My online supermarket delivery company. Yes, they delivered what I'd ordered. In the original basket I set up to ensure I hit minimum order value. I then edited the basket to include what I actually needed. So I have a number of things I didn't need (but put in to make up the value) and don't have several of the things I actually need.
I now need to go shopping, which rather defeats the object of the online order.
TICTH the designers of the website where Virginians can sign up to get the COVID shot. I filled out the form, which asked for my mobile phone number. When I completed the form, I was told that they would send a confirmation number to my mobile. When that number was typed into the form, my registration would be complete. After waiting twenty minutes, I had to go do something; I came back later and was told my session had timed out.
Grrrrrr indeed! Our state has a lovely little site which informs us all (with bated breath) that we have moved on to Tier 2b, and y'all come now, get your shots! And gives us a handy dandy map to find the providers nearest us. Only to inform us that hardly anybody has vaccine supplies, and they sure as hell aren't going to provide us with data on who has it and who doesn't. So the whole of Missouri can call round from one pharmacy to the other, annoying the fuck out of the staff and taking them away from their duties--and then mob the joint if anybody says "yes".
Scottish Gas. We pay them ££ for a maintenance contract*. Today I called them because the boiler has stopped working and we have neither heat nor hot water. Normally that would get a same day/next day response. Their best offer? 27 January. How is it reasonable to leave a vulnerable household like ours in that situation for 9 days?
Brexshit and Royal Mail 😡! So, I want to post 2 little skirts I’ve made for my granddaughter who lives in Belgium, plus, a sweatshirt for her older brother’s upcoming birthday - before Brexit, easy, peasy, just wrap and take to Post Office and pay reasonable postage. Now 😡😡😡. I looked up what I’d need to do on the Royal Mail website, clear as mud, lumping gifts like mine in with major exporting company information. So, after a lot of reading, weeping with frustration and swearing, finally got the gist - print out custom form, complete, etc, etc. However, apart from saying no import duty/VAT to pay for gift items under 33 euros, no clue given as to what it would be above that. So, I decided I would post the skirts, as under the given amount, and order the sweatshirt grandson would like from the European Amazon (which I’ve occasionally done before), but, lo and behold, they are unable to deliver said item for the foreseeable future (no doubt due to it originating in the UK). So, thought I’d send it via my normal UK Amazon account, until I find, not only will I have to pay the postage as expected, but now an extra £8.19 duty! So, in a nutshell, any present sending, either way, amongst all the family, is going to be very expensive! I know vouchers are going to be the sensible way to go, but not the same as present choosing. Brexiteers can shove their ‘sovereignty’ right up where the sun don’t shine! I feel even more sorry for small businesses than I did before now 😢.
Sorry, it’s been a long, rambling rant! Still seething 😡!
That's not acceptable - is there anything else you can do?
Fallback is Team Polskie (who've been doing the various house/garden works) but unfortunately the plumber's on a day off and not answering his phone.
As for SG, I intend not renewing expensive HomeCare agreement. And if I have a few hours to waste I could interact with their chat bot in an effort to complain.
@Doone I gave up on things like BG's "care" packages years ago because they are all a rip-off.
With appliances (and I include the boiler in that category) I take the cost, divide by reasonable lifespan, and put that sum into a separate appliance fund every year. The next new appliance is thus paid for and regular servicing also comes out of the fund.
@Doone I gave up on things like BG's "care" packages years ago because they are all a rip-off.
With appliances (and I include the boiler in that category) I take the cost, divide by reasonable lifespan, and put that sum into a separate appliance fund every year. The next new appliance is thus paid for and regular servicing also comes out of the fund.
I totally agree with you, but it was @Firenze that had the duff care package 🙂.
Mr. Image and I both have good teeth so we did with Doone did with care packages with our dental insurance. Cancelled the insurance and put the monthly cost of the premiums away for an emergency. So far after 4 years, we are way ahead. I stress we both have good teeth and only have usually needed a cleaning and check every 6 months for many years.
Agh I consign to hell the noise of my upstairs neighbours shagging - bedsprings rhythmically squeaking and then the oos and the ahs and so on. I've been woken up on a number of occasions by this. Hoping to be leaving this flat in a month or so so I won't have to put up with that any longer. And what does Miss Manners suggest you say in such circumstance????
