These are the best thing that happened yesterday. These large, chunky turquoise earrings were a gift many years ago from a friend and I used to wear them all the time in the days when I wore long, dangly earrings every day. I still love that look but, for the life of me, I couldn’t find this pair. I looked everywhere for them over the course of the last several months.
When it came time yesterday morning to truck the old split box frame downstairs, what did I see under the bed? A jewelry box that I made from an old wooden silverware box many years ago. I’d completely forgotten about it and I had a sneaking suspicion that I’d found my earrings. And there they were, along with a lot of other treasures that I can’t wait to wear again.
Aside from that, we know we can put a bed frame together. We can figure out how to attach a headboard. All of which we did yesterday morning as we took apart the old bed, the old bed frame and the headboard that I made from plywood, foam and fabric. We were models of efficiency. I was up at 5 am, having slept a total of two hours the night before. Don got up at 6 and, after some coffee, we got to work. We lugged the old mattress and box springs downstairs. We took apart the frame. We moved things from one room to another.
When the delivery guys showed up at 9:30, we were excited and ready for them. They quickly took the split box springs upstairs. The first one went in the frame easily. The second was unwrapped and….it didn’t fit. The guys asked us if we had the right size frame. Yes. What about the headboard? Yes. Then they looked at the label on the wrapping: Claudia Hill/King. But we didn’t order a King. We ordered a California King. Nevertheless, there it was: King. Everything went back downstairs and out the door. We had to refuse the delivery.
We were stunned. I woke up that morning a bit worried about the snow that was falling. Worried that the bed might be hard to get up the stairs. (The delivery guy shrugged that off and assured me that it wouldn’t be a problem, so I was greatly relieved.) Never occurred to me that the wrong size bed might arrive on our doorstep.
I was on the phone with QVC immediately and let me tell you, I was furious. So was Don. Customer Service was apologetic and all of that, but eventually we asked to have a Supervisor call us back. Which eventually led to call from the Corporate office. Long story short: the Serta mattresses are made to order. So when I ordered my California King, someone screwed up (whether at QVC or Serta, I don’t know) and put the order through as a King and that is what was made for us. Serta makes the mattress at one of their factories, then it is shipped to a (relatively) local shipping facility, then it is shipped to us. So it’s not sitting in a warehouse somewhere, ready to ship immediately. Since the order hadn’t been billed yet as they don’t bill you until it’s been delivered, QVC cancelled it yesterday and a new order was put through. The woman I spoke to at Corporate was extremely sympathetic and will do her best to expedite the whole process so that we get it as soon as possible. She also gave us some savings coupons which I will apply to the cost, so we will save some money. I have her direct phone number and she has encouraged me to call anytime I want to check on the process.
On two hours sleep, my emotions were very raw yesterday. The house is a mess. Well, it’s not a mess but it is topsy-turvy and that makes me crazy. And it will stay that way until the new bed arrives. I stayed in a state of furiousity (I made that word up) for a good portion of the day. Then I lost it and cried. By the time the lady from Corporate called me, I had mellowed a bit and was moving toward acceptance. Because what choice did I have?
I worked Customer Service for years, so I am very careful – always – to temper my displeasure with “Please understand, I’m not blaming you,” to whomever I am speaking to. I’ve been there and it isn’t very pleasant at all to have someone scream at you as if you personally were responsible for the whole debacle.
Last night we slept on the guest room bed – a full size bed that is even smaller than the one we were getting rid of. Oh, the irony. I was so exhausted that I slept through the night, but I see some nights spent on the den sofa in the next several days. Both of us crammed into the full sized bed is not conducive to a good night’s rest.
Because the new bed frame was set up and the headboard attached, we had no room for the old bed. So I’m sitting here in the den looking at the old mattress which is propped against the closet wall. Lovely. And no, there isn’t any room on the floor in the living room or den for the mattress. Besides, we couldn’t get around down here.
