Barbie Perkins-Cooper, Author

Category: On My Soapbox!

  • The Eyes Have It – Contacts, Eye Infections, Losing Sight


    Dearest Readers:

    It is a late and wet morning for me within the City of Charleston, SC. Originally, my plans for today were to walk the dogs, afterward, I planned to walk the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge. The dampness of such a wet day has dictated that I cannot honor my plans. Deciding it is the perfect day to clean my home, I sprinkle carpet deodorizer on the carpets and relax while eating strawberry Greek yogurt and another cup of coffee. Time to write in my blog, I decide…and so…here we go!

    Today, I will discuss an important issue. A frightening experience I recently had, giving me a major scare! In early February, I awoke with a pink eye in my right eye. Strange, I thought, Before when I’ve had pink eye, aka Conjunctivitis, I’ve had pink eyes — in BOTH eyes, not one! I used eye drops. I removed my contact, tossing it in the trash. I rested my eye, covering it with a satan facial mask. I doctored it with ice cold packs. Nothing helped. Two days later, with the right eye a bit swollen, and the inability to look into anything bright, I recognized that my diagnosis of Conjunctivitis needed to be confirmed professionally, especially since now, I could not stand bright light of any type hitting the right eye. The pain was unbearable.

    Phil drove me to Nason Medical. Their diagnosis was I might have an infection in the retina. They referred me to an ophthalmologist. Early Monday Phil drove me to Mount Pleasant Ophthalmology. After many tests, the diagnosis was an eye virus. For many weeks, I returned to them twice weekly, using a variety of prescription eye drops. At first, the eye appeared to get worse. Testing my eye with the eye chart, all I saw was a blob — a white, foggy blanket, nothing more. I could not see an image at all! I was horrified. Additional prescription eye drops were prescribed. Now I was taking four eye drops throughout the day — four to five times daily. Reluctantly, I stopped wearing eye makeup.

    Due to the condition of my eye, I remained at home, afraid to go outside since the sunshine felt as if it exploded inside my right eye, and I was horrified to drive anywhere simply because I could not see properly. I managed to drive to the eye doctor visits — carefully and slowly.

    Depression sat in. During the day I cried, recognizing the tears would only aggravate my eye more. I tried to read, to catch up on a collection of magazines on my desk…how could I read them, when I really could not see the words or images? For the first time in my life, all I did was sit around and rest. No wonder I was depressed…my life was not my life anymore.

    Finally, the eye virus cleared up, only to have the cornea irritated from some of the eye drops. Still, I struggled to read the eye charts. Forget the contact, or independence now…I felt my life was that of a wilting vegetable. Cooking was a struggle since I could not see to chop vegetables… On one occasion, I almost burned the pasta. “How is it you burn pasta?” I screamed. Simple. When you cannot see what you are doing, anything can happen!

    I confess, I have taken the luxury of eye sight for granted, but not anymore. Every time I saw the doctor I asked her “when can I wear my contact again?” Her reply wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but I decided it was best to follow her advice. On one visit, she mentioned that my cornea looked like sandpaper. This condition sounded a bit too serious. I drove myself home, researched on the Internet, deciding that the information I was reading would only horrify me more. I walked to the bedroom, spoke with my dogs, threw myself on the bed and I cried like a newborn baby. My pups moved closer to comfort me. I prayed, and prayed. Dear God, please don’t let me lose my eye sight. I have so much to do and say. Please God, touch and heal my eye.

    On the next eye visit, my doctor removed me from all of the prescriptions, deciding to use natural tears, rest and a lot of TLC. Today, I am happy to report, my eye is much improved. The cornea is ‘healing well now.’ Natural tears are helping so much. My last checkup was on Monday and I’m happy to report I could actually read the eye chart! What a relief. Over the week I tested my eye, covering my left eye to see if the right eye could actually see something besides a blanket of fog. Like a little child, I recognized the beauty of green trees. Even the pollen blowing in the wind looked inviting, until I sneezed! What a relief. I could see again! Trees. Flowers. My dogs. A TV screen. The sky. The beauty of life. My eyes could see! I danced a happy dance…I CAN SEE AGAIN!

