UngsungBlog: A (Fantasy) Sports Blog

I’m going to go sports-free today.

In other words, I’ve got tons to rant (and a little bit of raving) regarding customer service issues.

(Warning: L O N G blog entry today!)

Quick-hitters:

- So I just signed up for a free seven day trial of Sirius Internet Radio.

(I know…I’m WAY late to the party).

So far, I like the idea of commercial free radio, though I was hoping that the stations were COMPLETELY interruption-free (every now and then, the DJs insist on interjecting their thoughts between songs).

You could say that I’m testing out Sirius to try to convince my sister to sign up. With her AAA card, she should be able to get a decent deal on service + a radio, though nothing close to the $0 deal that was posted on SlickDeals recently, which even included a $30 gift card!

- I understand that credit worthiness is as understood as Mars, but I gotta wonder why Discover card is willing to offer me a promotional 0% balance transfer rate for a year, Chase is offering the same—as well as 2.99% for life (and that check is still sitting on my desk just in case)—but Citibank insists that their 0% for 4 months or 7.99% for life offers are worth my time.

Worse, while Discover only offers me this when I log into my online account, and Chase sends me balance transfer checks about once a quarter, Citibank insists on sending me these checks 2-3 times a week. I guess that’s why I bought a Staples MailMate shredder.

- Current rebate-o-meter: $1,049, with at least $200 “cut” (check written, and en route to me.)

Current unfiled-rebate-o-meter: $500 or so

(I’m so lazy.)

- Screw you DHL, and you too, idiot driver! I had a package scheduled for delivery on Wednesday, but I was not available to sign for the package (it was signature required). I got the notice on the door that night, and the next day, my sister was around to sign for the package.

That evening, the driver never came around! I checked the status of the package, and it said that a delivery attempt was made at 2:54pm! Ok…then where’s the second notice, remarking that Friday would have been DHL’s third and final delivery attempt?

I was around all day on Friday, awaiting the package, and around 7:00pm that night, I checked the status of the package again, and it appeared that the package never made it into the hands of the driver! WTF???

I called DHL earlier today, and the rep flatly told me that it was returned to sender. When I asked him why only two delivery attempts were made—by my count, there was only one delivery attempt, but whatever—the rep told me that the first delivery attempt was made on Tuesday.

(WRONG! Look at the status page! And I’m completely ignoring the fact that the package went to the wrong shipping facility on 6/2, a day before the supposed first delivery attempt!)

The rep asked me if I received a notice, and I pointed out that I received one on Wednesday. I then explained that, if the second delivery attempt was made on Wednesday, then why did I not get a notice on Tuesday? In addition, if this was the second delivery attempt, then wouldn’t I have been notified that the next delivery attempt would have been my last?

That’s when the rep dropped this bomb: he said that the driver scanned the package three consecutive days, and that the third scan was done on the sixth.

(If that’s the case, then wouldn’t the first scan have come on the fourth, and not the third as the rep mentioned earlier?)

The rep added that, regardless of what the online tracking says, three scans = three delivery attempts. I pointed out that the driver might have been at my front door once out of the three attempts, and the rep would not budge on his three scans = three delivery attempts argument.

I’m almost 100% convinced that, after Wednesday’s delivery attempt—regardless of which delivery attempt that was—the driver didn’t even try to contact me via the intercom on Thursday, and didn’t even bother to attempt a delivery on Friday. Good thing the package contained nothing of great importance.

I suppose DHL guy still isn’t as bad as the FedEx driver, who really loves to throw packages against my front door. And as much as I think the UPS guy is not at all funny, at least he cares enough to leave me notices every day that he attempts a delivery.

And I don’t want to hear, “Well, if the package was important, then why didn’t you sign the back of the notice?” One, even if I did so, I’m not even sure that the driver made a second or third delivery attempt! How can he leave a package without stopping by my front door? Two, I still live in the complex where an LCD was stolen from my front door, and someone’s boxed up broken tuba (!!!) was stolen from their front door!

Screw you, DHL.

- After all that ranting, I think it’s time to switch gears. I submitted a $30 rebate for Windows Live OneCare, which, according to my records, was mailed out on 5/6/08.

