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> [T]he procedure is, for the normal person, a once-in-a-lifetime event. But the flunky on the other side of the desk does it every day. I just had a TV delive

> [T]he procedure is, for the normal person, a once-in-a-lifetime event. But the flunky on the other side of the desk does it every day. I just had a TV delivered. And then a replacement delivered, but they were unauthorized to pick up the original, so the same two delivery guys had to come back a third time. All three times, the delivery guys tried to force me to sign an incomplete form. They clearly wanted me to sign for whatever condition it was in and they would check all the boxes on my behalf to cover their own asses. The tactic was plainly obvious. > The other solution is to be really, really nice. To be incredibly accommodating. That's what I usually try to do in this sort of situation. However, it simply was impossible because the delivery guys 1) were rather large and intimidating 2) in my home, where I'm still unpacking and 3) spoke very poor english. Charm simply does not work on underpaid meatheads who don't understand the words your using. Any attempt to communicate clearly resulted in them becoming impatient and visibly annoyed, which resulted in me becoming uncomfortable (in my own home!). So each of the first two times, I just didn't sign my name. I just made an X that is in no way similar to my normal signature. The last time, for the pickup, I wrote "PERFECT CONDITION" over the whole form and then signed my name to that. The delivery guys were clearly pissed that last time because they didn't have another form and that if they dropped the TV, then they couldn't blame damage on me.

vacri 14y ago
Take photographs. 'perfect condition' on a form is not as powerful as 'here are your guys and my TV'. Certainly if you're a renter, take pictures before you move in. Same as landlords, too. Pictures are free and can potentially save a lot of heartache.
jasonlotito 14y ago
Maybe you have reason to be afraid, but... > Charm simply does not work on underpaid meatheads Charm, or respect, works on people. Sorry, but when you call them meatheads, it doesn't instill me with any confidence that you treated them with respect. The actions you describe support that fact (mostly through the way you describe it). Again, maybe you have a reason, but unless you are leaving critical things out, your attitude is what makes it impossible.
- ugk 14y ago
  Respect is earned. Treating another person with immediate decency is an honorable thing, but to give respect freely indicates a weakness that will be exploited. They were there to do a job, not have tea and chat about local charity.
  - jasonlotito 14y ago
    > Treating another person with immediate decency is an honorable thing That's respect. > Respect is earned. You are confusing trust with respect. The only people that believe that respect is earned are people that need to an excuse to act like an asshole. Respect costs nothing.
- d23 14y ago
  Back and forths like are annoying and make this community look pedantic. You know damn well you sometimes deal with people who simply don't respond to your niceties. It's a fact of life, and the commenter was simply pointing that out. You don't know the situation. Why does it have to be his fault? Some people out there really are assholes and really do just want to take advantage of people.
  - jasonlotito 14y ago
    > You know damn well you sometimes deal with people who simply don't respond to your niceties. People. > Again, maybe you have a reason, but unless you are leaving critical things out, your attitude is what makes it impossible. I said as much. > Why does it have to be his fault? It doesn't have to be. I said as much. > Back and forths like are annoying and make this community look pedantic. Commenting is not the way to handle this then. Downvote, or flag if you think it's not appropriate. Commenting, however, signifies what I said contributed to the discussion. If it didn't, then any reply would be equally worthless.
- snprbob86 14y ago
  The more important part of that sentence, which you elided, was the fact that there was a language communication barrier. I treated them with nothing but respect in person. I always joke around and make small talk with people in the service industry. I know how far that sort of thing can take you. However, I elected to use the word "meatheads" because it paints a picture: They were large men whom couldn't hold a conversation. Whether or not they could hold a conversation with native spanish speakers was immaterial to the story.
MechaJDI 14y ago
Somewhat clever but signing an 'X' didn't make it not your signature but rather just what you 'signed as'. :P

vacri 14y ago

Take photographs. 'perfect condition' on a form is not as powerful as 'here are your guys and my TV'. Certainly if you're a renter, take pictures before you move in. Same as landlords, too. Pictures are free and can potentially save a lot of heartache.

jasonlotito 14y ago

Maybe you have reason to be afraid, but... > Charm simply does not work on underpaid meatheads Charm, or respect, works on people. Sorry, but when you call them meatheads, it doesn't instill me with any confidence that you treated them with respect. The actions you describe support that fact (mostly through the way you describe it). Again, maybe you have a reason, but unless you are leaving critical things out, your attitude is what makes it impossible.

ugk 14y ago
Respect is earned. Treating another person with immediate decency is an honorable thing, but to give respect freely indicates a weakness that will be exploited. They were there to do a job, not have tea and chat about local charity.
- jasonlotito 14y ago
  > Treating another person with immediate decency is an honorable thing That's respect. > Respect is earned. You are confusing trust with respect. The only people that believe that respect is earned are people that need to an excuse to act like an asshole. Respect costs nothing.
d23 14y ago
Back and forths like are annoying and make this community look pedantic. You know damn well you sometimes deal with people who simply don't respond to your niceties. It's a fact of life, and the commenter was simply pointing that out. You don't know the situation. Why does it have to be his fault? Some people out there really are assholes and really do just want to take advantage of people.
- jasonlotito 14y ago
  > You know damn well you sometimes deal with people who simply don't respond to your niceties. People. > Again, maybe you have a reason, but unless you are leaving critical things out, your attitude is what makes it impossible. I said as much. > Why does it have to be his fault? It doesn't have to be. I said as much. > Back and forths like are annoying and make this community look pedantic. Commenting is not the way to handle this then. Downvote, or flag if you think it's not appropriate. Commenting, however, signifies what I said contributed to the discussion. If it didn't, then any reply would be equally worthless.
snprbob86 14y ago
The more important part of that sentence, which you elided, was the fact that there was a language communication barrier. I treated them with nothing but respect in person. I always joke around and make small talk with people in the service industry. I know how far that sort of thing can take you. However, I elected to use the word "meatheads" because it paints a picture: They were large men whom couldn't hold a conversation. Whether or not they could hold a conversation with native spanish speakers was immaterial to the story.

MechaJDI 14y ago

Somewhat clever but signing an 'X' didn't make it not your signature but rather just what you 'signed as'. :P