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FreePlay Friday (Austin, Never Use Sears Again)
Posted on July 25th, 2008 in Free Play Fridays by Fred McKinnon
(special thanks to Chris Moncus who took me up on last week’s request for a “FreePlay Friday” graphic. If you’d like to make a “FreePlay Friday” graphic header, email it to me, and I’ll plug you right here!)
Hey Everyone, it’s “FreePlay Friday” (view all “FreePlay Friday” Posts) … the day where I post whatever I want, on whatever topic(s) I want, with no regard to whether or not it does (or doesn’t) apply to the main theme of this blog, which is worship, worship leadership, church life, and music. What makes “FreePlay Friday” so much fun is that I want YOU to participate by either commenting on my topics or by entering your own, totally random “FreePlay Friday” thoughts in the comments section of the blog.
Last Week’s FreePlay Friday Comment of the Week:
First, my favorite “FreePlay Friday” comment from last week’s post came from Renee Floyd, a local girl who attends our church, and recently joined the blogosphere. (so new, in fact, that she didn’t even give the correct URL to her blog in her comment last week) She said, “I’m so glad you are doing freeplay friday! It shows a whole new side of you, you are actually not as boring as I thought you were. 
(Just being honest)”. Um … thanks, Renee.
Austin: My geography is horrible. I’ve been in Austin, TX all week for the National Worship Leader Conference yet if you drew a picture of the state of Texas on a piece of paper and asked me to point to the general location of where Austin is … I couldn’t do it. There are small mountains (hills) here … it’s gorgeous. I thought everything in Texas was flat. Austin rolls with beautiful mountains (some wouldn’t call these mountains, of course, but they are definitely more than foothills). One of the things I am disappointed about is that this week’s conference schedule was so packed, there was absolutely no time to enjoy the city.
Sears: (one of the first rules in Shaun Groves‘ Advanced Blogging class this week was to NOT use your blog as a platform to bash people. It didn’t take me long to break Rule #1 … that’s why it’s called “FreePlay Friday” … here we go)
This crummy company has officially joined “Circuit City” (note to self, not worthy of a link) on my lifetime, banned-do-not-ever-buy-from-them-again list. Long story short … every time we wash clothes in our washing machine, they come out with clear, oily stains all over them. We’ve done all the troubleshooting imaginable. Switching detergents, power, liquid, concentrated, regular. No fabric softener (did you read that … NO FABRIC SOFTENER), period.
Sears sent a repair tech who basically said “nothing is wrong, you are putting something foreign in the machine that is causing this.”. Ok, wise guy … what’s foreign about H20 and soap? He took the entire machine apart, cleaning the drum and way down, and we had no greasy stains for nearly 2 months.
Now the stains returned. Sears tech #2 comes … same song, same story. Nothing is wrong. It’s us. We are putting too much fabric softener in the machine. WE DON’T EVER USE FABRIC SOFTENER. He smiles and leaves. That afternoon we run a load of clothes – we air dry to make sure it’s not the dryer. Clear, oily stains all over the clothes.
Well, now after the 3rd tech says the same thing, we are going to keep bringing them out and get a call from Sears yesterday.
Sears: “We refuse to send another tech. Nothing is wrong with your washer. All three techs have diagnosed that nothing is wrong with your washer. All three techs agree that it’s the fabric softener.”
Fred: “Ma’am, do you realize you are calling me a liar? We’ve told you a hundred times, and every tech that has visited that we don’t put fabric softener in the washer”.
Sears: (like a freakin’ robot) … “Well sir, all three techs have diagnosed that nothing is wrong with your dryer, and that it’s the fabric softener”.
Fred: “If nothing is wrong, why do we get stains on our clothes with every single washing. Why did the stains go AWAY when the first tech 2 months ago took it apart and cleaned it where it must be leaking something. If you are going to call us liars, send your tech back and let him stand there while we prove to you we are not putting anything foreign in our washer”.
Sears: “No we will not send another tech. There is nothing wrong with your dryer”.
It goes on and on.
We paid a flat-rate of $220 for the visit. The visit included all repairs, labor, and a one-year warranty. The “selling point” of the flat-rate was Sears’ promise (which Sears won’t honor and doesn’t intend to keep) “if we don’t fix your machine, we’ll give you a $500 credit towards a new machine”.
Guess what … not only do they refuse to refund our $220 … they refuse to give us the $500 credit because “all three techs confirm, it’s the fabric softener”.
WE DON’T USE FABRIC SOFTENER!
So much for the light-hearted FreePlay Friday today, but this is life. What’s happening with you?
(PS: “FreePlay Friday” gets moving along pretty good, so I’d recommend that you check the box that says “subscribe to comments”, because I will likely respond to some of the comments, and you don’t wanna have to remember to keep coming back .. you can turn this off anytime).
