shopping

Remember when good customer service meant something? Gosh, I sound like an old fogey. “In my day…” LOL

I was complaining to the husband about how horrible it is to go places because there is no personal connection in stores anymore. You pump gas yourself. You self check at the grocery store. You tag your own bags at the airport when you check them. Pei Wei prefers you use their app or order online instead of calling the store and placing the order. Panera wants you to use their self-serve kiosk instead of talking to, you know, a live person to place your order. Of course that’s still an option but it’s always my luck to get behind the trio of people who order 230498 things and have special requests on every single one of them and then they want to pay with three different cards—gift card, debit card, credit card.

And at the grocery store when I have four items and don’t want to self-check because it’s a pain in the ass, I get in the express lane only to get behind the lady who has 40 coupons for six items and pays with a check. Good lord.

At my bank, when I want to simply deposit a check and actually take the time to park and walk inside, they make me use the ATM machine because I don’t have any other business than depositing a check.

Seriously? Does it cost extra to have some face time with the teller?

Hey, I’m all for being time efficient and stuff but where does it end? Husband was telling me he could see us moving toward having replicators make our food—ala Star Trek. He said, “Think about. All you’d have to do is program a computer to do the work and it’d be done.”

Huh.

Would that cut down on overhead? Human error? I’m not so sure. I think you lose something by having everything so automated these days. You lose that social interaction that’s vital to us as humans. Okay, so I admit I’m not a people person but even *I* need human interaction every now and then.

I also have a big complaint about companies who make you jump through their excessive phone tree hoops to get to a live person. That commercial where the guy is on the phone shouting, “REPRESENTATIVE”? That’s totally me. I hit zero a million times or shout into the phone (if it’s voice activated) OPERATOR until I actually get a person. I don’t want to spend 4 hours trying to navigate through a voice mail system to get to a person. I want a person. Period.

And then when I get a person, I expect my issue to be resolved promptly. Because if I’m calling you there is a reason. Like when Dell arbitrarily canceled my order—I’d ordered a cheap laptop for like $300 and opened an account with them specifically to get their no interest financing. My order never shipped and when I got online to find out why, I discovered it was canceled. So I called. And after finally getting to someone who spoke broken English, I learned the reason they canceled my order was…no reason. She didn’t know why. She said I had plenty of credit and did I want to reinstate the order? Sure, I say. “Oh, let me transfer you to customer service.” Wait. What? Apparently I was talking to Finance. I got transferred to customer service but it turned out that was the wrong department and they transferred me again. I hung up. It just wasn’t worth it. Dell can keep their credit and their laptop.

I guess I’m just disappointed with the way employees treat customers these days. Of course, that’s not ALL clerks. I’ve had some fantastic experiences with sales people, too. The really bad ones, though, are the ones that stick out in my mind.

What about you? Have any customer service horror stories?

I love Coach. I have long coveted them. But it wasn’t until I divorced back in 2006 that I splurged and allowed myself to purchase my very first bag.

It was a total high. I was instantly besotted by the lovely handbags.

Over the course of the next few years, I purchased more. I became such a regular at the Coach store in the mall they knew me by name. I started getting their Preferred Customer Event cards – 25% off the total purchase. I was a junkie – with the promise of 25% off dangled in front of me, I could not resist.

But as I started to realize how much debt I had, I knew I had to put my shopping on hiatus. So for two long years, I refused to even step foot in the store. Oh, sure, I’d pass by and look longingly into the windows. Drool a little. Then weep a little for the loss of shopping.

[Read more…] about My Coach #Handbag Addiction

So this weekend, I threw caution to the wind and decided to buy myself some new clothes. I can’t remember the last time I went and shopped for myself with reckless abandon. And it was reckless too.

I bought two new outfits for work. Slacks, jacket and shirts. This was after purchasing new jeans and t-shirts for the boy. I started feeling that shopping twitch that I needed to spend for myself. So it was off to the ladies department I went. The husband and kid headed through the mall so hubby could get coffee. I snuck off to the Coach store to pat the new Spring line. And it’s gorgeous, let me tell you.

See, the thing about Coach is…I’m a loyal customer. I luuuuuuuuuuuuurve me some Coach bags. Before I remarried, when I was newly divorced, I walked into the Coach store palming my Visa card. I decided to give myself something that I thought I deserved–a brand new Coach bag. I was hooked from that very moment on. I think I own about ten or so nowadays. I put myself on a shopping hiatus for a while.

