cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,399
Sept 5, 2015 18:24:10 GMT
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Post by cbscrapper on Feb 3, 2019 14:47:45 GMT
SC/AE have been charging me sales tax for a while, since one of their former umbrella brands is based in my state. The thing to watch is how much they charge. Some purchases they were charging me 14%!! I guess they gouge their tax charges just like their shipping charges to make a little extra. Our state rate is about 4.5%, and even with county and city sales tax, the highest rate in the state (not my town tho) is about 10%. I contacted them about it and they didn’t have a good answer for me and couldn’t explain how the tax was calculated (the rate was different on different purchases for me even), and certainly did not give me a refund. So, I’d suggest keeping an eye on what they charge you. There were many purchases I didn’t make when the sales tax was coming up really high. That is illegal and could get them in serious trouble with the state tax department. It depends on the state and their specific rules for how much, etc., but generally, if a merchant labels something as sales tax they must remit it to the state tax department and cannot keep a portion. If they do that’s illegal. In some states that means civil fines, others it could mean criminal fines, depending on the amount and if it was done intentionally. If it’s something they’ve done repeatedly you might want to refer them to your state’s tax department. Most tax departments have a way for consumers to refer issues with merchants or tax preparers. On the other hand, if they are overcollecting but actually send that money to the state, the state probably won’t do anything about it. The state would possibly allow them to get a refund if they show they’re giving it back to their customers, but they would be tedious and probably not go anywhere. I tried looking into it with our Dept of Revenue, and mentioned it in my convo with Inked, but I couldn’t figure out who to contact (DOR’s website sucks). So at the time I just gave up and decided to stop buying from them if the final cart showed too high of tax rate.
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Post by janesays on Feb 5, 2019 0:14:19 GMT
I know this old news now but I’m going to miss buying the DITL kit for $10.
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,399
Sept 5, 2015 18:24:10 GMT
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Post by cbscrapper on Feb 8, 2019 18:33:32 GMT
Story Camp sign up is open for the Fall session, and it’s not sold out yet (as of my checking a minite ago). It’s been up about 30 minutes I guess? At least from when the email went out. I’m surprised.
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Post by dudleypippen on Feb 8, 2019 18:48:38 GMT
Story Camp sign up is open for the Fall session, and it’s not sold out yet (as of my checking a minite ago). It’s been up about 30 minutes I guess? At least from when the email went out. I’m surprised. It looks like it’s still open. I’m not surprised- at some point the number of people who can afford to go is going to be maxed out (and attendees are not allowed to go more than once). $599 + airfare + lodging is way out of my league.
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Post by mom on Feb 8, 2019 22:29:59 GMT
Its sold out now.
if they can get people to go and pay that for a weekend, good for them. I won't be one of those people though.
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Post by Citygirl on Feb 8, 2019 22:39:17 GMT
I would love to go but that is a steep price.
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pancakes
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,992
Feb 4, 2015 6:49:53 GMT
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Post by pancakes on Feb 8, 2019 22:42:18 GMT
My hesitancy with Story Camp is partially the price. But I also think I would not enjoy a whole weekend of strangers and trying to make friends.
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Post by QueSeraSera on Feb 8, 2019 22:59:55 GMT
My hesitancy with Story Camp is partially the price. But I also think I would not enjoy a whole weekend of strangers and trying to make friends.
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
Posts: 7,810
Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Feb 8, 2019 23:13:08 GMT
My hesitancy with Story Camp is partially the price. But I also think I would not enjoy a whole weekend of strangers and trying to make friends. Legit. Not to mention, I saw where some people were sharing rooms with other people from the camp that they didn't know. NO THANK YOU EVER IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Feb 9, 2019 0:19:24 GMT
Just to put this in perspective, the most expensive annual passport at Disneyland Paris is 399€ or US$452.29. This is not the passport I have. Because I don't need access to the two parks on the Disney Paris property 365 days out of the year. I have the passport at 259€ or US$293.59 (I figured 350 days/year is enough). I share an annual photopass with my SO which costs 49€ so that's 24,5€ or US$27.77 per person.
