No, we’re not talking about the band we saw this summer. This is really a dirty sock made into a puppet that my daughter brought home from school today. I kept asking Mads whose sock it was and she denies any knowledge. Hmm, if they needed orphan socks, I’ve got plenty without dirt stains! Even different sizes and colors!
One thing I hate is when companies ambush me with hidden fees and then they give unsatisfying explanations when you make a query. I had started an online order, but left. They kept the info and continue to send me emails to complete the order. The latest with an offer for free shipping. I went back and continued my order because they do have the best price. Well, I got to the cart and the subtotal surprised me because 125.99 + 125.99 does not equal 268.25. Apparently there was a line item that I missed. So I emailed them and asked. This was the reply:
The variation in the costing you’re seeing is due mostly to the fluctuations in the economy coupled with our efforts to provide you with contact lenses at the lowest possible cost. We pass through the costs to you as close to break-even as we can. Due to a recent increase in our handling costs we have been forced to implement a temporary handling surcharge. We are working hard to find ways to eliminate this cost, and in the meantime, we are absorbing as much of the increased cost as possible. Currently, a handling fee of 6.5% of the product value will automatically be included in your order total and itemized on your invoice. Despite this increase, our efforts provide you with consistently lower prices than the competition.
Ok, fine, but shouldn’t they be upfront about that? I wasn’t complaining about the variation in pricing. It’s the missing line item. Make that a little more obvious? So I wrote back and this is what another sales associate wrote:
Their is also an astric (*) next to the SUBTOTAL amount on the Grand total screen at the time of purchase; which does have a pop-up box that indicates the addional charge. We are currently working on making that more visible at the time of purchase. Please advise if we can be of any further assistance.
That asterisk is not explained anywhere on the screen. If you click on the “Subtotal*” box, THEN a pop-up box appears, but all is says is that a handling surcharge is added. No explanation of how it’s calculated. How hard is that really to make it more visible? How about just adding a footnote at the bottom?
Well, turns out coastalcontacts.com offers free shipping without a coupon as long as you spend over $99. They also add a handling and insurance charge, but there is a very thorough explanation. Guess where I’ll be ordering from?
The flap of a mailbox looks tormented. It can’t ever close properly again because a vehicle drove by too closely. I saw two of these today. One I witnessed being destroyed by the mail truck as it was backing up slowly for some reason. The other was just left open. Poor mailboxes. Wait! Poor vehicles that sustained scratches! Great, another reason to be nervous on the road!
Could have been hit by a schoolbus coming down the hill as I was making a left turn onto Norfield Road from the church after picking up Mads. I commented on how dangerous it is there to my husband. He told me to rally for a stop sign at the intersection. Ha! You might think there isn’t a car coming from your left, but it could be going up the hill and you’re actually at the bottom. So, once you think it’s clear from the right, you make the left turn and then you see a car, truck, or bus coming right at you. If you panic and stop, that’s it. Luckily, I keep going even though I do panic because I’ve learned to make my turns quicker and I’ve seen them more than once. If they’re going 30 or less, you have a chance to escape. If they go faster than that, which they often do – BAM! Scary, I know. I have to make this turn twice a day.
Categories: Rant
Ok, so there are many fusion places and restaurants that combine all the various Asian cuisines (I actually like that I can order sushi or pho from a Chinese restaurant), but HELLO! Thai noodles is not a Chinese cuisine. I received a daily recipe from a magazine and it boasted of
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is $1.00 at Dunkin Donuts!!! Ok, 94 cents plus tax. I can’t believe it! We got $1.15 back from the recycling, so I let Mads get one. She had randomly asked for one Saturday night on our way home from Massachusetts. Geez! Oh, but if you get a dozen it’s $6.99. The adult tushies here don’t need any more donuts.
Or I have been anyway. I was excited to read that our local paper was on Twitter and that I could get news updates. So, I followed @westonforum right away. I forgot about them until today when I was getting the URL to an article to post on my other blog. I saw on their page that they had a “Twitter Forum” so I tried to follow them again. Turns out I was blocked from following by the user. I sent two tweets asking why. I got a response from a different user that I also happen to be following apologizing because I was thought to be spam and I would be unblocked. I’m still blocked. Ok, you are part of the media, you have a public web site, and you’re worried about spammers? I agree there are a lot of them out there. Heck, I bet a lot of my 800+ followers are spammers, too, but I don’t block them unless they are indecent-looking. I actually have a real picture and a bio on my profile, so I’m not sure why I was considered spam. Besides, you don’t have to follow back followers. Note, don’t advertise that you’re on Twitter and expect to gain followers if you’re going to be choosey about SAHM’s who just want to get the town news and help disseminate it. As a messenger, I’ve been shot. And I’m really, really disappointed.
Categories: Rant
Westport was the first to ban most plastic shopping bags, even at Stop & Shop, in CT. Ok, fine, but could they at least make more durable paper bags? With handles? What’s the point if I am going to need to double bag because (look!) the bag rips as I am loading or unloading my groceries? Recyclable – ok; reusable – NOT! They are flimsy! I normally bring my eco-friendly shopping bags, 2 of which I paid $1.99/bag to keep frozen items cold en route home. Unfortunately, they’re in the car, which is at the dealer. Too bad the inner layer of foil ripped and the zippers are broken. I use them anyway. They are really not wide enough for me, though. Ooh, I just spied my cousin’s cool reusable bag from Trader Joe’s for $2. Can’t wait to look for it. Actually, I need to stock up on IKEA bags or L.L. Bean totes. Now THOSE are durable and wide. Also great for shopping at Costco. But seriously, what are they thinking to ban plastic bags? Ok, I know what they’re trying to do, but you know what? I reuse plastic bags for trash, especially when I have a loaded diaper (trust me, you don’t want me to just toss it in the trash); for wet clothes after a day at the beach or pool (or after having my been vomited on); for separating clean clothes; for carrying snacks; and for trash at home (they fit nicely in the pail). Oh well, when I run low on plastic shopping bags again, I’ll go to Stew Leonard’s. They have the best plastic bags in my book!
Great product from Costco's, but why is the serving size in grams?
Does this mean I can't serve it for lunch if it's mac & cheese dinner?
I want my $5.99 back! It’s not REALLY seedless either and it’s salty. Blah!
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Categories: Rant
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