I know it might seem strange to order a mattress from someplace like QVC. But in my experience as a mattress buyer, I’ve never learned much from laying (or is it lying?) on a mattress for five minutes in a showroom that is loaded with all sorts of mattresses. I’ve also never learned much about what goes into each mattress. The sheer amount of possibilities can be overwhelming. In contrast, I’ve spent a lot of time watching videos on QVC’s website, usually at least an hour long, that go into the kind of detail I want and need to know: what goes into each layer and why, how the coils are designed, what kind of support I can expect, is there a layer of memory foam, what goes into making the pillow top, and much more. I’ve done a lot of research. Then there are all the customer reviews, which can provide a pretty good indication of the mattress quality. Quite frankly, I know a lot more about this mattress than I do about any other mattress I have ordered in the past. And the cost savings is substantial. The equivalent mattress in a showroom is much more expensive. (No, I get no compensation from QVC. But they do have excellent customer service.)
Anyway. There you go. I’m depressed but in the end, all will be well. The woman at Corporate will be watching the order like a hawk. We will eventually get our new mattress. And hey, everything is in place. When we get the call saying the mattress will be delivered the next day, except for having to move a few things here and there, we’ll be ready.
A word about Don’s little part on Elementary. He has 3 lines. If you blink, you might miss it. But he’s filming later today in the city and that will be fun. Me? I’m cleaning the bathroom.
Happy Friday.
Words fail me. It is oddly comforting in a twisted way to know that other people live under the same cloud as we do in terms of purchases, deliveries and how did this go wrong saga. However I am so sorry that your long anticipated new mattress did not happen. Perhaps a long walk with Scout and a bit of screaming at the trees??? Cindy
I screamed a bit yesterday, Cindy. Don wisely stood by, but silently.
What a disappointment dear – just hope your good nature holds out a bit longer while you await the right mattress, and then get set up for a well deserved really good night’s sleep. We bought our last set from the local Original Mattress Store – they make them right here, you can see them working, are fabulous mattresses, and customer service is great……I would go there again. Know they’re on the east coast but not sure if they’re in NY State. Anyway, yours is coming soon hopefully and glad to know QVC is taking care of the mess.
Pretty earrings – glad you found them!
Hugs for the weekend – hope the weather improves.
Mary X
Snow coming tomorrow, Mary – 1 – 3 inches. I’m going to hang in there and find things to do to keep my mind off the bed debacle.
Claudia, does “The Woman at Corporate” know that you are blogging about this and that ALL OF YOUR LOYAL, CARING, EMPATHETIC READERS are watching this order like hawks, as well? Just wondering….
P.S. Try repeating, “It is what it is.” That can take the edge off frustration. “The best-laid plans…” and all that.
No, she doesn’t. I am pleased with their response and am assured they are doing the best they can in the circumstances.
Claudia I hope your new mattress is delivered soon with no more mistakes. A few months ago I had to call our life insurance company because of a billing problem. After repeated calls over several weeks I finally found out the name of the CEO and asked for him. The supervisor felt she could help me and guess what, the problem got fixed. I made sure that I explained to everyone I spoke with that I didn’t blame them personally and that after so many years as their customer I deserved better treatment. They fixed the problem but I still have the CEO’s name and I’ll use it again if I need to . Be strong!
I called my contact back yesterday and said, “I’m sure you’re already going to do this, but can you make sure they know it’s a CALIFORNIA KING?” She called me back immediately and assured me she would.
Sorry about the mattress. I hope they¨ll deliver it to you very soon.
Me too, Veronica.
Understand your frustrations entirely. Furiousity – love it, and it should be immediately added to the dictionary.
I think so too!
A saga, indeed. Years ago, I ordered a two-piece sectional sofa, a beige sort of colour. On the third delivery, the two pieces matched. You’ll enjoy your first sleep in that longed for bed, Claudia.
Fingers crossed,
Karen
I sure will, Karen!
