June, already! Last post was late May, so I want to bring everyone up to speed on what is going on out here in The Humble Fishe's world.
One item of note is my search for a suitable job, one that's tailored just for me, so I don't have to continue searching forever and ever, going from position to position. Have any of you had to deal with that? Hopefully, not, as it's a pain in the ass when you're 43 years old, learning disabled, and not able to fit in to a normal college curriculum.
So what do I do? I've gone to truck driving schools, worked with Vocational Rehabilitation in my local area to try to get me retrained *after* the truck driving school fiascoes of blog posts past, and I went to college last Fall at a nearby technical college for computer programming; all that last one got me was a new loan, which got me a new computer (my old one broke) but left me cold so far as the educational element of it was concerned.
I've decided to take out no more loans for education. Either I pay for it directly, someone else pays for it directly, or I go to school, gratis! I'm tired of the cost increases versus not-quite-enough-bang-for-the-buck in the United States education market--and let's face it folks! It's become a market first, quality or quantity of product, second.
I'm not paying for any more education that lacks substance, and I believe, based upon my own experience, that most modern education lacks a lot of substance. To me, it's mostly air, and low-oxygen-content air, at that!
--
Spiritually, I've been working on not-working-so-much. It seems more and more that I'm trying too hard to achieve when spirituality is one of those strange realms that works best when I'm not trying to achieve, but rather allowing things to come into my life as a river flows through the countryside. The river doesn't have to work, it just flows where the course of the riverbed directs it, and even the riverbed changes over time, and the river self-adjusts.
Automatic self-adjustment should be in operation all day, every day. If that were 'turned on' in my daily life, I believe that things would start 'flowing in,' just like a river!
Generally, in spiritually, I tend toward the neo-pagan/new-age sides of things, although by no means strict or the follower of any particular guru or instructor, creed or faith. However, this does not mean I lack either instruction, interaction, or a path to follow.
Hmmm. Just what does The Humble Fishe believe? I've never really discussed it here, so why not now? I believe that the 'school of direct spiritual experience' is the best teacher, and one's own personal interpretation of that experience is equally the best way to understand the unseen world of Human Consciousness.
It's not rocket science, folks! Too many rules equal too much dogma, and as the old saying goes, 'my karma ran over my dogma' many years ago! ;-)
Seriously, though, I'm not so flippant when it comes to desiring new and meaningful experiences in my spiritual--and physical--life at this point. 43 is no place to be treading water, but that's where I am. Luckily, Nature has allowed me the ability to fashion a 'spiritual antigravity platform,' so I no longer have to tread H2O in the spiritual sea. Nikola Tesla would've been proud! Carl Jung, too!
Well, on to other subjects.
--
The Work I Desire...Writing? I dunno...
-
Writing is another area I've been playing around in for a while. I'm working on a novel at the moment--the first of a six-volume series called 'The Sacred Dances of the Cosmos.' Archives will show a poem entitled My Beach©, which I am going to publish soon.
I actually wrote the poem well after I had started on the first volume--originally a one-book-story--which I've named The Light and Dark Moon Dancing. The story centers around Sam, a man of youthful middle-age who is drawn back to his beach front hometown in Michigan.
(THF Note: Michigan is my home state, and the events portrayed in the book take place near a lakeside town I used to frequent during the summers when I lived near there--the beach is awesome!)
Whether or not this project gets off the ground and yields up something tangible (read: money) remains to be seen. I'm still dealing with a lot of inner demons. Gads! Aren't all writers? Sheesh!
(Actually, though, writing is an area in which I'd really like to succeed, especially in New Age/Spiritual Fiction; and I'm not being flippant about that! -THF)
Well, that's it for now. More later on toward July.
Blessings and Light to Each and Everyone,
Warm Regards from The Humble Fishe
Monday, June 22, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
HumFisheKu For May, 2009
Strewn upon the sands,
My boat has found it's safe shore,
My liferaft is beached!
My boat has found it's safe shore,
My liferaft is beached!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Asus & Best Buy - Asus G50V-X1 Gaming Laptop - Service, Repair, Damage, Exchange, and Replacement Journal
Hello, Friends O' The Humble Fishe! Stephen here, asking everyone who happens across this post to please read it over and let me know what you think? Also, any *SOLUTIONS* that any of you fine blogger folk might have for me, would be welcome.
I bought an Asus G50V-X1 notebook computer from Best Buy Electronics in October of 2008. I developed a problem with it beginning in mid-March of 2009, and sent it out to be serviced on March 20th, 2009.
Due to the drawn-out nature of this issue, as well the repeated delays I've been experiencing, I decided to keep a log of my experiences on the Forums at www.notebookreview.com. Here is the link:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4729784#post4729784
I update whenever there's a major change--such as a delivery, answer to a phone call or email inquiry, etc., or when I want to share my feelings if the experience has been somewhat stifling, a bit shady (my experiences with my local Best Buy store are a good example of the latter), or any other time I feel the information pertinent.
I've striven to keep this log as factual and as free of overtly-emotional language as possible, except where circumstances warrant such a response. Even then, I've done my best to be as polite as possible.
This matter has yet to be resolved, and the growing delays, excuses, and ineptitude--both on the part of Asus *and* Best Buy's representative staffs--are trying my patience. This has caused tremendous frustration, worry, and unhappiness, as I had read so many good things about Asus and their tech support and customer service being among the best in the world.
I am disappointed to say that I can not say that the above is--from my own perspective and experience--true in any way, shape, or form, in terms of overall experience. There have been some high points--such as my RMA (Return Material Authorization) processing going smoothly at all times--but these have been rare.
Considering just what had to be done, and considering my own personal level of expertise, I can heartily say that, were it not for the machine being under warranty, I could've done a better job, myself, rather than the half-assed tripe that Asus and Best Buy possess that passes for customer service.
What I can say is that I expect to receive a new-in-the-box, upgraded computer for all the trouble both Asus *and* Best Buy have caused me.
Enough said. I present to you the original forum post from Notebook Review's web site (www.notebookreview.com), pasted below:
-----------------------
[Update to Notebook Review (www.notebookreview.com) Forum Post Update, May 12th, 2009, Tuesday]
[BEGIN PASTE]
I bought an Asus G50V-X1 notebook computer from Best Buy Electronics in October of 2008. I developed a problem with it beginning in mid-March of 2009, and sent it out to be serviced on March 20th, 2009.
Due to the drawn-out nature of this issue, as well the repeated delays I've been experiencing, I decided to keep a log of my experiences on the Forums at www.notebookreview.com. Here is the link:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4729784#post4729784
I update whenever there's a major change--such as a delivery, answer to a phone call or email inquiry, etc., or when I want to share my feelings if the experience has been somewhat stifling, a bit shady (my experiences with my local Best Buy store are a good example of the latter), or any other time I feel the information pertinent.
I've striven to keep this log as factual and as free of overtly-emotional language as possible, except where circumstances warrant such a response. Even then, I've done my best to be as polite as possible.
This matter has yet to be resolved, and the growing delays, excuses, and ineptitude--both on the part of Asus *and* Best Buy's representative staffs--are trying my patience. This has caused tremendous frustration, worry, and unhappiness, as I had read so many good things about Asus and their tech support and customer service being among the best in the world.
I am disappointed to say that I can not say that the above is--from my own perspective and experience--true in any way, shape, or form, in terms of overall experience. There have been some high points--such as my RMA (Return Material Authorization) processing going smoothly at all times--but these have been rare.
Considering just what had to be done, and considering my own personal level of expertise, I can heartily say that, were it not for the machine being under warranty, I could've done a better job, myself, rather than the half-assed tripe that Asus and Best Buy possess that passes for customer service.
What I can say is that I expect to receive a new-in-the-box, upgraded computer for all the trouble both Asus *and* Best Buy have caused me.
Enough said. I present to you the original forum post from Notebook Review's web site (www.notebookreview.com), pasted below:
-----------------------
[Update to Notebook Review (www.notebookreview.com) Forum Post Update, May 12th, 2009, Tuesday]
[BEGIN PASTE]
Re: How bad is the Asus support?
How bad is Asus support? Well, I won't throw stones, but instead, just write down my list of experiences thus far.
My computer is a G50V-X1, purchased from a Best Buy electronics store in a suburb south of St. Louis, Missouri, in October of last year (2008).
The computer had been working flawlessly until mid-March of 2009, the problem being a loose center conductor on the left-side USB port. Deciding and thinking that the factory service center would probably be better suited to handled a motherboard replacement (the location of the USB connector), I decided to go through Asus Technical Support, rather than through the 'Geek Squad' division of my local Best Buy retailer.
I have two choices on service here: Asus Repair or Best Buy's Warranty Service.
First Choice: Asus Repair
Repair Facility: Asus Indy, Jeffersonville, Indiana
Log of Service:
FIRST INCIDENT
1. March 20th, 2009: Received RMA from Asus via Email.
2. Shipped computer out via local FedEx depot. (Asus sent Ground label instead of standard FedEx overnight. Shipped anyway.)
3. March 30th, 2009: Received email indicating my computer shipped out, on it's way back to me.
4. Received computer back within 2 days or so of March 30 email.
REPAIR SUMMARY: Repair Order Document in box indicated a new motherboard was installed. However, upon inspection, left USB center pin was still loose--tighter than original, but still loose. 'Loose' here refers to a vertical, 'up and down' movement of the USB port center conductor pin, indicating weak anchoring, either in the aluminum body of the port, itself, or to the motherboard, specifically. I don't know if this is particular to that motherboard, or just a bad lot of them at the factory; all other USB center conductor pins solid and tight.
Motherboard also reassembled incorrectly, in that the external WLAN slide-switch on the front edge of the G50V-X1 wasn't aligned with the motherboard hardware part. This alone brought on the need to obtain a 2nd RMA and once again ship it back to Asus Indy.
SECOND INCIDENT
1. April 1st, 2009: Had 'Live Chat' session with Asus Tech Support via Asus' web service portal.
2. April 2nd, 2009: Received RMA in Email
3. Shipped out via local FedEx depot, this time with proper overnight label.
4. April 7th, 2009: Received email indicating my computer shipped out from Asus Indy.
5. Received computer in about two days.
REPAIR SUMMARY
G50V-X1 Damaged! OLED board cracked in two places, which I could see through the cover-glass, and also indicated by lack of ability to display anything properly, save for battery charge indication. Body of laptop also appeared warped toward the front-top of the laptop, just back from the OLED display.
The WLAN switch was properly aligned with motherboard part, at least.
GENERAL SUMMARY:
During both courses of shipping, I had used the original boxing and packaging. This included a foam 'pocket' the laptop came in, as well as a clear piece of rectangular plastic that covered the keyboard and another, similar piece of soft, spongy material that went on top of the plastic keyboard cover-film, used to protect the screen from scratches in shipping. (The rectangular, rubber-like piece is similar to the stuff that comes on paper-towel like rolls, used to keep cups and dishes from slipping in trailer and RV cupboards).
When I opened the outer, brown, corrugated cardboard original outer box, I then removed the box with the handle and the 'Woman With Sword' graphic on it. I then opened the top of the inner 'graphic' box, and found my laptop in a thin, plastic bag--not the foam pocket in which I shipped it to Asus Indy!--flopping about loosely between the cardboard end-pieces that keep it from moving up and down and side to side! Saying I was livid is being generous ;-).
In short, Asus Indy didn't pack it properly, resulting in damage during shipping, handling, or the OLED break happened on the bench. Maybe one of the technicians or shipping and receiving clerks dropped it, banged it, dropped a tool on it when the unit was apart, or something similar. I'll probably never know the truth of it, at this point.
What's even more irritating, is a talk I had with Asus Notebook Customer Service in California, in which the CSR with which I spoke admonished me to not send it in the original packaging 'if I ever wanted to see that box again' (referring to the 'Woman With Sword' box). Just in what kind of box did she expect me to ship it? Her attitude was condescending and I felt she took me for some kind of an idiot. Don't ship it in the same box??? Sheesh!
Continuing: Before I shipped it, I used a thick, black, Magic Marker to place control numbers, my name, address, and phone number, all over the inner cardboard pieces contained inside the 'Woman With Sword' graphic box, including the cardboard end-pieces for the computer, itself. This strategy was probably what kept anyone from messing with the box-in-general, as indicated by the presence of every one of my marked-up inner box-and-parts. Pity I didn't do that with the laptop's original foam pocket; I might've gotten the computer back in one piece--provided the OLED wasn't damaged in-house.
I called customer service once again, and was given a new case/incident number to give to repair. I have not acted on that yet, but it is good for 30 days.
----
Second Choice: Best Buy Electronics
Repair Facility: Best Buy's Asus Certified Repair Center, Louisville, Kentucky
Store Location: Jefferson City, Missouri
When I purchased my G50V-X1 from Best Buy, I also purchased an Accidental Damage Policy/Extended Warranty combo package for $99.99. Everyone who buys from Best Buy or any other retailer should have this kind of protection, period! It's worth every penny. . .at least, I'm hoping it is. Let me explain:
I took the laptop into my local Best Buy (not the store from which I bought it) and took it up to Customer Service who referred me to the Geek Squad bench. Just as luck (bad) would have it, the 'Agent' I usually talk to wasn't there, and there was only a 4-day-old newbie and an ASSistant Manager (no misspelling here ;-> *snark*) with which I had to (or-)deal.
Here's how this went down:
1. Brought computer to Geek Squad counter. Opened computer bag and procured G50V-X1.
2. Showed to Agent.
3. Agent requests help from Assistant Manager.
4. I show AM problems: a) Loose USB center pin b) Broken OLED screen c) Warped casing.
5. Manager says he'll have to send it back.
6. I tell him of my Asus Repair 'Sagas' and he says they can look at it at their 5-Acre repair facility in Louisville, Kentucky (saying this proudly).
7. I ask for new unit.
8. AM refuses to replace unit with new one.
9. I end up resignedly having to accept AM's refusal.
10. AM assigns rest of process to newbie Agent.
11. Newbie Agent processes my forms, I reluctantly leave my beloved G50V-X1 with Agent, but before I leave, talk again with AM, who assures me that the forms are all correct and that their boxes are 'made especially for laptops to keep them form moving around (after telling him about my Asus Return Packaging Material experiences).
12. I leave store, dejected and tired of people 'not taking responsibility' for my needs as a consumer of a device which cost me over thirteen-hundred dollars ($1300), paid for with student loan funds whilst I was attending technical college back in October of 2008!
Present Situation: I am waiting for Best Buy. I will update this thread as soon as I get my computer--either repaired properly or replaced--back from Best Buy's service center in Louisville. If this proves uneventful, I'll have my G50V-X1 back in a few weeks. If not, I still have the ASUS incident number with which to generate a new RMA and shipping label from Asus Repair.
April 11, 2009 - End of Log
--------
So that's it forum folks. Please share your comments, thoughts, opinions, and such. Anyone else having trouble? I know I sure am.
Warm Regards,
Firefishe
----------------------------------------------
UPDATE: April 15, 2009
Unit is currently still with Best Buy's servicing center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Will be calling my local store today to see how the repair/replacement is progressing.
--Firefishe
----------------------------------------------
UPDATE: April 18, 2009
Unit is back from Best Buy's Louisville, Kentucky Service Center.
Best Buy Corporate has authorized an exchange, however, issues still abound:
Consideration 1: G50V-X1 with the Nvidia 9700M GT GPU is no longer available. G50Vt-X5 with Nvidia 9800 GS GPU is available, but has no modem, which I use now and again.
Consideration 1a: Case color is atrocious, LED side lights are white, instead of blue, and the flame graphic on the lcd topside is just a bit too much for me; also, the trackpad buttons are now a ridiculous HP-ish 'super shiny'; I prefer the 'brushed stainless' buttons of the G50V-X1/9700M GT system much better. (It should be noted here that all other available G50V's still use the brushed stainless buttons and have a solid black lcd topside, with blue side LED's and the Asus Logo light and the LED blue stripe. Aesthetics were part of the original reason I bought the G50V-X1 from Best Buy back in October, 2008. As it was, it could be used for both business and personal use, but I'm not into fancy case graphics with what I want to do, wish to display to others. The orange/black lcd topcase or solid black version will work for me; weird graphics won't. I want solid colors or solid color combinations.
Consideration 2: Replacement, Black, G50V-X1 with the P8400/Centrino 2 processor and the newer Nvidia 9800 GS GPU is available from Best Buy's online store, but, once again, doesn't come with a modem, which I use now and again. It does, however, come with Bluetooth, so I could, in theory, wirelessly tether it to a cell phone, which, in theory, might make up for the lack of the modem. (I usually use the modem in motel rooms that don't have WLAN connectivity.)
Consideration 3. My local Best Buy may not give me a cash refund. They want to give me--if it comes to this--an in-store credit. I've been looking around online and have found some Asus resellers that have some systems that might work for me, but I need to have my money back from Best Buy to purchase them. I've found a good deal on the G50Vt-X9 from www.btotech.com for $1449.00 plus shipping which would do just fine--as long as btotech has them in stock, anyway. I'd have to add a bit from the $1424.xx I paid to Best Buy, but this is minimal. I'm tired of waiting for both Asus and Best Buy to get with the program and stop 'fluffy bunnying' my customer service issues around with semi-desirable attempts-at-solutions.
Consideration 4: The Asus G50V-X1 I currently own has been mishandled, misrepaired, mis-shipped, and either damaged in-transit or murdered at the Asus Indy repair center in Jeffersonville, Indiana. So far, I'm looking at mild case warpage/bending, OLED Display Glass Breakage, and who knows what else under the re-assembled parts I can't see. I do not feel that any type of repair should be effected upon this machine. Replacing it with a new, in-the-box G50V-xx-xx is what I want!
If anyone has any useful information on how to resolve this problem immediately, please email me at sabrown@inbox.com .
--Firefishe
---------------------------------------------
UPDATE: April 20, 2009 Monday
Jefferson City, Missouri Best Buy Store
--
Detail Log: Walked in to the Jefferson City, Missouri (MO) Best Buy store, ready to utilize an Exchange Authorization that Best Buy Corporate's Customer Service Division had provided for me--presumably after a very long and detailed email I wrote to them. Okay, fine. Let's exchange the G50V-X1 for another one, or perhaps something just like it.
I walk in to the store and make my way back to the Geek Squad counter. What followed immediately after my arrival just begs to be shared and put down in print, so here it is. My more immediate issues follow the next paragraph:
I observed, upon arriving at the Jefferson City, MO Best Buy Geek Squad counter, a person I knew to be a very new Geek Squad employee re-fitting a cover to the bottom of a customer's laptop. This employee seemed to be having trouble getting the little memory cover back in place, and I could see that the cover wasn't set flush in the proper manner. This employee was screwing down this one screw, causing obvious stress on the cover-in-quesition; I knew it had to be under stress, because there was a tab sticking out of the opening that wasn't seated well, and as the employee was screwing in the fastener (screw), the board was becoming *CONCAVE* as he was doing so. Eventually, he finally seated the cover correctly, but had it been my laptop, his ears would've been verbally boxed for doing such as shod-job to my machine. (I'm not doing business with this company, anymore; details to follow.)
