Our sister site Kotaku says the campaign is based in Germany and meant to parody "Vice City" and Grand Theft Auto, and there's even a mini-sniper game on the campaign's website.

Anyway, is it weird that we feel really bad for the onion? He's being humiliated! What did he do to deserve this? Maybe it's his choice in reading material...

Here's a close up: Don't onions deserve privacy?

You can view the entire liner here. And view some reaction from the crowd at Metafilter, here.

What Is Burger King Thinking? [Idea Sandbox]

Blueprint for Financial Prosperity says:

I bought a can of Folgers coffee two days ago from Costco. When I compared it to my last can, also from Costco, I saw that the new one had 4 oz less of ground coffee. Ok, no big deal, but then I saw that the small can claimed to make more coffee than the larger can. This is the first time I've seen a company shrink their product but claim you get more. It's not a matter of coffee potency either, the preparation instructions are the same.

Now we're not math geniuses or anything here, so please do let us know if we're missing something or messed this up but, the preparation instructions are in tablespoons (volume) and the product is sold by weight... but the ingredients say that both cans contain 100% pure coffee. Has the density of coffee changed lately?

Hmm, let's see. ρ=m/V, and 1 tablespoon is 15 cm³... 360 6 oz cups...

By our calculations, the old density of Folgers coffee was .272 g/cm³ and the new density is .238 g/cm³. Did you guys get the same thing?

The shrink ray is getting more complicated all the time.

Folgers Coffee: Magic Shrink Ray Make More From Less [Blueprint For Financial Prosperity]

Nohreen writes:

... The worker said that she personally cut the apple and that it was not rotten. It was brown because it had been an hour since it left the store. The worker also said that they could not do anything about it because apples turn brown. I said I would go to the store to show the worker that it was rotten. She told me that if I wanted to waste my gas, I could go to the store but they still couldn’t do anything about it.

We got to the store at approximately 5:30 PM and proceeded to make a complaint to the worker. The workers would not acknowledge our presence and decided to call security on us instead. Security arrived and took our statement and informed us that if we wanted to make a complaint we would have to go to the mall concierge. After talking with security for roughly 30 minutes, we were escorted to the concierge. We explained what had happened and the person at the concierge informed us that we could not make a complaint at the concierge. He let us know that complaints were only taken at the security office.

The concierge gave us a piece of paper containing the phone number for the storeowner of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. The store owner was contacted at 6:05 pm. The person who answered had the correct name but she was not the owner of the store. Afterwards, we walked back to the concierge to get the correct number. When we arrived at the concierge, we were told that he could not help us anymore because security had told him so. He then took the paper containing the number, crumpled it up and took it with him. He told us that he could no longer help us and that we would need to call the mall management the following day to get further assistance.

I was appalled that they called the security on me when I wasn't even making a scene. I was just there waiting patiently for them. It was an insult to call a security on your customer. Also, we were told by the security that according to the employee per the owner they would not replace the apple. A child or anyone could have eaten that apple. I can only surmise the quality of their products and how they conduct their business. In my opinion, it only takes one bad apple to infect the rest of the bunch. When I went to the store, I wanted a replacement....now I want action. They need to learn how to conduct good customer service. I want employees to be trained better, and if needed, be reprimanded...not just employees but the owner as well.

Nohreen sent us some photos of the apple in question. We're not botanists or anything, but that looks nasty. She says she's filed complaints with just about every agency out there, and appears to have the situation well in hand, so we'll just end this by saying, "Ew."

"Vandalism is costly," another sign on the restroom doors read. "To help with these costs and to continue providing restrooms, this security lock has been installed. Your cooperation is appreciated."

Pay toilets are illegal in Houston, hence the free tokens. Still, the reporter who wrote the story says he saw a customer use his own quarter to access the toilet.

Is this the future of fast food?

Need to answer nature's call? It'll cost you [Houston Chronicle](Thanks, Therese!)

Apparently, the bear panicked after setting off an alarm at a nearby restaurant. He smashed through the sliding glass doors of the Circuit City and hung around in the customer waiting area for awhile before exiting the same way he came in.

A surveillance camera captured the bear's shopping trip, and we have to admit, aside from smashing the sliding glass door, it looks exactly like our last shopping trip to Circuit City. Hello? Does anyone work here?

Bear Breaks in to Colo. Springs Circuit City (With Video!) [MyFoxColorado]

Slap on a $1-off "Manager's Special" sticker, obviously!

(Thanks to M!)

T writes:

I wrote a letter to the Cheesecake Factory HQ and it basically tells the story of a miserable experience at the Cheesecake Factory in Columbus, Ohio and here is a copy of it:

My wife and I were using a gift card that was given to us at your Cheesecake Factory Fine Dining Restaurant. The food was superb.

