Close but no cigar....

The sample finally arrives, and it is perfect... Except...

The color is all wrong, really grateful to be burned on a $2.00 sample rather than that nameless company with the no hassle return policy:

You buy it... it's wrong? Ha! Sorry about your luck!

I call Abi, I explain the situation, apologetically I explain the color barrier. Formulating a plan I now have a piece of the construction, and with proper images I will be able to get an accurate quotation on a custom from our mill.

I am also putting a call into the competition, downtown to see what they come up with.

Once again she visits the boutique. Pillow in hand.

Perhaps I am somewhat co-dependant, I really want to help her though. She is so grateful. We look at the pillow, and the trimming. Which still doesn't match. There is silence.

Her eyes look up at me and she says, "So what do we do now?" Abi seems totally facinated by the fact that the trimming is the wrong color. She comments on how strange it is that it is exactly the same, but the wrong color.

Things I know at this point:

The trim is the wrong color.

I have found the manufacturer.

I tell her to call me in a few days... and we will see.

Sucess is short lived

Abi calls me back and tells me that the number tells her to go online, she has no online. I am taking this into my hands... Here we go.

Day one... I email the company.

Day three... nothing

Day four... nothing; I search the item number, find another source. I email them

Day five... nothing

Weekend...

Day eight... I opt to call the company.

I listen to the message, if you stay on the line you will get through to someone. Note to self, always wait through the message, even when it tells you not to. A woman gets on the phone. She tells me that they don't send samples, no one carries the product except one place in the mid-west. She gives me their number. They want me to open an account. Will fax paper work.

I call the other source. To keep costs down I have to email them. I email them. They call me. I ask about samples. They don't do samples, to keep costs down. I have to buy the bolt. I ask about the return policy. They refer me to the website. They don't take returns.

I write a letter to the manufacturer about their customer service. I write to the distributor as well... summary of letter Boo on your customer service!

Still no form from Mid-west source.

Day nine... Fax comes through

Fax back info to Mid-west. They told me I would need to pay for trim. Purposely omitted bank and credit card info. I am paying for the sample, do they really need the SS#? I submit tax ID# instead. Waiting...

Day ten... nothing

Day eleven. Request comes through for SS#.

I search for a new source. Found it. Send email. and wait.

Day twelve. My phone rings.

It's the new supplier, she has merchandise, and will send sample. I give her my credit card, and she says it will be here next week. Finally some good customer service.

I call Abi and update her. We now wait.