    I must see the eye doctor in two weeks, and I’m happy with that. As for my contacts? They are still in the package. I haven’t opened my last box for fear that I would weaken and let temptation get the best of me. For now, I have reading glasses on my desk — two pairs are inside my handbag…one pair is in the den. One pair in the kitchen…and one pair by my bed. Yes, I’m vain…I don’t like wearing glasses. I find them uncomfortable and a bit difficult to walk in. The strange thing about this experience with my right eye is this — since the eye is able to focus and see things again, occasionally I can actually read something without glasses, or contacts. Isn’t that strange…maybe the eye exercises I’ve been doing are helping me, along with the eye vitamins and the sheer stubbornness of this modern day feminist who refuses to allow something to knock me down for long. Funny! My Julia Sugarbaker style has returned!!!

    Eye health.

  • Treatment at Ralph H. Johnson VA Hospital — So Much Improved!


    Thursday, March 15, 2013, my husband and I had dinner with friends at a local Mexican restaurant. This has been a tradition of ours since the early 1990’s, perhaps about 1992 or so. After dinner, my husband became extremely quiet. His face was pale, almost ghostly. I asked him if he was all right. His reply, “I feel sick.”

    Arriving at another restaurant for a bit of Karaoke, my husband rushed to the men’s room. There, he stayed for such a long time I was searching for someone to see if he was OK. Moments later, he walked over to our table, a bit slumped over. I decided it was time to leave, take him home and give him a bit of TLC.

    Since I do not like trash or junk inside my car, I have one of those trash cans in the back floorboard – the type that you can roll up, or toss. My husband grabbed it. Driving home to Mt. Pleasant, sickness overtook Phil again, and again. When we got home, the continuous nausea captured him. “Ok, Phil. You’ve got two choices…One, I drive you to E-R, or I call 911. Which do you choose…it isn’t negotiable.”

    We arrived at E-R at Ralph H. Johnson VA Hospital at about 9:30 or 10pm. The time isn’t the issue…what happened and the treatment is something I truly believe I should report on, since previously I have reported about the ‘lack of care and professionalism at VA hospitals.’

    We checked in to the triage unit. Directing us to the waiting room, I grabbed my cell phone, placed it on quiet mode, anticipating I would have a significant amount of time to delete e-mails.

    “Mr. Cooper…” A nurse arrived.

    They escorted Phil back to E-R. Since it happened so quickly, I turned in the wrong direction, losing sight of my husband.

    Another nice employee stopped me. He probably noticed the lost look on my face. He did not direct me to E-R, like a Wal Mart of K Mart employee would do. This kind, sympathetic gentleman escorted me to E-R and did not leave me until I found my husband. That kind of excellent service was not to be expected. I should’ve gotten his name, but my focus at the time was my husband. He’s a heart patient, with Diabetes, PTSD and other issues, and when he is sick, believe me, nothing pleases him!

    Phil was resting in a bed, or a gurney. Who knows. His face was whiter than the sheets. A nurse was checking his vitals, asking questions and Phil groaned. Another nurse brought him something to throw up in, in the event he had to. Funny…what is it about arriving at a hospital? The nausea escaped him as quickly as it arrived!

    Blood work was ordered, additional questions asked. Vitals checked and since he was a heart patient, an EKG was ordered.  I was still amazed at how quickly the entire staff worked on and with my husband. All the questions, discussions. The EKG was fine…nothing interesting to report related to the heart. I sighed as I watched the E-R crew. I was amazed! Everyone was totally professional, appearing to care about the patients — so unlike my last experience! Dressed in scrubs, with bedside mannerisms that I certainly did not anticipate. When the blood tests arrived, my husband was diagnosed with gastroenteritis, or possible food poisoning. He was dehydrated now, so he was treated with IV’s, and other medications to ease the nausea. The IV would take a while so we knew we would be here for a bit.

    What a difference a new visit to Ralph H. Johnson VA Hospital, Charleston, SC has made. Never did I hear anything negative. The staff joked with each other, but still did their jobs. Truly customer and patient service at its finest. They appeared to be well trained to know what to do, and when and how to work with the patient. Thank you, to all of the staff at E-R, Ralph H. Johnson VA Hospital. You certainly made a long and exhausting night at E-R more than I expected. Your quality of service, on a scale of 1-10, with 10 the best — I’d give it a 10!

    Thank you so much! My husband was discharged about 1:30am. He rested all weekend and is feeling better today — all to the quality of medical service you gave him. I cannot thank you enough!

  • Holding My Breath in Anticipation that AT&T UVerse Works — This Time


    Dear Readers:

    I am pleased to report that AT&T communicated well with me this morning, sending a text stating that today is the day for your repair…then a phone call from the technician stating he would be at the house within 20 minutes. He was scheduled between the hours of 12-4pm. He arrived a few minutes before 12, which was great!