There was one major annoyance that several customers including our party had to endure. It was the drill-sgt that you placed in the kitchen which isn't separated from the rest of restaurant. This person attacked the cooks with such acrimony it made me sick. Continuous, unrelenting, verbal assaults. Other patrons were standing up wondering what was all the yelling about. I finally went over and told him to "Shut up, there are people trying to eat". Only after that, could I actually hear my wife talking when she was only sitting arm's length. A lady came to our table and apologized, but I come to find out that this belligerent brow-beating is normal protocol and it wasn't a one time occurrence. I got word from several of your people as we were making our way out of your restaurant that they had been waiting for a customer to finally speak up as I did. They thanked me. How can you continue to offer a fine dining experience? You need to do something about your restaurant because if I were you, I would be embarrassed. My wife and I eat out when we can and our first impression of the Cheesecake Factory was terrible to say the least.

Sincerely,
T

What I want to know is are all Cheesecake Factories like the one we have? Management must of known about this Drill Sgt., how could they not? It was a disaster dining experience. I don't expect to hear anything back from the Cheesecake Factory people after getting an empty apology from management.

Well, we've only been to the Cheesecake Factory once, but we didn't notice Sergeant Hulka running the kitchen. What gives?

I ordered a maple night stand via Amazon.com. It was actually sold/shipped by one of their vendors called Vision Decor. I was surprised when the package arrived. It was HUGE and it weighed a lot — far larger and heavier than I expected a night stand to be.

It was covered in multiple layers of cardboard and tape. When I finally cut through to the middle I discovered that the entire box had been filled with that spray foam typically used by plumbers and construction workers for insulation. My father-in-law and I spent half an hour hacking through the stuff to finally get to the night stand within. It was tough stuff. And it tended to stick to skin.

Now, I appreciate that my night stand arrived in good condition but I must say that removing the foam insulation was tantamount to carving Mt. Rushmore.

Are you sure that's a night stand and not an alien facehugger pod? Jim? Jim, are you there?

Hi Consumerist folks,

I just had a very strange conversation with Verizon and thought this was the kind of thing you only read about on Consumerist.

We currently have Verizon phone and DSL service. This is because we live in a town where Verizon is the only phone provider. We're moving from our apartment to a house in the same zip code.

I call Verizon to transfer our service. Once I get through the hideous phone tree to a human being, I speak to the CSR, who is pleasant and helpful. She checks to confirm that we can keep our existing phone number (we can), arranges for the service transfer, gives me all the information about how long the transfer takes and when I can expect service, etc. Then she tries to change our DSL service over.

She tells me something's very strange, as the new address is in their service area, but her system shows that DSL is unavailable there. She puts me on hold to go check with a supervisor.

When she comes back, she explains to me that DSL is not available at that location, even though the previous residents did have DSL. Something about the local center being "closed" and that area being "full" as far as DSL connections. Why they would run out of DSL in a residential neighborhood, especially when all we're doing is MOVING our existing DSL, is not explained.

We're checking to see if we can get another ISP, but since this is a 'company town', we may be stuck getting high-speed internet through Comcast (ugh. ugh, ugh ugh). Has anyone ever heard of anything like this before?

Thanks,
Laurel

Well, Laurel, we have no idea what this means, but we're sure our commenters do. Can anyone explain why Verizon's DSL is "full"?

The something could be anything, but they do have a list of somethings that they will not send. The list includes pornography, cable descramblers, drug test circumvention kits and "unsubstantiated cures, remedies or other items marketed as quick health fixes." What? No kinoki detox foot pads? Deal breaker!

Something Store [via BuzzFeed]

I'm not sure if I'm right, or if Macy's is on this one:

I visited Macy's on Saturday, during one of their many sales. I was in housewares, checking out a Martha Stewart cast iron pot, on sale for $19.99 down from $60. The one on display was the last one available. (It's important to note that during this next step, which took about 5 minutes, there was no one around me the entire time). I stood guard, waiting for an employee to come by. One did, and I asked if I could just take the display one to buy, since it was the last. She said "Absolutely!". I picked it up and headed to the checkout. I'm about 5 feet away, and i'm stopped by an employee, this one all decked out in a suit (I believed him to be the manager). He tells me, "You can't buy that, because another customer wants it". Huh? He'd apparently been in the back looking for more, and realized that the display one was the only one left, so he was going to give that one to the customer. I haggled with the guy for a bit, but got nowhere.

Some random customer on the opposite end of the department wanted it, so I was out of luck. I an effort to not cause a scene, I handed it over. He said nothing, walked off, and I stood there confused. It's not like I can't find another one, but it's the principle of the thing. I had it in hand, so it should've been mine, right?

I sent them an email, but haven't heard anything back yet. I'm not looking for anything from Macy's, except maybe the apology I didn't get Saturday.

Dyan S.

What do you think? Should she have handed over the pot? Or run screaming "Stranger Danger!" to the nearest register before the manager could grab it?

(Photo:Vince B.)

NPR says that a 77-year-old Tampa woman, Joan Kennedy Biddle, is suing to collect on a $300 loan that her great-grandfather made to the city of Tampa 147 years ago, during the Civil War. That modest debt (with interest) has grown to a little under $23 million dollars.

