Bored at work entry...

Welcome back,

James and I sat down last night and talked about our next plan of action, as far as getting me up to Canada. I know Blunked is thinking, it's about bloody time Sav! :P James and I are so tired of spending months apart and we just want to be together under 1 roof.

So after weighing our options.. we have decided that if his product launch goes as well as we hope, and we won't have to worry about money for awhile and the move to Canada will be fairly smooth...
OR... If his product launch doesn't do as well as we hope, we will still make the big move and may have to borrow the money to pay for the Immigration paperwork, just to get that ball rolling.. He's more than willing to work full time and do some web design on the side until I can work legally... Of course we are hoping for a successful launch! His product will be released March 1st-March 3rd and then we'll know exactly where we stand.

Since his product launch is getting close to being released, James has flipped around to a night owl schedule, going to bed @ 3-4am and waking up @ noon... I have also have had a bit of trouble getting enough sleep over the last few days... Trying to stay up with him during my days off and having to get up @ 6:30am... *sigh* Eventually we'll get things sorted...

As exciting as it is to tell people that I'm FINALLY moving... as this has been the plan for the last 18 months... I'm feeling a bit stressed about all of the things I have to get done, all of the loose ends that need to be tied...Hoping I don't forget anything...

I know I'll have to sit down and make up a "To Do" List... just to cover all of my bases... Knowing what to keep, what to sell, things I have to cancel and forward... So, Blunked if you have any advice, I'm all ears!!

So, what's been going on with me over the last 2 weeks... James heads back home on March 9th and he's really hoping to take me with him, as wonderfull as that sounds... I'll still have to come back to tie up the loose ends... I know he's come back down to help and then we'd make the trip back up... I still have to get my passport changed and my new married name is not being used... Just been hard to know when I'll be needing it, and I'm hesitant to ship it out and wait the 6 weeks for a new one :P Although I really should get going on that before we file the paper work... Hmmm, or maybe I better wait until after I get my Canadian passport... I don't know... I have 101 things running through my head... and sitting at work for another 2 hours doesn't make things any better...

Well I guess I should at least look busy :P

I'll report back with the results of the product launch... as much as I'd like to share a link to his site, Google has been caching all sorts of results and ranking the useless info higher than the actual website... But I will say that it's only sold online from March 1-March 3 and it's a program that shows you step by step how to make money in the online world! A full 14 hours of training, that covers many aspects and various techniques to help you reach Success in as little as 32 Days. So whether you are a PC n00b like myself or you have some experience making money in the online world, there will be something to peek your interest!

That's all I can give you for a hint.. hopefully Google won't cache that and bump it above his site...

Noisey Neighbor, Grrrrr....

Alrighty,
Things have been a little busy around here lately… James is down for a few weeks and we are sharing my computer, therefor I’m not spending as much time online gaming or blogging, which isn’t a bad thing.

James works online and he’s putting the finishing touches on his product launch, So he’s been busy trying to record a few videos and and even do an interview or 2.
Unfortunately, I live in an apartment building and the walls are paper thin. Living on the bottom floor does have it’s pro’s and con’s… The only PRO is that I don’t have too lug my laundry or groceries up/down a flight of stairs. The CON is that I get to listen to my neighbors bang around and walk back and forth like they have 20 pounds of lead in their shoes.

I’ve been a tenant here for 2 years, and believe me, I’ve heard more than I care to hear from the guy upstairs… Now granted it’s not his fault there is a lack of insulation and no noise barrier at all. I’ve only resorted to banging on my ceiling twice in 2 years… Ya, I know not the most neighborly thing to do… But I really don’t know the guy to just walk upstairs and ask him to shut the F*$k up!

So this last week while James was trying to get some work done, he’s been trying to squeeze in his recordings in between the few hours the neighbor is gone.. but last night was it and we felt that this had gone on long enough… now granted it was only 5pm and rightfully the guy can listen to his stereo as loud as he wanted… and maybe he’s unaware of just how much we CAN hear… So James went up stairs, knocked on his door and politely asked if he’d mind turning down his music….

Yeah, that didn’t go as well as we hoped…HE insisted that the volume wasn’t loud and invited James to come in and see for himself… Sure it may not have been cranked to the MAX but he’s got things set up in a way that his speakers are on the floor and we can seriously hear what song is playing without having to really strain our ears. It’s not like it’s a low sort of muffled sound and turning on a fan will drowned it out, No No… We can hear word for word every song, crystal clear as if I had my radio turned on.

Anyway, the guy is a drunk and was pretty wasted, slurring his words and telling James that he’s got friends coming over and he WILL be cranking up the volume… Oh and he doesn’t know what James’ problem is, since it’s not like we are trying to sleep and it’s not after 10pm… It’s a little something called Common Courtesy!

For as long as I have dealt with him being loud and listening to his music every night at the same time for at least 3 hours (Did I mention it’s always the same 5-7 songs?) Our intention was not to piss in his Cheerios, but to let him know just how much we do hear from him and hoping he’d be just a tad more considerate… Yeah, that’s not gonna happen.

