I wish I knew how to tell a long story short but I don't, so here goes...
I've learned that much like the phrase, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", so is individual taste in furniture. Personally, I'm usually fairly traditional when it comes to furniture. I like classic, timeless, comfortable, functional pieces with gentle curves and clean lines. I do not like furniture that is overly ornate, super modern, dated, or anything with the word "contemporary" attached to it.
Dan, however, does like the contemporary style. Having said that, we managed to find a bed that we both like. (More like I absolutely LOVED it and he could live with it, but that is beside the point.) That bed is turning out to be quite the ordeal it seems.
Reader's Digest condensed version:
Went furniture shopping last year to get an idea of what we wanted.
Dozens of stores and many hours scouring the internet later, I found the bed I wanted.
Bed purchased in Feb.
Found out they're discontinuing the style, so had to take delivery immediately or not get it at all.
Bed delivered, but support beam is broken and has to go back.
Called the store. they can get me another one but it'll be March 17 before it's available.
Me: "The bed is being discontinued, are you absolutely, positively CERTAIN you can get me THAT bed?? Because if you can't, I want the broken one and I will have it fixed at my own expense."
Them: "Yes, Ma'am. We are *certain* we can get you one that isn't broken, it will just take several weeks."
...I wait...
Builders give us a closing date.
I called the store.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am, but that bed has been discontinued."
Me: "I realize it was discontinued but you told me that MINE would be available."
Them: "I'm not sure who told you that, but that bed was discontinued in February."
Me: "I *KNOW* it was discontinued... (explain when I purchased it, explain it was broken, explain I offered to take the broken one, explain that they promised me a new one... explain, explain, explain...)
Them: "They probably threw the broken one out or sold it 'As-Is' in the clearance outlet."
Me: "What about the floor model? It was the right size, just bring me that one."
Them: "Sorry, the floor model was sold last week."
Me: "So basically what you're telling me is that not only do you not have my bed there in your store, you can't get my bed, and the only two options I had of actually obtaining that bed have been sold out from under me, all the while you have in your possession well over a thousand dollars of MY money and I *still* don't have my damned bed?? Is that what you're saying to me right now?"
Them: "I'm not the manager who promised you this bed. Let me see if I can get you an update, I'll call you back."
Me: ...fuming...blood pressure rising...temper flaring...
Customer service lady called me back. Clearly, the managers didn't want to deal with me. "I'm sorry ma'am, the bed isn't available but we can give you a store credit. Can't you just pick a different one?"
Can't I just pick a different one?? CAN'T I JUST PICK A DIFFERENT ONE?? Did you really just ask me that?
It was an innocent question, really, and I know she didn't realize she was dealing with someone whose stress level is already exceeding the limits of their medication, but it was the proverbial last straw.
I told her no. NO, I *can't* just pick another one, I don't want ANOTHER one, I want THAT one. Doesn't she realize that I've picked out side tables, fixtures, and other furniture based on the colors of THAT bed? Does she really think "I'm sorry" is good enough? They have been jerking me around for the last two months and I've had enough. Second, if they can't produce THAT bed, I damned sure don't want a "store credit" because they will be giving me my money back in the form of cold hard cash.
I had a few other choice comments about their business practices and ethics. I also may have mentioned the BBB, the consequences of fraud, rip-offs, and how I'd personally lead the charge to make certain none of my friends, relatives, friends of friends, cousins of friends, cousins of friends of friends, strangers or anyone else I come in contact with ever purchased so much as a potted plant from their place of business again. I also may have questioned their parentage and the collective amount of brain cells they have between them and a few other rather colorful metaphors, but I can't recall exactly.
I'm usually a very flexible person... I can compromise... I can be reasonable... until I can't be. Once I've had enough, you might as well be hitting a brick wall because there is nothing that can be said or done to make me change my mind.
I am reminded of that scene from "Top Gun" where the Air Boss is in Viper's office screaming about the fly-by. "Two of your snot-nose jockeys did a fly-by on my tower at over 400 KNOTS! I want somebody's butt, I want it now, I've HAD IT!" That was me yesterday, minus the spilled coffee.
Anyway, once I was done with my rant, and believe me, *I* would not have wanted to be on the other end of that, she calmly told me that she'd get in touch with the manager who was working on it and have her call me this morning.
No one called. I really didn't expect them to since their customer service up to this point has been less than stellar, to say the least. So I called them instead. The manager who promised me the bed couldn't be bothered to come to the phone.
Instead, Carolyn, the poor woman who is probably paid minimum wage to answer the phone and deal with irate people like me, informed me, "They will have your bed for you on April 1st. I have no idea how they intend to get it because my computer says it's unavailable, but my manager says they'll have it."
I asked, "Is it THAT bed? The style I purchased? In the right color and size?"
Carolyn: "Yes ma'am, as far as I know, it's the one you ordered..."
Me: "Because I will still take the broken one if it isn't sold and have it fixed at my own expense. I will come get it RIGHT NOW as a matter of fact. I can be there in an hour."
Carolyn: "No, ma'am, that won't be necessary. Your bed will be delivered on April 1st."
I'm not holding my breath.