The rebate check showed up in my mailbox today.

(In a world where rebates takes 8-12 weeks, usually from the date of receipt, but sometimes from the date of the end of the promo, or even 30 days after the end of the promo, a rebate that takes four weeks to receive is awesome.)

I checked my email inbox and noticed that I had only gotten notification that the rebate processor got my submission on 5/27 (the email itself arrived 6/3). Thirteen days—nine business days—from receipt to a check? Wow!

Even funnier is the fact that, when I checked out my online rebate status, it says this:

Date received: 05/27/08

Date checked mailed: 06/19/08 (est.)

Estimated check arrival date: 06/29/08

In other words, the rebate processor still thinks the check is only in the processing stages!

Incidentally, Microsoft rebates are handled by Young America, the same company that processes TrendNet rebates (rejection rates = Ray Allen’s free throw shooting percentage; really really high, in other words), Corel and Office Depot rebates (really really slow), and Sony software rebates, which leads me to my last story…

(Young America also used to handle Kaspersky rebates, and while I had no real problems with Kaspersky rebates handled by these guys, many people on SD weren’t so lucky).

- Three days ago, I checked the status of a pair of Sony Vegas Movie Studio 8 rebates at web-rebates.com. One rebate was good to go, but the second rebate had this little remark attached to it:

Submission did not include an original UPC from Movie Studio 8

Now, the UPC was a sticker, which I stuck smack dab on the top edge of the rebate form. Certainly you can see how a moron could miss that, right?

(Unless the piece of invisible tape I used to further stick the UPC to the rebate form yellowed in transit, and thus blocked the UPC from plain sight, I guess…)

Naturally I did what I do best: I sent a hate-filled email to their customer service desk, using the webform found here. This morning, I got this reply:

Dear Mr. Ung,

Thank you for your interest in the Sony rebate offer.

We have reviewed your request and find the UPC was submitted. Your $30.00 rebate has been processed.

Please allow 10-14 days to receive your rebate check.

We apologize for the error and the inconvenience incurred.

It’s good to know that these rebate processors don’t mis-see (:P) UPCs, and then immediately trash the rebate submission afterwards, which begs the question: why don’t they? If a rebate submission is clearly invalid, then why keep them?

Perhaps it has something to do with rebate companies trying adhere to a strict quota of only processing a select percentage of rebates…

(Nah.)

Tags: balance transfer checks, chase, citibank, dhl, discover card, frys, idiot driver, internet radio, microsoft, missing UPC, rebates, return to sender, satellite radio, sirius, tracking, web-rebates, windows live onecare, young america by Peter
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Quick-hitters:

- Talk about a stroke of luck! On Friday night, I headed out towards the parking lot in preparation to go to MPK for the weekend. Halfway there, I remembered that I didn’t check the mail yet, so I opened my mailbox, grabbed the mail, and started fingering through the contents. I noticed a single rebate check, for $15, which I grabbed immediately. The rest of the mail was thrust in to the back seat of the car, and just left there.

On Sunday night, as we prepared to leave MPK, I opened the back seat of the car, and a little postcard fell out from between the door and the back seat! I immediately noticed the “endorsement required” notation on the back of the card, and when I picked it up, I found out it was a $50 rebate! Whew!

Too bad that’s about the only good rebate-related news I have to report for today (more on that later).

- I spotted this amusing little tidbit on a FatWallet thread last night:

Wouldn’t it be funny if Kevin Hain has trouble getting his severance package and they just send him the same stupid cut and paste email replies he sent us? “Yes, those who properly requested their severance package will
receive theirs.” “Again, there will be no monies provided for those requesting severance packages.”

I’m not sure why I found that to be so funny; it’s not like I have a problem with Mr. Hain or anything.

- So AllRebates, now run by Ohana Companies PlusNet Marketing—the same scammers (yes, scammers) that handle ZoneAlarm and CompUSA rebates—is continuing to jerk around with me regarding my $25 rebate.

(The above was edited on 6/12/08, to reflect that AllRebates.com is run by PlusNet Marketing, which may or may not be affiliated with Ohana Companies.  I’ve edited the references to Ohana Companies for now.)