Unbelievable. Truly, it is. We are going through a similar nightmare with our new washer/dryer. The new ones didn’t fit the space they need to go into. They left them here, partially wedged in that space, until a smaller size could be obtained. They were to be delivered Wednesday (after a delay because they couldn’t find the stacker unit they needed for the set). We got a call from the delivery guys that afternoon, who were about 15 minutes away from our home, saying the RCMP had the road blocked off in both directions and they were turning around and would try again Saturday.
You must be going nuts, Kristie! These kinds of things really test our collective patience.
Well I never said it, but I was worried they couldn’t get the thing up the steps …
Never thought they’d deliver the WRONG thing :(
I LOVE the word FURIOUSITY.
Maybe you can draw a bulls eye on that mattress propped against the wall and get some Nerf arrows or guns and do some target practice :) Trying to think of useful ways to utilize propped up mattresses here….
UGH so sorry it ended up such a mess :(
Our stair case is fairly open with tall ceilings, so I wasn’t too worried, but I did have a twinge of worry.
Maybe darts?
Sorry for all the mess Claudia! That’s a lot to deal with and you have my sympathy. On a positive note, you did coin a fabulous word — furiousity — LOVE that word…quite descriptive. And, love, love, love your earrings — they are fabulous. Enjoy wearing them again!!
I’m so glad I found them, Vera!
O OOH, I just Love when I find things I forgot about! Its almost like getting a gift. Well it is a gift really!
It Almost makes me want to go home and clean under some stuff! Almost. lol. -Judy A-
I only find these things when I’m forced to rearrange furniture and then, voila!
Of all the concerns about this adventure, it never occurred to me, or anyone else, that it would be the Wrong Size! Unbelieveable. We have all been there and it sounds like QVC did “the right thing”. Love your new word too, and will save it for future use! Us Southern girls usually just resort to A Hissy Fit!
Me either, Dottie – I never ever thought that would happen! QVC touched base with me again today. They are certainly keeping me abreast of the situation.
What a mess with your order. I have shopped with QVC over the years and all but one time had correct orders and very good service. I think they will make this right for you, but having to wait while the new one is made is terrible. I also bought a mattress from them years ago. It was better than the next one, years later, that I did lay down on in a store. Yes, that five or ten minutes in the store of “trying it out” does no good. It was the one I ended up not being able to sleep on. A very expensive mistake that I couldn’t do anything about. It and it’s Memory foam (horrible stuff) are in the guest room. I hope the new one is wonderful for you and Don.
Yes, my hands are sort of tied, as the mattress has to be made.
I think trying out a mattress in a store is basically fruitless…it ends up being a bit of a crap shoot!
As soon as I saw the title of your post…I guessed at the ending. I feel so bad for you…it is depressing when things like this happen. And I suppose at our age, we, perhaps, should expect that not everything will go as planned, but to this extent…really? Those are beautiful earrings, by the way…a small consolation perhaps. When I get angry or frustrated…I clean furiously! It lets the anger out! ;)
I cleaned the darn bathroom, a chore I really do detest – and it helped for sure!
Having a room (bathroom) with a door, clean, today is good. Somewhere to go that is not full of things that are ‘out of place’. Would a quilt over the mattress make it look less ugg? The washer/dryer comment rang a big memory bell today of my room seemingly full of appliances and no where to wash clothes for two weeks while the problem !!! (washer sealed itself closed full of washed clothes and went to a warehouse….. etc. ) was sorted out. Hope the mattress is made as quickly as possible. Scout probably needs a lot of extra love too.
Joy
Yes, Joy, you’re right. The bathroom is clean and under control and that is a good thing today. Maybe I’ll try your idea of a quilt draped over the mattress. Anything would be better! Scoutie picked up on all our tension yesterday, poor girl!
