Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Tuesday-10:30am

Good Morning!
Yes...
...I was up for another sunrise.  Kind of a misty, foggy one...but a sunrise. 
But, I must warn you--this is a cranky, cranky post.  
First, look what's still here.  *sigh*
Rejected repeatedly.  
Right now I am waiting for a call-back from the Habitat For Humanity outfit up here.  They're my last resort.  The thrift stores won't take it because it is too big and taken apart...despite the fact I told them all about that in detail on the phone. 
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I learned that the drivers have the final say-so as to whether items are in good condition and sale-able.   The problem is that the desk is so big it has to be taken apart to move it and they don't want to put it together so that people know what it looks like and then take it apart again when somebody buys it--and it takes up a LOT of room in the store.  So it is not considered sale-able.  I have a large printed off picture for them of what it looked like together but that hasn't made a lick of difference.  Just like telling them the desk was in pieces in the first place.  *sigh* 
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I have had the desk on freecycle for quite a while, too.  I finally got an email Sunday from a couple who wanted to have pictures, but they never even bothered to get back to me.  So, if nobody wants her before Wednesday night...we're going to haul her down by the dumpster and hope somebody will take her.  Either that or the garbage truck will.  One way or the other, the tentative plan is for Dagan and Leah to come over Wednesday night and put the new desk together for me.  And that means some gramma-time with Ian!!  ;)
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The good news is somebody on freecycle did want Fern. 
Miss Fern was gone in a flash with a smiling lady holding her high in the wind. 
Miss Karma was not happy with the new table arrangement until I pulled her TV-tray-spy-perch close enough so she could use the table as a pillow again...
...while I have been working on letters and...
...organizing my new planner to start October first! 
Oh, T Stands For Tuesday folks--note the trusty coffee mug above.  ;) ;)
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Okay--here comes more ranting.
I thought I was finally done with Century Link, right?  Well, I got a letter in the mail yesterday saying that now that I cancelled my land line service that my internet fee was going up because I couldn't bundle anymore!!  Yup!  They only disconnected one and not both like they said they would.  Annoying.
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So, I waited on hold for another fifteen minutes to get that straightened out, right?  And this guy says...in passing...that I might get charged an early disconnect fee of a couple hundred dollars.  WHAT!!  My year is up on the 24th!!!  OMG!!!  They were supposed to disconnect both of them on the 17th...that's just one week before my contract is up!!  I was talking to the man on the 22nd!  Good Lord!  
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Let's just say I went off on him...Minnesota Nice style, of course.  I raised my voice and said things like...Are you kidding me!  Are you telling me that people have to disconnect on the absolute exact day their contracts expire or you are going to soak them for early disconnect fees?!  And we're at your mercy for scheduling!?!  What if it falls on a Sunday?!  And if I went over a few days you'd say it was an early disconnect fee for my automatically renewed yearly contract, right!?  Is that what you're telling me!?  Is that actually what you are telling me??  No one mentioned this to me when you were supposed to have taken care of disconnecting both services last week!!  I had better not be charged any fee for this after I waited and waited and put up with your crappy service for a full year!!  (That's right--I said "crappy service" right to him.)
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He backed off...BUT...he just said things like he didn't think they would charge me...and they shouldn't charge me...but he never flat out said I would not be charged.
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I think I hate Century Link.
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So now I am going to call my bank today to see what I can do about stopping a possible undeserved charge if they do try to pull that on me.  Sadly probably nothing that wouldn't cost me a big stop payment fee and could possibly prevent Century Link for crediting me back what they owe me now.  
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And all this means that I don't dare order my new sewing machine until I find out if Century Link can actually screw my life up any further.  *sigh*  Don't you just hate dealing with indifferent corporations?  I couldn't sleep at night if I worked for places like that.  I know people need jobs and they are just following company policies and scripts...but...well, it's just so sad.  Whether they realize it or not, it is eating at their souls.
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Well, sorry about another Century Link rant.  You know it takes a lot to set me off, but they have been riling me for the last several weeks over this disconnect business.  My sympathies to anyone who has no other options and is forced to deal with them.  That's all I can say.
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 Meanwhile...Cashwise has gotten in their EBT scanners for the delivery drivers and I am going to be a guinea pig come October.  They still don't have some of my staples listed (been over two months since the switch and they are supposed to have a whole team working on the new site) and I still can't stand the new website.  I foresee numerous issues with this scanner program from what little I've been told.  For example, how can I tell them exactly how much I am going to use on my EBT card ahead of time when I have no clue what they will be out of or what produce or anything that has to be weighed will actually cost?  People on EBT cards are usually having to play it close to the vest, you know?  
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Note: Leah even wrote them a long email citing the numerous flaws in the new website and threatened to switch to the local competition (who are more expensive) after being a customer for 25 years.  No lie!  It is that bad.  It is not just born-in-the-50's-me being less computer savvy.  The old website was bad, but this "new" one is just terrible!
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Well, I will finish up with some happy news!  I don't have any new pics because last time I saw Mr. Ian he was in my arms the whole time (big smile), but I do have Ian news.  Last Friday Ian was on his belly on his colorful mat...and rolled over on to his back!  Leah said after cheering and such she put him back on his tummy and eventually he did it again!  Twice in a row!!  Only 3 months old!  Hasn't done it since then, but that's one for the baby book, eh?  Not that Leah has a baby book, as such.  She keeps track of things like this on her laptop.  Times have changed.  ;)
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Miss Karma chases the sun if it is around in the mornings.



