This Page

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

First of all, can I tell you how red in the face I am - seriously I'm livid.  It's my birthday for cryin' out loud and I shouldn't have to wage war AGAIN with Barnes & Noble's inept customer service center for their idiocy.

Some background.  I've been a loyal B&N customer for YEARS.  I've held the membership faithfully.  I buy a TON of books, DVDs, etc.  I often enjoy the website's interviews, etc. and make a point to buy all my magazines there.  Needless to say they make a good sum of funds off me.  I've noticed that recently my orders have been *ahem* shall we say slow.  Now one of the perks of buying a certain amount online is "Free Super Saver Shipping" which you could set your clock by - 3 business days or so and *boom* it's in my hands.  Which is great like when I want to review Jaden's fabu new cookbook "Steamy Kitchen" and I am looking forward to the UPS guy knocking on the door with that gorgeously shot book (yes I leafed through a copy in the store - I couldn't wait).  I also ordered the Foodie Handbook by the one and only Pim.  Can we say I'm crazy stoked about both of these books - both of which I put back in anticipation of the order coming to my mailbox. 

Well - it's two weeks later and, guess what - not one but TWO orders are "lost in the mail".  That's my original order AND the order that they issued as a replacement for the first one that is "M.I.A" from a distribution center in NEW JERSEY - the next flippin' state over.

When I called with concern at the end of the week last week to find out what the heck is going on because well, you just can't get tracking from their inept distributor ARGIX DIRECT, they informed me that there were a few complaints and that the replacement would ship out via UPS to me from now on as I'm a member who has been with them for years.  The B&N operator was very understanding and also told me that she was having problems personally with this dumb as rocks (my description - NOT hers) ARGIX DIRECT.   She assured me it would ship out post haste and I again waited patiently for the little present to come to the door.  Now, mind you my Sephora order came and that I ordered SUNDAY NIGHT via UPS.  The UPS here in Philly rocks!  Love them (which, if you know me is quite the event because UPS in Orlando and New Hampshire seriously sucked!)

Well, I get an email from B&N which tells me that it reshipped my replacement order and *wait for it* it went via ARGIX DIRECT via US MAIL.  AGAIN - from New Jersey - next state over.  Shipped out and *boom* guess what - it's lost in the mail again and we can't find ANY tracking info for it because B&N and/or ARGIX dropped the flippin' ball.  What happened to "Ms. Lys - we're going to ship it to you ASAP through UPS so you won't have this problem again"

Needless to say, I lost my patience today when I had to talk to this gal "Cecile" or whatever who not only told me my address was wrong (newsflash - I changed it immediately when I moved and it's on all my receipts so check your flippin' screen dummy because the gal prior to you knew the right address) and then told me "ohhh - it's got to be lost".  When I told her I just renewed my membership and I wanted it canceled and refunded - no go.  She begrudgingly refunded my order cost for both books and I told her that we're having a hell of a breakup.  This is no Ross/Rachael Friends Breakup - this is the real deal as in don't call me, don't email me, lose my damn number we are O.V.E.R.  Seriously - OVER.  Which is sad and hurts me deeply because I really did love going to B&N and browsing the aisles.  Now, it's all Borders & Borders.com which is 20 min. out of the way for me but to prove my point, I'll do it. 

So Barnes & Noble - I don't believe a word of what you say anymore.  Clearly, while I know you are "cutting costs" by using this supposedly cheaper ARGIX DIRECT service, you just lost a very loyal (and profitable) customer.  I've put up with your lack of changing magazines, lack of stock in the Plymouth Meeting Store, etc. because to me B&N has been a part of my shopping loyalty since I was in college.  I just can't sit by and say "Oh it's okay" because really it's not.  What you are doing to customers is disappointing.  So, here's where I tell you publicly (and my readers) - do NOT buy the membership - it's not worth it.  And, that's money I will never see again but I'm sure you will need that $25 because you will lose more customers than me by year's end if you keep this inept shipping distributor.  Clearly, ARGIX has proved itself to be useless in my eyes not once but TWICE.  Go figure.

So excuse me while I head over to BORDERS to go buy the Foodie Handbook and Steamy Kitchen at FULL PRICE because, you know what, Borders has NEVER did me wrong like you have Barnes & Noble.  And I'm sure they will welcome my business (and wallet) with open arms.

