A Post

For postings sake. That's it. And I'm bored at work.

Today is "Parts Tuesday". We list cameras that need repair, or those that have been repaired but have been abandoned by the original owners. We have to be careful when wording the description for these parts cameras, even though in BOLD ORANGE LETTERS there is a disclaimer that says these cameras are being SOLD FOR PARTS. We get customers calling us after they've received their parts cameras, wanting a refund or an exchange because they don't work. WELL, DUH!

It's not just the parts listings, either. It happens all the time. Part of my job is answering the "QFS" (question for seller) emails. I get some of the stupidest queries in the world. I spend most of my morning typing out the words, "As stated in the description on eBay..." (that's a lie, actually- I've set up an auto-type function to write out those words immediately when I type "As st"). I can partly understand the situation if the querant doesn't speak English. But most of our questions come from North Americans.

What frustrates me even more is the fact that many buyers on eBay just skim through a listing, ignoring the pertinent information (like a refund policy, or shipping prices, or warranty info, or the CONDITION of the item they're buying). Seriously! If you're going to spend $400 on something online, would you not take the time and effort to read about what you're buying??!? The worst is when we get people saying, "this lens isn't compatible with my camera, so I want a refund". Sorry- we clearly state the compatibility of ALL of our items in the description. Bah!

I must say though, the most infuriating question I get is, "I live in the USA... does this North American warranty apply?" What the??!?

Photos of our eBay mascots (Squishy and Scrapey), taken with one of today's parts cameras. LOL!

Labels: americans, cameras, rant, work

posted by Unknown @ 12:49 p.m.

BIKE RANT

It's been a while... but this is a good one.

So there I was, riding north on Church, heading to work. All of a sudden I see this dark shadow out of the corner of my eye, and the slightest nudge against the rubber end of my handle bar. A shiny black Lincoln Continental just about tipped me over.

I caught up to her at the next light (which also happened to be my destination, so that was convenient). Her window was already rolled down, so I leaned over and said, "Hey." No reply. She had some ear buds in. Who wears headphones in a car?? Anyways- I said, a bit louder, "HEY." Still no reply. "HEEEEEEEEEEY!" Finally I got her attention.

"Do you realize you just about hit me back there?" I asked.
She had the gall to reply, "You should've moved over. I'm driving a big car."
"Just because you drive a big car, doesn't give you more right to be on the road," I explained.
"Well, as soon as you start paying taxes, and insurance, and blah blah blah..." she starts spewing out.
I kinda laugh under my breath. This is an easy argument to win. "As soon as you start paying the medical bills for all the people who have gotten sick from your carbon emissions, blah blah blah..."
She drives off. Typical reaction from a motorist. So I yell after her...

"POLLUTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!1!!!11!!"

I apologized to the pedestrians on the street around me. They smiled.

End rant.
Stupid motorists.
.

Labels: bike, rant

posted by Unknown @ 9:43 a.m.

Customer Service Woes

In my world, anyways.

I'll start with Bell. I canceled my internet service with Bell at the beginning of July. Or so I thought. When I called, I was given no trouble about canceling my service, which I thought was strange. But hey, I don't work for Bell, and I figured maybe they'd decided to start treating their customers properly. I was wrong.

When I got back from NYC, I checked my bank statements, and found out that Bell DID NOT cancel my account. They continued to withdraw a monthly fee from me over the summer. I called on Friday, September 5th to cancel AGAIN, and boy, was I livid. The women I spoke with then gave me a cancellation confirmation number, and I figured things were finally settled. I take a look at my statements again on Wednesday the 10th, and they've withdrawn ANOTHER $40 out of my account the day before.

I called back and gave them an earful. They're refunding me the money they owe me, but WTF?!? Do they seriously think that ignoring their customer's requests are going to make them more money?? What's even worse... they tell me the "cheque is in the mail". Who the hell sends cheques in the mail anymore?? They told me it'll take 6-8 weeks for it to arrive. WHAT??!? No fuckin' way. I told them I wanted that refund cheque in my mailbox in five business days. Or else.

