Needing to return a pair of shoes given to Gise for his birthday, I called up the store Sunday night hoping a machine would give me their hours. Yes, Sole Mates, would be open at 10am Monday morning. I loaded 'em up at about 9:50 and arrived to find a closed store. We waited awhile. And we happened upon a sign stating their store hours. With the wonderful invention of Wite-Out, MONDAY'S HOURS WERE VANISHED!!
A call was place to the mis-informed machine. In short, I told them I was upset and how unprofessional it was that their hours were contradictory. And that I would not be shopping with them again. (There was another incident also awhile back.)
I got a voice mail later that day, apologizing for the mix-up. He also gave me the correct hours they are open.
Tuesday arrives, and our van is loaded up again at 10:00am. I get hopeful as I see a truck parked right next to the entrance. Hope went to the wayside as the lights were off and the Closed sign was once again on the flip side. UGGGHHH!!!
We left, after placing another message on a now-blank greeting from the establishment telling we were there and they weren't, we got Dunkin' Donuts next store. After paying for my Munchkins, I stormed into that parking lot and shoved the bag of shoes in their mailbox. I left another message telling them to call me for a credit on my credit card.
He called. He was rude. He wasn't apologetic. He gave excuses. He gave me my refund.
Would you do what I did? Was I right? Is it acceptable? Do most people usually blow these things off and get taken advantage of? Don't these businesses need to know when they are wrong and could be better?
I have had a similar experience with another local business a couple months ago also. I called and left a message about my disgust. I know both of these businesses are run by Christians too. It makes me less upset, but more saddened. I know we are human and make mistakes and sin, but to repeatedly be that way? And to treat me like crap on the phone?
Maybe they don't run their business the way I would if I had one. Don't you think they could open up the door on time though? Is that too much to ask when running a business? Whatever. I thought I would throw it out there for you all. I don't care about it anymore. I made my peace and spoke my mind. And I will not be going back to Sole Mates in Crown Point, Indiana again.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Date Night
I recently received the following e-mail from my mom, which she received from her friend.
"Good afternoon!
After trips to the beauty shop, hardware store, etc. we went out to the new house this afternoon. Later we stopped at Dairy Queen for a late (2 p.m.) lunch & saw the cutest couple out on a date. It was a May-Sept. kind of romance. The woman was quite a bit older than the "man", but they looked good together. I don't think it was their first date, but I have reason to believe that she is seeing a few others on the side. But she has her reasons, probably pretty good ones. From the giggles that were coming from that end of the room I would say they were having a really good time together and enjoyed each other's company. Amy & Adam were out on a mother/son date.
It was really sweet. They weren't there too long & may have had other activities prior to the DQ visit, but what we witnessed was just great. We saw them when we first arrived & when I asked where everyone was, she said that they were on a date. So we made sure to sit at the other end & did not speak again until they were leaving. Makes me miss all the fun times I shared with my son when he was little. Amy is doing a wonderful job building memories & cementing her relationships with her children."
I am only sharing her e-mail because of the adorable way she put it into prose and not to toot my own horn about what she said about me. But it does feel good that an outsider, or at least one who knows us and the family, can see my intentions in planning dates with my little men.
I stole "dating your children" from a few of my guy friends. You know, I have boys, why can't I date them? (For sure, they are going to need the practice for someday, or maybe never, for their mama's sake. Ha!) Dates for the Gibson duo is usually a trip to local somewhere for a little something. For example, an ice cream treat at Dairy Queen or a trip to Target for popcorn and pop. Yet, it isn't about the destination, it's about what happens there. With my boys, it is like pulling teeth to get them to express. They know how to talk and say all the goofy, crude boy phrases, just not the dig-down-deep words to have a conversation that doesn't have the words fart, butt or poopy in it. (I'm exaggerating a bit.) I usually bring along my little book "Ask Me" by Antje Damm to help me pry some things out of them. It is a wonderful book that asks simple, accompanied by rich and varied images that are designed to stimulate conversation. Questions like, "Which of your dreams do you remember?" and "What do you wish you could do really well?" are a few examples.