I had decided, after mulling it over for a while, whether or not I was going to exchange my G50V-X1 for a new G50V-X5 (the one without the modem, but with the better video card and the horrid 'paint job') 8-P. Well, as I was getting tired of not having my G50V-X1 in a damaged and mangled condition, so, weighing the differences, I decided I'd 'go for graphics-cardage,' and get the G50V-X5. Or...the new Gateway P7805u. Or...An HP multimedia computer that also didn't look bad.
I was given a $1200.00 return credit, so I thought I'd shop around for a bit. I ended up at that store for five and a half hours (5.5 Hours) before I finally decided on one Gateway P7805u with a 1900x1200 resolution screen. The display model of this laptop is, quite probably, and older P7811-FX, left over from last year, even though it bears the tags of the P7805u. Now, I did some online searching while I was there, and through various Best Buy customer reviews, was able to ascertain that--depending on what UPC # the box has, one might get a P7805u with a 1900x1200 screen resolution, or one with a lesser, but still respectable, 1440x900 screen resolution. The four-numbers-and-one letter designation appears in the middle of the UPC code for the P7805u, and are as follows:
P7805u, 1440x900 UPC with "3908B" (appearing in the center part of the UPC code)
P7805u, 1900x1200 UPC with "3910B" (appearing in the center part of the UPC code)
As luck would have it (and I have not had a great deal during this experiences), Best Buy Jefferson City had one of the high-resolution models! It had been opened and the hard drive 'optimized' by the Geek Squad dept., and then re-sealed, and a sticker affixed accordingly, indicating the service that had been performed. Now, what this 'service' is, in actuality, is a $39.99 'extra fee' that the Geek Squad tech dept. tacks on to some laptops so 'people who want to have this service performed, don't have to do it after they buy it.' {paraphrasing of what a Geek Squad employee told me today}.
Continuing; The Best Buy Customer Service desk--just to the left of the Geek Squad counter at the opposite end of the service area in this store--let me open up the laptop box, take the Gateway P7805u out, and look at it. It seemed fine, save for a few forgivable finger smudges left by the Geek Squad folks. Fine, no problem. No apparent breakages, cracks, or anything else I could see. So I decided to get it.
It was a toss-up between the Gateway P7805u (1900x1200) and the Asus G50V-X5 with the 1366x768 screen, no modem, and flashy paint job. The Gateway's Nvidia 9800M GTS chipset and that gorgeous 1900x1200 display (of which I tweaked the display model's settings to find this out) won me over to the Cow Collective *Moo*...or at least, so I thought.
I bought my original G50V-X1 with student loan money, and my financial situation is quite sparse at the present time. Wifey works at a McDonald's and Hubby (Me) is on disability and unemployed (though looking) at the present time. I literally had zilch on my pocket, not even a penny to spare. I had enough gas in the car to drive to Best Buy and back home. I mention the previous so I may present the following:
________________________________________
Original Best Buy Receipt Details
--
$ 1249.99 G50V-X1 Laptop Computer
$ 99.99 1 Year - Accidental Damage Policy
$ 75.94 Tax @ 6.75%
_________
$ 1425.92
Hmmm. . .
$1425.92 - $1200.00 = $225.92 ($1200 being the amount I was given by Best Buy Corporate for the 'exchange') See anything even remotely fishy here?
***Counting the tax I paid, I was shorted $225.92 on this 'exchange.'!!!*** Now, if this was supposed to be an 'even' echange, why is this even an issue?
The reason this is an issue is that I was told that this was going to be an even exchange. My original computer--the G50V-X1 cost me $1249.99 plus tax! (I include the tax amount, as I had to pay it, and must consider it part of the *actual cost*, which is the only amount that we're interested here, anyway! Counting the Accidental Damage Policy @ $99.99, and the price of the computer @ $1249.99, the tax came to $75.94).
The Gateway P7805u was listed at $1149.99, $100.00 less than my original G50V-X1 @ $1249.99. To me, this indicates nothing being owed. Well, when they tallied everything up, I was told I had to pay additional tax of $18.xx (and some change, I forget the actual amount; I left in disgust after that.)
Tax for an exchange? For a computer that cost me $100.00 less than my original? I don't know what kind of 'equity' that Best Buy is thinking it's giving me, but it's definitely not fair by any means. $20 bucks may not seem like a lot of money, but when we're talking about an exchange that's supposed to be 'merchandise for merchandise,' and they tally up tax of $18.xx on the difference (there shouldn't be any 'active different,' as this was just supposed to be, again, a merchandise exchange, no money changing hands, at all!), it means everything!
Read also into this equation, is the fact that I've been out this laptop for over a month--no thanks to Asus! GADS! Who's going to accept responsibility for my problems? I'm taking as much responsibility as I possibly can. I can only do so much. When I'm faced with managers who constantly hand me off to subordinates, when I'm nickeled-and-dimed to death in a situation where I'm positively flat-broke (My wife's ATM card bought the gas!), no cash-in-pocket today (April 20, 2009 Monday), and where it's just supposed to be 'stuff for stuff,' and not 'stuff-with-a-money-kicker,' I just don't know how much I can take!
I took a lot today. When I got out to my car, I was in tears, due to the horrible way Best Buy Jefferson City nickeled-and-dimed me to the point of mental exhaustion. It was to the point where I was getting physically ill; I *had* to leave, due to the stress levels this store's employee's were causing me. Right before I left, I asked the manager 'what's the deal' about the tax issue. He responded with something to the effect of:
"Well, I'm not responsible for tax. It'd be nice if we all didn't have to pay taxes, but that's not my problem."
That's when I asked for my computer, and then walked out the door. I'm not going to go back to this store. There's another in the area I'm going to try, but I don't know at this point. I may not be able to get any closure on this issue, at least not with Best Buy Jefferson City, Missouri (MO).
My next alternatives are pretty much limited, but are, as follows:
+++DESIRABLE ACTIONS / POSITIVE OUTCOMES+++
1. Activate standing service order from Asus and get RMA; send to Fremont, California (of which I've heard shudders) instead of Jeffersonville, Indiana,
2. Contact Best Buy Corporate, go to the other nearby store and get a full and complete rufund, IN CASH! (Bank Acct. xfer, Visa Cash Card(s), what-have-you are fine.)
+++NOT-SO-DESIRABLE ACTIONS / POSITIVE OUTCOMES+++
3. Contact my local office of police and their fraud division, file complaint, get money back. (Issue: Can Take Longer Than Above Items.)
4. Sue. (She can be a nice lass, if treated properly and if she hasn't had too many unreasonable demands placed upon her ;->; mostly, this path is the most expensive and takes the longest. I don't really desire to wait.)
The bottom, numbers 3 and 4, are only as a very, very, last-ditch resort! I have no desire to encumber myself with such matters if I can avoid it. Additionally, I also don't think Best Buy Corporate was thinking that any type of monetary difference on a sub-$1249.99 to the original $1249.99 computer was going to even occur. I'm going to have to get back to Best Buy Corporate now and talk to them about this. Not today, though. It's late, I'm tired, and it's time for a pop (Michigan-ese for 'Soda' as it's called in Misery...Sorry, I meant Missouri.) At this juncture, I really wonder if there's any real difference.
I'll post again with another update as soon as the next stage occurs, which will occur soon, probably tomorrow!
Thanks to those who are following this diatribe, I appreciate it. *Toss* (Ice Cold Cherry Coke!) ;-)
Be Well Forum Folks,
Warm Regards,
Firefishe (Stephen Brown)
sabrown@inbox.com
---------------------------------------
UPDATE: April 22, 2008 Wednesday
--
As of the very early morning of Wednesday, April 22, 2009, I've sent an Asus VIP Member technical service request email, outlining the issues experienced, and my desired outcome. I include the email in it's entirety below:
To: tsd@asus.com.tw
From: sabrown@inbox.com
Date: 4/22/2009 5:19:10 PM
Subject: Notebook G50V
Apply date : 4/22/2009 4:34:26 PM
[Contact Information]
*Name : Brown
*Email Address : sabrown@inbox.com
Phone Number : 573-418-4627
City : Jefferson City
*Country : United States
[Product Information]
*Product Type : Notebook
*Product Model : G50V
*Product S/N : 87N0AS14721228G
Place of Purchase : Best Buy
*Date of Purchase : 2008/10/5
*Operating System : Vista 64bit
[Problem Description]
This notebook has been misrepaired, and damaged.
The left USB port (as if the laptop were facing you with screen/lid open) needed replacement, and the job was botched.
The motherboard had to be replaced--as this is where that particular usb port is located; the motherboard used to replace had both a loose, defective left-side-of-laptop USB Center Post, and the board component that mates with the plastic WLAN (wi-fi) switch was not properly aligned, instigating the need for a second shipping.
When I received it back, upon opening of the box, I observed that the original, protective foam pocket I sent the laptop in--and also used for the first shipping, was replaced with a thin, plastic bag. Even doubled over, this bag was not enough to protect the G50 from being loosein-the-box, even with the laptop's cardboard box supports.
I attempted an exchange with a local Best Buy store--the chain I originally purchased it from in October of 2008--on April 20th, but to no avail. None of the store's laptops have a model that can replace this one. I also was treated rudely and had my case handed off to just about every other employee in the store, anything to keep the managers from working with me.
I had decided upon an exchange, but as it was supposed to be 'item for item,' and they tried to hawk off a so-called 'optimization' package on the laptop chosen in the form of an additional $40.00 dollar charge, and tried to get me to pay tax differences on the exchange, I negated the transaction immediately, obtained my unrepaired laptop, and left the store.
Legal actions against this store may be pending.
In actuality, the store isn't responsible for the damage, Asus Indy (Jeffersonville, Indiana) is.
Let me be frank. Polite, courteous, but frank: This laptop has now been shipped SIX TIMES in one month! I've had enough. I could have done this repair thoroughly myself on my own bench, but did not as it is under warranty. I have modified, repaired, and replaced my own, personal laptop parts on many other machines; this was also when they were all out-of-warranty. I do not disassemble in-warranty machines, I should not have to do so, and don't as I--hopefully *obviously*--I won't void any active warranties I may have on any machine that is new.
Well, this machine isn't new anymore. It's broken, the casing is cracked, my OLED info screen is cracked, and who knows what else might lie broken underneath in the areas I cannot see.
So here's what I have:
1. Three repair cycles, two with Asus, one with Best Buy.
2. One botched repair/delivery cycle; One damaged computer/delivery cycle (2nd time *did* fix the WLAN switch issues, so I'll give credit where it's due) and a cracked/broken OLED display.
3. One out-of-Asus-repair-cycle with store chain where purchased, consisting of one mailing to (supposedly) certified Asus Service Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Exchange given via corporate consumer relations office after two emails were sent, and all details--including the Asus repair experiences--shared with Best Buy consumer relations staff member via email.
3a. Exchange impossible due to mitigating factors, including the possibility of in-store fraud, in the form of failure to exchange for similar equipment as corporate consumer relations indicated. as well as questionable financial handling of the matter.
(I am pursuing this matter separately at the local level, and it has nothing to do with Asus in any way, shape, or form.)
Okay, now that I've said that, what do I want? A new computer! A similar unit, new-in-the-box. NOTE: NO REFURBS ACCEPTED!
The closest model I've found with similar features is the G50V-X9. This model would also provide the following, which I would consider as equitable, considering the loss-of-productivity, as well as the botched repair and damage issues:
1. 1680x1050 high-definition screen, over the G50V-X1's 1388x766 resolution.)
2. Bluetooth (which I need for connecting my cell phone to the laptop.)
3. The fax/modem none of the Best Buy store models have and I need.
4. An upgraded video chip 9800M GS, vs the G50V-X1's 9700M GT.
5. A 9-cell, extended-life battery.
6. Both laptops (The G50V-X9 with no additions or upgrades) come with one (1) 320GB hard drive. This is acceptable, as my original laptop only had the one 320GB drive. I desire equitability only--and a little upgrade for the trouble caused me--not exorbitance.
I paid $1425 for my original G50V-X1 in October of 2008; this included a $99.99
Accidental Damage Policy.
The G50V-X9 is being sold by www.btotech.com (also a contributing author for the Asus Forums @ www.notebookreview.com) for $1449 plus shippping (as of April 22, 2009.)
I've looked around the 'net, and this is the best price I've found. It's $25 more than my original purchase price, the laptop provides *all* the features I want, and allows for more uptime on battery. It also allows me to take advantage of Asus' 2-year warranty, and by registering the laptop within 60 days, I can still have the one year damage protection in place. All in all, I think a win-win situation.
Please provide for me a new-in-the-box G50V-X9, with the aformentioned features, and we'll call it quits on this issue. I think my request is a fair one.
Please contact me via telephone at (phone # removed) to speak to me directly. Email at sabrown@inbox.com.
Thank you for your consideration.
Warm Regards,
Stephen Brown
--
The email has been sent, I've talked with notebook support earlier today (April 21) via livesupport.asus.com, and I need to speak with a supervisor during normal business hours, as the repair facility can't do any replacements, only warranty repairs.
Again, I'll see how it goes.
Warm Regards,
Stephen
----------------------------------
UPDATE: April 23, 2009 Thursday
--
I still have not heard back from Asus Customer Service, nor have I received the promised call-back from a Supervisor.
I will wait until tomorrow, Friday, Apiril 24, 2009, and see what happens. I will also attempt to contact a Supervisor directly.
I have been told that the Supervisors we're in meetings a couple of days ago, so I will hope their meetings are concluded.
Although that may be a reason I haven't been able to speak to anybody during the course of the past week, it doesn't really seem like much of an excuse to not even give me a call-back. Two emails have been sent to the Supervisor--according to Asus Technical Support and Asus Customer Service staff, and I still don't have anything, either via my phone's voice mail, or in my email inbox.
I shall wait another day.
Warm Regards,
Stephen
--------------------------------------
UPDATE: April 27, 2009 Monday
--
Asus Supervisor contacted me on Friday, April 24, 2009. Received email after this, indicating that upper management had been made aware of my case history, and that the matter was under review.
Will call today at number given in email and verify nature of matter, ergo, whether or not I am going to receive a replacement G50V. I will do this *before* sending my laptop back to Asus in Fremont, California (CA). Sending to the facilities in Fremont, CA to avoid any more pitfalls with the Indiana facility.
--
LATER UPDATE: Call Accomplished! Spoke to helpful customer service representative, and am hopeful of positive outcome via this channel. Am FedEx'ing G50V-X1 shortly after this post.
Will continue to maintain log here, and hopefully, will be able to post MATTER CLOSED, CONDITION: SATISFIED! after all this is done. It certainly would make me happy.
Warm Regards for now,
--Firefishe
---------------------------
UPDATE: Friday, May 1st, 2009
--
I spoke with Asus Customer Service today, calling them around 6pm Central Time.
Having verified with the FedEx Office (formerly FedEx-Kinkos)--the location from where I shipped my computer--that my G50V was, indeed, delivered and signed for, I was hoping that maybe Asus Fremont would've gotten around to replacing my ailing machine.
Shipping Note: According to FedEx, it was signed for by someone named "Y.Man"; What does this mean? 'Yes' Man? Yo', Man? I'm beginning to wonder about the professionalism of this company, at least the United States offices. Would this type of thing happen in the Asian countries? I suspect not. I prefer straightforward names that can be easily traced, not simple initials that sound like a high schooler's!
As of the time of this update (May 1, 2009 Friday), I was informed that there was a five-day backlog of repairs, and that my machine had not been gotten to yet.
*SIGH*
I'm getting tired of this. . . (more later...)
--Stephen
---------------------------
UPDATE: May 3rd, 2009 Sunday
--
Waiting until Monday. Will call Asus back early in the morning, Pacific Time. I've been calling in the late afternoon, so perhaps I'll have better luck early in the morning.
---------------------------
UPDATE: May 4th, 2009 Monday
--
Feeling a bit ill, today, so I could not get out and contact Asus. I've checked my RMA's status on Asus's web site, and it's still showing as not being in the repair network loop. This probably means one of two things; One, that my G50V-X1 is still on the waiting list for service; or Two, that my case is being handled as a replacement by upper management. Replacement is my preference and the only solution I shall accept at this time for this broken and abused (by Asus) notebook).
If I happen to get the same notebook returned to me, instead of a new-in-the-box model with a different serial number, I'm going to start the processes that may lead up to litigation.
I'm tired of this. I've been waiting since March 20th to have this matter resolved. My local Best Buy store won't be fair with me, has tried to shaft me on a simple exchange, as well as having staff at my local Best Buy store (Jefferson City, Missouri) treat me as if I'm a secondary reason for their being in business; as mentioned in the relevant paragraphs above this one, I waited for over 5 hours and was treated with contempt, as well as being constantly handed off to subordinates by managers who didn't want to handle the matter personally. (There's only one person in the Jefferson City store I would trust to handle this matter, and, unfortunately, he wasn't in the store at the time.)
Asus Fremont (California) has my notebook, complete with my system disks, power supply, and everything that came packed with it--including the microfiber cloth used to clean the screen; I've kept that computer in tip-top condition up to the time Asus Indy's (Indiana) service people botched the original repair job and damaged the notebook, either in shipping or on the service bench, causing internal damage to the inset display/board.
The laptop has now been shipped physically *SEVEN (7) TIMES*! That's a bit too much for my blood. Coming new from the factory in new boxing is one thing, followed by a single shipping cycle (2 shippings, 1 to get it there, the other to bring it back) for any needed repairs--properly done--is fine. Seven physical shippings is beyond the realm of sanity for this type of thing, and, considering that the notebook is already physically damaged internally and externally, it's time for a new-in-the-box replacement--plus perhaps a few upgrade for my trouble--to be shipped to my door, post-haste!
If the last seems a bit too much, consider the above. Re-read it *ALL* and then you tell me if I don't deserve a bit of value-added-service. I think you'll come to the same conclusion.
All for now, will update toward the end of the week; I want to see what the outcome will be on Friday.
Warm Regards,
Firefishe
---------------------------
UPDATE: May 7th, 2009 Thursday
--
Just a quick note: I had a quite-friendly contact with a helpful Asus CSR this afternoon. I am assured that my notebook computer is currently being reviewed by the upper management at Asus Fremont (California). It was suggested I wait until Monday, May 11th, 2009. The CSR said that if I hadn't heard back by then, to call them at that point.
I have agreed to this.
I'll post another update after Monday or if something positive happens in the meantime.
All for now, more later as things develop.
Warm Regards,
Firefishe
---------------------------
UPDATE: May 12th, 2009 - Tuesday
--
Just sent off a Technical Inquiry via Asus' VIP Member's site at usa.asus.com. I need to call Asus' customer service later today and see how my RMA is progressing. I'll post another update after that call.
All for now, more later today.
----------------------------
UPDATE: May 15th, 2009 - Thursday [A Bit Ranty, Just Be Warned!]