After the guy mentioned he was gonna crank it up, there was nothing more to say and James came back downstairs… We heard him talking to himself and getting all worked up… seems he’s a painter and was in the middle of being creative when he was interupted… After a 10 minute tantrum we hear him open his door and make his way down stairs and sure enough *Knock knock knock*…

James opens the door and we
hear his little song and dance about, how he thinks it’s the Bass we
are hearing and he can’t find his remote to adjust the level of the
Bass… And he wanted to make sure that we weren’t gonna call the cops or the landlord over this… In the future if we think his music is too
loud, we can walk upstairs and let him know… Sounds like things were
going good, right?

Yeah, not for long… Now that we’ve just woken up the angry drunken troll, he’s making more noise than he was 15 minutes ago. He’s now turned the volume up just a bit and he’s singing, more like shouting along with the radio! Fabulous!

That goes on the a good 15-20 minutes… I swear he was trying to find
ways to be more obnoxious… As if his 15 minutes of Karriokee fame
wasn’t enough, he gets the bright idea to run his garbage disposal for
a good 5 minutes…

*sigh* So James and I
realize that there was nothing we could do, but sit back and wait… He
knew he wasn’t going to get anything recorded until after 11pm so he
did what he could so that he was ready to go when that time came.
We thought we were in for 5 hours of hell… I’m guessing he finally passed out around 8pm and he didn’t hear too much from him after that.

Damn noisey neighbor, can’t live under them, can’t shoot them







..

10 Things Every Vehicle Owner Should Know

There are many new drivers out on the roads every day. Many of which have the mind set that as long as there is gas in the tank and you turn the key, you’re good to go! As long as your vehicle takes you from point A to point B, What else do you need to know?
Your vehicle is your means of transportation, getting you to school/work, the grocery store, family vacations. We spend a lot of time in our vehicles going to and from…and here to there, Why not get to know it better?

These tips will come in handy if your vehicle over heats, leaks fluid, or you should get a flat tire on the Interstate.In no particular order, Here are the 10 Things Every Vehicle Owner Should Know:


1. Know Where To Locate Your VIN#..... Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located in many places on the vehicle itself. There are 17 characters to your VIN, each is significant in the sense that it is like the vehicle’s fingerprint and no 2 are the same.

The VIN to your vehicle can be seen if you look where the windshield meets the dash on the Drivers side. There is also a sticker with the VIN and other information on the Drivers door jamb, also known as the A pillar. There is a metal plate on the firewall with your VIN. If by some chance you find it hard to read you can always find your VIN is on your registration/ title/ insurance paperwork.

The VIN is made up of 17 numbers/letters and each digit has a meaning. For example the First place identifies the Country in which the vehicle was manufactured. USA uses a 1 or a 4, Canada uses 2, Mexico uses 3, Japan uses J, Korea uses K, England uses S, Germany uses W and Italy uses Z.

Although you don’t need to know how to decipher your VIN, you should have it handy when you call a Dealership looking for parts. Their parts catalogs use the VIN to filter out the options your vehicle has, so they can look up the correct part for you.

2. Have A Spare Key… With technology advancing more with every day, there are more keys that have built in microchips. Even though you may not think your key has a chip in it, chances are it does if the vehicle year is 2002 and newer.
Does your key have integrated buttons on it to lock/unlock your doors? If so, you have a chip key!
Do you own a Lexus, BMW, or other high line vehicle? Then you probably have a chip key.

If you are like many people and are prone to locking your keys in your car, Do yourself a favor and have a spare key made. Purchase a “Hide a Key” container and find a good / accessible hiding place for it. At the very least have a generic key made to get you in the door.
For those of you with a chip key, a generic key will work in your doors but it will NEVER start your car. I can not stress that enough! If you are unsure as to whether you require a chip key, call your local Dealership and have your VIN handy.

Just a note about the chip keys: Through a Dealership, these key have a price range of $50.00 up to $250.00 each. The chip key WILL have to be programmed before it will start your vehicle. If you are buying a vehicle the requires a chip key, I suggest you make sure it comes with 2 keys and not a generic spare to get you in the door as that will not help you if you lose the only key that starts your vehicle. Some of the high line models need to have their keys sent out to be laser cut and could take a few days to come through the mail.


3. Know How To Check Your Fluids… Seems pretty basic, right? But there are many vehicle owners that don’t know how to check their fluids properly.

Let’s start with the Engine Oil:

It’s best to check the Engine Oil while the vehicle is cold (off). As that will allow the oil to settle to the oil pan and the dipstick will give an accurate level reading. Once you’ve popped the hood and located the Engine Oil Dipstick, have an old rag/towel or even an old sock handy as you pull out the dipstick. Use the rag to wipe it clean and then look at the dipstick and notice where the “FULL” line is marked. Place the dipstick back down into the tube all of the way and pull it back out. Try to hold it level and look at the end of the dipstick to get the reading. If the dipstick reads “FULL” you are all set. If the dipstick reads less than full, well you may want to add some fluid a little at a time being careful not to over fill it. Should the oil go passed the “FULL” mark, you may want to drain a bit. But only if you have the proper tools/equipment to do so and you can dispose the excess oil properly.