    The technician – I think his name was Mike, was most professional, walked inside, got to work to inspect and solve the problem. Apparently the phone and modem were connected together and at times I suppose they ‘over communicated.’ Don’t ask me. I’m a writer, not a computer technician. When I have difficulties with my computers, I contact my husband.

    No, my husband did not connect our UVerse. That was performed while I was so sick, and I could not even describe who came to our home then. My husband was home — attempting to take care of a most sick wife, the psychotic babies that live here — our pups, and he had to be here to let the installer for UVerse inside the house. I do recall they had to install fiber optics, and the rest is a total fog.

    All I know is that installation and UVerse is when the problems started. In December, I recall attempting to use the landline phone only to discover it was ‘dead.’ I didn’t call about that. You must remember, during that time, I was useless to everyone — especially to myself. So happy that I am well now, and let us hope UVerse is well.

    I look over at the modem, all the green lights are working, and there appears to be a gray box just a bit from it. Also, we have a new phone jack now, so the phone can be connected – apart from the modem.

    Don’t ask me the details! All I truly care about is that my landline phone appears to be working — for now. I’ll not have confidence in it until I use it to call my dearest friend in North Carolina. Every time we attempted to chat recently, either the phone would make a noise, or her voice would fade away – only to return mid sentence. I lost all confidence in UVerse then, especially when I would disconnect, to phone her again — only to either get a loud ‘fax’ noise, a bunch of busy signals, or a recording that her phone was no longer working. Duh! Do they think I have no intelligence and actually believe these recordings? Her phone was working only moments ago, when I phoned her! I suppose all of this technology is computer generated, so who knows if the problems are solved.

    As for me — I do hope the problems and headaches I’ve tolerated with AT&T UVerse and ‘bundling’ are resolved. I want to be a nice person on the phone — not someone who wishes she could slip her hands inside the phone system to choke the next customer service rep I spoke with. My hats go off to AT&T customer service reps. They are always so courteous to me. I was to the point that if one more of them said to me, “Yes, Ms. Cooper, I understand your frustration and I am here to resolve it for you…’ I was about ready to let the monster raging inside of me go on the attack — and I am not a violent person! ‘Calm down, Barbie. Inhale. Exhale. Breathe in. Breathe out!’ Sometimes yoga and meditation makes one want to do fooling things! ‘Inhale. Exhale.’ There. I feel better now, while I chew on my fingernails — something I never do!

    So, let us hope the headaches with AT&T UVerse are resolved and I’ll not have to see any more technicians come to my home.

    I think the beach is calling my name, or perhaps walking the bridge again — with one exception –it is so brisk and windy today, I doubt I could do either, and so I write…and I attempt to get the clutter from my office area demolished, shredded, or packed away.

    Hello, AT&T — thank you so much for your customer service today. Let us hope this chapter of my life is closed so I may adventure into some fun and relaxing adventures!

    I am so ready for some fun!

  • AT&T Still SUCKS


    Hello, Readers:

    Yes, it is me. Barbie Perkins-Cooper –once again stepping into the shoes of Julia Sugarbaker to inform my reading public about AT&T UVerse!

    IF you are even considering ‘hooking up’ with AT&T for ‘bundling’ or UVerse think twice. I have been on the phone with them AGAIN after my landline UVerse went out again.

    Now, I have an additional credit on my phone. Whoopee!

    Tomorrow, dispatch is scheduled to visit my home again — oh joy — just like they were scheduled last week and failed to show because “Dispatch was cancelled since AT&T is having technical problems.” I let them know they better show this time, or they will deal with me once again, and this time — well, Hell have no fury like a woman scorned! And Yes, I have caps on in this paragraph for a reason — I am so annoyed.

    How I wish my husband had not decided to switch to the ‘bundling with AT&T while I was so sick. That is something I can’t change, but I can certainly let my readers know about my experience.

    Hello, AT&T — yes, this is Barbie Perkins-Cooper, reporting once again about the disservice I am getting with your new toy — UVerse! Why don’t you fix it? I am sick of calling you daily to report “my phone or Internet doesn’t work — AGAIN!

    What ever happened to customer service in America? At least AT&T customer service reps handle the situation well.

    Let’s just say — the Julia Sugarbaker in me kicked in again — and this time, she is ramming the newsstand just to get her point across!

    I can only imagine how many landline business calls I am missing since UVerse chose to have these ridiculous problems again. This is getting to be a daily adventure for me.

