Random Thoughts IV

That's not Kim Basinger! That's Kissinger!

Why is it that everyone thinks the Simpsons is cool? I mean, it's like... people who are less cool than others stray from the Simpsons because it's the popular thing to do... It's not like, "Everyone likes Friends, so I'll *NOT* like friends." Or like Abercrombie and Fitch or something. No, everyone, from the local jock to the local nerd to the local cheerleader... they all like the Simpsons! (Exception: I think it's safe to say the local vegan probably doesn't... I know her, and she's very much into being the antithesis of society in all ways, including locking herself in her room listening to Ani and chanting at 8 PM on Sundays.)

Because it appeals to pretty much everyone.

It has low-brow humor... but it also has very subtle intelligent humor.

Pretty much anyone can watch it and appreciate it.

I used to love the Simpsons, until I started watching Futurama. I think it is funnier and so much more appealing visually as well. And I'm not just saying that so I can be all "I'm too cool to watch the Simpsons because everybody does." When I first realized what was happening, that I found the Simpsons less entertaining, I was kind of shocked.

I like futurama... definitely... but... it's a little more simplistic, humor-wise.

I never caught enough of Futurama. Although, going with the Sunday night cartoon kick, I enjoy King of the Hill, but many people don't. I dunno... it just seems like a cartoon sitcom to me. Nothing unreal really happens there (like it does in the Simpsons... see: Treehouse of Horror), but I feel that there's just enough unreality in King of the Hill (i.e. Boomhauer's accent) that wouldn't feel RIGHT if it were a live action show.

Opinions?

I love king of the hill.
Actually, I think that in the last few years it's been more consistantly funny that Simpsons.
Simpsons is a better over-all show, but it's become a bit more hit and miss, while I think King of the Hill is getting better.

Now if only they'd show the entire episode instead of just the last ten minutes.

Do we need to switch to another football game after the scheduled one is done? No!
Do we need to switch to a third after that one, despite it being after 7:30 already? No!
Do we need a 20min "post-game" show after all of that? No!

And after all of that, can we at least show the entire show rather than being "already in progress?"

(of course, if it were up to me, I'd require all sports to be sent to cable after their scheduled time-slot was over. Actually, in my world there would be poetry readings that go into overtime (with time-outs when the poet takes a sip of water) and overlap half of the football games. *sigh* Somehow I don't think that'd fly ;-)

I've never liked KotH.... and still don't.

But.. I tolerate it if it's between two shows I want to watch.

Oh wow. I just came up with a similar plan when asked the question, "What would make you attend more of Miami's home basketball games?" My response was completely refashioning the game into a festival of the arts.

Hmm.. I was never really able to get into Futurama. Too hokey for me. The Simpsons dealt more with things people can relate to.

I hated it at first. But then I saw some reruns over the summer and now I'm addicted. Part of the appeal for me is that it just looks so nice, and I'm not ususally swayed by things like that.� And I like the humor, it's one of the few things I will literally laugh out loud at.

The Simpsons has been my favorite show for�years, and I agree with most of what's been said about it.� I don't think it's quite as good as it used to be, but it's been picking up some as of late.� I'm a big Futurama fan, too, and I'm not sure I'd say all the humor is simplistic.� I can see it not having as much appeal as The Simpsons; you might have to be somewhat of a science fiction/fantasy fan to enjoy it.� That's not to say that it wouldn't be funny otherwise, just that someone who totally hates that kind of stuff might have a hard time getting past the robots and spaceships to see that there's a lot more to it than that.

I was so excited to get the "Special Garlic Dipping Sauce" for my cheese sticks.� But it seems that this special garlic dipping sauce is just garlic butter.� Meh.

bang bang bang. Okay.. Maybe not that much.

Hehehe. Gr��p X is great.

The bus system in Kitchener sucks.� I hate Kitchener.

My mail man looks like what i would imagine Murray will look like in 10 years.

Yes, please.

heh, I'm trying to think of a non-creepy way of asking him if I can take his picture.

My mailman wears jeans and a tee-shirt instead of a uniform. Should I be concerned? Should I look for the body of my real mailman in the back of his little mail truck?