Biddle is in possession of an IOU signed by Tampa's mayor promising to repay her ancestor for money borrowed to purchase supplies to be used in defense of the city of Tampa. The IOU is dated 1861, after Florida joined the Confederacy. When asked why she's trying to collect the debt now, Biddle told NPR: "Better late than never."

In defense of itself, the City of Tampa came up with a rather impressive list of reasons why the debt is not valid, not least of which is the fact that it was payable in Confederate dollars — a currency that no longer exists. It seems that Ms. Biddle's IOU may do better on Antiques Roadshow than it will in a court room.

Tampa Woman Sues City for Unpaid Civil War Loan [NPR]

I had an interesting time last night at my local Washington Mutual.

I am getting ready to leave on a trip to Las Vegas for a friends wedding so last night I decided that I would actually go into a Washington Mutual branch and withdraw my 'bankroll'. It was about 10 minutes to close but there thankfully no line. I filled out the withdrawal slip for the cash that I wanted, approached the teller, scanned my ATM card, entered my PIN and handed her the slip. She immediately asked if I wanted a check for the amount ($4.2k) and I said no, that I wanted cash. She then yelled to the manager across the bank about the transaction. He asked; how much? She said "$4200". Keep in mind that this was not done in private but across the room at the bank, therefore letting everyone in the room know that I wanted a (fairly) large sum of cash.

It was at this time that the faux hawk sporting manager said 'nope'. He told me (still across the room BTW) that they operated on some automatic withdrawal machines and that he couldn't authorize that much of a withdrawal because other people needed to use it and that the amount of capital wouldn't cover it.

In shock I asked when they (the bank!) would be getting more capital, he said that they got more nightly. So I asked if I could come get the amount I wanted tomorrow. He said 'no' again. Apparently these machines had enough money for me but they didn't want to give it to me because someone else might need it (the bank is open for 10 more minutes).

The manager let me know that I could try a 'traditional' WaMu branch as they have 'more leniencies' with the withdrawal amount. Keep in mind that those are at least 3 miles (over 30 minutes in San Francisco) away.

I then asked the teller very plainly... "Are you saying that I can't have MY money?"

She said "yes".

Beyond mad I ripped up my withdrawal slip and left the bank. I have two out standing checks (IRS and State) with WaMu, when they clear I am OUT. I can't think of anything more ridiculous than not being able to get my money. Aren't there some rules about that?

I guess that the good thing to come of all this is that there can't be a run on the banks because even if everyone tried to get their money... the banks will not give it to you!

Thought this was something that you might find interesting!
Thaddius

Any bankers want to explain how this works?

(Photo:Stirwise)

Peter Hafer is currently in jail, accused of rappelling into a Kentucky Kmart after closing in order to steal jewelry. Mr. Hafer requested a new public defender be assigned to his case, when the request was denied, he "snapped" and punched his attorney in the jaw.

"I just hit him," Hafer told WLEX, "I mean, pretty much... yeah. I just knocked him out. I kinda just went into rage and... you know what I'm saying? I really didn't realize what I was doing until like, you know... I was on the ground when they grabbed me. "

When asked about the rappelling incident, Hafer had this to say:

"Them are just accusations. They don't got no physical evidence whatsoever, just some guy, got caught up accusing me of being in there, and they don't have nothing else."

Any attorneys looking for some pro bono work in Kentucky?

Defendant slugs lawyer [CNN]

According to the saleswoman, SIRIUS charges Best Buy $55 for the $50 gift card. This could be a clever SIRIUS ploy to drive customers to their own website while subjecting Best Buy to ridicule. Can anyone offer a better explanation?

SIRIUS - $50 Gift Card for SIRIUS Satellite Radio [BestBuy.com]
SIRIUS $50 Pre-Paid Subscription Card [SIRIUS]

Howdy Consumeristas.

I just received a holiday present from Time Warner in the mail. They send me out an old bill to my McKinney address, which I haven't lived at in roughly 6 months. I purchased my first home in June of this year and moved my service to the home. I won't even begin to express the hell that was this transfer, as I've already emailed you about this experience.

The bill I just received is for the amount of $24.51, but has no description of the charges, only a channel lineup included. The bill is also addressed to my old address, which hasn't been billed since June. I called customer service to inquire as to why I received this bill. The agent was more than helpful, but informed me she was unable to see that far back in my account and couldn't tell me what the balance is from. She suggested I go to a payment center and "maybe" they can give me more information. Maybe I should jump through hoops to pay this company money for some strange reason as well?

She then went on to tell me my current account seems to show that I have paid this balance, but it never crossed over to the old. She also told me that the old account is 38 days past due, although they clearly know I no longer live at that address, yet sent it there anyways. So I asked her to rectify that as I had apparently already paid this balance of which no one knows is for. Again she wasn't able to do this since she doesn't know what the balance is from.

