Archive for October, 2004

World’s Worst Customer

Wednesday, October 27th, 2004

Every business owner, even freelance writers, occasionally comes into contact with a customer whose rage and unethical behavior let you know that the term “the customer is always right” is sometimes wrong.

Last week, Richard received a very rude email from a customer who wanted to know why he was never given the download information for his ebook. On researching the transaction, we let him know that he ordered a print book, not an ebook.

He again emailed us demanding we send him the ebook. He then launched into a extensive threat, saying he would report us to a number of government agencies (he named them all) as well as to everyone online if we didn’t send him a copy of the ebook.

Our response was to remind him that he didn’t pay for an ebook…and that an ebook doesn’t even exist of that title. It’s only available in print. It’s kind of funny when you think about it. He threatened to report us for not giving him a free copy of something he hadn’t even paid for AND for not giving him a free copy of something that doesn’t even exist. We also let him know that filing false reports with government agencies is a crime.

Thought you’d all get a kick out of that one today.

Headin’ Home

Wednesday, October 27th, 2004

As I’m writing this, we’re just crossing the North Carolina / Virginia border, heading north. The fall foliage here is breathtaking! Wish I could stop and take some photos, but we’re on our way back to Maine because Ali’s cat, Blotch, is ill. It should take us about 22-24 hours of driving time, which means we’ll have to stop and take a break at a hotel tonight. Ali’s doing pretty good and feels bad that our trip was cut short. But, I know she and Blotch will want to be together during this time.

UPDATE: Blotch is on antibiotics so he’ll probably be okay, but he sure is one sick kitty. Ali’s very happy to be with him. We’re going to get a pill gun from the vet in the morning because Blotch will not take pills. He’s too smart to eat them if you mix them with tuna, and he’ll take your finger off if you try to force one down his throat. I tried to give Blotch a pill this evening, forgetting about all the scars he’s given me over the years. He bit me, hacked up the pill (ewwwww!) and is now hiding from us.

Blotch – 1
Angela – 0

We’ll see how it goes tomorrow with the pill gun.

NEW UPDATE 10/27/04: They had to admit Blotch to the kitty hospital this morning (Wednesday) for an IV. He won’t eat, drink or take his medicine at all. He has his blanky and his stuffed giraffe and we can visit him at anytime. We’re hoping he’ll be home by the weekend. :(

Hugs to all!
Angela

Beach BBQ

Tuesday, October 19th, 2004

We spent the weekend with my sister, Autumn, and her husband, Dave. They introduced us to Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, with its white sand beaches, stiff winds (glad we didn’t blow into the ocean!) and an incredible restaurant. You can read all about it HERE.

We’re staying at a really nice campground in Myrtle Beach right now and, while they don’t have wireless Internet access, they do let you dial into your dial-up service directly from your RV. So, it’s not too bad. But, between the four of us needing Internet access, if you turn your back for a second, somebody just might yank the phone line out of your laptop and stick it in their own.

I took the day off on Sunday and, after our drive to Myrtle Beach, I cooked a big, fancy dinner…which is not an easy task when you’re working with about 12 square inches of counter space. Ali made an incredible pumpkin cake for dessert and we wolfed it down with cinnamon ice cream. Our burgers on the grill tonight, with maybe some cookies and milk for dessert, will be pretty anti-climatic. Where are we sleeping tonight? You can track our current adventures at: http://www.wirelesstrips.com

Hugs to all!
Angela

P.S. The WritersWeekly.com Fall 24-Hour Short Story Contest is THIS SATURDAY! Can you receive an assigned topic and then write and submit an award-winning story within 24 hours? Click HERE for more info.