1-800-SCREWUP

I don't often get mad enough at total strangers to yell at them. I've been doing lots of yelling today.

You see, tomorrow is my sister's birthday. She lives in another state. So, on Wednesday morning I decided to send her flowers. I figured four days lead time ought to be enough. Right? Wrong. Now, it's not my fault her birthday falls on a holiday this year. But, it does. Apparently, that's a problem.

Yesterday afternoon, I got a message from 1-800 Flowers about my order "for delivery today or tomorrow" (first screwup...delivery was requested for Saturday, not Friday OR Saturday). Seems the florist is just soooo swamped. Can they deliver on Saturday? Since I didn't get this message until late in the day...and since I actually wanted it delivered on Saturday in the first place, I didn't see much point in returning the call at that stage of the game.

So, this morning, 1-800-Flowers starts calling again. Seems my sister's phone has been disconnected, and they're soooo worried that if they go over to her house and she's not there they'll be faced with a dilemma of what to do with the flowers. They might have to leave them. Or my sister might have to go pick them up.

"Just deliver the flowers. It's OK." They started arguing with me about how the florist really needs to know. Don't I have another number? I did. Turns out, that one doesn't work, either. (My sister and I communicate primarily by instant message and email.) By the third call, things were really getting ugly. I'm advised that if we can't get this resolved right now, they probably won't be able to deliver the flowers today at all.

RESOLVED? RESOLVED? Just deliver the flowers!

"But, ma'am...."

"Look...the woman is an invalid. She IS at home. She is NOT out shopping. I'm sorry if her phone's been disconnected, but that's just the way it is. I've done my part. I ordered and paid for these flowers DAYS ago. Just tell them to deliver the flowers!"

"Would you like to talk to someone else about this matter?

"WHAT? No, I do NOT want to talk to someone else. I want the flowers delivered. Today. Period. No further discussion needed." Yes, I'm yelling at this point. Loudly. But, at least I didn't swear!

It remains to be seen if my sister will get her birthday flowers.

Just be warned. 1-800 Flowers MAY be OK...but they're only as good as their weakest link. And, apparently this particular florist in Tennessee doesn't want to take the time to live up to their end of the bargain.

PISSED!? You bet! Unfortunately, I have a nagging feeling this isn't over.

SIGH....