The second customer service debacle happened at Lenscrafters. When I was in New York, my glasses busted in half. I had no choice but to visit a Lenscrafters there and purchase new frames and lenses. They were extremely nice, very helpful, and I got a beautiful pair of Donna Karin frames for what I think is a fair price ($289.99 USD). They assured me the warranty was valid in Canada, and that if I had any problems with them in the next 30 days, I can bring them back to get them redone. Well, after wearing them for a few days, my eyes didn't adjust. Things were blurry, especially along the bottom edge of my vision.

I tried to bring them back to the Lenscrafters in the Eaton Centre. The women there told me they just needed to be adjusted, so I had them adjusted. I gave it a few more days... I know it takes time for the eye to adjust to a new pair of glasses. But things weren't any clearer after a week and a half with them. So I brought them back again. The customer service rep I spoke with had no idea what she was doing, so I asked to speak with her supervisor.

The retail manager came out, and convinced me that I should get an eye exam done. "That way, we won't have any choice but to replace the lenses." I made an appointment with the eye doctor for the next day, and asked Carlos (the manager) if he would be in at that time. He said no, but he'd make a note in my file, and he said he spoke with his boss, and she knew of the situation.

So, I go to my appointment the next day and get a new prescription. The doctor even said the astigmatism strength of the new glasses was too strong, and that's why things were blurry along the bottom edge of my vision. I bring the new scrip back to Lenscrafters, and the supervisor (a different one) refuses to replace the lenses under the warranty. She talks to the boss, and the boss says she knows nothing about it. What??!? Ugh. I explained the entire situation to her again, and she just keeps saying, "That's interesting." I wanted to pull her hair. But I did not. I said I'd be back tomorrow, when I knew Carlos (her boss) would be there. She said she could give me a 20% discount on new lenses, and I said that is NOT acceptable. Man! I went back the next day, and Carlos replaced the lenses with no more questions. Why couldn't that have happened the day before??

What's happening to our customer service level??!? Is the age of online shopping and the self-serve checkout making customer service training at retail stores obsolete? And Bell... well- that's just Bell. They suck. I urge everyone looking for any type of internet/phone/satellite service to STEER CLEAR OF BELL, if you want to save yourself a lot of hassle and frustration.

Labels: bell, customer service, lenscrafters, rant

posted by Unknown @ 2:41 p.m.

Madness, I Say!

Take a look at this:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/28/book.burning.ap/index.html

A book store owner in Missouri is burning his unwanted books!

Tom Wayne, with the eloquence of an American book store owner, explains himself:
"After slogging through the tens of thousands of books we've slogged through and to accumulate that many and to have people turn you away when you take them somewhere, it's just kind of a knee-jerk reaction," he said. "And it's a good excuse for fun."

Yep. That's what I do for fun... burn some books. I find it extremely hard to believe he couldn't find anywhere to donate these books. What a waste. Not to mention the smoke being released into the atmosphere probably isn't good for the neighbours.

Labels: american, books, news, rant

posted by Unknown @ 11:26 a.m.

How Can They Be So Unconscionably in Denial?

The US government is trying to get the UN to weaken their stance on global warming. They want strong, goal-oriented points on the agenda for the next G8 meeting removed, and replaced with one slack-jawed ignoramus of a sentence. See here:

http://environment.about.com/b/a/256899.htm
and
http://www.newscientist.com/blog/environment/2007/05/g8-pact-us-wants-to-cut-text-not.html?feedId=earth_rss20

Unfuckingbelievable. I know Canada isn't doing much better right now, when it comes to direct initiatives for battling climate change, but COME ON! The US needs to stop trying to bully everyone else around, stop whining about how much money they're going to lose, and GET ON BOARD. "Things" are much bigger than you, George Bush; bigger than even the White House, or Washington, or the US... we're talking about the future of the PLANET EARTH. As a whole.

Man, I sound like Peter Petrelli right now.
.

Labels: energy, environment, government, news, rant, United Nations, USA

posted by Unknown @ 7:43 p.m.

