Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Carphone Warehouse: still crap

I’m a bit flat today. I think it’s because (a) I wish I was still on holiday, (b) I’m tired and have got to work till 11 tonight and (c) I’m still having problems with Carphone Warehouse. On another matter entirely now. Eventually you just can’t escape the fact that they really, really, really don’t care. I apply high standards to my job, which I believe should be the case for every job, but maybe that’s unrealistic. Maybe I should shut up and accept that in a disposable culture, good manners and service are equally disposable. (Anyone else think I sounded about 80-years-old then?!)

And talking of high standards, I should be celebrating. I’ve just had my appraisal and I “excel in most areas”. Always nice to know…

One of my office plants is desperately trying to die and I’m desperately trying to get it to live. It will be interesting to see whose will is greatest.

I joined the camping and caravanning club yesterday which for some reason made me very happy. I’ve ordered an air bed as well. My knee ached too badly on a roll mat. I’m prepared to lower my standards but when something gets between me and a good night’s sleep there’s trouble…

As you can tell, I don’t actually have anything that interesting to say. But to fair, that’s never stopped me before. But I do need to get back to work now. I may have to resort to an emergency Cadbury's cream egg to lift my spirits… I’m pretty sure 'emergency chocolate' was how we won the war…

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Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Rescue boats and tractors

Yesterday was a beautiful day, people were in shirtsleeves, the sunglasses were on… today is more overcast but still very mild. Spring is here, the grass is riz, I wonders where the birdies iz?! I first heard that as a kid and as an 8-year-old I thought it was very funny!

It’s been a great couple of days - the only dark cloud was some fucktard tailgating me Saturday night when we were coming back from a concert. It was so bad that when I braked for lights that had turned amber, he didn’t and I honestly thought he was going to go into the back of us putting myself and my partner at risk. I tried braking again and ended up going through a red light because it wasn’t safe to brake to a complete stop. Bizarrely he (yes he, sorry!) did slam on his brakes so he didn’t go through a red light although he overshot the white line. I was - and still am - shook up and angry about the whole thing.

The concert we went to see was the London Lasses (featuring Peter Quinn) – a phenomenal traditional Irish band that somehow seem to be really contemporary and make you want to be able to dance, sing and play a variety of instruments – preferably all at the same time. We really enjoyed it, although I don’t think we would go back to the Irish Centre to see a gig. People clapped loudly and were heard saying how good the band were, but there wasn’t that charged, reckless, passionate atmosphere you get with really good live music. I don’t think it was because the audience were quite a bit older either – I just think it was a combination of things that made for a strange atmosphere.

Sunday we took the dog for a romp up on the common near Downe. A fabulous place, wild and beautiful as all woods should be. The weather was glorious and we packed some nice sandwiches as well, and Pluto was as happy as a dog running through mud!

Monday I heard that my request to go down to Tower Pier and do a photo assignment on the RNLI had been approved! So I will spend the 6th April with the day-shift; going out on the water and seeing how the operation works. Incidentally what’s with this new blogger malarkey – tried adding RNLI as a link and not only does it not show, but a massive space in my links list has appeared...?

Anyway, I’ve also heard back (and you may need to sit down) from someone at Carphone Warehouse! Easy now, if you feel dizzy put your head between your knees...
My letters to the CEO worked (always go to the top) and his office passed them on to someone who seems fairly confident that he can sort out the problem. I won’t hold my breath, but seeing as this is the FIRST time they have contacted me in the three months this debacle has been going on, it is arguably, a fairly good sign!

Finally, and I do understand if this doesn’t induce quite the same level of excitement in you that it does in me, but I’m taking the family to a country show in Cambridgeshire this Saturday. I love country shows! I love the tractors, I love the dog shows, I love the market stalls, I love the shire horses, in fact, I love everything about them. We're taking my mum for mother’s day and I’m hoping the weather will be fine and clear. I would imagine I’ll be taking a few photos there as well!

With all these new pictures (I'm also doing a series of shots on Rose Garden this Wednesday) I may need to start updating my neglected flickr account...

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Thursday, March 01, 2007

Boycott Carphone Warehouse

My phone keeps getting cut off: Carphone Warehouse's (CPW) fault, not mine. They have lost a payment I made on January 16 (for my January bill). They want me to pay again. Not unreasonably I said no and faxed over my bank statement to prove that I had indeed paid the bill and that the money had left my account. I have since paid my February bill (which they managed to not lose, I suppose I should be grateful) but are still insisting I pay January's bill again. Despite them now knowing I paid for it already. Confused?! For a communication company, they really aren't very good at communicating - see below...

Dear Mr Dunstone (Chief Executive)
I am writing again – and incidentally will continue to write until this is sorted out – because my phone has been cut off again. I have just spoken to XXX; seemingly the only efficient and organised member of staff in your entire organisation who has apologised for everything that has happened to me and who seemed quite embarrassed at the situation. But to be fair, I don’t care anymore. I will be changing my contract because I want nothing more to do with CPW or O2.

- It turns out no one ever filled out a missing payments form, XXX has just done this now two months after the payment apparently went missing
- My phone, for the third time, has been cut off
- Despite my two letters, one fax, three phone calls and one email, no one has ever bothered to contact me, either to update me or to explain that my phone would be cut off
- Each time I phone I have to explain everything all over again because it appears no one is (a) taking notes and (b) following up on the investigation – in fact to all intents and purposes, the investigation is only now starting and everything I’ve been told before was a lie
- XXX can’t tell me what happened to my fax – a fax containing my bank statement with highly confidential and personal information on it

It would almost just be easier to pay twice and I’m sure that would help pay for someone’s bonus, but I won’t and I won’t let this rest either. You should be very ashamed of your company right now.

This was sent to Mr Charles Dunstone by registered post today. You see, I know they want you to shut the fuck up and put up with lousy service but I'm afraid I don't shut and do nothing very well...

If you're looking to buy something at CPW - don't. It really is more trouble than it's worth.

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