I've settled for opening an account research ticket and I asked for a supervisor to return my call. Is it usual for businesses to charge people 6 months after they have stopped their service and not give a reason why? I can't believe anyone in their right mind would think this was half way decent and that I should just pay it as she did, despite how friendly she was.

Hopefully they can rectify it, although we all know how these situation tend to play out.

Thanks!

Chris We wouldn't pay it. If it ever shows up on your credit report you can dispute it, and if Time Warner can't even come up with a good reason why you should pay it, they'll have a hard time proving you owe the money. Don't you think?

(Photo:meghannmarco)

Ethan Thorn was an infant when his parents brought him into a Starbucks in Somerville's Davis Square in April, 2006. According to the lawsuit, a store employee serving a cup of coffee to Ethan's father accidentally spilled coffee on the baby's legs and groin, causing second-degree burns. The baby was in his father's arms at the time.

The baby, now 2, was treated at Shriners Hospital in Boston over the course of several months, according to the lawsuit.

Here's the odd part:

The suit, filed on behalf of the family by Manchester lawyer Orestes Brown, said the coffee shop employee "had a duty of reasonable care not to serve hot coffee to an infant."

Starbucks settles suit over coffee-scalded infant for $70K [Gloucester Daily Times via Starbucks Gossip]
(Photo:Vince Brown (attila))

From CBS 3:

Sixty-three-year-old William Kuriger Jr. was dropping off his son, 43-year-old William, to hunt on Tuesday. The father was cited for disorderly conduct while the son was cited for criminal trespass and illegally carrying a gun onto airport property.

The son tells the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he wasn't close to airport buildings or runways, and says they won't go back there to hunt.

The airport's deer herd is thinned by 12 hunters who work in conjunction with air traffic controllers and other officials to ensure safety.

Father, son cited for hunting at Pittsburgh airport [CBS3]
(Photo:tuchodi)

We hope that someone just ordered a ton of McDonald's food for their office, because the idea that McDonald's thinks the subway is as good as a refrigerated truck is a little too hard to believe. In any case, that's a lot of McDonald's.

(Photo:Thanks, Christopher!)

If you order a "Tall Americano" with an "extra shot" at Starbucks you will receive 3 shots of espresso in a 12 oz cup with water added. You will pay $2.30.

If you order a "Grande Americano" in a "tall" cup, you will receive 3 shots of espresso in a 12 oz cup with water added. You will pay $2.00.

Why? A columnist at the Sacramento Bee spent 2 months waiting for an answer from Starbucks. Their response? "That's a great question." Isn't it? We've found that it's harder to ignore these sorts of Starbucks pricing oddities than it is to find them. —MEGHANN MARCO

A cup of confusion [Sacramento Bee via Starbucks Gossip]
(Photo: cmorran123)

Discuss. —MEGHANN MARCO

J. Godsey writes:

"There is a perfectly good other wall AND the door to put hooks on. The average woman is what? 5.7 most of the ones I know are MUCH shorter I am 5' my arm reaches 6' - what were they THINKING?... I know it's not exciting... but I thought it was a bit surreal.

Obviously they're trying to encourage their less well-heeled clientele to reach higher in life. — BEN POPKEN

President / Owner / Customer Service Rep of WeddingDepot.com Shaun Larson wonders if the post "breaks" our "terms of service," and, "content is permitted, authorized, and approved by Gawker Media. "

"If it is not and does break your TOS, we request that the content be removed immediately," writes Shaun.

Nope. Sorry. We don't remove posts. A more cost effective solution is to spend less time hunting down negative reviews and more on improving your customer service and professionalism.

WeddingDepot's full letter, inside...

Shaun writes:

"WeddingDepot.com Admin date:2:19 pm to:tips@consumerist.com, marco@consumerist.com cc: admin@weddingdepot.com,legal@weddingdepot.com date Jan 3, 2007 2:19 PM subject: Site Use mailed-by: weddingdepot.com

Hello there,

We became aware today of a customer who apparently is on a rampage to harm our company through libel posting on the Internet. We are proceeding to evaluate legal actions against the person and those propagating the information. After reviewing your Terms of Service (http://gawker.com/advertising/legal/privacy-policy/), it appears the content at this address
http://www.consumerist.com/consumer/complaints/weddingdepots-nonresponsive-passive-aggressive-customer-service-225599.php does not fall within your designed use for your service. We are contacting you to confirm if this content is permitted, authorized, and approved by Gawker Media. If it is not and does break your TOS, we request that the content be removed immediately.

An efficient response would be greatly appreciated as we plan to move quickly on the harm that is being done to our company. Thank you.

Shaun Larson
President / Owner"

— BEN POPKEN

Previously: WeddingDepot's Nonresponsive, Passive Aggressive, Customer Service

Loren ordered a personalized ornament from WeddingDepot.com on December 16th. Instead, she received a "unity candle holder" on December 22nd. She emailed several times starting that day and didn't receive her first response until December 28th.

