May 6, 2003

20:15

I hate customer service. I've had such bad experiences with the likes of Rogers cable and phone companies that I abhor having to call their toll free numbers. I hate the way I'm tossed around, put on hold, have to re-explain myself all the time.

I recently bought a wireless router and network card at Best Buy. So I can surf with my laptop anywhere in the house [Ed Note: I'm currently plopped on the couch in the front of the TV].

And Best Buy has this wonderful price match guarantee. And I found out that CanadaComputers.com now has the stuff I bought for $30 cheaper. Each.

So all I need to do is find the receipt and take it into the store. Find the receipt. Find the receipt.

Let's keep a long story short: it took me 3 months to find the HitchHiker's Guide to the Galaxy. A receipt is much, much, smaller.

So grudgingly I look up the number for the Best Buy customer service line. I call. Waiting for long delays, rude staff, and another hassle.

The phone rings once. Pleasant-sounding voice comes on. It's slow and deliberate. "Thank you for calling Best Buy Canada." Oh no, a recording. I've been put on hold. "<name> speaking. How may I help you?"

"I purchased something a few weeks ago on my creditcard and I lost my receipt."

"Don't worry, the store should still have a copy of your receipt. And if they don't you can call us back and we'll get a copy to you."

"Can I still do a price match on the copy of the receipt?"

"Sure!"

My faith in customer service is restored. Atleast temporarily until I go to the store and see if it actually works.

May 7, 2003

00:21

Currently powered on at the ardant.net mini-lab sitting in my study:

• one P3-450 desktop computer
• one Sony SDMS71B 17" LCD monitor
• one Sony R505GL 12" laptop
• one ArtMedia A701 17" CRT monitor
• one P3-800 desktop computer
• one Samsung SyncMaster 750s
• two Compaq Presario 486s
• one no-name 486
• one HP LaserJet 4P
• one Lexmark Z32
• one Darius 14" VGA monitor
• one AGFA SnapScan 1212
• one pair Creative !magine 2.1 speakers
• one Motorola Cybersurfer Wave cable modem
• one CentreCOM MR112T IEEE 802.3 Micro Repeater
• one Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless Router
• one USRobotics 33.6kbps external modem
• a few lamps

And plugging in my dinky cell phone charger caused me to blow a fuse. The straw that broke the camel's back. Literally. Well, very figuratively, at the very least. Go figure.

May 16, 2003

00:48

00:52

I lost my best buy receipt (read a few blogs down). I tear the house apart looking for it. I'm livid. That receipt gets me $40 from a price match at best buy. I needed it. So a few days later, I went to the store and asked them to find a copy. They whine and guilt trip me. They complain. They grovel. They never did find it. Too busy they claimed. That really sucked. I left quite unhappy.

Later that evening I went out to dinner with the family for Mother's day. Enjoyable. Good food. I pick up the bill. Pay for it. Put the receipt in my wallet. Next to a best buy receipt.

A best buy receipt.

I shut the wallet quickly and pretend I saw nothing.

But secretly I am pleased.