Antifreeze/Coolant…This fluid is also best checked while the engine is cold (off). The best place to check your coolant level is by looking at your recovery/over flow bottle under the hood. This bottle may look similar to your windshield washer fluid bottle, usually a white plastic jug that the cap will be marked, “Coolant Only” or “Antifreeze Only”. Once you’ve located the correct bottle, you will see that the bottle itself is marked with a “Min” (minimum) and “Max” (maximum). You want your coolant to be as close to the “Max” with out going over. In most cases, you should be able to open the cap and add your coolant to the bottle. Again, make sure the engine is cold and OFF when ever you deal with checking your coolant.

Windshield Washer Fluid…This fluid is the easiest to check since the blue color is easy to see through the bottle, assuming there is fluid in the bottle. Once you’ve located the correct bottle, open the cap and fill.

Here’s a quick “How To” video. http://www.ehow.com/video_2326863_ch...uid-level.html

The only advice I can offer here is using an additive. If you live in a region that sees the temperature get down below 32F/0C you may want to consider buying an additive. I believe Prestone and RainX make one. The additive is a fluid you add to your washer fluid bottle and it will prevent your fluid from freezing. Nothing worse than needing to clean off your windshield from the winter debris and hearing your washer pump humming and no sight of fluid coming out of your nozzles.

Automatic Transmission Fluid…First off, pop your hood and locate the dipstick for your transmission. In most cases, the handle may be red in color and may be found between the engine and the firewall. If you’ve spent a good 10 minutes searching and you have not found the dipstick, don’t be alarmed. Some of the newer vehicles are not equipped with a dipstick for the transmission.

For those of you that do have a dipstick, the next step is to start the vehicle. The proper way to check the fluid level is by starting the vehicle, apply your foot to the brake and shift through each gear. Allow the vehicle to run for a few minutes, continue to shift through the gears with your foot on the brake then put the transmission in PARK.

Get an old rag/towel or that old sock with holes and pull out the dipstick, wipe it off, locate the “FULL”/ “Hot” mark, and put it back in the tube all of the way, then pull it back out to check the reading.

Here’s a quick video… http://www.ehow.com/video_104_check-...nsmission.html not the best video as there are errors in the narration… but it will give you the visual for a better understanding.

Power Steering Fluid… The easiest way to locate your Power Steering Pump is to look at your drive belts. The power steering pump is belt driven, once you locate the pump, the power steering reservoir should be close by. In most cases it is attached to the pump itself, but sometimes it is set off separately, but will have a hose that attaches it to the pump.

Once you’ve located the power steering pump reservoir, you will see a cap. Usually a ¼ turn is all it takes to open it and there may be a tiny dipstick built on to the cap. Other wise, the opening may be large enough to see down in and you can see the fluid level. But in the event that the reservoir is in a tight spot, you may have to resort to using your finger as the dipstick. If that‘s the case, stick your finger in, if it comes out dry, more fluid is needed.

Brake Fluid… Locating your master cylinder couldn’t be an easier. Pop your hood and look on the Drivers side. It’s sitting opposite of your steering wheel with skinny metal tubes running off of the bottom.

For the most part, the brake fluid reservoir reads similar to your windshield washer fluid bottle. You may see the “Max” and “Min” stamped on the outside. In many cases you should be able to see the fluid level from the outside without having to open the cap. Only take the cap off if you absolutely have to. This system is sensitive to air, moisture and debris. If you have to add fluid, wipe the area around the cap clean, add more brake fluid until the level reads “Max” and carefully put the cap back on.


4. Know Which Fluids To Use… All Fluids are NOT created equal! If they were there would only be 1 weight of engine oil, 1 type of transmission fluid, 1 fluid for all axles and 1 version of coolant. But there is not and with good reason.

Please don’t fall victim to “it’s all the same”. That mentality could cost you a few hundred dollars in repairs if you use the wrong fluid or mix & match the wrong fluids. Now I’m not going to cover every make and every fluid option, but I will give a few examples just to give you an idea.

For Engine Oil: The most common weight of oil is 5W30 and 5W20. The 5W30 is considered to be an “All Season” motor oil and is used in many vehicles from 2005 and older. The 5W20 is being used more in the newer vehicles and are recommended in the 5.7 Hemi MDS engines. The Chrysler “World” engines also take 5W20. While the Nitro takes 10W30 Mobil One synthetic and the Crossfire takes 0W40 Mobil One synthetic. Most Diesel engines use 15W40 oil.

For Automatic Transmission Fluid: Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep has their ATF+4 for most of their vehicle with an Automatic Transmission. The Caliber takes a special CVT+4 fluid and the Crossfire has its own fluid. Never mind the various types of manual transmission fluid. GM uses Dexron III for many of their models. I believe Toyota has their own special ATF and more than likely the high line Acura, BMW, and Mercedes have their own too.

For Coolant: Well, it used to be that all we had to choose from was Green Coolant or the Low Toxic Coolant. Now there are more varieties with can not be mixed & matched. Most vehicles older than 2001 will probably have the green coolant.

GM uses DexCool (red in color) also referred to as Extended Life. Not to be confused with Chrysler’s Extended Life (also red in color) as they are NOT the same. Hybrids also have their own pretty blue coolant. I have heard about a magenta colored coolant, just not sure who’s using that.

The after market makes a “Universal” coolant and is said to be compatible for all coolants. If you are not sure what type your vehicle takes, the Universal can be used as a means of topping off. If your radiator is bone dry, you really should use the OEM coolant to put back in it.

