Yesterday we had a new widescreen TV delivered that we purchased from Costco online for a great price. Yay!
During the timeframe earmarked for delivery, I noticed a vehicle that looked like a cross between a station wagon and a small van parked in front of our house with “Airport Shuttle -- Express Door to Door” on the window. I figured the driver was lost or something and was getting his bearings.
The doorbell rang and when I open the door the guy (he looked about 45 to 50) smiles and I was hit with a powerful whiff of what smelled like women’s cheap perfume. I knew without doubt the man was straight because no self-respecting gay man would ever wear that scent.
Assuming he was about to ask directions, he surprised me by saying (in a foreign accent), “I have your TV.”
“Oh,” I said, smiling. “Great!” At the same time, I was struck by a feeling of pity for the other delivery guy stuck in the small vehicle with him because the man honestly reeked.
And here’s the rest of our conversation:
Him: Can you help me carry it?
Me: *blink* What?
Him: I need you to help me carry it up the stairs. (ed: there are 2 flights to the front door of our house)
Me (looking for a hidden camera): You’re kidding, right?
Him: No. I am alone and I can’t get it up here by myself. Someone here must help me. You will help, yes?
Me: Seriously? (ed: I clearly don’t look like a limber 20-something woman. I’ve got an adult daughter and anyone can see that I’m past...um...38)
He nodded, giving me a blank stare.
Me: No, I can’t help you carry a TV up two flights of stairs, I have arthritis in my spine. (ed: actually, I have ankylosing spondylitis, but that would take way too long to explain--and then I thought...why the hell should I even feel the need to make an excuse to a goddamn delivery man about why I can’t help carry a heavy TV up the stairs?)
Him: Oh...what will we do?
Me: What do you mean, what will we do? You’re the delivery man, aren’t you?
Again he nodded, giving the same blank stare. The gears in my tiny brain started turning...
Me: You can bring it in through the patio door, okay?
Him: I will try.
Me: Well great, that’s just peachy...meet me there (I told him where).
Looking terrified that he might drop it, which made me terrified, the guy wheeled the boxed TV, positioned vertically on a dolly, to the patio door, which I had wide open for him. He couldn’t figure out how to get it inside. The box wavered back and forth as he made one attempt after another and I was afraid it was going to fall. I held out my hands to catch it, almost dissolving into laughter, thinking how totally surreal this all was.
Finally, he managed to get the box inside, looking very proud of himself. He asked where I wanted it and I showed him an area about two feet away. He looked chagrined.
Me: The box has openings on either side to use for handles.
Him: I will try that.
His arms weren’t long enough so it got dicey there for a while. He finally managed to get it off the dolly and onto the floor where it wavered after he set it down. I helped him drag it to a more stable position.
After debating about making a fuss and not signing for delivery, I decided to keep my mouth shut and sign for the damn thing, contacting Costco directly to make a complaint later.
They somehow knew I was calling because the customer service line was busy the rest of the day. I have yet to talk to them.
I like Costco and have been pleased with their merchandise and service in the past. This is the first time we’ve ever had anything other than a small item (that shipped via UPS) delivered. They need to know who they’re contracting with for deliveries. This was almost too unbelievable to be real. But it happened, just exactly as I posted here, without a bit of embellishment.
The good news?
One: We have our new TV. Yay!
Two: People always ask me where I get all my ideas for writing comedy. This is a perfect example of why I tell them that I need look no further than my own everyday existence. :D
Never had something like that, but yes, comedy isn't hard to find in real life, if you look for it! And Yay! New TV!
ReplyDeleteCat
Yay! :D Life can be pretty hilarious. I've found it's vastly better to laugh than cry. ;-)
DeleteWow - - I did not realize that when we pay a little less, we get this kind of customer service ( I mean delivery vise). Good for you though, at least the TV is not broken YAY !!!
ReplyDeleteYou are right, most of our experiences are worth writing about.