I order my bullet train tickets early so my return ticket costs me 20€ or US$22.67 per trip.
So, I could go to Disneyland *gets calculator out* 12 times in a year for less than the price of the Story Camp (US$593.4).
Even with the most expensive annual passport (which includes the photopass for free #tokeepthingsfairandsquarewithmycalculations), I could go *calculates some more* 7 times in a year for about the same price.
Just putting the perspective out there. I know you can have fun at AE's camp for two-three days and learn stuff. But... that's TWELVE trips to Disneyland in a year for me. I go maybe 8 or 9 per year and consider that a lot already. I don't know. I must lead a poor person's life. A poor person who goes to Disneyland, mind you.
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pancakes
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,992
Feb 4, 2015 6:49:53 GMT
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Post by pancakes on Feb 9, 2019 0:20:37 GMT
My hesitancy with Story Camp is partially the price. But I also think I would not enjoy a whole weekend of strangers and trying to make friends. Legit. Not to mention, I saw where some people were sharing rooms with other people from the camp that they didn't know. NO THANK YOU EVER IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. It’s like freshman year of college!
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Post by mom on Feb 9, 2019 0:31:12 GMT
Legit. Not to mention, I saw where some people were sharing rooms with other people from the camp that they didn't know. NO THANK YOU EVER IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. It’s like freshman year of college! Ha! Not my freshman year of college! I met my roomie before we were suite mates!
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
Posts: 7,810
Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Feb 9, 2019 0:35:38 GMT
Just to put this in perspective, the most expensive annual passport at Disneyland Paris is 399€ or US$452.29. This is not the passport I have. Because I don't need access to the two parks on the Disney Paris property 365 days out of the year. I have the passport at 259€ or US$293.59 (I figured 350 days/year is enough). I share an annual photopass with my SO which costs 49€ so that's 24,5€ or US$27.77 per person.
I order my bullet train tickets early so my return ticket costs me 20€ or US$22.67 per trip.
So, I could go to Disneyland *gets calculator out* 12 times in a year for less than the price of the Story Camp (US$593.4).
Even with the most expensive annual passport (which includes the photopass for free #tokeepthingsfairandsquarewithmycalculations), I could go *calculates some more* 7 times in a year for about the same price.
Just putting the perspective out there. I know you can have fun at AE's camp for two-three days and learn stuff. But... that's TWELVE trips to Disneyland in a year for me. I go maybe 8 or 9 per year and consider that a lot already. I don't know. I must lead a poor person's life. A poor person who goes to Disneyland, mind you.
I'd choose Disney parks over most people. Going multiple times in a year? YES PLEASE.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Feb 9, 2019 0:54:59 GMT
I'd choose Disney parks over most people. Going multiple times in a year? YES PLEASE. Life philosophy.
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Post by Skellinton on Feb 9, 2019 1:25:09 GMT
I'd choose Disney parks over most people. Going multiple times in a year? YES PLEASE. Life philosophy.
I’m NOT crying. YOU are crying!!! Lordy Heavens, I would choose one day in DL Paris over a week with Ali at Story Camp. And yes, I could drive to Eugene very easily, but the cost for the camp is 1/2 of my personal share for a 6 day WDW vacation (not including air fare). Give me WDW any damn day of the week.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Feb 9, 2019 1:43:48 GMT
I’m NOT crying. YOU are crying!!! Lordy Heavens, I would choose one day in DL Paris over a week with Ali at Story Camp. And yes, I could drive to Eugene very easily, but the cost for the camp is 1/2 of my personal share for a 6 day WDW vacation (not including air fare). Give me WDW any damn day of the week. Who's cutting onions in here?
Memories first, always. Disney memories firstest.
Going back in ten-ish days and pretty darn happy about it. When are you headed to WDW?
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,399
Sept 5, 2015 18:24:10 GMT
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Post by cbscrapper on Feb 9, 2019 3:20:39 GMT
Ah. The Disney love! I knew you were my people!
