Kenobi wants me to read to him...no can do.

If there is one thing that I am very passionate about these days it’s customer service and my nook. Interestingly enough, this morning I experienced a combination of those two things that left a bad taste in my mouth. Allow me to precede this anecdote with this disclaimer: I tell this story not as a retaliation against Barnes and Noble, but as a warning to their current and future customers. I also write in hopes that a Barnes and Noble employee who cares about the company’s reputation and quality of service might read this and be a catalyst in the re-vamping of their customer service procedures.

Customer service is a big deal. Especially for women. A woman is likely to not buy a product or not shop with a certain company based on customer service experiences. Seeing as how women hold most of the (consumer) purchasing power in the world (As we learned from Bridget Brennan’s book Why She Buys), it’s in a company’s best interest to give this girl what she wants.

Remember how excited I was last week when I wrote this post and this post singing the praises of my new nook? Well this morning I woke up to find that my new nook was unresponsive. Not even 30 days old and the little guy is already defective– not off to a good start Barnes and Noble! I am a smart girl and rather than drive to the nearest Barnes and Noble, I did a little research and a little troubleshooting and then some more troubleshooting. I had no luck. Yet I refrained from driving to the nearest Barnes and Noble. I already knew due to a recent encounter with a store manager that you have a grand total of 14 days to return or exchange your Barnes and Noble products and that manufacturer’s warranties are not honored in the store. With that said, I called nook tech support.

While on the phone with tech support I heard the following nonsense

• You already returned this product (Oh really?)
• We’ll send you a new battery (After troubleshooting proved that the battery was not the problem!)
• Best Buy’s policies are different (After I asked why another company was more willing to stand behind the nook–Barnes and Noble’s own product!–than they are. Great defense of your policies, buddy.)

Three strikes.

I waited 18 minutes to speak with a supervisor. I explained to him why it couldn’t be the battery. (Side note: he was not friendly at all AND he had the audacity to treat me like I was some pesky child, rather than a customer who just spent $300 on their product.) Said supervisor agreed to send me a new nook– that’s right 28 days after purchase they have to mail me a new product rather than exchange it in store!  I put down my weapons (this is definitely a metaphor, as I was very patient and polite throughout this entire debacle) and agreed to follow their exchange procedure.

Unfortunately, it was not that easy. I mentioned earlier that according to Barnes and Noble’s records I had returned the product. (Hm…seems like their return/exchange people in the stores aren’t doing a very good job, if I returned my nook, but still have it here in my hands!) Fortunately for me, my years as a customer service rep came in handy and I recognized that the confusion was due to the fact that I had been given the difference in price, when the price of the nook came down and it had been keyed as a return. (You would think that with as much market share as a company like Barnes and Noble has, they would have a more efficient “system” and I wouldn’t be the one telling them why it was showing up as a return.) Because of this “price match” my exchange required some kind of authorization that cannot be completed for a day or two.

Decompression.

I understand that stores have return policies (though the average return policy, even for consumer electronics, is 30 days and the standard is set by big box retailers such as Walmart and Best Buy).

I understand that electronics are produced in bulk and it’s inevitable that they won’t all function as they are supposed to.

I don’t understand why a company would want to send me a battery, if the battery is clearly not the problem. (Even if it prolongs the exchange of the product–the exchange is inevitable, the prolongation only frustrates the customer.)

I don’t understand why a company with as much market share as Barnes and Noble would not invest in a better “system” (oh the infamous “system”!). It would increase the quality of their customer service ten fold.

I don’t understand why Barnes and Noble would not train their employees (and supervisors!) to be friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.

And maybe I’m a bit biased due to my 4-year career as a customer service rep, but if I had purchased it at Best Buy, I would have been able to exchange my nook for a brand new one on the 28th day (Even if it was working!)

I’m still singing the praises of the nook, but Barnes and Noble’s customer service leaves something to be desired. Unfortunately for Barnes and Noble, you can make as many great products as you’d like, but if you’re not willing or able to resolve a woman’s problem quickly, efficiently and with a great attitude, you may find that she is going to share her negative experience with 500 of her closest friends.

The stress of job searching got to me. The financial shakiness is still more than I can handle, but I’m learning as the days go by.

