What a day!

It seemed like all we did yesterday was run or stand. Leighlyn's first track meet was in Lakin yesterday. Stan was able to take off from work at about 2:30, we picked up Abigayle and headed out. Shortly after the meet had begun, thunder, followed by rain, began. Many of us ran under the stadium for shelter. Some ran into the school. We all huddled together. Sometimes, we had to move around to drier locations. To say that this was not a comfortable situation goes unsaid. Eventually, the rain paused and the meet resumed. It seemed to last FOREVER! The great thing about the meet was that I got to spend a couple of hours visiting with my long-lost cousin from Johnson! It was great getting to catch up with her!!! Unfortunately, my rheumatoid arthritis in my back got to be just too painful. At that point, we returned to our van and sat out the duration of Leighlyn's events.

We made a side trip to Garden City before the meet so that we could exchange an item. I prefer not to name the item here right now. It was a product that we had used frequently and just loved--until a couple of weeks ago. I had taken it to someone else's house and used it there. It was just fantastic! Brought it home and tried to use it the very next morning--nothing. Stan thought that there was a minor problem that he could fix. Hmmm...he was wrong. So I called the Wal-Mart store where we had purchased it in October or November. Of course, I had thrown away the receipt. Grrr... They told me that because of that, they could not help us. The lady recommended that I call the company that had manufactured the product...

Now, let me tell you that that was nothing but a farce! I went to their website to get their contact information. That was simple enough. First off, I called their phone number. A man answered--in INDIA!!! To say that he was difficult to understand was a major understatement! I don't know who was more frustrated from the conversation, him or me. For 30 minutes, we wasted the entire time!

Next, I emailed the problem, etc to their email address. That was over 2 weeks ago now and I have yet to receive a response. Now this is a product that we used very frequently. It definitely helps with our allergies so I needed to get something doon sooner than later! I went back to the website on Wednesday. This time, it had been changed. No longer was their phone number listed. In its place, was a place where you could "chat" with one of their representatives--or a computer, I don't know which. Again, I was disappointed. After wasting about half an hour again, I was finally given another phone number to call. I called it immediately. I finally reached a woman whom spoke very good English. Finally, I THOUGHT that progress would be made! Wrong!!!

This woman appeared to have as much personality that was likeable as an empty cardboard box... She asked me if I still had the receipt. I told her that I did not. To "punish me", I needed to send the company a check or money order for $27.00 along with the product. Once it had arrived, their repair department would go through it to see if it could be repaired or not. That would take approximately 6 to 8 weeks. IF it could be fixed, they would decide if the problem was theirs or ours. If it was our problem, we would be charged for any labor and/or parts necessary. Ugh...

Now if it was determined that the machine could not be repaired. a new machine would be sent to us. In addition to the 6-8 weeks that it took to decide what the problem was, an extra 1 to 2 weeks would be added on!!! To say that I was thoroughly disgusted by this time was another understatement.

After all of this, I called Stan to tell him. He was not happy either. He told me to throw away the product and that he would buy a new one for me. This machine cost $149.94. I don't know about you, but for me, $150.00 is a lot of money to just waste on a few months. I had one other thing that I was going to try before I lugged the broken down item to the alley. I decided to call a manager of Garden City's Wal-Mart directly. If I was still not able to get anywhere with this issue, I would simply put it to bed by throwing away the product.

I called the store and asked the operator to send my call to someone from the management department. Within a few seconds, I was talking to one of the managers. I explained my problem in great deal from the time that the machine had worked perfectly at the friend's house until that day when I had called the product's factory directly. She knew that by this time, I was totally aggravated. The manager could not have been any nicer or more professional! She explained that the customer service managers must follow Wal-Mart's policies to the letter. I so understood that. But the managers are able to override those policies whenever necessary. She asked me to bring the broken model to the store and to ask for her or another lady in her department.

So, yesterday, we took the machine to the customer service counter. I asked to speak to one of the two managers whom I was instructed to visit with. The manager came right to the counter and traded a brand new machine for our old one. FINALLY, this ordeal was over and done with!!! We have a brand new machine and they have the old one that they can send back to the factory.

My advice to you is this:

1. SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS for at least 6-8 months!!!

2. If you have the option to purchase the product warranty from the store, BUY IT!

3. If you are like me and had reached the end of your rope in a similar situation, go to the management leaders at the store to see if there is something that they can do to assist you.

Anyway, I just really want you to know that the management team at the Wal-Mart Store in Garden City is composed of people whom are just as human as you and me and will help whenever possible... Thank you, S and D!!!!!!!!!

VLE-B