What follows is an exponentially degrading exchange between Loren and customer service rep Shaun. Eventually Loren wears him down this:

"I've tried to offer you a solution, yet you continue to debate it without end and thereby causing yourself further delay. Here ya go - this will work:

1. Throw unity candle stand in the trash.
2. We'll issue a full refund.
3. We'll cancel your account with us. Please shop elsewhere."

It's all for the best. Loren gets her money back and WeddingDepot loses a customer they're unable to satisfy. Frankly, their stuff is pretty cheesy so Loren is better off taking her business to another store.

Full exchange, inside...

Loren wants WeddingDepot to pay for UPS to come by her house and pick up the package, and she wants her personalized ornament sent before she returns the faulty merchandise.

Shaun pretty much wants the opposite. He wants Loren to return the items before they will process the refund or ship the correct item.

By law, stores can set their own return and refund policies. However, Shaun does a poor job of adequately communicating these policies and doesn't never addresses the emotional frustration Loren expresses. If had shown a little empathy, things might have gone over better and Loren wouldn't have felt like she had to resort to filing a BBB complaint.

Loren writes:

"I placed an order for a personalized ornament with WeddingDepot.com and unfortunately, received the wrong shipment. It has all gone downhill from there in one of the nastiest customer service battles I have ever been involved in.

I have included here all of my email communications with the company on this matter. I truly can't believe the way this customer service representative has chosen to speak to me ...

I've already contacted the Better Business Bureau but feel consumers must know about the way this company is choosing to conduct business.

You have my permission to post these emails, albeit without my contact information or email address.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Thanks,

Loren

[ed: We think the apparent mixup in the timestamps is due to Loren and Shaun being in different time zones.]

—-— Original Message —-—
From: "WeddingDepot.com"
Date: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 12:35 pm
Subject: Order Update
To: Loren

WeddingDepot.com

** IMPORTANT ANSWERS: Some items - including albums -require special production times. Always check item descriptions first for production & shipping times. Some items only require 10- 14 days while others such as Art Leather albums require 6- 8 weeks. During this time, your order will simply remain in process without further email updates. DELIVERY TIMES: This is different than production times. Delivery times are the time the delivery service has your package. Orders ship from zip code 37064. Most orders ship US Mail. For questions about delivery times, check USPS.com. We cannot control delivery times. TRACKING NUMBERS are only available on FedEx order. Also, check the My Account section of the website for information about your order.

—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—--
Order Number: 26316
Detailed Invoice:

Your order has been updated to the following status. New status: Hooray, order has shipped! :)

For shipping or delivery times, please refer to the item description on our website, the Help menu on our website, and the My Account section also on our website.

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Loren
To: LorenWeddingDepot.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 9:17 AM
Subject: Re: Order Update

I am STILL waiting for a response on this.

You sent me the wrong item. I ordered a personalized ornament, that I paid for expedited shipping on, and received the wrong order instead. I am still expecting and waiting for the ornament I ordered and I would like shipping costs removed from my bill ... as the item clearly didn't get here in time for the holidays, as I had hoped.

Please respond on this. This is the 3rd email I have sent.

Thanks,

Loren

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Customer Service
Date: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 8:09 pm
Subject: Re: Order Update
To: Loren

Hello there,

Thank you for your follow-up. Which item did you receive?
Shaun
Customer Service
http://www.WeddingDepot.com

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Loren
To:Customer Service
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 2:25 PM
Subject: Re: Order Update

I replied earlier today and have still yet to hear back from you.

I was sent a unity candle holder. I ordered a personalized ornament.

When can I expect the ornament to show up and will the charges be deleted from my account?

Please reply asap. I am disappointed with the response time I have received from your company.

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Customer Service
Date: Thursday, December 28, 2006 4:28 pm
Subject: Re: Order Update

Hello there,

Thank you for your follow-up. Unfortunately, we cannot always instantly reply. Sometimes we have to investigate an order to discover what happened to create a mistake. As you seem to be very frustrated and disappointed - because you keep stating that in your emails - how about we have you return the mistaken shipment via US Priority Mail and we'll refund your full amount including the return shipping. We'll then discontinue our shopping relationship. When errors are made, we try out best to solve them, but unfortunately if someone keeps telling us of their frustration and disappointment, there isn't much hope for a satisfactory result.

Shaun
Customer Service
http://www.WeddingDepot.com

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Loren
To:Customer Service
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 3:56 PM
Subject: Re: Order Update

My initial email was sent to you on Friday, December 22nd. Without a phone service to answer my call, I was left guessing if I would receive the item in time for Christmas. That is what got me so frustrated.

I would still like the ornament, as I paid for it, and it was a gift that I had bought for someone very special. It's frustrating to buy that one special gift and be let down when it is guaranteed to arrive, you pay for it to arrive and then it doesn't show up at your doorstep in time.

To end the disappointment, the best resolve would be for me to receive the item that I originally ordered. I will gladly send the other item back, but not until I receive the item that I ordered.

