Category: Daily Happenings

Daily Happenings

Customer Service, Where Are You?

Lora Knows...

Today I received a notification from my credit card that a charge for my car satellite radio subscription was made. This payment is to renew my yearly subscription so I can listen to all the tunes I love without endless commercials. I wasn’t thrilled when I saw the amount, and know it has to be an error so I tried to contact the company. Their phone system alerted me they are not available on the weekend.

I thought it strange I hadn’t received a paper bill in the mail, no email to alert me the account was coming up for renewal, and nothing to tell me the amount had been increased. I was going through the site and saw a chat option, and thought that could be the key to get some answers.

Then I noticed our accounts, Dean and mine, were no longer linked. What? How is this possible? I tried and tried to access the other account, entering the Radio ID, the VIN, more and more information and each time told no.

I ended up clicking the chat button, I explained the situation about the accounts and the faceless voiceless customer service representative typed that they could resolve my issues. I then explained that Dean wanted to cancel the service in his car, and I would like to understand why mine had gotten so expensive. The representative immediately said how they would cut the price of the subscriptions in both vehicles, and I explained again that we were cancelling Dean’s service. I went on to say that I would welcome a discount on my account. On and on the representative typed, and again I said no thank you, please cancel Dean’s service and apply the discount to mine.

This went on a few moments more, and finally I had to type “Please Stop”. I again explained I simply wanted to cancel one membership, understand the billing of the other and be on with the day. The representative wasn’t hearing me, and I had to type that I didn’t want the representative to do anything to the accounts, that I will call customer service tomorrow.

It really did make me feel bad, because I know their job has to be difficult. Dealing with the public, taking care of account issues, trying to make everyone happy including the company who has them pushing services. I know the customer isn’t always right, but we should still be heard.

Customer service isn’t what it used to be.

Daily Happenings, Hickory Things To Do

Spring Fever Is Here

Lora Knows...

There is something about the first warm days in March that make me so happy. The bright sunshine, the cloudless Carolina blue sky, the warmth of the day making me forget the cold shivering of just a few weeks ago. Yes, I have caught spring fever!

The other day a few of us, from my office, made plans to meet in downtown Hickory. Tiffany and Brittany have also caught spring fever, and it was a perfect day to be outside. The place for us to meet and enjoy an afternoon would be under the sails on The Square.

I finished my real estate appointment early and arrived at The Square a bit before 2 PM. I was able to find a great table where the wonderful warm sun was peaking under the sails. I had my sunglasses, a magazine, and a bottle of water, and put my phone away. Quiet time in the afternoon is rare, and I was taking full advantage. I was just about finished with my mag when Brittany arrived, she too had just finished an appointment and brought her shrimp spinach salad to enjoy in the sunshine. We visited for a bit before Tiffany arrived, because her appointment ran long. Once she got there it was time for a bottle of white from the Hickory Wine Shoppe (on the square, they give wrist bands and serve at the table).

We sat there together in the warm sunshine laughing and talking, and before we knew it a couple hours had ticked away. It was time for us to go our separate ways and get back to our daily tasks of making dinner, doing paperwork, and getting ready for the next day.

Later I told them how great it was to get together, and how much I truly needed that time. There is something great about being around people who are positive, thoughtful, laugh easily, and share openly. Thanks Tiffany & Brittany for a great spring fever afternoon.

Daily Happenings, Family

Dean Day!

Lora Knows...

The real estate market is moving so quickly. I’ve spent the week going from one house to another, meeting this buyer here, that buyer there, then rushing to write offers to meet the deadlines. Inventory is so low that homes are getting multiple offers and being placed under contract in hours, if we are lucky it can take a couple days.

Since it has been a bit since I have taken an entire day off I have declared today as “Dean Day”. We need a day together to do fun things, and without me doing work. Early this morning went for a great walk and enjoyed talking and wandering along Lake Hickory. Then we had brunch at home, and he is now taking a little nap. I thought I’d write a blog post about the underlying struggle I’m having. This being “Dean Day” I thought I’d be a big shot and said I would turn off my ringer, not check my email, and not even send a text message. What was I thinking? I feel like I want to check my work email, but I won’t… maybe. I feel like I want to check my text messages, but I won’t… maybe just a peek. No. It is so difficult to leave my phone alone. Am I addicted? Do I suffer from FOMO?

I am going to be tough and not touch my phone. I will not check my texts or emails, and I’m going to keep my ringer turned off. Let’s see how this goes today, well at least for the next few hours. Yes, that could be the answer! I won’t go electronic cold turkey, I’ll ease into it. You know, taper off a bit. So, after dinner and dishes I’ll peek? Good grief.

Have any of you figured out how to put your phone away and not think about it for an entire day? If so, please share.