Dear Bank Card Services,

Last week, I told the internet world about your feeble attempts to provide me with a new debit card after mine was compromised in a Plantation, FL Toys R Us.

Thank you (she said sarcastically) for your quick (10 days) turnaround. I received my new card last Friday.

However,

Perhaps (just perhaps!) you should casually mention to the cardholder that their former PIN number will not work with the new card. This would have been handy information before my card was DECLINED earlier today in TJ Maxx due to an incorrect PIN number. Yes, it went through fine as a credit after my ID was verified. I'm just sayin'...... you are DANG lucky that TJ and I are basically family and can let a little thing like this slide.

I'm still watching you. And I am soooo wanting to bury my money in a big old pickle jar in the backyard at this point.

'Til next time (there better no BE a next time!)

kthxbai

Rave!

Yesterday, I gave you a rant. *

Today, I give you a rave – because I'm not always a mean person. For true….

If you live anywhere in the Charleston area, you've heard of Gerald's Tires and Brakes. They offer the best customer service – hands down – of any business I've ever visited.

I've been driving around with a nail in my back tire for a few days (ok, a few weeks). Because I just can't seem to get up (and stay up) early in the morning, I haven't been able to take the SS by before work. Because Lovey is out of town on bidness (aw, he's so grown-up), I decided that I could leave my truck there in the morning, catch a ride with Lele and have someone take me to pick it up at lunchtime.

Wednesday morning, I dropped off the SS at 8:30 am. I asked if they would also have time to rotate the tires, and I was assured that they could. By the time I had poured my coffee at the office, I received a phone call that my vehicle was ready and could be picked up anytime I wanted. WOW! Superfast!

At lunchtime, I had S drop me off to pick it up. As I disgustedly pulled a check (ugh, checks….) out to pay, the Nice Gerald's Man said, "Oh, no, it's free of charge today." Um, what? "Even with the tire rotation?" I asked. "Yes, everything was free". After the Debit Card Debacle, I was so pleased I nearly choked up right there.

And, of course, the nice Gerald's people always leave a rose in your car as a thank you. I so needed a little pick-me-up after the week's customer service experience with The Bank.

 

*Rant Update – I now have a new, shiny debit card in my hot little hand now. Let the wild spending rumpus start! Bags of spinach for everyone!

Rant

Last week, I answered what appeared to be a telemarketer call. I was all prepared to be haughty: "No, I am not interested in your Double Platinum Sky Mile Reward Program Credit Card." Instead, I got "Ma'am, are you currently at a Toys R Us in Plantation, FL? Cuz your debit card is and it's about to be charged for $385". Wha???? No, currently I am in my kitchen freaking out because of this phone call, and Lovey is walking The Beast.

Luckily, the Nice Fraud People DECLINED the charge, and the $385 stayed securely in our bank account. Then Nice Fraud Lady says, "We're going to have to cancel your debit card for your protection. Please contact your bank for a replacement." Thank you, Nice Fraud Lady. Looking out for me. Hugs!

After Lovey repeatedly asked me if I had given out any personal information (what am I, stupid?), we called the card company to order us new cards. With a promise of new cards in 3-4 business days, we sighed in relief that all was right in our world again.

*****************

Let's fast forward to today. It has been dang near ten business days and I am still debit-less. There are several places I would rather eat glass than to enter. The post office would be the first, closely followed by the bank. In the past week, I have had to go to the bank not once, but twice, to withdraw money from our bank account. Grumble, grumble. On my second visit, the Cute Counter Girl says, "You know we can make you a duplicate card right here in the bank now, right?" Um, noooooooo! That most certainly would have been information I would have liked to possess before now. I tell her how long ago this little debacle started and she confidently tells me, "I"m sure it should be there today."

That was two days ago. Today I went to the bank for the third time. I was on a mission to leave with two brand new debit cards. The Nice Customer Service Lady calls the credit card people to check on the order. On my end, I hear her say "They were mailed on the 21st?" And BOOM! My head exploded just a little bit. Because that was yesterday! She quickly backtracked and said that they were not mailed yesterday and that I should expect to get them in a day or two at the very latest. Then she smiled warmly at me and nodded her head.

Here's where I call Bullshizz. I am in the people bidness, too. I have been known to (on rare occasions, of course!) to *adjust * a timeline by a day or month to appease a client. I know your dirtly little game, lady.

I think my disfavor of SCShmee&G has been documented here before. If I do not have a shiny new card in my hot little hand by Saturday, Schmouth Cakilakki Federal Credit Union will also be on my Poo List. Not to mention, Lovey has threatened to divorce the bank for good. Luckily, he was on his very first business trip in California. It probably wouldn't have been as pretty if he had been in this zip.

Here's the thing. There was nothing necessary that I absolutely needed to buy this week. I would have liked to buy a nice bag of spinach for salads. I just Did.Not.See me using a credit card in a grocery store for a $3 purchase. Someone else used my account, but I felt like I was being punished by the forced estrangement from my funds. The least they could have offered to do is priority mail me a card. Something! As it is, I give the bank a Big Ol' Stinky Eyeball Look whenever I pass it - which is daily. I'm watching you, Bank. I have a blog, and I'm not afraid to use it.

Down to Bidness...

Whew! What a whirlwind of a month! Real World Business is BOOMING! Thanks, Boeing! Lovey started work...Woot! Woot!

I have business cards for my Dream Job Business:



The Green Room refers to My Happy Place. The room I painted several years ago in Eccentric Lime by Benjamin Moore after seeing a room in Piazza Home painted that color. It's still my favorite room in the house.

L, my best friend and Business Advisor, has given me several great ideas on how to get this ball rolling. Stay tuned for a new website with Before + Afters of my creations. Since we're stuck here in our little house (thanks, real estate market), I've decided to repaint...pretty much everything since K's Barbie Dream House has to wait. And thanks to S's new real estate venture, I could be doing some home staging. Every toe of my foot in the door helps.

Shut. UP!

These



are Pura Lopez style #604....sold out everywhere...retails for $340.


These



are Lilya by Nine West (Outlet). $54 less 20% off Tanger coupon.

And the angels sing.