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Post by Skellinton on Feb 9, 2019 4:29:27 GMT
I’m NOT crying. YOU are crying!!! Lordy Heavens, I would choose one day in DL Paris over a week with Ali at Story Camp. And yes, I could drive to Eugene very easily, but the cost for the camp is 1/2 of my personal share for a 6 day WDW vacation (not including air fare). Give me WDW any damn day of the week. Who's cutting onions in here?
Memories first, always. Disney memories firstest.
Going back in ten-ish days and pretty darn happy about it. When are you headed to WDW? Not until December 2020, but taking two very special little kids- we want the littlest to be 4 before we go so they might have some semblance of remembering it! The other kiddo will be 6, currently a little timid one rides, so hopefully a little more adventurous by then. We took my nephew the first time when he was 4 and it was perfect. I also want to go at Christmas time, I have only ever been to WDW at Halloween time, but have been to DL several times in December, figured it was time to see WDW all Christmas glorified. I would love to see DL Paris, I know that Tokyo Disney is supposed to be the ultimate, but I want to ride your upside down Indiana Jones, see your Haunted Mansion and Alice’s Labyrinth. Seems amazing to me. My brother went many moons ago and loved the American Hotel that was apparently fashioned after the idea that Americans are all cowboys who live on ranches and herd cattle. First thing I will do when we win the lottery is book a trip for each Disney Theme Park.
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Post by 950nancy on Feb 9, 2019 4:41:28 GMT
The camp has about 20 total hours of cropping and classes in that window of time. $30 an hour (and some materials). Since the class/crop goes until 10:30 pm on Saturday, you would need to spend three nights there also. More power to her if she can get people to sign up, but that is pretty pricey for that many hours. The start time of 10 am and two hours for each meal also seems like wasted time. I'd love to know how much product people receive. With classes like photography and journaling, I am guessing not a lot.
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Post by mom on Feb 9, 2019 4:45:02 GMT
Ok, am I the only one in this thread that thinks WDW is over rated? DH and I went for our 10th Anniversary. In and out, 3 hours and we were done. ROFL
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Post by 950nancy on Feb 9, 2019 4:53:13 GMT
Ok, am I the only one in this thread that thinks WDW is over rated? DH and I went for our 10th Anniversary. In and out, 3 hours and we were done. ROFL Today I was in line at Costco with my kid thinking that I would love to be at Universal with him. Overrated? No, but it isn't for everyone. Think how long the lines would be if everyone wanted to go.
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Post by mom on Feb 9, 2019 4:55:13 GMT
Ok, am I the only one in this thread that thinks WDW is over rated? DH and I went for our 10th Anniversary. In and out, 3 hours and we were done. ROFL Today I was in line at Costco with my kid thinking that I would love to be at Universal with him. Overrated? No, but it isn't for everyone. Think how long the lines would be if everyone wanted to go. LOL true. My kids never got into Mickey or Disney so maybe if they were into it I would feel differently?
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Post by 950nancy on Feb 9, 2019 4:58:44 GMT
Today I was in line at Costco with my kid thinking that I would love to be at Universal with him. Overrated? No, but it isn't for everyone. Think how long the lines would be if everyone wanted to go. LOL true. My kids never got into Mickey or Disney so maybe if they were into it I would feel differently? I didn't take my kid to HP World until he was 19. We talked about going, but the other two in the house didn't want to go. We spent four days in the park and had a blast. Way more fun for us than Disney and we've been to three of their parks on two continents. Brazil was there making up for you though. Lots and lots of of girls from Brazil.
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pancakes
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,992
Feb 4, 2015 6:49:53 GMT
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Post by pancakes on Feb 9, 2019 5:32:41 GMT
Ok, am I the only one in this thread that thinks WDW is over rated? DH and I went for our 10th Anniversary. In and out, 3 hours and we were done. ROFL I’ve been twice — once when I was a kid and once a few New Years’ ago. I think it’s fun once in a blue moon. I’ll probably go one more time once we have a kid and he/she is 10-ish, ha. I truly don’t understand the people who go every year (or more!)
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,399
Sept 5, 2015 18:24:10 GMT
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Post by cbscrapper on Feb 9, 2019 5:47:46 GMT
Ok, am I the only one in this thread that thinks WDW is over rated? DH and I went for our 10th Anniversary. In and out, 3 hours and we were done. ROFL Blasphemy!!
