Well, Marc (probably I've even spelt your name wrong!) certainly *one of the things you mention DOES amount to nonsense. Not sure about ring receipts, though ...
... at the risk of causing "annoyance" to the people still [impatiently - and rightly so!] awaiting the outcome of their visa applications, I have to say Myrna & I seem to have been extremely fortunate in that WE applied in person on January 20 and our Spousal Visa was granted on February 23. Mind you the Embassy was a lot quieter at that time of year and, above all, it was BEFORE Manila took over this ludicrousnew arrangement ... whereby applications from more than half of the entire continent of Asia are processed there.