Question of the Day...

Have you ever received one of these emails?

Sorry, guys, it's quick and for a kid's school project! (And you are the ones I thought might follow through - either because you have kids, you like science, or you're just plain nice.) This is for a science fair project. If you could do this I would appreciate it! DON'T ASK, JUST PLAY! Copy and paste this entire letter into a new e-mail (PLEASE do NOT hit FORWARD), then read the list of names below. If your name is on the list put a star* next to it. If not, then add your name (in alphabetical order), and do not put in a star. Send it to ten people and send it back to the person who sent it to you. Put your name in the subject box! You'll see what happens...

It's kind of cool! Please keep this going. Don't mess it up, please:

Bloomsburg Division Aaron, Adam, Aileen, Alastair, Alexis, Allison, Amber*, Amy**, Andrea*, Andy**, Angela, Angie, Any, Ann**, Anne***, Asha, Ashley, Astin, Austin, Barb*, Barbara, Beth, Bill*, Bryan, Carenna, Carey, Cathy,Charlie, Cheryl*, Chris, Cindy, Colleen, Connie, Corrie, Dana, Dawn, Debbie, Dennis, Diane, Donna*, Eileen, Elaine, Emily, Erik, Erin, Evelyn, Frank, Georgia, Gina*, Hamilton, Hayley, Heidi, Jackie*, Janet, Janie, Jannette, Jeannie, Jeff, Jen, Jenny, Jennifer*, Jessica, Jill*,Jim, Joanne, Joe, John*, Judy*, Julie, Julia, Kajene, Kara, Karen*, Kate, Kathy***, Kelli, Kelly, Ken, Kendi, Kevin*, Kim**, Kristy, Lauren*, Leigh Anne, Lettie, Liliana, **Linda, Lisa***, Liz, Lori, Lorraine, Lorri, LuAnne, Luz, Mandy, Margery, Maria*, Mark, Marsha, Martha*, Martina, Mary**, Maureen*,Meagan, Melanie, Melissa**, Mia, Michael, Michele***, Michelle*,Milann, Mira, Naira, Nancy*, Noreen, Pam, Renea, Rich, Robyn, Sally, Sandy, Sarah, Sharon, Sheila, Sherol, Sherri, Sonjon, Stephanie**, Susan*, Suzanne*, Tania, Tammy, Teresa***, Theresa*, Therese, Tiffany, Tina, Toni, Tony, Tracey, Troy, Wand, Zaivy

So if I send it to 10 people and the person that sent it to me in what way will the person that started the email for the "school project" ever get it back or know the results? Maybe I'm missing something, will someone enlighten me?
PS...I did send this to 10 people and not a darn thing has happened.

Tea Vs. Sweet Tea

So I love McDonalds tea, it is one of my very favorite drinks. I don't do tea that isn't fresh brewed and since I am from the south I am familiar with tea and sweet tea. In TX there are two things you should know about drinks. 1. Everything is Coke. At a restaurant if you say I'll have a coke don't be surprised when they say what kind? This is where you respond Dr. Pepper, Diet Coke, Orange or whatever soft drink you were wanting. 2. If you order tea they will ask regular or sweet, most establishments from Whataburger (one of my first destinations when I get to TX) to fancy restaurants will have 2 pitchers one for regular tea and one for sweet tea. Sure you could put the sugar in yourself but it is so popular they do it for you. I personally don't care for sweet tea, it is just, well too sweet. Now if you are here in Michigan you have noticed that Mickey D's has rolled out there new sweet tea campaign. So here is my beef (no pun intended) with the campaign. You can order a large sweet tea for 1.00 or get a plain ol large tea for 1.69? WHY in the world would you need to charge .69 more for tea that doesn't have the added sugar or whatever they use to make it sweet? In a world that makes sense wouldn't you think you could argue that the sweet tea would be more expensive due to the added expense necessary in the sweetener? I don't know maybe I am just disappointed with service issues all around, what do you think?

Dear Target - Part II

Dear Jason,

Did you even read my letter? I am wondering how many other people receive this exact response on a daily basis? Absolutely unacceptable for a store of Target's caliber. I am shocked at the response but in no way surprised given the absolute disregard for customer service in the first place.

In no way did you even address my complaint, you just repeated what I already knew. Will anyone be brave enough to actually address my concerns or will I continue to receive a stream of computer generated letters? I guess we'll see on my next response.

Dear Target - The Response

Dear Maria Wilson,

I'm sorry for any disappointment due to our registry return and exchange policy.

We will issue a full refund for most new and unused items returned within 90 days, with the original receipt, packaging and accessories.

Since this is a gift you'll need to ask the gift giver for the gift receipt which we gave when it was purchased. If that's lost, don't worry there are still two options for making your return. If the gift giver has a copy of the original receipt, they can simply take it to the Guest Service desk and request a reprint of the gift receipt. If they don't have the original receipt, the gift giver will need to take the item with their card or check to our Guest Service desk and ask about receipt look up. Most purchases made by check, credit, debit or GiftCards can be located and returned with this process, within 90 days.

Of course, we know that the unexpected can happen. That's why your Jackson Target store will accommodate two no receipt returns a year for you on small gifts under $20. Just bring in your ID and the gift to explore this option further.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments with us. Your feedback is helpful in our continual review of our return policy. We're always glad to hear from you, so if you have any further questions or comments, give us a call at (800) 888-9333. You can also check with a Guest Services Team Lead at your store, or visit us on Target.com. Any way you choose, we're here to help!

