cell phones

The Arizona Republic had an article today about the lack of government regulation of cell phone compaines. So when a customer has a problem, the celll phone company can say "screw you," and get away with it.

And they have a highly paid army of lobbists to ensure it stays that way for a while.

The article profiled a farmer, who had bills go to collection after he sent a copy of his wife's death certificate, to "please cancel her plan and close the account."

"Sorry sir, she still has 9 months to go on her contract. Dying won't get you out of paying the montly bill."

I have Sprint. The only place I get killer reception is at a Sprint store because of the tower that's right on top of the building. When it's cloudy like today, my phone goes in and out of reception area just sitting on my desk. Same story at home.

In the first year, I had it replaced twice and the firmware upgraded three times to try and improve my reception. Now that the phone isn't under warranty, I've resigned myself to the fact that I'm screwed until I can weasel out of my contract.

Much to my happiness, I saw construction of a cell phone tower a block away. I figured this would help matters.

Then I forgot about it. Then realized that a palm tree is covering its ugliness.

But Sprint doesn't have a share on that tower because my reception is still shitty.

Customer service of the future???

A few days ago, I raved about the customer service of Medtronic. She was going to look into a donated replacement for my MCS "remote", and get back to me.

I figured it'd be a few days. Much to my surprise, she called me yesterday late morning. Of course, I had left my cell phone in my car because I had just pulled into my parents driveway, so we ran a few rounds of phone tag.

When we did get one another on the line, she had some good news for me. "I secured you a replacement for your MCS remote. I'll get it in the mail today."

"Great, thanks," thinking it'd go in USPS and eventually show up in my mailbox.

"Is someone going to be at this address?" she asks.

"When and why?"

"As you now know, that's a $1,000 item. I don't want the FedEx guy to leave it at your doorstep all day."

"You're going to FedEx it to me? Well, I'll be at work (naturally), so here's my work address."

"Okay, I'll call you when it gets sent out."

That was the last I had heard from her. I got caught up in accomidating my family, so I had forgotten all about it.

Until I get to work. It's pushing 4:00, and no FedEx delivery for me yet.

The receiving dock closes at 4:00, so FedEx doesn't come after that.

I think her voicemail said she'd be out of the office today, so I won't bug her until Monday. But I don't like being tugged along with a carrot, then find it's a fake.

Out of town visitors

Yup, blogging in Fountain Hills right now. One of my aunts is leaving this morning to head back to Chicago.

She arrived Monday night. How she managed to get a cheap flight without an overnight Saturday stay is beyond me. And why such a short visit? I don't know.

So I had to take the day off work yesterday, drive up, and spend the day with her.

I don't mind that - she is one of my favorite aunts. But my grandmother's confusion added some fustration to our day. I took it in stride, my aunt could only shake her head. Then I HAD to take my grandmother and aunt to Scottsdale to see the new house my aunt "Lisa*" is trying to purchase (it's not quite a done deal yet).

Today is my grandmother's real birthday. Last night we had everyone over for a birthday dinner and cake. My cousin "Ann*" made an unannounced visit, tried to show how much she loves her grandmother, then darted out of the house before cake and coffee was served. Someday I'll explain why we'd all be much happier if she didn't do crap like that.

* = names changed to protect the clueless.