Monday, August 21, 2006

HARRUMPH!

Okay, I just need a bit of a rant. If you'd prefer to read something cute and gushy i promise i'll be writing something like that tomorrow or soon thereafter. But today, I've had enough.
It all started WAAAAAY back in April when we went to Home Depot to order our doors and windows for the new house we're building. (Pictures are coming mom-I promise!) We were told that it would be about three weeks to a month to recieve the product...MAX! Fine. That's all we need to get the house all framed and ready for windows. To make a very long, winded and drawn out story much shorter. Our windows and doors did not come when promised. They came MUCH later and when they did. ALL the doors were wrong. Then after hours of phone calls we got them to agree to make the correct doors and take away the wrong ones. Only to be given ANOTHER wrong door. And then after many HOURS spent in Home Depot talking to MANY, MANY different customer service reps and managers we manged to comnvice them to get us the right door. Only to have it delivered MONTHS LATER. WRONG AGAIN!!!!!! Can you feel me vibrating through your monitor? THEN... Yesterday, Dustin got back on the phone with our favourite store again to tell them to take their dumb door that they can't seem to get right and we will get it somewhere else and that we want our money back. They tried to tell him no.
Let me repeat. They tried to tell him no.
harumph.
I'm so glad my loving, patient, husband was the one on the phone and not me. He was firm but respectful and did not allow us to be taken advantage of. So, after a great deal of persuasive, on the verge of freak out negotiating we get our money back and Homo Depot gets their dumb door back.
You know...building this house has made us realise how very few companies provide good service anymore. So many of them are too big and understaffed and don't care about one guy out of thousands with a wrong door. how very very frustrating. And the sad thing is, it's not even close to the end of it all for us. We're now being dragged through the mud by another giant company that has our money and wants us to pay for a very late and VERY wrong order. Why does no one help you if your polite? Why does it take fury to get a company's attention? Oh friends, I'm just so tired...so very very tired of it all. So, tomorrow is Dustin's big day to try and get our money back for the other big screw up.

Here we go again. Lord give us grace, patience, respect and honor for our fellow man. But, do not allow us to be pushed around. Any advice?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

There's nothing wrong with expecting to get what you pay for. Be firm, yet respectful, and you will honour God as well :)

Brad and Samantha said...

Hi Christy, your friend angella hit it on the head. Sometimes we as Christians allow people to walk over us because we are too afraid to offend. There is always a right and a wrong way in how we deal with situations. If all that we are doing is done to honour and glorify God then we will have nothing to worry about. Keep pressing on!

Manda said...

Take em to the cleaners. Do what you need to do to get your money back. No holds barred. Screw-ups are unacceptable and the customer is always right! There is no excuse for a wrong order. If you are paying for something expect that you will get what you want. I'm sure that you are far more polite and respectful than others would be in your situation (i.e. myself) Do you want me to call them? :-)

Amanda Franks said...

I'm defnintely one of those people who don't stand up when things go wrong, but I'd like to think I would in the case of my home. You guys are going to LIVE there and you'll see it everyday and you're pouring your hearts and time and money into making it the home you want, so good on ya for fighting until it meets your specifications. I am glad you have a honey that can be patient and calm, it sure helps to put it on someone else's shoulders while you stand by and pray! Hope it all works out! And I too can't wait to see the pictures!

Amanda Franks said...

I'm defnintely one of those people who don't stand up when things go wrong, but I'd like to think I would in the case of my home. You guys are going to LIVE there and you'll see it everyday and you're pouring your hearts and time and money into making it the home you want, so good on ya for fighting until it meets your specifications. I am glad you have a honey that can be patient and calm, it sure helps to put it on someone else's shoulders while you stand by and pray! Hope it all works out! And I too can't wait to see the pictures!

Rebecca said...

Christy
I completely understand your frustration as we are finishing our basement right now. I try and steer clear of the mighty home depot, we find that totem (free popcorn too isn't so bad) is great and Rona is a tad more expensive, but you get way better customer service. Thats in Edmonton anyways. You guys are awsome - I cant wait to see some pics of your house. Stand your ground like you are - and pray for favor. God bless!

Anonymous said...

Home Depot is lame. I prefer Starbucks. I always leave feeling satisfied. :) I can't wait til you're all settled in your new place!!

D said...

Yah. I agree. My best advice to you is to go get a nice hot caffeine-ful caramelly whipped cream topped beverage.
Yep. That's my advice.