I waited and waited to bring good news to this blog. I was hoping I could make two exciting announcements, but for now I only have one. I started my graduate program last week. I was planning on making a big deal out of the fact that I was accepted. Maybe decorating the blog with a few balloons. But before I knew it, school started and I still didn’t have that second exciting announcement. (You know, the announcement where some fortune 500 company offered me an incredible job and agreed to be flexible with my school schedule.) and so here I am. My second day of class is tonight. I already have a test (and I submitted two article reviews this past Sunday) and I have failed in my “career” as a blogger.

I foresee this blog taking a turn for the more stressful things in life. Like chasing education and chasing careers. I can’t make any promises about regular posting, but I would love some advice from those of you who don’t abandon your blogs for 6 to 8 weeks at a time. Until next time where we discuss my mini-career as a wedding planner and (if I have time) the services industry.

I’ll admit that having all of these guest bloggers imparting their wisdom on my blog has made me a bit lazy when it comes to the blogosphere.

I would love to provide you with a photo-update of the apartment garden, I don’t have any photos [yet]. But as a teaser, I will have you know that the basil is in full bloom.  While this means that it’s healthy, it also means that I pluck those pesky little white flowers from it’s tiny little leaves on a daily basis. More on this later.

Also soon to grace this blog is my upcoming visit to Winter Park, Florida’s only gastropub, The Ravenous Pig.

Well enough of me telling you about what you will eventually see here. I need to get some photos taken and share the wealth! In the meantime, check out what’s on the menu tonight!

Have a lovely Friday.

I realize that it’s a bit late to be welcoming you into this world. However, I’ve been so busy preparing for you that your first few days just slipped right past me.

Yes,  preparing for you.

Oh 2010…I know that New Year’s Resolutions are a silly tradition. Real Simple Magazine says that most people break them before February 17th! I have never been one to make New  Year’s Resolutions…it requires organization and motivation to meet those goals. Quite frankly, I didn’t think I had it in me!

But I like you 2010. I think you’ll be different! Which is why I decided that you will be a year of organization.

I will organize my time so that I can fit exercise, crafting, reading and writing into my schedule.

I  will organize my finances so that I will never be in credit card debt again and so that I can go on vacation! (I’ve already created a budget for each one of your months, 2010!)

I look forward to spending the next 12 months with you and I trust that February 17th  will just be another day that I succeed at making myself better! (Well…February 17th is my Dad’s 50th birthday, so it won’t be “just another day,” but you know what I mean.)

I hope you’re on my side.

Best wishes,

- L

I don’t know if I will always remember you. Truth be told, you were relatively uneventful. (That is, except for the sweet handbags that accompanied you.)

I suppose that if I ever become a famous blogger, I will remember you for being the year I started blogging. You might also be remembered as the year I decided to go back to school [but then sort of wussed out temporarily].

Don’t feel bad, 2009, for if I ever do remember you, I’ll only have wonderful things to say.

In 2009…

Kenobi turned 1.

Eric and I turned 2, 23 and 27!

The Social Chameleon- early summer

My grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary which brought the Diaz side of the family together for an intimate and absolutely lovely celebration.

Eric and I discovered our favorite restaurant The Social Chameleon.

Animal Kingdom- November '09

Arts and Crafts '09

I improved my culinary skills by making more unique dishes than I’ve ever made in an entire year.

I reunited with one of the most amazing friends I have, her husband and her beautiful baby girl. (Who is growing up way too fast, if I may add!)

I crafted and crafted and crafted! I made scrapbooks and headbands and apartment gardens.

We saw Authority Zero, Streetlight Manifesto, MC Chris, Gogol Bordello, and 311. (Side note: I saw the Rockettes with Grandma!)

I took out my nose ring and vowed to stop getting piercings. (I am clearly getting too old for this!)

I learned my lesson about handbag prices that are too good to be true. (Thanks JoJolie!)

Thank you for all the great times, 2009. And I’m sure you’re very sorry for the less pleasant moments!

Hopefully 2010 brings a more exciting farewell letter!

Love,

L

I am a bit humored as I report to you that the only thing on my list that I actually followed through with was looking fabulous. I exercised (we got a Wii and the Wii Fit and the Biggest Loser game!) and bought new clothes that make me feel great!

On a less enthusiastic note…

I have been reading magazines, instead of my book. More on this later.

