The adventure began innocently enough. A few plants... a few flowers.
Then, we needed a lawnmower that actually worked.
Having owned a Craftsman 1000 five years ago, and knowing what a good little mower it was, we felt like giving it another try, so on June 14th, (2017), Little Red Riding Hood was born.
"The "safety switch" problem, (it would pop out at the slightest opportunity; meaning one had to stop, dismantle the guard, fix the switch, and re-assemble said guard before continuing), is bound to have been fixed by now."
Little Red Riding Hood was doing a fantastic job, until that "safety switch" kicked in, and we then realized it had apparently not been addressed at all over the five intermittent years...
Meanwhile, we had called customer services to arranged for a repair man to come out to her - since we had taken the opportunity to purchase 5 years of maintenance and servicing - ON JULY 12TH, (2017)! Not willing to wait this long, we took advantage of the 90 day return policy, took her back to Sears, on June 22nd, (2017), and paid a little extra for the next mower up - a Craftsman 1200.
No pictures exist of this replacement mower, since it failed to even start!
Meanwhile, we are informed that our appointment - the one for July 12th that we did not cancel as the current mower also needed attention - had been moved up due to a cancellation, and someone would be with us the next day, (June 23rd 2017... yesterday). Waited in all day. Nobody came.
Hubby phoned Sears. Spoke to Bobby, who informed him that there were four brand new mowers - like the one we were having such trouble with - in the back, still in the box, all ready to be put together... Wonderful. That is what we wanted in the first place!
And so to today. Back we go YET AGAIN to Sears for a second time with a faulty mower.
Me: "Do you still have the four boxed up, BRAND NEW mowers in the back... one of which to replace this one that does not work, please?"
Manager of Sears Outdoor Department: "Yes, but it will cost a little more. Looks like the reason you got a good deal on that one was because it had been sold before."
So we were at least the second owner? NOT BEST PLEASED ABOUT THAT!
My mistake... it said "Closeout Sale" on the label!
Hence, I could not at that moment see the "good deal" to which he was referring.
Me: "Well, after all our trouble - this being the second mower we've had to return - is it possible to get a little shaved off the price of a brand new mower?"
Manager: "We shall see what we can do about that."
So... We go through the process of exchanging prices and mowers. No matter what they did, the till would not allow them to shave off 10% from the final total, so the manager said, "Let's just call it even. No more owed. Compensation for your trouble."
Me: "Thank you very much."
Shop assistant, who was serving me: "Might have to pick it up later, since it has to be assembled."
Me: "That's okay."
Having successfully completed the transaction, I scooted around to the "Pickup" door to reconnect with Hubby, who was waiting with the old mower for someone to come and collect it from our trailer. The mower sat on the pavement by the door - apparently already processed.
I began telling Hubby the news about us having to come back later, when I saw from the corner of my eye another red mower - BRAND NEW - being pushed through the door...
Could it be ours??? Already??? YES!
Apparently, it had been assembled when we called the day before and was ready to go. And so (Red Hot Chili) Pepper was born!
I am very happy to report, she runs like a TOP, and I love her!
Thus, the gardening adventure continues...