An Eventful Ride In

This morning was full of action.

I was riding up King Street, when a silver Toyota 4Runner pulls up beside me and asks me where my helmet is... it was Bex's parents! I told them I don't have a helmet (I know, I'm stupid), but that not having a helmet isn't illegal. They just said to be careful. I bet you any money Bex's mom is going out to buy me a helmet today. Or not... but I wouldn't be surprised! She's the overly generous type of woman! Funny thing is, we were both heading to the same block (Church and Queen)... and I beat them here!

And then, in the business district, I noticed this guy on a too-small bike weaving on and off the sidewalk, passing me and cutting and me off. I caught up to him at the next stop light, and this is how the conversation went:

Me: "Hey... where'd you learn how to ride your bike?"
Him: "Wha?"
Me: "Where did you learn to ride your bike?"
Him: "Wha?" (I don't think English was his first language)
Me: "Man, you shouldn't ride on the sidewalks like that."
Him: "Yeah, but..."
Me: "Yeah, but, nothing. It's illegal. It's dangerous for everyone around you. And the more you break the rules, the less respect everyone else has for us cyclists. So just don't ride on the sidewalk!"

At this point, the light turns green. I say to him "Go!", but he just stands there. "Go, go!" I say. Finally, he gets off his bike, and pulls it up onto the sidewalk beside him, so I can go first. Now it was my turn to be confused. Wha?

Anyways- Neil says cyclists won't follow the rules until there are serious repercussions for breaking the biking laws. So, from now on, YOU BETTER FOLLOW THE RULES, OR I'LL MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE A DUMB ASS. So there.

Labels: bex, bike, conversation, frustration, rant

posted by Unknown @ 10:06 a.m.

If We All Follow The Rules, Cycling Will Be Safer... well, duh.

Yesterday, on my way home, some courier wannabe passed me on the right, only to get stuck at a red light 30 feet in front of us. I pulled up casually beside him and said (loudly, since he had headphones on), "You should try to pass on the left." He said I was too far over to the left for him to pass (which is total BS), and so I told him he should have used his bell to let me know to squeeze right so he could pass. I looked down at his handle bars, and I don't even think he HAD a bell. WHAT?!? Insanity, riding in the city without a bell. Also, completely illegal!!!

I says to him I says, "I'm just telling you what I've read about proper cycling." He didn't respond. The light turned green and off he went. I yelled after him, "Have a nice day!" I think I heard him say thank you.

I should've said, "If we all follow the rules, cycling in the city will be much safer." Cause, really, that's the whole point of having rules!

Labels: bike, conversation, frustration, rant

posted by Unknown @ 12:23 p.m.

LEARN TO READ OR GET OFF OF EBAY

I don't know why exactly, but today, I'm way less tolerant at my job than I normally am. I answer customer emails in the morning, and I understand that some people out there are as internet savvy as others, but today, it just seems like people out there (ebayers) are just plain moronic.

For example, someone asks:
"The camera is supposed to come with a cap to cover the lense opening. Do you have it?
How do you keep dust out if you don't?"

My response had to be:
As stated in the description, and as is visible in the photos on eBay, this camera does come with a body cap.

This happens ALL THE TIME. READ THE GODDAMN DESCRIPTION PEOPLE! That's why we take the time to WRITE the goddamn descriptions! YOU CAN READ, RIGHT?!?!

Here are some more...

Their Question: Hi is this a new strap?
My Answer: As stated in the description on eBay, this is a new strap.

Their Question: OK, one more quick question. Is this a Store demo camera, or one someone has owned for some time.
My Answer: This is a used camera, as is stated in the eBay auction title and description.

Their Question: Hi I just wanted to double check with you about a few things with regards to this item... 1. Is this item brand new? 2. What is your warranty policy on merchandise?
My Answer: As stated in the description on eBay, this is a new flash. Also, as stated in the description on eBay, the flash is covered by a one-year warranty from the manufacturer, which is Canon Canada.