Sorry for being such a crab.  I'm usually fairly patient, but the whole Century Link experience, shall we say, has been building up for a year...and the Cashwise website mess has been going on for almost three months now...my place is in chaos...and my stupid sciatica has come back for a long visit.  That's all I can say.  We all have bad days.  I've had quite a few in a row--LOL!  I know it's not the end of the world.  Small potatoes, actually.  All you can do is laugh, right?  ;)  
This too shall pass.  
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I hope your life has been going smoothly--LOL!  And if it hasn't, as life often buckles on us now and again, that the bumpy ride will be a short one.  :):)
Happy Tuesday!!
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"Whoever gives thanks for all circumstances receives new eyes and discovers things never seen before."
Otto Betz

28 comments:

Janie Junebug said...

Angry Minnesotans are kinda cute. If you want someone to really give that company a hard time, this angry East Coaster (yes, you may set your drink on me) will handle it. I've decided I want the desk. Please put it in the mail.

Love,
Janie

Furry Bottoms said...

Just envision a time when everything will be in order. Your desk will be gone, Century Link will not be in your life anymore... Your new sewing machine will be sitting on your new desk and all will be right in the world. That day shall come soon!

TexWisGirl said...

well, i hope centurylink does the right thing and doesn't charge you. i understand the desk dilemma for the charities, but i still think someone will snap it up from the dumpster. :)

TexWisGirl said...

and i did chuckle at the minnesota/fargo anger. :)

Dianne said...

oh dear...hope things improve! seems like these companies take advantage because they can get away with it. some days I wonder if even having a phone is worth it, but could not give up my internet! good luck dear!

Darla said...

Great comment from Janie, LOL! There is nothing more tedious and infuriating than dealing with companies over the phone. You wait, you get stupid answers, you wait, the answers get stupider. You wait some more. Rant on! Meanwhile I hope it all gets resolved to your benefit.

Intense Guy said...

No need to apologize for being a "crab" - what Century Link did - would have sent me ballistic and I wouldn't have been Minnesota Nice about it.

And they (the dumb politicians) wonder why companies want to move to other countries...

Nice to see Karma purring in the sun and seeing Fern (gosh she was huge!) find a home!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Anytime we call up any company to ask questions, we always call about three times. Hopefully two of the answers match--which doesn't necessarily mean it is the right answer! I can hear your frustration no doubt made worse by the sciatica. I hope these things get ironed out soon.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I also want that desk. Told you that at least three times, so I'll outbid Janie for it.

Seriously, I had this old (well about six years old) TV that was so heavy I couldn't even lift it or scoot it around, even though it was on a cart. It took two of us to get it to my office when it was new. I got a new one the same size, but this one only weighs 10.5 lbs. I can even lift it myself. My friend Scott came by and took the old one to the curb. Later in the morning, I put a "FREE" sign on it, along with the remote. By late afternoon, it was gone. Someone will surely take the desk, but you don't live on a busy street, so it might actually make it to the dumpster, which would be sad.

I recently have once again had to deal with my ISP. A few years ago, they told me I needed a new computer because THAT was the problem. Now they're telling me I need a new MODEM. I just keep plugging away and have them get me back online when I can't get there myself. Sorry, looks like I did a Kansas Nice rant.

TwinkleToes2day said...

And - breathe - Oh, poor Rita what a topsy turvy time you are having, between one thing and another. Just imagine it all being sorted out and as you like it. Visualisation. Yeah, I know, kinda kooky, but it may work to calm the frayed nerves at least for a wee while. And just think, you have Ian time to look forward to, too!! Happy T Day Rita :o))

TammyV said...

It seems that cable companies everywhere are difficult to deal with. Possibly because (at least in my instance) that have a complete monopoly. It's either Comcast or nothing. I hate them. But I can't do without internet. Though we may well be doing without TV soon. Monopolies allow ridiculous pricing. I would have been out of it last go round but husband said no. He's ready to join me now! Wishing you good luck with you desk - you'd think someone would want it! I think it's all a matter of timing tho. Sometimes things zip out the door andother times they just sit. Hope you are feeling better soon! and that all this mess just works itself right on out. xo

Anonymous said...