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23 Responses to “FreePlay Friday (Austin, Never Use Sears Again)”
Would you join in the discussion? Checkout the responses below, and click "reply" to reply to someone's comment, or scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to leave your own comment in the box!
You should’a bought City Advantage.
Sorry Fred. Don’t hate me.
Chris, I’m gonna SLUG YOU when I get back.
I’m sorry. Jim wasn’t here to say it.
Here’s my randomness. My new 40D came in and I’m shooting photos for a couple on Jekyll today and a wedding in Brunswick tomorrow. Woohoo!
I love weekends like this.
Hey Fred,
post this on twitter. There was a recent story on national news about large companies scanning twitter for ppl complaining about their products. Who knows could help.
We had our 3rd small group meeting this past week and it is going great! – We are watching a dvd on prayer- we ate pizza and then all shared their prayer life and/or needs- really good stuff- Thanks SSCC for having small groups get together. RV Cate
i’m not signing up for making a banner, but i DO want that background!
Dawn,
I twittered it yesterday, and got numerous responses agreeing that Sears is pathetic. I just twittered it again, thanks for the heads up. BTW, I love having you comment on my blog, so you’re not in my small group anymore from the fun Monica days, but this is pretty stinkin’ fun.
RV – sounds awesome, man … it’s folks like you who learn the secret of spiritual growth and satisfation .. “reach in” to the community and get engaged.
Mandy … ah, c’mon .. no banner love? I’m sure Chris would give you the background.
This reminds me how Nissan works. My wife and I are never buying another Nissan again.
Fred – I think I’ll make you a banner sometime this week – sounds fun! Great Sears story by the way!
Ryan,
That would be awesome … I’ll use the banner and plug away. “Great” Sears story?
Since when did they sell fabric softener that stains clothes anyway?? Sounds like you need to talk to the supervisors supervisor! (probably wouldn’t do any good though)
Hi Fred,
I’ve been told that front loading machines (Not Sears, of course) give a better clean and less water needed. Top Loader keeps a little of the fabric softener in the bottom well of the machine so it always does come back on the next wash. Had you thought of that?
hahahahah lolololol
Oh, Fred! I’ve had problems with Sears re:washers & dryers before too! First one had a dent, next one made a sound that was not good. & they never did get them to stop walking across the floor. Finally, we called & told them they HAVE to come pick it up & we are not keeping it. Ended up getting another washer/dryer from Lowes instead & they came & installed them over the weekend without a problem!
That summer it didn’t make for a good visit between my mom & I with all the issues, but finally worked out!
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Does it matter if Austin is pretty if you can’t go outside without melting?
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Hey, bro. I can relate to the Sears story. I had issues when my fridge broke down. Did they tell you that if you apply the $500 (even when they let you use it), that you don’t qualify for the sales discounts they’re having at the time? For example, if they have a 10% off sale, YOU don’t get the 10% off because of the crappy product they sold you! Yeah – Sears is definitely off my list of places to do business with!
I’ll be spending most of this weekend working on my boyfriend’s book. His publisher wants the full manuscript ASAP. We’re doing all the work ourselves – designing the cover, adding the illustrations, etc. I’m getting pretty jazzed about it!
Don’t get me started on Sears. We bought a fridge, floor model, and when they delivered the water dispenser wouldn’t work. They came out to repair 6 times and could not repair. It was a closeout model so they couldn’t replace it.
My mistake was not returning it before the 90 return period was up. We liked the fridge and just wanted them to fix it. They tried and couldn’t. They eventually replaced the fridge, but we had to select a new model which we are not as happy with. Since it was past 90 days they would not take a return.
We have always purchases our major appliances at Sears, but not anymore.
Thanks for the warning sorry about your bad luck. “not worthy of a link” That’s comedic genius! I’ve always thought that THIS is the kind of stuff the FTC should deal with…
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Fred, I have been thinking about the washer . . . . I have been putting fabric softner in my washing machine for over 20 years and have never had clear oily stains. That is what they make fabric softner for – to go into washing machines. Many washing machines have fabric softner dispensers buillt right in!!!! Get on the web and find out the President of the company and wirte or e-mail him!! I know how careful Joy is about washing and drying her clothes!! Enough is enough!!!
Fred – just read what I wrote and wanted to say I do know how to spell – obviously don’t know how to type! Sorry for the mispells.
Just to let you know, I’ve written Sears off my list a long time ago. Their policy was that if a tool with the “Craftsman” name on it (a Sears Name) broke, malfunctioned, etc. for any reason they would replace it. Not so anymore. They used to be a fantastic company, but that’s definitely in the past!
Hey Fred! Great to get to know you and Russ sitting around the speakers’ green room! I got to hear the washer story first hand as it was happening! Thanks for the link! Enjoyed your music on your site! Keep up all your great ministry!
Dwayne,
And to you as well … thanks a ton!
Hey Fred, I can’t find your email anywhere. How do I send you a banner?
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