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Customer Service
Date: Thursday, December 28, 2006 5:17 pm
Subject: Re: Order Update
To: Loren

Hello there,

Thank you again for your reply. We indeed are sorry to have shipped the incorrect item. Because FedEx only designates the time FedEx has a package in their possession and does not alter order processing dates, orders with personalized items still require their normal time before shipping, so a personalized item placed on the 22nd would not have been guaranteed for delivery before Christmas. Most personalized items require several business days before shipping - although we tried to shorten that when we could for the holidays. Ornaments are usually in the 5-7 business day range for production.

Please use this information for returning the mistaken shipment and we'll reimburse you for the US Priority Mail fee, and we can move forward with correcting the personalized ornament shipment.
Return form: http://www.weddingdepot.com/returns RA# 061227SL

Thank you!

Shaun
Customer Service
http://www.WeddingDepot.com

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Loren
To:Customer Service
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 4:20 PM
Subject: Re: Order Update

I didn't place the order on the 22nd. I placed the order on the 16th and paid for expedited shipping. I received it on the 22nd and it was incorrect. That is when I originally emailed, at 3:00 and received my first response on this today.

As I mentioned, I will gladly ship the item I received back, but not until I receive the ornament that I ordered.

Thanks,

Loren

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Customer Service
Date: Thursday, December 28, 2006 5:35 pm
Subject: Re: Order Update
To: Loren

Hello there,

Thank you for the clarification. If you would like to keep the candle holder, you can purchase it. If you wish to return it for the ornament, we need it to be returned before the ornament can ship. This is nothing unusual. All your local retailers and major online companies require a return before another item can be shipped. Your local retailer does not offer you another item until you return the previous one. I don't know why you would want to hold the candle holder as it's not even a comparable item. It sounds like some sort of "ransom" idea or something... ha, ha. It costs us more for you to actually ship it back to us, so that theory wouldn't quite work as it would be more cost effective and easier for us to just have you keep it and not to ship the ornament at all. We're trying to correct the situation for you. You wanted good service and we're trying to provide it to you. If you choose to complicate it, it only adds more frustration on your end. Trying to play a "I'm not shipping this until you ship that" game will only end in a very messy and frustrating situation that will probably include your not receiving the ornament.

We're trying to provide the service you wanted and condemned us for not having. We're trying to help.

Shaun
Customer Service
http://www.WeddingDepot.com

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Loren
To:Customer Service
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 4:44 PM
Subject: Re: Order Update

The form you provided me with is not a return shipping label ... I'd have to actually go to the post office, PAY for shipping and hope that you'll reimburse me ...without knowing that is going to happen ... or if I'm even going to receive the ornament that I originally ordered.

I don't think it's "standard" to say that I should pay for an item that I never ordered. Standard, would be sending UPS to pick up the item that you incorrectly sent, at your cost, not have me go to the post office, pay for the item and wait to be reimbursed. In fact, any time I have ever been shipped the wrong order, UPS has been sent to pick it up and the right item has been sent to me.

It's not an issue of ransom ... it's an issue of why should I go out of my way for your company's mistake?

I don't understand the service I am receiving or the rudeness at all.

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Customer Service
Date: Thursday, December 28, 2006 5:49 pm
Subject: Re: Order Update
To: Loren

Hello there,

You are correct. It's not a label - I did not say it was. Yes, you will have to deliver it to the post office - that is why I previously said we would reimburse you. This was a matter of a mistaken shipment. I am uncertain why you are inflating it to be a situation where you are a victim. That is something you are imagining. We want to correct the situation, but you are working against us in our efforts.

You may have worked with UPS in the past. We do not. We have provided our method of return and reimbursement. Again... we're trying to correct the situation for you and we hoped that you would help do so because it's you we're trying to help.

Shaun
Customer Service
http://www.WeddingDepot.com

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Loren
To:Customer Service
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 4:59 PM
Subject: Re: Order Update

Surely, I hope name calling is not standard in your business operations. I never called myself a victim. I just want the ornament I ordered.

I will return the unity candle holder. In what form of payment do you plan on reimbursing me for the shipping? Will I receive a check? Will you put the credit on my credit card? Please let me know.

And when can I expect to receive the ornament that I ordered?

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Customer Service
Date: Thursday, December 28, 2006 6:41 pm
Subject: Re: Order Update
To: Loren

Wow - name-calling? Where did that come from? Victim is an ordinary term in vocabulary which described the perception I was getting from what you were telling me. You were insinuating the lack of morals of our company by questioning if you were even going to get reimbursed and repeatedly condemned our service level. That is something someone says when they think they are a victim (being ripped off) and that is what I interpreted your perspective to be from what you were telling from me.

I promise you we want to take care of this honest mistake but are having a bit of a bumpy road doing so. If we could not back- up my offer and were going to rip you off.... why would we have sent you anything in the first place? The reimbursement will come in the form of a credit back to your card.

Thank you!

