Big Fat Liars or Buyer Beware?

Recently I had to buy a printer. Some parts in my Epson Printer had come to the end of their life cycle. It would have cost more to fix the Epson than just buy a new one. Owning a Hewlett Packard computer, I decided to purchase a HP Printer to go with it. Seems logical, huh?

I was delighted in the reduced cost of printers today but found that joy quickly dashed. The new inexpensive HP printer didn’t hold a candle to my Epson and had minimal adjustment features. The scans were completely unacceptable and it wasn't going to do what I needed for my website business.

I couldn’t take it back to the store. To set it up, I had to put the ink cartridges in and use it. The receipt clearly stated 'returns were to be made through the manufacture.' I looked at the box again. The packaging didn’t state the limitations of the system. In fact it lead you to believe it’s capabilities were beyond the facts and basically what my Epson was.

Even more disturbing, Hewlett Packard is a brand name company. The idea that HP actually produced such a crappy printer and exaggerated it's capabilities was outrageous to me. I had wasted my money and now had to spend even more money purchasing another printer that could actually facilitate my needs.

Yet again I had another company to add to my ‘Buyer Beware and Big Fat Liars' list! I should note- my attitude on the subject of manufacturers has been seeded by years of disappointment as a consumer. Once you purchase a product - the conversation is over. The chances of getting any company to just take responsibility for a dysfunctional product is virtually nil, much less a product I personally ‘ just don’t like.’

After much thought, I felt it would at least make me feel much better to write Hewlett Packard a blistering email and tell them exactly what I thought of their printer. I made sure the letter was written in a professional tone, but clearly stated my disappointment. I sent it directly to the CEO listed on the website contact.

I did get an email back. It asked me to describe the problem ‘in detail’ and ‘how sorry HP was that I was so unhappy.’ I briefly reiterated my assessment and understood nothing could be done at this point. I explained that my letter was only a cathartic exercise for me as a disgruntled consumer.

Are you ready? Yesterday morning a huge box arrived at my house. Hewlett Packard sent me (Free of charge! )their top of the line printer, scanner, fax, copier. They stated 'they didn't want me to be unhappy as customer and hoped THIS printer would better suit my needs.'

Ya think?!? Wow! I spent the whole afternoon setting it up and having a blast. It was Christmas in San Diego!

Now I’m quite sure Hewlett Packard got a kick out of my letter to the CEO and undoubtedly felt I deserved a prize for impudence, but the whole experience reminded me of something more important. I shouldn’t be so quick to assume the worse. We need to 'beware' as consumers and but you never know if you don’t try. At least,- that's what smart kids do.

Ever had an experience like that?

And by the way- Michael, Martha and I are presenting Art Challenge #4 this coming week. It's a fun one! Please come back and check it out.
Vikki

And what does the painting at the top have to do with this blog? Absolutely nothing. As an artist, I always want to show you something. It’s called Kid Genius and is part of CBS The Sunday Morning Sun Logo collection. It's Acrylic, 16”x20” on canvas panel. For Christmas only I'm offering the original painting at $75+ S&H. If you want to see the deal I'm offering- check out it's original pricing under the Fantasy Link of The Red Chair Gallery.

I'm offering a 10% discount on all original painting (not including prints) in The Red Chair Gallery until Dec.1, 2008. You can contact me here.

Being Aware and A Very Simple Thing

How many times have you said to yourself- “Be aware of your surroundings! Pay attention! Watch what your doing! Stay in the moment! Get your head out of the clouds! Wake up! ”

We question if we left the iron or coffeepot on, locked the door, feed the dog, or a myriad of things. We listen to people talk, nod our heads with every exclamation and yet find ourselves embarrassed when we realize we didn’t hear a word they said. .

It can even be a little freaky. For instance, we can drive home the way we do everyday, and when we arrive- we don’t actually remember the trip. But, we make it home safe and without incident. And how about the scenario where some situation is exposed and we’re stunned because we didn’t see the signs or notice there was a problem? Where were we? Why didn’t we see it? It was right in front of us. It’s as if we’re in a hypnotic state and the real world just vanished.

Of course there are a lot of variables that can cause these things but the truth is we actually are in a hypnotic state when we zone out. It’s like being asleep- yet we’re wide-awake and functioning. To degrees, we actually put our selves into that state of ‘hypnosis’ everyday in the process of our work. It can be a tool that works for us or against us.

Psychiatrists call this altered state of consciousness a fugue state. In extremes it’s actually related to Dissociative Amnesia. It can be chemically induced and highly obvious with drug and alcohol abusers. They frequently have what is called ‘black-outs’ and never remember a thing they did or said under the influence. But, the disconnection (lack of awareness) that I focus on here is just related to simple everyday stress levels and a busy life that keep us from noticing things that are important.

For most of us, zoning out is certainly not because we lack interest or concern. Our brains are multi-tasking and our thoughts in overdrive. We just have to keep it in check. How aware we are, especially with friends and family, is the single most important gift we can give them and ourselves.

I had a friend email yesterday. We’re doing a project together. He was aware I had been sick and just wanted to make sure I was okay now. It was a simple thing but it really made me feel good, you know?

‘Being aware’ was the stimulus for the painting at the top. It’s a very simple painting and very simply idea, but being aware is also the most important thing that connects us to each other. How aware do you consider yourself?

Vikki
My painting is entitled ‘Aware’ and part of the Red Chair Series. It's a a symboic representation of the human condition. It is 18”x24” Acrylic on stretched canvas. The original is $290.

Please visit The Red Chair Gallery. 10% off all prices (prints not included) until Dec. 1, 2008. You can contact me Here.