In between work I had some interesting encounters with organisations supposedly providing a customer service. My first task was trying to get O2 to activate my GPRS on my phone. I phoned them three times. Each time I was dealt with by a different barely-out-of-school-boy. Each of them was barely articulate, poor enunciation and use of too much street slang. Trying to be clever and 'witty', and patronising me when I explained my problem. Trying to make out that I shouldn't have a signal indicator for GPRS, anyway (hmm, I have a blank one, plus the clever little side thing produces 'GPRS not allowed'); trying to make out that I don't have GPRS on my account, anyway. (Yes, I do). after three calls they told me to phone the Carphone Warehouse. There, I spoke to an articulate grown-up, who took no more than two minutes to explain that the GPRS is still linked to the SIM in my old phone, but should be activated on my new one by tomorrow evening. If not, I should call back Thursday.
I then received a call from Parcelforce at Mitcham explaining that they cannot deliver my flooring because it is too heavy. I expressed surprise, because they managed to deliver two identical parcels. They said, really, they shouldn't have done, because of Health and Safety. I said I won't argue with Health and Safety, but, because it contains two boxes, maybe they could split the package and deliver it as two. They said they would get it to me tomorrow. I said it would have to be Saturday, before I go out to the hairdressers. (I assume they contacted me because of the fax I sent to Homebase yesterday. Why they couldn't have contacted me earlier, I don't know!). Personally, I think that's not really the story - why would Parcelforce have accepted such a heavy parcel in the first place. And surely, with a customer such as Homebase, they must have some contractual arrangement about the maximum acceptable size of parcels! I said to my colleagues that I shall become a hermit and live in the wilds away from the demands of capitalist consumer society.
Fortunately, at lunchtime, I went to the bank to check that my Servicecard has been activated - I didn't want to try and get cashback and find my card being refused in front of former, current and future colleagues. For once, NatWest have got it spot-on.
After lunch someone from Royal Sun Alliance phoned. I have to say, I am impressed about how quickly they responded - I only contacted them last night, and this chap's coming tomorrow, at about nine o'clock to inspect things. Mind you, I expect that the claim will be turned down. Although, I've just re-measured the window: it's 8" by 10" and windows greater than 9" by 9" need to be locked.
The flower shop next to Jimmy's cafe was broken into last night. They don't touch the flowers, of course - to get any money from that would mean a day's work selling them at the traffic lights. Just the till, which Jane had left open, as per good practice. She just had the float in it. There was a very small handprint found.
The Pizza Chalet was done as well, which makes more sense than the flower shop, because the bulk of their takings are after banking hours. When Jimmy passed by this morning - about five o'clock - there was a heavy police present outside the Bingo Hall. The Wetherspoons was done a few nights ago. The Hand had its pool table forced with a crowbar last week; John opened the door to let them out before he realised what had happened. You go for months not hearing of any break-ins, then you get loads in a few days. The SoCOs told me there had been a spate.
And the cameras on my road began working yesterday.
