It's very rarely that I really lose my temper...get a bit snippy sometimes...can argue the toss if required, but actually losing my temper is almost unheard of...
Until this morning, when I finally 'phoned British Oxygen to tell them the Eclipse isn't working...it hasn't worked for weeks actually, but then I've not really needed it during the spells of bad weather we've had...just use it when I'm in my shed you see. It's too heavy for Himself to lift in and out of the car and much too noisy to take when we go out shopping...
There's a long enough wait while the 'phone rings then we have the choice of pressing A now...the usual rigmarole...finally get to speak to a person who announces everyone is busy and they'll ring back.
Two hours later, a girl speaking heavily accented English asks me to transfer to my mobile 'phone...I tell her I don't have one. She isn't too happy about that, but there you are...transpires she can tell me how to fix the Eclipse machine but I'd be needing to follow her instructions on my non-existent mobile...
I think this seems very odd...tell her I don't have the Eclipse with me...no, I'm not going to get it...no, there isn't anyone here who could get it for me.
She decides she'll ask a technician to ring me...
One hour later there is a technician on the 'phone...could I plug the machine in...Himself had returned home and brought it in by then...he plugged it in. Tell me what you see said the tech. the red warning light I said...now switch it off. Duly switched off.
Now what do you see...the red warning light I replied...tech says 'that simply isn't possible...you're mistaken'
I'm afraid I hit the roof and said that was a stupid comment bearing in mind I was looking directly at the glowing red light and he replied that he wasn't going to be called 'stupid' by anyone...
He's coming out tomorrow...
When my concentrator went wrong a few weeks ago I 'phoned Air Liquide, used to be Baywater, and told the nice girl who answers the 'phone...she told Malachi who turned up later that day...he puts his head round the front door and says, Hiya...it's me...he took the old concentrator...gave me another one...asked how I was and did I need anything else while he was here...
Your man from BO wouldn't tell me what time he'll be turning up...I've an appointment to have my hair cut so if he comes when we're out...
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21 Replies
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You have my deepest sympathy.
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Hello Jennifer...I could have done with that when I was on the 'phone Jennifer...I'll keep it though 'cos it's bound to happen again over something or other...lol
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Nothing so sure vashti. The telephone is no longer my friend...well not quite true - it is the dimwits on the other end who cannot answer a question if it does not match a stock reply written down in front of them.....I think they are numbered 1 - 5.
Oh Vashti, what are you thinking? This is 2016 and you expect "service" ... perhaps even with a smile???
We, the great British public, are being educated into accepting that service is something from the old-fashioned past, a time when people said "please" and "thank you" when the shopkeeper filled your bags and took your money (now all self-service), when the attendant filled your car with fuel took your money then gave you change from a leather pouch, when you dialled the number [pressed button B] and spoke to a real person ... straightaway!
Think yourself lucky that he doesn't just dump the repair kit at the bottom of the drive and clear off ... unless that is what he does!
Good luck - wish I had enough hair to pay a visit to the hairdressers 😭😭😭
Hello y_not...I know...silly me still hoping for plain basic manners...he was in and out within two minutes actually...left another machine and was away down the road, tyres squealing...!
or, as a kid, we always pressed both to see if anyone had left any money in there (and if they hadn't then we'd take a few pop bottles back to the pub and get three penny piece for each one!)
I don't know if any of you agree but do you dread it if something goes wrong or you have to contact a shop or firm about some problem or other. I just don't have the energy anymore to stand up when washing my face, so knowing I'm going to have to talk to somebody on the phone just fills me with dread even trying to talk to people face to face sometimes feels like climbing a hill in oversized wellies.
I'm afraid to say that sarcasm is starting to become second nature or if I'm really fed up then the poorly person with a oxygen tank staggering into their shop asking for a chair to sit down on. The little energy I have I want to spend on things I enjoy doing not head butting customer services.
Nearly cheered up now, just getting ready to go round three with my dads bank about changing his address on his bank account, right where's my oxygen tank, charge!
Thank heavens it isn't just me Sue...thought I was becoming such a baby over sorting things out...just haven't the strength to keep endlessly battling...
Hope address change for your Dad was sorted painlessly...!
We went to dad's bank yesterday, it took about an hour to get things sorted and I do have to praise the counter assistant she was superb did all the work for us, so now I can deal with all dad's finances. I know it's complicated because they are in their own way are protecting dad but by heavens head and brick walls come to mind.
I have an Eclipse, it came on Thursday, brand new straight out of the box. It was replacing one that had to go back. The 1st one, also brand new, lasted a week, then kept bleeping and showing a red light. They came out to it and said it was because the filter hadn't been cut down. I had down loaded a full technical manual and this differed from what I'd been told. Off they went only to be called out again 3 days later. This time constant red light and a fail xx, message. It seems they are having a lot of problems with the Eclipse. I will see how long this one lasts.
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Advise Portable Concentrators 
What an emotional evening :-(
Querying Loss of Oxygen Flow In Tubing.
Mobile phone etiquette Hee HEE
For those of a certain age!