We hope to see you again soon at Target.

Sincerely,

Jason
Target Gift Registries

Calling all wii owners...

My girls are getting a wii for their birthday's, any suggestion on games? They are going to be 5 and 7...

Can you get dad?

This statement should be music to my ears but it actually hurts just a bit. Last night at bed time I was tucking Ally in and a bit teary eyed she said "when you are done scratching my back can you get dad"? Trent was actually coming in at the same time and asked her what she needed. She told him that she would talk to him about it when mom left. I could tell Trent was a bit nervous about how I might react to being left out so he was explaining to her that whatever she needed to say she could go ahead while I was there. She said no so I excused myself from my back scratching duties, gave her a kiss told her I loved her then let her pour out her heart to her dad. Inside I am screaming, why the heck don't you want to talk to me?
She rides the bus to the Y on Thursdays and takes swimming. This child is not a fan of change, she likes to get on the bus the same place every day and she likes to get off the bus at the same place every day. So when Thursday rolls around she isn't too excited to have her schedule changed. She loves swimming but gets nervous about everything else. Where do I go, who will help me, what will we have for snack, who will pick me up, where will I change in to my suit, who will sit by me, and the list goes on.
So last night she is telling Trent that her eyes hurt when she swims. And she doesn't know where to go to wait for us to pick her up. I'm thinking why can't she ask me about those things? I shouldn't care, I know that Trent is the best dad and I am so proud that Ally feels comfortable enough with her dad to discuss things when she is hurting. And it's not just Ally, yesterday at conferences for Lanie her teacher was telling us how much Lanie loves her dad! Does it leave me feeling a bit like chopped liver, yep. But it also makes me realize how lucky I am to have such a close family.
So we'll see how the day goes today, Ally had a tummy ache this morning which without a fever is almost always a "nervous" sign. I am hoping she makes it through the day. I sent her to school with some saltines and some Tums and had to explain to her that if she got sick at school we wouldn't be able to get her. She knows throwing up = going home and no Y, she has done this a handful of times this year, but we're on to her. As I am telling her this I am thinking I probably wouldn't want to talk to me either! Oh well, kids learn how to play their parents and right now I am the mean one, I guess that is ok, someday it will be Trent's turn.

Dear Target...

I would like to express my deepest disappointment with Target's lack of customer care. In looking at your "values" section online it mentions your commitment to the community, environment and diversity but I did not see any section that outlines your commitment to your customers.
I have worked in retail before and completely understand the need to put a return policy in place. I also understand that unfortunately there will be individuals that will try to undermine your system however, there are times when policies should and can be modified. I am writing to specifically complain about the Target store on West Ave. in Jackson MI.
I have a friend that recently had triplets. As you can imagine there were and still are many items that are given to them as gifts and Target was one of the stores they chose to register with. When you offer the public a chance to register with your company you should also know that there will be times when an exchange or return needs to be made and maybe a gift receipt was not attached. When my friend and husband tried to exchange packages of Target brand diapers they were told that was not possible as they have each returned too many items without receipts within Target's specified time period (which they were told was unknown how long the time period would be).
I am shocked that common sense would not allow them to just trade the diapers from size newborn to size one. So in your own words: "Responsible. Accountable. Committed to continuous improvement." (found on your "values" page) I challenge you to come up with a more customer focused return policy and make it easier to shop at target. I would also like someone to address my specific complaint. Based on your above mentioned statements here is what I would like to know:
1. As a consumer I believe that denying the right to exchange an item that was obviously purchased at your store is irresponsible, especially when a couple registered with you and persuaded people to shop in your store.
2. I would like to know in what way you will be held accountable.
3. I would also like to know in what way you think you can improve.

Thank You, Maria Wilson

I heart this blog!

Sara had a reference to this site, it is worth checking it out, very funny stuff!

Hiatus

I have been on hiatus...No reason except for how a 24 hour day seems to be crammed into like only 12 hours. I'm not sure exactly how it happens but it just seems like there is too much to do in a day. Three days last week I left my house at 7:10 a.m. and didn't get home til after 8:00 or 9:00. So I keep thinking I need to update but when 12:00 a.m. rolls around I am just ready to go to bed. I know some people do this all the time but it is starting to leave me a little drained and tired of driving...With gas being oh such a great value it is hard to drive all over town and not watch the gas gauge head south and think that is 50 bucks I could have spent on something way more fun.

Things of note...

Last time I was getting my hair done my hair dresser was telling me about another one of her clients (we'll call her Abby to help the story flow better), whose friend called and told her she HAD to check out this person's myspace page. So she goes to myspace and thinks she is looking at her own site as all the pictures are of her~ This person actually posted Abby's pictures and called them her own. She even went so far as to post a picture of Abby and her sister and claim it was identity stealer and her girlfriend. That would be just a touch creepy!

Sunday I wore sandals to church even though I had to step over a little pile of snow. I REFUSE to put boots back on, for pete sake it is spring.

Reality tv, I admit I love it. The biggest loser is my favorite show. I am totally pulling for Kelly I never expected her to get this far. She should be so proud of her accomplishments!

Do you ever completely forget things and know there is something you are forgetting but for the life of you cannot muster what the thought was no matter how hard you try? Seriously my short term memory is shot these days, we'll just blame that memory loss on the kids...

Spring Break

Ally: Can I call Anna...
Me: She's in Florida
Ally: Can I call Faith...
Me: She's in Maryland
Ally: Can I call Alyssa...
Me: She's in Florida too
Ally: When is spring break going to be over?