Things that tick me off: Idiotic return policies

So like most people, I got some presents I didn't want, can't use, our couldn't transport. I thought I'd exchange them for something more useful. Whenever I try this, I encounter the most illogical policies imaginable.

Story 1:
Let's start with 8 months ago, when I went to target to return a gift that was on a gift registry. (b/c we got 2 of them and Target didn't notice)

We walk into the store with this box from Target.com and the packing slip, and a copy of our registry.

The Target lady proceeds to tell us we can't exchange the item without a gift receipt. We point out that we have the packing slip and that it was clearly a gift from this registry (see how it says received?).
"Blah Blah Blah, you can't return w/o a receipt. "
"But you have the packing slip. You know it's a Target Purchase"
"I have a 3 page list of things I asked people to buy from YOUR store and you won't return this without a receipt? What if it happens again?"
"Ask for a gift receipt"

What kind of answer is that? But the policy makes no sense. I don't shop at Target very often anymore and never for gifts now.

Story 2:
We received an item from Lowe's that was large and not easy to bring home. Since we were right by a Lowe's I figured we'd return in for store credit and get it at the Lowe's at home. I wanted the item.

This item was bought from Lowes.com. There was a packing receipt attached. The store refused to give us store credit, but was willing to refund the credit card that purchased it.
"But it was a gift, we didn't buy it"
"That's how the system works"
"You can't give us a store credit?"
"No"
So they refunded the card, and since it's a family member we'll work it out between us. However, Lowe's is now on my list of places not to shop, especially for gifts. We WON'T be buying the replacement for what we returned from Lowe's (Congratulations Lowe's, you gave Home Depot a sale, and you got nothing but a ticked off customer)

These stores need to think, if something is unopened in its original packaging and clearly from their store (Target brand anyone?), they need to offer store credit. Especially the day after Christmas.

This is just one more reason why Costco is awesome with their no questions return policy (90 days on electronics, which is fair).

Damn this woman!

She just won't go away!

Things that tick me off: Directing Traffic

So every day after work there are cops directing traffic in front of my office park. Presumably, they are there in order to be more efficient than traffic lights at getting people through the intersection.

This would be great, except that it is clear they have not been trained on how to maximize traffic flow. If they are just going to go through the light cycles, then what's the point. They routinely force people into lanes they don't want to be in (b/c they end, or turn, or whatever). and just create a new problem several hundred yards down. I got in the lane I want to be in - I'll just wait on this side of the light. Now you're making me merge again and the people don't want to let me in b/c they think I'm jumping the line.

They also can't see equal distances in each direction and are oblivious to the huge back-up on the other side of the hill - so they don't adjust their cycle times for each direction.

I'd rather they just let the lights do their job. If they want to be productive, they should stand at the corners and write tickets to the morons who block the intersections.

Morons who block intersections also tick me off. I think I should be allowed to plow into them at full speed with my car.

Things that tick me off: Heelys

I should clarify. It isn't Heely's themselves that tick me off (other than the fact I didn't think of it). It's parents you let their kids use these things instead of walking. Why is it when I go to the store, half the kids are skating around, running into people, and generally being a nuisance?

I now make it a point to go to stores that have signs banning these things.

In the words of a former GT prof "Roller skates are an outside toy".

New Series: Things that Tick me off

Since this Blog has been dead for a while, I'm going to start a new series entitled "Things that tick me off". Since many people suck, this won't be hard.

Today's item is the latest kid's fundraising tactic. When I was a kid, we had all kinds of stupid fundraisers, most of which involved selling things no one wants at crazy markups (wrapping paper, candy, fruit, raffle tickets, etc). We also had car washes and other endeavors.

Today kids can't be bothered with actually providing a service or product to raise funds. Instead they beg. Panhandle. Walk around in between cars at a red light asking for money. What the hell are we teaching this kids? How to be a bum. We have a word for people who beg for money. Bum.

Besides, how do I know what the money is going for? They just have a piece of paper and are wearing a uniform (only sometimes). I'm supposed to think none of these aspiring bums realize that if they walk around and ask for money people give it to them? I'm not enabling that crap.

They should at least have the decency to wash my windshield like the guy at 10th street last week. Maybe then I'd give them some money. I will buy stupid stuff from kids. In fact, on occasion I make it a point to do so. I'll let them wash my car for more than the car wash. However, I have a hard and fast rule - I don't give money to anyone who can't provide me with a service (unless they are a documented, certifiable charity).