I got an email in my inbox today, regarding the latest resubmission attempt I made:

In researching your account, we find that your receipt was not included with your submission. In order to process the rebate, please fax a copy of the sales receipt, rebate form and any additional requirements to 1-800-514-8259, Attn. AllRebates Special Services. If you prefer you may mail a copy of the sales receipt, rebate form and any additional requirements to: AllRebates Attn: Special Services, P.O. Box 8340, Wilmington, DE 19803.

So first I didn’t send in a clear copy of my UPC and Proof of Upgrade, and now I didn’t send in a receipt???

I just faxed them a hate-filled letter email with clear copies of my receipt, UPC, and Proof of Upgrade. Yeah, I know I said that my state Attorney General would hear my complaints if AllRebates jerked around with me one more time, but I had some steam to let off :P.

On the other hand, I might just call Amazon.com instead and see if they’re willing to assist me in this matter.

- One other quick rebate rant: a couple months ago, I was foolish enough to buy a FAR American Telecom phone. I’ve checked their rebate status page, and my status has yet to appear online. Worse yet, the phone number on the rebate status page told me to send all rebate inquiries to rebate@atsphone.com.

I sent an email to that address a week ago, and have heard nothing. This sounds like something I better get Fry’s involved with again.

Hopefully my next blog entry will discuss anything other than rebates.

Tags: allrebates, amazon.com, american telecom, compusa, erebates, frys, kevin hain, ohana companies, plusnet marketing, zonealarm by Peter
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Quick-hitters:

- Current rebate-o-meter: approaching $1,500, no thanks to the tax software deals. The number will be dropping, though, as I’m expecting another couple hundred dollars in rebates.

More on rebates later (unfortunately).

- I got a letter from Sallie Mae a couple days ago, with “Important Information” enclosed. Yeah right…right?

Actually, it was a notification that my student roan consolidation interest rate was dropped a full percent for my exceptional payment history! W00t!

Too bad I couldn’t have taken out a $100,000 student loan, just so that I could have invested the excess.

- It’s amazing how well the Ung-hex works at times. Didn’t I just say, a couple days ago, that the Lakers were playing well and Andrew Bynum was a stud?

Laker fans, you may commence sending me your hate mail.

- Here are my NFL Divisional Playoff thoughts:

1) Ryan Grant is a stud. Two fumbles, and then he follows those up with 201 yards and three scores?

(Packers fans, prepare to send me your hate mail next week :P.)

2) I don’t know what’s crazier: Eli Manning actually beating the Cowboys, or the fact that I actually bet on the Giants + 7.5 in the first place!

By the way, enough of the Tony Romo/Jessica Simpson “controversy!” Though I must wonder…will a sportsbook put out future odds on who Romo will be dating in 2008?

And sorry TO, but I’m not buying the whole teary-eyed defense of your QB. Weren’t you the same guy that throws his QBs under the bus?

3) Billy Volek? Michael Turner? Darren Sproles? Seriously? THAT was Tony Dungy’s (likely) swan song? What the hell was that???

By the way, was I the only one who felt that there was an NFL fix going on with the refs in the SD-Indy game? Did you see that horrible pass interference call? How the hell did the Colts NOT win on Sunday?

I suppose it had something to do with Peyton Manning reverting back to his early 2000s self, and the defense playing like sheer crap.

and finally…

4) Should we just go ahead and crown the Patriots* the 2008 NFL Super Bowl Champions*? We might as well give the Super Bowl MVP* trophy to Brady too, while we’re at it.

I can’t wait for the 2008 NFL season.

- I’ve been doing a lot of experimenting in my kitchen lately (sorry, no pics!). What have I been making?

• Won ton soup, twice, both times altering my filling recipe slightly
• Cream cheese wontons (imitation crab meat, cream cheese, green onion, and a pinch of salt and pepper)…remind me next time to make only 3-4 per person *gag*
• Pork burgers; in my defense, I had some unidentified meat in my freezer that looked like ground beef, and it was only when I cooked the meat did I realize that I was using soy sauce-marinated pork instead.

