Today's rant
The Real Bev
metal bent in various ways. The whole thing is put together with
identical screws with square nuts.
The package included the exact number of screws and nuts to complete the
assembly.
BUT one of those screws and one of those nuts HAD NO THREADS.
Fortunately we have our own screws and nuts, but I am now trapped in a
quandary.
How can this have occurred?
First of all, couldn't the bastards have included a few extra to replace
the ones you dropped that rolled under the stove OR THAT HAD NO THREADS?
Given that every once in a while the screw-and-nut factory turns out a
dud that gets out into the world, what are the odds that Hirsch, the
receiver of presumably tons of these screws and nuts, would place
exactly one defective screw and one defective nut into the same package?
OTOH, perhaps there's somebody in the Hirsch assembly department with a
grudge against the world who actively seeks out these defective items
and deliberately places one of each in each package that gets shipped
out the door. While it's pretty easy to see that a screw has no
threads, noticing the lack of threads in a nut isn't necessarily easy,
so the guy is wasting a lot of company time and should have been fired
long ago.
It may be noted that I spent at least three minutes trying to screw a
screw into this threadless nut. In my defense, I was doing it behind a
couple of corners by feel only, and I could get only my pointer and
middle finger on the nut, not exactly the most effective method.
Oh yeah, I forgot. One of the screws had a damaged slot, such that no
screwdriver ever made could turn it.
We should have been warned by the 'heavy duty' descriptor -- the
bastards refused to tell us how much weight each shelf could carry.
Fortunately we had not planned to store our power tools on these
shelves. Just kitchen stuff. I'm definitely putting the big pressure
cooker on the bottom :-(
Thanks for listening. I feel better now.
--
Cheers, Bev
**********************************************
"I've had a Lucas pacemaker for years and have
never experienced any prob
Malcom "Mal" Reynolds
wrote:
> First of all, couldn't the bastards have included a few extra to replace
> the ones you dropped that rolled under the stove OR THAT HAD NO THREADS?
> Given that every once in a while the screw-and-nut factory turns out a
> dud that gets out into the world, what are the odds that Hirsch, the
> receiver of presumably tons of these screws and nuts, would place
> exactly one defective screw and one defective nut into the same package?
They don't have to. One of either accomplishes the same result
> Thanks for listening. I feel better now.
these are the sorts of complaints that when properly directed to, oh say the CEO
usually result in some sort of "bonus" to you. Had it been something in a
supermarket you undoubtedly would be using it on "Extreme Couponing"
Bob F
The CEO would have fed-ex'ed out a brand new screw and nut?
Malcom "Mal" Reynolds
Actually, why not? Isn't customer satisfaction suppose to count for something?
The other options were to refund the price of the shelving unit, cut a check for
some amount that makes it interesting or best of all and in the vein of
Undercover Boss, show up at her house, apologize and then give her and her
family some amazing vacation or contribution to a college fund. All on camera of
course
Don Klipstein
>Malcom "Mal" Reynolds wrote:
>> In article <ip46nj$l2n$1...@dont-email.me>, The Real Bev
>> <bashl...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> First of all, couldn't the bastards have included a few extra to
>>> replace the ones you dropped that rolled under the stove OR THAT HAD
>>> NO THREADS? Given that every once in a while the screw-and-nut
>>> factory turns out a dud that gets out into the world, what are the
>>> odds that Hirsch, the receiver of presumably tons of these screws
>>> and nuts, would place exactly one defective screw and one defective
>>> nut into the same package?
>>> Thanks for listening. I feel better now.
>>
>> these are the sorts of complaints that when properly directed to, oh
>> say the CEO usually result in some sort of "bonus" to you. Had it
>> been something in a supermarket you undoubtedly would be using it on
>> "Extreme Couponing"
>
>The CEO would have fed-ex'ed out a brand new screw and nut?
If the CEO's secretary(ies) gets more than 1 or 2 letters mentioning
this problem, then the secretary mentions to the CEO that there is a
possible significant problem here.
Then, the CEO tells the factory or the shipping department something
along the lines of:
"It has been brought to my attention that multiple customers of our
Product XXX have been receing bolt and nut packets with defective bolts
and nuts and no spares. This issue needs to be remedied."
If the CEO's office gets only 1 or extremely few letters complaining
about this problem, then the CEO's secretary(ies) may do 1 of the
following:
* Tell you how to arrange return of the defective product to exchange
for another one. You may need all parts repacked in original packaging
and undamaged, including no customer-caused visible scratches or dents
* Completely ignore you
* Snail-mail you a coupon to get another item of the same kind at a
discount or for free
* Have snail-mailed or shipped "UPS Ground" or "Fedex Ground" entire
packets of bolts and nuts
* Overnight-ship UPS or Fedex entire packets of bolts and nuts, if they
are in a really good mood to make customers happy. More likely if
some consultant they hired says that increases repeat business with
less cost than having the factory add spare parts or improve the
product's quality.
