We have lived in this apartment complex now for probably six years. We pay our rent on time, rarely call maintenance, I buy and change my own furnace filters. Our oven controller has not worked since we moved in, one of five things that they were going to do. That was no problem, we don't use the oven.
A few years ago, we got a letter from the landlord, "evicted if we don't pay in a few days." We called, "Oh, we credited your amount to another Dooley that lives here."
Then a year or so later, another eviction notice. "We didn't receive your check in the mail." So, we took them up another one and received their promise, "If it shows up, we will hold on to it and see that you get it back."
In a couple of days, a call from the bank, "Overdrawn."
Then another eviction notice. They had deposited that check to the other Dooley, after accusing us of not sending the check. When we showed them where THEY had cashed the check, "Oh, we will bring a check right out to you."
Now, we got a letter from them a few days ago, "You owe us $175 from FEBRUARY." This is SEPTEMBER.
So, we showed them the letter we had received from THEM, indicating a "Credit Balance, so pay this amount." Which we did.
Next day, and still have not heard back from them. I am thankful my wife holds on to things, it is so satisfying to be able to back things up.
A few days ago, we ordered a new TV from Dell, and put it on our Dell Account.
Got an immediate Acknowledgement from Dell, order accepted, you should receive on 9/11/09. (The 9/11 should have given me a hint of a disaster ahead.)
Got a call today, from Dell, your order cannot be shipped, there is a problem with your account, (Press ONE to talk with a representative) which I did.
"Yeeeesssss, how maaaaaay I Hep you?"
A ten minute explanation, to someone in India was useless.
"Peeerhaps yu shuld taaawwwlk weeth sumone eeeen cuuustameer ssurveece."
So my wife, after pushing I don't know how many numbers on the phone, chats with customer service for a while, and hands me the phone to verify who I am. I have been receiving EMails from them for many years, we have ordered a number of items from them over the years, and they wanted me to verify my Email address, which they had as my wife's, and one she had used ten years ago.
Well, the problem is, your last payment, due to the holiday, was a day late, and we added a $25 late fee, which made your payment, .............. TWO dollars short. Can you send us the $2.00?
"OK, good, we will change your EMail address, and ship out your TV, thanks for being a Dell customer, is there anything else we can do for you today?"
I told her I hoped the two dollars would keep Dell afloat, after a few other things which expressed my bewilderment at the whole situation, and which she really didn't want to hear.
Blame it all on the computer, and Labor Day and progress and whatever else, but no one will really care.