    Readers, stay tuned! The adventures of UVerse is coming to a city near you. Let us hope and pray you have a landline and an Internet that really works! I don’t like working or playing with ‘big boy toys,’ and that is all that UVerse is. If I had to critique it or grade it — it would get a BIG F. On a scale of 1 to 10 with ten being the absolutely worst — AT&T gets 10, and that is not good!

    AT&T are you listening?

  • Hello, AT&T UVerse — Are You Listening???


    How am I doing this morning, questions Facebook. Are you certain you want an answer, FB? OK — here goes. Got up early after battling sleep – tired, but ready to check e-mail and surf the net for research purposes. You’ll never guess what I discovered! The wonderful — ever so dependable (NOT) DEPENDABLE — more like Pony Express dependability— UVERSE is not working AGAIN! I did all the diagnostic testing I could do. I phoned the catalog of phone numbers I am collecting — using my IPhone since the ever dependable land line is NOT WORKING AGAIN!

    By the time I connect with a rep, I am touched by her professional mannerism and ability to assist someone who is more like a displeased Julia Sugarbaker than the classy lady I always prefer being. You must understand — this is at least the sixth or seventh time I’ve dealt with these issues in the past week, and that does not include the days of no phone service when I was so sick — during December and early January. During those weeks, my head was a fog of illness and no one wanted to speak with me! Trust me, I am not a nice Steel Magnolia when I’m sick! Just don’t cross my path!

    Since we’ve had so many issues with UVerse, I supposedly have a credit on my UVerse bill, although I haven’t received the bill yet. Shouldn’t I be compensated for my time. Aren’t my skills, frustrations and professionalism worthy? Maybe not. I’m still just a bit P-O’d!

    For now, if someone asked me how I liked the ‘bundling plan’ with AT&T, I would say — RUN don’t walk away, and don’t EVEN consider bundling. Just cancel your landline and be thankful for cell phones!

    If someone asked me how I liked UVerse…I would probably step into the shoes of Julia Sugarbaker and say —

    “How do I like UVerse? You are truly asking me for my opinion of how I like UVerse?”

    “Well…let’s just say, UVerse appears to take a landline to a part of the Universe that has only barbarian lifestyles and not the lifestyle I am accustomed to living in the Twenty-first Century! UVerse appears to not work, more than it works…and when you book an appointment for dispatch to come to your home, while you wait…and Wait…anD WAIT…when you finally call them after waiting for four hours, you are told that “there have been a few problems within the Southeast, and all dispatch was cancelled for today…”

    Not even the courtesy of a phone call? No one had the decency to phone? “Not even an intern? Excuse me, I thought this was the computer era, where computers generate telephone calls to us during intimate hours…during hours where we are sitting with our families having dinner…during additional hours where we are attempting to relax, take a refreshing bath, or during times when we simply want privacy…and now you tell me that no one had the decency to phone my cell phone to let me know that NO ONE is coming to my home today, to repair these issues? My phone is still dead. Thank God I have a cell phone…Do I make myself clear, AT&T?”

    This morning, I was so ready for them, but when the nice, courteous, professional customer service rep spoke, my demeanor changed — immediately. I suppose it is true, and I have practiced this all of my life — “Kill with kindness.”

    AT&T has truly pushed my buttons lately, while I still collect e-mails with instructions of what to do — those e-mails failed to work this morning. Resetting the modem three times before calling failed to work…and I am supposed to be kind?

    And I ask you, UVerse, how is it that when I finally get the right person to speak with, she directs me to ‘reset the modem…’

    My reply, “I’ve done that three times so far. It hasn’t worked.”

    “Let’s try it once more.”

    OK — I place the cell phone down. Disconnect the modem, count to ten, and then to fifteen, reconnect the modem, and the bloody thing decides to work. I check the speaker of my land line…It works.

    OK — so let’s face it. Phones were created by Alexander Graham Bell — a man. Computers were created by a male dominated population, and of course, if you ask “Gore” the Internet was created by him. So, it’s obvious…this type of technology doesn’t like women!

    Who cares, I say — at least the stupid technology is working for now. How Long? Good question…maybe I’ll ask a man to respond, just to see how he will react.

    On second thought –maybe I’ll get a nice cup of coffee, read the local newspaper — The Post and Courier, and look for the typos and grammar imperfections! Now, that’s an idea!

     

  • Sears — Customer Services for Appliance Repairs — NEEDS MAJOR IMPROVEMENT!


    Last week, I fought with my Kenmore front load washing machine for much too long. I kept getting an “OE” error. I followed the instructions to the letter, cleaning the dust and lint from the areas suggested; nevertheless, each time I tried to use the machine it refused to drain or spin. My husband, a computer engineer, checked the unit too — several times! Reluctantly, I phoned the toll-free number to request repair service.