"It's surprising what you can hear between these flats, they are so badly made, aren't they?" Actually in the context of a moan from a previous downstairs neighbour when I'd done something to cause complaint, like move a chair, and I had several nights being kept awake similarly.
Perhaps say "oh, do you happen to know any good sources for sound-proofing kits? Or white-noise generating machines? Maybe a bunch of us could go in on them together, and get a wholesale price?"
haha - it's not their flat they are renting and moving out shortly - as am I!
To be fair, they aren't bad as neighbours. I don't have problems with loud music as such - it's just the shagging, heavy footsteps and talking. Oh and laughter. That can be really annoying!
It wasn't shagging but some decades ago (days before CDs if that dates it) the people below us had the album "Saturday Night Fever" and played it ongoing into all hours of the night. We had a fireplace. I took to chopping wood at about 6:30a.m.
Agh I consign to hell the noise of my upstairs neighbours shagging - bedsprings rhythmically squeaking and then the oos and the ahs and so on. I've been woken up on a number of occasions by this. Hoping to be leaving this flat in a month or so so I won't have to put up with that any longer. And what does Miss Manners suggest you say in such circumstance????
"Although sharing is usually considered to be a generous and kind thing, please do not feel obliged to let me know that (often and in too much detail) that you are keeping each other sexually satisfied. "
In my daughter's university Halls of Residence, one couple were particularly ... enthusiastic. Other students in the corridor took to gathering in the corridor and applauding when they had finished.
When we lived in Fife we had a dear old neighbour in the flat below us, and when we told her that out second child was on the way, her response was, "I'm not surprised".
Agh I consign to hell the noise of my upstairs neighbours shagging - bedsprings rhythmically squeaking and then the oos and the ahs and so on. I've been woken up on a number of occasions by this. Hoping to be leaving this flat in a month or so so I won't have to put up with that any longer. And what does Miss Manners suggest you say in such circumstance????
Brass band music, played immediately to accompany the copulation, very loud. And at every occurrence but never at any other time.
And I like the approach to boiler and dental insurance. I took the view that I owned nothing worth nicking 20 years ago and never took out contents insurance. A fire now would be a pain in the arse but I think we'd be ahead
And what does Miss Manners suggest you say in such circumstance????
"By the way, thank you *so* much for providing background sound effects for my 'Neighborly Bedside Manners' podcast. Certain to be a hit. Here's my business card. The web address for my podcast is there. And thanks again--this turned out to be SUCH a popular episode!"
These comments made me chuckle. I don't think I have it in me to record them next time they get to it and the world won't be a poorer place for not having access to such recording on the internet - but it's an interesting thought. As are some of the comments I could make (I'm just too shy - which may or may not be a good thing).
Sainsburys. I am sitting before my computer, waiting to leave for a drive out to take nice photos in the sun, but for the last quarter of an hour they have totally failed to confirm my payment for an alteration to an order for next Wednesday. Please wait..........
I am not even sure who to blame. I seem to have multiply addresses in my new home. I am moving to a mobile home in space number 12, according to my purchase record. That is what my deed says. Sounds right to me. I tried to get a new internet hook up online. I typed in the address and they said no such place. Next, I phoned the company, the same answer no such address, after some work on the operators part she said, "Oh, that would be suite 34." Whatever works but the suite seems strange. I went to change my medical insurance. No space number 34. Alright, try suite 34. No such place. Again operator did a search. She came up with Unit 34. Again whatever works. I have no idea where I am going to live. Am I in a suite, space, or a unit? For now I am just saying number 34 and hope I get my mail.
I bought my flat new, so I know why my flat is x+1 and may parking space is 2.x but try explaining that to anyone else. 2.x is the building plot number over the whole estate and no way relates to the road number for postal addresses. My next-door neighbour in the block of flats is x-1 and his parking spot is 2x+1. Though both numbering systems are sensible on the own they are not in the same order.
I did get the deed changed from 12 to 34 as the 12 was the number of the mobile home park office and where the trust company was sending information about the purchase.
@Graven Image There is so much to do when you move, and to have your new abode described in a variety of ways must make everything impossible! Good luck with sorting that out...
