I have to share this with someone. I still can't believe the day I'm having.
Probably no way to make this long story short but I'll do my best
I purchased a Craftsman scroll saw on Sears.com a few days ago, then before ever opening it I decided to start with a Dewalt from Amazon instead.
So I get the fairly large heavy box loaded into my car today, along with my 2 young daughters, and head out in the rain to the nearest Sears.
I get the box inside and after a few mins of fumbling with the kiosk realize I have to talk to someone. A guy comes out, tells me that I'll need to go to the register for an internet return and takes my package... I think "hmm shouldn't he have given me something, maybe they call to confirm" so I go to the return desk (in the tool section mind you) and am told "you should have gotten a slip" so the nice enough but clearly seasonal employee wanders over and gets the info he needs from the man who took my box. Fifteen mins later, kids are fussy... the seasonal employee still can't process my return... he's called Sears 800# 2 times and can't even seem to hear them over the phone and has hung up both times. He asks two other employees who are working with him, still nothing. He says he can give me a gift card, um... no I paid $100 on my visa and I want a refund on it. I say I want a manager, he says "let me try something else" fumbles for another 5 mins. We're past 1/2 an hour now and my 2yr old has about had it. Finally someone else comes over. He tries on 2 registers and nothing, then says he has to take my card & ID to a back room to use a different computer... not happy about this but wanting to leave I say fine. 10 mins later he's back. No dice. I wasn't issued a return code when I bought it online. He calls the 800# again... 10 mins later and I'm told I have to take the saw back home, that UPS will come pick it up and then a refund will be processed. I spend at least an hour and walk back out into the rain with the saw.
Then I go to Home Depot since I need some wood to make my tool bench.
me to very nice but clearly stupid gentleman #1: "I'd like a piece of plywood, I'll need it cut to 2 1/2' x 4 1/2' "
He spends a long time finding me the nicest piece, I'm happy.
We walk over to gentleman #2, quiet and all business just how I like people who are helping me since I'd rather not chit chat with them...
Guy #1 says "what size again?"
me: "2 1/2 feet x 4 1/2 feet"
guy #2 nods and starts getting my plywood ready to cut.
Guy #2 "that was 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 right?"
me: "yes thank you"
guy #1 now looking worried "did you want two and a half feet or two feet six inches?"
I look at him confused... ok I'm not a woodworking pro or anything but last time I checked 6" was 1/2 a foot no matter what you're talking about so I say to him... "um... 2 1/2 feet IS 2ft 6in"
he says "no they are different"
I continue to look at him like he's crazy and say "how?"
he brings over a tape measure and shows me 2'6" and then points to 2' and 1/2 an inch. "See that's 2 1/2 feet and that is 2'6" "
I look at him like I don't even know what to say... I want to scream "no you idiot two and a half feet IS two feet six inches and 2' 1/2" is called two feet and half an inch. Instead I decide that I might blow if I say anything so I just say "2'6" please"
(guy cutting wood had already finished, cutting it to 2 1/2' x 4 1/2' while this conversation was going on... at least he wasn't an idiot.)
And that my friends, anyone who actually read all this... is why I'm about to have a cup of coffee which consists of far more Kahlua then coffee.
Good news is when I got home my Dewalt was waiting for me on the porch (I <3 you Amazon for your fast shipping). So I'm off to have that coffee now and then tonight will unbox my new saw
I will also only buy online now for wood & tools.