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Post by joblackford on Feb 9, 2019 6:11:15 GMT
I know that Tokyo Disney is supposed to be the ultimate Oh, is it really? I don't know much about it except that most of the people who go to Tokyo are grown ups and it's more geared to them than kids. I'm going to Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Japan (Harry Potter) next month with a few adults and my 10yo nephew.
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pancakes
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,992
Feb 4, 2015 6:49:53 GMT
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Post by pancakes on Feb 9, 2019 6:34:18 GMT
Totally random, but does anyone get the Stories by the Month DIGITAL kit?
I would get it, esp since I do more hybrid layouts these days, but $14.50 seems kind of expensive. $10, I could be ok with.
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craftymom101
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,603
Jul 31, 2014 5:23:25 GMT
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Post by craftymom101 on Feb 9, 2019 6:56:24 GMT
pancakes I don't understand why her digital products are so expensive. I won't pay $14.50 for a digital Story kit, either.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Feb 9, 2019 7:39:58 GMT
Not until December 2020, but taking two very special little kids- we want the littlest to be 4 before we go so they might have some semblance of remembering it! The other kiddo will be 6, currently a little timid one rides, so hopefully a little more adventurous by then. We took my nephew the first time when he was 4 and it was perfect. I also want to go at Christmas time, I have only ever been to WDW at Halloween time, but have been to DL several times in December, figured it was time to see WDW all Christmas glorified. I would love to see DL Paris, I know that Tokyo Disney is supposed to be the ultimate, but I want to ride your upside down Indiana Jones, see your Haunted Mansion and Alice’s Labyrinth. Seems amazing to me. My brother went many moons ago and loved the American Hotel that was apparently fashioned after the idea that Americans are all cowboys who live on ranches and herd cattle. Big theme parks are just not worth it for really small kids. It's crowded, overwhelming and there's no real "reward" to go through it all. I agree that waiting until they're old enough to anticipate the event, understand they're stepping into a special universe and keep some memories of it.
I've not been to either Disney park in the US so I can't comment on how fabulous WDW is at Christmas but it looks pretty awesome from the videos I've seen. Tokyo DisneySea, however, is so good. If you only have time for one when in Tokyo, pick DisneySea.
DLP is worth visiting for everything but Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril. It's rated as the worst ride by most visitors. It used to go backwards but they stopped doing that because some people complained of feeling nauseous when getting off. Silly decision! The backwards part was what made it fun. And Crush's Coaster is far worse in my opinion in terms of post-ride nausea (but it's a much more recent ride). Very best DLP + rides according to this regular (and most people who know the park really well from what I can read online): 1. Phantom Manor (it's absolutely amazing, even the American tourists are wowed and comment on how incredibly rich the story of Frontierland in DLP is: read up on it before you go if you ever come and do things in the right order for the storyline). Currently being refurbished (staying completely true to spirit with only some adjustments according to an interview with an imagineer who's working on it) and we're all dying to see it open again. It was supposed to take 7 to 8 months but it's been over a year now. Everybody misses it and the lines are going to be pure madness for weeks when it reopens. Oh, the stretching ceiling, Mélanie haunted by lost - possibly murdered by her own father which led to the tragic undoing of Thunder Mesa altogether - love and wandering through the manor like a ghost, be still, my beating heart.
2. Big Thunder Mountain (it's a very well done version in DLP and ties in beautifully if you follow the Thunder Mesa Paris backstory): it's at the very centre of Frontierland, on an island surrounded by a lake, and everything else is landscaped around it. The final drop and tunnel at the end of the ride is just awesome. At the beginning and end of the ride, you'll end up going under the water level.
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: a classic that's done in linear fashion in Paris so you might feel it's a bit odd/out of order if you're used to the DL California and WDW versions. I can't help but love it dearly.