TICTH the Canada Revenue Agency web site. My sister told me the other day that loads of letters are coming to her house for me and maybe I ought to update my address with them.
I tried, but was informed that "updating your address is not available just now".
@Firenze I hate to be the bearer of bad news but could your problems with the boiler and SG have something to do with the nationwide strike of BG engineers?
@Firenze I hate to be the bearer of bad news but could your problems with the boiler and SG have something to do with the nationwide strike of BG engineers?
Which may in turn be connected with the recent circular letter, assuring us that resources would be concentrated on dealing with emergencies such as loss of heat and hot water.
Fortunately Polish plumber turned up next day and sorted it in 5 minutes. I am now watching the pressure gauge like a cat watches a mousehole.
I am calling to cancel my brother's car insurance (my brother had a stroke, for those who don't know, and is in a rehab place for the foreseeable future and I'm handling his affairs) I called his insurance company and was told there was a six minute wait. I hung on for quite a bit longer than that, got connected... and the call immediately dropped. I called back, got told there was a 12 minute wait, and signed up for a callback. They called back after some time, I answered, and the call immediately dropped. I'm currently waiting for a second callback. This is so fucking annoying.
OK, on the second callback I got through and was able to talk to someone. But they needed proof that the license plates were surrendered before they could cancel the insurance so I have to wait for that to come in the mail before I can do anything else. *sigh*
OK, on the second callback I got through and was able to talk to someone. But they needed proof that the license plates were surrendered before they could cancel the insurance so I have to wait for that to come in the mail before I can do anything else. *sigh*
The handyman who was supposed to have come Saturday to do a repair on a fence before we move called to say he could not make it Saturday and would come early Sunday morning. Sunday no show. No answer to phone calls. E-mailed me at 6 this evening wanting to do the repair next week-end. No, I will have moved by then. Now I have to find someone else who I hope can get it done before Friday. Sigh. Oh yes, and it is supposed to rain all week, maybe even snow.
@Golden Key in normal times plates can be surrendered either in person at the DMV or by mail. In the time of Covid, they are only taking plates by mail. No reason for the surrender is required.
TICTH the fucking virtual anti-assistant bots that have taken over the chat function everywhere, particularly with my internet service, so that I can no longer reach a fucking human being without being forced to justify my existence to an idiot algorithm that responds to "I can't sign in" with "please sign in so we can continue our pleasant conversation." And round and round and round we go.
My work is pressuring me to pressure the internet people into giving me a fucking reliable WORKING connection that doesn't drop 50 times a day. But I can't do that if I can't reach a real human being, as the damned bots insist on throwing me to the "community solutions page" which is full of bullshit that doesn't pertain to my situation at all.
Do I need to go down and kidnap a technician? Because I'm pretty sure they'd jail me if I tried. Plus they're all working from home, I expect, assuming they haven't laid off the lot to replace them with "virtual assistants."
So sorry Lamb Chopped. I think there should be a choice that says, none of the above, that would automatically hook you to a human being, but of course, they do not think that way.
IIRC: One thing that's supposed to work is to repeatedly say "Agent" when the system asks you a question. If the system is set up to handle this, you should be forwarded to a person. IME: If you're calling a pharmacy, telling the system "pharmacist" when it asks what you want (not one of the given options) causes it to say that it's going to connect you with someone who can help.
Hermes. Not I should add any entity hanging around under that name, who I wouldn't want to offend. I am awaiting a delivery of printer ink. It was due on Friday, but I had a message saying there was an issue with the delivery, and action was required by me. Or they would try again yesterday. But they did not define the issue, so what action I could take to ameliorate it was not clear. I entered into discussion with the chatbot. I pointed out that the address was correct and I have a clearly labelled safe place. The chatbot referred the matter up the chain and said I would be contacted, taking my phone number and my email (again). Have I been contacted? No.
They never left a card on Friday. I think the package should have fitted through the the letterbox. What on earth was the issue? And why did they not try again yesterday.
I need this ink. My new, using tanks for ink, printer, doesn't like acetates, and I need my old, using expensive mini cartridges, old enough to know abou them, to make a rete for my downloaded astrolabe. The last attempt was too faint.
