Bunches of Things
I think Chappy’s starting to get a bit tired of my new camera…
I’ve been working on my sweater. It’s almost waist-length now, so it’s coming along.
I actually did some spinning the other night, for the first time in weeks. It felt so good! I haven’t done any spinning since the week before Mom and I went to Martha’s Vineyard last month, and while I knew I missed it, hadn’t realized quite how much (grin).
Now, obviously, I’m having fun with the new camera, but I’m a little irritated with Adorama camera. Even though we’re in different states, they charged me sales tax which in this case is $45–which is a fair amount of money. I could buy a couple of memory cards for that, or a few books, or a camera case. So, I sent an email to amazon.com and they agreed that I shouldn’t have been charged sales tax but that I’d need to contact Adorama directly. Which I did. Now, I’m all kinds of happy that my order was processed so promptly and I certainly can’t fault their order fulfillment, but . . . my God, who do they have doing their customer service?? This is the reply I got back (with misspellings, bad typing, and multi-colors intact):
I am really sorry, but every one have to pay sales taxes, the difference on how much, it will depend on where the shipping address is.
For example I have an overseas credit card, when I use it here in NY either if I choose pick it up at the store or that they deliver it to me , I always pay 8.13%.
Also you please check Sales taxes in the United States – New Jersey has a 7% state sales tax. This is split as 3.5% for the State, and 3.5% for the municipality.
Um, ack! Completely disregarding the lack of a helpful response (i.e., the answer I want), this is one of the most badly-written, appallingly atrocious e-mails I have ever received. Really. Ever. Received. Ever. And just think about how badly this makes Adorama look–they can’t even hire employees who can write proper English. I’m upset about the $45 that I really can’t afford to lose … I mean, had I realized, I would have ordered directly from Amazon.com itself and paid basically the same price once you discounted the shipping charges and the (unnecessary) sales tax … but the verbal skills of this person from “On line customer services”? Oh, gracious. I’m completely appalled. Not least of which because she so nicely/patronizingly gave me a link to Wikipedia informing me that NJ has its own sales tax. Gosh, really? I’ve never bought anything here ever in my life and hadn’t realized. SO helpful. (She doesn’t even seem to know that “online” is one word.) So, my verdict on Adorama? Nice camera and very prompt service which I really appreciated and can’t fault, but their follow-through and customer service?? Oy. Awful.
On to better things….
So … you know how Claudia does her MS Ride every year and has a contest with multitudes of fabulous prizes and raised so much money last year she was going to get to wear a number 1 on her jersey this year? Well, her poor husband and fellow-tandem-bike rider broke his ankle last weekend, so it doesn’t look like she’s going to get to ride (though I hope she can come up with something). BUT she’s still doing her contest, and she’s still raising money. So run, don’t walk, with your mouse over there and make a donation. Every $10 is a chance in the drawing–so, hurry!
Remember when I told you about RSS Awareness Day? Well, guess what? I won a prize! How nifty is that? I mean, it’s not yarn, but no complaints. I won a free premium theme for my blog or website from iThemes. Now I just have to figure out which one I want and decide what to do with it (grin). Cool though, huh?
All in all, it’s been an interesting day. A co-worker who’s been at our company for about 20 years ago kind of accidentally resigned today. She said it (and a few other things) and stormed out the door in tears about 15 minutes after she came in this morning, but within 10 minutes was calling and trying to apologize. Except that by saying those few other things, she kind of negated any possible “take-back” that they might otherwise have been willing to give her. I don’t think she was even out of the parking lot before she realized what she’d done and the horror set in, but … well, you can imagine that that was quite a shock to all of us today.
At least I have my spinning to keep me calm.
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House Calls
Congrats on your prize. And UGH about the camera place. Do you have some arbitration or such with your credit card company? That might be worth pursuing. Oh, and May can relate to Chappy’s feelings on new cameras.
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But such pretty pictures!
Carrie K’s last blog post..Walnut Creek
That first picture of Chappy is amazing! And yes, keep after the stupid camera people.
Oh lord! That sucks. Of course you are right- unless the camera store has an outlet in NJ you shouldn’t have been charged.
Personally, I would return it and order from Amazon but it’s probably too late if since you’ve used it. I would call the NJ Attorney General’s office and get their take though.
The pics are awesome!
Susan’s last blog post..Farm Update 5/7
Your new camera takes amazing pictures! Chappy looks even more handsome. Isn’t it wonderful when people treat you like you have no idea what you are talking about? I would keep on them. You shouldn’t have been charged the tax.
Deborah’s last blog post..Cry With Me
Wow, that reply lacks a lot of core customer service skills. It reads like the writer’s first language is not english. I wouldn’t be surprised if that distributor uses some sort of agency to provide customer support and that agency may use a call/email center outside the US.
Regardless, with a tone that patronizing, you’d think they’d at least have the facts right. If the company has a presence in NJ, yes you have to pay, but, contrary to what the person said not everyone pays it. Obviously, I’m preaching to the choir.
I think you should file a dispute with the BBB and try to get your $45 back.
Of course, with Chappy’s gorgeous face, it’s hard to maintain my digust on your behalf
I’m certainly no expert, but, like Susan (above), I’ve always been under the impression that you pay sales tax only if the company you are purchasing a product from has “residence” in your state. Laws may have changed–but it was always one of the benefits of purchasing out of state. So if Adorama has stores in NJ, one would have to pay tax.
A pox on those customer service people! What a bunch of jerks. On a brighter note, your bunches of things photos are just terrific. Hooray for your new camera.
Kim’s last blog post..H is for
Dear Deb
Firstly I must apologise for the email that you received from a member of the sales team. You are absolutely right to be unimpressed with the standard of English and the overall presentation of the email that you received – I certainly was………
Without your order number or zip code, I am unable to confirm whether or not you should have been charged sales tax, however, as Adorama has locations in both New York and New Jersey, any order being shipped to either of these states would incur sales tax.
I appreciate your discretion in not publishing the name of the sender of the email; however, I would be grateful if you could forward it directly to me – helen.oster@adoramacamera.com. – as the content indicates that we need to address this issue either on an individual level, or within our staff training programme.
Adorama is one of the largest photographic retail and mail order suppliers in the USA, building our reputation over 30 years in the photographic field. We don’t use an agency or a call center outside the US to provide customer support; the sales team are all based in our New York office.
Once again, my apologies for the email that you received; you can be assured that we will use this as a learning experience to improve the standard of training within the sales team.
I do look forward to hearing from you
Sincerely
Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
Gorgeous shots!
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JessaLu’s last blog post..Friday already?
[...] of course, but they responded nicely and promptly, and that’s so refreshing. Especially since some of the other customer service problems I’ve had (elsewhere) this year. So, good for [...]