Just Jyll

Things are progressing quite nicely. We should be able to have our rough in mechanical inspection in a couple of weeks.

John is probably 95+% finished with the supply plumbing. It’s pretty wild looking since he’s using red and blue PEX tubing. It’s snaking through the joist bays like something from Alien!

The alarm system wiring is nearly done – with the exception of the glass break detectors. We still have a couple more security camera wires to pull.

Second floor electrical is done. First floor should be completed by August 2 and the basement and final hookup to the panel by August 9.

HVAC is about 90% done. It looks like all the duct work is complete on the second floor, and that includes the main trunk lines. We are installing a very energy efficient geothermal system with 3 zones.

The screened in back porch now has a beautiful stamped concrete floor. It reminds me the Black Hills of South Dakota – very granite-like in appearance.

Check out more details for yourself!

Just got a call from Accounting (Katy) at Sprint. CSR Lady said my phone bill was unusually high. I said, “Couldn’t be… I’m on a simply everything plan… same cost each month.” CSR Lady said, “oh, here’s the reason… we’re charging you for a replacement phone you never sent back.” I went through the whole chain of events with her. She said she wanted to talk with one of her supervisors and would call me back.

To say that I was livid would be an understatement. You see, I went through this exact same scenario with Sprint on June 12, 2009. I’ll list the chain of events in the hopes one may learn how to deal with Sprint… if you do, please let me know.

• Week of May 26, 2009 – I can’t remember the exact date. Called @sprintcare because my Treo 800 refused to hold a charge – even after inserting a new battery. This was the 3rd time the Treo 800 had major issues since I first got it on August 16, 2008. The CSR said there would be a label in the replacement phone package to send back the 800, but she suggested I use UPS to get a tracked signature.
• June 1, 2009 – received a replacement phone (Treo Pro) for my Treo 800.
• June 2, 2009 – returned the Treo 800 to Sprint via UPS (1Z963F4T0398187243).
• June 3, 2009 – the Treo 800 was delivered to Sprint at 9:30 AM and signed for by “Sprint 1860.”
• June 12, 2009 – I receive a voicemail from @sprintcare claiming they didn’t receive the phone and that I was going to be charged. I called back and the CSR said (and I kid you not): “Just because someone signed for it doesn’t mean we have it. You’re gonna get charged for it if  you don’t return it.”
• June 12, 2009 8:54PM – I opened a ticket (Care #20090612150602) with Sprint advising that I have proof of delivery.
• June 12, 2009 10:11PM – Sprint requested I email them the tracking information and proof of delivery. Sent PDF copies from the UPS web page.
• June 13, 2009 8:11AM – Oliver replied with the confirmation that the warehouse did receive the phone and he would, out of courtesy, credit me for the UPS shipment – $6.97.
• June 21, 2009 – received my bill – a June 13, 2009 “goodwill” credit in the amount of $6.97 was posted to my account.
• July 20, 2009 – downloaded my bill from Sprint after talking to Katy the Accounting CSR. Sure enough, there is a $200 charge for not returning equipment.

At 5:31PM this evening D. B. called from Sprint’s Oklahoma City office. He explained the reason I was charged was because I didn’t use their US Postal Service label. Ok, so now I’m scratching my head. I asked him to look at my file for an entry on June 12-13 where we went through this drama the first time. He said he saw that, but said Sprint’s computer didn’t know the Treo 800 phone was returned because I didn’t use their label. I asked him to go back to the original record for this incident. He did and said, “I see where it’s listed you are going to use UPS.”

He did issue an immediate $200 credit. While I was on hold with him, Victoria (Katy’s supervisor) called and left a message. Then, Katy called back.

I appreciate that they fixed the problem for the second month in a row. However, I am extremely frustrated that I had to go through this… again.

In Q1/2009, Sprint lost 1.25 Million long term customers (on contract). (Q4/2008 saw a loss of 1.3 Million customers for Sprint.) They were able to offset this by adding prepaid customers using their Boost Mobile service. But, as anyone in mobile telephony will  tell you, the long term contract customer base is what you want to sustain your business.

Business practices have to improve for Sprint or all they may have left are their no-contract prepaid customers.

Dear Elizabeth,

Welcome to the world, little one! You gave us all a scare, but arrived safely! I’m still “shocked” that I am a great aunt!

Here are some of the highlights from your birth date, yesterday.

• The 30-year fixed mortgage is around 5.4%
• Shuttle Endeavor launched and headed towards the International Space Station
• The DOW closed at 8616.29
• Sonia Sotomayor is in Senate Confirmation hearings – she may be the first Hispanic female appointed to the Supreme Court

I can’t wait to start spoiling you!

Love, Aunt Jyll

Animals, especially dogs, have a way to work themselves into the fabric of our lives. Mickey was no exception.

My brother rescued Mickey in 1999 when he was about 2 years old. He was horribly abused as a pup. It didn’t take him long to adopt my brother or to claim the rest of us as family.

Over the past ten years he filled our hearts with joy and often brought tears of laughter! “Mo Mo” – as our mother called him – “mind of my own” – definately owned us!

This past year, we treated Mickey for arthritis. The abuse he received as a pup had taken a toll on the old guy. Today was a bad day for Mickey. He had multiple seizures and was rushed to the veterinarian. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it.

Rest in peace my little buddy.

Mickey 1997 - 2009

Silly me, I decided to pick up the phone a couple of weeks ago when the caller ID clearly listed Arbitron (410-312-8222). They asked if I’d do a radio log for a week, I agreed. They went over the process with – not complicated.

The books arrived (Friday, June 12) and the instructions were very clear – the survey period started Thursday, June 18. Arbitron called on Monday (June 15) and asked if I’d received everything and did I have any questions. I told the gentleman we understood everything and he reminded me that the survey started on June 18.

Arbitron called on Wednesday, June 17, and asked if we understood what we had to do. I said we understand clearly. He reminded me that the survey stared tomorrow.

Arbitron called today – Sunday (June 21) and asked if we understood how to use the books. I nicely told the lady that I did not appreciate being called a third time to inquire if I knew how to write down the call letters of the radio station I was listening to at a particular time.  I said, “I can read and follow directions. This isn’t a difficult process.” She continued to read from her script, “We understand that this process is very confusing and we want to make sure you are doing it correctly.”

On my third attempt at trying to interject, I finally said “we will complete the books, but please take us off your list as we do not want to do this again.” She hung up.

Wow.