(Tangent: Is there a more frightening phrase than “unidentified meat?” If there is, please let me know.)

• California rolls, sans avocado, sadly. My 99 Ranch had soy wrappers, which were awesome to roll, but very difficult to cut; at least the seaweed wrappers (nori) had perforations on them, which made cutting a heck of a lot easier. I didn’t have medium grain rice, but my long grain Jasmine rice worked quite well. I would have made Philadelphia rolls, but I couldn’t find any smoked salmon.

Pardon the pun, but I wonder what I’m going to cook up this week.

- Finally, I have to talk about a horrible experience with MyRebateOnline.com, the guys that are in charge of processing ZoneAlarm rebates (and probably other stuff). For the records, these guys handle rebates sent to Bensalem, PA.

Background: in both October and November, I bought a copy ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 3 Pack from Frys.com. Each item came with a $40 mail in rebate attached to it, and I made sure that I qualified for both rebates separately (each rebate had a different offer number assigned to it). I had heard nothing from the rebate processor regarding the status of my rebate—usually, rebate processors are supposed to send an email upon receipt of a rebate submission, notifying you of the status of any promotion a buyer attempts to claim—so I decided to give the rebate center a ring and see what was going on with my two rebates.

HUGE MISTAKE.

Unfortunately for me, I got a CSR on seemingly the worst day of her life. I gave her the spelling of my last name (three times!), followed by my zip, and then she asked me for my address. I began spelling out my address, and she cut me off with a terse “I can see address right in front of me. Just confirm it!”

After doing that, the CSR told me that my rebate submission was rejected. Hold on, I said. I pointed out that I had two rebates that I was inquiring about, and wanted to know which of the two rebates was rejected. The CSR, obviously miffed, went on a huge rant:

Look, I don’t have that information in front of me. Our rebate processing deparment [you mean the guy in the cubicle next to you?] says that your rebate has been denied for missing the receipt!

[and here comes the kicker]

(like a parent scolding her kid) WHY DIDN’T YOU SUBMIT THE RECEIPT? WHY DIDN’T YOU MAIL IN THE RECEIPT WITH YORU SUBMISSION?

WHAT. THE. [expletive]. HELL???

Trying to keep my cool, I then asked about what I could do to fix the rebate, even though I had no idea which rebate I was attempting to clear up. The CSR immediately pointed out that I could mail in my receipt (the one that I supposedly didn’t mail in; I did, for the record, and my PDF’ed copy of my rebate submission will back this up), provided that the rebate promotion was still valid!

Naturally, this wasn’t going to happen, as both rebates were valid in October and November, respectively. Even if I assumed that “valid” referred to the rebate postmark dates, most rebates require the postmark date of the rebate submission to be within thirty days of the purchase date.

Nevertheless, I decided that I was going to attempt to resolve the October rebate, even though I wasn’t sure that that rebate was even submitted, much less invalid. Evidently pressing my luck, I asked the CSR one more question: was there some other way I could clear up this matter (fax, perhaps?).

*click*

I know I’ve said this before on this blog, but I’ll say it again.

Listen, ZoneAlarm CSR: I’m sorry that your life is clearly not going in the direction you thought it would. However, you don’t have to take it out on an unsuspecting customer who is just trying to figure out why he hasn’t received his check for promotions from three and four months ago! May I suggest a career change? I might consider giving one of those colleges you see advertised on daytime TV a call.

After shaking off that horrible phone conversation, I decided to go straight to Fry’s.com CS and see if they could help me out. A very nice lady (not just by comparison) answered my call, and asked me to fax in both of my resubmissions directly to Fry’s. She said that I could call back within a week or two to check the status of my complaints.

*crossing fingers*

And yeah, complaints to my state Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau are coming, if Fry’s isn’t able to help me out.

Tags: andrew bynum, bensalem, california rolls, cooking, cream cheese wontons, divisional playoff, frys, important information, internet security suite 3 pack, los angeles lakers, myrebateonline, nfl, pa, pork burgers, rude CSR, sallie mae, won ton soup, zonealarm by Peter
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