Their Question: I hate bidding games. How much to buy this lens?
My Answer: Sorry- there's no Buy it Now option on this auction. (But in my head I'm thinking- this is EBAY! Which is an AUCTION site. Auctions are won by BIDDING on the item being AUCTIONED OFF).

Their Question: I'm really apologize! Could you please cancel my bid for this Item because I didn't relize that it is a used len.
My Answer: How could you not realize this was a used lens? It states so in the title, and again in the description. Please let me know how you failed to realize this was a used lens.

Yeah- so I lost it a bit on that last one. But I am genuinely curious as to how he could've missed the fact that this is a used lens. Meh.

Rant over. Day still has six and a half hours. FACK!

Labels: computers, frustration, office, rant, work

posted by Unknown @ 10:50 a.m.

PARKDALE PRIDE!!

I'm thinking of making a poster that says:


But I think the posters will just get ripped down and thrown into the wind.
It's getting out of hand though. I think I'm going to email these pictures to Gord Perks:

Labels: environment, frustration, local, parkdale, rant, tyndall avenue

posted by Unknown @ 3:49 p.m.

The Day That Nothing Worked (except the printer)

So, I just got home from walking all the way from Spadina. Stupid streetcar I was on kicked everyone off, so it could push the broken down streetcar in front of it off the road. Man. What the hell is wrong with the TTC today?

And at work, our inventory program SUCKED ASS. I only got three listings done, where normally, I should be getting about 14-15! But I did get a "lemon" printer up and running this afternoon, which I might be able to buy for cheap! Woot!

Labels: computers, frustration, rant, streetcar, TTC, work

posted by Unknown @ 7:03 p.m.

I Think I've Been Fairly Tolerant...

... with the TTC, until now. I'm usually very logical and lenient with the flaws of the TTC, and I normally blame the other TTC riders for how miserable the ride can be now and then. However, this morning, I couldn't believe how bad the service was!

Bex and I arrived at the stop at our normal time, around 8:30am. Just as we were walking to the stop, a car went by. I had a sinking feeling that we should've run to catch the car, but alas. A few minutes later (more minutes than usual), another streetcar came along, but it was out of service.

A couple minutes later, another car came, with another car behind it. The first car was PACKED, but the second car was also out of service, so we tried to squeeze onto the back of the car in front. A tinny voice via intercom said, "Young lady, please step away from the back door of the streetcar." Apparently, I wasn't allowed on! Not sure why- it better have been because the car was already too full, because there are signs clearly posted saying the King car runs on a P.O.P. system- you can mount the car through the rear doors if you've got a valid pass or transfer.

The next car pulled up to the light, and everyone started to de-board. Apparently, this car was out of service as well. I asked the driver why and he pointed to some control panel that was opened up, and said it was too cold for it to operate. What??

Anyways- long story short, Bex and I scrambled around, trying to decide if we should just hop in a cab (except we couldn't find one available), or if we should just hop on one of the SIX streetcars piled up at King and Dufferin now. It was 8:54am by the time we finally got onto a streetcar, and 9:30 by the time we got to Church Street. The car we were on announced they were short turning on Church, too.

So- all in all, I saw FOUR streetcars this morning that were out of service! We live in Canada folks! It gets cold! Why do I pay $100 a month to ride on streetcars that break down as soon as it gets cold? And why were only some of the cars out of order? Don't they have like, a huge block heater or something?!?!?

Anyways- it was frustrating, to say the least. I was a half-hour late for work again today. Good thing no one keeps track!

Labels: bex, rant, streetcar, TTC, weather, work

posted by Unknown @ 11:42 a.m.

Little Ol' Invisible Me

I know I'm easily lost in a crowd, as in... I blend in, I'm fairly forgettable, etc... but lately, at work, it's been getting a little ridiculous.