--
I called Asus Customer Service today at about 4pm Central Daylight Time via their toll-free notebook support hotline. I experienced something both extraordinary and exceptional, today! That of not being on hold for twenty or thirty minutes, only to have to hang up because of something pressing I had to do; I was on hold for only about TWO MINUTES! (Can you believe it??? I couldn't, and was flabbergasted to the point where my jaw dropped, my tongue rolled out onto the pavement, and my eyes came out of their sockets!)
To top it all off, I actually got someone who...get this...ACTUALLY SEEMED CONCERNED AND WORKED DILIGENTLY TO DO SOMETHING FOR ME! Something to the effect of emailing a supervisor--probably on the super's BlackBerry--while they were in a meeting! Go figure! Can something be up? (SARCASM) I sure hope it isn't my used G50 up for grabs at a company staff drawing and the help I received wasn't a social front for the not-seen-in-the-background intern doing a study on customer service customer frustration levels for their psychology degree! (/SARCASM)
Okay, so much for the venting. Thank you! I needed that! Fact is, I needed it so much I decided to something positive today and take a motorcycle test ride at a local dealer. 2008 Kawasaki Versys to be exact. Very nice machine. Now to get my computer back so I can write that million-copy best seller and retire before I'm 50!
I *will* be calling them back tomorrow if they don't call me first. If this doesn't get handled, someone's going to make me a millionaire, that's for sure.
--Firefishe
Special Note: For practical, legal, and other purposes, the following, below, should be used for official use:
1. Called Asus Notebook Customer Support at about 4pm Central Daylight Time.
2. Waited on hold for only two minutes, and was answered promptly by a Very Courteous CSR.
3. CSR seemed genuinely concerned for my problem, and took steps to get my message to their supervisor.
4. CSR informed me that my matter had been emailed to their supervisor.
5. I'm now awaiting a phone call from the supervisor.
6. I will call supervisor on Friday, May 16th, 2009, probably sometime around 3pm Central Daylight Time (1pm Pacific Daylight Time).
Special Notation: Customer Service Representative (CSR) was the friendliest I have experienced in nearly two months, and, if this matter is handled quickly, will make up for all the previous 'faux pas' I have experienced, to date.
More as things progress...
Warm Regards,
Firefishe
----------------------------
UPDATE: May 15th, 2009 - Friday
--
Having been away from my computer for a bit while my wife was using it, and not being able to check my email until today (May 15th), I wasn't aware that Asus sent me the following email correspondence on May 13th, 2009.
I'd paste it here, but the formatting is in an HTML Table and wouldn't go well with the code on this forum, so I've text-formatted out in simple form, below:
[BEGIN EMAIL PARTIAL PASTE]
Dear Mr. Stephen Brown,
Firstly, I do apologize for the delay in the process of your RMA.
Please review the spec below as we will be replacing your G50Vm-X1 with the G50Vt-X1. The main difference between the two has been highlighted to you in RED/YELLOW.
SUGGESTED REPLACEMENT
--
Model Name: G50Vt-X1
Part Number: 90N-SSZA2411131KQL0Y
LCD Panel: 15.6" WXGA (1366x768)
CPU: P8400, 2.26GHz *HIGHLIGHTED*
Graphic Card: Nvidia 9800M GS 512MB *HIGHLIGHTED*
Memory: 4GB DDR2
Hard Drive: 320GB *HIGHLIGHTED*
Optical Drive: Double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW
Wireless LAN: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Battery: 6-cell
Web Camera: 1.3 million pixels
FingerPrint: No
Bluetooth: No
Operating System: Vista Home Premium SP1 (64 Bit)
--
YOUR CURRENT MODEL
--
Model Name: G50Vm-X1
Part Number: 90N-SPYA5714656KQC0Y
LCD Panel: 15.6" WXGA (1366x768)
CPU: T5750, 2.0Ghz
Graphic Card: Nvidia 9700M GT 512MB
Memory: 4GB DDR2
Hard Drive: 200GB
Optical Drive: DVD SuperMulti with Light Scribe
Wireless LAN: 802.11 b/g/n
Battery: 6-cell
Web Camera: 1.3 million pixels
FingerPrint: No
Bluetooth: No
Operating System: Vista Home Premium SP1 (64 Bit)
Signature Lines, Corporate Emails, Web Sites
[END EMAIL PARTIAL PASTE]
--
Summary
--
1. Missing Modem (G50V-X1 has modem, G50Vt-X1 does not).
2. G50Vt-X1 Optical Drive Not Listing Light Scribe (Best Buy web site lists it has having Direct Disc Labeling).
a. assuming light scribe or equivalent based on Best Buy web site data.
3. Color of Casing is not the same.
a. G50V-X1 Orange and Black Case.
b. G50Vt-X1 case is black with blue, garish graphic on top of LCD/Cover.
i) not suitable for business.
c. Trackpad Button Area is bright, shiny chrome, instead of brushed aluminum finish.
These are the principal differences. I've already gone over this model in my earlier posts, so I won't list any more here.
CONCLUSION: G50Vt-X1 not suitable for replacement of G50V-X1. Suggest replacement with G50Vt-X9 or same computer configuration as G50Vt-X9 but without the 9-cell battery. Either acceptable.
Again, will they do it? I'm calling them tomorrow as soon as they open and I can get to a phone.
Warm Regards,
Firefishe
----------------------------
UPDATE: May 17th, 2009 Sunday
--
I have decided to accept the offer from Asus regarding the replacement of my G50Vm-X1 with the G50Vt-X1 (The 'm' designates my original computer and is accurate, as this number is on the back of the notebook, itself.) There was some confusion on my part with regard to what I thought was the G50Vt-X1; ergo, I mistook some of the G50Vt-X5's nomenclature for the G50Vt-X1's. Well, I know when to admit when I've made a mistake, and I have made one here.
Granted, the G50Vt-X1 isn't orange and black--it's black and silver, with blue side lights, cover/logo lights, and blue trackpad lighting--but I'm going to accept it on the grounds that my major concern--a lack of a modem--has been ironed out with the availability of a usb-based modem from U.S. Robotics--Hayes Compatible--that won't give me the problems that software-based (so-called 'win-modems') modems are prone to cause gnu/linux based systems.
So that's solved! :-) The rest of the differences are mainly case color, and I've decided the graphic on the G50Vt-X1 isn't so garish after all--unlike the G50Vt-X5 (my personal opinion, only, others may like the -X5's coloring).
Well, that's it! I'm awaiting a confirmation email from Robert Diaz or whoever wants to finalize this. I'm sure they'll be happy to just get it done; Although I'm not completely satisfied, the situation is fairly equitable as to features and function of the old notebook, save for the absence of the internal modem. Again, that problem has been solved, so I'm not sweating it.
I am including both emails sent to Robert Diaz, postebed below. Please note that these were copied and pasted from the email, the email had Rich Text encoding and displayed the primary differences of my computer and the replacement computer inside of an HTML table. That formatting is not included in the paste, so I ask that readers reference my previous post--meaning, the last post of the May 15th, 2009 Sunday entry.
As it is the weekend as I am writing this, I will have to wait until Monday to see if everything is going through as planned. I feel I can say with reasonable certainty that, even though I initially did not accept the offer, Asus will probably be happy to realize that I am open to the exchange as proffered.
I am eager to get my new computer and be done with this experience so I can get back to business, both personal and commercial.
More on Monday.
Warm Regards,
Stephen Brown
----------------------------
UPDATE: May 19th, 2009 - Tuesday, Early Morning
--
Well, I guess everything is in the works. I received this email from Mr. Robert Diaz:
Upon receipt of my new G50Vt-X1, subsequent inspection of same, and after I make certain everything is working properly and in order, I will consider this matter closed.
More later in the week. . .
Warm Regards,
Firefishe
----------------------------
FINAL UPDATE! May 24th, 2009 - Sunday - 11pm Central Daylight Time
--
I have my new Asus G50Vt-X1, and after all of my prior experiences to date, have to say that I am quite satisfied and happy with it! :-)
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not capitulating to the poor customer service I received from either Asus or Best Buy in Jefferson City, Missouri beforehand; I'm just saying that I have my new machine, I'm back online, and I'm being productive again. I already have Ubuntu back on it, and I have 120GB more hard drive space with which to play.
(Non-Customer Service Observations and Musings)
--
3D works great on Ubuntu GNU/Linux with Nvidia's proprietary driver. I've never seen CoolIris--a popular 3D plugin for Firefox--work on a gnu/linux based system, before. It's nice to see that 3D and Ubuntu work well together, with very little problems, overall.
The Nvidia 9800M GS is a wonderful chipset (PCIe Form Factor in this notebook; i.e., a removable card) and handles all my 3D needs well. I have yet to test it with EvE Online, but I'm going to have to re-download the high-resolution version of the game, and that will take some time--if I do it that way, at all. I'll probably just buy the DVD online this time, and forget about downloading so much data via a 100KB-per-second line. It's good for gameplay, as it's steady, but not so good for 4.5GB files.
It's a nice little powerhouse, even if it doesn't have a built-in modem or Bluetooth--two items which, if I'm savvy, I can install soon enough with little trouble, although my warranty will probably be toast. I'll probably just stick with USB externals and be done with it!
(Final Customer Service and Repair Service Summaries)
--
Asus needs to get on the ball or it's going to end up as roadkill on the customer service super highway! When I received my G50Vt-X1, the computer was moving around inside the box. Thank the deity or impersonal force of your choice that it was shipped Federal Express Standard Overnight, and wasn't on the truck for more than a day! If it had been, I believe that the brand-new unit I received could have easily been damaged!
The G50Vt-X1 came in a very used Asus Pundit P1 Barebones Laptop box--a box that was much too large for the notebook. What's up with this? Shouldn't the unit have come in a standard retail box packaging, with proper internal dimensional spacing??? The lack of credulity on the part of Asus' shipping clerks boggles the mind!
Luckily, the notebook didn't arrive damaged, but whoever is in charge of packing the notebooks, both at Fremont, California *and* Jeffersonville, Indiana, need to have their heads examined! Had I been their supervisor, and had received complaints like this, there would've been a very specific meeting and re-training session for the shipping department! Either that, or I'd just recruit new help. Enough is enough!
As for Best Buy in Jefferson City, Missouri, that store has seen the last of me! I'm never going to do business with them again. The way I was treated was atrocious, and the managers, callous! I left in tears, and it takes a lot for me--a 43 year old man of many seasons--to get to that stage.
My energy was so completely drained after dealing with them that day, that I won't recommend them, won't suggest anyone work for them at all! I've been through one of their job interviewing processes, and it resembled something more like a new-age encounter group session than a real interview. Also, save for one helpful and intelligent Geek Squad Technician with whom my wife and I know locally from other venues, and perhaps one other person in the entire store, the collective intelligence of the Jefferson City, Missouri Best Buy Electronics Store is, in my opinion, barely above that of a popped resistor!
It's *that bad* folks! Just don't do business with them, and with that said, I'll say no more.
MATTER CLOSED, CONDITION SATISFIED...but only barely.
Ending This Thread Now
Respitefully,
Firefishe
-----------------------------------------------------------------
My computer is a G50V-X1, purchased from a Best Buy electronics store in a suburb south of St. Louis, Missouri, in October of last year (2008).
The computer had been working flawlessly until mid-March of 2009, the problem being a loose center conductor on the left-side USB port. Deciding and thinking that the factory service center would probably be better suited to handled a motherboard replacement (the location of the USB connector), I decided to go through Asus Technical Support, rather than through the 'Geek Squad' division of my local Best Buy retailer.
I have two choices on service here: Asus Repair or Best Buy's Warranty Service.
First Choice: Asus Repair
Repair Facility: Asus Indy, Jeffersonville, Indiana
Log of Service:
FIRST INCIDENT
1. March 20th, 2009: Received RMA from Asus via Email.
2. Shipped computer out via local FedEx depot. (Asus sent Ground label instead of standard FedEx overnight. Shipped anyway.)
3. March 30th, 2009: Received email indicating my computer shipped out, on it's way back to me.
4. Received computer back within 2 days or so of March 30 email.
REPAIR SUMMARY: Repair Order Document in box indicated a new motherboard was installed. However, upon inspection, left USB center pin was still loose--tighter than original, but still loose. 'Loose' here refers to a vertical, 'up and down' movement of the USB port center conductor pin, indicating weak anchoring, either in the aluminum body of the port, itself, or to the motherboard, specifically. I don't know if this is particular to that motherboard, or just a bad lot of them at the factory; all other USB center conductor pins solid and tight.
Motherboard also reassembled incorrectly, in that the external WLAN slide-switch on the front edge of the G50V-X1 wasn't aligned with the motherboard hardware part. This alone brought on the need to obtain a 2nd RMA and once again ship it back to Asus Indy.
SECOND INCIDENT
1. April 1st, 2009: Had 'Live Chat' session with Asus Tech Support via Asus' web service portal.
2. April 2nd, 2009: Received RMA in Email
3. Shipped out via local FedEx depot, this time with proper overnight label.
4. April 7th, 2009: Received email indicating my computer shipped out from Asus Indy.
5. Received computer in about two days.
REPAIR SUMMARY
G50V-X1 Damaged! OLED board cracked in two places, which I could see through the cover-glass, and also indicated by lack of ability to display anything properly, save for battery charge indication. Body of laptop also appeared warped toward the front-top of the laptop, just back from the OLED display.
The WLAN switch was properly aligned with motherboard part, at least.
GENERAL SUMMARY:
During both courses of shipping, I had used the original boxing and packaging. This included a foam 'pocket' the laptop came in, as well as a clear piece of rectangular plastic that covered the keyboard and another, similar piece of soft, spongy material that went on top of the plastic keyboard cover-film, used to protect the screen from scratches in shipping. (The rectangular, rubber-like piece is similar to the stuff that comes on paper-towel like rolls, used to keep cups and dishes from slipping in trailer and RV cupboards).
When I opened the outer, brown, corrugated cardboard original outer box, I then removed the box with the handle and the 'Woman With Sword' graphic on it. I then opened the top of the inner 'graphic' box, and found my laptop in a thin, plastic bag--not the foam pocket in which I shipped it to Asus Indy!--flopping about loosely between the cardboard end-pieces that keep it from moving up and down and side to side! Saying I was livid is being generous ;-).
In short, Asus Indy didn't pack it properly, resulting in damage during shipping, handling, or the OLED break happened on the bench. Maybe one of the technicians or shipping and receiving clerks dropped it, banged it, dropped a tool on it when the unit was apart, or something similar. I'll probably never know the truth of it, at this point.
What's even more irritating, is a talk I had with Asus Notebook Customer Service in California, in which the CSR with which I spoke admonished me to not send it in the original packaging 'if I ever wanted to see that box again' (referring to the 'Woman With Sword' box). Just in what kind of box did she expect me to ship it? Her attitude was condescending and I felt she took me for some kind of an idiot. Don't ship it in the same box??? Sheesh!
Continuing: Before I shipped it, I used a thick, black, Magic Marker to place control numbers, my name, address, and phone number, all over the inner cardboard pieces contained inside the 'Woman With Sword' graphic box, including the cardboard end-pieces for the computer, itself. This strategy was probably what kept anyone from messing with the box-in-general, as indicated by the presence of every one of my marked-up inner box-and-parts. Pity I didn't do that with the laptop's original foam pocket; I might've gotten the computer back in one piece--provided the OLED wasn't damaged in-house.
I called customer service once again, and was given a new case/incident number to give to repair. I have not acted on that yet, but it is good for 30 days.
----
Second Choice: Best Buy Electronics
Repair Facility: Best Buy's Asus Certified Repair Center, Louisville, Kentucky
Store Location: Jefferson City, Missouri
When I purchased my G50V-X1 from Best Buy, I also purchased an Accidental Damage Policy/Extended Warranty combo package for $99.99. Everyone who buys from Best Buy or any other retailer should have this kind of protection, period! It's worth every penny. . .at least, I'm hoping it is. Let me explain:
I took the laptop into my local Best Buy (not the store from which I bought it) and took it up to Customer Service who referred me to the Geek Squad bench. Just as luck (bad) would have it, the 'Agent' I usually talk to wasn't there, and there was only a 4-day-old newbie and an ASSistant Manager (no misspelling here ;-> *snark*) with which I had to (or-)deal.
Here's how this went down:
1. Brought computer to Geek Squad counter. Opened computer bag and procured G50V-X1.
2. Showed to Agent.
3. Agent requests help from Assistant Manager.
4. I show AM problems: a) Loose USB center pin b) Broken OLED screen c) Warped casing.
5. Manager says he'll have to send it back.
6. I tell him of my Asus Repair 'Sagas' and he says they can look at it at their 5-Acre repair facility in Louisville, Kentucky (saying this proudly).
7. I ask for new unit.
8. AM refuses to replace unit with new one.
9. I end up resignedly having to accept AM's refusal.
10. AM assigns rest of process to newbie Agent.
11. Newbie Agent processes my forms, I reluctantly leave my beloved G50V-X1 with Agent, but before I leave, talk again with AM, who assures me that the forms are all correct and that their boxes are 'made especially for laptops to keep them form moving around (after telling him about my Asus Return Packaging Material experiences).
12. I leave store, dejected and tired of people 'not taking responsibility' for my needs as a consumer of a device which cost me over thirteen-hundred dollars ($1300), paid for with student loan funds whilst I was attending technical college back in October of 2008!
Present Situation: I am waiting for Best Buy. I will update this thread as soon as I get my computer--either repaired properly or replaced--back from Best Buy's service center in Louisville. If this proves uneventful, I'll have my G50V-X1 back in a few weeks. If not, I still have the ASUS incident number with which to generate a new RMA and shipping label from Asus Repair.
April 11, 2009 - End of Log
--------
So that's it forum folks. Please share your comments, thoughts, opinions, and such. Anyone else having trouble? I know I sure am.
Warm Regards,
Firefishe
----------------------------------------------
UPDATE: April 15, 2009
Unit is currently still with Best Buy's servicing center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Will be calling my local store today to see how the repair/replacement is progressing.
--Firefishe
----------------------------------------------
UPDATE: April 18, 2009
Unit is back from Best Buy's Louisville, Kentucky Service Center.
Best Buy Corporate has authorized an exchange, however, issues still abound:
Consideration 1: G50V-X1 with the Nvidia 9700M GT GPU is no longer available. G50Vt-X5 with Nvidia 9800 GS GPU is available, but has no modem, which I use now and again.
Consideration 1a: Case color is atrocious, LED side lights are white, instead of blue, and the flame graphic on the lcd topside is just a bit too much for me; also, the trackpad buttons are now a ridiculous HP-ish 'super shiny'; I prefer the 'brushed stainless' buttons of the G50V-X1/9700M GT system much better. (It should be noted here that all other available G50V's still use the brushed stainless buttons and have a solid black lcd topside, with blue side LED's and the Asus Logo light and the LED blue stripe. Aesthetics were part of the original reason I bought the G50V-X1 from Best Buy back in October, 2008. As it was, it could be used for both business and personal use, but I'm not into fancy case graphics with what I want to do, wish to display to others. The orange/black lcd topcase or solid black version will work for me; weird graphics won't. I want solid colors or solid color combinations.