    When I finally got a person on the phone, he apologized and performed what he needed to do to book a date for my dilemma. I confess, I was expecting to hear that a service person could be out soon. What I got was a shock to me! My history with Sears hasn’t been a good one, starting with their lack of professionalism and delivery etiquette when I purchased my Samsung French door refrigerator from Sears. Silly me, I thought Sears would adhere to the customer service they practiced many years ago, when my parents and grandparents only purchased items from Sears. Yes, like all things in life, Sears has changed — not necessarily for the better! Those who follow my blog probably remember the issues I had with the delivery of my refrigerator. It got so bad that the customer service rep that resolved the problems stated he would send me a $100 gift card for my grievance with them. Funny, that gift card never arrived!

    Back to the phone conversation I had to schedule my washing machine repair. After holding on the phone for a bit, the customer service rep returned, telling me that ‘the first available date for someone to come to my home to check the washer would be Wednesday, January 23, 2013’ — exactly eight days away!

    I gasped. “Eight days?” You mean to tell me I must wait eight days to get someone here to check and drain the washing machine? Eight days to have soaking, sopping laundry on my floor since it cannot spin the water out or drain? Eight days? Totally unacceptable!”

    Without a doubt, my Julia Sugarbaker style was kicking in!

    “Excuse me,” I said. “Do you not understand my situation? I have water on my laundry room floor from clothing I had to personally ring out with my hands, just to get it ready to throw into the dryer. Eight days is not acceptable. Something must be done!”

    “Sorry, but we have no appointments in your area until eight days from now.”

    Furious, I asked for a supervisor. No surprise there — no one was available.

    “Then you must have additional phone numbers I can call.”

    He shared two phone numbers. To say the least, Sears and I were not seeing eye-to-eye and I was ready to have my way with them — most diplomatically, Julia Sugarbaker style! When will Sears learn? You do not mess with a Steel Magnolia and when we, the customers purchase items, we are always encouraged to purchase additional warranties. For what — I ask you? For the customer to be inconvenienced until a ‘technician is in my area?’

    The next morning, I had two cups of coffee, ready and able to share my thoughts with Sears. No doubt, I was not hanging up until someone assisted me with a suitable appointment — not eight days away!

    The first phone call begins:

    “Hello, Sears. Yes, this is Barbie Perkins-Cooper. I have purchased many appliances through Sears, with exception of my stove. Yesterday my front loading washer refused to drain and spin so I requested service. I was told that the “earliest available appointment in my area would be on January 23 — eight days from now.” This is totally unacceptable and I need someone to reschedule for today, or at the latest tomorrow.”

    I was put on hold — then the phone disconnected!

    This scenario continued for four phone calls — each time I got a new person and had to play my speech over and over again. Each time, I was disconnected and no one had the courage or customer service skills to return the phone call. There was no acceptable excuse there because each rep had my phone number!

    The fifth time I phoned, my nerves were really frazzled. “Yes, hello, Sears. I hope your day is going well because this is the fifth time I’ve phoned to reschedule an appointment to repair my washer, and EACH TIME I’ve been placed on hold then disconnected. Please do not suggest that you need to place me on hold. If I have to phone again – I will probably seek additional means to resolve this issue. Sears, do I make myself clear?

    The customer service rep apologized for my lack of service and said she would see how she could please me today. I laughed.

    “Please me? Let’s just resolve the issues. I need my washer serviced and I will not accept that it will be eight days before a service technician can get to me. I was told that “there was no appointment in my area now. Again, I say, this is totally unacceptable!”

    The conversation continued, but this time the customer service rep was a bit more understanding.

    “I do need to place you on hold to see what I can do.”

    “Oh please! I’ll just be disconnected again — for the fifth time!”

    Reluctantly, I held — the phone clicked — disconnected for the fifth time.”

    Now, I was really — do I say it — no, I think I’ll still be diplomatic, only this time if I have to go to the highest Sears tower, I will get my Way!!!

    I redialed the phone number. My phone clicked with call waiting. I answered. The customer service rep was calling me — the first one to have such customer service skills.

    Immediately she apologized, then she said she had found ‘a technician in my area and he could be at my home today!’

    Imagine that! Sears was mistaken when they said there was ‘no appointment in my area until eight days from now.’ Were they lying to me? I think so! Rule number one of customer service skills — never lie to or deceive a customer! It’s a pity that Sears does not practice what they preach, nor do they provide the warranty customer service they always push on the customer — of course, for an additional fee!

