Humble Pie Tastes Awful Going Down
July 7, 2009 by Kimberly · 9 Comments
I could blame it on move-induced temporary insanity, but I won’t. Rather, I take full responsibility as I share with you my most recent taste of humble pie…
On Friday, I woke up and realized that my plans for the day were faulty. I was planning to go over to the new place in Queens to clean everything before our Tuesday move-in time. I had forgotten that I was still waiting for two rugs to come in the mail (in order to comply with the 80% carpet rule). So, I started calling around to see when I should be expecting the rugs to arrive.
I called to check on a Blue Persian Tabriz Rug that I had ordered from Rug and Home. When I checked the tracking, FedEx said that they had delivered it on Thursday. I was so indignant, because (to my knowledge) I hadn’t received the rug. Since signatures weren’t required, the only thing that Fed-ex could say was that the rug “was left at the door”. “Whose door?” I asked. “I live in an apartment building!” When I spoke with the person at Rug and Home, my patience was wearing thin. I asked, “Why would they just leave a big old rug at the door without leaving a note on my apartment door or anything?!” Bottom line – I wanted my rug by Tuesday when I was moving. They needed to do whatever it took to make that happen. (I didn’t yell or curse, but I was definitely impatient and interrupted the person – who was very calm and patient – on the other line.) Suffice it to say, I ended the conversation upset with both Rug and Home AND with FedEx.
Fast forward a few hours. Since I didn’t need to wait around for a rug, my husband and I went to clean the Queens apartment. We took a few things with us including one of the “other” rugs that we had ordered – we had ordered 5 in total. As we rode over, I felt badly about how I had spoken to the man at Rug and Home. It wasn’t his fault that FedEx had messed up the delivery. So, I made a mental note to call and apologize when we returned home. After my husband mopped the floors (while I was doing the other cleaning), he opened what I thought were 2 seagrass rugs. Then, I heard him talking to himself. “Oh no.” I thought to myself. “Please don’t tell me that there is something wrong with those rugs too!” When I went around the corner to take a peek, what do you think that I saw? That’s right. It was my beautiful blue Persian rug!
My husband and Michael got a big kick out of the whole scenario. (For some reason, they think it’s funny when I’m noticeably upset?!) In any event, after I laid down on my beautiful new rug, I thought about my double apology. Not only did I have to apologize for being impatient, but I also had to apologize for being wrong!
Oh well, when I’m wrong, I admit it. When I returned home, I called Rug and Home and apologized profusely. I was further humbled, because the man on the phone was so cool about it. He said, “Oh, your rug is there? I’m glad to hear it. Have a great weekend.” This was all said without a hint of sarcasm. I think that I love him. I know that I love my new rug – even if it came with a generous helping of humble pie…
Wow, that story has me thinking if I would have done the same. You have inspired me to eat humble pie a lot more. You are right, it is so hard going down. I could just imagine your hubby’s face…:-) You two make me laugh.
Sorry to hear about your ‘humble pie’ experience -but that blue rug is beautiful!
pretty carpet!
I hate that you had to eat humble pie, but thank goodness you got your rug. I totally hate when delivery drivers leave items at the door. In todays world things go missing so easy. Just be glad you were lucky and no one took your beautiful rug.
Glad you got your beautiful rug!
I’d like one like that myself.
You know, consuming a little humble pie now & again makes for a healthy diet! Why not call the store back & try to apologize? That would really make someone’s day plus be good karma!
As somebody who has had to work in customer service, I would totally suggest you call back and apologize. You wouldn’t believe how many people take out their frustrations on the little people who don’t have control over what went wrong with an order. It would totally make that person’s day.
Glad you got your rug in the end!
Bella’s last blog post..Want to snag a foreclosure? Pt. 1
If everyone was like U and apologized 4 their wrongs, then the world would B A much better place. I do remember a time when U had to sign 4 the deliveries that FedX and UPS delivered. I am always afraid that I won’t B home when a delivery comes 2 my home if it is raining, and merchandise gets damaged.
pkbailey@charter.net
mineola and Bella
Oh, I did call back and apologize profusely. Like I wrote, “when I’m wrong, I admit it”! I have worked in customer service in the past and I appreciate those who do a great job at it!