I’m love Newfoundland and Labrador, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather live in this province than where I am right now. Let that be known, and let it be understood.
However, I am not so naive and blind to think that living here doesn’t have its disadvantages.
For instance, the fact that I had to drive two hours the other day to get an oil change was one of them. Now the soon-to-be-misses didn’t mind it as much, because she got to mosey around and do what her kind likes to do in places her kind likes to go. I fear my fate once she reads this, however, as a journalist I have a responsibility to report the truth, so my hands are tied.
In any case – yes, there are downfalls. However, I feel that in 2012, many of those down falls can be avoided. Whether or not they will be, is another story. Let me give you an example.
I’ve been a long proponent of online shopping. I feel it’s the best way for consumers to find what they need, rather than driving two, three, four, or eight hours to find something they need – if then.
Normally, I have a great experience with online shopping. My take always arrives for the most part in excellent condition, and I’ve been a satisfied customer more times than not. This is a not.
I visited an online retailer recently and made a fairly expensive purchase. It was a treat for myself for being a good steward of my income as of late, not to mention something I’ve drastically needed for some time. During checkout of the product, I was offered an option for what was known as “Expatiated Shipping,” which would get my purchase to me within four days.
“Not bad,” says I. So I checked the box, and threw in the extra $20 bucks they asked for. Within two hours, I got an email telling me my order had been processed, left the warehouse and was in fact on the road.
“Modern technological marvels at work,” I said to myself. Now priding my decision for the expatiated shipping.
I left it for a day, and then checked the tracking number. I discovered it had moved up through the United States, and was close to clearing the Canadian border. We’re doing great, no?
Now the soon-to-be-misses didn’t mind it as much, because she got to mosey around and do what her kind likes to do in places her kind likes to go. I fear my fate once she reads this, however, as a journalist I have a responsibility to report the truth, so my hands are tied. -
The next day at 11:00am, my package arrives in Calgary, AB., clearing customs and finding refuge in the True North, Strong and Free. We’re now at day three of the journey, so I’m thinking “wow - Calgary to here in a day? These guys are good.”
Oh, if only.
The next day I wait, and wait, and wait - no package. The day after that I wait - no package. I call the shipping company and they tell me it should be here by day six, giving it two days over-due. Upon further conversation, I discover he means it’s arriving in St. John’s on Monday. Then I gave him a geography lesson that I’m sure he appreciated.
Finally on day seven I wake up and still no package. I call the company again, and get a nice lady who tells me it’s scheduled for delivery that day. They say it was released to an independent distributor. “Which one?” I ask. She doesn’t know.
Naturally, I think of the biggest distributor - Canada Post. I visit there, and nothing. I call Courier One, and he says they wouldn’t have it - call Courier Two. Courier Two says it’s not at the Local place, call the Regional Office. Regional office says they don’t deal with the company, so I should call Courier Three. I called back to Courier Two at the Local level and find out where Courier Three is. I’m referred back to Canada Post. Canada Post refers me to another office with Courier Three. I reach them, and discover they don’t deal with the company either. Call Courier Four, he says. Courier Four looks up a tracking number and spends a few minutes checking into it. I discover that they are in fact the Courier I need, but they’ve since moved the package along. To who? Courier Five. However, they believe the package should be delivered today.
Courier Five knocked on my door with a box in hand a few minutes ago. Four days late, and amidst a fair bit of frustration.
Despite it all, though, for some reason, I still love Newfoundland.