Back home, in a community of no more than a few thousand, we only have one mailman for the town... so he just drives around, in "civilian" clothes, in his Dodge Dakota and a "US Mail" bumpersticker on his tailgate. :-P Not at all unusual in that environment to be un-uniformed. (clothed, of course, just not uniformed. :-P)

-- Pauley

Black and White M & M's make me happy.

I swear the blue ones taste funny.

I used to (we're talking about age 4 or 5 here) think that M&M's were flavored according to color. I think a babysitter might have told me this. I thought that the brown and black ones were coffee-flavored, so I would try not to eat them--and when I did, they tasted funny to me.
What a relief it was to realize that they aren't flavored--just chocolate. Yum.

I dyed my hair red!� Finally!� It's dark red so it doesn't look like my pic but it's still awesome.� :D

the only thing more irritating than idiots is idiots who are well-meaning and sweet, but idiotic as all hell anyways. in other words... i need to get out of this stupid small town.

That reminds me of a quote I heard a long time ago: "When I was sixteen my Dad was the stupidest person on earth. It was amazing how much he learned by the time I was twenty"

Like father, like son?

That is really depressing.

On a brighter note, I hated my father when I was a teenager, I merely despised him in my twenties, and now I feel sorry for him.

I just heard this.

It's been long in the making, but the film adaptation of the classic Douglas Adams novel THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, has started to move along.

Bill Nighy (LOVE ACTUALLY) and Martin Freeman (Tim from THE OFFICE) have signed up for the top two roles in the movie. Nighy is set to play Slartibartfast, an alien planet designer, and Freeman will take on Arthur Dent, the everyday Earthling thrust into an interplanetary adventure.

No director has been confirmed yet but Warwick Davis (LEPRECHAUN and HARRY POTTER films) has said he will join the cast soon.

It has also been reported that production of some part of the film will take place in Iceland, at the same place BATMAN: INTIMIDATION GAME will use. Labrador Pictures will help out on the production.

whee!

erm...i'm not sure i'd classify slartibartfast as "one of the top two roles." still, very cool.

That was my thought. Of course Adams redid the story in every version, maybe in the film he is one of the top two roles. I sort of doubt it though. I'm not actually sure how much of hte script he wrote. I know the film was moving forward before he died.

ooh, that would be wierd if slartibartfast is the main character and ford is just a bit part? :D (would suck, but be wierd).

Well, the top-billed roles aren't always the same as the biggest parts.

looks like they have Marvin cast too:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371724/

I'm not sure how accurate that is, or the other source for that matter. Notice they disagree about who is directing. At this point I think things are still in flux.

How about me as Slartibarfast?

I'm making the Gordon for Slartibartfast buttons right now!

You didn't even mention my favourite Warwick Davis film - Willow!

"I'm short - even for a Nelwin"

Several Fruheads are saying that people need to be killed. How about a signup sheet? Who needs to be killed?

mmm, OK that really isn't nice. Lets change that to who needs to be transported to a tropical paradise far away from you so that you'll never have to see them again?

Yes that's it, a kinder and gentler hit list.

I'll put a coworker on the list. TMI Gabber I shall call her.

How about customers who think that they're entitled to return their merchandise without giving up any information about themselves and yell at me when I ask for their name?

Oh wait... this isn't customers_suck...

uh, why shouldn't they be able to return merchandise with just a receipt? are they allowed to at least politlely refuse to give any personal information?

I would hope so.

I sure as hell don't give MY personal info to stores.

Yikes.

