Customer Service Never Never Land at Sams

First let me get the whining out of the way. Monday I spent my entire morning at Sam's getting tires put on Dad's car. Not exactly the way I wanted to spend my morning. OK, whining done.

Since I was stuck at Sam's I went to their food thing to buy a bottle of water and a snack. This was at 10:00 a.m. The lady ahead of me was buying three hot dogs (who can choke down hot dogs at 10:00 am?) Anyway, the person ahead of her informed the SAMS food people that the drink machine was broken, so hot dog lady had just paid for three worthless drinks. The Food person told Hot Dog lady she had to go to Customer Service for a refund. So she took her hot dogs and headed over to Customer Service.

Meanwhile the food selling people were talking: Lady #1 "Are we still selling drinks?" Lady #2 "Yes" Lady #1 "Drinks are not refundable" Lady #2 "That does not sound right". Then they continued to sell drinks. Evidently the machine was working, just dispensing flat drinks.

So, about 10:30 hot dog lady finally got her refund.

At about 11:30 I was released from Sams jail.

Sacred Heart Chapel - on the bay near Fairhope

This is Sacred Heart Chapel. It is on Mobile Bay in the Battles Wharf area of Point Clear. Mass is said at this chapel from memorial day until labor day. As you can see there is no air conditioning, the windows are all open. After Mass the children are welcome to ring the big bell out front. It is a really charming place where time has stood still, sort of. There are buildings on the property that when I was a child were used as a summer camp. The building where I learned to make a wallet out of leather is still there. So is the place where I learned to shoot a gun and shoot an arrow. The "barracks" are long gone, that part of the property was sold. As is the stable where they kept the horses.

The property has also been used for the summer home of St. Mary's home for girls. There has also been some children of migrant worker activities. There is a swingset that must be 50 yrs old.

Anyway, it is a very peaceful place to attend mass and walk along the bay. Someday I will post some pictures of the inside. It is very popular for weddings.

Bad Day/Art in Fairhope

Legs stuck straight up in the air. Is it art or just really bad lawn decor??

Some days I think I know how this young lady must feel. Mom and Dad are now 10 minutes from my house in Assisted Living. The good news is that they are 10 minutes away. The bad news is that they are 10 minutes away. Dad had a medication change and has been grumpier than usual. This morning's visit I heard from him about how he is not going to make it and how he should have stayed on McLaughlin Dr. He is getting up early and rushing to get mother dressed, instead of letting the staff do it. So, she wore the same sweater for four days. Today I got it and put it in the laundry. Another talk with the staff today about helping her get dressed and trying to beat dad to the job. He says he does not mind, yet he yells and complains about it. Anyway, some days are better than others but it is NEVER dull. Something is always happening. They are running out of this or they are needing that. Of course the constant doctor, dentist appointment thing and followup. Anyway, complain and whine. Maybe someday things will go smoother.

Customer Service Rambling

We had a great time at Disneyworld. More about that later. Something in Dani's blog about the *&^%person trying to send her a fax reminded me about what seems to be an almost global lack of CUSTOMER SERVICE. Either that or I have turned into a royal bitch in my old age.

Customer Service:
Hampton Inn - wonderful, got me a pair of scissors, gave me directions to wallmart. The free breakfast??? They kept the food well stocked. Eggs, ham, lots of cereal and some pastries

Disneyworld - WHERE are all the CHARACTERS layed off??? Cutting back are we DISNEY?? We waited 30 minutes (thankfully in the airconditioning) to see Micky, Minnie and the Princesses. What happened to roving characters. To HOOOT for them or something!!! Charge a fortune I want to see MICKEY!!!!!!

Contemporary Resort - excellent customer service, they reprinted Jack's key card THREE times, once because he lost it and twice because they put the wrong last name.

Fairfield Inn- Marginal, terrible free breakfast, they ran out of spoons.

FLAT TIRE INCIDENT - Wallmart guys were all gabby and taking their time plugging the tire. Thankfully we drove all the way here before it went FLAT again. Took the car to Toyota (where we bought the tires). They did not have it in stock, had to order. I had them do the regular service and clean the inside of the car. The service guy bragged about how great a job they did on cleaning. Some sloppy looking guy brought my car out and it had peanuts all over the floor of the back seat. REALLY, don't brag about your cleaning job and then show me that.

Poachers

This is the lake behind Catherine Place. I was excited to see these young men out there in their canoe because I thought it would make a good picture. They said they were bass fishing.

When I went in Catherine Place some of the residents were all in a flutter because someone had driven on their private land and were in their lake. Evidently this is private property and posted.

Potty in the Bathtub

This is the ugly side of remodeling. The potty is in the bathtub. There is dust and dirt on everything, EVERYTHING. Furniture is stuffed everywhere. There is only one working bathroom with no door. The doors have all been removed and are propped up here and there. This all began on tuesday when we began camping out in the kitchen/dining room. All is supposed to be finished today. Thankfully the tile people will be hauling all the old carpet and debris out with them.

An example of the cheap builder vinyl floor can be seen behind the potty. All the ugly cheap, impossible to clean builder carpet is now gone from the living/den and hallways. The bathrooms are now tile. The tile guys are putting the grout down now.

Hanging at the W in Chicago

On the way back from California I used our AARP discount to score a reasonably priced room at the W. The W is just a few blocks from the train station and just a few blocks from the Art Institute. We were easily the oldest people I saw there. The doorman welcomed us and we entered a stunning lobby full of trendy folks enjoying drinks and snacks. The room was trendy and comfortable. I would stay there again. I loved the art, design and energy of this hotel.