Labels: Cooking in Stilettos, Guilty of Idiocy, Shopping, Wha Da Hell

Posted by Lys :: 6:15 PM :: 2 comments

Post a Comment

---------------oOo---------------

Friday, February 13, 2009

Where I've Been...

I've been off and about fighting tooth and nail with a little program called Wordpress. Wanna see a rough cut of my culinary home on the web...

Check out the new and improved Cooking in Stilettos (www.cookinginstilettos.org) . It's so bright and shiny. Obviously I'll be tweeking it and much thanks to all of you who have given your input. I couldn't have done it without y'all... The dog and cat are ready to break the laptop as they've had many a night with me working til crazy late going "WTH!" It's been an education.

Now, with that, this gal is off to go watch James Marsters and then pass out.

Labels: Cooking in Stilettos

Posted by Lys :: 10:37 PM :: 2 comments

Post a Comment

---------------oOo---------------

Saturday, January 17, 2009

On The Agenda...

This is going to be a busy weekend for the Lys household. The pug has a "Playdate" with his pug buddies from the Central Florida Pug Rescue. We're going to attempt yet another car ride - this time with him having a special seatbelt. I've learned that they call him Mr. Wiggles for a reason - he wiggles out of EVERYTHING. Car rides with him and I are never good. He wants to drive and I don't want to channel my inner Britney and let him.

Later, I'll be heading off to the Florida Mall to fondle some Loubous I have my eye on (and I am threatening to buy if a certain goal is reached but as it's work related, I can't write about it here :::sigh:::), attend a Dior event at Nordys courtesy of one of the best makeup peeps ever, oogle a copper gratin pan that I want to add to my kitchen and then it's more errands and then reorganizing the kitchen.

Tomorrow, I'm working on the Cooking in Stilettos revamp, backing up the laptop (yes, FB, I paid attention), doing a couple things I had promised to do (and lapsed on), and making some care packages to send to some peeps. If I'm up to the challenge, I'm considering another trip to the outlets.

Monday is my Sunday - chilling is on the agenda. Also, an intervention with the cat and the dog is in order. Sweet boy that he is, Wiggs tried to be friends with her yesterday and sniff her to give her a quick kiss. The princess turned into this raging, hissing monster growling bloody murder. My heart broke for Wiggs as he ran off and curled up on the couch with his toy, all sad eyed. Later, he tried to share his toy with her last night - again, she hissed. So he's trying - she's not.

What do you have scheduled this weekend?

Labels: Cooking, Cooking in Stilettos, Mr. Wiggles, Random Mess, Shadow, Shopping, Weekend

Posted by Lys :: 10:25 AM :: 4 comments

Post a Comment

---------------oOo---------------

Saturday, December 20, 2008

A Short, Yet Pleasant Jaunt...

Well, I took Predo's advice and just chilled around the city today. I slept in, caught up on some emails, etc. in my fancy lounger by the window overlooking the river and the Ben Franklin Bridge and then sauntered over to the Italian Market to pick up a few things for the holidays. I love getting the fresh spices from there and it's so much better than buying the spices at the grocery store. Along with picking up MORE coffee again and some chocolates for some people, I was pretty much shopped out. I also took time to reflect on the blessings that I've experienced over the past year and gave thanks for all that I've been able to experience.

Yesterday's events were pretty relaxed as well. After I landed, it was off to the Cherry Hill mall to find *the* outfit for the night's events. I just wasn't comfortable with what I packed. It was too late to stop by Justine's grave as the mausoleum closes at 3:00. Based on the conditions I heard we were to encounter, I decided casual was best along with something that photographed well. I've learned that you can't get a decent sweater in Orlando - everything there is so "Florida centered" so I figured it was better if I just bought that up here.

We had dinner at the Bourbon and sampled their new menu. Ant and BMIC made sure that a gal's cable cars were available and it was a fun evening. OurBuddy and CK kept us in hysterics, seeing Jo again after 20 years was amazing - she hasn't aged a DAY - she's still looking fabulous. Am and Laura were a fit of giggles all night and the other peeps there were too much!!! Loved it.

