Well the anniversary of my blog is only 11 days away.  I don’t know how exciting that is, but it’s an anniversary just the same.  I’ve been running on now since 2007. :P   In an effort to celebrate and move on some of the embellishments I’ve collected I’m going to run an embellishment swap.  I haven’t done one in AGES and I think it might help.  Let’s face it, we all buy stuff in packs most of the time and then use one or two things out of the pack and the rest just sit here.  So why not send them on to someone else and get something new back in exchange?

Here is how it will work…

Send along your baggies-o-embellishments to me, along with $1.50 for return postage.  Depending on the number of participants, you’ll get back the number of bags you send.  So send in three bags (sandwich sized) and get three back.  Like I said, it will depend on the number of people that sign up.  If I can’t get together enough bags,you’ll be getting some of yours back.  Please send in a decent sized envelope and I’ll reuse them to send you back your goodies.

I think that covers all the details… sound good?

In other news… I scrapbooked yesterday.  I did a VERY old class kit of Andrea’s from when she taught for me.  I don’t think I had Shelby when she did this class, so it’s at least that old.  Anyway, it’s a birthday tag book.  I didn’t have any photos and didn’t remember how it went.  I figured it out eventually and only messed up on page.  :P   Go me, lol.  Not bad for my swiss cheese brain.

Lastly, if you know me at all, you know that I love to write letters.  Mostly the type that complain about something.  Apparently I’m a natural born complainer and arguer.  I missed my calling as a lawyer, (sorry Ang).  Maybe it’s why I love lawyers so very much.  Anyway, I had a deffective pair of Victorias Secret panties.  Don’t get some hot worked up visual in your head… I’m talking good old cotton ones.  At any rate, I’ve had them for all of 2.5 weeks and they have a hole in them.  I have to say that Victoria’s Secret stuff doesn’t seem to be what it used to be and I’ve gotten a lot of stuff that I’ve paid an outrageous amount for only to have it fall apart shortly there after.  It wasn’t the fact that I spent $7.50 on them, it was the principal.  My own personal statement that they need to go back to making quality stuff.  So just because it’s entertaining to me here is my letter which I emailed to their customer service department last night.

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in regards to an issue with a recent product purchase made at your Partridge Creek location in Clinton Township, Michigan. Near the end of December I purchased several of your High-leg brief. Much to my dismay I found one of the pairs already have a hole in the back.

I’ve been a loyal Victoria’s Secret customer for a very long time and lately I’ve come to question the quality of your garments. Not only have I had an issue with the panties, I also encountered a problem with a polyester robe my husband got me last season. Within two months it was showing holes at the seams! In the past I never would have had this problem, and for the money paid for your garments to have this happen is downright ridiculous to say the least.

I look forward to your prompt reply and learning how you plan to rectify this situation. I’m sure your customer service department can come up with some time of amicable solution in an effort to keep a good customer.

Regards,
Jen Dera

Yes, I enjoy a good letter and some witty banter back and forth.  About and hour or so later I got a generic reply about their return policy with a receipt, without a receipt… the unworn run down, etc.  A form letter basically, which in turn irritated the crap out of me.  For petes sake… make a little effort people.  I responded a few minutes later with this…

After having read your reply, I am left wondering if my email was actually read or if I’ve been given a generic response. Clearly, after reading my email, it would be obvious that the garments had been worn. My point was that an unacceptable amount of time had passed to show such deterioration. A pair of Victoria’s Secret panties at $7.50 each should not have a hole 2.5 weeks after purchase and having been worn. Just as a $70.00 robe should not have holes in it at the seams after 2 months.

Unless you are suggesting I’ve been wearing the same pair of panties for two weeks, a hole in the fabric is completely absurd. If Victoria’s Secret is standing behind the value and the quality of their merchandise, I’d assume you’d find it absurd also.

I’m not asking anyone to do anything about the robe. I am however expecting compensation for the panties! Obviously I’m disturbed about my experience enough to have taken the time to contact you, and I’d expect your customer service department to give the attention and effort this issue deserves. As a result of the flaw in this particular garment, I expect to receive a gift card via postal mail that will cover my cost for the panties, including Michigan sales tax at a rate of 6%. The total amount based on my calculations should be $7.95.

I’m certain to you this may be a silly customer service issue. Please understand that it isn’t the money I put out, but rather the point that a company should stand behind their product and if they can’t, they shouldn’t be selling it.

I look forward to your reply.

Regards,
Jen Dera

Well, that must have done the trick.  Exactly 11 minutes later I got a phone call from the customer service gal.  She apologized and let me know that she was sending a coupon worth $12.00 so that I could replace the panties.  She also told me next time to let them know about things like the robe sooner.  I told her I didn’t expect anyone to address the robe, it just went to my point that things haven’t been all the well made in recent years.  At least they don’t seem to be the “lexus” of undies anymore, lol.

I’m pleasantly suprised, and impressed that they came through.  Way to go VS for standing behind your prodcuts and making things right.  (I’m sure they bet on me using the coupon and spending some on top of that, so they make out anyway.  Frankly, I’d bet on it too, lol.)

Ok, enough going on today.  I’ll post photos of the birthday book tomorrow I think.  Pretty sure Denny has my camera with him today… cuz you know it’s easier to pick up mine than it is to take the time to switch out the wide angle lens for the regular one.  Yeesh.

~j