Consideration 2: Replacement, Black, G50V-X1 with the P8400/Centrino 2 processor and the newer Nvidia 9800 GS GPU is available from Best Buy's online store, but, once again, doesn't come with a modem, which I use now and again. It does, however, come with Bluetooth, so I could, in theory, wirelessly tether it to a cell phone, which, in theory, might make up for the lack of the modem. (I usually use the modem in motel rooms that don't have WLAN connectivity.)
Consideration 3. My local Best Buy may not give me a cash refund. They want to give me--if it comes to this--an in-store credit. I've been looking around online and have found some Asus resellers that have some systems that might work for me, but I need to have my money back from Best Buy to purchase them. I've found a good deal on the G50Vt-X9 from www.btotech.com for $1449.00 plus shipping which would do just fine--as long as btotech has them in stock, anyway. I'd have to add a bit from the $1424.xx I paid to Best Buy, but this is minimal. I'm tired of waiting for both Asus and Best Buy to get with the program and stop 'fluffy bunnying' my customer service issues around with semi-desirable attempts-at-solutions.
Consideration 4: The Asus G50V-X1 I currently own has been mishandled, misrepaired, mis-shipped, and either damaged in-transit or murdered at the Asus Indy repair center in Jeffersonville, Indiana. So far, I'm looking at mild case warpage/bending, OLED Display Glass Breakage, and who knows what else under the re-assembled parts I can't see. I do not feel that any type of repair should be effected upon this machine. Replacing it with a new, in-the-box G50V-xx-xx is what I want!
If anyone has any useful information on how to resolve this problem immediately, please email me at sabrown@inbox.com .
--Firefishe
---------------------------------------------
UPDATE: April 20, 2009 Monday
Jefferson City, Missouri Best Buy Store
--
Detail Log: Walked in to the Jefferson City, Missouri (MO) Best Buy store, ready to utilize an Exchange Authorization that Best Buy Corporate's Customer Service Division had provided for me--presumably after a very long and detailed email I wrote to them. Okay, fine. Let's exchange the G50V-X1 for another one, or perhaps something just like it.
I walk in to the store and make my way back to the Geek Squad counter. What followed immediately after my arrival just begs to be shared and put down in print, so here it is. My more immediate issues follow the next paragraph:
I observed, upon arriving at the Jefferson City, MO Best Buy Geek Squad counter, a person I knew to be a very new Geek Squad employee re-fitting a cover to the bottom of a customer's laptop. This employee seemed to be having trouble getting the little memory cover back in place, and I could see that the cover wasn't set flush in the proper manner. This employee was screwing down this one screw, causing obvious stress on the cover-in-quesition; I knew it had to be under stress, because there was a tab sticking out of the opening that wasn't seated well, and as the employee was screwing in the fastener (screw), the board was becoming *CONCAVE* as he was doing so. Eventually, he finally seated the cover correctly, but had it been my laptop, his ears would've been verbally boxed for doing such as shod-job to my machine. (I'm not doing business with this company, anymore; details to follow.)
I had decided, after mulling it over for a while, whether or not I was going to exchange my G50V-X1 for a new G50V-X5 (the one without the modem, but with the better video card and the horrid 'paint job') 8-P. Well, as I was getting tired of not having my G50V-X1 in a damaged and mangled condition, so, weighing the differences, I decided I'd 'go for graphics-cardage,' and get the G50V-X5. Or...the new Gateway P7805u. Or...An HP multimedia computer that also didn't look bad.
I was given a $1200.00 return credit, so I thought I'd shop around for a bit. I ended up at that store for five and a half hours (5.5 Hours) before I finally decided on one Gateway P7805u with a 1900x1200 resolution screen. The display model of this laptop is, quite probably, and older P7811-FX, left over from last year, even though it bears the tags of the P7805u. Now, I did some online searching while I was there, and through various Best Buy customer reviews, was able to ascertain that--depending on what UPC # the box has, one might get a P7805u with a 1900x1200 screen resolution, or one with a lesser, but still respectable, 1440x900 screen resolution. The four-numbers-and-one letter designation appears in the middle of the UPC code for the P7805u, and are as follows:
P7805u, 1440x900 UPC with "3908B" (appearing in the center part of the UPC code)
P7805u, 1900x1200 UPC with "3910B" (appearing in the center part of the UPC code)
As luck would have it (and I have not had a great deal during this experiences), Best Buy Jefferson City had one of the high-resolution models! It had been opened and the hard drive 'optimized' by the Geek Squad dept., and then re-sealed, and a sticker affixed accordingly, indicating the service that had been performed. Now, what this 'service' is, in actuality, is a $39.99 'extra fee' that the Geek Squad tech dept. tacks on to some laptops so 'people who want to have this service performed, don't have to do it after they buy it.' {paraphrasing of what a Geek Squad employee told me today}.
Continuing; The Best Buy Customer Service desk--just to the left of the Geek Squad counter at the opposite end of the service area in this store--let me open up the laptop box, take the Gateway P7805u out, and look at it. It seemed fine, save for a few forgivable finger smudges left by the Geek Squad folks. Fine, no problem. No apparent breakages, cracks, or anything else I could see. So I decided to get it.
It was a toss-up between the Gateway P7805u (1900x1200) and the Asus G50V-X5 with the 1366x768 screen, no modem, and flashy paint job. The Gateway's Nvidia 9800M GTS chipset and that gorgeous 1900x1200 display (of which I tweaked the display model's settings to find this out) won me over to the Cow Collective *Moo*...or at least, so I thought.
I bought my original G50V-X1 with student loan money, and my financial situation is quite sparse at the present time. Wifey works at a McDonald's and Hubby (Me) is on disability and unemployed (though looking) at the present time. I literally had zilch on my pocket, not even a penny to spare. I had enough gas in the car to drive to Best Buy and back home. I mention the previous so I may present the following:
________________________________________
Original Best Buy Receipt Details
--
$ 1249.99 G50V-X1 Laptop Computer
$ 99.99 1 Year - Accidental Damage Policy
$ 75.94 Tax @ 6.75%
_________
$ 1425.92
Hmmm. . .
$1425.92 - $1200.00 = $225.92 ($1200 being the amount I was given by Best Buy Corporate for the 'exchange') See anything even remotely fishy here?
***Counting the tax I paid, I was shorted $225.92 on this 'exchange.'!!!*** Now, if this was supposed to be an 'even' echange, why is this even an issue?
The reason this is an issue is that I was told that this was going to be an even exchange. My original computer--the G50V-X1 cost me $1249.99 plus tax! (I include the tax amount, as I had to pay it, and must consider it part of the *actual cost*, which is the only amount that we're interested here, anyway! Counting the Accidental Damage Policy @ $99.99, and the price of the computer @ $1249.99, the tax came to $75.94).
The Gateway P7805u was listed at $1149.99, $100.00 less than my original G50V-X1 @ $1249.99. To me, this indicates nothing being owed. Well, when they tallied everything up, I was told I had to pay additional tax of $18.xx (and some change, I forget the actual amount; I left in disgust after that.)
Tax for an exchange? For a computer that cost me $100.00 less than my original? I don't know what kind of 'equity' that Best Buy is thinking it's giving me, but it's definitely not fair by any means. $20 bucks may not seem like a lot of money, but when we're talking about an exchange that's supposed to be 'merchandise for merchandise,' and they tally up tax of $18.xx on the difference (there shouldn't be any 'active different,' as this was just supposed to be, again, a merchandise exchange, no money changing hands, at all!), it means everything!
Read also into this equation, is the fact that I've been out this laptop for over a month--no thanks to Asus! GADS! Who's going to accept responsibility for my problems? I'm taking as much responsibility as I possibly can. I can only do so much. When I'm faced with managers who constantly hand me off to subordinates, when I'm nickeled-and-dimed to death in a situation where I'm positively flat-broke (My wife's ATM card bought the gas!), no cash-in-pocket today (April 20, 2009 Monday), and where it's just supposed to be 'stuff for stuff,' and not 'stuff-with-a-money-kicker,' I just don't know how much I can take!
I took a lot today. When I got out to my car, I was in tears, due to the horrible way Best Buy Jefferson City nickeled-and-dimed me to the point of mental exhaustion. It was to the point where I was getting physically ill; I *had* to leave, due to the stress levels this store's employee's were causing me. Right before I left, I asked the manager 'what's the deal' about the tax issue. He responded with something to the effect of:
"Well, I'm not responsible for tax. It'd be nice if we all didn't have to pay taxes, but that's not my problem."
That's when I asked for my computer, and then walked out the door. I'm not going to go back to this store. There's another in the area I'm going to try, but I don't know at this point. I may not be able to get any closure on this issue, at least not with Best Buy Jefferson City, Missouri (MO).
My next alternatives are pretty much limited, but are, as follows:
+++DESIRABLE ACTIONS / POSITIVE OUTCOMES+++
1. Activate standing service order from Asus and get RMA; send to Fremont, California (of which I've heard shudders) instead of Jeffersonville, Indiana,
2. Contact Best Buy Corporate, go to the other nearby store and get a full and complete rufund, IN CASH! (Bank Acct. xfer, Visa Cash Card(s), what-have-you are fine.)
+++NOT-SO-DESIRABLE ACTIONS / POSITIVE OUTCOMES+++
3. Contact my local office of police and their fraud division, file complaint, get money back. (Issue: Can Take Longer Than Above Items.)
4. Sue. (She can be a nice lass, if treated properly and if she hasn't had too many unreasonable demands placed upon her ;->; mostly, this path is the most expensive and takes the longest. I don't really desire to wait.)
The bottom, numbers 3 and 4, are only as a very, very, last-ditch resort! I have no desire to encumber myself with such matters if I can avoid it. Additionally, I also don't think Best Buy Corporate was thinking that any type of monetary difference on a sub-$1249.99 to the original $1249.99 computer was going to even occur. I'm going to have to get back to Best Buy Corporate now and talk to them about this. Not today, though. It's late, I'm tired, and it's time for a pop (Michigan-ese for 'Soda' as it's called in Misery...Sorry, I meant Missouri.) At this juncture, I really wonder if there's any real difference.
I'll post again with another update as soon as the next stage occurs, which will occur soon, probably tomorrow!
Thanks to those who are following this diatribe, I appreciate it. *Toss* (Ice Cold Cherry Coke!) ;-)
Be Well Forum Folks,
Warm Regards,
Firefishe (Stephen Brown)
sabrown@inbox.com
---------------------------------------
UPDATE: April 22, 2008 Wednesday
--
As of the very early morning of Wednesday, April 22, 2009, I've sent an Asus VIP Member technical service request email, outlining the issues experienced, and my desired outcome. I include the email in it's entirety below:
To: tsd@asus.com.tw
From: sabrown@inbox.com
Date: 4/22/2009 5:19:10 PM
Subject: Notebook G50V
Apply date : 4/22/2009 4:34:26 PM
[Contact Information]
*Name : Brown
*Email Address : sabrown@inbox.com
Phone Number : 573-418-4627
City : Jefferson City
*Country : United States
[Product Information]
*Product Type : Notebook
*Product Model : G50V
*Product S/N : 87N0AS14721228G
Place of Purchase : Best Buy
*Date of Purchase : 2008/10/5
*Operating System : Vista 64bit
[Problem Description]
This notebook has been misrepaired, and damaged.
The left USB port (as if the laptop were facing you with screen/lid open) needed replacement, and the job was botched.
The motherboard had to be replaced--as this is where that particular usb port is located; the motherboard used to replace had both a loose, defective left-side-of-laptop USB Center Post, and the board component that mates with the plastic WLAN (wi-fi) switch was not properly aligned, instigating the need for a second shipping.
When I received it back, upon opening of the box, I observed that the original, protective foam pocket I sent the laptop in--and also used for the first shipping, was replaced with a thin, plastic bag. Even doubled over, this bag was not enough to protect the G50 from being loosein-the-box, even with the laptop's cardboard box supports.
I attempted an exchange with a local Best Buy store--the chain I originally purchased it from in October of 2008--on April 20th, but to no avail. None of the store's laptops have a model that can replace this one. I also was treated rudely and had my case handed off to just about every other employee in the store, anything to keep the managers from working with me.
I had decided upon an exchange, but as it was supposed to be 'item for item,' and they tried to hawk off a so-called 'optimization' package on the laptop chosen in the form of an additional $40.00 dollar charge, and tried to get me to pay tax differences on the exchange, I negated the transaction immediately, obtained my unrepaired laptop, and left the store.
Legal actions against this store may be pending.
In actuality, the store isn't responsible for the damage, Asus Indy (Jeffersonville, Indiana) is.
Let me be frank. Polite, courteous, but frank: This laptop has now been shipped SIX TIMES in one month! I've had enough. I could have done this repair thoroughly myself on my own bench, but did not as it is under warranty. I have modified, repaired, and replaced my own, personal laptop parts on many other machines; this was also when they were all out-of-warranty. I do not disassemble in-warranty machines, I should not have to do so, and don't as I--hopefully *obviously*--I won't void any active warranties I may have on any machine that is new.
Well, this machine isn't new anymore. It's broken, the casing is cracked, my OLED info screen is cracked, and who knows what else might lie broken underneath in the areas I cannot see.
So here's what I have:
1. Three repair cycles, two with Asus, one with Best Buy.
2. One botched repair/delivery cycle; One damaged computer/delivery cycle (2nd time *did* fix the WLAN switch issues, so I'll give credit where it's due) and a cracked/broken OLED display.
3. One out-of-Asus-repair-cycle with store chain where purchased, consisting of one mailing to (supposedly) certified Asus Service Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Exchange given via corporate consumer relations office after two emails were sent, and all details--including the Asus repair experiences--shared with Best Buy consumer relations staff member via email.
3a. Exchange impossible due to mitigating factors, including the possibility of in-store fraud, in the form of failure to exchange for similar equipment as corporate consumer relations indicated. as well as questionable financial handling of the matter.
(I am pursuing this matter separately at the local level, and it has nothing to do with Asus in any way, shape, or form.)
Okay, now that I've said that, what do I want? A new computer! A similar unit, new-in-the-box. NOTE: NO REFURBS ACCEPTED!
The closest model I've found with similar features is the G50V-X9. This model would also provide the following, which I would consider as equitable, considering the loss-of-productivity, as well as the botched repair and damage issues:
1. 1680x1050 high-definition screen, over the G50V-X1's 1388x766 resolution.)
2. Bluetooth (which I need for connecting my cell phone to the laptop.)
3. The fax/modem none of the Best Buy store models have and I need.
4. An upgraded video chip 9800M GS, vs the G50V-X1's 9700M GT.
5. A 9-cell, extended-life battery.
6. Both laptops (The G50V-X9 with no additions or upgrades) come with one (1) 320GB hard drive. This is acceptable, as my original laptop only had the one 320GB drive. I desire equitability only--and a little upgrade for the trouble caused me--not exorbitance.
I paid $1425 for my original G50V-X1 in October of 2008; this included a $99.99
Accidental Damage Policy.
The G50V-X9 is being sold by www.btotech.com (also a contributing author for the Asus Forums @ www.notebookreview.com) for $1449 plus shippping (as of April 22, 2009.)
I've looked around the 'net, and this is the best price I've found. It's $25 more than my original purchase price, the laptop provides *all* the features I want, and allows for more uptime on battery. It also allows me to take advantage of Asus' 2-year warranty, and by registering the laptop within 60 days, I can still have the one year damage protection in place. All in all, I think a win-win situation.
Please provide for me a new-in-the-box G50V-X9, with the aformentioned features, and we'll call it quits on this issue. I think my request is a fair one.
Please contact me via telephone at (phone # removed) to speak to me directly. Email at sabrown@inbox.com.
Thank you for your consideration.
Warm Regards,
Stephen Brown
--
The email has been sent, I've talked with notebook support earlier today (April 21) via livesupport.asus.com, and I need to speak with a supervisor during normal business hours, as the repair facility can't do any replacements, only warranty repairs.
Again, I'll see how it goes.
Warm Regards,
Stephen
----------------------------------
UPDATE: April 23, 2009 Thursday
--
I still have not heard back from Asus Customer Service, nor have I received the promised call-back from a Supervisor.
I will wait until tomorrow, Friday, Apiril 24, 2009, and see what happens. I will also attempt to contact a Supervisor directly.
I have been told that the Supervisors we're in meetings a couple of days ago, so I will hope their meetings are concluded.
Although that may be a reason I haven't been able to speak to anybody during the course of the past week, it doesn't really seem like much of an excuse to not even give me a call-back. Two emails have been sent to the Supervisor--according to Asus Technical Support and Asus Customer Service staff, and I still don't have anything, either via my phone's voice mail, or in my email inbox.
I shall wait another day.
Warm Regards,
Stephen
--------------------------------------
UPDATE: April 27, 2009 Monday
--
Asus Supervisor contacted me on Friday, April 24, 2009. Received email after this, indicating that upper management had been made aware of my case history, and that the matter was under review.
Will call today at number given in email and verify nature of matter, ergo, whether or not I am going to receive a replacement G50V. I will do this *before* sending my laptop back to Asus in Fremont, California (CA). Sending to the facilities in Fremont, CA to avoid any more pitfalls with the Indiana facility.
--
LATER UPDATE: Call Accomplished! Spoke to helpful customer service representative, and am hopeful of positive outcome via this channel. Am FedEx'ing G50V-X1 shortly after this post.
Will continue to maintain log here, and hopefully, will be able to post MATTER CLOSED, CONDITION: SATISFIED! after all this is done. It certainly would make me happy.
Warm Regards for now,
--Firefishe
---------------------------
UPDATE: Friday, May 1st, 2009
--
I spoke with Asus Customer Service today, calling them around 6pm Central Time.
Having verified with the FedEx Office (formerly FedEx-Kinkos)--the location from where I shipped my computer--that my G50V was, indeed, delivered and signed for, I was hoping that maybe Asus Fremont would've gotten around to replacing my ailing machine.
Shipping Note: According to FedEx, it was signed for by someone named "Y.Man"; What does this mean? 'Yes' Man? Yo', Man? I'm beginning to wonder about the professionalism of this company, at least the United States offices. Would this type of thing happen in the Asian countries? I suspect not. I prefer straightforward names that can be easily traced, not simple initials that sound like a high schooler's!
As of the time of this update (May 1, 2009 Friday), I was informed that there was a five-day backlog of repairs, and that my machine had not been gotten to yet.
*SIGH*
I'm getting tired of this. . . (more later...)
--Stephen
---------------------------
UPDATE: May 3rd, 2009 Sunday
--
Waiting until Monday. Will call Asus back early in the morning, Pacific Time. I've been calling in the late afternoon, so perhaps I'll have better luck early in the morning.