    I thanked “Aver, the customer service rep,” and I waited for the technician to arrive. Within fifteen minutes, Greg, a Sears Blue Service Crew Technician arrived. He examined my washer, discovering that the pump was clogged with sand. He cleaned it, drained the water and was on his way to the next customer in less than one hour.

    Imagine that! I cannot help being curious to customers who do accept Sears customer service, along with ‘scheduled appointments in the area.’ Perhaps the customer service reps are programmed to schedule with inconvenience in mind. Perhaps they do not anticipate someone refusing to accept these comments and schedules. Perhaps Sears does not remember that Southern belles still exist, and I am not one. Southern belles might accept whatever Sears expresses. Steel magnolias — and I am most definitely described as a Steel Magnolia, do not accept this type of behavior. We sit back, think and reevaluate, while knowing that this type of customer service is not acceptable — and then — we get even, refusing to be pushed aside. We, the Steel Magnolias of the Twenty-First Century, do all that we can to get our way — not because we want to be selfish or demanding — we want to be treated like we are preferred customers. We are accustomed to being treated with respect, because we deserve it and demand it. The Julia Sugarbaker Steel Magnolia knows how to be diplomatic, charming, and ever so ever determined to get what we deserve. As for Sears, we deserve preferred customer service where we are treated with respect. While it took a bit of persuasion with Sears, I did achieve my goals, never doubting that something couldn’t be done. The excuse/fabrication/lie of “There is no appointment in your area until…”
    was truly something I was not promised when I made my purchases. Just what would happen to the customer who has a refrigerator that is not working. Would they actually be told that it would take ‘eight days’ to get it repaired?

    Sears — you really need to improve your customer service.

    Later that afternoon, while washing laundry, I got an e-mail from Sears. A survey! Oh, let’s just say, Julia Sugarbaker truly kicked in. My motto is, if you do not want my opinion — do not ask! Let’s just say, the survey I completed — on a scale of 1 – 10, with 10 being the worst — Sears flunked — BIG TIME!

    “Hello, Sears, yes…this is Barbie Perkins-Cooper reporting about your service…You failed!”

    Regarding the technician — Greg — he was fabulous! He is a Sears Blue Service Crew Technician. The back of his card reads:

    “Tell us how the crew did:

    1. Did we treat your home with care? YES

    2. Did we treat you as a valued customer? YES

    3. Did we explain the cost and repair? There was no cost — I still have a paid warranty, but he did explain the repair.

    4. Did we look and act professional? YES

    5. Die we offer other products/services?  I IMAGINE HE WAS FOREWARNED ABOUT THE CUSTOMER — AND HER TENACITY!

    6. Did we provide service you’d recommend?” NO. ABSOLUTELY NOT UNTIL JULIA SUGARBAKER SPOKE.

    On the phone, I shared that I would never buy another product from Sears. It isn’t worth the hassle!

    I have no faith in Sears anymore, especially after they promised to ‘send me a $100 gift card for the inconvenience of getting my refrigerator delivered” — I think it was two or three years ago. Perhaps that gift card was sent via pony express since Sears customer service refuses to move into the Twenty-first Century!

     

  • My Apologies For the New Year and Beyond!


    To those who read my blog on a regular basis, I would like to apologize for being a bit slack during November and December. My goal is to post on a regular basis, especially about subjects that get under my skin, or subjects I find newsworthy.

    Since late October, I have been ill and that is why I haven’t been writing on a regular basis. If you are my readers, I do hope you will choose to return when I post on a regular basis.

    To date, I’m hesitant to say I am getting well. It seems that every time I said that during the three months mentioned, I would only get worse again. I was diagnosed with ‘possible walking pneumonia – perhaps,’ only to get worse after taking the Z-pack. Returning to another doctor, I was diagnosed with ‘extreme congestion –deep in the bronchial tubes.’ According to this doctor I did not have pneumonia — yet! Thank goodness this doctor had the intelligence to request a chest x-ray. After another expensive batch of prescribed medications, I do appear to be improving; nevertheless, I am extremely weak. Walking around downtown Charleston today has left me completely exhausted and normally I can walk without exhaustion.

    So, my faithful readers, I do hope you will continue visiting my blog and as soon as I am able to work with a bit of strength again, I will keep you supplied with newsworthy topics, issues that ‘get under my skin’ and other details, from a writer’s perspective. Meanwhile, I wish you a wonderful, healthy and prosperous New Year, 2013. It is unfortunate that my year has started with such illness. For now, I am moving forward in hopes all in Charleston, SC will stop getting so ill with viruses, the flu and other germs that I certainly do not wish to breathe or catch. I’ve had enough illness to last a while. Let us all toast the new year with health and positive thoughts!