It was surprising to say the least! Something I had never expected from Costco. But I guess we learn something new everyday. :)
DeleteYay for a new TV that's not broken! :D
I feel bad for the delivery guy too. It sounds like maybe they should have two people to do this.
ReplyDeleteI have had bizarre experiences with Sears repair people to the point that I will never buy a Sears appliance again. One guy went to purchase a part for our washer(but only after I looked up the number in the directory for him, because he couldn't find it.) When he returned 20 minutes later without the part, he informed me that the store had confiscated his credit card so he couldn't buy the part.
Anyway, I'm glad you got your TV!
Christine
Oh my gosh, Yes, Christine--I can't imagine why they would only send one person. That's crazy!
DeleteI have to say that the delivery guy was very pleasant the entire time...just really, really clueless. LOL
Holy cow--your Sears experience is incredible! :-o
Wow, that's a story there. He's lucky to have gotten someone as patient as you. ;)
ReplyDeleteI was probably patient because I was dumbfounded! LOL
DeleteUm.. Wow. I'm thinking delivery set-up guy is NEW to the job. Clearly. He didn't know what the heck he was doing. And I can't believe you were asked to HELP him. That's just cray. What if you were in a wheelchair?
ReplyDeleteIt was just the most ridiculous thing ever. I honestly couldn't believe it when he asked me to help. The guy was definitely not a seasoned delivery man.
DeleteI have had a few deliveries where one guy wasn't enough to handle the delivery but luckily my husband was home in those cases. That always ticks me off. The company has to know what the shipment is and they need to make the proper arrangements. Costco would be hearing from me on that one.
ReplyDeleteAt least you got your TV. Once I ordered an new oven from Lowes. They came to deliver it and had forgotten to put it on the truck. It was still back at the warehouse.
Exactly. I'm sure they knew. They were just trying to save money by doing it with one guy instead of a team.
DeleteOooh! Bad Lowes experience! :-o
Oh, for heaven's sake. I've never had a delivery person request that I assist with the delivery. All the interesting people come to your door. I just get Jehovah's Witnesses who slowly back away and then run when Franklin's barking face appears in the windows.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I do tend to have one of those oddly interesting lives...which is why I'm a writer. It's a perfect fit. :D
DeleteOne question, Janie--is Franklin a dog or your significant other? In either case, he definitely sounds useful! ;-)
Wow! That's surreal. The best bit is, if you had not been able to help and he'd failed to deliver it, I bet they'd have found a way to make it your fault!
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny you said that because I'd thought the exact same thing! LOL
DeleteIsn't is unbelievable when things like this happen, lol. You just have no idea what to think, it's just so odd;)
ReplyDeleteIt really is, Launna! :-/
DeleteI used to handle those escalated customer calls through the holidays when the business would use these mom and pop 3rd party shippers. I gave refunds, lol. Ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteOh boy, Melisse, I'll bet your phone was ringing off the hook! LOL It really is ridiculous.
DeleteThis out sourcing can be a problem. I was laughing so hard, can just imaging the DUH! guy.
ReplyDeleteI swear there are such strang people out there. Like Aliens....
Merry Christmas
yvonne
You're so right, Yvonne! Merry Christmas to you too! :D
DeleteSue, Do you remember Little Huir and C.C.I. from Spanish class at Lake View? Standing at my bathroom mirror combing my hair today it came to my memory out of no place and I had to Google your name. Finding you here I wonder if you are the same Sue Dobski, the fun artistic girl who was my pal back when we were 15.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's me. :D But who are you? You didn't leave a name--and now I'll be dying of curiosity until I find out! LOL
DeleteHopefully you'll pop back over here and let me know who you are. This is too funny because I just reconnected with two other people from high school this past week!
I do remember something about C.C.I. but am drawing a blank with Little Huir.
You'll find my email address by clicking the "contact" link beneath my logo banner above. Send me an email so we can talk privately. :)