After all is said and done, a hell of a lot more is said than done--good luck with Century Link!!

GrandmaG said...

It does often seem "when it rains it pours!" Honestly, that Century Link stuff is the worst. How do they stay in business! Deep breaths.

DJan said...

I commiserate with you about CenturyLink. I have Comcast, which in some ways is worse. I pay them a huge amount every month, but lately they have been dropping the ball and not being available for hours at a time. Can I do anything about it? No. Love those pictures of Karma, even her pretty pink ear with the sun shining through it. :-)

Anonymous said...

Your "mean" is everyone else's "normal."

:-)

Divers and Sundry said...

I've had people tell me that ranting doesn't help, but I don't believe them. I believe a good, full, rant -perhaps with some stomping and a door slam or 2- can be just the thing. Follow that with a hot beverage and a cat, and the certain knowledge that Century Link and that desk will soon be history. I hope things look up soon :)

Nancy said...

Oh my goodness, yes MY life has been going reasonably smooth :) just minor car repairs and that drives me nuts sometimes too :)
Your baby is doing very well, rolling over at 3 months wow!
I hope someone nice picks up your desk--it's awesome! Fern too :)
Happy T day :)

andi filante said...

OMG those crappy internet people! Who do they think they are??? That fern was huge. And yay for Ian and Miss Karma!

-andi

bmlilith60 said...

I can remember the time when I called about a computer problem, got some one in India(i like to say Kuala Lumpur), and they asked me did I speak Spanish. Huh? Needless to say my daughter ended up finishng the conversation for me because I was livid. And my problem still existed after all that. I can sympathize with you about Century Link. However, this too shall pass. Give Karma a big hug and the g-baby too.

dawn said...

Hello and Happy T Day! Sorry for all the frustrations in your world this week. Hope by next Tuesday all is well again. Love the sunshine and Karma enjoying it. Take care, HUGS!!

Ashley Shell said...

Poor Rita! You have been having a bad day! :( I am soooo sorry to hear that Century Link has been giving you so much trouble! I actually work for a company who employs century link reps. I think in customer care too! LOL. Glad I am not part of that area! I could not imagine that if you did not contact century link on the end date of your contract they renew you for another year ?! That would be bull and I would call them out on it. I ended up quitting a job in the past (some 7 year ago or so) because it was one of those call center type jobs and I finally had it. I was tired of seeing, but mostly hearing, like the company did not care about the customer's issues or they did not care to help resolve something that went wrong on our end. I left that job on the day I got the worst (and last cal I took) from a customer who completely laid it out for me.
I hope you have better luck with the century link thing, and this will remind me to NOT go with them if they ever come out my way.

Krisha said...

Hi Rita,
We go through the same thing around here with Dish, ATT, Singular and any other provider that we use. They only want those NEW customer and to heck with those of us that have stayed with them for any length of time. So I fell you rant!!! LOL

Sure wish I was closer, I would defiantly take that desk off your hands. Somebody is miss out on a good deal. :(

Thanks for the comment on my blog.

Karla B said...

Thanks for the comment on my blog. Hope you are well, my friend.

Feral Turtle said...

These companies are just horrible. We dealt with an internet company for three years as it was our only choice unless we wanted dial up. It was horrible. I figure if a company needs to lock you into a contract, it's because they aren't good enough to stand on a month to month basis. I am so afraid to lock into anything now. If they just had a good product with good customer service, they wouldn't need these silly contracts! Glad to hear Ian will be coming for cuddles and your new desk is going to be a reality!

Anonymous said...

Lovely sky shots and nice to see Karma. I certainly hope everything gets sorted out soon.

Victoria Zigler said...

You were a lot nicer about the possible termination fee than I would have been, that's for sure.

That's stupid about the desk. I hope if it gets put outside that someone takes it before the garbage men show up.

Awesome about Ian rolling over!

Glad Ffern found a new home so quickly.

Hope you and Karma are both doing OK? Other than the usual issues, and those mentioned in this post, I mean.

AliceKay said...

I hope things get straightened out soon. It's nerve wracking dealing with companies that have little to no compassion for anyone. *hugs*

Yay for Ian. Sounds like he is progressing well. :)

Serena Lewis said...

Beautiful sunrise pics!

I'm catching up so I already know the outcome of your desk. :)
Glad to hear Fern found a new home.

Poor Miss Karma...life can be so tough at times. hehehe

You tell 'em, girl...even if it is Minnesota Nice style. I'm proud of you! Surely they wouldn't charge you?! Here, I think it's a week lee-way. If you get a bill, look further into it because they may just be trying to get money out of you that you are not legally obliged to pay.

The Cashwise website sounds like a right schamozzle! Hopefully, they will listen to customer complaints.

Well done to baby Ian on his first front-to-back tummy roll...now for the trickier roll, back-to-tummy.

Love and hugs ~ xo