phone calls

What are the chances that the doctor's office called me back about that billing error? I guess I had a 50% chance of resolution, but now I would drop that to maybe 5% unless I spend a lot of time on the phone. I seem to be doing that, anyway.

After a nice, pleasant weekend away, I started again on my pile of paperwork. "Paperwork" is a general term I use for papers to be filed, shredded, responded to, calls to be made, issues to resolve, and everything else I haven't been able to satisfactorily complete.

Today I called again to follow up on the carpeting. I was told by Deb that she is waiting for a call back from the builder. I gently reminded her that she was waiting for a call back ten days ago. She said she called a second time. When asked when she called, she said she didn't write the date down. Not promising, is it? She assured me she would call again today. I really don't think all these issues with the carpeting have to do with the builder. Next call, I will request that we get started on the problems and hope the builder will do his share. I then took a few pictures of some of the problems, which are getting worse, of course.

After that encouraging start, I figured it was time to call the company that was to fix my washing machine under warranty. Anyone remember that? It has been 15 months since Phil's Service promised to order a new part, I think it was a deck, and come back and install it. It was not long after my shoulder surgery. I was told today that:

1. They no longer service Fisher-Paykel.

2. They have no idea what happened to the part that was ordered.

3. They do not know when they stopped servicing Fisher-Paykel. I found that interesting.

4. No one was available to tell me what the correct answers are to numbers one and two.

5. I must call my warranty company back and make new arrangements.

6. Someone will call me. "Sorry, that isn't working very well for me so far, is it?" I asked, patiently.

I had to finally make that call because I washed my good sheets yesterday and found grease on them. That is not a good sign for either my washer or my white sheets. I cannot do any laundry until this is resolved.

So, a 30-minute call was made to Lowe's, where I bought the appliances. Tim said he would be happy to help me. What a nice change. He wanted to know what happened to the part, also. He said Phil's is under contract and must follow through. Again, I said that wasn't working very well for me so far.

Their follow up team is to call me with in 24 hours. My money is on the follow up team calling, arranging for someone else to come out, and the part being installed long before Phil's even bothers to call me back.

While none of these calls produced any results, I have to say I was impressed with the customer service techniques from Lowe's. When he put me on hold, he asked me if I was OK with holding for a minute or two. Tim said he would be "happy to help me." At least I wasn't exhausted by the end of the call from trying to be polite but firm. He made it easy.

Maybe I have enough patience left to call the doctor's office and find out what happened with that. I am expecting nothing, so they can't disappoint me.

After all, I do find this somewhat amusing.

I might not be amused once I finally get my big girl pants on and start dealing with the builder.  I will aim for amusement. I doubt they will disappoint if I can just keep my sense of humor in place. So far, they have jarred it just a little.