Um, no lawrence. You are not entitled to a refund, period. It is a service we provide to our customers and we have a very very liberal return policy. For auditing purposes, we need to have *some* information, either a name or an address, from the person doing the return, because we are giving them money, often straight out of the company's pocket because we allow merchandise to be returned after any length of time, with or without the original packaging, with or without a reciept, and in just about any condition. A lot of the returns we can't put back on the shelves, we have to smash them up and throw them away. In return for our liberality, we ask for a phone number or address so we have some record of where this money has gone. If a person doesn't want to give up their phone number for a return, I have to tell them that for auditing purposes we need to have either a phone number or an address. They tell me that they never give out such information. I tell them that it is company policy to take information from customers when they return merchandise. They say "Well, my policy is not to give out that information!" Problem with that is that we are doing them a favor, not the other way around. 'Specially since this lady is returning all the christmas wrapping she bought before the holiday which is now 50% off and I am price-overriding each individual item to make sure she doesn't get cheated which is a pretty painstaking process and she's yelling at me that she doesn't want to be accountable for the money she's getting out of my register, and all this on our busiest and most hectic day of the week during our busiest month of business. And when my supervisor comes over and tells me I'm doing a good job, she yells at me that "that was obnoxious!" because she's unhappy with me for telling her that I'm sorry, but I do need her to give her name.

Um, no lawrence. You are not entitled to a refund, period.

thank you for carefully reading what I wrote and then ranting against a point I didn't make.

we allow merchandise to be returned after any length of time, with or without the original packaging, with or without a reciept, and in just about any condition.

well, perhaps that's a problem with the policy - couldn't someone then buy something anywhere, at any time, decide they don't want it after using it for two years, and then attempt to "return" it? that seems like a bit of a broad policy to me. most stores I know don't accept returns of items that can't be easily reshelved, or they charge a restocking fee, like the Apple store.

but this is the first I've heard of any of them demanding personal information - and anyone who refuses to give it out is right to, unless you specifically state that it won't be used for marketing purposes. that's the reason I wouldn't want to give out my name, address, or phone number. I get enough unwanted mail and phone calls as it is.

uh, why shouldn't they be able to return merchandise with just a receipt?

You are not entitled to a refund, period.

In other words, Why should they?

that seems like a bit of a broad policy to me.

It is a very broad policy. That is my point. And no, its not a problem with our policy... its good customer service, and a one of the many reasons that The Container Store is such an amazingly successful Mom&Pop store. The vast majority of our customers are astounded by the liberality and no-hassle-ness of our return policy. It gets us a LOT of return business.

most stores I know don't accept returns of items that can't be easily reshelved

Yeah, most stores SUCK lawrence.

but this is the first I've heard of any of them demanding personal information

See Leanne's post below.

anyone who refuses to give it out is right to, unless you specifically state that it won't be used for marketing purposes.

Lawrence, we DO specifically state that the information will never be used for solicitation. Repeatedly. If they don't believe us, its their own fucking problem now isn't it?

The point is... requiring that someone give personal info when returning goods WITH a reciept is just BS.

Sorry, but that's poor policy.

Would it be better if we just made the overall return policy much more restrictive?

why do you always do this to people's arguments, Gella? you take a specific suggestion they made and then stretch it out to a broad generalization that isn't even close to what they're saying, just so you can try to shoot it down.

I think that a return policy that, in the end, allows people to return anything the store sells, is good, but it needs to differentiate between those who have a receipt and an unopened (or easily repackaged) product and those who do not. if you go in with a receipt and an easily reshelvable product, you shouldn't be forced to give up personal information.

but it looks like actually working for a big corporation has formed your attitude more in favour of corporate-friendly policy than consumer-friendly policy. were you on the other side, you might feel differently. especially if you had a product to return and had a receipt and the product was reshelvable and you still had to sell your soul to them.

Lawrence, why do you have to make this personal?

I resent a lot of the things you've said here, and am too angry to actually respond to most of them...

except for this one: I'll thank you to NOT refer to The Container Store as a big corporation, and I'll thank you NEVER to suggest that it is anything less than one of the MOST CONSUMER-FRIENDLY COMPANIES IN ALL OF RETAIL until you have done just a bit more research into the matter.