Anyway…all that to say I went into the Coach, picked up the Madison Phoebe and instantly fell in love. There is just something about having an Italian handmade leather handbag in your hands. I met a lovely sales lady who was more than happy to chat me up about the bag. I took it off the holder and I’m almost embarrassed to say…I sniffed it. The girl laughed and so did I but we both agreed there is nothing better than sniffing a Coach bag.

I told her I had the Preferred Customer Event card (which gives me 25 percent off my total purchase) and she told me she would be more than happy to hold the bag for me… oh, the temptation…

So after chatting with the sales lady in the Coach store, I headed back to meet the husband and kiddo. Only I got sidetracked by Sephora. I mean, I can’t really ignore it can it? Especially when they have the thing I needed… like the Urban Decay mascara. And the primer potion (that stuff rocks). I figured while I was there I should go ahead and replace some of the shadow I was out of.

They were completely out of Sin so I had to settle for Virgin. 😀 These are some of the prettiest colors and are featured on the Naked palette. In case you’re not familiar. The lady at the store was more than happy to let me know when Sin was in (*giggle*).

And then I met up with the guys, my wallet lighter but a spring in my step. There is something therapeutic about shopping and spending money.

We got home, I unloaded the stuff and then the kid said he needed pencils. So the shopping spree continued at Staples. Got him pencils, spiral notebook, pocket calendar and a wall calendar for the hubby.

All in all…a great Saturday. 🙂

It was a gorgeous weekend. The high was in the lower 70s. No need for a jacket. I loved it.

I had my RWA chapter meeting on Saturday morning and then went to lunch with the gals. Then it was back home and Man and I ran around the rest of the day. We didn’t get home until nearly 9. But we did our share of helping to boost the economy. 😉 First stop, Lowe’s. We looked at gutters, a storm doors, at paint samples, at power tools, at plants. I got a lovely ivy for my desk at work and a new pot. Then it was to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Yummy. We even stopped at Bed Bath & Beyond and I got a new storage cabinet – the kind that sits over the toilet. The usefulness for the one I had expired. It was rusty and gross and in need of replacing.

Then we headed to the mall. I had a spending bug really bad this weekend. I think it was part Spring Fever and part just wanting to part with some cash. 😀 I knew I shouldn’t have gone to the mall but it was so enticing. I ended up at Coach while Man went into Eddie Bauer. We both came out a little poorer. Then it was on to Nordstrom’s where we both looked at shoes. I petted a lovely pair of leopard print Betsy Johnson’s. MmMm. I didn’t buy them, though. We headed to Dillard’s next. He was in search of a new belt but they didn’t have what he wanted so we decided to head home. Last stop was JCPenney. The store has been remodeling lately and they have a HUGE jewelry section now. We browsed. Not that we’re in the market for anything but it’s fun to look.

Got home late and exhausted!

Sunday he had to go to the office and I went grocery shopping. It was  light week for me but I still spent the budget amount of money. Figures. I got a whole fryer chicken, though, and we had my mom’s friend chicken for dinner. It was just the way I remember Mom’s and full of tasty goodness. Golden, crispy crust and juicy perfect meat. My mouth is watering at the thought.

We went BACK to Lowe’s for a $2.00 item (mistake). I ended up getting that new storm door (WAHOO!) – they will come out in the nex few days to take measurements and see what else we need. And then I’ll get it installed. I CAN’T WAIT. The one I have now is awful. The screen is being held together with duct tape and the dumb thing won’t shut all the way. So out with the old! The new one has a disappearing screen and OOO I love it. I can’t wait to get it. Man couldn’t resist the power tools and he ended up coming home with a new drill. And we got flower seeds and herb seeds (I’m going to try my hand at growing my own herbs) and a bunch of other miscellaneous crapola we needed and wanted. haha

Went to the Farmers Market and bought fresh fruit and veggies. Came home. He put together the new cabinet while I cleaned the litter box and repotted the plant. Then I cooked dinner and finished laundry and by 8 pm, I was exhausted again. But we had a great, full, weekend and it was awesome and I loved it and I detest the fact that today is Monday. Ah well. It’s Spring Break! I hope to take at least one day off to take the kiddo back to the museum. That’s what he wants to do anyway.

And so. I think we can officially say that winter is over! We may have one more cold snap but that’ll be it. I’m SO ready for warmer weather (but not the hot as Hades summer). Hope everyone else had a great weekend.

Now…it’s back to reality. Boo.