---------------------------
UPDATE: May 4th, 2009 Monday
--
Feeling a bit ill, today, so I could not get out and contact Asus. I've checked my RMA's status on Asus's web site, and it's still showing as not being in the repair network loop. This probably means one of two things; One, that my G50V-X1 is still on the waiting list for service; or Two, that my case is being handled as a replacement by upper management. Replacement is my preference and the only solution I shall accept at this time for this broken and abused (by Asus) notebook).
If I happen to get the same notebook returned to me, instead of a new-in-the-box model with a different serial number, I'm going to start the processes that may lead up to litigation.
I'm tired of this. I've been waiting since March 20th to have this matter resolved. My local Best Buy store won't be fair with me, has tried to shaft me on a simple exchange, as well as having staff at my local Best Buy store (Jefferson City, Missouri) treat me as if I'm a secondary reason for their being in business; as mentioned in the relevant paragraphs above this one, I waited for over 5 hours and was treated with contempt, as well as being constantly handed off to subordinates by managers who didn't want to handle the matter personally. (There's only one person in the Jefferson City store I would trust to handle this matter, and, unfortunately, he wasn't in the store at the time.)
Asus Fremont (California) has my notebook, complete with my system disks, power supply, and everything that came packed with it--including the microfiber cloth used to clean the screen; I've kept that computer in tip-top condition up to the time Asus Indy's (Indiana) service people botched the original repair job and damaged the notebook, either in shipping or on the service bench, causing internal damage to the inset display/board.
The laptop has now been shipped physically *SEVEN (7) TIMES*! That's a bit too much for my blood. Coming new from the factory in new boxing is one thing, followed by a single shipping cycle (2 shippings, 1 to get it there, the other to bring it back) for any needed repairs--properly done--is fine. Seven physical shippings is beyond the realm of sanity for this type of thing, and, considering that the notebook is already physically damaged internally and externally, it's time for a new-in-the-box replacement--plus perhaps a few upgrade for my trouble--to be shipped to my door, post-haste!
If the last seems a bit too much, consider the above. Re-read it *ALL* and then you tell me if I don't deserve a bit of value-added-service. I think you'll come to the same conclusion.
All for now, will update toward the end of the week; I want to see what the outcome will be on Friday.
Warm Regards,
Firefishe
---------------------------
UPDATE: May 7th, 2009 Thursday
--
Just a quick note: I had a quite-friendly contact with a helpful Asus CSR this afternoon. I am assured that my notebook computer is currently being reviewed by the upper management at Asus Fremont (California). It was suggested I wait until Monday, May 11th, 2009. The CSR said that if I hadn't heard back by then, to call them at that point.
I have agreed to this.
I'll post another update after Monday or if something positive happens in the meantime.
All for now, more later as things develop.
Warm Regards,
Firefishe
---------------------------
UPDATE: May 12th, 2009 - Tuesday
--
Just sent off a Technical Inquiry via Asus' VIP Member's site at usa.asus.com. I need to call Asus' customer service later today and see how my RMA is progressing. I'll post another update after that call.
All for now, more later today.
----------------------------
UPDATE: May 15th, 2009 - Thursday [A Bit Ranty, Just Be Warned!]
--
I called Asus Customer Service today at about 4pm Central Daylight Time via their toll-free notebook support hotline. I experienced something both extraordinary and exceptional, today! That of not being on hold for twenty or thirty minutes, only to have to hang up because of something pressing I had to do; I was on hold for only about TWO MINUTES! (Can you believe it??? I couldn't, and was flabbergasted to the point where my jaw dropped, my tongue rolled out onto the pavement, and my eyes came out of their sockets!)
To top it all off, I actually got someone who...get this...ACTUALLY SEEMED CONCERNED AND WORKED DILIGENTLY TO DO SOMETHING FOR ME! Something to the effect of emailing a supervisor--probably on the super's BlackBerry--while they were in a meeting! Go figure! Can something be up? (SARCASM) I sure hope it isn't my used G50 up for grabs at a company staff drawing and the help I received wasn't a social front for the not-seen-in-the-background intern doing a study on customer service customer frustration levels for their psychology degree! (/SARCASM)
Okay, so much for the venting. Thank you! I needed that! Fact is, I needed it so much I decided to something positive today and take a motorcycle test ride at a local dealer. 2008 Kawasaki Versys to be exact. Very nice machine. Now to get my computer back so I can write that million-copy best seller and retire before I'm 50!
I *will* be calling them back tomorrow if they don't call me first. If this doesn't get handled, someone's going to make me a millionaire, that's for sure.
--Firefishe
Special Note: For practical, legal, and other purposes, the following, below, should be used for official use:
1. Called Asus Notebook Customer Support at about 4pm Central Daylight Time.
2. Waited on hold for only two minutes, and was answered promptly by a Very Courteous CSR.
3. CSR seemed genuinely concerned for my problem, and took steps to get my message to their supervisor.
4. CSR informed me that my matter had been emailed to their supervisor.
5. I'm now awaiting a phone call from the supervisor.
6. I will call supervisor on Friday, May 16th, 2009, probably sometime around 3pm Central Daylight Time (1pm Pacific Daylight Time).
Special Notation: Customer Service Representative (CSR) was the friendliest I have experienced in nearly two months, and, if this matter is handled quickly, will make up for all the previous 'faux pas' I have experienced, to date.
More as things progress...
Warm Regards,
Firefishe
----------------------------
UPDATE: May 15th, 2009 - Friday
--
Having been away from my computer for a bit while my wife was using it, and not being able to check my email until today (May 15th), I wasn't aware that Asus sent me the following email correspondence on May 13th, 2009.
I'd paste it here, but the formatting is in an HTML Table and wouldn't go well with the code on this forum, so I've text-formatted out in simple form, below:
[BEGIN EMAIL PARTIAL PASTE]
Dear Mr. Stephen Brown,
Firstly, I do apologize for the delay in the process of your RMA.
Please review the spec below as we will be replacing your G50Vm-X1 with the G50Vt-X1. The main difference between the two has been highlighted to you in RED/YELLOW.
SUGGESTED REPLACEMENT
--
Model Name: G50Vt-X1
Part Number: 90N-SSZA2411131KQL0Y
LCD Panel: 15.6" WXGA (1366x768)
CPU: P8400, 2.26GHz *HIGHLIGHTED*
Graphic Card: Nvidia 9800M GS 512MB *HIGHLIGHTED*
Memory: 4GB DDR2
Hard Drive: 320GB *HIGHLIGHTED*
Optical Drive: Double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW
Wireless LAN: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Battery: 6-cell
Web Camera: 1.3 million pixels
FingerPrint: No
Bluetooth: No
Operating System: Vista Home Premium SP1 (64 Bit)
--
YOUR CURRENT MODEL
--
Model Name: G50Vm-X1
Part Number: 90N-SPYA5714656KQC0Y
LCD Panel: 15.6" WXGA (1366x768)
CPU: T5750, 2.0Ghz
Graphic Card: Nvidia 9700M GT 512MB
Memory: 4GB DDR2
Hard Drive: 200GB
Optical Drive: DVD SuperMulti with Light Scribe
Wireless LAN: 802.11 b/g/n
Battery: 6-cell
Web Camera: 1.3 million pixels
FingerPrint: No
Bluetooth: No
Operating System: Vista Home Premium SP1 (64 Bit)
[END EMAIL PARTIAL PASTE]
--
Summary
--
1. Missing Modem (G50V-X1 has modem, G50Vt-X1 does not).
2. G50Vt-X1 Optical Drive Not Listing Light Scribe (Best Buy web site lists it has having Direct Disc Labeling).
a. assuming light scribe or equivalent based on Best Buy web site data.
3. Color of Casing is not the same.
a. G50V-X1 Orange and Black Case.
b. G50Vt-X1 case is black with blue, garish graphic on top of LCD/Cover.
i) not suitable for business.
c. Trackpad Button Area is bright, shiny chrome, instead of brushed aluminum finish.
These are the principal differences. I've already gone over this model in my earlier posts, so I won't list any more here.
CONCLUSION: G50Vt-X1 not suitable for replacement of G50V-X1. Suggest replacement with G50Vt-X9 or same computer configuration as G50Vt-X9 but without the 9-cell battery. Either acceptable.
Again, will they do it? I'm calling them tomorrow as soon as they open and I can get to a phone.
Warm Regards,
Firefishe
----------------------------
UPDATE: May 17th, 2009 Sunday
--
I have decided to accept the offer from Asus regarding the replacement of my G50Vm-X1 with the G50Vt-X1 (The 'm' designates my original computer and is accurate, as this number is on the back of the notebook, itself.) There was some confusion on my part with regard to what I thought was the G50Vt-X1; ergo, I mistook some of the G50Vt-X5's nomenclature for the G50Vt-X1's. Well, I know when to admit when I've made a mistake, and I have made one here.
Granted, the G50Vt-X1 isn't orange and black--it's black and silver, with blue side lights, cover/logo lights, and blue trackpad lighting--but I'm going to accept it on the grounds that my major concern--a lack of a modem--has been ironed out with the availability of a usb-based modem from U.S. Robotics--Hayes Compatible--that won't give me the problems that software-based (so-called 'win-modems') modems are prone to cause gnu/linux based systems.
So that's solved! :-) The rest of the differences are mainly case color, and I've decided the graphic on the G50Vt-X1 isn't so garish after all--unlike the G50Vt-X5 (my personal opinion, only, others may like the -X5's coloring).
Well, that's it! I'm awaiting a confirmation email from Robert Diaz or whoever wants to finalize this. I'm sure they'll be happy to just get it done; Although I'm not completely satisfied, the situation is fairly equitable as to features and function of the old notebook, save for the absence of the internal modem. Again, that problem has been solved, so I'm not sweating it.
I am including both emails sent to Robert Diaz, postebed below. Please note that these were copied and pasted from the email, the email had Rich Text encoding and displayed the primary differences of my computer and the replacement computer inside of an HTML table. That formatting is not included in the paste, so I ask that readers reference my previous post--meaning, the last post of the May 15th, 2009 Sunday entry.
Quote:
| (Begin Email Pastes) First Email Paste -- Mr Diaz, Stephen Brown replying. Regarding my contacts of May 15, 2009, it appears I may have been mistaken as to just what model I surmised the G50Vt-X1 to be. Having looked it over carefully, I can see I have made a mistake with regards to color and some other issues. I was thinking the replacement was the G50Vt-X5--which is not the G50Vt-X1 at all--which was being suggested as a replacement for my G50Vm-X1. Please accept my apologies, I made a mistake. The G50Vt-X1 will suffice for a replacement to my G50Vm-X1. If you could ship it out immediately, that would be fine. Since it's so late, I suppose Monday would have to suffice. Please ship via standard FedEx overnight if you would be so kind. Again, my mistake, and I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused your staff, today, both on the phone and via email. Also, regarding the modem replacement, it is not necessary, I have found a suitable solution locally for that issue. Please be so kind as to ship my G50Vt-X1 as soon as is possible. I look forward to using it. Color is fine, lights are blue. I thought they were white--which they are on the G50Vt-X5, but not the G50Vt-X1. Again, I accept the G50Vt-X1 as a replacement, it is a good looking unit and is suitable for my needs. My Warmest Regards, Stephen Brown -----Original Message----- From: robert_diaz@asus.com Sent: Wed, 13 May 2009 10:55:06 -0700 To: sabrown@inbox.com Subject: RMA #EI943617 Dear Mr. Stephen Brown, Firstly, I do apologize for the delay in the process of your RMA. Please review the spec below as we will be replacing your G50Vm-X1 with the G50Vt-X1. The main difference between the two has been highlighted to you in RED/YELLOW. (SNIP) Computer Model Comparison (SNIP) - (See Last Post of May 15, 2009 Friday Entry) Let me know if there are any questions or problems. Best regards, Robert Diaz ASUS Computer International :: 800 Corporate Way, Fremont CA 94539 robert_diaz@asus.com :: http://usa.asus.com :: http://livesupport.asus.com :: http://support.asus.com Inspiring Innovation • Persistent Perfection ----------------------------------------------------- Second Email Paste -- Mr Diaz, Stephen Brown again. Just reiterating that regarding the email below, this is an acceptable solution to me. Please ship the G50Vt-X1 as soon as possible. Thank you. Warm Regards, Stephen Brown -----Original Message----- From: robert_diaz@asus.com Sent: Wed, 13 May 2009 10:55:06 -0700 To: sabrown@inbox.com Subject: RMA #EI943617 Dear Mr. Stephen Brown, Firstly, I do apologize for the delay in the process of your RMA. Please review the spec below as we will be replacing your G50Vm-X1 with the G50Vt-X1. The main difference between the two has been highlighted to you in RED/YELLOW. (SNIP) Computer Model Comparison (SNIP) - (See Last Post of May 15, 2009 Friday Entry) Let me know if there are any questions or problems. Best regards, Robert Diaz ASUS Computer International :: 800 Corporate Way, Fremont CA 94539 robert_diaz@asus.com :: http://usa.asus.com :: http://livesupport.asus.com :: http://support.asus.com Inspiring Innovation • Persistent Perfection (End Email Pastes) |
I am eager to get my new computer and be done with this experience so I can get back to business, both personal and commercial.
More on Monday.
Warm Regards,
Stephen Brown
----------------------------
UPDATE: May 19th, 2009 - Tuesday, Early Morning
--
Well, I guess everything is in the works. I received this email from Mr. Robert Diaz:
Quote:
| RE: RMA #EI943617 From: Robert_Diaz@asus.com To: sabrown@inbox.com Date: 2009-5-18 20:46:18 Hello Stephen, I will process the replacement for tomorrow Tuesday, May 19. Let me know if there are any questions or problems. Best regards, Robert Diaz ASUS Computer International :: 800 Corporate Way, Fremont CA 94539 robert_diaz@asus.com :: http://usa.asus.com Inspiring Innovation * Persistent Perfection |
More later in the week. . .
Warm Regards,
Firefishe
----------------------------
FINAL UPDATE! May 24th, 2009 - Sunday - 11pm Central Daylight Time
--
I have my new Asus G50Vt-X1, and after all of my prior experiences to date, have to say that I am quite satisfied and happy with it! :-)
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not capitulating to the poor customer service I received from either Asus or Best Buy in Jefferson City, Missouri beforehand; I'm just saying that I have my new machine, I'm back online, and I'm being productive again. I already have Ubuntu back on it, and I have 120GB more hard drive space with which to play.
(Non-Customer Service Observations and Musings)
--
3D works great on Ubuntu GNU/Linux with Nvidia's proprietary driver. I've never seen CoolIris--a popular 3D plugin for Firefox--work on a gnu/linux based system, before. It's nice to see that 3D and Ubuntu work well together, with very little problems, overall.
The Nvidia 9800M GS is a wonderful chipset (PCIe Form Factor in this notebook; i.e., a removable card) and handles all my 3D needs well. I have yet to test it with EvE Online, but I'm going to have to re-download the high-resolution version of the game, and that will take some time--if I do it that way, at all. I'll probably just buy the DVD online this time, and forget about downloading so much data via a 100KB-per-second line. It's good for gameplay, as it's steady, but not so good for 4.5GB files.
It's a nice little powerhouse, even if it doesn't have a built-in modem or Bluetooth--two items which, if I'm savvy, I can install soon enough with little trouble, although my warranty will probably be toast. I'll probably just stick with USB externals and be done with it!
(Final Customer Service and Repair Service Summaries)
--
Asus needs to get on the ball or it's going to end up as roadkill on the customer service super highway! When I received my G50Vt-X1, the computer was moving around inside the box. Thank the deity or impersonal force of your choice that it was shipped Federal Express Standard Overnight, and wasn't on the truck for more than a day! If it had been, I believe that the brand-new unit I received could have easily been damaged!
The G50Vt-X1 came in a very used Asus Pundit P1 Barebones Laptop box--a box that was much too large for the notebook. What's up with this? Shouldn't the unit have come in a standard retail box packaging, with proper internal dimensional spacing??? The lack of credulity on the part of Asus' shipping clerks boggles the mind!
Luckily, the notebook didn't arrive damaged, but whoever is in charge of packing the notebooks, both at Fremont, California *and* Jeffersonville, Indiana, need to have their heads examined! Had I been their supervisor, and had received complaints like this, there would've been a very specific meeting and re-training session for the shipping department! Either that, or I'd just recruit new help. Enough is enough!
As for Best Buy in Jefferson City, Missouri, that store has seen the last of me! I'm never going to do business with them again. The way I was treated was atrocious, and the managers, callous! I left in tears, and it takes a lot for me--a 43 year old man of many seasons--to get to that stage.
My energy was so completely drained after dealing with them that day, that I won't recommend them, won't suggest anyone work for them at all! I've been through one of their job interviewing processes, and it resembled something more like a new-age encounter group session than a real interview. Also, save for one helpful and intelligent Geek Squad Technician with whom my wife and I know locally from other venues, and perhaps one other person in the entire store, the collective intelligence of the Jefferson City, Missouri Best Buy Electronics Store is, in my opinion, barely above that of a popped resistor!
It's *that bad* folks! Just don't do business with them, and with that said, I'll say no more.
MATTER CLOSED, CONDITION SATISFIED...but only barely.
Ending This Thread Now
Respitefully,
Firefishe
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by Firefishe : Today at 11:34 PM. Reason: Ending Thread on Sunday, May 24th, 2009. --Firefishe
[END PASTE]
HumFisheKuDarke Final: Ahhh! Respite At Last! :-)
Way of the Wizard,
Dawn of the eternal One,
Finally, A Peace!
Dawn of the eternal One,
Finally, A Peace!
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 05, 2009
A Gentle Suggestion for Employers
Hello there, Friends of the Humble Fishe.
I would like to share a Gentle Suggestion for the people of today who are in charge of doing the hiring for businesses, from fast-food to retail.
I write this down because of a recent application process to which I was ignominiously exposed during a recent application put forth to the Dollar General store chain.
Dollar General is a national (US) chain of small stores, with various household products, ranging from the usual toilet sundries (toothpaste, anti-perspirant, shampoo, etc.), to cleaning chemicals, cat and dog food, and even clothing to a small extent.
Most of these items are priced between $1.0- and $6.00 dollars, with the high-side items mostly found on brand-name merchandise, as opposed to the lesser known store brands. It's called a 'dollar store,' but isn't necessarily one of the 'everything's a dollar' dollar stores. It is, however, one of the largest in the US, so it's a (I'm assuming) stable chain that isn't closing anytime soon.
That said, it's still a store that pays well below the national average for cashiering, which is the job for which I was applying. Now, let me explain why I'm a bit up in arms about this situation:
When I was in my teens and early twenties--from about 1980 to 1986 or so--I was able to go to any local business, get a paper application at that store, fill it out at home (usually, sometimes they wanted it filled out there), and bring it back; after this, there was a good chance of being able to speak with a hiring manager or other such person. If an interview were scheduled, I stood a good chance of getting hired.
