Writer's note: "Hush Hush My Precious Taxpayer" will be written at a later date.
"No doubt about it, things have certainly changed." Dick Anderson (1946-)
Change is inevitable. Sooner or later it's sure to happen. I think my generation (I'm in my 68th year) has seen more change than other peer groups. Change can be positive and beneficial. However, on the flipside it can be useless and harmful. Sometimes we can use the word adjustment. Many businesses (big and small) "improve" or modify their goods and services. Look at food for example. Specifically chocolate bars and cookies. The quality still might be there but the quantity has without a doubt diminished. Business owners have two objectives. One is to make money. The other is wanting customers to return to their operations and purchase their items or services.
As I write this rant the Wuhan Flu is still lingering and some proprietors continue to experience adversity. I've always considered the virus serious but how serious? Anyway, our political saviors think they can fix anything. In this case with money...of course our money. Let's not forget our "Knights In Shining Armour" honestly think they can change the weather. As a long time good friend of mine mentioned a while back their next agenda will be to change gravity. It wouldn't surprise me. Sadly they come across as know-it-alls or legends in their own minds.
I realize it's difficult but let's forget about these wiseacres for a moment. You would expect during today's hardships businesses would go out of their way and cater to the consumer. In other words, provide top-notch customer service and quality products. A few weeks ago I encountered a stressful adventure.
My journey started at Walmart on Upper James Street in Hamilton, Ontario. My watch needed a battery. I can't live without a watch ticking away on my left wrist. Lately I haven't been a "big fan" of this store but I still like their prices. When I entered the big box enterprise (just out of curiosity) I decided to look at new watches, but was in total disbelief at what I saw. The once huge display section was now a measly shelf of a few watches with very little styles. I was dumbfounded. After a few minutes of disappointment I decided to buy a six dollar battery. I also chose to purchase some pens and Equate Metamucil. The multi-million dollar conglomerate was (as usual) sold out of those items. I was pissed off but the real annoyance and irritation was only about to begin.
As I approached the cash out area my anger started to escalate. Once again history was repeating itself. Only three-quarters of the checkouts were open and the aisles were five deep with patrons. I waited over fifteen minutes in line. A manager was standing at the end of my aisle observing the situation. I turned around and started to verbally display my displeasure to her including stating the store was going downhill fast. When I finished venting (it was no more than thirty seconds) the woman replied, "There's nothing I can do". When I returned home I attempted to install the battery into my watch but it was hopeless. I couldn't pop open the back of the watch and decided to visit a jewelry store.
Frustration appeared to be the word for the day. I walked into an established jewelry store located at the north end of a strip mall once called Mountain Plaza. The original mall was a terrific place to shop...it had a lot of specialty stores. However Walmart expanded and PRESTO the majority of shops vanished...only a very few survived. Anyway after waiting a couple of minutes a saleswoman approached me and asked, "Can I help you?"
I placed the battery on the glass counter and asked, "Will you install this battery into my watch?" Her reply was, "We only install our own batteries."
I was shocked and yelled, "YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS COUNTRY?" In an irritated voice I asked her, "How much are your batteries?"
She answered, "Twelve dollars."
Now I was ready to go ballistic but somehow I left the store in silence but my blood pressure was in overdrive. I couldn't believe what had just happened and thinking where the fuck is the customer service.
Later on I laughed and thought the sales clerk is a very stupid, stupid woman. A complete and total idiot. She could've made some money but instead decided to be a moron. I was under the impression a lot of businesses were struggling because of the Wuhan Flu (maybe I should call it Covid-19) obviously not this joint. Either way if this alleged business does go "tits-up" all I can say is "Oh well. Serves you right."
My EA (Executive Assistant) and I bought a new washing machine. We discovered another prime example of less quality and customer service. First of all, the hot and cold water hoses cost extra...I kid you not. Secondly the complete owner's manual would be located online not in the customary booklet attached to the appliance.
One more bitch and I'll be out of your hair. I use to purchase some of my clothes at Marks Work Warehouse, specifically long and short sleeve tee-shirts. The material use to be a superior and high quality 1oo% cotton. Now the fabric is still 100% cotton but thin and cheaper. It's safe to say they joined the new infested group called, "Not give a shit about quality anymore."
Epilogue
Welcome to our new world where quality and various customer services are plunging downhill at an alarming rate. Merit and virtue seem to be things of the past. As the lyrics in the 1967 song, "Live For Life" sung by Jack Jones state "Yesterday's a memory (gone for good, forever) and tomorrow is a guess" are very true. As usual businesses and companies thrive on the almighty dollar. What's ahead for the consumer...tomorrow is a guess. Maybe sooner or later when individuals purchase a new home it won't have a furnace...they'll have to buy the unit separately. However it's very relieving to know not everything changes. Politicians make sure of that by always raising our taxes.
The End
The Harvenut Puritan Project
Puritan will return with "Buddy"
Uncle Block's Flying Circus
