Altaira

Some very kind person has just paid for me to have a 12 month subscription to BunSpace.

I am really grateful to whoever it was, as my online and RL buddies know that I lost my Sir Arthur and my job last month, so money is tight and it is difficult to do anything enjoyable.

At the time the email came, I was thinking about a nasty woman who did not pay for my services recently as part of my self-employment.  In fact, she told me I had no right to her money, despite her signing a contract and agreeing to pay originally.  This gift from an unknown friend balances that out, and I can now try to forgive that horrible woman who stole from me and let go of my anger towards her.  A double gift!

Current Mood: grateful

I got a call today from a customer rep.

She admitted they were wrong!  And that the instruction booklet was wrong!  And that the web page was wrong!

They are changing the webpage and instruction booklet, and redesigning the device to undergo firmware updates without the customer having to buy additional hardware!

She apologised!  Wooo!

Current Mood: chipper

28th October 2009

Interead
Davidson House,
Forbury Square,
Reading RG1 3EU
United Kingdom


Dear sir,

I am writing to complain about the customer service I received when making a technical enquiry about your product and about the information provided with the product itself, which I believe constitutes false advertising.

On 17th October 2009 I purchased a COOL-ER ebook reader from a local branch of Argos. After a week of operation the ebook reader developed a problem. Whenever I tried to access the ebook folders (both the pre-loaded and downloaded ebooks) the reader simply restarted. I tired turning it on and off, resetting it, deleting all my downloaded ebooks and reloading them one at a time to see if it was one of the files causing the problems; nothing helped. This problem appeared on 25th October, and on 26th October I called your customer service line for technical assistance.

The only solution, I was told, was a firmware update, which could only be achieved by use of an SD memory card. I pointed out that I did not have an SD card, and none was included with the ebook reader, and asked the representative to confirm that I would need to purchase additional hardware in order to make my ebook reader work correctly after only a week of use. Initially the representative denied that this was the case, but eventually, and reluctantly, conceded that yes, I would have to buy additional hardware. She then went on to insist this was true of all electronic products. In my experience this is certainly not true. All electronic products I have purchased include everything that is required for their correct operation and additional purchases are only for optional additions.

I believe this constitutes false advertising because, according to the information provided with the product, it should work straight out of the box. There is indeed a page about firmware updates in the user manual (page 19), but the description of their use there is as follows:

“Occasionally we will offer you the option to upgrade your COOL-ER software if you wish.” (Emphasis mine)

If these upgrades are indeed optional then having an SD card in addition to the reader is optional. If they are required for correct operation of the unit, as I was told, then having an SD card is not optional, and therefore one should have been included with the reader, or at the very least a note to the effect that having one is required, or at least advised.

I attempted to convey this to the customer service representative but she would not accept it. I asked to speak to the manager and again the conversation went round in circles as she failed to accept that there was anything wrong with the information provided with the product suggesting firmware upgrades and SD cards were optional and their insistence that actually it was necessary. When I expressed my dissatisfaction with the level of service I was receiving they both insisted they had given me good service. I certainly disagree with that.

I also contacted the online helpdesk and was again told that firmware upgrades were necessary from time to time to keep the unit working. Again this is in contradiction of the user manual, which describes such updates as optional.

I fully understand the need for firmware or software updates for electronic devices in order to keep them operating at their best. However, if a firmware update is required for the unit to work at all then firstly this should be clearly stated in the accompanying documentation, and secondly the means to perform such necessary updates should be provided with the unit. To only find out you need to purchase additional equipment when the unit breaks is not acceptable.

I returned the product to the branch of Argos and explained my reasons for requesting a refund (as I considered it unfair that they were losing money after selling the item in good faith). The staff member there agreed with me that the conflicting information seemed wrong. I also contacted Trading Standards, and their representative similarly agreed with me that this could indeed be considered false advertising. According to Trading Standards a product as supplied should be ‘fit for purpose’. A product that fails after one week and needs additional hardware not supplied with it to work again seems to fall short of this description. They are investigating the matter further.

I am frankly disgusted that, having spent £175 on a reader, I was told I would need to spend even more money on an additional piece of hardware that nothing included with the reader indicated was required for correct operation, and all this after less than one week of use. Either your customer service representative and manager were incorrect in their advice, in which case I would like assurances that such errors will not be made in future, or else I cannot see how it can be denied that the information included with your readers, both in advertising and in the user manual, is misleading as to the requirements for operation of the instrument.

I am also extremely unhappy to have wasted my time and money on your product and to have been given such shabby service as I received. When I purchase an expensive piece of equipment I do not expect it to fail within a week, nor do I expect to be told that the only way to fix it is to buy something else that was not included with the product, nor to be told that there is really nothing unusual about this.