But, you probably need to get them in a good mood! Don't sound like
you will never buy their products again if they don't get you bolts
and nuts!
--
- Don Klipstein (d...@misty.com)
Rod Speed
> Bob F wrote
>> Malcom "Mal" Reynolds wrote
>>>> First of all, couldn't the bastards have included a few extra to
>>>> replace the ones you dropped that rolled under the stove OR THAT
>>>> HAD NO THREADS? Given that every once in a while the
>>>> screw-and-nut factory turns out a dud that gets out into the
>>>> world, what are the odds that Hirsch, the receiver of presumably
>>>> tons of these screws and nuts, would place exactly one defective
>>>> screw and one defective nut into the same package?
> <SNIP a bit>
>>>> Thanks for listening. I feel better now.
>>> these are the sorts of complaints that when properly directed to, oh
>>> say the CEO usually result in some sort of "bonus" to you. Had it
>>> been something in a supermarket you undoubtedly would be using it on
>>> "Extreme Couponing"
>> The CEO would have fed-ex'ed out a brand new screw and nut?
> If the CEO's secretary(ies) gets more than 1 or 2 letters mentioning
> this problem, then the secretary mentions to the CEO that there is a
> possible significant problem here.
Nope. At most she might pass them on to whoever decides
whether a few extra are included in what gets shipped etc.
CEOs dont bother with mundane stuff like that except in tiny operations.
> Then, the CEO tells the factory or the shipping department something
> along the lines of:
> "It has been brought to my attention that multiple customers of our
> Product XXX have been receing bolt and nut packets with defective
> bolts and nuts and no spares. This issue needs to be remedied."
Or he just yawns and does nothing with just a few letters.
> If the CEO's office gets only 1 or extremely few letters complaining about
> this problem, then the CEO's secretary(ies) may do 1 of the following:
> * Tell you how to arrange return of the defective product to exchange
> for another one. You may need all parts repacked in original
> packaging and undamaged, including no customer-caused visible
> scratches or dents
Its unlikely that any would be that stupid with a problem like that.
> * Completely ignore you
> * Snail-mail you a coupon to get another item of the same kind at a
> discount or for free
> * Have snail-mailed or shipped "UPS Ground" or "Fedex Ground" entire
> packets of bolts and nuts
> * Overnight-ship UPS or Fedex entire packets of bolts and nuts, if
> they are in a really good mood to make customers happy. More likely
> if some consultant they hired says that increases repeat business
> with less cost than having the factory add spare parts or improve the
> product's quality.
No one uses a 'consultant' for something like that.
> But, you probably need to get them in a good mood!
Nope.
> Don't sound like you will never buy their products again if they don't get you bolts and nuts!
That does work.
Malcom "Mal" Reynolds
"Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
reams of your pig ignorant mindless **** flushed where it belong
Michael Black
I don't know.
Two years ago, I waited 10 or 11 months for a CD boxed set that I ordered
from the Big Book Chain here in Canada. They said it would ship in "1 to
2 weeks". I honestly expected to be told quit rapidly that they couldn't
get it, since it was an older boxed set going for $20, so I thought it was
clearance and once they sought it, they'd discover no more copies.
But they didn't. Every few months I filled out the form at their website
(no email for them!) and I'd keep getting the same answer, "it's
backordered but our supplier should have it soon". The first time, maybe.
But the 2 or 3 times after that I included my previous comment. They just
kept repeating the same thing. I did want the boxed set, especially at
that price, but after a few months it became a matter of me seeing what
would happen, how long would they take before they admitted they didn't
have it?
The year before, I'd waited some months for another CD, one that had been
recently released, and never got it. By the time they admitted they
couldn't get it, the copies at other places had dried up. They kept giving
the same basic response that time too.
So at the 10 or 11 month point, I cancelled, and left a comment about why.
But I wasn't satisfied. If they couldn't get it, that was fine, but they
just strung me along, and they didn't acknowledge that I'd complained
already (and gotten the same excuse).
So I wrote a paper letter to the CEO, about the matter. I didn't think it
right that my order could be lost like that.
I got some bonus credit (beyond the refund of what I'd paid in advance for
the boxed set), but maybe more important, I think I did change things. I
ordered a DVD last year, and within a reasonable time after the "1 to 2
weeks", they notified me that they couldn't get it. I think it happened a
second time. So either they are just watching my account and being
careful, or they've actually implemented some system to watch that sort of
thing doesn't happen to anyone.
Too often, we see the suggestion of "complain to a company, and you'll get
free XXX". The focus being on getting something, rather than fixing
something. So I was quite glad that I seemed to fix something.
