Buyer Beware

If you were purchasing an item online from a reputable store and you saw in print: "100% satisfaction guaranteed or your money back." Would you continue reading the fine print? I would venture to guess that most people wouldn't. The store in question is: Sears Parts Direct. I ordered three parts. They actually sent me the wrong part on one item and I didn't need the other two parts. I requested a credit for the wrong part, plus shipping since it wasn't my fault for the return. I understood and accepted the fact that I would pay for the shipping on the parts that I didn't want. They credited me for the wrong part minus the shipping and didn't credit me for the two parts that I didn't need. When I called, I was told that the shipping was non-refundable even though they screwed up and they wouldn't credit the return of the other parts because they were under a minimum dollar amount. Basically they were keeping over $20 of my money because of the wording in the fine print. I don't think so. I remained calm even though I wanted to rip her head off over the phone. It's not her fault. I calmly asked her to rationalize how they could charge for shipping when they sent me something I didn't even order and why 100% satisfaction didn't apply to a part that cost only $6.00. All she could say was that it was in the fine print. I must have appealed to her sense of fairness, because she did end up crediting me for the shipping and the other parts. She was able to read what the other associate had told me so she knew I wasn't making shit up. Everything was resolved in a civil manner and most importantly to my satisfaction. I'm sure a less reputable company would have been less willing to cooperate. Which brings me to my TOTD.

Patti's TOTD #10: If things would not have worked out by talking with Sears directly, I would have disputed the charge on my credit card. I'm pretty sure all credit cards have this option. You dispute the charge and it is investigated by a third party. They decide whether it is a legit charge or not. Nine times out of ten the consumer will prevail. Don't ever hesitate to dispute an unfair charge. Companies make A LOT of money from late fees and other charges that they are not really allowed to do, but if it's not questioned they get away with it. I have disputed charges as little as $2. It's not the dollar amount, it's the principle damn it!

Happy Birthday Dina

Happy Birthday Girl! Hope you have a wonderful day. Haven't heard much from you in awhile. What's up????

Oops!

Terrible tragedy on Wednesday. I spilled an entire cup of coffee on my keyboard of my laptop. It continued to work for about 15 minutes, then it became very sluggish. The good news is I still have a warranty. The best news is that it covers accidents. I must have known when I purchased the special warranty that I would need it. The bad news though, I won't get it back for 2-4 weeks!!!! The first day without my computer I was literally having withdraw. I kept going into my office area to use it, and it wasn't there. It screwed up my entire routine. In the morning, get coffee, check email, check blog, check facebook, check etsy, play a couple games of freecell and lookup whatever other random thing that pops into my head. It made me realize how much I depend on my computer. Joe brought his home from work so I can use it in the evenings and on weekends. At least I don't have to drive to the library. New rule...No liquids on the computer desk! Oops, I better move my cup.

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Mom is 89 today. The years have been both kind and unkind. She's still a beautiful elegant lady but unable to walk, see, or hear very well. She's quiet and just likes to watch what is going on around her. I asked her if she wanted anything special for her Birthday and she said: "I just want to see my grandbabies." A simple birthday wish that will definitely be granted. Happy Birthday Mama, I love you!


Hey Roger. Thinking about you!

This Is How We Roll

Make sure you check out my new video in the "photo gallery." I had an old hand cart that I purchased from a garage sale a few years ago. I was going to get rid of it, but Bryan and I decided that it might make a neat go cart for the kids. I already had the tires so with just a few boards and screws it was turned into a go cart. We soon found out however, that this go cart would not be for the kids. See for yourself!

View the HQ version of the video, it's much clearer. After you click on the video, look to the right. Click on "view HQ version."

Patti's TOTD #9: Stay away from go carts.

Happy Birthday Steve

Happy Birthday Big Bro! It seems like I've known you my whole life...oh wait, I have! Kick up your heels and have a good time. I love you!

Dream A Little Dream

Why can't I have exciting dreams about...oh I don't know....maybe Bradley Cooper. No I have dreams that my grill doesn't work and I spend my entire dream trying to fix it. Bor-ring!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Daddy's Day! I spent the day with my Sugar Daddy. We ran some errands, visited our Mothers and went to dinner. We are balls of fire! Too humid to do much of anything. When we got home from dinner I was finishing up outside for the evening, putting the bunnies and chickens to bed and such. I walked over to our fence surrounding our back pasture which is dense with trees and bushes and vines. There were some pretty wild roses that I wanted to see. I bent over to take a closer look and something growled at me from inside the thicket. Of course I screamed and ran toward the house. Joe was in the kitchen at the sink and he never looked up. I tapped on the window and motioned for him to open it. "Didn't you hear me scream???" "Yes, but you're always screaming over something." I told him about the growl. He said it was probably a cat. I'm pretty sure it was a mountain lion. We took the flashlight out to see if we could see anything but whatever it was it was gone. I told Joe: "We have a new rule. Anytime I scream you have to see what's wrong. You can't just assume it's something silly." I could have been attacked by the beast in the bushes. Of course, Joe was more concerned about Ellie. He says: "see, that's all the more reason why we have to keep a close eye on Ellie when she is outside. Whatever it was in the bushes could have come out and got her!" Never mind I might have been mauled beyond recognition. Oh well, I'm getting used to playing second fiddle to that bitch. Joe's a good Father and Step-Father and an especially attentive doggy Dad. Happy Father's Day honey!