Just a note about mixing the green coolant with the red extended life coolant:

Having witnessed this first hand, I will tell you the mixing the 2 in a bottle will do nothing but turn a rusty color. However; when mixed together and let run through until the engine gets to the operating temperature, the coolant mix becomes gel and your whole coolant system has to be replaced.

For Power Steering Fluid: It’s getting to the point where we have a few variations of this fluid. Most vehicles take regular power steering fluid. Honda has their own, Chrysler has been known to use ATF+4 and Hydraulic oil along with regular power steering fluid.

For Brake Fluid: Most of the Vehicles on the road today will take DOT3 Brake Fluid. In recent years DOT4 has been introduced which means somewhere it’s being used.

Please don’t mix and match fluids. The Manufacturer recommends certain fluids for a reason.

Again, if you are unsure what type of fluid to use in your vehicle, your Owners manual is your new best friend! If you don’t have an owners manual then have your VIN handy and call your local dealership and they can advise you as to which fluid and how much you need.



5. Know Which Grade Of Fuel… Most of us have grown accustomed to seeing “Regular”, “MidGrade” and “Premium”. Seems like a simple choice, right? Well, it’s not so simple. With the new technology and the Hybrid cars on the loose we also have E85 for the flex fuel engines. Let’s not for get about those loud Diesel trucks.

As for me, well my Saturn gets fed the MidGrade and once a month I try to spoil her with a tank of premium, just because I know it’ll get a few more miles to the gallon.

I can’t suggest that for everyone, as your vehicle may only like the Premium fuel.

Many of us are creatures of habit, my self included. So the next time you need to put gas in a rental, a U-haul, your buddy’s truck because he let you borrow it to move… Double check before you go filling the tank with the wrong fuel. I have seen that a few times with a diesel truck that was filled with regular fuel. Another big job you don’t want to pay out of pocket for. I should also mention the fact that you may void your warranty too.

Whether you choose to lease a new vehicle every 2-3 years or you have the chance to upgrade from a 2000 Neon to a 2007 Prius, Please check with your owners manual to verify which grade of fuel you should be using. I’m sure that amongst your instrument cluster it will say “unleaded fuel” “Diesel Only” something along those lines…Otherwise have your VIN handy and call your local dealership.



6. Check Your Tire Pressure… Many drivers don’t check their tire pressure as often as they should. Did you know that in the colder weather each tire loses 1-2 pounds of air each month? Losing 1-2 pounds each month can really take a toll on the life of your tires, never mind the miles per gallon you are now losing. You should also know that your tires lose more air in the warmer months. So checking your tire pressure at least once a month is recommended.

Here’s a quick ‘How To” video that will show you what to look for and how to check the air in your tires.

http://www.ehow.com/video_112746_che...-pressure.html

Here’s a quick “How To” video that shows how to change a tire. http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Cha...Flat-Tire-1526

7. Don’t Get Stranded… Every vehicle should have an Emergency Kit! Whether you piece something together or you purchase a pre made kit from your local retail store. You’ll be glad you did should you find yourself in a sticky situation.

If your vehicle requires special fluid that can only be purchased through the Dealer, I suggest you have a small amount on hand. You never know when a coolant hose may spring a leak. Sure, a helpful motorist may stop and see if he/she can help, but if you’re driving a Dodge Caliber and the motorist pulls up in a Toyota Prius, the only fluid in common may be the brake fluid.

The colder weather really puts a strain on your car battery.

Here’s a helpful video to show the proper way to jump start a vehicle.

http://www.5min.com/Video/How-To-Jum...r-Car-68735784

Typically speaking, your emergency kit should contain:

Jumper/Booster Cables, A working flashlight, a flat head screw driver, a slotted screwdriver, a small hammer, an adjustable wrench, a pair of pliers and a travel sized First Aid Kit.

By all means, feel free to add more to your emergency kit. Depending on where you live, you may want to carry a blanket, some bottled water, a small bag of cat litter for traction or even look into becoming a member of AAA. http://www.aaa.com/aaa/sem/sem.htm?r...word=exact_aaa

AAA has many great benefits once you become a member. Check out their website and you’ll see all of the perks you can benefit from.


8. Glove Box Content… Looking for your Registration should not be a game of hide & seek. There are certain papers you should keep in your glove box and there are other important papers you should not carry.

Here is a list of things you should keep:

*The Vehicle Registration
*Your Owners Manual
*Proof of Insurance
*Proof of Safety/Emissions… should that apply.
*Emergency Contact List. With a few names and phone numbers. Should something serious happen and you are taken to a Hospital, I’m sure your loved ones would like a phone call.
*Master Key for Locking Lug Nuts… to be explained.

Now the list of things you should not carry:

*The Title to Your Vehicle… that is a #1 NO NO! Should someone break in to your vehicle and get a hold of your title, or should your vehicle get impounded or catch fire, you now have a lot of work ahead of you to prove that you own that vehicle.

*Birth Certificates/ Social Security Information… there really is no need for those to be in your glove box, and it can be a hassle trying to get a duplicate copy.

*Touch Up Paint… makes an awful mess after it heats up and oozes out from the bottle.

It’s not to say that you can’t store extra napkins and straws from the drive thru if you have the room for it. Store what you want in there, it’s your glove box. Just be sure that you have the important paperwork together and it’s accessible.


