Archive for Guilty of Idiocy
Guilty of Idiocy: MoreRebates.com
Posted by: | CommentsAs you all know, when things are good – I tell you and when things, quite frankly, stink – I’ll tell you. Such is the case with MoreRebates.com.
When our relationship started, it was good. We went through our honeymoon phase with me testing their program and actually loving the fact that they give rebates for sites that might not be on the typical cash back path. Well, as you know I maintain more than one blog and I use one specific hosting program for them that I ADORE called Hostgator. When I saw that I could get cash back from MoreRebates for Hostgator, I was thrilled. There was no fine print of a “one time only” deal and I used them for two separate blogs that I moved from Blogger. Both times I had cash back credited accordingly.
Well, after logging in one day to check the cash back percentages for a store since they aren’t listed on EVRewards.com, I noticed that one of my purchases was missing – namely the first Hostgator purchase. Curious as to why the higher priced hosting package was not listed (which they get a bigger commission on), I immediately emailed them to find out what the heck was going on and heard NOTHING. I figured it was a computer glitch and made a note to calendar it to check it in a couple weeks and, again, same situation. The rebate was STILL missing and now I was really heated. I immediately emailed them AGAIN and still heard nothing.
I waited a week and checked it again, and while I received a check for one of the rebates, the other rebate was nowhere to be found. I not only emailed them but their parent company ValueClick (which has some serious litigation problems) and, like before, heard nothing.
So here’s the issue – you have a cash back company that basically, from my observation and experience, appears to pick and chooses what “cash back” they will pay and, not only that, they still charge Hostgator for the referral, but my fave hosting company gets screwed in the process. How fair is that??? It’s not.
So, if any of you have an issue with them and I referred you, I’m so sorry. Fact is, I had no idea that they were shady and I’m removing any banners from them from my site and they will no longer be on my “Cash Back Tutorial.” Please check your rebates from them with an eagle eye and, if any are missing, definitely let them know. I can’t promise that they will respond because from my experience, they seem to either ignore or not answer the hard questions but definitely call them out on any mistakes.
MoreRebates – quite simply, we’re done!
Food Poisoning Is Bad For Business
Posted by: | CommentsSadly, I have been hit by one hell of a case of food poisoning that has me questioning EVERYTHING in my fridge. As a matter of fact, I’m doing a full purge of everything this week and starting anew because, quite simply, I never want to have to go through that mess again.
I have been surviving on all things water, ginger ale and apple juice. One comforting thing, I do know what the culprit was that did make me sick and I’m happy to report it was NOTHING that I cooked. I often get prepared soups from Genuardis for those nights when I don’t have an ounce of extra energy to whip up something on the stove. Genuardis prepared chili was a mainstay in my fridge. Top the chili with a grating of cheddar and a dab of sour cream or crème fraiche and serve with some toasted bread and there you have it – better than takeout.
So, on St. Patrick’s day, while my friends were out and about, I was home violently ill, praying for whatever it was to stop! Not only did I have the usual normal gross symptoms of food poisoning, but add to that a fever of 102, chills, dizziness, etc. I haven’t felt that sick in a long time. You know things are bad when the dog and the cat are hovering around you to "cuddle" like they know you are sick. Now while I’m nowhere near 100% feeling better, I’ve found myself hesitant about cooking as well. What can I cook that won’t react badly I wonder. Things just don’t taste the same and being told I can not have coffee, tea or caffeine for a few days has me screaming internally. You know how I hate to be separated from my coffee. It’s been a tough week in the Lys household.
However, I wanted to point out that you have to be careful where you buy your food from. I have had quite a few incidents lately with Genuardis in Plymouth Meeting, PA where I’ve brought their meat home and it’s not fresh, has a rancid smell, etc. You can even smell it in the store by the meat counter – just that “off” smell that has you going “What The ???” I am extremely concerned about this as I used to love shopping there but if that is what I have to expect from them, well then I guess I will be taking my business to Whole Paychex, the farmers’ markets and other spots.
Another thing that concerns me is that the FDA has released yet another food recall list and I’m starting to question what is going on. There is supposed to be some system of checks and balances and I’m noticing that either the workers are quite possibly getting lazy and not paying attention or there are too many layoffs going on whereby there isn’t enough staff to ensure there ARE no problems. I am being a bit more proactive on reading the recall lists, ingredient lists and noting where things are originated from. And, of course, using my LOTUS system on any fruits & veggies. (If I ever meet the person that invented that, he’s getting a big hug! That machine is a lifesaver (and well worth the cost!)
One thing is a definite – I’m NEVER buying prepared chili ever again nor am I shopping at Genuardis!
