Monday, January 26, 2009

Brilliant! Or just too tired to fight?

Last Friday as I drove home from a meeting, I remembered that I had a roll of wallpaper in the back of the car that I needed to return. We papered a bathroom back in the fall, and while I'd procrastinated on the return and figured that they wouldn't take it back after four months, I was driving right by the store and thought I'd give it a whirl.

I walked into the interior design/wallpaper shop and made my case. The clerk was happy to look up my account but was clear that after 90 days, they did not take returns. Sure enough, my 90 days were over back in December. So....OK...I didn't follow the rules...I understand that.

Not caring to bring an odd roll of wallpaper home to put in a cabinet just to throw away in 10 years, I said with a sigh in a defeated sort of way, "You just keep it...I'm not going to do anything with it but eventually throw it away." The clerk replied, "Alright then, well thank you so....wait...what??"

"You just keep it. I'm not going to use it so you just might as well try to sell it again," I repeated.

Another woman walked up behind the counter...I think she was the owner...and said, "Do we still have this pattern in stock...look and see." The clerk did and sure enough they still had it. While she wouldn't give me cash back, she did give me a store credit, which was hunky dory.

Shoot...I know I wasn't brilliant. I was just exhausted from a very busy week at work and didn't have any fight left in me. Still and all...I DID get my way didn't I?! Could it be that, in the right situation, PITIFUL works better than tough? Hmmmm...food for thought.

NEWS FLASH NEWS FLASH NEWS FLASH

Don't forget to mail your Valentine Swap packages!! Mine are going in the mail at lunchtime today!

27 comments:

  1. Don't you love it when things work out like that! It remeinds me of when I exchanged my slippers ( a gift) for a different size and they were on sale so I got some money back...on an exchange!

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  2. That's a great story and I'm glad you got store credit!!

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  3. Was that at Butchies?
    I have some wall paper I bought there, gosh, it must be about two years ago and I still haven't used it! I need to get busy!

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  4. Congrats on getting the store credit! Being a Steel Magnolia has its' benefits ;-)

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  5. I would say both ways work...but at least you got store credit instead of nothing...good for you...in this case tired worked!!!

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  6. Oooohh Pitiful was very good there! That's one for all of us to remember ;-)

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  7. This is great! I always find a way to let my voice be heard to annoying sales people. It's like, "Just work with me why don't you?"

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  8. What a great little reward at the end of the week. I guess that would be a true example of honey is sweeter than vinegar?!?

    :)

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  9. If you ever don't succeed in returning wall paper it's pretty fun for crafty uses. My mom used to wrap some of our presents in wall paper and buy some tulle to tie a big matching bow on it - they were always our favorite to open and we knew wallpaper was expensive, so it seemed really extravagant!!!

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  10. Pitiful instead of tough...I will definately keep that in mind!
    ;D

    Blessin's♥

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  11. YIPEE - you got your way after all!!! Why couldnt they do that in the first place though - UGH! Customer service sometimes - blah!

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  12. I ordered mine from amazon on saturday....due to the impending factor we are under an winter weather advisory...expecting sleet,freezing rain and ice and power may go out...I didnt want my swap partner to go without or me shipping late soooo i do not have a dc# BUT I can give u my amazon order num...just let me know what you need

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  13. Go you! As the old saying goes you catch more flies with honey.... I have always found that to be true.

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  14. good job on the store credit. maybe you had "pity me" written all over your face!

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  15. Well, there you go! I'll have to try that one next time.

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  16. At least you didn't have to press "2" only to be connected to someone who resides in another country.

    Great customer service on their part...I'm sure you'll be a repeat customer.

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  17. I'm probably going to regret not participating in that V-day swap, but I didn't know what to send people. Anyhoo, glad the wallpaper thing worked out. I forgot to add you to that award list, but if you don't have or get it, please do take it from me b/c I know you're a good mom & you deserve it! :O)

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  18. I can't believe it worked with strangers... I thought it was a ploy reserved only for family members.

    My swap package is wrapped and ready for tomorrow... right at the deadline. So not like me...

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  19. I love it when things work out that way! And I would have done the same thing, not wanting to have t in my house!

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  20. I also cant get into "the host". I think thats why I nefind a new book to read :)

    Have a great day

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  21. Brilliant of course! I want to see what you wallpapered. I have been trying to talk the hubs into letting me wallpaper the powder bath. Obsessed with the look right now!!

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  22. don't you just love those moments?

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  23. My gift is in the mail today. I will post my picture of the wrapped gifts- and then the unwrapped ones once Sara gets them :)

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  24. I'd say it's the classic reverse psychology trick! Guess it still works :)

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  25. Such a great idea your VDay packages! :)

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  26. Another happy customer...that's ! Our dollars are important:-)

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