Service Industry Woes...

I am not sure if it is a reflection on the overall being and direction of the US, but since the house move I have had nothing but nightmares with the service industry here in the US o' A.

First are the well documented, and frequently aired, bad feelings I have for most of the utility companies in Houston, with AT&T well out in the lead. In fact... I called AT&T again to confirm that the appointment for Friday was all set. It seems that it is, but not before I got a huge dose of attitude from the guy helping me. Can't even answer a basic question without the huge dose of holier than thou attitude. I was not happy! Anyway, all seems in order for Friday, and if that comes together, then I will have the follow-on nightmare of talking to them about what we will and will not pay for considering the crap we have received throughout!

Secondly, and this one is really even more incredible to me, is trying to buy a TV ( http://www.bestbuy.com/...). The one in the link is the one that we finally purchased, but not after a huge hassle.

Saturday was spent shopping. Mainly for furniture. Angel's mum joined us on this quest, starting up in Cy-Fair, and working our way down, ending up in a marathon session in Ikea, where I managed to get a desk, a cabinet, desk chair and the ottoman for the chair I have for the office. We even managed to fit in some meatballs for lunch (mmmmmmmmm, meatballs.... arrrrrrrhhhhh). After that, Angel and I went past Linens 'n Things to spend a gift certificate I had curtesy of my brother (Cheers Man!), then we moved on to Best Buy to shop for a new TV.

There was a guy who was extremely helpful. Not pushy, but well informed. He told us that he had them in stock and that getting them out would not be an issue. Only problem was that I had a 12% off coupon... which of course was sitting at home. So we dash home, unpack the car, shower up as we were heading out to a housewarming party, then we went back to Best Buy to complete the transaction.

Problem: The representative who helped us had left (which was in contrast to what he told us... which was that he would be there all evening).
Solution: Get someone else to help us. Unfortunately, it took 15 minutes before anyone deemed it necessary to come to help, even after a store wide page. It then took a whopping 45 minutes to complete the purchase as we needed it delivered, and there was only one system they could use, and it was slow and someone else was using it. To top it off... they did not have any in stock and claimed that it needed to be delivered from Washington!!! Anyway, it is due to arrive on Friday at the store and is also due for delivery on Friday AM to Bissy... not confident that it will happen, but we shall see! Good thing is that they will deliver it, carry it up the stairs, unpack it then wire it up to the cable for us to make sure it is working! They can even put it on the new little TV cabinet that was also purchased at Ikea on Saturday.

Overall things are starting to come together, although we still have way too many boxes unpacked, but things are finally starting to settle, and by next week we should be completely wired up both for tv, cable, internet and phone! (Should I say... would only that it turns out that way!!!!)