@Lamb Chopped That drives me insane too - absolutely insane. I sometimes find that in desperation a snail mail to Customers Services at HQ helps, but not always. Being referred to a community solutions page when at the end of your tether is just the pits. All sympathy from here.
Mr Alba dislikes me using bad language ( I know) , but after one extremely expletive laden rant , that solved nothing, I took to the company’s Facebook place if only to salvage my marriage
Comments
I now need to go shopping, which rather defeats the object of the online order.
GRRRRRR
*but not for very much longer.
Sorry, it’s been a long, rambling rant! Still seething 😡!
Fallback is Team Polskie (who've been doing the various house/garden works) but unfortunately the plumber's on a day off and not answering his phone.
As for SG, I intend not renewing expensive HomeCare agreement. And if I have a few hours to waste I could interact with their chat bot in an effort to complain.
With appliances (and I include the boiler in that category) I take the cost, divide by reasonable lifespan, and put that sum into a separate appliance fund every year. The next new appliance is thus paid for and regular servicing also comes out of the fund.
I totally agree with you, but it was @Firenze that had the duff care package 🙂.
To be fair, they aren't bad as neighbours. I don't have problems with loud music as such - it's just the shagging, heavy footsteps and talking. Oh and laughter. That can be really annoying!
"Although sharing is usually considered to be a generous and kind thing, please do not feel obliged to let me know that (often and in too much detail) that you are keeping each other sexually satisfied. "
I've never needed the "killingme" smilie as much as I do now!
PS Quotes file!
Brass band music, played immediately to accompany the copulation, very loud. And at every occurrence but never at any other time.
And I like the approach to boiler and dental insurance. I took the view that I owned nothing worth nicking 20 years ago and never took out contents insurance. A fire now would be a pain in the arse but I think we'd be ahead
"By the way, thank you *so* much for providing background sound effects for my 'Neighborly Bedside Manners' podcast. Certain to be a hit. Here's my business card. The web address for my podcast is there. And thanks again--this turned out to be SUCH a popular episode!"
I tried, but was informed that "updating your address is not available just now".
Hmph.
Which may in turn be connected with the recent circular letter, assuring us that resources would be concentrated on dealing with emergencies such as loss of heat and hot water.
Fortunately Polish plumber turned up next day and sorted it in 5 minutes. I am now watching the pressure gauge like a cat watches a mousehole.
What a bunch of hooey.
ETA: How are license plates surrendered? Going to the DMV? And what would you say? "Sorry, the car's owner can't drive anymore"?
Good luck with all this, Nicole.
Thx. I'd assumed they just went to the next owner of the car. But, of course, you're dealing with insurance.
Best of luck!
BTW, no, in the US the plates don't go to the next owner when the car is sold.
My work is pressuring me to pressure the internet people into giving me a fucking reliable WORKING connection that doesn't drop 50 times a day. But I can't do that if I can't reach a real human being, as the damned bots insist on throwing me to the "community solutions page" which is full of bullshit that doesn't pertain to my situation at all.
Do I need to go down and kidnap a technician? Because I'm pretty sure they'd jail me if I tried. Plus they're all working from home, I expect, assuming they haven't laid off the lot to replace them with "virtual assistants."
O brave new world, that has such assholes in it!
There are many sites about how to reach a real live customer service person, (Duck Duck Go).
IIRC: One thing that's supposed to work is to repeatedly say "Agent" when the system asks you a question. If the system is set up to handle this, you should be forwarded to a person. IME: If you're calling a pharmacy, telling the system "pharmacist" when it asks what you want (not one of the given options) causes it to say that it's going to connect you with someone who can help.
Good luck!
They never left a card on Friday. I think the package should have fitted through the the letterbox. What on earth was the issue? And why did they not try again yesterday.
I need this ink. My new, using tanks for ink, printer, doesn't like acetates, and I need my old, using expensive mini cartridges, old enough to know abou them, to make a rete for my downloaded astrolabe. The last attempt was too faint.
Mr Alba dislikes me using bad language ( I know) , but after one extremely expletive laden rant , that solved nothing, I took to the company’s Facebook place if only to salvage my marriage
Result?
Solved in minutes. Not even an hour.