Who kidnapped the real Gordon? It’s 8:36 and I’m writing. I set my alarm an hour early, 7:30 because Kevin is out of town and it was my job to post the WFUV question of the day. Even then it usually takes more longer to start writing.
Yesterday’s adventures revolved around deliveries, one by UPS and one by FedEx. I bought a new phone; it came without a SIM card. I had to order one from Boost Mobile. Yesterday it came via UPS. It was a close thing, the delivery guy buzzed up, but I didn’t know where the intercom was to let him in. First, I had to go to the front of the apartment and wait for him to buzz again. Then I had to track it down by ear. It wasn’t easy as it was behind something. I got it just before he was going to leave. You know how large a SIM card is; it came in a box the large enough fit a honeydew. It was mainly giant bubble wrap.
I’m me so I didn’t rush over to the Boost Mobile store to get the phone set up. I eventually made it out of the house four hours later and the guy there inserted the card and downloaded the app into the new and old phones that let me transfer my data at home. The transfer is wireless but not via Wi-Fi; it’s sonic. There were a few hitches, but I got it done. I now have a working new phone, a Galaxy S7, quite an upgrade from an S3. I like to personalize everything so I’m still in the process of getting it working and looking exactly the way I want. For the most part I’m recreating my old screens, that way I know where everything is. I have to figure out how to set up the voice controls. When the alarm rings I want to be able to say, “stop.” I changed the default ringtone to Pesky J. Nixon’s Talk About Heaven and the alarm to Harpeth Rising’s Wheelhouse. One by one I’m putting in the custom ring tones. I only have good ones for musicians. I have to think of what to use for other people. I could just record myself saying, “Barack Obama Calling;” and replace Barack’s name with the appropriate one for the friends that call me less often. Barack is my BFF, so I should do his first.
I ordered something from Amazon and had it delivered here. I was told it was coming some time before 8 PM. A little before 8 I got a text from Amazon that FedEx attempted delivery and to check for a door notice. I went downstairs and found it. The time was close to when the UPS guy came, so I know I was home and able to hear the buzzer. The delivery guy must have pushed the wrong button. He certainly didn’t try very hard. I tried finding out what happened online and to tell them that I wouldn’t be home this weekend so to deliver it on Monday. The FedEx website was a total fail.
There was a number to call so I did. Working the way through the menu I had to enter the Door Tag Number, I did it verbally. I was told it was wrong, that it was a 12-digit number. The tag number starts with DT, I was not supposed to use that. It’s probably why the website didn’t work. I entered it again without the DT. The number was three groups of four. When the automated system read it back to me it did it as four groups of three. They couldn’t get a simple thing like that right.
Eventually I got a person and he first thing he asked me was the Door Tag number. I told him that I had already entered that in the system before I could talk to him. He told me that he can’t see it; more idiocy. He looked it up and his records showed that it was left somewhere. I told him that it wasn’t delivered, that’s why I got a door tag. If the package was left someplace he wouldn’t have left the tag that told me to go to the FedEx office to pick it up. He insisted it was left somewhere. I was not stubborn, I checked if he left it in the lobby, he didn’t. The guy on the phone just wouldn’t believe me. His record said the package was left here and he could not be swayed by the fact that Amazon was notified that it wasn’t delivered, and I was left a door tag telling me I can pick it up. I left it that he’d call and find out where they left it and the local FedEx would get back to me quickly to tell me where it was. He promised they would call ASAP. They still haven’t called.
I then contacted Amazon through their website. I got a chat window with customer service. The difference in customer service was dramatic. Amith, he started by telling me his name, was helpful and understanding. He recognized how ridiculous he situation was. He said they would guarantee I got it today. The problem is that I have therapy today and then I’m off to the New Bedford Folk Festival. I still didn’t trust FedEx and asked him if I could have it sent to my PO Box. He said, of course. When I told him what a great job he he told me that I was credited with $5 for my inconvenience. That’s how you do customer service. He asked if there were anything else he could do, and I said, make sure that FedEx knows that how they acted was not acceptable. He told me a complaint would be sent to them.
Customer service is so important, FedEx needs to improve theirs. I came out of this hating FedEx and liking Amazon. Anyone can make a mistake, owning up to it and listening to the customer are all I expect; FedEx did neither.
You won’t hear from me again until Monday. After therapy Mike is picking me up at the hospital and we are driving up to Massachusetts for the New Bedford Folk Festival. We are staying with Gary in Assenet who kindly hosts friends during the festival. I might change my mind and bring my computer. The issue is that it’s going to rain today. The easiest way for me to get to the MetroNorth is walking. Even if I take the subway there is substantial walking involved. I have to figure out how to go about this. I’ll be away only two nights, I don’t need much. I could just bring a backpack in addition to my usual sling pack. But I have to keep everything dry. I’ll figure something out.
I finished this before the Question of the Day ended. That’s good as I have not packed. I also have to make sure there’s enough food and water left for the cats and change their litter. I have more than hours, so this shouldn’t be a problem. I’m the prince of procrastination so it is.
Wise Madness 