Well, I’m at least glad that QVC has excellent customer service. I’ll remember your experience! You are right – mattresses in showrooms are very pricey. I’ve read articles that talk about how much mattresses are marked up – almost as bad as jewelry or booze in a restaurant! Knowing that ahead of time, I was then well aware that there was room for some serious negotiation. So, last time we bought a mattress (which was about 8 years ago), we “bargained” with the manager a few times and finally got the mattress at 50% off what it was marked at! It dumbfounded us though…imagine those people that don’t know you can negotiate on a mattress price and paying the full showroom price. Yikes!
They are incredibly high in price – so that makes sense, Melanie. I never thought of bargaining – good for you!
Claudia, Prior to retiring I was a CSR, a CSR manager, and then a CSR Trainer for over 25 years. I do so appreciate and applaud your approach. The folks on the phones have never even seen or been to that mattress factory, and, as you know yourself from working in Customer Service, we wish, hope, pray, meditate, and do Customer Service dances to NOT have problems such as yours happen. Being verbally abused is something that is always hanging in the air during a work day in a phone center. A CSR always hopes that every purchase/ every service/ every encounter is a good one. And the truly sad part is that in most cases the folks on the phones have very little to do with what happen/ happened on the “front end”.
Your frustration has to be at epic levels. Not having a comfortable bed to sleep upon reflects itself in almost every activity in our day. Attitude truly IS everything!! I hope your weekend goes better than yesterday, and that you can get some much deserved rest.
P.S. I do think QVC has awesome CS also. I’m sure they want to solve your problem as quickly as you want the solution.
They do. They checked in with me again today, so I know they are doing all they can, short of making the mattress themselves. I kept myself busy today: cleaned the bathroom and did some work on the dollhouse. That helped.
I must tell you that I laughed out loud when I read your blog on Thursday. Not because I your delivery was wrong but because it was typical of what can happen. Let me tell you my story so you can have a laugh on me. We are buying a second home in Florida near our son and away from our western NY winters. We are all packed, ready to leave to drive to Florida tomorrow at 5am. Today we are told the closing will be delayed a week. So we are packed, dog ready for boarding, neighbor ready to watch our cats, goodbyes said to everyone here, banking and bills done. Now what? We are disappointed, so tired of living on a roller coaster and next week expecting COLD weather up north. I guess we rest up to be ready for the wallpaper stripping, painting and cleaning that will now be delayed a week. Just maybe the Florida temperatures will rise by the time we get there! Did you laugh?
Oh no! I can’t imagine having everything packed up, all arrangements made, ready to leave ahead of the snow and cold weather and then, pow! A delayed closing. I chuckled, but only in sympathy!
“The Saga” – what a great name for today’s post. Or should it have been “The Saga Continues…” Anyway, we can all relate, that’s for sure. My worst CS experience was this past December, trying to find out why Barnes & Noble would not allow me to purchase a gift card for my niece using a gift card I received last Summer for my retirement. I found out that if I went into an actual brick-and-mortar store, I could. But NOT if I wanted to purchase online. Boing !!!-??? Going to the mall, parking & dealing with Christmas crowds was exactly what I was trying to avoid. What difference could it possibly make WHERE the item is purchased?? Spent hours on the phone with their Customer Service people [so much time that for the first time ever, I used up all my phone’s minutes in a given month]. I never DID learn the reason for this asinine policy – I would have been fine IF they had a logical reason for it. But if they do, no one at BN was willing to say. And THAT really steamed me. In the end, they lost a good customer permanently [as well as all the gift card sales they would have got off my family]. From now on, I’ll be ordering from a wonderful little independent bookstore I know. How long do they estimate the correct size mattress will take?
I think it will take at least 10 days to get it made, ship it to a warehouse and arrange delivery. I would be greatly surprised if it was any sooner. QVC called me again today and checked in with me…they’re on it.
Just a hunch, Claudia – but I’m betting [and hoping] you see it sooner than that. My own experience has been that most businesses add a few days to their best guess on delivery – hedging their bets so to speak – so when the item arrives “early” everyone’s happy again.
Hello again, dear Claudia. It has been forever, but it’s so LOVELY to hear from you once again!