The basic elements of prior work history were there, under the heading of Past Employment, Previous Employers, Work History, and the like. There were the Name, Address, City, State, and Zip Code lines. Education was there, and a place to list my (then) high school experiences, extra curricular activities (school clubs, what-have-you).
These were entry-level, largely minimum wage jobs. They didn't require a degree, just a reasonable understanding of life-in-general, with a modicum of an ability to work with the public, operate a cash register (scanners had just been implemented at that time), *Know How To Count Back Change Manually!* (is this taught anymore?), as well as expectations of reasonable honesty with the company money for which you were responsible and accountable at the end of the day.
It was also expected that you would have a reasonable amount of integrity in your personal life to be understanding to the employees with which you worked, and to know enough to keep personal things personal and work things at work. It was inevitable that some personal elements would cross over on to the work field, such as needing to pick up children from school, go to Boy and Girl Scout meetings, take the babysitter home, and such, but these were understood as more-or-less 'standard things' that happened all the time, were easily managed, and didn't overly disrupt the day-to-day operation of the store-at-large.
What wasn't done is probe intensely into the internal psychology of company employees to the extent that a person was expected to 'bare their soul' against the wall for all to see; which brings me to the crux of this blog entry:
Modern retailers go too far when they ask prospective employees to submit to a 'voluntary,' subjective, values-clarification/psychological test for a job that does not require it. It is invasive, nosy, and invades the privacy of everyone. Please allow me to illustrate below, via my own recent experience.
I go into the Dollar General store to get something I needed, pay for it, then leave. Looking back at the door, I saw that they were looking for an assistant manager. Well, I'm not so sure of my ability for that position, but it couldn't hurt to ask, so I went back inside, asked the cashier on duty who I needed to talk to, was told that *she* was the one, and was told to come back the following day, and 'we could talk about it.'
So far, so good. Morning comes and I arrive at Dollar General to talk to the manager about the position. Well, she didn't feel anything listed on my job history was specific enough for her to give me the assistant manager's job, but she suggested I could apply to be an 'associate,' meaning a cashier-cum-stocker. The only way a cashier does *only* that particular job is at a large grocery store, and even then, is probably expected to keep the candy rack stocked; it's just part of the job.
The job isn't hard. It's simple. Blindly simple. So simple, I, a person who can utilize five or six computer operating systems, regularly uses four (Vista64, XP Pro, Mac OS-X, and GNU/Linux), can play improvisational piano (my own very basic, specific style), and even sing when I put my mind to it. Not hard at all.
Take the till money, count it at the beginning of the shift, compare it to what is on the ticket, sign off on it, put it in the drawer, sign on to the register if needed, and start ringing up customers. Stock the shelves (being sure to lock the register before doing so) if required, tend to customers as needed, keep a sharp eye for shoplifters and other forms of trouble, keep scanning merchandise, bag up the customers' parcels, say 'thank you for your business' and allow them to go on their way; move to the next customer. Repeat.
This job doesn't require a college degree, folks!
So what is The Humble Fishe all up in his fins about? What is it that is so nagging on my ol' Fishey Brain? I respectfully invite you to continue with the coclusion to our little story:
After accepting the invitation to apply for the 'associate' position, I was waived over to the side of the store away fron the checkout line and given a paper application, that is, I was *shown* the application, then had it explained.
I've never had an application explained to me before, save for some state jobs that had a common process for everyone at a central meeting (these types of jobs have this as a fairly standard practice).
Anyway, she goes over the usual Name, Address, State, etc. lines and then gets down to the part that First, made me cringe--as I always do at subjective values-clarification exams--, and the Second, that made me decide to walk out and forget the whole affair.
The dialog went something like this:
Manager: First, we'll need you to fill out the top half, with your Name, Address, and such, then you'll need to go down to this part.
Me: (Manager waiting to see if I understand so far:) "Okay, got it (nodding head.)
Manager: "You'll need to fill out this section, and you'll need to call up a number I'll give you to take the test. *Do You Have A Cell Phone?* (My Own Emphasis)
Me: "Well, yes, I do have a cell phone, but it's one of those prepaid jobs and it's just about out of minutes."
Manager: "Oh, okay, well I suppose you can use the one here.
[At this point, the Manager walks over to the check-out counter (presumably that's where the phone is located) while I follow and continue to watch her go down the application list.]
Manager: (Looking at the application, moving in a generally 'I've Explained This A Thousand Times Before' manner, making hand gestures to get me to understand, etc.:) "After the test is done, then we get to the Desired Behaviors List and. . ."
[It was at that point my subconscious had had enough. I was wondering if I was applying for a job or being being subjected to some psychology student doing a double-blind study :-P.]
Me: (Interrupting:) "Ma'am, I've had enough. This is way too invasive for a mere cashiering job. Thank you for your time and have a good day. Goodbye."
I thanked her for her time, and walked out of the store.
Summary
The company and its store manager went too far in two areas: The first was in asking me to use my own phone time and expenditure to perform what was a company function. This is a serious breach of propriety, and, to me, is highly unethical. It makes the job applicant wonder if the company can be so insolvent as to not be able to provide for a desired function for its employees, and just makes the company appear to be, directly put: "Just Plain Cheap!"
The second area concerns the intense focus on the nearly ubiquitous question-and-answer, subjective values-clarification testing regimens that just about everyone is using today in their search for the Perfect Employee (Insert Photo of Sun-Drenched, Sparkly Employee Here :-P.)
The forty question test I could have accepted. Accepted, that is, had it not gone farther than that. The Manager, at that point, was intensely into the breaking down of the test results into what she--ergo, the company--had down as a list of 'desirable behaviors,' and I was not going to have any of it!
'Desirable' is me not stealing from your till, shoplifting the merchandise after hours as I'm closing (also known as Malfeasance, or Employee Theft) the store. 'Desirable' is me having not only a calm, controlled, and self-directed, useful demeanor to your customers, but also having a slew of product knowledge as well as being able to tell a customer in ten seconds flat or less where a product is located, whether or not we're out of a product, and when it's going to be back on the shelf.
What the Manager at Dollar General was going to go over as 'desirable' didn't interest me at that point. I expect it was very specific, and probably had absolutely nothing to do with me, but applied to the maladapted part of society prone to some of the aforementioned uglies.
It did not, nor would it *ever* apply in any way, shape, or form, to The Humble Fishe! Not now! Not Ever!!
The modern workplace is turning into a playground for human resource management paranoia freaks. I, for one, do not take these tests and would advise every one reading this to do the same. Find an employer who will deal with you directly and keep their nose out of your personal psychology. As long as one is able to do the job-in-question and get along with others, that is the only reason to hire a person.
Subjective values-clarification tests do not give accurate results, invade people's privacy, and are unethical as hell to use in the workplace to screen employees!
The Humble Fishe's Gentle Suggestion for Dollar General:
Get your head out of mine! Politeness dictates that you don't prod too heavily into my background for such a mundane job as cashier. A background check will handle that information, is cheap, and can be had during any business week.
Asking me to give responses to subjective, adroitly-personal questions, then furthering the miasma by having your store manager go over a list--presumably to tell me what behaviors are desirable versus those that are not--is an insult to my intelligence and a breach of manners I am not wont to forgive.
Please be of a mind to respect more the privacy rights of your employees, and please stop being so nosy! Until you walk the proverbial mile in my moccasins, Ladies and Gentlemen of Dollar General, you have no right to even consider asking me to bare my soul to you.
I wanted a job, some eventual management training, and some self-respect. I received none of it!
Warm Regards,
The Humble Fishe
I would like to share a Gentle Suggestion for the people of today who are in charge of doing the hiring for businesses, from fast-food to retail.
I write this down because of a recent application process to which I was ignominiously exposed during a recent application put forth to the Dollar General store chain.
Dollar General is a national (US) chain of small stores, with various household products, ranging from the usual toilet sundries (toothpaste, anti-perspirant, shampoo, etc.), to cleaning chemicals, cat and dog food, and even clothing to a small extent.
Most of these items are priced between $1.0- and $6.00 dollars, with the high-side items mostly found on brand-name merchandise, as opposed to the lesser known store brands. It's called a 'dollar store,' but isn't necessarily one of the 'everything's a dollar' dollar stores. It is, however, one of the largest in the US, so it's a (I'm assuming) stable chain that isn't closing anytime soon.
That said, it's still a store that pays well below the national average for cashiering, which is the job for which I was applying. Now, let me explain why I'm a bit up in arms about this situation:
When I was in my teens and early twenties--from about 1980 to 1986 or so--I was able to go to any local business, get a paper application at that store, fill it out at home (usually, sometimes they wanted it filled out there), and bring it back; after this, there was a good chance of being able to speak with a hiring manager or other such person. If an interview were scheduled, I stood a good chance of getting hired.
The basic elements of prior work history were there, under the heading of Past Employment, Previous Employers, Work History, and the like. There were the Name, Address, City, State, and Zip Code lines. Education was there, and a place to list my (then) high school experiences, extra curricular activities (school clubs, what-have-you).
These were entry-level, largely minimum wage jobs. They didn't require a degree, just a reasonable understanding of life-in-general, with a modicum of an ability to work with the public, operate a cash register (scanners had just been implemented at that time), *Know How To Count Back Change Manually!* (is this taught anymore?), as well as expectations of reasonable honesty with the company money for which you were responsible and accountable at the end of the day.
It was also expected that you would have a reasonable amount of integrity in your personal life to be understanding to the employees with which you worked, and to know enough to keep personal things personal and work things at work. It was inevitable that some personal elements would cross over on to the work field, such as needing to pick up children from school, go to Boy and Girl Scout meetings, take the babysitter home, and such, but these were understood as more-or-less 'standard things' that happened all the time, were easily managed, and didn't overly disrupt the day-to-day operation of the store-at-large.
What wasn't done is probe intensely into the internal psychology of company employees to the extent that a person was expected to 'bare their soul' against the wall for all to see; which brings me to the crux of this blog entry:
Modern retailers go too far when they ask prospective employees to submit to a 'voluntary,' subjective, values-clarification/psychological test for a job that does not require it. It is invasive, nosy, and invades the privacy of everyone. Please allow me to illustrate below, via my own recent experience.
I go into the Dollar General store to get something I needed, pay for it, then leave. Looking back at the door, I saw that they were looking for an assistant manager. Well, I'm not so sure of my ability for that position, but it couldn't hurt to ask, so I went back inside, asked the cashier on duty who I needed to talk to, was told that *she* was the one, and was told to come back the following day, and 'we could talk about it.'
So far, so good. Morning comes and I arrive at Dollar General to talk to the manager about the position. Well, she didn't feel anything listed on my job history was specific enough for her to give me the assistant manager's job, but she suggested I could apply to be an 'associate,' meaning a cashier-cum-stocker. The only way a cashier does *only* that particular job is at a large grocery store, and even then, is probably expected to keep the candy rack stocked; it's just part of the job.
The job isn't hard. It's simple. Blindly simple. So simple, I, a person who can utilize five or six computer operating systems, regularly uses four (Vista64, XP Pro, Mac OS-X, and GNU/Linux), can play improvisational piano (my own very basic, specific style), and even sing when I put my mind to it. Not hard at all.
Take the till money, count it at the beginning of the shift, compare it to what is on the ticket, sign off on it, put it in the drawer, sign on to the register if needed, and start ringing up customers. Stock the shelves (being sure to lock the register before doing so) if required, tend to customers as needed, keep a sharp eye for shoplifters and other forms of trouble, keep scanning merchandise, bag up the customers' parcels, say 'thank you for your business' and allow them to go on their way; move to the next customer. Repeat.
This job doesn't require a college degree, folks!
So what is The Humble Fishe all up in his fins about? What is it that is so nagging on my ol' Fishey Brain? I respectfully invite you to continue with the coclusion to our little story:
After accepting the invitation to apply for the 'associate' position, I was waived over to the side of the store away fron the checkout line and given a paper application, that is, I was *shown* the application, then had it explained.
I've never had an application explained to me before, save for some state jobs that had a common process for everyone at a central meeting (these types of jobs have this as a fairly standard practice).
Anyway, she goes over the usual Name, Address, State, etc. lines and then gets down to the part that First, made me cringe--as I always do at subjective values-clarification exams--, and the Second, that made me decide to walk out and forget the whole affair.
The dialog went something like this:
Manager: First, we'll need you to fill out the top half, with your Name, Address, and such, then you'll need to go down to this part.
Me: (Manager waiting to see if I understand so far:) "Okay, got it (nodding head.)
Manager: "You'll need to fill out this section, and you'll need to call up a number I'll give you to take the test. *Do You Have A Cell Phone?* (My Own Emphasis)
Me: "Well, yes, I do have a cell phone, but it's one of those prepaid jobs and it's just about out of minutes."
Manager: "Oh, okay, well I suppose you can use the one here.
[At this point, the Manager walks over to the check-out counter (presumably that's where the phone is located) while I follow and continue to watch her go down the application list.]
Manager: (Looking at the application, moving in a generally 'I've Explained This A Thousand Times Before' manner, making hand gestures to get me to understand, etc.:) "After the test is done, then we get to the Desired Behaviors List and. . ."
[It was at that point my subconscious had had enough. I was wondering if I was applying for a job or being being subjected to some psychology student doing a double-blind study :-P.]
Me: (Interrupting:) "Ma'am, I've had enough. This is way too invasive for a mere cashiering job. Thank you for your time and have a good day. Goodbye."
I thanked her for her time, and walked out of the store.
Summary
The company and its store manager went too far in two areas: The first was in asking me to use my own phone time and expenditure to perform what was a company function. This is a serious breach of propriety, and, to me, is highly unethical. It makes the job applicant wonder if the company can be so insolvent as to not be able to provide for a desired function for its employees, and just makes the company appear to be, directly put: "Just Plain Cheap!"
The second area concerns the intense focus on the nearly ubiquitous question-and-answer, subjective values-clarification testing regimens that just about everyone is using today in their search for the Perfect Employee (Insert Photo of Sun-Drenched, Sparkly Employee Here :-P.)
The forty question test I could have accepted. Accepted, that is, had it not gone farther than that. The Manager, at that point, was intensely into the breaking down of the test results into what she--ergo, the company--had down as a list of 'desirable behaviors,' and I was not going to have any of it!
'Desirable' is me not stealing from your till, shoplifting the merchandise after hours as I'm closing (also known as Malfeasance, or Employee Theft) the store. 'Desirable' is me having not only a calm, controlled, and self-directed, useful demeanor to your customers, but also having a slew of product knowledge as well as being able to tell a customer in ten seconds flat or less where a product is located, whether or not we're out of a product, and when it's going to be back on the shelf.
What the Manager at Dollar General was going to go over as 'desirable' didn't interest me at that point. I expect it was very specific, and probably had absolutely nothing to do with me, but applied to the maladapted part of society prone to some of the aforementioned uglies.
It did not, nor would it *ever* apply in any way, shape, or form, to The Humble Fishe! Not now! Not Ever!!
The modern workplace is turning into a playground for human resource management paranoia freaks. I, for one, do not take these tests and would advise every one reading this to do the same. Find an employer who will deal with you directly and keep their nose out of your personal psychology. As long as one is able to do the job-in-question and get along with others, that is the only reason to hire a person.
Subjective values-clarification tests do not give accurate results, invade people's privacy, and are unethical as hell to use in the workplace to screen employees!
The Humble Fishe's Gentle Suggestion for Dollar General:
Get your head out of mine! Politeness dictates that you don't prod too heavily into my background for such a mundane job as cashier. A background check will handle that information, is cheap, and can be had during any business week.
Asking me to give responses to subjective, adroitly-personal questions, then furthering the miasma by having your store manager go over a list--presumably to tell me what behaviors are desirable versus those that are not--is an insult to my intelligence and a breach of manners I am not wont to forgive.
Please be of a mind to respect more the privacy rights of your employees, and please stop being so nosy! Until you walk the proverbial mile in my moccasins, Ladies and Gentlemen of Dollar General, you have no right to even consider asking me to bare my soul to you.
I wanted a job, some eventual management training, and some self-respect. I received none of it!
Warm Regards,
The Humble Fishe
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
HumFisheKu For December
Feathers against face
Burning cold, tho' 'wakening
Snow on Niseko
(Note: Niseko, in the SW part of Hokkaido, Japan, is famous for ski resorts and outdoor activities. A place I'd like to visit.)
Burning cold, tho' 'wakening
Snow on Niseko
(Note: Niseko, in the SW part of Hokkaido, Japan, is famous for ski resorts and outdoor activities. A place I'd like to visit.)
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Kitty N Me :-)
This is Me and my kitty, 'Motor.' I named her that because she has quite the engine under the fur.A special note goes out to my friend 'onetinsoldier': Thanks for all the help, man! :-)
Warm Regards,
The Humble Fishe
Monday, November 17, 2008
HumFisheKu for November, 2008
Although I Am Cold,
Winter's Early Kiss Behold',
Jenn Still Warms My Soul!
--Lovingly Dedicated To My Wife, Jennifer! :-)
--Jenn...The first three have been Wonderful! Let's make the Fourth and the ones to follow the Best There Is! I Love You, Wifey! --Fisheyfurbles!
Winter's Early Kiss Behold',
Jenn Still Warms My Soul!
--Lovingly Dedicated To My Wife, Jennifer! :-)
--Jenn...The first three have been Wonderful! Let's make the Fourth and the ones to follow the Best There Is! I Love You, Wifey! --Fisheyfurbles!
A Moral
Give unto others the freedom to be themselves at all times. Discount minor offenses and look to the bright side of having a cover on a cup with a lot of joy inside of it. The joy will usually be drawn up through a straw of direct intention after the whipped topping is scooped out by a spoon of alacrity that fits perfectly through the hole in the top of the lid!
Warm Regards,
--Firefishe
Warm Regards,
--Firefishe
Monday, October 20, 2008
HumFisheKu for October, 2008
Life, a warming trend,
Bundled up, waiting for cold,
Springtime rains wake me!
Bundled up, waiting for cold,
Springtime rains wake me!
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Hum Fishe Ku for Wednesday, June 18th, 2008
Mountains of newness,
Rise up, graciously giving,
Me all of my dreams.
--Firefishe
Rise up, graciously giving,
Me all of my dreams.
--Firefishe
Monday, June 16, 2008
Life Lessons From The Fishe 1 - Quelling A Lifetime of Overreacting
I grew up as a Small Town American, and very very proud of that fact. Most people I encountered--primarily friends of my Father and Mother--were willing to lend a hand when asked.
I was also willing to lend a hand, and did not even need to be asked, but often--as a child--offered to help out first, before anyone asked at all.
I have been away from the idyllic life of my youth for many years now, and have come to regret it! I have become an overreactive machine, running on autopilot, reacting strongly to the slightest misgiving and slights. Is it a wonder I don't have many friends?
The Firefishe isn't a bad guy, but neither is he a prime candidate for Mr. Congeniality, either. My life has been one of having to deal with other people in my formative years, largely adults, of course, but also having to put up with rude behavior and the subject of that rudeness from within my own peer group.