We Interrupt Previously Scheduled Programming…
Posted by: | CommentsAs this gal has suffered a bit of a casualty. While making my honey garlic slow cooker chicken last night, this gal got the bright idea to add onions to the recipe at last minute. Well, I grabbed the onion and my new Global veggie knife which looks like a cleaver of sorts – see
and while chopping away while using my newly learned knife skills, I forgot one of the most important commandments – ALWAYS KNOW WHERE YOUR THUMB IS. See, while I was steading the onion, the thumb just got in the way and *swoosh*
Damn that knife was sharp!!! Needless to say it was a pretty deep cut, no stitches needed but who knew that a gal’s thumb plays a major role in most things. So now my typing is more of a hunt and peck of sorts, the texting – yeah, so not happening and the cut is pretty gross. I’m just thankful that my thumb is still attached. I was highly thankful that I kept a package of bandaids in the kitchen and applied the Girl Scout First Aid skills.
That onion didn’t fare so well – it never did make it into the recipe…
Barnes & Noble.com: EPIC FAIL!
Posted by: | CommentsFirst of all, can I tell you how red in the face I am – seriously I’m livid. It’s my birthday for cryin’ out loud and I shouldn’t have to wage war AGAIN with Barnes & Noble’s inept customer service center for their idiocy.
Some background. I’ve been a loyal B&N customer for YEARS. I’ve held the membership faithfully. I buy a TON of books, DVDs, etc. I often enjoy the website’s interviews, etc. and make a point to buy all my magazines there. Needless to say they make a good sum of funds off me. I’ve noticed that recently my orders have been *ahem* shall we say slow. Now one of the perks of buying a certain amount online is “Free Super Saver Shipping” which you could set your clock by – 3 business days or so and *boom* it’s in my hands. Which is great like when I want to review Jaden’s fabu new cookbook “Steamy Kitchen” and I am looking forward to the UPS guy knocking on the door with that gorgeously shot book (yes I leafed through a copy in the store – I couldn’t wait). I also ordered the Foodie Handbook by the one and only Pim. Can we say I’m crazy stoked about both of these books – both of which I put back in anticipation of the order coming to my mailbox.
Well – it’s two weeks later and, guess what – not one but TWO orders are “lost in the mail”. That’s my original order AND the order that they issued as a replacement for the first one that is “M.I.A” from a distribution center in NEW JERSEY – the next flippin’ state over.
When I called with concern at the end of the week last week to find out what the heck is going on because well, you just can’t get tracking from their inept distributor ARGIX DIRECT, they informed me that there were a few complaints and that the replacement would ship out via UPS to me from now on as I’m a member who has been with them for years. The B&N operator was very understanding and also told me that she was having problems personally with this dumb as rocks (my description – NOT hers) ARGIX DIRECT. She assured me it would ship out post haste and I again waited patiently for the little present to come to the door. Now, mind you my Sephora order came and that I ordered SUNDAY NIGHT via UPS. The UPS here in Philly rocks! Love them (which, if you know me is quite the event because UPS in Orlando and New Hampshire seriously sucked!)
Well, I get an email from B&N which tells me that it reshipped my replacement order and *wait for it* it went via ARGIX DIRECT via US MAIL. AGAIN – from New Jersey – next state over. Shipped out and *boom* guess what – it’s lost in the mail again and we can’t find ANY tracking info for it because B&N and/or ARGIX dropped the flippin’ ball. What happened to “Ms. Lys – we’re going to ship it to you ASAP through UPS so you won’t have this problem again“
Needless to say, I lost my patience today when I had to talk to this gal “Cecile” or whatever who not only told me my address was wrong (newsflash – I changed it immediately when I moved and it’s on all my receipts so check your flippin’ screen dummy because the gal prior to you knew the right address) and then told me “ohhh – it’s got to be lost”. When I told her I just renewed my membership and I wanted it canceled and refunded – no go. She begrudgingly refunded my order cost for both books and I told her that we’re having a hell of a breakup. This is no Ross/Rachael Friends Breakup – this is the real deal as in don’t call me, don’t email me, lose my damn number we are O.V.E.R. Seriously – OVER. Which is sad and hurts me deeply because I really did love going to B&N and browsing the aisles. Now, it’s all Borders & Borders.com which is 20 min. out of the way for me but to prove my point, I’ll do it.
So Barnes & Noble – I don’t believe a word of what you say anymore. Clearly, while I know you are “cutting costs” by using this supposedly cheaper ARGIX DIRECT service, you just lost a very loyal (and profitable) customer. I’ve put up with your lack of changing magazines, lack of stock in the Plymouth Meeting Store, etc. because to me B&N has been a part of my shopping loyalty since I was in college. I just can’t sit by and say “Oh it’s okay” because really it’s not. What you are doing to customers is disappointing. So, here’s where I tell you publicly (and my readers) – do NOT buy the membership – it’s not worth it. And, that’s money I will never see again but I’m sure you will need that $25 because you will lose more customers than me by year’s end if you keep this inept shipping distributor. Clearly, ARGIX has proved itself to be useless in my eyes not once but TWICE. Go figure.
