Most of you know that I run a website/internet mail order company from my home, and 98% of the product I ship is within the US. I use private carriers most of the time, but sometimes I use USPS for international or small stuff I can jam into a priority flat rate box.
I recently printed a label with "Click n Ship" service going to Canada, and I went to the post office near my house to drop the package off.
From what I understood on the website, All I had to do was to get the special international envelope for the customs forms that I printed and then drop it off at the Post office.
When I arrived there, the disgruntled worker, waited on me. I showed her the information I had, and that I had not done an international label online before. Then she proceeded to tell me, that,
"They dont train us how to handle online, I have no idea what that is" then she told me that the tape I used was masking tape "This ain't no box tape, this here some masking tape." I explained that it was Pressure sensitive adhesive tape that was USPS,FedEx and UPS approved. She then went on to say "You don't have the address on the box, you be usin' the wrong tape, and that package isn't ready to be shipped."
I run an internet sales company. We ship worldwide. I spent thousands of dollars in shipping last year. When I do ship USPS, I use a Post Office by work, where they have NEVER said the tape I use is improper.
So I asked if I need to write the address on the box, since the USPS Prioirity international label was not good enough to her. ANd her reply was "I dunno, they dont train us about that, you jus droppin a package off and you get a discount, really I dont have to help you because you printed that online." And put me at an empty station with my box, and helped the next customer.
All the while making snide comments about the way my box was packed and "You need to go get your money back cause thats the wrong tape right there." I did not feel like arguing with her anymore, but I don't appreciate the non stop sarcasm, rudeness, and being yelled at like a five year old for something that she thought was done incorrectly that I have done HUNDREDS of times before at other post offices with no problems.
Anyway thats my rant today. The post office is a Joke.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
the Big 3-0
Well it's over, the big 3-0. I'm officially in the middle age zone....woo hoo! I guess....
I started enjoying easy listening, and just accepting it when I go to the store and people call me sir.
Oh my GAWD, where did the 20s go???
I celebrated with around 80 people, and it was a wonderful night.
Spaghetti warehouse took great care of us too!
Heres a pic of one of my oldest friends. We've known each other since 1987!
The rest of the pics are available, if you didn't get a chance to see them, drop me a note and I'll send you a link to them!
I started enjoying easy listening, and just accepting it when I go to the store and people call me sir.
Oh my GAWD, where did the 20s go???
I celebrated with around 80 people, and it was a wonderful night.
Spaghetti warehouse took great care of us too!
Heres a pic of one of my oldest friends. We've known each other since 1987!
The rest of the pics are available, if you didn't get a chance to see them, drop me a note and I'll send you a link to them!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Spring Planting time!
Well its that time, time to rip out the old 'winter' flowers, and plant spring ones.
The pansies survived this time around, but now I'm gonna pop them out and put some spring stuff in. I already have my tomato plants in the ground, and I just have to work on the corner plot now to get it weeded and some mulch added in.
For those of you who aren't already using this stuff, I have used Scotts Bonus S MAX for the last two years in a row, and have had ZERO fire ants in the yard. You do pay more but man does it do a good job of keeping the fireants out, and keeps the yard looking nice throughout the summer too!
The pansies survived this time around, but now I'm gonna pop them out and put some spring stuff in. I already have my tomato plants in the ground, and I just have to work on the corner plot now to get it weeded and some mulch added in.
For those of you who aren't already using this stuff, I have used Scotts Bonus S MAX for the last two years in a row, and have had ZERO fire ants in the yard. You do pay more but man does it do a good job of keeping the fireants out, and keeps the yard looking nice throughout the summer too!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Kia Sorento Crank Sensor
If you're reading this post, more than likely you're either a car nut like me, or you've searched the net to come upon my site to figure out why your Kia Sorento SUV is acting up.
My neighbors, have a 03 Sorento with 99K miles. It died on them mysteriously the other day, and they had it towed home. The car starts and runs but you rev it and the check engine light comes on and it dies.
Well, I scanned it and it comes up with a Crank Sensor Fault. Heres the problem, the crank sensor access requires timing cover removal....which requires FEAD removal. This project is not for the faint of mechanicals but can be done in around 5 hours if you have air tools. This would also be a good time to replace your FEAD belts (3 of them) and inspect your timing belt. My neighbors had the belt replaced at 60, so we wont touch them.
The sensor is a Borg Warner CSS1002, and is available at Pep Boys for around 130 bucks. Its a simple operation, take everything off, and put it all back together.
What about the 10 year, 100k warranty, you ask? Read the fine print. The warranty is a bare bones deal, covers the block, crank, and certain hard parts. Nothing like sensors and other stuff that tends to fail with heat soak. So, what happens if you end up not having a neighbor like me? Your first instant reaction would be "Oh I have a warranty", and have it towed in, and then letting the dealer tear it down, and then tell you its not under warranty. I asked my neighbor to call and ask what it costs to do the repair at the dealer. HE was quoted "Around 750 dollars" OUCH!
My neighbors, have a 03 Sorento with 99K miles. It died on them mysteriously the other day, and they had it towed home. The car starts and runs but you rev it and the check engine light comes on and it dies.
Well, I scanned it and it comes up with a Crank Sensor Fault. Heres the problem, the crank sensor access requires timing cover removal....which requires FEAD removal. This project is not for the faint of mechanicals but can be done in around 5 hours if you have air tools. This would also be a good time to replace your FEAD belts (3 of them) and inspect your timing belt. My neighbors had the belt replaced at 60, so we wont touch them.
The sensor is a Borg Warner CSS1002, and is available at Pep Boys for around 130 bucks. Its a simple operation, take everything off, and put it all back together.
What about the 10 year, 100k warranty, you ask? Read the fine print. The warranty is a bare bones deal, covers the block, crank, and certain hard parts. Nothing like sensors and other stuff that tends to fail with heat soak. So, what happens if you end up not having a neighbor like me? Your first instant reaction would be "Oh I have a warranty", and have it towed in, and then letting the dealer tear it down, and then tell you its not under warranty. I asked my neighbor to call and ask what it costs to do the repair at the dealer. HE was quoted "Around 750 dollars" OUCH!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Time for another trip to the store!
Well once again, this single guy made his usual pilgrimage to the local grocery store to stock up on supplies. As usual, I challenge myself to save as much as I can, and this time, looks like I knock almost 20% off my bill with coupons.
Remember my trip last time?
Anyone else care to play? The lady behind me was getting impatient until she started looking at the screen. "Wow, almost 17 dollars off??? Thats really good!"
Remember my trip last time?
Anyone else care to play? The lady behind me was getting impatient until she started looking at the screen. "Wow, almost 17 dollars off??? Thats really good!"
Sunday, March 16, 2008
TVs GALORE
So now I have a 65" TV in the living room...which means the 42" will go into the Bedroom...then the 37" will go into the...um...guest room....Now...the 21" will go to the hmmm...where else should I have a TV....uhm Garage, on a wall mount....and the 13" will...sit in the dark corner of the closet!
Seriously, I never thouhgt I'd have too many TVs.
For those of you who were considering putting a plasma in your bedroom, they put out LOTS of heat. I'm going to attempt to mount it on the wall in the next few weekends before my dad and his wife arrive.
Seriously, I never thouhgt I'd have too many TVs.
For those of you who were considering putting a plasma in your bedroom, they put out LOTS of heat. I'm going to attempt to mount it on the wall in the next few weekends before my dad and his wife arrive.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)