When I talk to a certain co-worker of mine, I get the feeling he's not listening to me. I can say something to him, and then two minutes later he'll repeat what I said, claiming he'd just thought of it himself! Here's an example:

Him: This email is from a guy claiming the pinhole adapter we sold him doesn't work on his camera.
Me: What camera does he have?
Him: (looks through the email again) Here's the problem, he's trying to put it on an A100. Of course it won't fit on the A100.
Me: No- you're thinking of the Minolta Dimage A100, which the adapter will not fit on. But it will fit onto the Sony Alpha A100 DSLR.
Him: The Sony Alpha isn't the A100.
Me: Yes it is.

*two minutes later*

Him: OH! I get it! I was thinking of the Minolta point and shoot camera, the A100. He's got the Sony Alpha A100, which the adapter should fit on!

See what I mean?!? BAH! So frustrating. Then, at the end of the day, he says to another co-worker, "Look what I found here- our Henry's eBay info page is full of dead links, missing photos, and incorrect information!" It's great that he's actually looking for problems that need fixing, but I had pointed that exact page out to him the day before, noting the problems. BAAAAAAAAAAAH!

It's like he doesn't think I'm smart enough. Or, because I'm a woman, he just dismisses anything I say. Or, he wants to get credit for thinking of everything. I don't know. There are so many improvements that need to be made here at work, things I've been mentioning for years (I'm not exaggerating... years). But of course no one listens to me!

However, I sent a list of "suggested improvements" to my boss yesterday, and he did actually just call me to tell me he looked it over, and will consider some of the ideas next week when he's got more time. *sigh* Finally, some acknowledgment.

Labels: office, rant, work

posted by Unknown @ 12:15 p.m.

Questioning My Sincerity

This morning on the streetcar, I accidentally hit this woman in the head (repeatedly) with my elbow- but my coat is so thick, I honestly didn't feel it. Well- she 'gave it to me good', and so I apologized profusely. Just then, Becky said, "Yeah Kari, keep your elbows to yourself," and we all laughed. The woman got so angry, and refused to believe that I was truly sorry. I didn't know what else to say!

If I were her, I probably would've gotten pissed too... but man- some people have to lighten up!

In spirit of streetcar boogies everywhere, Bex has compiled a list of streetcar etiquette. It's pretty extensive. Check out her list!

Labels: bex, conversation, rant, streetcar

posted by Unknown @ 9:17 p.m.

Wentworth and Hiro Save The Day

Man, yesterday SUCKED. I don't know why, but yesterday in particular, I was feeling extremely unsatisfied with my life and everything in it. Which doesn't consist of much... hence the depression.

Work lately is pure garbage. I have to try and not let that self-righteous twit of a woman in my office get me down. It's hard though. There's a wall between her and I, literally, and half of my department is over there with her, and half is here. I'm positive they talk about me over there. I bitch about her to two people in the office only- after hours or in the kitchenette. *sigh* The bitching doesn't really help anyways. She just sucks.

And now I'm so NOT looking forward to the Cookie Swap we do every year for the holidays, simply because she's going to be involved. I think that I just won't organize it. If they want it to happen, they'll have to set it up. I'm done with extra curricular activities at work. I'm done with extra effort, period. I'm not helping anyone out. I'm going to do my job, and that's it. It's going to drive me crazy, but craziness due to banality is better than craziness due to rage. I hope, anyways.

I'm also extremely lonely. I don't see a light at the end of this loneliness tunnel, either. I've given up hope of finding anyone to share my life with. A question was put forth last week at book club: "Do ugly people know they're ugly?" "Yes," I said, "they do." I look at myself in the mirror on more occasions than I'd like to admit and look away very disappointed. I know that if I want to change the way I look, I've got to try. But it's hard when there's no external motivation. It's all one big Catch 22. My whole life is one big Catch 22.

On a more positive note, Prison Break and Heroes were amazing last night. When Prison Break wrapped up, Bex and I cheered OUT LOUD. Like it was the Super Bowl or something. On second thought- the fact that television was the only thing that could make me smile yesterday is also kind of depressing.

This has been an extremely depressing post, and I apologize if I made anyone uncomfortable.

Labels: office, rant, work

posted by Unknown @ 10:53 a.m.