I did not finish my grad school application. I must admit, I chose a bad time to request letters of recommendations from professors. Take my advice: don’t start your grad school applications at the end of a semester. Professors enjoy their time off just as much as you do.

I found this article, with suggestions about how to approach professors about writing letters of recommendation and after the first of the year I plan to put these suggestions to good use!

I was eager to get back to school this semester…simply for the sake of being in school. However, I am going to take these next few months to finish my application and look for a job that is more closely related to event management. I thought it would be wise to get some career experience and a better understanding of exactly what I am getting myself into, before investing more time and money into my life as a career student.

Presents were scattered all over the floor.

The puppy was barking at the front door.

I tore through the closet to find something to wear.

To see the Rockettes, whose appearance is rare.

And now…a quick Holiday Recap

On Christmas Eve Kenobi ate some pig fat that nearly determined his fate

He was violently ill and a sad sight to see

But he’s as good as new, like we thought he would be

At 12:00am on Christmas day gift wrap was flung in every which way

The kids kept the whole house awake with their game

They then slept through breakfast…

how very lame

Our little survivor

I trust that your Christmas was better than my poetry!

Santa was quite nice to us this year. Check out what he brought (in addition to the baskets full of socks and underwear and shirts galore)!

retro gaming system + games

Bamboo Craft (Wacom tablet + digital scrapbooking software)

It's harder than I thought it would be to take a photo of our new TV.

For cooking

For wearing

It's a Cole Haan Christmas after all!

Stay tuned for New Year’s Eve Adventures and my review of Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mysza/ / CC BY 2.0

As 2009 comes to a close, I have list of things I’d like to do before I start another year.

• Read John Dufresne’s Love Warps the Mind a little
• Finish my grad school application (which requires bothering a few professors for letters of recommendation again!)
• Be energized! I’ve been working out lately and I’m feeling great. I want to keep feeling great! I am ending 2009 and starting off 2010 right!
• Write. I’d love to get a jump start to my financial situation for 2010. I have high hopes for my freelance writing career before 2009 comes to a close.
• Look fabulous! Everyone is taking pictures this time of year. Whether it’s Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve or anything in between, I am going to wear makeup and accessories so that in 2010 when I’m looking at holiday pictures from 2009, I’ll feel good about them!

What’s on your list?

And now…the things I currently own instead of an SLR

Cole Haan black leather flats, Orange Cole Haan Bag, Lucky Earrings
Cole Haan suede [waterproof!] boots, BellezaPro flat iron
Cole Haan patent leather open-toe heels

Not pictured: Butter London nail polish in Mariner, 2 Recessionista Tees, 1 long-sleeve burnout tee, one floral green scarf, one off-white scarf, 5 Golden Rings, four calling birds, three …

Next shopping spree will include ONE digital SLR…I hope.

Happy Shopping!

Happy Saving!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattimattila/ / CC BY 2.0

Dear Santa,

Honestly, I think I’ve been really good this year. I only took one sick day and I got an A in my class. AND most importantly, I didn’t spend any money I didn’t have.

I’m not sure what you can do for me this year. My wish list is void of designer handbags and jewelry (I sent Eric that list!). However, I do have a few big dreams that I would like to make a reality very soon. Would you be interested in financing my aspirations?

Next year I would like to be completely out of credit card debt (I can do this on my own by March, but I was hoping you might help me a long a little bit.)

I would also like to immerse myself in a Hospitality Master’s program. I would really like to go to school full-time, which would require some serious luck when it comes to scheduling OR you could just send fourty or fifty grand my way and I would be all set.

I need to take a vacation this year Santa. Please clear my schedule and put some money in the bank. The last time I went anywhere was circa 2005. I am going to lose my sanity and I’m fairly certain that my sanity is not something you can give me for Christmas. A vacation,however, is very plausible.

Last, and probably least, I would really like to have an outdoor garden in 2010. My lease isn’t up until the end of the summer. This gives you plenty of time to save up the funds for a cute house that is either a) very affordable or b) is for rent and very affordable. I really don’t mind if I get my Christmas presents late. I don’t even mind if you wait until next year to send the cute little house my way.

Best of luck with your deliveries and safe travel to you my friend!

xoxo

-L

P.S. I would also like to have a very famous blog. Thanks!