9. Wheel Locks… Wheel Lock kits are a great investment if your vehicle has expensive wheels, custom wheels, the spare tire is mounted on the outside like a Jeep Wrangler or a Toyota Rav4.

A Wheel Lock Kit will include:

* 4 Locking lug nuts or 5 if the vehicle has a rear mounted spare tire.

* 1 Master Key to remove/install the locking lug nuts.

* Your Master Key number with the manufacturer’s information. This information should be kept in a safe place, just in case the Master Key is lost or damaged. Should this happen, simply contact the manufacturer and give them the Master Key number and they can send out a replacement. A nominal fee may apply.

Now it is not mandatory that you go out and purchase a set. It is important that you leave the Master Key in the glove box.
When you get your routine maintenance done, chances are your tires will be due for a rotation. If they don’t have the Master Key to take off the locking lug nuts, they may resort to cutting it off of the wheels. Now you’re out 4 wheel studs and 4 lug nuts.
I know you’d hate to get stuck with a flat tire during rush hour, only to have your master key sitting in your garage.

Should you purchase a set, the Master Key should fit in the lug wrench for easy installation/removal. Just double check to be sure you have something that will fit.


10. Routine Maintenance… For the most part the maintenance schedule runs in the same intervals. Keeping up on your vehicles maintenance is very important. You need air and water and blood to live, your vehicle needs clean air, clean fluids and spark to run.

* 3K At 3,000 miles you will be due for an oil change.

* 6K At 6,000 miles you will be due for an oil change and a tire rotation (if it applies) some tires are directional and can’t be rotated.

* 9K At 9,000 miles you will be due for an oil change.

* 12K At 12,000 miles you will be due for an oil change and a tire rotation.

During these services, the technician should also be inspecting your belts and hoses, checking the wear on your brakes, greasing your suspension, checking your fluid levels and the tire pressure.

* 15K At 15,000 miles along with an oil change, you will be due to change your air filter and PCV as well (if it has not already been done).

* 18K through 27K is the same as the 3K- 9K rotation.

* 30K Should be your first Big Service. This Service should include an oil change, Air Filter, PCV, changing your Automatic Transmission Filter and fluid, Changing your Differential Fluids (if it applies) replacing your spark plugs(unless they are platinum) and a tire rotation(if it applies).

In a nut shell your vehicle is due for an oil change every 3K

Every 6K the tire are scheduled for a rotation.

Every 15K the Air Filter and PCV is due to be replaced.

Every 30K comes with a big service like the Timing Belt, transmission filter, spark plugs, drive belts, fuel filter.

Hopefully I haven’t confused you too much. What I have posted is simply the rule of thumb when it comes to regular scheduled maintenance. Check with your local Dealer for a better break down for your vehicle. This information should also be in the owner’s manual as well.

Just be wary of the “Flush” services many dealerships are offering as an added service to your Big Services. Especially the Transmission Flush, rather than pulling down your transmission pan, replace the filter, reseal the pan and refill with new fluid. A machine is used to suck the old fluid out and to pump new fluid in. That’s it!

I can’t recommend something I wouldn’t do myself or to my own vehicle. Never changing your Transmission filter is like never cleaning the filter/ brushes on your vacuum and expecting it to perform like new.

This concludes today’s lesson! Now you are ready to hit the road.

Happy Motoring!


Your Friend,
Vixie



www.vixiexpress.com

Last Customer of the Day... * warning *

Warning! Rant Mode ON:

What is it with difficult customers coming in at the last 20 minutes of the day to want to return something and then continue to give you their life story?

I mean honestly, I understand that you bought something and now for whatever reason you would like to return the item… You must know that the returning of an item does take longer than the buying process, Right? It’s not like you can expect to walk in and drop your item on the counter and expect money in hand within seconds. Unfortunately things just aren’t that simple, and a paper trail is needed, and the item you are returning needs to be looked at to make sure of it’s condition so you can receive a full credit… Things take a little longer when you don’t have your receipt in hand and we have to go searching for it.

I know all of this seems like basic knowledge, but it never fails. For whatever reason, many people wait until the last few minutes just before the department closes to want to return their unwanted parts. It’s just aggravating when that happens at 4:50pm and we close at 5:00pm and Mr. Customer brings in his special order part because it was not the cause of his problem and he wants to return it with out his receipt, and he paid with his credit card.. which now has to go back on the same credit card, and since the Office Manager doesn’t allow us to do return transactions, someone from the Office now has to come down stairs and do the return on the machine *sigh*

Anyway, the whole reason behind my rant is due to a Customer that came in at the end of my shift wanting to return the steel wheel she had purchased last week for her 2005 Sebring Convertable.

I was the Advisor that helped her last week and I remembered the transaction… Going back to last week, She was walked over to the Parts Counter by one of the Service Advisors and they seemed to know each other and I was asked to take care of her *wink wink*. Not that I don’t with all of the customer I deal with ,but the *wink wink* was to make sure I gave her a good deal on the Wheel she was looking to purchase.

She came in with her registration in hand and was looking to get a Full Size Steel Wheel to replace the Full Size Aluminum Wheel that came with the car. As she went to use it and saw there was a good sized crack in it and obviously didn’t feel safe using it. She had a feeling that the same OEM wheel would be pretty pricey and she was hoping to get a spare of the same size wheel that was less expensive. Which sounds easy enough,right?

