Shopaholic? Me?

When I first found out Woolies was back (at least online), I was overjoyed. If I knew then, what I know now… well.. I would not have even given it a second thought.

On the 18th January I placed an order. I was under the impression that they offered a next day service. Except on check out I was informed that Party items can take a few working days. Thank heavens I left some time for the party rather than waited for acceptance confirmations for quantity. Delivery date arrived and most thing did not arrive… and there was just a couple of days to go and I thought “perhaps tomorrow”. Delivery never came. I had to change the theme of my son’s party to whatever I could find on the high street at the last moment. Can you imagine his little face when I told him I could not keep my promise of his having a Toy Story Party. I felt like a failure as a mother.

I also ordered a chest of drawers. AFTER placing the order, I found out it was going to be delivered on the 23rd February. Yes, more than a month after placing the order. I liked it, so I grinned and beared it. Only for the 23rd February to come and go and my chest to not arrive. I chased after it. They keep saying things like “it takes 5 days to look into it”. And today I looked at my account only to find that it has been cancelled. And they haven’t even bothered to inform me (and there is no refund on my account).

I am livid to say the least. I call them. They tell me that I have been refunded but it takes 10 working days to show. It is still not showing. I go as far as to tell them how dissappointed I am because the LEAST they could have done was dished out an email. You would think they would try to placate a customer and try to encourage them to buy from them again by giving them something like a discount voucher or credit note. That is ok by me, I won’t be buying there again especially because when I did try to buy I DID NOT receive. And I am telling you this, so that you don’t get caught in the same trap. After all there are plenty of other places who are ready to sell, to deliver and to stick to their promises.

(I will be letting them know about this post – and I invite them to post their comments below).

I guess the bit I miss the most about working is going to trade shows. First of all you are given your tradeshow lanyards and then you visit lots and lots of stalls and treated really importantly. You are given loads of samples and loads of offers and you then want to spend spend spend and all at wholesale price. It is my idea of heaven. Now my personal thoughts are if shops  treated their customers this way, people would spend far more. I wonder if the babies are old enough for me to leave them for a long trade weekend!

It gets my goat when you go shopping to places like M&S, TK Maxx, WHSmith, Holland & Barratt spend a penny or several pounds rather and then they make you pay for the privilege of a scrap of plastic to take home your purchases in the name of protecting the environment. I mean if they genuinely cared about the environment there are so many other options.

1. They could give paper bags ( Replacement trees could be planted and they decompose and cost would be comparable to plastic bags).
2. They could give biodegradable plastic bags. (Environment friendly and comparable price).
3. They could give material bags. They could justify the cost by them being say promotional tote bags which they give free if X  amount is spent or you can purchase if required amount is not spent. They would be reusable (environment friendly) and a walking advert which would justify the cost.

So personally I think it is crap that they insult you by making you pay to carry your purchases out of their shop!

I think society is often borderline despicable. People get employed as sales assistants and it is almost too much for them to assist! I find this particularly so in the UK. I don’t know if people are just plain lazy or really just deserving of ASBO’s. But if I could, I would do what they do in the USA and link all sales jobs with commission. I think it would quickly improve customer service in shops and businesses.

If like me, you are forever buying stuff, then probably like me, your house is full to bursting. So what can you do? Well you can throw out what you don’t use, sell it using places like eBay or recycle it.

Personally I hate the first option, because if I bought it (unless I really used it to death), then someone else might like it or have a use for it. The second option requires time and perhaps maintence and a whole load of writing descriptions to every knitty gritty detail and I don’t have the time for it (though you do earn some extra cash to buy new stuff) and last is my favourite, you recycle it. Which is what brings me to freecycle.

Freecycle works like this… you have things you no longer like, want or even work and you list them. It appeals to someone and viola they come collect and wow your extra space.

Other benefits include :-

• Being able to try things before you decide to buy so you know what options you want,
• If you need something as a stop gap (I once borrowed* a bed for a couple of weeks while I had many many guests)
• Getting rid of all your extra never used stuff
• Getting spare parts – which is why even broken stuff is listed as 2 broken items could lead to 1 good as new!
• Most of all – Being GREEN and environment friendly.

Anyway, if you like the idea, just sign up and really start recycling. Just chose the area you live in or are prepared to drive to!

*Technically you are not allowed to borrow or lend, but you can work around the rules as I did with the bed. Obviously don’t lend something you don’t want damaged or will be very upset if it does not come back, but otherwise why not?

Recently I placed an order with Asda (not groceries as they do not deliver to IOM yet?). I must say Asda is amazing value. However, I feel they are still having a stab in the dark with online ordering.

I placed a £500+ order and they cancelled one of my items without even bothering to inform me. I went to email them for information but their site said as they are new to it, I need to call their helpline number. Something I haven’t yet managed as finding a quiet moment during working hours… ie kids are up hours… not easy AT ALL!!!!!

I will update you once I actually speak to them.

I was asked if I was going to do a Seattle job search as I want to return to being a psychologist. I must admit I did find it funny to be asked that because I wanted to go back into psychology. I guess Frasier is what comes to mind (hence Seattle). The money might be good but I could never live in a place known as “The Rainy City”. My ideal country would be bright and at a reasonable constant 25 degrees except at Christmas!! Then it must be a white Christmas. I guess I want it all.  LOL!

I have been thinking that it will soon be time for me to return back to work. I have been thinking about returning to psychology but I always have my fears. You have to deal with things like abuse, disorders and disturbed people. Having to treat people for alcohol and drug addiction is quite a feat. You see in psychology you need to treat the underlying issues but you cannot do this without also removing the addiction.

I personally believe that a rapid opiate detox along with counselling always works far better than counselling or detox on its own. Obviously it is hard on the person but going cold turkey is always the best. There would be times that a person would want to give up but with a rapid detox, at least it passes faster and the client is always in a better position to succeed. However, without a period of counselling, they are more likely to fall back into addiction.

This in turn is quite heavy on emotions both for the client and the counsellor. So I do wonder if I am ready to go back. The truth is money is decent, which means I can shop more… but can I deal with all the ills of the world? Maybe I need a job as a buyer. That would be a cool job.

Christmas is upon us and I can bet that you are busy shopping away. I thought of a quick and easy gift to send to all my relatives overseas. Cheap to post and very personal. I am talking about photos!

And to make it even better, besides being able to claim 50 free prints by clicking the link below, I have a code for all shopaholics to get a fiver off your photos! If you spend £20 or more on gifts and prints, you can get £5 off your order.

1. Click on the link
2. Order you photos
3. Enter the offer code SAVE5 at the checkout

Simple as 1, 2, 3! No need to call Owen for PC Support!!

Note – The offer excludes Kids collection and Photo Fashion and is valid until midnight 31st December 2008. Standard Photobox terms and conditions apply.

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If you want to learn more, they have a page with some video presentations on how to use their service. Check them out, they might be just what you’re after.