It’s Fixed… Oh, no it’s not

So, if you’ve read my last rant on the USPS, you already know the backstory. On 12/31 I received a call back from their Consumer Affairs problem who assured me all would be fine and dandy going forward.

And look, I’m not calling out the entire USPS. I’m sure there are (somewhere) some people who take their job and responsibilities seriously. They do great work each day and never get credit. I truly believe they’re out there.

It’s just none of the last dozen or so that I’ve had contact with.

So, if you haven’t guessed, that “promise” of fine and dandy… that took less than 1 day to go belly-up. Yup – on the very next mail delivery day (1/2/14), CellCon received mail at the old address. (Oh, and half of my town of West Orange didn’t receive ANY mail yesterday. I’m guessing  it may be snow related, but: (a) half of the town DID get mail, and it seems quite random which houses did and didn’t… and (b) there’s this

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

I mean, c’mon – snow is the FIRST ONE LISTED… and this wasn’t 20″… it was about 8″ near me.

Guess a lot has changed since 2001, huh USPS?

#epicCustomerServiceFail – again

Let’s tell your customers “You Don’t Care”

In July, I filled out 2 change of address forms – one for me and one for the business. To this date I STILL get mail at the old house, and now, to add on, Monica is getting mail at MY house (no forms ever filled out for that.)

I’ve called. I’ve emailed. I’ve written real letters. Each time the response is “I’ll tell the carrier”

Today I went down to the Post Office in person. I wanted to speak to a delivery supervisor. I was told all of the following:

1) She’s busy
2) Our phones are down
3) Which one? There are multiple ones here today.
4) Lakesha (sp?) is the only one here today… and finally.. (and I swear this is true too)
5) “She know’s your here… she doesn’t care.”

Excuse me? YOU DON’T CARE???? You better F’in care, lady…

So, Lakesha – delivery supervisor for West Orange – at the Orange Post Office, (and Ms. Virginia Faulcon, Postmaster) here’s where social media comes into play. I ask my readers to like/share this post and the corresponding Facebook post. Help me spread the word.

“You Don’t Care” ????

Want to know how you SHOULD do Business?

I broke my glasses recently. The last pair I bought (last 2 pair actually) were from Sears. This week, Sears is having a half-price sale, which would bring my cost to about $150 – still a bit high for me.

So I remembered an internet company called Warby Parker and looked them up. They sent me (no charge) 5 pair of glasses to try on. When I had a question, I called and got:

  • A native English speaking person
  • On the first ring
  • Who answered my questions
  • Was pleasant

And what did I do? Wrote a blog post, wrote a FB post and tagged them…(oh and when I buy from them, it’ll cost me about $95 – a savings of about 35%)

Compare and Contrast:

I also called Sears about a snow-blower I bought last week and was supposed to be delivered (last) Friday.

I’m still waiting.

I’ve  called THREE TIMES over 3 days. Each time I get “You’ll get a call in 24-48 hours” – until I explained it was now 96 hours later and still no call.

ARE WE GETTING IT YET PEOPLE????

Ding Ding! We Have A Winner

Boy, do I think Gizmodo hit the nail on the head after Amazon’s BIG Announcement:

 

The most thrilling [marketing] advancement in recent years was unveiled last night on 60 Minutes. If you missed it—how could you have missed it?—Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos detailed the [marketing] future of his company for millions [of potential customers]: Amazon PrimeAir. The [marketing] future is here, and it is [vague promises of] 30-minute delivery by drones.Amazon Drone

That’s right! It’s just a matter of [at least five years’] time before Amazon’s [currently fictitious] army of drones takes to the skies to deliver your [five pounds or lighter] package straight to your doorstep[‘s general GPS location] [assuming you live within 10 miles of an Amazon fulfillment center] [which you don’t]…

You’d think that Amazon would spend the night before the busiest online shopping day of the year publicizing its numerous deals, but clearly that’s not a priority [for60 Minutes producers]. Instead, Bezos talked about PrimeAir on 60 Minutes, the most reputable [and watched] weekly news program [that’s willing to turn a blind eye to practicalities in exchange for a scoop] in America. That’s how you know Amazon is serious [about grabbing headlines any way it can today].

Read the whole thing here

 

New Law Brings Changes to Text Messaging

Starting Wednesday, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) has some new changes that effect businesses who text their customers.

The changes require a business to obtain prior express written consent from your existing and new contacts before you can engage in any marketing related text messages to them.  The business is required to send out a TCPA consent request, asking them to re-opt in. Only those that reply “YES” will be able to receive marketing text messages from you.

“The TCPA makes it unlawful for a person to “initiate” a telephone call to a residential line and to wireless numbers for non-emergency purposes without the prior express written consent of the called party. The TCPA applies to both voice and short message service (SMS) text messages, if they are transmitted for marketing purposes.

The new TCPA guidelines DO NOT apply to non-marketing communication such as appointment reminders, service reminders, employee communication, or other services provided by our sister company Dr. SMS.

Failure to comply may result in penalties of $500-$1,500 per text message.

Questions? Let me know.

Is Instagram/Facbook Insane?

So, as you may know Facebook bought Instagram a while back for $1 Billion. Yesterday, they posted a new T&C:

”You agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you.”

Uh, no. Not even close. I’m not using Instagram anymore until they retract this. I’m not a pro photographer (although I have sold some shots) but I’m sure as hell not going to let Facebook (or anyone else) use my pix for profit without any compensation.

What say you?

(more details here)

 

Gee, there are only 900 million on FB… who’ll read this

Wow – seriously?

Ice cream company’s flippant Facebook post tastes a lot like bigotry.

“A Muslim customer posted on the Wilcoxson’s brand Facebook page to ask if the gelatin listed in the ingredients list was made from pork (if so, it would be a no-no). The company president — PRESIDENT! — Matt Schaeffer flippantly responded, “We don’t deliver outside of Montana, certainly not Pakistan.”

Read the rest HERE


General Motors Was ‘Mental’ To Pull Its Ads, Say Sources

From Business Insider:
General Motors’ decision to pull its $10 million FB ad budget set of a firestorm reaction ahead of the social network’s IPO… But in the cold light of Wednesday morning, some are pointing out that this may say more about GM than Facebook.  One person, for instance, told Business Insider that GM’s Facebook strategy was “mental.”

Read the entire article HERE:

OK – I LOVE This Idea…

‘Cash Mobs’ flood local businesses with shoppers

Shop owners might fear a mob congregating outside the door, but don’t be scared if you’re the target of a “Cash Mob.” Organized as a reaction to behemoths like Target that lure business from the little guys, cash mobs support local stores  by flooding them with shoppers…   (read the rest here)

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