Better World Books ~ Not too sure where exactly this world is...

Apparently Better World Books did not receive it's name based on the service it provides to it's customers.  I rather think that the name comes from the fact that the books are being shipped from another world away. 

I found this establishment when looking for a book on Abebooks.com.  While the price was right, the book apparently could arrive whenever it feels like it.  It was a blustery December day when I decided to order Las Vegas for Dummies.  I was so pleased on December 9 to see that my book had already been shipped out, despite being less than 12 hours from the time I had placed the order.  As of this typing on December 28, I am the Dummie and who knows where my order is.  I paid about $4, but honestly, if I had known it was going to take 3 weeks to arrive I would have just spend the extra $10 bucks and bought it from my local Barnes and Noble.

The best part of this story is that when I contacted Better World Books, they cared enough to simply resend the generic message that was sent to me on the 9th saying that my book was sent USPS on December 9 and could take 4-14 business days to arrive, but depending on the timeliness of the post office could take longer.

How sweet of them!  Just forwarding that thoughtless message tells me what a special place I have in their heart.  It's progressive thinking like this that has continued to move the needle at this fine establishment.

Seriously?  Are they kidding me with that?  I don't understand customer service these days.  Whatever happened to the days where a company tried to exceed their customers' expectations.  Apparently Better World Books prefers the "Underpromise and Underdeliver" philosophy.  I could almost get on my bike and ride to Vegas and conduct my own research in the time it's taking for this book to arrive.  I am certain that I could drive it in less time.  Come to think of it, our vendors ship a lot of their goods via Port of Entry at Long Beach, CA.  Somehow, by the grace of God, they are able to get the goods to our DC in South Carolina in 5 business days.  How is it that freight, and any other letter can go 3000+ miles in less than a week, but Better World Books cannot ship a single book in less than 19 days (and counting).

Let's just say that the best thing you can do is to skip over Better World Books and go somewhere that will deliver before the material becomes obselete.  This establishment receives two enthusiastic thumbs down in the Leardini household. 

Better World Books, congratulations on a job almost done.

Aunt Pat

My Aunt Pat is the most beautiful person I know.  She is kind, caring, compassionate and  funny. 
This evening, Jill and I got to go up and spend a wonderful evening with her.  We talked, had a great dinner, and played one of my favorite card games - GOLF.  
Despite all that is going on in Aunt Pat's life, she still asks about how I'm doing and she thinks of the smallest details in my life to ask about them. 
I cannot think of a more selfless, wonderful person than my Aunt Pat.  I remember how she was so welcoming to me when I joined the family by inviting me up to her home for dinner and taking the time to learn all about me, while telling me the funniest stories about the family.  I was nervous about how I'd fit in and how to act around all these new people, but she put me at ease immediatly.  She cared about everything that I had to say about my life.  I couldn't believe it because I was barely interested in the things I was telling her, but she took such an active interest. 
A few years back, I was fortunate enough to be inducted into an honor society when I was going through Grad School.  Aunt Pat was there to share this special moment with me (as were several members of Jill's family).  She was as proud of me as if I had known her my whole life.  My parents lived too far away to attend, so Aunt Pat and Uncle Gus came and looked after me like any parent would.  They made the night really special for me.
I love you, Aunt Pat!  I think you're GREAT!