Maybe my little brain cell is getting too old, but I don’t remember these kinds of things happening in the past. Now, they happen more frequently than ever. My dad just had a similar experience when he ordered a new bedroom set. Everything came one piece at a time, weeks apart, with many phone calls and hours of waiting involved. Crazy!!! Reminds me of a line from ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’… Sonny says “Everything will be all right in the end… if it’s not all right then it’s not yet the end.”
Hang in there, kiddo! Sending positive thoughts your way.
Big hugs,
Lin
I was so happy to find your new blog, Lin! It does seem as if these things happen more often nowadays. I’m hanging in there, Lin – nothing else to do but stay positive!
Oh dear! That’s a very frustrating experience. Sounds like things that happen to me. Hopefully now everyone involved is well aware that you want a California King and it arrives speedily with no problems. Just one of those patience builders — yuck, how I hate them even though I know they are good for my character.
They are and QVC checked in with me today. They are really doing all they can to expedite the process. Yes, I have to patient, though I just want the mattress here. Now. But alas, it isn’t!
First of all..love the earrings..second..love the new word..furiousity..that makes two good things to come out of this mess..also it is a wise man that knows to keep quiet when a woman is screaming..lol..Tell Don I wouldn’t care if he only had one word to say in Elementary..I would still watch and enjoy seeing him act again..Oh..I am the same with customer service people..I make sure they know that I am not angry with them but with the situation..Good luck my dear and remember..this too shall pass..OK sorry..don’t slap me..lol
I wonder if furiously killed the cat?
No, you’re right, it WILL pass and someday we’ll tell this story and laugh.
I don’t know if furiousity would kill the cat but “curiosity” sure gets them into some trouble around here..lol..Try to get some rest tonight..but if Don is still in the city at this hour I guess you are going to be up late..Hugs
That reminds me one time I had ordered a blue couch, delivery day came and they brought this couch in and I look at it and think: Wait a minute, that’s not the couch I ordered! They already had it in the house, when I realized the error. And I had gotten rid of the old couch! So we just have to wait! I’m banking on that bed will show up early, but the lack of rest will be exhausting for you. Just another reason to stay in your jammies all day. Love those earrings, we must see a picture of you wearing them! A little toothpaste rubbed on the silver and they will be sparkling!
Thanks for the tip about toothpaste. I found a bunch of my silver jewelry in the box – I guess I packed it all away when I went through my ‘gold’ phase. Some of the pieces are tarnished and I didn’t have anything on hand to shine them up. xo
I’m so very sorry this happened, Claudia. What a terribe disappointment. I’ve had my own mattress debacle fairly recently and it’s very frustrating when you’re entirely set on having something done at a certain time and have torn your home apart in the process. And talking (haggling) with customer support can be so exhausting, no matter how well meaning they are. Hanging up and having a good cry makes perfect sense to me! I hope it will be resolved soon and you’ll be sleeping on your new bed, cozy and warm.
I’ll tell you this: I sure will appreciate it when it finally gets here!
P.S. But I’m so glad you found the earrings… and whatever other treasures there were. Along with your grandmother’s nightgown, this has been a project with lots of discoveries!
Yes, it has!
Hi Claudia, that is a big ole mess. I have ordered a mattress from QVC. It is one of those Air Number beds actually. It is at our old house. It’s a King size. Joe and I put it together and it took 4 hours as opposed to the one hour it said on QVC but after five years we still love that bed. It was expensive but worth it. As to your earrings it almost cheers me a bit that I am not the only one who tucks things like that away and forgets about them. Sometimes I look for items for months before I find them. I think it’s because I have so many tasks to do at once. I cannot keep everything filed in my brain. Once your mattress arrives all will be forgotten, olive
I would think “Where are those earrings???” I was afraid they had been tossed out somehow and I was sort of panicked!
