And it left me devestated.
I didn't expect to be so upset- reacting as if I just lost my best friend. But as my husband pointed out- in reality I did lose my best friend. A lot of friends. My whole world was torn apart. I was lost, unsure and very very out of 'it'.
What happened that left me so horribly sad?
My computer died.
Kaput. Gone. Monitor went to sleep. Could not revive.
Now that in itself would be bad- but for the next month I went down a road I never want to travel again. I trusted a 'friend' of a 'friend' to fix my modem.
First he said he would have it ready in a few days, for about $100. Then he said it would cost $200, and would not be ready for about a week, since he had to order the part.
For $200, I could have bought a new modem. But the 'friend' was a 'friend' so I figured a repaired computer would be as good as a new one.
A week and a half later I was still without my computer. I didn't know what was happening in the world. I couldn't read e-mails, my connection to my grandkids. I couldn't play my games- my connection to sanity.
Two weeks later my modem was back. Yipee!!
Nope. Although I could get on;line, the computer was slow, I couldn't play my games, and my camera wouldn't work. So I called to complain to this 'friend' of a 'friend".
I told him that when I bring ,my car in for repairs, I willingly pay the price because I could never afford a new car, but I expect my car to be running as good as new after the mechanic performs his magic.
With this computer, not only did I pay an enormous price for repairs, the repairs did not give me a good as new computer. What I got back was a piece of crap.
I informed him that unless my computer is repaired to the ultimate computer experience, I will be reporting him to the Consumer Protection Agency and notifying the Better Business Bureau.
It seems, he informed me, that I was mistaken. The computer was not really repaired. What I had was a loaner, and as soon as the part comes in, I will have a better computer than ever,
Another week later and still computer-less, I started drafting my letter. My 'friend' called to tell me she thought I was being unfair. After all, her 'friend' knows computers. I don't.
Maybe, but I know customer service and this guy had none. I told her that I would never use his services again, and if that would affect our friendship then so be it.
My computer was ready the next day.
And here I am- back with friends, fully informed and happy once again.