Tonight, I dropped by Amadas for culinary inspiration and some fabulous cocktails (don't worry - will disclose more on Cooking In Stilettos), chilled out watching peeps ice skate, visited Manayunk to see it all decorated for the holidays and am flying out tomorrow back to my life in Orlando.

Philly - while I'll miss you, I'll be back. Just make sure you have some spiced apple sangria ready for a gal please ...

Labels: Cooking in Stilettos, Friends, Philly, Shopping, Travel

Posted by Lys :: 8:53 PM :: 1 comments

Post a Comment

---------------oOo---------------

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Menu of Hope V Gives Back...

Cooking In Stilettos is honored to participate in Menu of Hope V. I ask that you please take a moment and click HERE to find out more....

Thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart.

Labels: Charity, Cooking in Stilettos, Great Blog Posts

Posted by Lys :: 9:50 PM :: 3 comments

Post a Comment

---------------oOo---------------

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Contest Reminder: Goodies From Antonios at Cooking In Stilettos...

Just a Reminder - today is the last day to leave a comment to win some goodies from Antonios in Philadelphia's Italian Market over at Cooking In Stilettos. Head over to this post and comment away!

Good Luck!

Labels: Contest, Cooking in Stilettos, Philly

Posted by Lys :: 12:48 PM :: 0 comments

Post a Comment

---------------oOo---------------

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

And... Cooking in Stilettos is Back..

As you all know, things in the Lys' household are crazy crazy crazy.

So, while I travel up to the cold cold North known as Western Massachusetts, you can catch some new posts over here at Cooking In Stilettos - my culinary home on the web. Plus - come close, I gotta tell you a secret...

*whispering*

There's a contest on Cooking In Stilettos.

Did you hear me - CONTEST! For goodies from the Italian Market.

So go over there, show a gal some comment luv and put in your entry!

Have a happy Thanksgiving, y'all. I'll be back on Saturday (or if I really have the blogging shakes, I'll post via blackberry)

Labels: Contest, Cooking in Stilettos, Philly, Random Mess

Posted by Lys :: 4:20 PM :: 2 comments

Post a Comment

---------------oOo---------------

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Ughhhhhh... Did I Make Deadline???

It's 11:56, the BB is not allowing me onto Blogger and dammit if I don't post SOMETHING I'll be in violation of NahBlahBlah and we can't let THAT happen - not when I'm only 3 mo. away from victory.

Dinner tonight at Todd English's bluezoo was AMAZING! OH. My. God. I'm still in amazement. Stay tuned as yes, I food blogged and photo snapped every. flippin. plate. Last night's "Date" at Williams Sonoma - well my wallet thinks that it was not a good one as my wallet is screaming in horror and tomorrow I can tell you all, my lovelies.

But I will say this - I am inspired and that's just what is needed. I have to think about what to cook tomorrow. Much thanks to the crew at FoodBuzz. Love them!

Now I publish and pass out!

Labels: Blog 365, Cooking in Stilettos, Random Mess, Shopping

Posted by Lys :: 11:56 PM :: 2 comments

Post a Comment

---------------oOo---------------

Monday, August 18, 2008

Have I Got A Recipe Find For You...

As we're probably going to be banished to the apartments thanks to Hurricane Fay, I am going to be a cooking fiend.

Make sure to drop by my second home on the web and check out this fabu recipe for Creole Butter that I *ahem* obtained from one of my fave hiding spots in Philly - Bourbon Blue.

You can check out the post at Cooking In Stilettos. Trust me when I say once you try it, cornbread will NEVER be the same.

Labels: Blog 365, Cooking, Cooking in Stilettos, Random Mess, Recipe, Travel

Posted by Lys :: 5:45 PM :: 0 comments

Post a Comment

---------------oOo---------------

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

There's A Giveaway Goin' On... [XPost]

Drop by Cooking In Stilettos today for a chance to win a copy of Bobby Flay's "Mesa Grill" Cookbook.

Yeah, I know I know - lame Blog 365 entry and, to top it all off, a shameless Cooking In Stilettos plug but drop by, say hello and enter to WIN!

You know you want to!

Labels: Blog 365, Contest, Cooking in Stilettos

Posted by Lys :: 5:44 PM :: 1 comments

Post a Comment

---------------oOo---------------