Zen in 2006
Even though it's totally lame, I actually made resolutions this year. I hadn't in a long time, and there were/are things I have observed about my lifestyle that I feel I could improve upon. Some of them are minor like, drink more water and less soda, and some of them went deeper than that. One of the biggest things I would like to change is how easily I get annoyed. I don't feel like this was always the case, and I am sure there are tons of reasons I could rationalize (I live in a city. I am not as intellectually stimulated as I would like to be. People are stupid.) but the bottom line is, I will be a lot happier and a lot healthier if I just let things roll off my back. So I'm trying. But this weekend? Not so successful.
Friday morning, my monitor went dark. I jiggled the connectors, eventually it came back on, and stayed on until the evening. I should add that I got my computer after I graduated, about a year and a half ago, and I recently had to take it in to Best Buy to get it worked on. (Like, a month ago.) I should also add that my parents bought the same computer around the same time, and they also recently had to bring their computer in to Best Buy. They paid $200 for absolutely nothing, because when they got home, it still didn't work. (It does now, through no help of Best Buy.) I was really REALLY not looking forward to going back there, because the "geek" who "helped" me last time was kind of an ass. Plus, even though I am not all "capitalism is ruining America," it does piss me off that corporations can force people to buy and use their products, even when they don't work. It makes me feel helpless. But anyway...
So I go in, and the "geek" behind the counter is about twelve, and I tell him that my monitor is going dark, and that I think it's a wire/connector issue, and he tells me that they will have to send it out to the factory, and that it will take two to three weeks. And no he cannot just replace my monitor, even though I HAVE A SERVICE CONTRACT FOR THREE YEARS THAT COVERS THIS, because individual stores cannot authorize these transactions. I (calmly) explain that I am moving in two weeks, and will be needing a computer during that time, so "is there another solution we can come up with?" He says that when the computer gets shipped back, it will be to the store, and not to my house. ... Yeah, I'm not an idiot, thanks for that knowledge. I inform him that I'm moving OUT OF STATE, halfway across the country. He looks stumped. I wait. He finally comes up with: "Well, we could have it shipped to a store in Maryland."
Ok, fine. But in the meantime, I still have to have the use of a computer, as I am selling furniture and applying for jobs and won't be able to use my computer at work after this Friday (my last day). I tell him this...for the second time...and he goes to consult with his manager. He comes back and informs me that I can purchase a monitor, use it until my broken one is fixed, and return it "without a handling fee, as long as it's one in an open box." Great. We go look at monitors, and after I have one picked out he informs me, "oh, yeah you have to return this within two weeks. To this store. Or else you won't get your money back. And you could return it to another store, but they might charge you a 15% handling fee, plus it would still have to be within two weeks." Uhh, what? Why didn't you explain this to me before?
However, I remained ZenSarah and calmly said, "I'm sorry, we must have misunderstood each other earlier; I thought I could have this until my new one was replaced...."
After an agonizing five minutes (where ZenSarah also said, "I'm sorry. It's not you I'm mad at. I'm just really frustrated with this situation.") I finally decided to get a monitor for two weeks, return it right before I move, and pray that my parents are nice enough to let me use their computer until mine is fixed. I don't want to do this, and I can't afford to do this, but I really need to be able to use my computer over the next 13 dyas. He gets someone to ring me up and tells me to return to the Geek Squad area when I'm done so that we can send my monitor out.
Here is how brainwashed the people are at Best Buy: The salesgirl--who knew the situation (I hope) said, "Would you like to purchase a 2 year service contract on the monitor?" umm...no. Please tell me you know I am going to return this in two weeks for a full refund.
Now, the kicker: I go back up to the Geek Squad. My "geek" is busy with a customer, so he tells one of his co-geeks that the monitor needs to be sent out for service. When I tell him I need to have it sent to another location, he says, "hmm..I'm not sure if that can be done. Let me check.
EXCUSE ME??? WHAT???
And guess what? Yup. It can't.
I was So. Fucking. Angry.
I didn't yell or scream.
I couldn't. I was paralyzed with anger. And loathing.
So rest assured that I WILL return the monitor next Thursday, and I WILL get a full refund for it. And then once my broken monitor gets fixed? I will never set foot into a Best Buy again. It's not a good place for ZenSarah to spend her time.
The only good thing that came from Best Buy this weekend is season 1 of Scrubs. I had a gift certificate. I didn't think it was possible for me to have a bigger crush on Zach Braff than I did. And then I watched the first disc. *sigh* I want J.D. to be my tv boyfriend. Best line delivery? "I miss you so much it hurts inside." hee!