Although having the VIN# handy was nice, I could not use this information for what she was asking for. The VIN# only tells me what the vehicle has, and since she was asking for something that did not come with the car, I had to take the VIN filter off to see if a Full Sized Steel Wheel was an option.

Are you with me so far?

Once the VIN filter is off I can now see all of the options Chrysler used for ALL 2005 Sebring Convertables. There were at least 6 Aluminum Wheel options and 1 Steel Wheel option and 1 Compact Spare option… None of which have the dimensions or sizes listed, hence why it is important that we have your VIN#, and can filter out the options.

So I let her know that there was 1 Steel wheel option, but I can’t be sure that the wheel is the right size, or if it will mount properly. With that being said, she still wants to purchase the Steel wheel because she doesn’t want to go any longer without having a spare tire in her trunk.

I write up the special order card, let her know when she can expect it to be in, gave her a discount on the part and finished the transaction. I was suppose to charge her @ $150.00 but instead she paid $115.00 + tax.

Seems she bought her spare tire from Costco and went to have it mounted on her new steel wheel today, only to be told that the tire would not fit the wheel, and it was pointed out that the wheels she has on the car are 16 inches and the steel wheel was only 15 inches. So you can imagine that she’s not in a good mood when she comes in looking for a credit.

She comes to the Parts Counter and says that this wheel is the wrong size and she can’t understand how it could be wrong when I had her information, and goes on to say how frustrated she is because she’s having such a hard time trying to find what she wants and no one has been able to find a steel wheel that will fit and of all places, she thought we being a Dealer should get it right.

At this point it all comes back to me and I remember the scenario behind this transaction, and I told her that can understand her frustration and asked if she had her receipt so I could start the return process. Sounding more upset, she doesn’t have it and has no idea where it is and makes a point to say that I was the one who helped her. I let her know that I remembered and also recalled giving her a special price and with out her receipt I don’t know what she paid in order to give her a credit.

Now I’m not one to put myself in a confrontational situation, I could see where she was upset and confused with how things worked and I wanted to try to calm her down and explain things in a way she could understand. She had the mentality that we should know what size wheel she needed and why couldn’t we just look it up and order it.

I looked up a 2005 Sebring Convertable and printed the screen so she could see what I see, showing her the 6 different Aluminum options, the 1 Steel option and the 1 Compact spare option… I went on to explain that the Sales codes next to the description have a meaning, but without the VIN I can’t decipher what the “WCF” “WCE” “WFE” means nor are there any sizes listed. This is all I see! You asked for a Steel Wheel, there was 1 option and that is what was ordered. I let her know that I had no way of knowing if that steel wheel would be compatible but it’s what she asked for and I apologized, saying I was sorry that it didn’t work for her.

I went on to explain what her options were… 1 being that she go to some place that could measure one of her wheels, get the dimensions and see if they could find a Steel wheel of the same size… or 2 She would have to get the OEM Aluminum wheel that came with the car. Seems she already tried the first option and was getting no where, then was told to come to the Dealer as we “should” be able to get what she needs. Again I showed her the print out as to what the Wheel options were for that year car and since the Steel wheel offered was not correct, and she doesn’t want to spend the money on the OEM wheel, I can’t help her. And again she went on to question why I couldn’t get her a steel wheel for her, as she feels that Chrysler MUST make one that is compatible…. you can see where this is going… Around and around and around with me explaining the same thing and her not grasping the concept… all the while I am keeping my cool, and let her know that I am in no way trying to give her a hard time, but I’m trying to educate her and I am sincere in wanting to help her, but she has already exhausted her options, there is nothing more I can do.

So I let her know that I will do the return without her receipt, because it’s the least I can do to help make things better and as a default when doing a return, a 20% restocking fee is added. Now in all honesty we can waive that if we want and in most cases we don’t even pass that on to the customer… But on the bottom of all invoices it clearly states that ALL special orders that are returned will have a 20% restocking fee, NO returns on electrical parts and you have 30 days to return your parts. A pretty standard disclaimer, but we have made many exceptions in the past.

I realize that the restocking fee was added and thought to myself maybe I should waive that… but I went with it anyway and showed her on the duplicate receipt that I was able to print up, that she paid $115.00 +tax and now with the return there was a credit for the $115.00 nut here’s a restocking fee because it was a special order part so she’s being credited @ $96.60. You know that didn’t go well… *sigh* Now she’s questioning the restocking fee, saying it’s not her fault that the wrong part was ordered and she shouldn’t have to get penalized. Naturally I go on to explain why we charge a restocking fee, and the fact that it was a special order and the fact that this wheel only fits a 2005 Sebring that came through with the steel wheel option and it’s a very slim chance that we are going to sell this part. Those aren’t my rules, There are many parts that we buy from Chrysler and we are not able to return them, for what ever reason… She understands that and recognizes that it’s not my fault, but naturally she’s upset because it just cost her $24.15 to return a part that we are going to have sit on a shelf and she still does not have a full sized spare tire for her car. She did make a point to say that she didn’t agree with the restocking fee and she will talk to my manager about it.

