One thing I can’t stand… November 16, 2006

is bad customer service.

1.  The other day I went in to the dealership to get the oil changed and tires rotated on my Odyssey.  I had to take M with me so needless to say, I was chasing him everywhere the dealership.  It takes forever to get my car and I come to find out that they ran my car through the car wash with the driver’s side window open and they were trying to dry it out.  The papers I had in the middle console were drenched.  My husband was furious b/c he thought the water could have damaged some of the electrical components in the car..power windows, dvd player, etc.  They seem to be working fine, but who’s to say something won’t happen down the line?  The service agent…not so apologetic.  I called the service manager the next day to make them note what they did in our records - just in case something happened in the future…Service Manager…not apologetic at all.  My sister claims I shouldn’t have gotten something free out of this…or at least a discount…she’s all about the freebies/discounts.

2.  One of our business vendors sent our shipment to the wrong address - here instead of to my sister in WI.  Called them?  Apologetic..no, not really…in fact, not at all.

A simple “sorry” doesn’t take much, but it means a lot to the customer…why don’t people get that?

House for Sale… November 8, 2006

I’m convinced it is virtually impossible to sell a house while living in it with toddlers/kids. Cleaning takes twice as long since M conveniently follows me around the house leaving a trail of mess where I had just cleaned.   I had our realtor’s office call twice today to have our house shown TODAY.  It couldn’t have been a worse day…M was sick with a cold and totally off schedule and I chose today to cook this Mexican chicken slow cooker recipe.    It doesn’t smell bad, but I don’t think that it’s the best smell to have when someone is coming to view your home (not like the fresh baked cookies or bread that people always say help sell a house…)

Well, I had to say no and asked them to reschedule another day - we need at least 12 hours notice.  I’ve heard they NEVER reschedule though.  So we lost two potential buyers, but I figure that if they were REALLY interested in our home, they would reschedule…right?  Someone out there agree with me and make me feel better….

Halloween November 1, 2006

My kids had a blast going trick or treating with daddy last night. I opted not to go and stayed home to pass out candy instead. It was fun seeing all the adorable kids dressed up as princesses, animals, etc. The disappointing part unfortunately is seeing so many older teens trick or treating. First of all, they don’t even say trick or treat anymore, or thank you. And worst of all, I saw a parent carrying around her own treat pail. It’s bad enough she was getting candy, but she wasn’t even dressed up in a costume. How sad is that - you are so desperate to get candy you would stoop that low.

Two of our neighbors had one of their landscape lights stolen by a teen trick or treater - right after they got candy from them. How sad is that? Try to be nice by giving candy out and that is the thanks you get.

Hope everyone had a great Halloween.