  • November 6, 2012 — Election Day in America Please Vote!


    We are only hours away from Election Day in America. As a woman, I sincerely take my right and privilege to vote as something serious. While I will not say what party I am — neither a Democrat, nor a Republican — I have voted every election since I was eighteen years of age. When I get phone calls reminding me to vote — and this year — there have been too many — I answer without revealing who I will vote for.

    Why?

    My right to vote, and who I vote for is no one’s business…not even my husband’s business!

    I walk into the voting booth, ready — with a print out of who I am voting for, and when I get home, I shred it!

    American women fought for years for the right to vote. Still, I don’t understand what those foolish, insensitive men were thinking when they wrote the Constitution. How dare them to leave women out. And I don’t understand why their wives failed to express — but what about us…the Women??? Men of the “Good Ole Boys” generation fought for women not to vote. After all…those neurotic, self-righteous males wanted to ‘keep their women home…with the children…perhaps barefoot and pregnant…after all…all decent women belong in the home…’ and all of those ridiculous clichés! Sounds familiar, especially if you are from the South! How I wish I would’ve been a fly on the wall then…I would’ve made certain those cigar smoking, disgusting males of that generation would’ve accidentally set fire to the Constitution!  How dare them not to consider the Rights of Women!

    Fortunately, in the 1920’s — passed by Congress on June 4, 1919, ratified on August 18, 1920, American women were granted the privilege to vote. http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=63 When I read about this in American History I questioned why women were not allowed to vote until that date. It infuriated me that men actually thought they were so superior that we, THE WOMEN OF AMERICA…the ones who hold the family together…birth the children…and for the most part still in the Twenty-first Century, rear the children, organize and manage the homes and in many corporations, run many aspects of Corporate America, are still not appreciated for all that we do…as a child, I simply could not understand why women were not equal.

    Now, older, and perhaps a lot wiser, I’ve recognized that Women are still striving to get our rights. I confess, I live with and am married to a macho man…there are so many times he ruffles my feathers…and when he does…I am the first to stand up to him and let her rip…Julia Sugarbaker Style! No, I’ve never burned my bra…but I will step on my soapbox whenever men, women, or issues ruffle my feathers!

    So, now, if you are an American woman, reading this on Election Day…please…do your civic duty…stand up and be heard.

    There are so many people who actually say something to the effect of: “My vote doesn’t count…it’s the Electoral Vote that matters… “Perhaps…but I fully believe it is our duty…our freedom to express and vote for who we believe will be strong leaders for the United States of America. If we do not vote, we should not complain…criticize…or make fun of our elected officials. The time is now to stand up and say, “Yes…I will vote…” You do not have to share who you voted for. I will not ask. And please provide the same courtesy to me. I will admit, I do not discuss politics or religion with my friends. I learned that lesson before I started voting! Yes, I am proud to say – to shout from the rooftops – I am woman! HEAR ME ROAR!

    It is my right to vote for the person I BELIEVE will do the best job. It is your civic duty to do the same…especially IF you are  A WOMAN… HEAR ME ROAR!

    I look forward to the day when a Woman will Run For the President of the United States and she will win! No, I wouldn’t vote for a woman simply because she is a woman, but there have been many women bosses I have known that would make a great candidate! I am one of the people who actually evaluate the issues…I make a pro and con list, I do lots of research and I have my decisions made when I walk into the voting booth. Who am I voting for? I’ll keep that opinion to myself! Just Vote!!!

    PLEASE VOTE — NOVEMBER 6, 2012!

     

  • What is The Deal With the Do Not Call List???


    I suppose I will start writing all of these phone calls down…I am definitely getting tired of my phone ringing, almost off the hook. Yesterday, we had about six phone calls from telemarketers. Today, I have answered the phone four times at 10am Eastern Time. Only one call was from my husband, the rest — the bloody telemarketers.

    I’ve won a free cruise. Joy! I’ve won a free alarm system for my home. Joy Two! I’ve won a free recipe book. Joy Three! I have a library filled with cook books. Don’t need anymore! Another phone call was from a fraternity for police officers. They are non-profit, so they are exempt from the Do Not Call List.