So excuse me while I head over to BORDERS to go buy the Foodie Handbook and Steamy Kitchen at FULL PRICE because, you know what, Borders has NEVER did me wrong like you have Barnes & Noble. And I’m sure they will welcome my business (and wallet) with open arms.
One Of These Things Just Doesn’t Belong …
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"Crispy Caramel Chicken Salad"
Last week I went to lunch with some friends and we decided to check out Hamburger Mary’s. It’s a new spot that recently came to downtown Orlando and is definitely a fun spot. It’s perfect for this gal – I mean they even serve your check in a STILETTO!
SL had been coveting their “to die for” salmon salad and, well, who am I to argue. Plus – I do have a bone to pick with Downtown Orlando – lunch options are really limited. Whatever is really good tends to disappear. I mean, c’mon – Cafe Ritazza and Nature’s Table have gone downhill and if I’m going to spend $8+ for a sandwich, it better be good.
In between catching up with Mich and SL and checking out the latest dance vids on one of the many screens playing through Hamburger Mary’s, we decided to split an app. – Fried Mac ‘N Cheese. Delish! For my entree, I was brave, coming out of my safe shell and try something that had me intrigued – the Crispy Caramel Chicken Salad. I figured “Well, it’s probably sweet and savory” and thought that the caramel was an accent. Well either the chef had a craving for a caramel sundae or they seriously think this hot ass mess was definitely palatable.
From Hamburger Mary’s website:
CRISPY CARAMEL CHICKEN SALAD
Fresh chilled mixed greens topped with crispy fried caramel chicken, tomato, crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, croutons with ranch dressing.
Let me be frank – there was no “CARAMEL CHICKEN“. It was caramel drowning every iota of this salad. It was just, for lack of a better term, horrid.
SL was so gracious when he tried it, commenting “Well, it’s not my favorite” and resumed attacking his salmon salad with gusto (more than likely to erase that swill of caramel swirled over the chicken like it was vanilla ice cream). I kept trying to find the good in it but I just couldn’t. I came to the conclusion that while they thought they were being innovative, quite frankly, the term “less is more” should apply here.
Hamburger Mary’s, I’m sorry but you get a “FAIL” when it comes to this idea. I think that the next time I come in, I’ll be sticking with something safe – like the salmon.
The Break-Up: Sur La Table – It’s Over.
Posted by: | CommentsI rarely, RARELY, ever speak ill of what I regard as my cooking Mecca – that being Sur La Table. However, after what I went through last night, Sur La Table and I are breaking up.
I’ve disclosed before that when I get their catalogs, I pore over it like it’s the latest issue of Vogue. I bought my Global knives there. I first fell in love with (and later took home) my Caribbean Le Creuset pieces via Sur La Table. Sur La Table has been my “online go to spots” for research here for Cooking in Stilettos. Not to mention, the price difference between here and Williams Sonoma is astronomical. Sadly, the nearest Sur La Table is 3 hours away. They haven’t built one in Orlando yet (and, last I heard, it will be QUITE some time). And, when I travel, I always research where Sur La Table is and if I have time to go, often leaving room in the suitcase to store the goodies I find. The Sur La Table in New Jersey knows me well.
I placed a substantial order on their site yesterday, namely being the Lotus Sanitizing System that I’ve talked about here before, a marble pastry board that I needed this weekend, a donut cutter that Diana @ The Chic Life recommended some great deals on baking sheets and the apron I’ve been lusting after. I would have added more but I thought “eeeh – I still have the remainder of the gift card that I need to use at WS. I’ll perhaps use it on the Breville Cordless Blender I’ve been eyeing.”
The key factor to this drama is that I needed the pastry board for this weekend. See, the Marble Pastry board at Williams Sonoma is $129.00. I was hesitant to buy it but figured I had to. You can’t find a good marble pastry board here in OTown at a decent price. At Sur La Table it was on sale for $32. That’s a HUGE difference. So, knowing that, I figured I’d upgrade to overnight shipping and have it sent to the 9to5. It was an extra $25 but I felt it was worth it with what I would have spent at Williams Sonoma. I couldn’t ship it to my house because we’re having problems at our apartment complex with deliveries – namely UPS leaves the stuff on the truck, marks it delivered and we don’t get it until 2 – 3 days after. We’ve complained and UPS gives everyone the same excuse, “We’re sorry – it got mixed up with the Disney packages”. I’d rather not have ANYTHING shipped there if I can avoid it.
