Twisty

Guess I Need a Man

Remember how the folks told us they couldn’t fix our air conditioning until Friday?

This morning, in an act of desperation, I said, “Mr. Surly, how about you give them a call? Maybe a man’s voice on the other end of the phone will help.”

So, Mr. Surly gave them a call and essentially repeated to them word for word what I said yesterday. “We have a service contract. It says here that you’re required to come…”

A repair person is coming between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. today.

I’m hoping that it is our persistence that provoked their response.

However, something isn’t sitting right. Did I get the service I was owed just because I had a man call? (“Ooooh! There’s a man on the phone -- the husband of the lady that called yesterday. Now that it’s a man, we totally have to take this seriously. Quick! Give them whatever they want!”)

Do I have to add “Call Repairman” to the list of things I have to have a man take care of? Thankfully “Go Car Shopping” and “Help Make Babies” are the only other things on the list.

Well, at least one good thing came out of this -- at least our house will be cool.

Sweaty. Very Sweaty.

So, my fella and I are very lucky in that we have central air conditioning. YES!

It was working fine. That is, until last night, when it started blowing out hot air.

Husband and didn't sweat it (pun intended), as we recently purchased a “Cooling” service contract from a plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical company.

We’ve called them with all manner of woes. It’s a large, well-established, family-owned business. They typically have gotten here within eight hours and have done great work.

However, due to the recent New Jersey heatwave and an influx of service calls, the earliest they can get here is – get this – Friday afternoon.

Ugh.

Pardon me while I hop in the shower and slap on more Degree.

Yeah, methinks Mr. Surly and I will be headed out to the movies a lot this week.

I'm Back...and Yeah, Home Depot is Evil

Sorry I have been away for so long. Between rehearsals, work, projects and sneaking in some summer fun, I haven't had two minutes to myself these days. I hope to get back on track in the next few days, as there is so much to tell.

In the meantime, I wanted to give you a bit of "Buyer Beware." For my latest rage against the corporate machine, feel free to read my nasty letter to Home Depot, reprinted below in all of its bitchy glory.

Home Depot Team,

I am writing to express my dismay over your gift cards policy.

My husband and I bought our first home this past September. Big fans of Home Depot and much in need of supplies for our new place, we were both grateful and delighted when friends and relatives showered us with Home Depot gift cards.

Several days ago, we decided to buy a lawn set at your (Hometown), New Jersey store and used two of our remaining gift cards to cover some of the purchase price. When I arrived home and reviewed the receipt, I was surprised to see that our $100 in gift cards only accounted for $70.

On neither the card nor the packaging was there any indication of when and how much our gift cards would decrease in value.

Had my husband and I held on to these cards for several years, I may be able to understand a slight decrease in value to cover administration fees. However, these cards were less than eight months old. Pocketing 30% of their value, in my mind, is tantamount to stealing from your customers. You should be ashamed.

Thus far, my husband and I have been loyal and frequent Home Depot customers – even going as far as to apply for a store credit card.

However, based on this experience, I don’t feel you deserve our business.

Sincerely,

TJ McGuinness