Why I probably will never own again and other misadventures

In my first blog of 2010, I lamented the lack of water and foreseeing trouble with having to purchase a new hot water tank and then the old, broken, still-under-warranty one would be returned and my account credited. I was right.

Since I knew this was going to be a problem, I wasn't keen on checking my online account statement to see if all was well or not until this past Sunday. When I didn't see it, I called Home Depot and brought Sharon up to date on everything. The only thing she saw on the account was a credit for the pick up charge which I was accidentally charged twice for (which I knew about). She said she would check with Ian, the manager, and get back to me.

I hadn't heard anything more so today over lunch I decided to call again. Luckily she was there and of course, no news. She then gave me Ian's direct extension so I could talk to him. I knew I shouldn't call right away because if he heard a ringing phone, he would know it was probably me and not answer...but I tried it anyway. I didn't get an answer.

After I hung up, I had what Oprah calls a "light bulb moment" and called the plumbing company that Home Depot contracts with for their At Home Services and who had come to install the original 4 years ago as well as the replacement a week and a half ago.

As I was explaining the situation, the gentleman said, "I know you!" Oh great, thought I. What could possibly have been said to make me this memorable. After double checking my name, he said, "Yes! Yes! I know you." He then proceeded to tell me what happened: John the plumber had gone back to Home Depot on January 2nd after leaving our house at about 5 p.m. to return it since it was still under warranty. He arrived at Home Depot and waited for 40 minutes only to leave (after calling back to the office to ask what he should do) after having never been helped. Lo and behold, my old water heater tank is in their warehouse. Ivan, the man I was talking to, said that he didn't want John to just leave the water heater tank laying around due to the popularity of scrap metal. While I don't really appreciate not having been told until I finally thought of calling them, I do appreciate that little gesture.

I told Ivan that if they wanted to drop it back off at the house, I would be happy to take it in myself and work with them on the credit directly to which, being the "from the old country" that he is (I'm guessing Russia), said "Oh no, no, no...we will take it in."

Since then, I've forgotten if I was suppose to call him again today or if he was. Either way, I will just wait and touch base with him tomorrow to check the status of it.

I see many apartments in my future.


Addendum A: While going through the mail this afternoon, I came across a really, really thin envelope from the bank. That can only mean one thing...nonsufficient funds. One of the reasons Big A and I merged funds a year or so after marriage was his poor recordkeeping. I admit to having forgotten one rather large payment in the past but in general, I'm spot on so I knew that there was no way there could not be money in the account and this was an error on the bank's side. It was. They charged my car insurance twice which then resulted in the withdrawals that followed to be covered by the $35 service charge. On the online statement, it was only charged once but yet the service charge fees remained. Interestingly enough, when I called the bank, I assumed it would take awhile but I was off the phone in under 5 minutes with part of that being on hold for the "next available service representative". After explaining everything, she said immediately after that the charge would be reversed on my account and would show up after 5 p.m.

I'm feeling feisty. To anyone else that wants to mess with me, I say "Bring it!" I'm on a roll.

Addendum B: Lo and behold, the next company that decided to take me on tonight was Comcast who decided to charge me for a digital converter and remote I don't have. All fixed.

You know, the one common theme on all three things today was that the people I spoke with were very friendly and helpful. It probably helps that I wasn't an irate jerk.