The odd thing is, Amazon here in Canada had the boxed set in stock for at
least some of the time I'd been waiting at the other place. I eventually
ordered it from Amazon last fall, maybe a dollar less, and it came two
days later. And while the reason I passed up that Joan Baez boxed set
when it came out was because of the cost, and repetition (of material I
already had, albeit in different versions), it was well worth the wait and
the $22 or so I spent on it.
Michael
The Real Bev
> The Real Bev<bashl...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Thanks for listening. I feel better now.
> Nicely done. However, compared to previous rants you seem to be losing your
> edge. Perhaps, a bit of additional practice might be in order?
The real rant is so painful that I am unable to give it the attention it
deserves. Suffice it to say that if I could actually kill -- I mean
really cause actual death, not just figurative death -- the people
responsible I woud do so. Consider this a rant-analog which is not
likely to result in prison time.
--
Cheers, Bev
--------------------------------------------
There is no such thing as a foolproof device
because fools are so ingenious.
The Real Bev
> Two years ago, I waited 10 or 11 months for a CD boxed set that I ordered
> from the Big Book Chain here in Canada. They said it would ship in "1 to
> 2 weeks". I honestly expected to be told quit rapidly that they couldn't
> get it, since it was an older boxed set going for $20, so I thought it was
> clearance and once they sought it, they'd discover no more copies.
>
> But they didn't. Every few months I filled out the form at their website
> (no email for them!) and I'd keep getting the same answer, "it's
> backordered but our supplier should have it soon". The first time, maybe.
> But the 2 or 3 times after that I included my previous comment. They just
> kept repeating the same thing. I did want the boxed set, especially at
> that price, but after a few months it became a matter of me seeing what
> would happen, how long would they take before they admitted they didn't
> have it?
Had they charged your credit card?
> The year before, I'd waited some months for another CD, one that had been
> recently released, and never got it. By the time they admitted they
> couldn't get it, the copies at other places had dried up. They kept giving
> the same basic response that time too.
>
> So at the 10 or 11 month point, I cancelled, and left a comment about why.
>
> But I wasn't satisfied. If they couldn't get it, that was fine, but they
> just strung me along, and they didn't acknowledge that I'd complained
> already (and gotten the same excuse).
>
> So I wrote a paper letter to the CEO, about the matter. I didn't think it
> right that my order could be lost like that.
>
> I got some bonus credit (beyond the refund of what I'd paid in advance for
> the boxed set), but maybe more important, I think I did change things. I
> ordered a DVD last year, and within a reasonable time after the "1 to 2
> weeks", they notified me that they couldn't get it. I think it happened a
> second time. So either they are just watching my account and being
> careful, or they've actually implemented some system to watch that sort of
> thing doesn't happen to anyone.
Excellent. It's really nice when a complaint actually does some good.
I look forward to that happening to me some day...
> Too often, we see the suggestion of "complain to a company, and you'll get
> free XXX". The focus being on getting something, rather than fixing
> something. So I was quite glad that I seemed to fix something.
Most of what I buy comes from yard sales, so 'fixing' is out of the
question.
I have recently begun emulating my mom, who always called the 800 number
to complain about inadequate products -- generally food of one sort or
another. The companies always apologized profusely and sent copious
coupons. I'm happy with that -- two free cans of Pam plus two
50-cents-off coupons to replace the can that lost its propellant with
lots of product remaining.
The Real Bev
> I have had the experience of receiving a replacement (as a result of having
> written directly to the CEO) for a rather high-end item, with no necessity of
> returning the defective product. The replacement had exactly the same deficiency
> that provoked my complaint; hmmm....
That happened with a Canon camera. Within the warranty period it began
thinking that batteries were dead, even though they weren't. Ultimately
the camera refused to work. Canon sent me another one that wouldn't
work right out of the box. The next one they sent was an upgrade and
I've used it for three years. BUT, it still has the battery problem,
albeit not fatal.
Turns out it's a common problem with Canon series A cameras, and there
are even informal hacks to fix it, involving bending some contacts. Not
ready to do that quite yet, but I saved the instructions. Aside from
that the A720IS is a great camera.
And I got to keep the extranea, like the 128M SD card that came with
each camera and the instruction books and wrist straps :-)
> IME, when lodging a legitimate complaint, it almost always pays to bypass
> the flack catchers and go as nearly to the top as possible. Corporate officers
> and upper management tend to be shielded from day-to-day operations, including
> customer complaints, by a cadre of licks and yes-men who often see their primary
> task as shielding the Great One from such trivialities as dealing with actual
> live customers.
I've found that the first-level people can actually solve the problem a
little less than half the time. Sometimes no matter HOW high you go you
can't get satisfaction. Still, I think the odds are in our favor.