My gut instinct, however, kept bugging me last night and I called Sur La Table to check on the status of the order. I normally would get a tracking number by evening. Williams Sonoma does it. Barnes & Noble does it. Other retailers do it. It was now around 8 and I had received nada, nil, nothing.
By chance, I encountered Charmaine in the call center. All started off okay until she told me “Well, it should be shipped tomorrow.” Wait a minute – overnight means OVERNIGHT! Then she tells me that their overnight is, technically, two days. Well considering that my shipping is about $50, we need to rectify that mess quickly – as in cancel. She told me she couldn’t do ANYTHING and that I’d have to do it at 8:00 but there was the chance that the order could be filled and shipped by that time. To make the situation every worse, I found that the woman was rude, condescending and just pissed me the hell off.
Yes, I flipped into cable cop mode whereby I told her to let me speak and then I’ll let her speak. Do. Not. Interrupt. Me. She goes ‘Well you interrupted me!’ Wait another flippin’ minute – I paused, recounted the conversation in my head, could not not recall one interruption, refused to put up with her attitude and shut. her. down. The next thing she heard was “Charmaine, I want to speak to your Supervisor – NOW“.
Her supervisor, Theresa, and I had a “Come to Jesus” talk. It was more than the shipping confusion (a normal definition of overnight vs. their definition) or the need for this pastry board. The reason for the “The Break Up” is and forever will be the crappy customer service exhibited by Charmaine. Theresa assured me that she would address Charmaine’s issues immediately and that she would do what she could to cancel my order. However, to be safe, I should call Customer Service in the morning. She did everything she could on her end to try to help the situation which, thanks to Charmaine, escalated well beyond what should have been done. She was beyond pleasant – DID NOT INTERRUPT ME and understood that I seriously was seeing red. While I can get cranky, this was worse than when I shut someone’s cable off and they called me the “C” word. (They were stealing cable – where does that make me the bad guy for doing my job, right?)
This morning, I had a quick break from the daily duties where I could give Sur La Table a quick call to make sure the order was cancelled. I wanted that money refunded stat. I resigned myself to the fact that instead of using that Williams Sonoma gift card for a portion of the Breville blender or the Emile Henry Pie Plate or other goodies I wanted, I HAD to spend it on that pastry board and then take a hit for an additional $100.
Well, Sur La Table’s rep, Jessica, answered the phone and I told her to cancel the order. She told me I’d receive it on Monday and I told her “No. Just cancel the order.” She talked to her supervisor and again asked what she should do. Again, I had to tell her to CANCEL IT! She told me that if it had been placed at 1:00 EST it would have been sent but I placed it around 3:00 EST. OK – where does it say that on the website? It doesn’t. While I admit that I am blond, I do tend to notice these things and, if I had seen it, I wouldn’t have placed the order. Plain and simple and Sur La Table and I would have been fine. The continued lack of following a clear and explicit command was astounding. What part of CANCEL THE ORDER does Sur La Table not get? No part of explanation by a CSR on their part can override Charmaine’s actions. That’s the main issue.
Long story short, due to Charmaine’s actions, I just can’t support Sur La Table anymore. So, it’s my decision that until further notice, I’m not going to recommend them, feature their products here on Cooking in Stilettos, give them any link love on either of my sites and their catalogs will go unopened. The two new Sur La Table cookbooks I was planning to buy will not be purchased. I will buy only from other online retailers i.e. Fantes, Cooking.com, Chefs, Jacobs Kitchen, Dean & Deluca, etc. I will purchase that Lotus System through Chefs. I will send customers locally to Le Gourmet Chef, the Premier Outlets, Crate & Barrel and Williams-Sonoma. What was Sur La Table’s loss is now other culinary retailers’ gain.
Sur La Table not only lost a substantial sale, but a long time fan and customer. Quite simply, I am heartbroken because they truly were my favorite store.
Cooks Illustrated & America’s Test Kitchen…
Posted by: | CommentsFYI- you are hereby on notice. I read this post and am OUTRAGED at your representative’s behavior, condescending tone and superiority complex. As I deal with IP law quite often, for your representative to act like this is just horrid – over a modified potato salad recipe.
That being said, Cooks Kitchen and America’s Test Kitchen – we’re breaking up. I’m not buying your magazine or frequenting your websites. Your emails will be deleted. Conde Nast will get my attention from here on out. You have lost a loyal reader.
Foodie Bloggers, check this post out and register your comments if this is something that gets your goat. Melissa should have NEVER gone through this drama. Much thanks to Don for the heads up.