I summary I am extremely dissatisfied with the product, the information supplied with it, and the customer service I have received. I look forward to your prompt explanation of these matters.

Yours faithfully, etc etc

Naturally I have been completely ignored, including an email follow up a few weeks ago.

Current Mood: annoyed

I passed my driving test yesterday! I only got 3 minors too, which is the icing on the cake. Learning to drive and doing the tests (this was my 3rd) was one of the hardest things I have done.

I needed this, so much, after the terrible month I've had.

Now I can go for more jobs! Wooo!

Current Mood: pleased

Arthur died some time between 11pm last night and 10am today.

Today is also the second anniversary of adoption day.

Current Mood: devastated

Jason and I built a house!


( The project )

Current Mood: accomplished

Do you ever find yourself in the middle of nowhere wishing you had some 550 paracord? I knotted this myself using stormdrane.blogspot.com/2009/01/doubled-paracord-bracelet.html

These are highly fashionable lately. Apparently.

I used about 12 feed of cord.


( More pics )

Current Mood: awww!

( Ranty ranty rant rant )

Current Mood: furious

It was delicious.

Current Mood: accomplished

x-posted

Last night I picked up a little girl bunny who is to be Arthur's girlfriend.  She is a 10 week old lop mix, very friendly and keen on exploring.  She has flopped out a lot, and thrown some binkies and head-wobbles.

She and Arthur are fascinated with each other - looking at each other sniffing with a bit of nose-touching through the bars.

I have named her Lady Elizabeth the Longeared (I had to give her a name that would go with that of my other bun - Sir Arthur Fuzzbutt McFluffersons).( Pics! )
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Current Mood: happy

I finally bit the bullet and watched this film, as it was on telly the night before last.  I have to say, I didn't find it as traumatic as I had always been led to believe it was - but then, I am 26 and this is a children's film.

The blood in various places was upsetting, but I dislike blood/gore of any kind in films to be honest.

Richard Briers (met him!) and John Hurt were very good, they each have lovely voices and played their parts well.  I had trouble understanding what Kehaar (the bird) was saying a lot of the time, and Jason and I are pretty convinced he told the rabbits to "Piss off!" at their first meeting.  Anyone know?

"Bright Eyes" (song) was very beautiful, and I liked the strong character of Hyzenthlay.

I thought Hazel's death, while upsetting in the way that any death is, was more uplifting than anything else.  Not only had he lived to see the new warren grow and prosper, but he came to understand that the Black Rabbit (death) was not something to fear but something to be embraced at the right time.  Not only that, but death was not the end for him - his spirit was free of earthly pain and able to play in perfection forever.

The film was good, but not so good that I would buy it or necessarily see it again.  However, I may keep an eye out for the book.

I cried a lot more at The Velveteen Rabbit - that is a book I would heartily recommend.

Current Mood: content

of determination, strength and courage in the face of adversity.


( The Great Escape )

Current Mood: amused

Someone half a world away has just described me in one of the LJ groups I belong to as "pissy" and "stupid".  Then denied calling anyone names.

Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Get your handbags ready folks!

Current Mood: drained

23 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Poor (Failure) Take the test!

Current Mood: bitchy

 I managed to knock over a pint-glass half full of blackcurrant squash yesterday - and guess who got showered?!  It was sort of his fault - I was trying to pick up a cecal he dropped on the carpet.

Arthur was not happy.   I popped him in the bathtub and wiped him off with a damp cloth, then rubbed him dry with a nice soft towel.  Fortunately he loves affection and pettings so wasn't bothered at all.

I feel kind of guilty for laughing at wet bunny though!

x-posted

Current Mood: giggly

I managed to fall for the oldest trick in the book today. I thought Arthur was enjoying a quiet lie down, when actually he was chewing my earphone cord in two.

x-posted

Current Mood: duh!

Arthur has grown a huge amount since I got him, but he is still as sweet and cuddly as ever!



Lots more pictures at http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k126/EmmaT1982/Arthur/

Current Mood: happy

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7203988.stm

Okay, so to get both bitten by a crocodile and shot by someone who was trying to rescue you is pretty bad, but the guy was stealing crocodile eggs!  What exactly did he expect to happen?  It was obvious there were crocs in the area and he is disturbing one of their nesting sites!

I say he got exactly what he deserved.

Current Mood: annoyed

I finally managed to upload the videos I made of Arthur the day after I got him (20th Dec). I plan to make more! Nowadays he is a little more comfortable, and lays his little head on his front paws for nose-rubs. Apparently I am a good bunny climbing-frame too.

My clever boy has also managed to litter-train himself - he still poops a little (dry ones) and leaves a couple of cecals in a few places but all his pee is in the litter tray. I am surprised, as he is only about 9 weeks and obviously unneutered. I know I am very lucky!





Ignore my wittering in the background!

Current Mood: proud