Thursday, March 28, 2013

Worst Buy

Most of you are familiar with Best Buy as a merchandiser of all things electronic. They have a rewards program to keep you coming back and they own the Geek Squad for computer repairs. I have a new name for them: Worst Buy.

Let me start the nightmare from the beginning. A friend and I went to get some sort of Ipod/Mp3 player. The first one we bought had us back in there because we couldn't get it to download. We returned later because we had tried four different computers and it wouldn't work. We exchanged it for a different Mp3 player. Different company, easier operating system. Plugged it into the first computer and it burned itself up.

By this time we have been two days on this and I'm fed up. I take every thing back and I'm going to purchase an Ipod. I have one, know how they work. I specifically tell the girl I don't want a used one. She assures me I'm not getting one and I have a full warranty. So, it's $17 off the regular price. I buy it.

I arrive back at the condo with dinner and we eat before I tackle getting the music downloaded to the Ipod. As I start loading it and getting it registered I learn that yes, I do have a used Ipod. I'm livid. It is too late to go back they are closed. I am not feeling well, but I'm mad.

I contacted Best Buy. Not sure why I wasted my time. That was two weeks ago and all they have done is passed my complaint onto the district manager who could care less. I went in to talk to the store manager. They don't have one, you have to walk around trying to find the one for the department you have a dispute with. My thought was just stand in the middle of the stupid store and scream at the top of my lungs, but I didn't have anyone who could bail me out of jail. e

Seriously, you can't pick up a phone and page the manager???? How stupid is that. To make matters worse, no one told me when I bought my computer a year ago that I had to register to get my rewards. Something I only learned because my friend needed to check his. So, I register my account, but I cannot get credit for those reward points. That's how they rip people off. They should be automatic, they are not.

I am  done with Worst Buy. I am cutting up my credit card with them and closing my account. There is nothing on the planet I need bad enough to step into one of their stores again.

Customer service=epic fail. Rewards Zone=epic fail. Overall impression= bye bye


TTFN

Monday, March 18, 2013

My Radio Interview and Other Stuff

If you missed the radio interview, I've got a link for it. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rrradio/2013/03/14/no-limits-with-barbara-m-hodges Feel free to listen and give me feedback. I thought it went well.

Second on my list of things is a four star review I got today. I've got the link for that, too: http://tillyandmertle.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/cold-case-my-thoughts/ Again feel free to leave feedback.

I am working to get my name out there and known. I have a good following, I just need to grow it bigger. I am in the process of putting my older books into ebook format for those who like ereaders. Be patient, there weren't ereaders when the books were published. One of them will need a new cover.

I am busy with the marketing part of my business while I await the copyright so that we can put the finishing touches on the book and get it sent to the printer. Waiting makes me crazy...oh wait, I'm already crazy.

Enjoy the links.
TTFN

Friday, March 15, 2013

Radio Inteview

I had a great time with host Barbara Hodges and her other guest Denise Middlebrooks. I was interviewed the first half hour and Denise was interviewed the second half hour. I got some good questions and  hope I gave some good answers.

Denise is an editor and she said things that make a lot of sense. If you are a writer, you give your most polished piece of work to your editor. You need to have an editor who can work with you. One who will explain why something needs changing or why it doesn't work. Be sure you've read your work before turning to over to an editor. You want this to be as easy and painless as possible. Get your basic grammar right. If you're not sure have the local high school English teacher give it a read through.

I did get feedback from a friend who was able to listen to the interview on her cell phone. She said I sounded good and she enjoyed hearing it. It's always good to know someone is listening. It was broadcast on the west coast.

I also picked up an new connection on LinkedIn. It is good to have a wide network, you never know when you need to call on one of them for their expertise.

All-in-all, I enjoyed myself. It went smoothly. No trick questions.
TTFN

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Progress I Think

Today at a women's Bible study meeting I sold two books. One copy of Secrets and one copy of Cold Case: Sleeping Dogs Lie. The ladies made the mistake of asking me to talk about my writing. (insert hanging head). I answered their questions. One liked the poetry book because you can see what my writing was like in my teens and early twenties and what my writing was like as I matured. All in all it was nice.

After lunch one of the other ladies and I helped with dishes. We were asked by the hostess to stay a bit. She talked about how South Carolina came to have the only tea plantation in the United States. There is a real story there. It would require lots of research, but I cannot take it on until the Macy series is complete. I know there are at least two or three more books in that series. Two for sure.

Tomorrow night I have a blogtalk radio interview with Barbara Hodges at Red River Radio No Limits. If you know anyone in California, they can tune in at 3pm PST. (That's 6pm our time). The interview will be the longest one I've had and there will be call in questions from listeners. Hopefully I will not make a fool of myself.

For those awaiting the release of Crossing the Line....all I can say is soon. I am awaiting the Library of Congress information and copyright for the front of the book. Then it will be done and ready to go to the printer. Once I have a proof copy, I can take orders.

As soon as I get my computer back on Thursday, I can get back to work on Sanctuary. I don't expect that one to be out this year. I will be sending it out for review. I have a list of reviewers to send it to. I am ready to get back into to it and see where it will take me. I am also mulling over where book four, Something Borrowed, Something Blue will take me. I hope to work on it while Sanctuary is being reviewed, so there will not be such a long delay between books.

I am also awaiting a book from a new author. I am excited to work with her and get her conspiracy thriller off the ground. It has wonderful potential. It will be exciting launching someone else's career. I am networking to find places for book signings and radio interviews. I am learning to write press releases.

Seems as though I'll be busy for a while.
TTFN

Friday, March 1, 2013

Birthdays



They arrive annually whether we want them to or not. This is my cake for one. Most of my birthdays are spent alone. Not that I care. I take myself to dinner and have a good book to read with my good food.
This morning, however, something special happened. There was a knock on the condo door and a delivery man was there.

He had the above package for me with a card from the night manager at the front desk. I have not seen her for a year. It was nice to be remembered. We had talked in the wee hours this morning because my computer service kicked off. 

I had tons of well wishes from friends and family. Those always brighten my day. Several people called. So, I am never really alone. I also got a text or two. 

I don't care how old I am anymore. Age is just a number. Some days I feel like I'm 102, other days I feel like I'm 17, and still others I feel like I'm where I should be. 

It was a great day. I walked on the beach. Met a woman staying in one of the villas. Took myself to dinner. Ordered chicken nachos and had enough to bring home for dinner tonight. Had a drink....hate that the bar feels they must water their drinks. I don't drink much and I know my limits. Bought the cake and a small ice cream on the way home. Nice peaceful evening. 

Thanks to all those who made an effort to wish me well.
TTFN

October Already

 I'm not sure where the time has flown. June was an exiting month. July was a mess. I had a change of medication which caused me to gain...