Senior Sunday

It's been awhile since I did a "Senior Sunday" post. But I've got a good story--actually two!

The first one starts with my new phone. The deal was that if you turn in your old phone, then you get the new one for half price. I did it. When my new phone arrived, I successfully got everything transferred from my old phone all by myself. This senior was pretty proud of that. 

Old phone.

New phone. I just wanted to show my new glitzy phone case. I like sparkly things!! Found this on Etsy.

Anyway, back to the story. I packaged up my old phone in the box provided. The next day, I put it in the mailbox, but the mailman didn't take it. The day after, I took it and dropped it at the post office. It wasn't until the next day, that I realized I was supposed to have taken it to a UPS drop off! That's why the postman didn't take it! OMGosh! Now what do I do??

Okay, I'm making this part short. I spent about an hour--looking online, chatting with the TMobile and then Sprint, to find out what to do. I went to the post office first thing on Monday morning. The postal clerk---they are always so rude at our post office--- said, "It's gone." I asked what that meant. She said it went to central distribution. I asked what I could do to get it back. She said, "you can't." I'm starting to freak out a little since now I'm seeing dollar signs. I ask again, "What do you mean I can't get it back." She said that it would reach it's destination---eventually! Whatever that means!

It was stupid. I just didn't think. Now I guess I'll have to wait until I see the bill to find out if it ever arrived. Sheesh!

2. Now story #2 is even worse! I'm not going in to all the details, but I've needed a new Fitbit for quite awhile now. Not only was my old one inaccurate, it was acting up and wouldn't sync anymore. I NEED my Fitbit. It's my motivator. It encourages me to move more and park really far away--for those extra steps! 

I was complaining about it constantly. I didn't want to buy a new one because they do not make the style I like anymore. I guess Butch was sick of hearing about it because he told me to pick out any one I wanted---as a Mother's Day gift. Soooo, I did! I went for the cheapest one they had---$45.00. All I need is something to count the steps, but they don't make them like that anymore. (Let me insert here, that I could get by with a simple pedometer, but I like the technology and that it syncs with my phone and computer). 

So, I just went for the cheapest one.  I paid $7.00 to get 2 day shipping. I wanted to make sure that I would have it by the time I left for the beach to meet up with my sisters. It arrived. I was excited:

I was trying to get in the box when I noticed that the Fitbit was not included! What??? I had bought a band!! OMGosh!! And because it was a clearance item, it was not returnable. Now I was left with no choice but to buy the exact Fitbit that would fit the band. I didn't want to do it online since time was running out. I found out that they sell them at Target. Now that's a problem for sure. We have a Target very close to our house. But, Target is my kryptonite! More on that for "What I Buy Wednesday!" 

I got it.

I got it all set up and wore it to bed. This thing can do just about everything except cook! so I figured I might as well take advantage of all the features. I wore it to bed to learn about the quality of my sleep. When I woke up, I knew I wasn't going to like wearing it on my wrist ALL the time. I prefer the clip on style--which they don't make anymore. 

I went back to the internet to see if I could just carry this thing in my pocket rather than wear it. That's when I found out that you can get a clip for it! OMGosh! Of course I ordered it!

By the time all this was said and done, I could just about have bought an Apple Watch!!!

But, now, I have to admit. I do love this new Fitbit! I'll have to do an entire post about it sometime. It's just amazing! I'm still learning all the features. 

In the meantime, I'm having more and more senior moments. Butch said he's going to start checking my internet purchase. That might not be a bad idea!

Senior Sunday

I'm starting a new meme. Won't you join me? Share your stories and I'll post them here!

Let me begin. Last week, I was opening a new container of Tide pods.

I COULD NOT open the lid! Could not!!! First of all, there was a really heavy duty tape that was nearly impossible to pull off. I couldn't pull it off, so I just sliced it. Next, there were these two white "buttons" on either side of the wide part. You were supposed to press in the buttons and twist at the same time to open the lid. ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME! First of all, my little hands could barely reach the buttons, much less press them in and turn at the same time. I tried using both hands to push in the buttons. Of course, that left me with no leverage to turn the thing. Now I needed to find another person to hold the container while I pressed and turned. Oooops, no one was home!!! I said "FTS" to myself---or maybe out loud!!!

I banged it, I threw it, I stomped on it. I could not get that sucker open!! I finally took my heavy duty Cutco scissors that can cut through pennies! Funny, when the guy gave me that demonstration 25 years ago, I laughed to myself. "Yeah, right. I need to cut through pennies!" Little did I know this was preparing me for Tide containers to come!

The scissors did the trick---but not before massacring the lid of the container!

That's okay, I don't need the lid anyway. I just wish I'd thought to take a picture of it before Margarita was here and emptied the trash!!

Anyway, immediately after this frustration, I decided that I wasn't going to take it anymore. I went straight to the Tide website and lodged a complaint. Here's my email to them:

First off I want to say that I have used Tide for 50 years. Today, I discovered that I am unable to open the tide pods container. I get that you are trying to childproof your products, but you have also "senior" proofed your products. Being older and with small hands, there is no way to be able to reach both buttons, press and turn at the same time. I basically had to destroy the container to get in it. I'm just letting you know how unhappy I am with this situation.

The next day, I got this response:
 

Hi Barbara,

Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out and especially for your long time love and dedication to Tide. It is such a pleasure to know that we have a loyal fan like you on our side - that's for sure!

I am sincerely sorry to hear about the difficulties in opening our Tide Pods. This isn't anything we'd expect or want for you to have happen. I am, however, glad that you took the time to let us know. Now, I can help you and get a report to my Quality team.

Please know that our consumer feedback is the best kind of feedback that we can get, Barbara! With that being said, I've made sure to save and forward your comments to my Packaging and Design Team for further review and consideration.

In the meantime, I'd like to make it up to you anyway that I can. With that being said, I have a $10 prepaid Tide card coming to you. This will arrive in 7-10 business days and if there's anything more that I can do, please let me know - I'm always happy to help! Some folks find the bags easier to open. 

Best Regards,

Lisa 
Tide Team

Now that was a surprise. I didn't do it to get something. But, I'm glad I did. I emailed Lisa back:

Yes, I’ll go back to the ziplock bags. I got the tub for the economical value.

Sending this email forced me to recognize that I am a senior! I am very active and don’t consider myself weak or decrepit. But, opening containers is such a problem for me that I decided that from now on, I would let companies know. This was the first email I’ve sent. I keep saying that ALL companies need to have me test their products!! 

Thanks for your consideration.

I love my Tide!

Barbara

Hmmm. If I'm going to get free stuff, I'm definitely going to let companies know when I have a problem---like the bottled water company whose caps are so small you can barely get a grip to open it. Or, the salad dressing bottles with the pull off tabs that are so stuck that I have to stab it with a knife first and then peel it off. Or the medicine bottles that require you to get the box open, hold the cap down and turn, stab another tight foil seal and remove the cotton before you ever get to the medicine. Or the peanut butter jars that I have to stab too. So many things. ALL the things. So much stabbing. I'm becoming quite adept at that Pyscho motion! Let's just hope this packaging doesn't make me pyscho!

Oh, and then there's the Enclave that I always had a problem seeing out of for all the blind spots. Darn, I guess I'm a little too late for that one. If I contact them now---7 years later, do you think I'll score a new car? Might be worth a try!