So the whole drive home, I’m thinking about the way things were handled, trying to think if I could have done things differently, but in the end I did all I could think to do. I don’t like seeing customers upset after dealing with me, I do take it personally, it may not be my fault, but I don’t want their experience with me an upsetting one. I know that I’m hard on myself, and and I people pleaser, in most cases I’m too nice, and I do go out of the way to go the extra mile… i found myself second guessing whether I should have waived the restocking fee, but I know it was the right thing to do… I was a split second decision and I had to put my foot down and commit once I brought it to her attention. I guess I just need to vent and get it off of my chest.

I know that I can’t please everybody, but I still try.

So what did we learn today? We learned that wheel are not created equal. We also learned that you don’t have to like what the Parts Advisor is saying, but I have no reason to lie to you.. accept the fact that what you want to put on your car may not exist.

This concludes the lesson for today….. I hope you come back for the next one

Rant Mode OFF!

Waiting for the Melatonin to kick in...

Welcome Back,

This weekend was pretty much like any other weekend. I worked my lame Saturday shift from 8am til 2pm. I figured while I was out and about I should get my laundry and shopping done, so I did just that. That would leave me with Sunday and Monday to do as little as possible.

I did manage to add more content to the forum, I see there are a few new members as well! I’m really excited about that! Now I know that the forum will not have a life all it’s own over night, that it could take a good 6 months before I really see a lot of traffic on a daily basis… But I think it has great potential.

Looks like the cookie recipes are a big hit, which gives me the motivation to dig out my other recipes so I can share them as well. I did make our wedding cake, so maybe I’ll post a picture of that too.

As for my real life… well there is not much that has changed in that area. Still working for the same crummy employer, still getting paid less than I’m worth, still living pay check to pay check, still having a hard time being able to put money away in case something happens… *sigh*

But on the bright side! James is coming down in 2 weeks! Rather, I’m driving the 7 hours up to get him, spending the night and driving the 7 hours back down the next day. Either way we’ll be together for 3 weeks before he takes a Greyhound Bus back to Ottawa. At this point I’ll take what ever time I can get.

I offered to drive up and get him… he’s had too many issues with Greyhound… His first trip by bus consisted of him leaving Ottawa to go to Montreal, 45 minutes into the trip, the bus gets a flat tire… the passengers were put on another bus after another 45 minutes had passed and the trip continued… They only allow 30 minutes to get through the Border/Customs (which by the way is NEVER long enough when you have a bus full of passengers)… Then from Montreal to White River Junction, no problems there, Oh except that the Bus that was going to Springfield was no longer running and the Bus is now going right passed Springfield (where he needs to get off) to go to Boston…

So yeah, James planned a surprise trip and if all went as planned, he was to arrive here around 7pm…. But instead he was made to take a bus all the way to Boston just to take a Bus back to Springfield… That was just the first incident.

The second greyhound mishap came last winter when he flew down from Calgary, stayed 2 months and booked his bus trip to Ottawa online. All looked good, every thing was confirmed, his credit card was charged, and a week before he’s scheduled to leave, he still has yet to see the tickets in the mail.. So he call and gets a huge run around with the employees… being transfered from here to there… no one being able to answer his questions… Finally, he gets an answer… Seems your credit card was charged, we see where you placed the order online, we sent your tickets to you 2 weeks ago….

DUH!!! That’s what we see too! Now where is the ticket? Oh seems they were sent back because that address was not deliverable. Not deliverable? WTF is that? I have been getting mail here for 2 years and have never heard that term ever! Anyway long story short… We had to drive to Springfield so he could purchase the tickets in person, since we didn’t want another mishap with the mail.

His last trip down, again starting from Ottawa to Montreal(border/customs)… A few passengers from his bus were detained and that held everyone up for an hour (again 30 minutes is obviously too short to get a bus load of people through)… not only that but now a second greyhound bus has broken down and his bus now takes on all of those passengers as well. The trip continues and headed to Albany. James now has 15 minutes to get off the bus, get his luggage, and check in on the bus going to Springfield…. Oh but wait, There isn’t a bus going to Springfield anymore, all of the passengers are going to Boston… but they did make the exception and stop in Springfield to let James off…. but only after the driver asked James for directions…

Good God! What kind of operation are these people running anyways! Seriously, a bus driver that doesn’t know how to get to Springfield from Albany… You’d think with technology being what it is, that each bus would come with a Garmin or a Tom-Tom, ya know a GPS of some sort. Since their routes change like New England weather :P It’s like asking some one from Boston how to get to California… So anyway, I know I rambled on longer than I planned about this whole matter… but you can see why I opted to just pick him up myself. After all the bus trip takes what should be a 7 hour drive and drags it out for 14 hours.

Now to change the subject…As I have mentioned before… I play an online game called Entropia Universe (EU) in which I am the leader of a society called the PE Addicts. Due to recent in activity, ya know with Real Life getting in the way, and lack of funds… a few members have not been as active, which makes things rather dull for those members that still are on all the time.

We felt it was time to get some new active members to help liven things up a bit… So this weekend I made a post on the EF (entropia forum) that we were looking to expand. We have some interest, but no one has applied just yet. So it’s a wait and see sort of thing.