Getting to know my children deeper is not just about dating them, I know. Yet, it is a helpful way to get intentional, focused attention on just one child away from your home. I love seeing these boys in different lights individually. Having a big family like ours, it is easy to be clumped together, especially with two of them coming into this world already a duo. I cherish these little dates and my forever-little boys.
And speaking of dates... Grant had quite an extraordinary date with his mom today that I had to share because he had a blast. And he can't wait to tell everyone at school and show the picture we took. He even made me tell the drive-thru girl at McDonalds' where we went. "Blue Man Group" was the destination!! I want to instill the love of culture and the arts in these guys, because there is so much to offer out there. Grant loved the percussion sets and all the goofy moments these guys share. He was upset because there wasn't more "tubes" that beat on. He even had me pray for the opportunity tonight; so I know he must have loved it. And his mom loved it too!!
"Good afternoon!
After trips to the beauty shop, hardware store, etc. we went out to the new house this afternoon. Later we stopped at Dairy Queen for a late (2 p.m.) lunch & saw the cutest couple out on a date. It was a May-Sept. kind of romance. The woman was quite a bit older than the "man", but they looked good together. I don't think it was their first date, but I have reason to believe that she is seeing a few others on the side. But she has her reasons, probably pretty good ones. From the giggles that were coming from that end of the room I would say they were having a really good time together and enjoyed each other's company. Amy & Adam were out on a mother/son date.
It was really sweet. They weren't there too long & may have had other activities prior to the DQ visit, but what we witnessed was just great. We saw them when we first arrived & when I asked where everyone was, she said that they were on a date. So we made sure to sit at the other end & did not speak again until they were leaving. Makes me miss all the fun times I shared with my son when he was little. Amy is doing a wonderful job building memories & cementing her relationships with her children."
I am only sharing her e-mail because of the adorable way she put it into prose and not to toot my own horn about what she said about me. But it does feel good that an outsider, or at least one who knows us and the family, can see my intentions in planning dates with my little men.
I stole "dating your children" from a few of my guy friends. You know, I have boys, why can't I date them? (For sure, they are going to need the practice for someday, or maybe never, for their mama's sake. Ha!) Dates for the Gibson duo is usually a trip to local somewhere for a little something. For example, an ice cream treat at Dairy Queen or a trip to Target for popcorn and pop. Yet, it isn't about the destination, it's about what happens there. With my boys, it is like pulling teeth to get them to express. They know how to talk and say all the goofy, crude boy phrases, just not the dig-down-deep words to have a conversation that doesn't have the words fart, butt or poopy in it. (I'm exaggerating a bit.) I usually bring along my little book "Ask Me" by Antje Damm to help me pry some things out of them. It is a wonderful book that asks simple, accompanied by rich and varied images that are designed to stimulate conversation. Questions like, "Which of your dreams do you remember?" and "What do you wish you could do really well?" are a few examples.
Getting to know my children deeper is not just about dating them, I know. Yet, it is a helpful way to get intentional, focused attention on just one child away from your home. I love seeing these boys in different lights individually. Having a big family like ours, it is easy to be clumped together, especially with two of them coming into this world already a duo. I cherish these little dates and my forever-little boys.
And speaking of dates... Grant had quite an extraordinary date with his mom today that I had to share because he had a blast. And he can't wait to tell everyone at school and show the picture we took. He even made me tell the drive-thru girl at McDonalds' where we went. "Blue Man Group" was the destination!! I want to instill the love of culture and the arts in these guys, because there is so much to offer out there. Grant loved the percussion sets and all the goofy moments these guys share. He was upset because there wasn't more "tubes" that beat on. He even had me pray for the opportunity tonight; so I know he must have loved it. And his mom loved it too!!
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