    We signed up for the Do Not Call List when it was developed. Every year, I upgrade our phone numbers on the list, and still I get this idiotic phone calls. I’ve been diplomatic. I’ve been firm, and on many occasions, my Julia Sugarbaker style kicks in. Oh, and I must not forget the thousands of phone calls from “Rachel.” The conversation is an automated one where she states something to the effect of:

    “Hi this is Rachel. This is my final phone call to you to let you know you can save money on your credit cards. Now don’t hang up…”

    I’ve blocked her number. What does idiotic Rachel do? She uses a different number and almost daily I get a phone call from Rachel! I want to choke Rachel!

    Just what do we, as consumers who are sick and damned tired of these revolting, annoying phone calls do? Yesterday, when I answered a friendly voice responded, “Hi. My name is…”

    I interrupted her. “Oh, let me guess. You are a telemarketer telling me about an exciting cruise, or an alarm system, or a lower credit card rate…So tell me…not that I really care, but WHAT IS YOUR NAME?”

    She hung up. I suppose she got the message. My husband heard that conversation, telling me I was so rude. I turned towards him.

    “That’s it. Next time the phone rings, you can answer it! I’m done with these idiotic, rude, and just a little too friendly and pushy telemarketers! Have at it, Phil. You can fall for their tricks of the trade.”

    The phone rang six times that day. I think Phil got the message…He doesn’t jump to answer the phone anymore and neither do I!

    Hello, Rachel…I’m certain I’ll hear from you again, only this time — I have a nice message for you! May the sun set and may you lose the ability to ever speak or dial a phone number ever again! Of course, I’m not stupid or naive enough to believe that Rachel is a real person. She is an automated voice recording and I hope and pray that soon Rachel will be retired — FOREVER!

    So much for the Do Not Call List!

  • Sirius XM Radio Sent Me a Survey!


    Recently you requested personal assistance from SIRIUS XM.

    Below is a summary of your request and our response.

     Subject
    Sirius   XM Requests Your Feedback
       
     Response   To Your Inquiry (SiriusXM Customer Care)

    08/02/2012 11:35 PM
    Dear   Ms. Cooper,

    Thank you for contacting SiriusXM regarding your Customer Care experience.

    Please accept our sincere apology for the previous encounter over the phone   and we hope that this incident will not permanently affect our partnership.   Our objective is to provide excellent service to all our subscribers and our   Listener Care Representatives are adequately trained to assist customers with   the issues. We are saddened to learn that you were not pleased with the   service you received, but we can assure you that our representatives will   convey the Company’s guidelines in a polite and friendly manner. Please keep   in mind that your concern is a priority and we value you as a customer.

    We guarantee you that our team does not take pleasure in embarrassing or   distressing a customer. All of our customers are appreciated and each   subscriber plays an active role in the growth of SiriusXM. This issue will be   forwarded to the relevant department and your concerns will be investigated.   This will, hopefully, further enhance the service which we provide.

    We hope you continue to enjoy SiriusXM’s commercial-free music and   entertainment programming. We are committed to providing you with the best in   listener care. If you have any questions, feel free to reply to this email.   You can always manage your account online 24/7 by clicking
    www.siriusxm.com/myaccount

    Thank you,

    Rose
    SiriusXM Listener Care

    My reply:

    Thank you for the reply, Rose. Never is it easy to inquire about anything with Sirius XM Radio, but this experience was truly something that annoyed me to the highest!

    If you, Or Anyone, check our records you will note my husband DID have an account for his 2008 Jeep, but it WAS moved into my account when I activated my new car, after the three months of free service, on, or before June 4, 2012.

    My husband, Phillip DID HAVE AN ACCOUNT. His account was paid thru his debit card until May of this year. How all of this got so confusing and incorrect is beyond me. No, I did not get the names of the people who spoke with me. Besides, they ARE ALWAYS from India, the Philippines, or somewhere else and it is difficult to understand MOST of them. If my husband didn’t have an account, may I inquire as to HOW HE GOT SERVICE AND WAS ABLE TO PLAY SIRIUS RADIO BEFORE I ACTIVATED MINE???

    Yes, I am frustrated. My husband should not have to ‘deactivate’ his radio…go to channel 1 – which does not exist – and I should not be inconvenienced any longer. To be honest, I am seriously considering deactivating mine, just to make a statement.

    Whatever happened to customer service in America? And – why can’t we as Americans speak with customer service reps that are in America, not outsourced to another country, with broken English who refuse to service us with a pleasant attitude. The real kicker was when He demanded to speak to my husband. I am not a second class citizen in America…I am an American woman who can communicate, either via phone, or with my words.

    Thank you!

    Barbie Perkins-Cooper