There are hundreds of societies in EU, many are much more strict about accepting members, they set higher goals, or want your skills to be at a certain level before even looking at you… Some societies are just for Hunters, just for Crafters, just for Miners and they too may require that you have certain equipment of skills. Well you get the idea…

But not the PE Addicts! We are here to have fun, and help others and each other. No stipulations, no chain of command, you can come and go as you please, no pressure and no drama.

I have been with this society since day 1 being a co founder myself. We are coming up on our 3 year anniversary in July. I am proud to say that we have a very low turn over rate. We are a small society of 12 member and these guys are like my extended family. Kind of like long lost brothers/friends… that one day I hope to meet them all. If you knew me in real life, You’d probably never guess that I run a society, as I come across as shy, quiet, reserved… Even though I’m that same person in game, I’m looked up to and respected and they’d do just about anything for me, as I’d do the same for them.

Now that I’m thinking about that a little more… in the sense that when you fill out an application and are sometimes asked if you’ve ever had any kind of experience as a manager/supervisor… I’m sure the potential employer would think your crazy if you answered, Yes, I have 3 years experience running a society with 20 members and we are ranked as #5 in the Top 50 most skilled!

Ok, that’s my que that the melatonin is kicking in and it’s time I wrap this up for tonight.

Thanks again for reading/listening while I vent and ramble on… see you next time.

Throwing in the towel...

Welcome Back Avid Blog Readers,

Tonight has been most frustrating… I attempted to file my taxes online, got all of the way through it and was asked for information from last years taxes to verify that I am who I say I am… Yeah I don’t have anything but an email confirmation that it was received. I didn’t have a printer last year to print up a copy for myself, I efiled and got a pdf copy, which was all well and good, except that my computer crashed a few months ago and all was lost in the great black hole.

So long story short, I figured for as little as I’m getting I’ll print up a copy this time while I can and mail in the returns and wait for my piddly checks to come in the mail.

Over the weekend not only was this website and the forum created but I also wrote a 10 page article I hope many people will find useful. I already submitted it to an online website to see if they would be interested in publishing it for the world to see, but I’m not holding my breath.

I did attempt to post it here, but the images would not show up so I thought I would out smart my computer and post in on the forum, hoping the pictures would show there… nope. I was advise to up load the pictures in the gallery on the forum then they should show up in the right places… nope. Then I thought I could paste a link to my document and that will show the final product…. nope … So I give up:P for tonight anyway.

The article is still posted in the forum under the Creative Corner, but at least the short videos should work… I hope.

Oh! For those inquiring minds that want to know, the 10 page article is called “10 Things Every Vehicle Owner Should Know” I know 10 pages sounds rather dull but really with a few quick videos thrown into the mix it really flows smoothly.

Feel free to leave any comments on the forum

My Creative Month...

Welcome Back,

My creative juices have really been flowing this month. I’ve finally got around to teaching myself how to crochet. I have had the interest for a few years now and I bought the How To kit and a few skeins of yarn, but I’m a hands on learner and have to see and do it myself before it really sets in. So my kit has been sitting in a plastic bag in my closet for 2 years collecting dust. Last weekend I finally got around to going through the bag and booklet and start learning.

I also have a How To learn to knit kit as well. I took an hour long beginners class 2 years ago and I learned how to cast on the first row of stitches… that info lasted about 2 weeks at most and I have completely forgotten since :P I attempted the knitting again but wasn’t coming back to me… So I thought working with 1 needle may be easier than working with 2… So that ’s what I did!

I started reading through the booklet and learning the crocheting lingo and started crocheting my first row of stitches… So far so good, the first row of stitches was about 5 feet in length before I attempted to start the second row. I was going to attempt to make my first blanket or at the very least a scarf. But is it looks now, I have 7-9 rows of light blue stitches and I figured out how to add in a second color of yarn, and there are 3 rows of purple stitches. Funny thing is that the length has gone from 5 feet long to 1 foot in length…. I didn’t expect that to happen. So what I thought would make a nice blanket or scarf… but now it looks like it might make a cute lil’ skirt for a toy poodle or maybe even a pot holder. Once I’m finished I’ll post the final product on the forum

My next project was my writing and the creating of this website/forum. My husband has been talking about helping my get my own site started for a few months now. I started blogging last summer on the Entropia forum, blogger.com, and myspace. Just making all of the originals on the EF and cutting and pasting them to the other sites. As time went on and I let James know that my blog on myspace has received over 400 views, he thought now was the time to get things rolling.

So far writing and blogging my thoughts/experiences have been a great outlet for me to release some stress. There have been so many times in my life were I really needed to have my voice heard and it went unnoticed, I suppose this is my way of making up for that. So now I can blog and write my little heart out.

I just finished my first article which is now posted here on the forum. I am also tinkering with the thought of writing a Children’s Book and even a book about my life. So those are things on the back burner for now.

Finally my last project I’ve started and have yet to finish is learning to speak French. I’ve had the interest to learn many languages for as long as I can remember. After searching online, I came across a 4 CD package that will teach me to speak French for $9.95. Each CD as 2 lessons, so 8 lessons all together, can’t beat that! So I’ll be giving that a whirl during the week when there is nothing to watch on TV. If this 4 CD kit works as well as I hope, then I’ll have no problems spending another $9.95 for the Spanish version or the Italian version. I’ll be sure to keep you all posted as I make progress.

Well, that’s about it for this blog entry…. To be continued…