That is all.

except for this one: I'll thank you to NOT refer to The Container Store as a big corporation, and I'll thank you NEVER to suggest that it is anything less than one of the MOST CONSUMER-FRIENDLY COMPANIES IN ALL OF RETAIL until you have done just a bit more research into the matter.

being more consumer-friendly than another corporation does not necessarily make it completely consumer-friendly, though. and really, the "most consumer-friendly...." line sounds a lot like marketing to me. I won't deny that I've had great experiences at the Container Store - but I've also never had to return anything there. I'm sure that it, like any retail store, has some consumer-friendly policies, and some not. I happen to feel that requesting personal information from customers is not consumer-friendly, even with a disclaimer - I know plenty of places that have said they wouldn't contact me but did constantly anyway.

one thing I still want clarification on, though, is whether the return policy on personal information applies to all returns or only returns lacking a receipt - a distinction I made in an earlier post that was conveniently ignored. the only response I got to that question was "No, you are not entitled to a refund, period," which didn't really tell the whole story.

and in addition:
most stores I know don't accept returns of items that can't be easily reshelved

Yeah, most stores SUCK lawrence.

how did my specific statement about products that cannot be put back on sale turn into a very angry "most stores suck?" is the distinction really not there? if that's the case at the Container Store, then I think it's an extremely unfair policy to people who have legitimate returns with receipts and reshelvable products, and overly generous to those who don't.

The return policy at The Container Store is not one that is concerned with what we can put back on the shelves, but rather that the customer be happy with their purchase. If someone buys something from us and in the course of their using it it breaks, they should be able to return it. Their return is no less legitimate than someone returning extra shoeboxes that they ended up not needing. The distinction at The Container Store between a return with and without a reciept is that with a reciept you are given a full refund of exactly the form of tender with which you paid... if you paid cash, you get cash back. If you paid with a credit or debit card, the amount is credited directly back to your account. If you make a return without a reciept, you recieve a merchandise credit. Period. That is the distinction. And yes, stores that do not allow returns of damaged merchandise *do* suck in my opinion. What better reason to want to return a purchase than "It broke when I used it!" I honestly don't see how being asked to give your phone number to a company which will never ever use it for solicitation is bad customer service, Lawrence. Every aspect of our business practice is geared toward customer service, and I don't see how that modicum of protection afforded to us by keeping a record of where our money goes is unreasonable.

And yes, stores that do not allow returns of damaged merchandise *do* suck in my opinion. What better reason to want to return a purchase than "It broke when I used it!"

most of the time, what I've seen in that situation is an exchange, since it's likely that the individual product was defective, not the entire design. yes, they still have to throw away the original, or return it to the manufacturer, but wouldn't it seem a little sketchy to you if someone bought something, then came back with it broken and didn't want a replacement?

Not really. I've actually known many people who decide that if they're burned once the product is not worth continuing with and would rather have their money back to spend on a different version of the product they need. Not everybody's willing to take the chance that it's just that one item that's broken and risk having to return it again.

And, incidentally, no store can be *completely* customer friendly. In order to be *completely* customer friendly, you'd have to give away everything for free and serve drinks while your at it. That is simply not reasonable.

Sell your soul?
I think there's a huge difference between giving out a phone number and giving them your SSN (let alone soul). Hell, I know some stores (Toy 'r' us) that try and get your number when you buy anything.
And I don't think this has anything to do with "working for a big coporation". A coporate-friendly policy would be "no returns" or even "you must have a receipt". Now, maybe it would be a bit better if it were unopened, in "plop it right back on the shelf" condition, with receipt, etc, that you don't need a name/number. but I imagine that wouldn't be able to work in conjunction with the other system.

radio shack asks for you phone number whenever you buy anything. So does my dry cleaner. They use it as customer tracking device.

I should point out that I've been to the container store and the people there were really helpful. They actually knew where things were and the guy directing people to the available register had no problems with me being my usual silly self and waiting for a particular cashier. I am sure you can guess which one.

the only time i've ever been asked for any sort of personal information when making a return it's because I'm claiming an item�was damaged when I bought it, or�an item�that I might be considered to have�"borrowed" rather than�purchased.�I always thought companies did that so that they could track persistent returners -- and that they were entitled to do so.�

Examples:� if someone�regularly buys a dress from a store and returns it a week later, chances are good they wore it to a big event and are now returning used clothing.� If someone persistently returns damaged appliances, chances likewise are good that they broke it while using it.�� These are not ethical customers, and stores have a right (in my mind at least) to protect themselves against that kind of behaviour.