Shaun
Customer Service
http://www.WeddingDepot.com

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Loren
To:Customer Service
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 8:38 PM
Subject: Re: Order Update

I do not consider myself a victim and don't appreciate the use of the term ... I am simply being a cautious consumer, and from the type of unprofessional communication that has been coming from your end, I think I have every right to be. I have never in my life been talked to by a customer service representative in the tone that you have chosen to take with me.

As I understand it, in the customer service business, it is your responsiblity to make sure the customer is satisfied and has received the items that they have ordered, in a timely manner and in the shipping time in which they requested and paid for. Instead, we have wasted an entire day emailing back and forth without a resolve to the problem at hand. So now I have to wait until you receive the unity candle holder before my ornament can be shipped when it should have been here by Friday, the 22nd? Seems to me that I'm the one that is now being inconvenienced even further for your company's mistake ... How is that customer service?

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Customer Service
Date: Thursday, December 28, 2006 10:26 pm
Subject: Re: Order Update
To: Loren

Hello there,

Wow... we're definitely on different wave-lengths and I don't possibly see how you interpret "victim" to be a negative term. I am uncertain what word you would use for someone claiming to be at the mercy of a company who they suspect and make claim to having done them wrong. The reason you've not ever had communication like this before is because most companies train employees to practice activities that are illogical in order to cater to the dreams of customers and that includes telling customers anything they want to hear as long as it makes them smile. It's an act that companies do to hope that customers will think they're great and come back. It usually goes beyond what's reasonable and logical for the situation and pretty soon the company wastes more time and money trying to cater to a customer who is insulting them. That leads customers to have the mind-set that a company should do anything for the customer. After all... why wouldn't it? The customer learns they can yell and insult the company and look... the company then does anything you ask. That's ridiculous. Errors do not translate into carte blanche. There are still processes that must take place and procedures to be followed to make corrections to mistakes. Those same customers usually are quick to cast negativity toward companies and then claim the company is being rude to them when it responds to such allegations cast by the customer. They think it's a one-way street and their purchase entitles them to say anything to the company. Companies are only people too, and half the gibberish that a frustrated customers email would never have left their lips if they had to say that in person... to a person.

Yes, I agree that today's communications have been virtually wasted. Early in the day, I offered the solution we are ending on - yet you continued to debate it for the entire day. Not only that, but you continue to ignore the fact that you are incorrect that the item was to be delivered to you by the 22nd. You are creating your own "guaranteed by" time and blaming us for a production and shipping time you're making up. In fact, you're even making up the "guaranteed" part totally. We only state approximations for all our products, yet you're taking it upon yourself to interpret it as "guarantee". We cannot control your choice to convert our information into what you wish it to be.

This is definitely one of the most peculiar email exchanges I've had with a customer and it amazes me how your failure to understand the correct shipping time in combination with an honest mistake in our shipping department has caused you to question the morality of our company by questioning if we would refund your money. We look forward to receiving the product back so we can rapidly conclude this exchange.

Shaun
Customer Service
http://www.WeddingDepot.com

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Loren
To:Customer Service
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 6:48 AM
Subject: Re: Order Update

You say I am imagining that I'm a victim here? I am imagining reporting you to the Better Business Bureau. THAT'S what I'm imagining.

You state " Not only that, but you continue to ignore the fact that you are incorrect that the item was to be delivered to you by the 22nd. You are creating your own "guaranteed by" time and blaming us for a production and shipping time you're making up. In fact, you're even making up the "guaranteed" part totally."

Actually, no, I'm not making any of it up. I received an email on 12/19 saying "HOORAY! Your order has shipped!" The production time was clearly through with and the item was on its way. And I received the candle holder on the 22nd. SO.... If the RIGHT order was shipped, it would hold true that the ornament would have been here by the 22nd, no? I haven't made anything up. "Thank you for your follow-up. which item did you receive?" ... that was the first response I received from you after emailing you three times and stating that I was disappointed I had not received the ornament. A simple "We are sorry for the shipping error, we'll get the ornament out to you as soon as possible" would have gone a LONG way solved this entire debate. Instead, you chose to argue with me about this.

I am not asking you to bend over backwards for me as the customer. I am asking for CUSTOMER SERVICE, none of which I have received.

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Customer Service
Date: Friday, December 29, 2006 10:25 am
Subject: Re: Order Update
To: Loren

Thank you for your reply. The reason you received the shipped notice was obviously because the wrong item had shipped because the regular production time for the ornament would not have been complete yet, so my comments about "guarantee" are exactly right. We did offer a solution early on. You chose to debate it, so we replied each time.

We'll await the arrival of the return. We will handle the exchange when it arrives.

Shaun
Customer Service
http://www.WeddingDepot.com

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Loren
To:Customer Service
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 9:36 AM
Subject: Re: Order Update

Regardless, the ornament should have been shipped BY NOW.

I will send the unity candle holder back COD.

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Customer Service
Date: Friday, December 29, 2006 10:42 am
Subject: Re: Order Update
To: Loren

We reimburse for postage and not COD fees or additional services you select to add to the return.