I know I didn't do the best I could, or I wouldn't be blogging this. I overreacted most of the time to the slightest prevarication, usually to my detriment, as those involved were usually stronger than me. I've never been a Charles Atlas. I'd learned to become passive, and then, as I became an adult, I learned to put up a defensive front not even an interplanetary invasion force could penetrate.
Such has been my experience, of my dealings with people on a day-to-day basis. I've been rather lackluster in the area of Human Friendship Building, and it has hurt me greatly.
So here I am now, at 42, and wanting to 'go back to the way it was.' It's not just a 'flash in the pan' desire, either. I feel that my past is calling for me to come back to an earlier time of Joy, Happiness, and Full Desire! Okay, so what does that mean? It means that, Today, I can choose to incorporate what my childhood-from-my-past wants me to experience in my Present Today.
Sounds new-agey, doesn't it? Well, yes, and it is! I have been new-agey for a very long time, and resonate with this view: That we all are capable of experiencing a 'new age' of Joy, Love, and Fulfillment in our lives. (Disclaimer: --> I desire this and want this, but I've found it very difficult to allow it and those feelings to bloom forth as flowers in my present-day life. Why? Keep reading!)
The 'why' part stems from the aforementioned defensive psychological shielding I put up in my formative years to 'protect' (we're never really in need of psychological protection, as we have strong minds; if we'd only choose to use them!) myself from what I perceived then as 'possibilities of 'imminent attack' from 'other people,' a label I would use repeatedly as a means of comparison.
Ergo, I, Myself, was never as good as 'other people,' and never would--or could--be.
I mistreated myself like this for many years, until the day I couldn't take any more of it, turned off my emotions successfully for about an hour and a half, and was forced to pull over to the curb and park, so heavy were the tears that poured forth after having been forcefully held in check, I could not drive anymore! I thought I could self-hate indefinitely and decided to withdraw my participation by forcing myself mentally to exclude all emotional channels and outside emotional influence--a/k/a 'involvement with people.'
The human body, it is said, has a variety of subtle energy bodies that interpenetrate this physical universe and the non-physical, spiritual, part of our existence. This would seem to be a correct assumption: Forceful mind-focus upon a part of one's being one considers a 'non essential' part of the body as a whole--namely the emotional body--and try to force it's exclusion. Well, it didn't work.
It doesn't work. It won't work. It can't work. We are emotional beings, and that emotion is what gives us our Drive, gives us our Passions! Passions uncontrolled may lead to addictions, but Passions properly channeled lead to Victory! Victory in Joy, Love, Happiness, and Fulfillment.
I bring this up today because of an incident that happened at a local place I and my wife frequent. The store in question is a book and music store that has--treasure of treasures--a cafe with Free Internet! My wife and I met Online, and we are always to be found doing something creative with our computers, especially at this particular venue.
I had purchased a large tub of microwave popcorn and had asked the clerk to microwave it for me. I also presented a coupon for a free drink I had been given two days before. The drink was prepared first, and I made the request that the clerk make it without a cover on it, so that I could get to the whipped cream easier. Well, the clerk responded in a manner which was quite unlike her normal responses, replying with something like 'I'm not going to prepare it that way, because it's messy and, besides, you won't be able to enjoy 'all the good stuff' properly, anyway.' (Whatever that means--the entire drink is crushed ice, flavoring, milk, and whipped cream--ergo, it's all 'good stuff!').
So I, somewhat disgruntled at being 'told off,' let her do her thing, and I got my drink. I don't know if this was a matter of 'instant-karma' coming to the fore, but I tried to take the lid off, and it was practically welded on to the rim of the plastic cup! This met with disaster, as I worked to pry off the lid, finally doing so and splashing about a third of the top-contents of the drink on my table, part of my laptop computer--fortunately not on anything vital--and the floor!
Now on to the popcorn tub. This store rents and sells movies and movie related items, such as tie-in products, action figures, and the like. They sell these big theater tubs of Act II brand Movie Theater Butter popcorn. This tub has a microwave-reflective bottom which has the unpopped kernels in it, with an expanding piece of plastic sandwich bag-like material over that to keep them captive during microwaving as they rise
Well, the end-result of this monster tub of RF-induced movie theater madness is that the plastic bag material tends to rip apart, spewing popcorn everywhere in the microwave oven, necessitating its regular cleanup. The clerks have gone to not following the directions on the popcorn, listening for the kernels to stop popping as it's written on the side of the tub and, instead, doing it their own way.
I should've let the matter go. I should've let the matter go. I should've let the matter go! But I didn't!!
Another clerk popped this popcorn for me two days prior to this, giving me the coupon for the free drink I used today--at my behest, as I suggested that I would have unpopped kernels in the bottom of the tub. Well, I didn't then and I didn't today. Both times the clerks prepared my popcorn and not a single unpopped kernel in sight when I reached the bottom, save for two or three, which are normal for this type of popcorn.
The Entire Point: I ended up ranting that I'd go inform the manager, which I did, ending up pouring all the popcorn out of the tub into a plastic bag, realizing the error of my ways when I found that there were no unpopped kernels, apologizing to the manager at that point as well as the clerk at a later point. I ended up feeling useless, foolish, and wanting for social decorum and feeling as though I had really messed up on another daily chance of personal friendship building!
I felt deeply sorry, and apologized to the clerk again, after an hour or so had passed. I asked the clerk for forgiveness. I'm not afraid to admit when I've been wrong so I asked her for her forgiveness. She gave it to me! Simple and direct forgiveness!! I decided to give my emotional self a break for a change and accept it without judgment.
The Moral
Give unto others the freedom to be themselves at all times. Discount minor offenses and look to the bright side of having a cover on a cup with a lot of joy inside of it. The joy will usually be drawn up through a straw after the whipped topping is scooped out by a spoon of alacrity that fits perfectly through the hole in the top of the lid!
Warm Regards,
--The Firefishe
I was also willing to lend a hand, and did not even need to be asked, but often--as a child--offered to help out first, before anyone asked at all.
I have been away from the idyllic life of my youth for many years now, and have come to regret it! I have become an overreactive machine, running on autopilot, reacting strongly to the slightest misgiving and slights. Is it a wonder I don't have many friends?
The Firefishe isn't a bad guy, but neither is he a prime candidate for Mr. Congeniality, either. My life has been one of having to deal with other people in my formative years, largely adults, of course, but also having to put up with rude behavior and the subject of that rudeness from within my own peer group.
I know I didn't do the best I could, or I wouldn't be blogging this. I overreacted most of the time to the slightest prevarication, usually to my detriment, as those involved were usually stronger than me. I've never been a Charles Atlas. I'd learned to become passive, and then, as I became an adult, I learned to put up a defensive front not even an interplanetary invasion force could penetrate.
Such has been my experience, of my dealings with people on a day-to-day basis. I've been rather lackluster in the area of Human Friendship Building, and it has hurt me greatly.
So here I am now, at 42, and wanting to 'go back to the way it was.' It's not just a 'flash in the pan' desire, either. I feel that my past is calling for me to come back to an earlier time of Joy, Happiness, and Full Desire! Okay, so what does that mean? It means that, Today, I can choose to incorporate what my childhood-from-my-past wants me to experience in my Present Today.
Sounds new-agey, doesn't it? Well, yes, and it is! I have been new-agey for a very long time, and resonate with this view: That we all are capable of experiencing a 'new age' of Joy, Love, and Fulfillment in our lives. (Disclaimer: --> I desire this and want this, but I've found it very difficult to allow it and those feelings to bloom forth as flowers in my present-day life. Why? Keep reading!)
The 'why' part stems from the aforementioned defensive psychological shielding I put up in my formative years to 'protect' (we're never really in need of psychological protection, as we have strong minds; if we'd only choose to use them!) myself from what I perceived then as 'possibilities of 'imminent attack' from 'other people,' a label I would use repeatedly as a means of comparison.
Ergo, I, Myself, was never as good as 'other people,' and never would--or could--be.
I mistreated myself like this for many years, until the day I couldn't take any more of it, turned off my emotions successfully for about an hour and a half, and was forced to pull over to the curb and park, so heavy were the tears that poured forth after having been forcefully held in check, I could not drive anymore! I thought I could self-hate indefinitely and decided to withdraw my participation by forcing myself mentally to exclude all emotional channels and outside emotional influence--a/k/a 'involvement with people.'
The human body, it is said, has a variety of subtle energy bodies that interpenetrate this physical universe and the non-physical, spiritual, part of our existence. This would seem to be a correct assumption: Forceful mind-focus upon a part of one's being one considers a 'non essential' part of the body as a whole--namely the emotional body--and try to force it's exclusion. Well, it didn't work.
It doesn't work. It won't work. It can't work. We are emotional beings, and that emotion is what gives us our Drive, gives us our Passions! Passions uncontrolled may lead to addictions, but Passions properly channeled lead to Victory! Victory in Joy, Love, Happiness, and Fulfillment.
I bring this up today because of an incident that happened at a local place I and my wife frequent. The store in question is a book and music store that has--treasure of treasures--a cafe with Free Internet! My wife and I met Online, and we are always to be found doing something creative with our computers, especially at this particular venue.
I had purchased a large tub of microwave popcorn and had asked the clerk to microwave it for me. I also presented a coupon for a free drink I had been given two days before. The drink was prepared first, and I made the request that the clerk make it without a cover on it, so that I could get to the whipped cream easier. Well, the clerk responded in a manner which was quite unlike her normal responses, replying with something like 'I'm not going to prepare it that way, because it's messy and, besides, you won't be able to enjoy 'all the good stuff' properly, anyway.' (Whatever that means--the entire drink is crushed ice, flavoring, milk, and whipped cream--ergo, it's all 'good stuff!').
So I, somewhat disgruntled at being 'told off,' let her do her thing, and I got my drink. I don't know if this was a matter of 'instant-karma' coming to the fore, but I tried to take the lid off, and it was practically welded on to the rim of the plastic cup! This met with disaster, as I worked to pry off the lid, finally doing so and splashing about a third of the top-contents of the drink on my table, part of my laptop computer--fortunately not on anything vital--and the floor!
Now on to the popcorn tub. This store rents and sells movies and movie related items, such as tie-in products, action figures, and the like. They sell these big theater tubs of Act II brand Movie Theater Butter popcorn. This tub has a microwave-reflective bottom which has the unpopped kernels in it, with an expanding piece of plastic sandwich bag-like material over that to keep them captive during microwaving as they rise
Well, the end-result of this monster tub of RF-induced movie theater madness is that the plastic bag material tends to rip apart, spewing popcorn everywhere in the microwave oven, necessitating its regular cleanup. The clerks have gone to not following the directions on the popcorn, listening for the kernels to stop popping as it's written on the side of the tub and, instead, doing it their own way.
I should've let the matter go. I should've let the matter go. I should've let the matter go! But I didn't!!
Another clerk popped this popcorn for me two days prior to this, giving me the coupon for the free drink I used today--at my behest, as I suggested that I would have unpopped kernels in the bottom of the tub. Well, I didn't then and I didn't today. Both times the clerks prepared my popcorn and not a single unpopped kernel in sight when I reached the bottom, save for two or three, which are normal for this type of popcorn.
The Entire Point: I ended up ranting that I'd go inform the manager, which I did, ending up pouring all the popcorn out of the tub into a plastic bag, realizing the error of my ways when I found that there were no unpopped kernels, apologizing to the manager at that point as well as the clerk at a later point. I ended up feeling useless, foolish, and wanting for social decorum and feeling as though I had really messed up on another daily chance of personal friendship building!
I felt deeply sorry, and apologized to the clerk again, after an hour or so had passed. I asked the clerk for forgiveness. I'm not afraid to admit when I've been wrong so I asked her for her forgiveness. She gave it to me! Simple and direct forgiveness!! I decided to give my emotional self a break for a change and accept it without judgment.
The Moral
Give unto others the freedom to be themselves at all times. Discount minor offenses and look to the bright side of having a cover on a cup with a lot of joy inside of it. The joy will usually be drawn up through a straw after the whipped topping is scooped out by a spoon of alacrity that fits perfectly through the hole in the top of the lid!
Warm Regards,
--The Firefishe
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Verizon Wireless, The BlackBerry 8830 World Edition Smartphone, & The GPS Safety Net
There is just so much I can stand when it comes to companies trying to make a buck! I especially eschew any attempt by a company to negate my personal safety when it comes to use of the Global Positioning System.
Let me be succinct: I bought a BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone through Verizon Wireless this past summer, complete with a two-year customer service contract, to boot!
I bought this email-oriented PDA phone to be a do-it-all solution for my phone, email, and GPS Location Based needs. There are many fine third-party programs available for BlackBerry, and they are increasing in number each year. Some of the more notable software includes the following:
What this means to me as a Blackberry Power User can not be overstated enough: It completely negates my overall safety net and performance goals for this phone on this network. All that Verizon Wireless has to do is enable GPS and negate their stand that they do this for 'security reasons'--an argument that has very little merit, considering the fact that the lack of GPS on this GPS-Native handset does just that!
To this end, I am considering filing a complaint of criminal negligence against Verizon Wireless if they don't re-enable my GPS Data Stream IN FULL so that other applications of my choice can access the GPS Data Stream from the GPS Chipset on my BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone.
Please understand this: I Like Verizon, overall! I do not have any beef with the coverage, or the high-speed EV-DO network. Fact is, I'm with Verizon because of that very same EV-DO network!
However, the negation of the GPS Data Stream from the on-board GPS Chipset Hardware negates my full-enjoyment of this phone for both Safety--as well as my favorite sport: Geocaching! (Click HERE for more information on Geocaching).
I've been thinking of writing an application for Geocaching enthusiasts who happen to own BlackBerry handsets. This software would also, as a GPS Enabled Application, allow BlackBerry owners with GPS Enabled Handsets, to use the application as a stand-alone GPS application; it would be complete with a traditional GPS Satellite Page (which has a world graphic with satellite positions with their signal strengths), a Compass Page (which has a Compass Graphic, shows To and From Information Fields, and the like. Geocaching Information, as well, would be available, including use for something called Pocket Queries. (See the GPS FAQ Link Above for information on Pocket Queries.)
I can not do this when the carrier negates the Native GPS Safety and Enhancement features of the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition, or when Qualcomm negates the ability of the same handset to use the GPS features when the phone is in overseas GSM Mode. Why would anyone in their right mind negate GPS Location Information for a client base that does international traveling?
GPS IS International! GPS Location Information IS Safety! GPS Mapping Software IS A Safety Solution for Overseas Travelers! Disabling native-GPS features on an so-called worldband phone in any mode is Just Plain Stupid, Idiotic, and Negligent!
I am going to go forward with this matter if I do not receive satisfaction! Please Stay Tuned!
=-Warm Regards from The Humble Fishe-=
Let me be succinct: I bought a BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone through Verizon Wireless this past summer, complete with a two-year customer service contract, to boot!
I bought this email-oriented PDA phone to be a do-it-all solution for my phone, email, and GPS Location Based needs. There are many fine third-party programs available for BlackBerry, and they are increasing in number each year. Some of the more notable software includes the following:
- BlackBerry Maps (A mapping and location lookup tool produced by Research In Motion, the company that makes the BlackBerry handsets. Enabled for phone calls from location searches.)
- Google Maps (Another mapping and location lookup solution used by a majority of BlackBerry owners nationwide. I use it constantly, and can make a phone call from the location listing when it appears.)
- MapQuest Navigator (While not specifically for the 8830 model (yet), I was able to install it, MapQuest Navigator being a Third Party J2ME Software Application, capable of being used on many J2ME Java Based Handsets. The software recognizes the GPS Chip Hardware on the 8830, but alas, can not access the GPS Data Stream, due to Verizon Wireless disabling this feature at the firmware (software-on-chip) level. This program has a GPS Satellite Screen Dialog, which shows that is "Acquiring Satellites." Due to Verizon Wireless negating the GPS Chip Hardware Dataflow, MapQuest Navigator's satellite screen only shows that the software is "Acquiring Satellites," but never does.
What this means to me as a Blackberry Power User can not be overstated enough: It completely negates my overall safety net and performance goals for this phone on this network. All that Verizon Wireless has to do is enable GPS and negate their stand that they do this for 'security reasons'--an argument that has very little merit, considering the fact that the lack of GPS on this GPS-Native handset does just that!
To this end, I am considering filing a complaint of criminal negligence against Verizon Wireless if they don't re-enable my GPS Data Stream IN FULL so that other applications of my choice can access the GPS Data Stream from the GPS Chipset on my BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone.
Please understand this: I Like Verizon, overall! I do not have any beef with the coverage, or the high-speed EV-DO network. Fact is, I'm with Verizon because of that very same EV-DO network!
However, the negation of the GPS Data Stream from the on-board GPS Chipset Hardware negates my full-enjoyment of this phone for both Safety--as well as my favorite sport: Geocaching! (Click HERE for more information on Geocaching).
I've been thinking of writing an application for Geocaching enthusiasts who happen to own BlackBerry handsets. This software would also, as a GPS Enabled Application, allow BlackBerry owners with GPS Enabled Handsets, to use the application as a stand-alone GPS application; it would be complete with a traditional GPS Satellite Page (which has a world graphic with satellite positions with their signal strengths), a Compass Page (which has a Compass Graphic, shows To and From Information Fields, and the like. Geocaching Information, as well, would be available, including use for something called Pocket Queries. (See the GPS FAQ Link Above for information on Pocket Queries.)
I can not do this when the carrier negates the Native GPS Safety and Enhancement features of the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition, or when Qualcomm negates the ability of the same handset to use the GPS features when the phone is in overseas GSM Mode. Why would anyone in their right mind negate GPS Location Information for a client base that does international traveling?
GPS IS International! GPS Location Information IS Safety! GPS Mapping Software IS A Safety Solution for Overseas Travelers! Disabling native-GPS features on an so-called worldband phone in any mode is Just Plain Stupid, Idiotic, and Negligent!
I am going to go forward with this matter if I do not receive satisfaction! Please Stay Tuned!
=-Warm Regards from The Humble Fishe-=
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Sunday, March 25, 2007
The Humble Fishe Goes Treasure Hunting
Wanting to try my hand at the Narrative, I present my fellow Geocachers with this small anecdote of a cache find, from start to finish.
--Firefishe and the Burr Oak Cache--
Part One
--
"A Chanceful Hike, Rotted Out Boots, and a Photographer"
I originally intended to just take a short walk for an hour or so in Grindstone Park, but decided to see if there were any caches nearby.
Having already logged one other cache in this park, I decided to do so; seeing as my cache finds only number 103, I figured this would be a fairly easy, though reasonably challenging regular style cache to find.
So, off I go, following the trail, going *across the bridge* and pausing just slightly after the silo on the right hand side where the trail makes a gradual right turn and goes off to where people and their dogs run.