1. Never go to the Lancome counter in Macy’s looking for AN eyeshadow. Because odds are you’ll come out looking like a movie star (i.e., after getting a make-over) and you’ll have dropped a small fortune buying said eye shadow.

For the record, that all came about because (a) I was bored with my current make-up and (b) Man was bored with my current make-up. I had planned to buy new eyeshadow anyway, but Lancome was unexpected. The girl who did the make-over made me look great and I wasn’t “overdone” either. Very subtle shades. I looked in the mirror and wondered who that person was looking back. So even though I spent a wad of money, you know what? I deserve it. I got a bonus and I should spend it any way I see fit.

2. When trying to look awesome at the Bass Hall wearing four-inch heels, it’s wise to pay attention to how you’re walking down the granite steps. Missing a step, nearly falling into the back of you man, and sloshing wine over the rim of your cup, drenching your hand, your coat and your handbag, is NOT cool.

We had tickets to The Nutcracker this year at Bass Hall. I’d never actually be inside and have always wanted to visit it since it’s construction completion. So Man said if I’d buy the tickets, he’d take me. I was so excited when I saw the ballet coming. I wore a nice red shirt and nice black pants. The thing about the pants, though, is they’re very long so I have to wear tall shoes with them. Never having been in the performance hall, we decided to look around. I nearly killed myself on those steps. They’re very slippery anyway and not conducive for stilettos. I think the thing that was the most awful about that moment was spilling the wine. On my suede Coach handbag. NOT happy about that. The good thing is, I got it off immediately. The really good thing is it doesn’t stink like wine. And THANK GOODNESS it was white wine and not red.

Overall, it was a good weekend. I also got my hair done by my Stylist Extraordinaire. I even went complete with gifts in hand. I gave her a bottle of my favorite wine, a small box of chocolates and one of my signed books. 😀 She’s a lot of fun and makes the long salon visit bearable. Plus my hair looks great. 😉

We slept really late on Sunday. Well, late for me. It was nearly 10 before I rolled out of bed. I cleaned house but there’s still so much that has to be done. I need to sweep the front walk, rake leaves, scrub toilets, clean sinks, scrub the shower. I *thought* I was done Christmas shopping but it turns out there are still a few folks I need to buy for. At least they’re gift cards. That I can handle and it’s easy shopping and a no-brainer.

Went out to dinner with Man and his son, who’s visiting for the holidays. I stuffed myself silly at Texas Roadhouse. Then came home, finished laundry, wrapped gifts, and did other little miscellaneous things. There are no presents under the tree! It really looks like Christmas now.

And that’s about it. The weekend is done. And I’m sad. I love my weekends. This week is going to be truly hectic. The kiddo has a dental appointment on Tuesday. I STILL need to get to the post office to mail a ton of packages. I need to get to the bank. All the normal errands that never seen to end. I’m really looking forward to a long weekend with the family. I plan to do a whole lot of NOTHING.

Happy Monday, ya’ll.

..for the new sofa:

Man. It rocks. So much better than the other Ikea crap that fell apart (THREE springs sprung) after 2.5 years. We loves it. Yes, the can has been banned. He’s distraught. But I bought him wet kitty food, so that made it all better.

It’s big enough for us to stretch out on it and the best part is – it’s a sleeper! On the off chance someone, like, say MOM wants to spend the night. Now I gotta get the Ikea Crap Sofa out of the house. Currently, it’s standing on end in the living room. Can you say large hate?

I was going to shove it out to the curb but it rained all weekend. Looks like I’ll be calling Salvation Army instead.

In other news, we tried a new restaurant this weekend. Fuzzy’s Taco Shop opened up here in town and it’s DELISH. There had been a line out the door opening week and we finally made it. It was a rather painless process. I had the enchiladas. Man had the tacos. Kid has the kid taco plate. A good time was had by all.

Sunday was about grocery shopping and what a total beat down that was. We were ready to start ramming people with the cart by the time it was over. I’ve never seen so many rude, pushy, annoying people in one place. My “Where in the Effingham are we?” shirt (Man brought it back for me when he was on vacation) was appropriate. However, I must say our checker was quite pleasant and delightful. Always a nice thing.

The kid announced he wants to play basketball which made me go :shock:. Guess I’ll be looking into that one.

Stars lost. Cowboys stunk up the field. But I made awesome chili and cornbread for dinner last night. We were all miserable from stuffing ourselves.

And now it’s Monday again … sigh. Hope everyone has a good start of the week. It’s supposed to rain here.