Shaun
Customer Service
http://www.WeddingDepot.com

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Loren
To:Customer Service
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 9:54 AM
Subject: Re: Order Update

You have been reported to the Better Business Bureau.

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Customer Service
Date: Friday, December 29, 2006 11:29 am
Subject: Re: Order Update
To: Loren

No problem. We'll be sure to include the BCB. We'll enclose your on-going debate in our response. I've tried to offer you a solution, yet you continue to debate it without end and thereby causing yourself further delay. Here ya go - this will work:

1. Throw unity candle stand in the trash.
2. We'll issue a full refund.
3. We'll cancel your account with us. Please shop elsewhere.

That was easy. Have a good New Year's!

Shaun
Customer Service
http://www.WeddingDepot.com

—-— Original Message —-—
From: Loren
To:Customer Service
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 10:46 AM
Subject: Re: Order Update

It's not surprising that you've been reported before and have an unsatisfactory record with the Better Business Bureau.

I am still unsure of what solution you ever offered me other than for me to go to the post office, pay to return the unity candle holder, and then patiently wait to be reimbursed for that ... as well as wait even longer for the ornament to arrive.

—-—-—-- Forwarded message —-—-—--
From: Customer Service To: Loren
Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 10:53:44 -0600
Subject: Re: Order Update

Please follow the below solution and discontinue communication with us.

Shaun
Customer Service
http://www.WeddingDepot.com"

— BEN POPKEN

Reader Shaun spotted this entry form for a local Nascar tickets sweepstakes, sponsored by Hardees "charbroiled thickness" and Comcast. It seems designers at Comcast went a bit overboard with the mouseprint. Even after digital magnification, it's nigh impossible to discern the contest's rules.

What are they hiding in there? Give us your paranoid guesstimates in the comments or tips at consumerist.com.

Seriously, it's like a giant, glittering shovel full of Bukkakios. No wonder the elves are so excited.

Sebastian lives in the Georgia Tech area and went to investigate 6346 Lynch Av. "I drove down the entire street, where friends of mine used to live, and there is no sign of such an address, or anything even close," he says.

Google Maps can't find the locale either. There is a Lynch Av just north of G-tech but only with residences in the 400-600 block range. Website directions instructs visitors to follow I85/75, exiting onto Howell Mill Road until reaching Lynch, a connection not seen on the maps.

The phone number is disconnected. 411 had no listing.

None of this stopped reviewer JoyPeters... ...

"If you are looking for a hearty dinner for the whole family and entertainment while you eat, this is a great place."

Nor did it stop the Trough from being listed here, here, or from posting job openings.

Under "Corporate Information", the site says, "In 2005 our first Restaurant...opened in beautiful Atlanta, GA... The 25,000 square foot facility houses our flagship restaurant as well as our corporate headquarters."

Twenty-five thousand square feet? That's like a city-block warehouse.

It's certainly a lotta space for free butter, ad supported or not.

We're calling fakies and guess The Butter Trough is a Georgia Tech class project.

Too bad!

The bread is free. The tea is free. The superheated molten butter is free. All the while, ads play from tabletop speakers, TV sets and the scattered "butter trough multimedia displays."

Don't miss the kids' butter-skimming contests.

"Twice hourly, the supply of butter in The Butter Trough is refilled," boasts the website. "For your enjoyment, our farm clad employees slop the super heated butter into the butter trough so that you can enjoy it at its most liquid consistency. You are encouraged to bring your ButterSkimmer brand Butter cup to the trough and Dip In!"

A recent visitor noted that though it had a 60 foot trough, he doesn't know if he'll go back, "the other customers were very.. strange.. "

The only question is, will the ads play in our coronaries subsidize the cost of the bypass?

The Butter Trough (Thanks to Amy!)

Likewise, if you like to take them with you.

It's the 10th "named" sale Spirit has held this year. Previous sales included "Eddie," celebrating the 50's, "Alonzo," "Diego," and "Gracie Sue," exalting the equestrian delights.

"Upgrade to Spirit Air Plus" [Spiritair.com via Jaunted]

I had some liquid I saved and wanted to measure in a coffee cup from one of the major chains, and it seemed too close to the top when I measured it. Turns out the "24 ounce" cups hold about 22 ounces when filled to the brim. I haven't checked the other sizes, but I have a few from different coffee shops and gas stations, and they are all about the same size. This must have been covered somewhere, but I was wondering if any store has accurately sized cups, or if your readers could find out how far it goes (coffee or also pop and tea? How much do the "16 ounce" cups hold? etc.).

We have no idea what you're talking about. "One of the major chains" might cut it in a press release announcing yet another data center breach, but here, you name names. And instead of a Slurpee machine, look for accurate measuring devices in the cooking aisle. Pyrex. That's a good brand.

At the bottom of the email, it has a note. Jeremiah 29:11. In the New International Version that passage reads, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

A future with a 600% vigorish, no doubt.