That's when I decided to look at the gps. A bit on my trusty gps tool (and probably a shameless plug, as well ;0): My Garmin GPSmap 76CSx has been the best of everything to me in the handheld gps world. The SiRF Chipset receives signals my eTrex Vista Cx might otherwise not (although the Vista Cx is a bit more handy when it comes to 'stealth' activity), and really makes Garmin's '76' series of handhelds with the built-in compass--which works only when the handheld is held level--shine!
My old GPSmap 76S doesn't even come close, when the unit was held level, the signal reception suffered greatly, as the '76' series' antennas are all vertically polarized and work best when held nearly straight up and down! And I really needed the compass in this densely wooded area!
Getting back to where I was before: I stopped at the junction just past the silo, took a look at the gps, then looked at the trails around me.
The indicator was showing I needed to go left, instead of right as I had originally planned. Well, I figure the 'gps don't lie' (it usually doesn't, so long as I have the 'map' for the area in my head, first) so I started moving in the direction of my bearing line on the gps's displayed map--then currently set to the routable roads map set. I quickly switched to topo mode (I have a 1gb card in this thing with just about all of the Eastern United States in it!) so I'd have a few more notable land features, such as the local river and rivulets--including one labled "Intermittent Stream" (which I'll get to later).
Well, I followed the only available trail, keeping track of where I was walking in my head as well as what was happening on the gps screen. I walked through a narrow part of the trail where the woods came close to each side, then came to an open area--complete with a strangely curved, cast iron pipe coming out of the ground. I also came to a place where I figured I might have some difficulty, and so I did! The trail ended at the water's edge, or just a bit up on a sort of mini bluff where the trail ended, forming the bank up from the river.
I was at a loss, so I looked at the gps again. The bearing line to the cache was indicating somewhere off to the right, so I followed it...straight along another trail that I thought might lead to a decent river crossing. When I arrived at a point nearly opposite the cache (on the other side of the river, and up and over a rocky bluff), and indicating something like 435 feet or so, I looked around for a way to cross.
I went up the trail a bit, then back to where I had originally been standing, as I could find nothing that looked workable without swimming. Not having swimwear on helped in this decision making process ;o). Coming back, I looked down to an area that looked like it might be workable, then looked across the bank and noticed something I had not noticed when walking from the other direction: a person with a 35mm camera doing a close-up shot of a flower on the other bank!
Well, not wanting to disturb said person, I quietly meandered my way down a small wash, to the river's edge, then proceeded to take closer inventory of my choices. The overall condition of the crossover area in question might've been fairly workable to a person with hiking boots that did not have a hole where the upper had recently come apart from the outsole, and I didn't really care to get the inside of my Merrel's soaked, thus ruining an otherwise worthy cache attempt--as well as a pair of fairly costly hiking boots!
The person across the way was standing up from their flower photo session, and I was able to strike up a conversation. Apparently, they had crossed in this very same location, probably having come from the same parking lot where I was parked. Their hiking boots were apparently in better shape than mine, so, after inquiring as to whether there was a more workable crossing up or downstream, I was pollitely referred to a 'possible bridge,' then decided to persue my quarry from the other side of the main walkway bridge near the parking lot. I waved goodbye, wished the photographer well, and began the second leg of my journey.
Part Two
--
"A Different Trail, Working the GPS Electronic Compass, and an Intermittent Stream"
Having crossed the bridge back to the other side of the river, I began looking for a trail that would take me along the proper side of the river and then to the cache.
The Grindstone Park parking lot is really a small, self contained park area in and of itself. It has a nice paved section of trail that winds along a short distance to the bridge (the trail turns to dirt on the other side of the river), a covered picnic pavilion, and a large, plastic 'privy' for when-you-just-have-to-go *snicker* ;o). Apparently, there is also another trail head of sorts, as well.
This trail is another path that has been worn into the side of the bank on the park side of the river, and apprently sees heavy use. Seeing as I really had no other choice in the matter, I decided, wisely, to follow this trail's course. The trail took me up onto the bluff, and causes one to pass directly underneath a condo or apartment complex of some kind, although not really so near it due to the rocks and outgrowth from the side of the bluff face, itself. The trail is narrow, rocky, and it is not recommended that small children be allowed on it without a tremendous amount of adult supervision, if not outright hand holding and rope tying (to the parent, presumably, and not the family dog!)
Having passed this narrow piece of [i]Sod du Mort[/i] I was faced with a small stream, or rivulet, crossing. This was easily accomplished thanks to a relatively small opposite bank with a lot of hand holds, primarily consisting of young saplings and other plant matter. Having availed myself of 'Nature's Bannisters', I found that I was a bit in a pickle about where my course should be. Enter the electronic compass!
The Garmin GPSmap 76CSx has a very accurate electronic compass that, so long as it is calibrated prior to each trip (which is standard for this type of system regardless of manufacturer, at least to date that I am aware), is as highly functional as its manual counterparts. I usually keep the compass function turned off to conserve battery power, so I turned the function on by holding down the Page button for a few seconds until the 'Compass Turned On' display popped up on the bottom of the screen.
Then the fun began! :o) It's nice to not have to carry multiple instruments when desired. (Although it's wise to *always* carry more than one when you're out in rougher and more remote country, actually, it's a requirement and would in all probability save one's life in a jam!) Having the entire navigational system in one complete package makes more sense to me as the years progress.
Before I turned on the compass feature, the Bearing Pointer arrow was pointing this way and that, waiting for me to move the gps to get the compass indicator to move, which is my usual method. With the compass on, all I had to do was wait for the fluctuations to stop, then look in the general direction of where the Bearing Line on the map was indicating I should go.
A word about Bearing Lines vs Course Lines. Course lines are great when you need to know and keep tabs on the route from where you initially started, then use something called the Course Pointer to keep you properly in the center of the course line. This is fine for boats on open water, but I find it rather useless in heavy forest cover, such has Grindstone Park. To me, the Bearing Line, which moves with you as you move, is a bit more helpful, as it gives a visual reference to your destination--in this case Burr Oak Cache--directly from where you happen to be. So long as you make a Waypoint at where your car is parked, not using a Course Line isn't a liability, so as finding your original starting point is concerned.
So I let the compass point the way, then looked around for visual references. As I'm behind some trees, and can't really see anything toward the larger river which this stream runs in to, I decide to let the compass and gps have their way; I didn't regret this decision. I did end up having to go up a fairly steep and rocky ridge, then down a decent hill, but this didn't deter me. I had to move a bit more slowly than usual up the slope, and selected my footing--and my young tree hand holds ;o)--somewhat more carefully than usual, as the slope was wet and slippery from recent rains.
Compressing this up a bit, I made my way down hill to a well-marked trail, with a well-marked and worn (looked like it was burned!) trail sign indicating Burr Oak. The Burr Oak was defniitely there, huge and round and decently old, so far as trees go. I was a bit confuddled about location, and I didn't want to really poke around too heavily as the area was fairly open. However, there wasn't anyone around save for that photographer I met, and I didn't see anyone else at all. Still, it's nice to read about your cache, so I popped out my equally trusty Palm Tungsten T3 PDA and CacheMate, a PalmOS geocaching application.
The Description section was similar to the note on my Garmin's waypoint note, so far as the Author was concerned. The Hints section gave me what I needed to be quick and decent about logging the cache. I use the Hints often and regularly, especially in urban locations where stealth and brevity in 'presence before the cache' are necessities if you don't want to find it plundered later by uncouth geomuggles. I may keep off the Hints section on days in which I really desire to 'test my mettle,' but I'm in this sport/pasttime/addiction ;o) *snicker* for a reasonable treasure hunt, not as a difficulty and/or speed maven; in short, I just like to have fun, and not get too competitive with it, least of all with myself.
Well, I found it in the place indicated, and I have to say that, for an open area, the hiders did a bangup job of keeping the thing hidden. I didn't even see it at first until going past it, down to a small creek, than back up again. It was coming back that I found it.
Took: kcmose carabiner signature item
Left: Loose change from pocket
I went back trying out the TrakBack feature of the GPSmap 76CSx, but found it to be too cumbersome. Unless you're going to be going in relatively straight lines with well-defined turns at well-defined corners, I don't advocate the use of TrakBack or other similar features on other gps units when you walk ten feet, turn around, go back twenty feet, turn around again, then walk five feet, go right for 100 yards, then turn left for 50 feet...you get the picture!
After logging the cache and rehiding the container in a more or less similiar fashion in which I found it (just where did that camoflage piece of *forest material go, was it on top, or on the side? ;-?), I took another look at the gps map. I was still in topo mode, and I needed to plot my way back, as I had gotten needlessly turned around whilst cache logging. I took a look at where my CAR waypoint was, and panned my cursor arrow on the gps display toward that general location. During the act of panning, my arrow stopped momentarily over a small water course, and the words "Intermittent Stream" popped up.
This was right along my original breadcrumb trail I had been logging since starting out from the parking lot, and made a perfect proximity waypoint to indicate where I needed to turn to go back along the bluff.
I made it back to my car without incident, and relished in the logging of a way-overdue geocache, #104 for me! A long way to go to 1000, my next goal!
I hope everyone enjoyed this narrative.
Warmest regards from,
Firefishe
Caching In On The Journey
Note: Firefishe is my Geocaching Handle or Nickname. Look for me at www.geocaching.com. Let's Go Geocaching!
--Firefishe and the Burr Oak Cache--
Part One
--
"A Chanceful Hike, Rotted Out Boots, and a Photographer"
I originally intended to just take a short walk for an hour or so in Grindstone Park, but decided to see if there were any caches nearby.
Having already logged one other cache in this park, I decided to do so; seeing as my cache finds only number 103, I figured this would be a fairly easy, though reasonably challenging regular style cache to find.
So, off I go, following the trail, going *across the bridge* and pausing just slightly after the silo on the right hand side where the trail makes a gradual right turn and goes off to where people and their dogs run.
That's when I decided to look at the gps. A bit on my trusty gps tool (and probably a shameless plug, as well ;0): My Garmin GPSmap 76CSx has been the best of everything to me in the handheld gps world. The SiRF Chipset receives signals my eTrex Vista Cx might otherwise not (although the Vista Cx is a bit more handy when it comes to 'stealth' activity), and really makes Garmin's '76' series of handhelds with the built-in compass--which works only when the handheld is held level--shine!
My old GPSmap 76S doesn't even come close, when the unit was held level, the signal reception suffered greatly, as the '76' series' antennas are all vertically polarized and work best when held nearly straight up and down! And I really needed the compass in this densely wooded area!
Getting back to where I was before: I stopped at the junction just past the silo, took a look at the gps, then looked at the trails around me.
The indicator was showing I needed to go left, instead of right as I had originally planned. Well, I figure the 'gps don't lie' (it usually doesn't, so long as I have the 'map' for the area in my head, first) so I started moving in the direction of my bearing line on the gps's displayed map--then currently set to the routable roads map set. I quickly switched to topo mode (I have a 1gb card in this thing with just about all of the Eastern United States in it!) so I'd have a few more notable land features, such as the local river and rivulets--including one labled "Intermittent Stream" (which I'll get to later).
Well, I followed the only available trail, keeping track of where I was walking in my head as well as what was happening on the gps screen. I walked through a narrow part of the trail where the woods came close to each side, then came to an open area--complete with a strangely curved, cast iron pipe coming out of the ground. I also came to a place where I figured I might have some difficulty, and so I did! The trail ended at the water's edge, or just a bit up on a sort of mini bluff where the trail ended, forming the bank up from the river.
I was at a loss, so I looked at the gps again. The bearing line to the cache was indicating somewhere off to the right, so I followed it...straight along another trail that I thought might lead to a decent river crossing. When I arrived at a point nearly opposite the cache (on the other side of the river, and up and over a rocky bluff), and indicating something like 435 feet or so, I looked around for a way to cross.
I went up the trail a bit, then back to where I had originally been standing, as I could find nothing that looked workable without swimming. Not having swimwear on helped in this decision making process ;o). Coming back, I looked down to an area that looked like it might be workable, then looked across the bank and noticed something I had not noticed when walking from the other direction: a person with a 35mm camera doing a close-up shot of a flower on the other bank!
Well, not wanting to disturb said person, I quietly meandered my way down a small wash, to the river's edge, then proceeded to take closer inventory of my choices. The overall condition of the crossover area in question might've been fairly workable to a person with hiking boots that did not have a hole where the upper had recently come apart from the outsole, and I didn't really care to get the inside of my Merrel's soaked, thus ruining an otherwise worthy cache attempt--as well as a pair of fairly costly hiking boots!
The person across the way was standing up from their flower photo session, and I was able to strike up a conversation. Apparently, they had crossed in this very same location, probably having come from the same parking lot where I was parked. Their hiking boots were apparently in better shape than mine, so, after inquiring as to whether there was a more workable crossing up or downstream, I was pollitely referred to a 'possible bridge,' then decided to persue my quarry from the other side of the main walkway bridge near the parking lot. I waved goodbye, wished the photographer well, and began the second leg of my journey.
Part Two
--
"A Different Trail, Working the GPS Electronic Compass, and an Intermittent Stream"
Having crossed the bridge back to the other side of the river, I began looking for a trail that would take me along the proper side of the river and then to the cache.
The Grindstone Park parking lot is really a small, self contained park area in and of itself. It has a nice paved section of trail that winds along a short distance to the bridge (the trail turns to dirt on the other side of the river), a covered picnic pavilion, and a large, plastic 'privy' for when-you-just-have-to-go *snicker* ;o). Apparently, there is also another trail head of sorts, as well.
This trail is another path that has been worn into the side of the bank on the park side of the river, and apprently sees heavy use. Seeing as I really had no other choice in the matter, I decided, wisely, to follow this trail's course. The trail took me up onto the bluff, and causes one to pass directly underneath a condo or apartment complex of some kind, although not really so near it due to the rocks and outgrowth from the side of the bluff face, itself. The trail is narrow, rocky, and it is not recommended that small children be allowed on it without a tremendous amount of adult supervision, if not outright hand holding and rope tying (to the parent, presumably, and not the family dog!)
Having passed this narrow piece of [i]Sod du Mort[/i] I was faced with a small stream, or rivulet, crossing. This was easily accomplished thanks to a relatively small opposite bank with a lot of hand holds, primarily consisting of young saplings and other plant matter. Having availed myself of 'Nature's Bannisters', I found that I was a bit in a pickle about where my course should be. Enter the electronic compass!
The Garmin GPSmap 76CSx has a very accurate electronic compass that, so long as it is calibrated prior to each trip (which is standard for this type of system regardless of manufacturer, at least to date that I am aware), is as highly functional as its manual counterparts. I usually keep the compass function turned off to conserve battery power, so I turned the function on by holding down the Page button for a few seconds until the 'Compass Turned On' display popped up on the bottom of the screen.
Then the fun began! :o) It's nice to not have to carry multiple instruments when desired. (Although it's wise to *always* carry more than one when you're out in rougher and more remote country, actually, it's a requirement and would in all probability save one's life in a jam!) Having the entire navigational system in one complete package makes more sense to me as the years progress.
Before I turned on the compass feature, the Bearing Pointer arrow was pointing this way and that, waiting for me to move the gps to get the compass indicator to move, which is my usual method. With the compass on, all I had to do was wait for the fluctuations to stop, then look in the general direction of where the Bearing Line on the map was indicating I should go.
A word about Bearing Lines vs Course Lines. Course lines are great when you need to know and keep tabs on the route from where you initially started, then use something called the Course Pointer to keep you properly in the center of the course line. This is fine for boats on open water, but I find it rather useless in heavy forest cover, such has Grindstone Park. To me, the Bearing Line, which moves with you as you move, is a bit more helpful, as it gives a visual reference to your destination--in this case Burr Oak Cache--directly from where you happen to be. So long as you make a Waypoint at where your car is parked, not using a Course Line isn't a liability, so as finding your original starting point is concerned.
So I let the compass point the way, then looked around for visual references. As I'm behind some trees, and can't really see anything toward the larger river which this stream runs in to, I decide to let the compass and gps have their way; I didn't regret this decision. I did end up having to go up a fairly steep and rocky ridge, then down a decent hill, but this didn't deter me. I had to move a bit more slowly than usual up the slope, and selected my footing--and my young tree hand holds ;o)--somewhat more carefully than usual, as the slope was wet and slippery from recent rains.
Compressing this up a bit, I made my way down hill to a well-marked trail, with a well-marked and worn (looked like it was burned!) trail sign indicating Burr Oak. The Burr Oak was defniitely there, huge and round and decently old, so far as trees go. I was a bit confuddled about location, and I didn't want to really poke around too heavily as the area was fairly open. However, there wasn't anyone around save for that photographer I met, and I didn't see anyone else at all. Still, it's nice to read about your cache, so I popped out my equally trusty Palm Tungsten T3 PDA and CacheMate, a PalmOS geocaching application.
The Description section was similar to the note on my Garmin's waypoint note, so far as the Author was concerned. The Hints section gave me what I needed to be quick and decent about logging the cache. I use the Hints often and regularly, especially in urban locations where stealth and brevity in 'presence before the cache' are necessities if you don't want to find it plundered later by uncouth geomuggles. I may keep off the Hints section on days in which I really desire to 'test my mettle,' but I'm in this sport/pasttime/addiction ;o) *snicker* for a reasonable treasure hunt, not as a difficulty and/or speed maven; in short, I just like to have fun, and not get too competitive with it, least of all with myself.
Well, I found it in the place indicated, and I have to say that, for an open area, the hiders did a bangup job of keeping the thing hidden. I didn't even see it at first until going past it, down to a small creek, than back up again. It was coming back that I found it.
Took: kcmose carabiner signature item
Left: Loose change from pocket
I went back trying out the TrakBack feature of the GPSmap 76CSx, but found it to be too cumbersome. Unless you're going to be going in relatively straight lines with well-defined turns at well-defined corners, I don't advocate the use of TrakBack or other similar features on other gps units when you walk ten feet, turn around, go back twenty feet, turn around again, then walk five feet, go right for 100 yards, then turn left for 50 feet...you get the picture!
After logging the cache and rehiding the container in a more or less similiar fashion in which I found it (just where did that camoflage piece of *forest material go, was it on top, or on the side? ;-?), I took another look at the gps map. I was still in topo mode, and I needed to plot my way back, as I had gotten needlessly turned around whilst cache logging. I took a look at where my CAR waypoint was, and panned my cursor arrow on the gps display toward that general location. During the act of panning, my arrow stopped momentarily over a small water course, and the words "Intermittent Stream" popped up.
This was right along my original breadcrumb trail I had been logging since starting out from the parking lot, and made a perfect proximity waypoint to indicate where I needed to turn to go back along the bluff.
I made it back to my car without incident, and relished in the logging of a way-overdue geocache, #104 for me! A long way to go to 1000, my next goal!
I hope everyone enjoyed this narrative.
Warmest regards from,
Firefishe
Caching In On The Journey
Note: Firefishe is my Geocaching Handle or Nickname. Look for me at www.geocaching.com. Let's Go Geocaching!
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