4. Ratatouille (in the Walt Disney Studios park, just next to Disneyland): fun, rail-free with pattern changes and random cart turns so it stays exciting even after doing it so many times, 3D (videos really don't do the experience justice at all), loads of moments where you end up amazed/shocked and a little breathtaken. It truly is a marvelous rat life experience with the cart doing furious stops as you, the rats, are discovered in the kitchen and then madly goes backwards as the chase begins. It just translates so poorly to video. Also, you'll probably be enchanted by the Paris square recreation in that part of WDS. I hear so many foreigners squeal in delight when they take the little "Paris cobbled street" and see the square appear in sight. It's very popular so take the solo rider line if you're a small group of adults only. There's a high chance you'll be on the same ride-through (three rat carts leave at the same time for the ride and each has a different point of view of the ride).
4. Still in WDS, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror which is pretty much a carbon copy of the one in Disney California Adventure from what I've read and seen online. No need to add a video.
5. Not leaving WDS, Crush's Coaster. Crazy fun but absolutely not recommended on days when you don't feel great or if you've just had a drink or eaten. Beware of the moving ride you will need to hop in and out of because I feel like I need to be super careful and quick putting my bag in between my legs and grabbing it again when leaving for this one. It spins, it's wild (but smooth) and it's a rush. If you like a good coaster with a twist, this one is good (Indiana Jones not). Video doesn't do the effect of the sudden rotations of the car justice.
6. Sleeping Beauty's Castle and the Dragon's Lair underneath it. Classic enchantment.
Not a ride but totally worth an honourable mention: Café Fantasia hidden inside the Disneyland Hotel. Secret hiding place and so the best spot to chill with a view over the park, no noise, jazz music and amazing cocktails. We love to come here at the end of the afternoon before taking the train back home. It's often empty at this time.
Ok, am I the only one in this thread that thinks WDW is over rated? DH and I went for our 10th Anniversary. In and out, 3 hours and we were done. ROFL Can't speak for WDW but I know that we love to go for just the day. Wake up super early, take the bullet train, get there just when the park opens, have a lazy day, eat lunch late (to avoid the usual lunch hour rush), stroll around, sip on a cocktail and take the train back home. It's rare for us to book a hotel. Never stayed longer than one night either. But it's the luxury of being able to go there easily and on the cheap (and having rather small parks that don't require several days to explore).
I truly don’t understand the people who go every year (or more!) I used to think so too. Can't speak for other folks as there are massive fans who love to take several proper trips every year but for us, it's like an escape day. We often don't even tell our friends or family we're going. We just secretly plan it, go away for one day and indulge in whatever we feel the most like that day. We've got our habits: favourite restaurants, favourite rides, favourite stroll spots. It's like disconnecting from everyday life and the world in general when we have one of our Disneyland fundays. I don't wear Minnie ears or buy merch, I just go to soak up the atmosphere, be in a bubble with my SO (and sometimes solo). Pardon all the Disney talk, AE Peas.
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
Posts: 7,810
Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Feb 9, 2019 12:28:19 GMT
I've always been a Disney fan, so that's part of the magic for me. Hell, I still have my VHS movies from when I was growing up. I'm just a fan. Not a crazy Mickey-my-house-out-fan, but still. We did Disneyland for our honeymoon and loved it. Then we were gifted a trip to Disneyland when my girls were 7 months and just over 2 years old as a "family trip" and we had a great time. So much so that we said we would plan a trip 5 years later to WDW. The trip 5 years later was 13 of us and we did Universal as well, but it was just magic. The kids were 3, 5, 7, 6, 7, and 13. My 3 were at such a good age for it that we are going back in 2020 before my girls really start growing up. The video that sleepingbooty posted is a perfect example for me of the feelings I get seeing things at the parks. I will never forget my son meeting Donald (coincidence to the video, he just happened to be up front when we entered the park) or later meeting Donald with all 3 kids while we were leaving and my daughter crying because he missed her autograph book, completely by accident, but still. She just watched the video with me and remembered "him" forgetting and how upset she got, but laughs about it now. And don't get me started on Universal, between the Wizarding World and Superhero area? We all loved it. If it's not your thing though? Totally cool, it means less crowds for me when I can go. Technically, this can tie into the AE convo because she's gone a couple of times and it seems like a lot of other SB people do, too.
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