a few good deals

I buy a Sonicare electric toothbrush on Amazon in October 2012.  The charge no longer holds.  My dentist insists I get a new one.  I decide to let Amazon know.  “I’m sorry,” nice Ivan C says, “But you can only return things in the first 90 days.”  “Yes, but it was working then,” I say, not really expecting anything to come of it. “I'm sorry.  All I can do is send you a pre-paid label, and you can send the toothbrush back.  The original shipping cost and a $15 re-stocking fee will have to be deducted from your refund.”  The offer seems more than generous; I don't even argue the logic of deducting a re-stocking fee for an item that won't be re-stocked.

I go to one of my favorite local restaurants, 83 ½, with my friend Mary who was visiting from Chicago.  We split the bill, and each add a $13 tip.  Later I look at amex online and see I’ve been charged a tip of $23.  I call the restaurant and they apologize, “We have no idea how that happened.”  I believe them. Then the manager adds, “It’s really a pain to reverse and change the amount.  How about instead if I give you a gift certificate for $20?”

I love good paper.  At least 28 pound.  Even if I just use if for notes and to-do lists, I don’t like writing on flimsy pads.  Last year when I was at M’s, she was using these great pads from American Stationery (http://www.americanstationery.com/personalized-desk-memos-6600.html).  The weight is great and I’ve since bought them as gifts.  So for no reason other than I love them, and they cost only $30, I'm including them in today's post.