The only thing I'm thinking of is our next door neighbor might have "tested" an herbicide sprayer on it. As you can see in the last pic, we are on a zero lot line (that's his car in the driveway on the left) and our garages are literally 2-3 steps from each other. I'm gonna peek over his fence later today and see if he was using an herbicide in his backyard to kill weeds. If I see dead stuff there, then I'll put 2-and-2 together.
...See More
What the heck happened!? Is there any hope?
Q
Comments (30)
Well it died. =[ The tinyyyy spear that was inside of it pulled. Along with two of the fronds at the same time. Almost the entire inside of the palm was rotted out. I lost a lot of my palms this winter, and all I have left right now is a queen palm. Shes holding on strong though. I did read on here that pam cooking spray could be used to get rid of mites in multiple posts when I typed spider mites into the search bar. I thought it sounded crazy too, but it killed them, so I subscribed to the idea. I guess I know to just rinse rinse rinse next time. I'll also improve my soil mix for all my future palms. No more miracle grow for me! I think my other mistake was trying to imitate their environment in the summer too much. I should have been trying to keep them cool and dormant instead of warm and wet with limited light. Sorry it took so long for me to respond. I left this post when it seemed relatively dead, but then I come back and there's 29 responses! hahaha
...See More
patti43
Original Author
16 years ago
Mariend, but it wasn't our address or even our town. I would've guessed the same thing if it had been. But Harry goes to VA. The "other" Harry had paid some on the bill, but still owed quite a bit.

They did ask him to send the bill to the Bonita Springs address but he told them it'd cost him a stamp and they should just send a new bill themselves.

Good idea, Sue. Think I'll do that Monday if I remember.
sushipup1
16 years ago
Absolutely check your credit report. Here you have someone fairly local with the same name as your husband and obviously not paying his bills. I'd keep checking my credit carefully, if I were you.

Here is a link that might be useful: The real free annual credit report website
patti43
Original Author
16 years ago
I will do that sushipup. Our last name is fairly common--in fact, there is another couple that live in our subdivision and their last name is same as ours and their first names are Harry and Patti. What are the odds of that happening? We found that out just after we moved and went to State Farm for condo insurance.
dilly_dally
16 years ago
Do you still have the envelope? Is the address on the envelope the same one that is on the bill? Since you did not realize the bill was not for you until you opened it, I am going to guess that the thing was addressed to you and had someone else's bill stuck inside it.

It is very likely that the bill, since it is in arrears, is being mailed to anyone with the same name.

There is no way the PO will deliver a letter to John Smith in Texas that is addressed to John Smith in Iowa because they 'got mixed up with the names'. The letters are sorted by ZIP code first (once and maybe twice) and then handled again in sorting locally with addresses and then handled by the actual delivery person who bring it to the house.
patti43
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, I saw the envelope. It was a window envelope so the name and address on the bill showed through the window on the envelope. That's why I can't figure out how it got to us. The zip was 34134-7227. Our zip is 34481.
kacram
16 years ago
just a fluke. Got stuck to another envelope or something during sorting. I think it's just a booboo. Not anything to worry about. stuff happens

Related Stories

ARCHITECTURE What the Heck Is 'Good' Design Anyway?

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

We yearn for it and strive for it, but good home design isn't always easy to grasp. These 8 prescriptions from an architect can help

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean a Glass Shower Door

By Bonnie McCarthy

See which tools and methods will keep those glass shower walls and doors sparkling clean

Teal? Seriously? Heck YES!

By Becky Harris

FUN HOUZZ Did Elves Make a Home in a San Francisco Park?

By Vanessa Brunner

Speculation has swirled around a Lilliputian doorway in Golden Gate Park. We give you the true story — and a design dilemma

FUN HOUZZ Double Take: Did MoMA Drop a Mini House in the Yard?

By Becky Harris

Or maybe it's garden art or even a modernist-loving giant's step stool. Use your imagination, then get the true tale here

Let's Dish! Did You Watch the Flipping Out Premiere?

By Becky Harris

Contemporary Remodel Kicks off Design Show's New Season. What Did You Think?

DISASTER PREP & RECOVERY Remodeling After Water Damage: Tips From a Homeowner Who Did It

By Judith Taylor Designs

Learn the crucial steps and coping mechanisms that can help when flooding strikes your home

BUDGETING YOUR PROJECT Houzz Call: What Did Your Kitchen Renovation Teach You About Budgeting?

By Erin Carlyle

Cost is often the biggest shocker in a home renovation project. Share your wisdom to help your fellow Houzzers

WALL TREATMENTS Double Take: How Did They Make That Mondrian-Inspired Wall?

By Becky Harris

Bright colors and wood grains create an artful midcentury modern feature in this Southern California living room

LANDSCAPE DESIGN What the Heck Is a Ha-Ha, and How Can It Help Your Garden?

Take cues from a historical garden feature to create security and borders without compromising a view

Sponsored

CHC & Family Developments

5 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, Ohio

More Discussions

recipe format option

21

What are you reading? August 2026 Edition

22

Fish meds..........

9

14

Spots on my philodendron.

1