(Edit:� And then there are the shoplifters who try to return pilfered items for a "refund".� Yegads!)

Toys R Us around here (and most other stores for that matter) does not ask for phone number when you're making a purchase, but a ZIP code.� I think that's used only in a demographic� sense�-- what markets does that store serve?� Where should they be advertising?�

Heh.
Radio shack.

That's one of their most annoying policies...

This guy I used to work restaurants with told me about going to a radio shack once to buy something.. and they were REALLY insisting on getting his number/etc.... so he finally looked the guy in the eye and said, "Look, I don't think you understand. You give me the product, I give you money in return. That is where our relationship ends. Period."

Then they gave up.

When I'm forced to give out information like this, I have it all figured out. My phone number is my actual phone number, with the ending digits reversed. My zip code is 90210. It gives the corporate drone behind the counter something to punch into their computer, and it makes sure I don't get spammed.

Heh.
That's a good idea.
:)

I like it.
Kinda like how I make up bs stuff for any news site that requires registration.

*shrug* I certainly don't mind that... though it would screw up our demographics. And I'd hope you'd be willing to give your real information if you are expecting to have your merchandise delivered... another service we provide our local customers. Or when pre-paying merchandise that is our of stock in the store. Unless you don't want us to let you know when we get your order in.

Fortunately, most people actually believe me when I look them in the eye and tell them with conviction that it is company policy to not only treat others the way we would like to be treated, but also the way that *they* would like to be treated, at least within reason... and we know that neither we nor they would want our/their information sold or used to disturb our/their dinner. So we just don't do that. We wouldn't do that. For the simple reason that *it's not nice.*

Something you have to understand about The Container Store... its a small company. We all know the CEO and President personally and everyone in the company is on a first name basis with everyone else. We believe in openness and honesty and providing everyone concerned with as much information as possible. That is not only good customer service, it is good for employees, which in turn benefits the customer even more. It is bad business to employ drones who are kept in the dark about the internal affairs of the company, about what we do and why, who can't answer customers questions and have no interest in finding the answers to the questions that they can't answer off the top of their head. The Container Store doesn't work like that. If you ask five different people from five different parts of the store the same question, you will get the same answer, whether they are a register sales person, a floor manager, the visual sales director, the inventory control coordinator or the regional director. If the CEO is visiting that day (he came yesterday to see us) and you ask him the same question, he gives you the same answer. And it will be the true and correct answer. No lies are told at The Container Store, at least not by employees... not to customers, and not to other employees.

I know that this is unusual. I know that people have reason to be suspicious. But I'm a sensitive person. At the end of the day, it just upsets me to be accused of lying, or of not knowing what I'm talking about, or of being a corporate drone. This is why its so important to me that I work at a place where I can go to my boss for a hug when I need it. Cause having people expect the worst from you without ever having met you before really does take its toll after a while.

Well, if everything you say is true, (and I'm not accusing you of lying.... I just mean that companies often purposely misinform their employees) then more power to them.

The container store is officially the first chain store to do fair business.

(I'm not being sarcastic, mind... if they really do stand behind what you're saying, then I really do wish for them to succeed and be an example to others.)

However, you must understand why nobody will believe you until they see it with their own eyes. Large businesses are, generally speaking, full of shit in (almost) everything they say...

As lawrence pointed out... I have more than once given personal info to a store that would "never share this information under any circumstances" and had them or others call me, email me, or otherwise sell of that "oh so secure" personal info.

Well, The Container Store may well be the first chain store to do fair business. At this point, it wouldn't suprise me.

Now if only they'd be willing to sell the display books on the bookshelves.

I really liked that book of paintings of the apocolypse from the middle ages that was at the Columbus store ;-)

When I see a play I always try to see what books they are using as props on stage. At some off off broadway productions I have actually examined them up close.

Actually, I made a list on my computer back at home. It was called "People to Smite in the Name of Zilpha". It was a while ago, and I forget who is on it.

