No More hhGregg

Nothing like having a 36" HD LCD TV, a Toshiba, with the most beautiful picture in the world, most of the time, that you can't use. As it's been, we haven't watched that beautiful picture for a month now.
The bulb blew.
When we got the TV, the young man advised that I purchase the extended warranty. It would be an extra $200.00, but he let me in on a little known fact ... the bulbs usually go around 20-23months or so on the average. With the extended warranty, I'd get 2 of the bulbs which costs around $200.00 a piece, in stalled for free. Yep, I'd call, the bulb "popped," and a nice serviceman would come out to the house, install the new bulb and clean the TV all at no charge.
It was all in the fine print.
That was cool with me.
And guess what? The 1st bulb blew at 7 months.
One phone call, 3 days and we were up and running. Not unreasonable. They told me to call this number and an electronics store local to us came over and handled everything. Cleaned up her inside, too.
Then last month, she popped again.
One phone call. I get a call back in 4 days asking to set up a time to install the bulb. Then a cancellation. Bulb didn't come in. And so it goes for nearly 14 days.
To the point that I called the Hub of this bulb providing fiasco.
"Well, we have to order them from the warehouse," says Norman's Electronics.
"Well, I called Toshiba's warehouse, ma'am, and I was told there are 10,000 bulbs available. I fail to understand the difficulty with your large company obtaining 1 bulb," I reply.
Calls to hhGregg, from which I purchased said TV, no assistance, nothing, NADA.
They don't use the local guys anymore, I have to stick with Norman's or void the warranty which extends to 2011.
I file a complaint about the service. I'll at least let them know what I think. Oh, and let everyone know what I think about hhGregg dumping reliable, FAST, courteous service business do their warranty work.
Well, finally this am, after 13 hours on shift, and waiting up, the bulb was installed by the local rep. of Norman's. But he didn't clean out the TV. I'll have to call and arrange a separate appointment for that little number.
"Sorry, ma'am, that's Norman's policy."
Policy, huh? To screw around with so much paperwork you can't find a bulb from a warehouse in your city; ship it to another city 4 hours away; ship it from that city to mine 1.5 hours away; and arrange for it to be installed in less than ; oh say; a week? And then the serviceman can't clean out the TV while the back is open unless he comes back out to your home AGAIN?
Oh, please tell me how this is more efficient? And how this benefits big, bad hhGregg and makes the customer want to return to their store? Especially when a customer appealed for their assistance and was flat out turned away. I have the documentation, I called at 1125 on 7/9/08.
You see today's date.
And the gentleman I spoke with from Toshiba wasn't real happy either. He wants them to examine the whole TV and see if we need further assistance since she's blown 2 bulbs in so "short" of time. But what the heck, Norman's just installed the bulb, gotta call back for that one, too.
Sorry, Toshiba, maybe YOU should be more careful who you let sell your products.
As for me, I'm going to watch my 36" beauty tonight, again.
At least until we need another bulb.
OnceAgain

Home Again

It's late; in my time zone anyway. It's quiet and very still in the house. It's a good time for musings and pondering. No one else is up and about; except the cat, Charley.
You can't count Charley. He marches to his own beat as they say. And that drummer can't keep the sticks straight; trust me.
We returned from our travels and cleaned and tucked away the RV and equipment on Saturday. The washing is done. Today was a day to catch up on bills and just veg. We didn't go anywhere or really do a thing. We had a little vacation from our vacation.
Isn't it amazing? Vacations used to be a time where folks got "away" from it all. Now you go; and you keep going. It's one thing after another it seems. Everyday you jump up and hit the floor with an agenda. Got a list of "must do's/have to's."
Half of the commercials advertise places geared just for that. Off you go and zip and slap and flip and flop about. They almost make you feel guilty if you aren't running, jumping, swimming or throwing yourself out of a damn plane or something.
My job and life are filled with enough jumping through hoops and stress and "thrills" thank you. I would love to just go someplace and hide for about a week and not do a flipping thing.
I promise you, I'd get my exercise. I'd walk and stroll; along the paths and trails for hours. Not rapid calories, but enough cardio to keep me going.
There's medical proof; destressing is as important to longevity as is spinning. Do the research. And so many of us just don't do it.
Maybe, it's time to start.
Our next trip is to a race in August. And I can assure you; Hubby will have an agenda laid out. Almost every moment will be filled if he has his way. He gets a little distress when I balk at following along with all his plans. Guess, he's going to be a little distressed again.
I've been good long enough. I feel an evil, evil mood coming on and that rebellious spirit I've been known to have is rearing it's little head. And I, by George, want to sit or walk or fart in peace the next time I've got some time off away from home without somebody having a freaking list of things to do all the time; everyday.
I'm drawing a line in the sand. I'm declaring war; so to speak. And by the time we pack out; the "enemy" will have had a warning shot fired across his bow. Sad. But, it will be a brief skirmish and then over; with a truce.
But for now; all is quiet on the home front. And the hour is late. I bid you good night and peace.
OnceAgain

It's Always An Adventure

I originally wrote this and posted it for my RV Group; July 14th. It was suggested I add it to my Blog. So...
Greetings from the South of Florida. Those of you that are here know it has been stormy in the afternoons and is VERY humid of late. Those of that aren't here; count your blessings you aren't traveling with us. The good news; we're all fine. Awful news; the RV Fix -It dude comes out tomorrow to repair the air conditioning unit. Bad news; it was hit or affected by lightening on Saturday afternoon. Better news; our friends that had wanted us to stay at their home still welcomed us with open arms despite the fact we had brought our 2 pups with us. So here we are in this neat house. Stevie the TT is in the RV park; locked up tight. She'll be back together; we hope; by tomorrow afternoon.
Here's the gist. We pull in, get our allotted space and set up -quickly as the black clouds roll in; then dive inside. There's howling winds all about and the place is shaking, but we're buttoned up pretty tight. Hubby decides to roll up the antenna, with me protesting, and hook-up the brand new LCD-HD 36" TV. Then there's this awful crack/boom and I've got this horrible feeling and my hair is standing up on my neck and arms, (guess who was under the damn air conditioner) and I'm going, "we've been hit." Hubby is saying we've lost the TV. I keep saying we've been hit and I feel icky. Half the sockets are off line. It's a freaking mess. Long story short, we reset breakers and plugs, etc., work again, TV doesn't, air conditioner whirls but fan doesn't blow, and I get the feeling back in my neck. Oh, the storm blew through.
Hubby did stomp around calling the TT foul names while I glared at him. Then after a bit, admitted he was a dumba--. Sometimes it's better to let them come around to the truth themselves. And guess who's check will be lighter come tomorrow afternoon? Oh, yeah. I'm not footing the bill for the yawning distances in his synaptic gaps. And he blankety-blank knows it. We've had that little discussion. My right eye twitched for 3 hours. And yes, I realize it might have happened no matter what; but when you beg for it...he's been pretty nice today. SOMEBODY'S on probation and I'm the Governor. So, plan is to be with friends until Wednesday, and then back into what is now a big closet for all intents and purposes. Supposing we can get the air conditioning repaired or replaced. We may be able to file on insurance, I don't know. The roof is intact, the circuit breakers mostly did their jobs, but the lightening appears to have skittered along the roof and downward through conduits or something. All I know is I felt the worst tingling ever; like every hair on my head and arms had come alive. I don't care to repeat it.
So lesson learned, my friends. Don't tease Ma Nature. And if you travel with us, be prepared; it's always an adventure.
OnceAgain