This kind of thing is so frustrating!! AT least you got some good service rep to help you. Try to get some rest in the little bed and let us know about Don’s appearance!
hugs,
Linda
I will. He’s still in his dressing room and hasn’t been called to the set yet. It will be a late night for him.
If it can go wrong, it usually will for us! Sounds like you might be in that category now also, sweets. Sorry, but what a story to tell th’ bloggers today.
xoxo,
Connie
Yes, if nothing else, it’s good blog fodder, Connie!
Ohhhh – so sorry to hear about the problems! How aggravating and maddening! I know mistakes have always been made – but it seems like these days, these types of things are happening more and more. I think there are so many people out there just so distracted – that they can’t do their jobs adequately. Anyway, hope sometime in the near future this all gets resolved and in some way, it will all work out for the best.
By the way, life is such a coincidence. About 2 years ago, I purchased a very cool full-size 1940s metal tubular headboard and footboard (a Simmons bed) at a g-sale that I thought would be perfect for my son and a future “full-size bed”. There were no side rails – but I thought “no biggie” – not fully understanding the implications of that. Well, the time has come where my son has outgrown his twin bed and I have discovered that finding side rails for the bed is a big deal…. Anyway, I was planning either this week or next week to take the headboard to a mattress / bed outlet and see if the owner could give me some ideas. I have not looked this place up on the internet – I am just aware of it because it is close to where my parents live. Would you believe that this store is showing up as one of your advertisements right under today’s post? It must be sign that this place will have a solution for me!
I sure hope so! I hope they have some answers for you, Deb. I see mattress store ads on my blog all the time now, I suppose because I’ve typed that word so many times lately!!
PS – it just occurred to me. If QVC knew what you’d been through to prepare for the new bed that never came – and they REALLY had exceptional customer service, they’d send you two along for a free stay to the best pet-friendly hotel they can find in Manhattan – I recommend The Surrey on East 76th Street – for as long as it takes to have the correct mattress made. You’d get a great break from Winter, QVC would get an awesome review and I’m willing to bet they’d set a record for mattress-making too.
Well, I doubt very much that a stay in a hotel would be covered…
Me too – but in your case, it SHOULD be! :>)
Glad Don has a small part, glad you found some beautiful earrings, but crap about the bed. I sure hope they work quickly to get one made for you it’s going to seem like forever no matter how quickly it happens though.
It sure will, Dawn.
Hi Claudia! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and commenting, so sweet of you. (I wrote you a reply but I don’t have the nice notification of a reply thing you have on your blog, so I thought I’d pop over.) And thanks so much for commiserating with me over my finger – good gosh, was that ever scary.
I am rather in a state of sheer disbelief that I get to go to Kim’s Downton Affaire! A major extravagance but I am going to be as old as dirt shortly LOL so I thought I deserved it.
I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this with your new bed. I’m glad they understood that it was their boo boo and have gotten on it for you. Did they give you an estimate how long it takes to make your new bed? We don’t have a second bed and our couch isn’t comfortable at all, so I really feel your pain.
I’m so embarrassed to say that I haven’t seen the show Elementary, hanging my head in shame. Please let us know what the air date is so we can catch Don again.
How wonderful you found your jewelry box and your missing earrings! Doesn’t that feel good when something turns up, at long last?
Happy weekend, sending wishes for a good nights sleep!
I’m betting it will be at least 10 days, Sally.
I’ve never seen Elementary, either! (Neither has Don!)
The long awaited anticipation of a new, comfortable, custom, California King size mattress, and the ‘dizzy’ and disappointing delivery of its smaller ‘cousin’, is certainly a chaotic complication, able of creating a new word to define all the frustrating frazzle: ‘furiousity’! Yes, exactly, we can identify, Claudia, especially since you did your research, weighed the pros and cons, and after careful examination, concluded that this mattress, from this company, was the right choice. A good, cathartic cry usually cleanses me of the fury, when things get fumbled in my own life. Hope your order is, indeed, labelled ‘priority’ and your new California king arrives to bring sunshine to your world.
xo
Poppy