My roommates.� Let's call them Moron #1 and Moron #2.� And please don't send them to a tropical island, just kill them.� ;)

Legally, you don't have to give up any information when returning merchandise ( if you have receipt - more on this later).� The information is for Auditor purposes,who in most companies will occasionally check returns to make sure that Staff aren't committing fraud. It's generally store policy though, so customers shouldn't yell at Staff who are just doing what they're trained to do.

What burns my butt is when people insist that they should get a "full refund" when they don't have a receipt to prove how much was orginally paid.� Since I'm in clothing retail this happens all the time. "My aunt swears she paid $50 for this" Me:"Well, it's only $14.99 now, and without a receipt that's how much I can credit you.�" Customer:"!#*@!"� It's even more fun when customers insist you return something that's not even from your store because it "Came in a box with your store name on it."

when i worked at that sunglass place, people would sometimes come and try to "return" fake designer sunglasses they bought elsewhere. when i pointed out that they weren't real, they said "well, i didn't know that!"

Heh. This was in a CNN article about an unfortunate suicide at a recording studio in England.

"The studio complex in the western English countryside is owned by Peter Gabriel, former singer with Genesis. "

Is it just me or is it odd that they need to put the Genesis part? He's become such a star on his own that a ton of people don't even know he was in Genesis. It was just such odd phrasing to me. :)

Is it just me, or is it odd that an article about a suicide in Peter Gabriel's studio made you think of Peter Gabriel rather than the poor chap who took his own life?

��

Wow, thanks for making me feel like a heartless bitch. :-/�� I wouldn't have been reading the damn article if I didn't care that someone felt the need to kill himself.

*hugs andrea*

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you with that. I tried to lighten it with the emoticon, but I suppose that didn't work.

Long gone, no matter.

Peter Gabriel has a studio?

Adam Busch has a BAND??

*and* he's dating amber benson. even tho he killed her.

She's quite hot for someone who's daid.���

and she's Teeny-Tinier Than You Might Think, too.

*blink*
Is he really?

well, they were seen in the same room Friday night, looking all together-like. as for whether they're "dating" or not, that's for them to define.

Why isn't anyone gay in real life??

Um.

huh?

I think she means Amber -- evidently only gay on UPN.

and the wb.

amber *and* alyson hannigan (willow), who married alexis denisof (wesley) last year. tragic. :)

mmm... alyson hannigan.

but, everyone knew she was straight... she's into dominance... and sticking flutes in her hoo-hah.

:D

wow...
Who knew the set of Buffy was that much like FHDC ;-)

i heard "dating" from someone else on my flist. and everyone knows that livejournal friends never lie. ;)

from an unknown internet source:

There is more money spent on breast implants and Viagra than Alzheimer's research. This means that by 2020 there should be a large elderly population with perky boobs and huge
erections and absolutely no recollection of what to do with them.

*dies*

Man, there are few things that don't taste better with lemon added. (eats yummy lemon-enhanced soup)

Oddly, water is one of them though.

Thats it! I knew there was something else�that went with almost everything!

The other two being cheese and bacon, of course.�

... or maybe its not lemon.� Maybe its just some people.� My brother seems to think the third thing is jalapeno peppers...

I dunno, the last bacon cheese lemonburger I had wasn't really all that.

Oh, and regarding it possibly just being some people... I thought the soylent greenburger could use teriyaki.

heee. *very glad Joe has resurfaced*

Hrmmm...If Moxy Fruvous came out with a lunchbox, what would it look like?

Why do dogs chase cars? And if you run over a dog chasing your car, is it your fault?

Is it even possible to run over a dog chasing your car?

back up.

But then you'd be chasing the dog

The ones down the road from me sure seem to want to find out if it is possible.� One of theses days, I'm gonna either hit one of the dogs, or another car while trying to avoid the stupid beasts.��

i hate dust.

it is a nasty feeling to be wet, hot, dusty, and wearing tight-fitting clothing.

it is a nice feeling to be dry, warm, clean, and sitting on silk sheets.

How could you be both wet and dusty? Wouldn't that make you muddy?

that would make me hate dust too.� the sneezing is enough to make me "dislike" it.