SMS
> We just assembled a "heavy duty" metal shelf unit. All parts are sheet
> metal bent in various ways. The whole thing is put together with
> identical screws with square nuts.
<snip>
I bought a bunch of steel storage shelf units at Costco, but they are
industrial type shelving that doesn't use nuts and bolts,
<http://whalenstorage.com/products/storage.html>. I stopped buying those
light-duty bolt-together units because even though they are marginally
cheaper they are not sturdy enough. Sounds like you bought the 50 series
from Hirsch <http://www.hirshindustries.com/html/50___250_series.html>.
Ikea has an area near the returns section where they have extra bits and
pieces of hardware available at no charge. Of course I've assembled Ikea
stuff where they forgot to drill a hole, and I just sucked it up and
drilled it myself rather than taking everything apart and going back to
the store for an exchange (which might have had even more problems).
The Real Bev
> On 4/25/2011 9:15 AM, The Real Bev wrote:
>> We just assembled a "heavy duty" metal shelf unit. All parts are sheet
>> metal bent in various ways. The whole thing is put together with
>> identical screws with square nuts.
>
> <snip>
>
> I bought a bunch of steel storage shelf units at Costco, but they are
> industrial type shelving that doesn't use nuts and bolts,
> <http://whalenstorage.com/products/storage.html>. I stopped buying those
> light-duty bolt-together units because even though they are marginally
> cheaper they are not sturdy enough. Sounds like you bought the 50 series
> from Hirsch<http://www.hirshindustries.com/html/50___250_series.html>.
Yup, that's the one. I think my mom bought two of them to put in her
basement -- we put one together and she decided she didn't want the
other one and gave it to us and it's been in the garage for a LOOOONG
time. We have one of the heavy ones that you bang together with a
hammer for our TV setup and just put another one together for spare
bedroom storage. Hint: Sometimes you have to get inside the thing to
do final bashing, so don't put the bottom shelf in first!
> Ikea has an area near the returns section where they have extra bits and
> pieces of hardware available at no charge. Of course I've assembled Ikea
> stuff where they forgot to drill a hole, and I just sucked it up and
> drilled it myself rather than taking everything apart and going back to
> the store for an exchange (which might have had even more problems).
I'll stop and ask next time I'm in Covina. Daughter gave us a 'Billy'
wall unit which was put together. Brought it home in the back of the
pickup. Hubby and I wrestled it into the kitchen, which was a
monumental job (Hint #2: No, you can't lift the horizontal members!)
She also gave us a disassembled one with no hardware at all. Not sure
we'll ever assemble it even if we can get the hardware. Hint #3: NEVER
buy anything made out of chipboard if you plan on actually carrying it.
Why does Ikea have to name every single thing they sell? Did they get
the idea from "My bologna has a first name..."?
--
Cheers, Bev
------------------------------------------------------
Q: How many lawyers does it take to grease a combine?
A: One, if you feed him in real slow.
The Real Bev
> On 04/26/11 09:13, SMS wrote:
>
>> On 4/25/2011 9:15 AM, The Real Bev wrote:
>>> We just assembled a "heavy duty" metal shelf unit. All parts are sheet
>>> metal bent in various ways. The whole thing is put together with
>>> identical screws with square nuts.
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>> I bought a bunch of steel storage shelf units at Costco, but they are
>> industrial type shelving that doesn't use nuts and bolts,
>> <http://whalenstorage.com/products/storage.html>. I stopped buying those
>> light-duty bolt-together units because even though they are marginally
>> cheaper they are not sturdy enough. Sounds like you bought the 50 series
>> from Hirsch<http://www.hirshindustries.com/html/50___250_series.html>.
>
> Yup, that's the one.
The box said "Heavy Duty". The specs at the web page specify "light
duty" at 300 pounds total distributed evenly. Lying bastards!
Hirsh also has some of the REAL heavy duty units.
SMS
> The box said "Heavy Duty". The specs at the web page specify "light
> duty" at 300 pounds total distributed evenly. Lying bastards!
>
> Hirsh also has some of the REAL heavy duty units.
Interesting that they actually state that it's "Light Duty" on the web
site. "Heavy Duty" is so meaningless in terms of marketing speak. Even
the junkiest washer/dryer slaps "Heavy Duty" onto it. Our light duty
Whirlpool dryer with "Heavy Duty" printed on the control panel sits next
to an actual heavy duty (commercial model) Speed Queen washing machine
that lacks those words.
SMS
> Why does Ikea have to name every single thing they sell?
They don't. The cinnamon buns are not named.
The Real Bev
If they had names you would be reluctant to eat them.
--
Cheers, Bev
=======================================================
...so few snipers, so many politicians...