THE MISSING PACKAGE

Several weeks ago I started having trouble accessing the internet.  So I called my internet service provider tech support seeking help.  They had me run a series of tests that didn’t reveal the problem, and it was then suggested I try a somewhat different approach to get online.  This other method requires that I turn it on most all the time, since it has a tendency to shut down when not in use for some time -- like two and a half minutes.  (Okay, maybe three and a half.)  Also my email would not come in or go out unless I had this thing turned on.  Doable, but quite a nuisance.

So about a week or two later I phoned tech again.   They had me try several things, none of which worked.  Then I had a thought.  “Maybe it’s the modem,” I suggested.  They ran some kind of test at their end and concluded that yes, the problem is likely the modem.  They would send me a new one at no cost, but I would have to pay the shipping.  Well, all right, how much is the shipping?  It ranged from $40 for overnight, down to $20 (and here I quote the gentleman’s exact words)”... for delivery in up to 5 business days.”  I figured I could wait another 5 days. That was on Monday, March 14.  I thought I wouldn’t see it until the following Monday, at the earliest.  Sure enough, it did not arrive the following Monday.  I waited two more days.  No package.  So I called tech again.  Explained the situation.

Me:  Where is my package?
Tech:  Please hold.  (comes back)  It was sent to New York.
Me:  What?  I live in California!
Tech:  It was sent to  your New York address.
Me:  I don’t HAVE a New York address.  I have never lived in New York.
Tech:  That is all right.  We will mail you another.  It will arrive in 7 to 10 business days.
Me:  That is not satisfactory.  It is already two days late.  You’ll have to do better than that.
Tech:  Please hold.  (comes back)  You will have it  in 7 to 10 business days.
Me:  That is NOT acceptable.  Please connect me to someone who can do better.
Tech:  Please hold.  (hold music).  (different person)  May I help you?
Me:  You mean I have to go through this whole thing ALL OVER AGAIN?  (You might guess I was getting a bit under the collar).

Well, to cut this dialogue down, here, briefly, is what happened:  I demanded overnight delivery.  He agreed -- at the overnight delivery cost.  I said NO.  That under the circumstances, the incorrect delivery was their fault, and they should make it good.  We haggled back and forth a bit, with me standing my ground and insisting on every proposal he made, that I didn’t like, was unacceptable.

He finally (apparently) agreed to my terms.  I’ll believe it when the package arrives.  Whew!

Funny cartoon --