WHY WHY WHY DO I PUT UP WITH THIS?

[achstechdirector]

My theatre recently decided to purchase some new sound equipment. After deciding on the equipment and going through several people to get the Purchase Order for the equipment, I Finally ordered the equipment (by fax). I sent that 4 times and the company still hasn't received it. So I called them and asked if there was any other way to get the sound equipment. He said that he needed a hard copy of the Purchase Order (PO) and thatthey could not send the equipment until they had received the PO. I am well aware that this may be the case but he was very unproffessional about the entire incident. I am very mad at the fact that this company comes highly recommended from several friends (who are sound engineers) but still I am now very mad at the fact that I will not receive my equipment by the date I had expected

 

[photoatdv]

Yeah, well, same thing happened at my school last year. Never did get the equiptment because the show was over with.

 

[Van]

I've had a rash of "faxes that never came through" lately. < and they don't make a cream for that either!>
Maybe the FBI's mics are turned up too high and their sucking all the signal off the phonewire or something.
No Seriously, I went through this earlier this year where I had faxed a confirmation of an order to a supplier, told them I would be bringing a check by on Wenesday. When I showed up with a check on Wednesday < a full 4 days after I had faxed them AND talked to them on the phone.>
they had never heard of me < Me, can you believe it? Never heard of me, Why I oughtta....> and it took them a full hour to track down the somebody who had taken my order and get the proper papers filled out so I could leave a $3k check with them!
I don't know if we blame this on Fax technology or Poor customer service
but I do feel for you......

 

[DaveySimps]

I know where you are coming from. I had a similar problem with a rigging safety inspection this spring with a HIGHLY reputable firm recognized by everybody in the industry. They had the worst customer service I have ever expirenced. It took over a month for them to schedule the inspection, they did not show on the scheduled day (and they had to fly in from several states away to do so), and it took two months to get the inspection report. VERY frustrating. None of the waiting was due to us, and I followed up repeatedly with phone calls and email every several days.

I guess everyones expirence is different with each vendor. One mans favorite vendor can be another mans words purchasing nightmare. It makes it even more frustrating when you are jonesin for your new sound gear.

~Dave

 

[derekleffew]

Sorry to hear of your troubles, achstechdirector, but there's an easy and inexpensive solution. Sending an overnight letter of a hard copy of the purchase order, with delivery confirmation, costs around $10 at any one of a number of delivery services: FedEx, USPS, UPS, DHL, et al. That's the way we used to do all time-sensitive correspondance prior to fax machines and email.http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/members/achstechdirector.html

 

[icewolf08]

Sorry to hear of your troubles, achstechdirector, but there's an easy and inexpensive solution. Sending an overnight letter of a hard copy of the purchase order, with delivery confirmation, costs around $10 at any one of a number of delivery services: FedEx, USPS, UPS, DHL, et al. That's the way we used to do all time-sensitive correspondance prior to fax machines and email.http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/members/achstechdirector.html

Right, and when the mojo machine doesn't work, we have these newfangled things called scanners and email. The state of Utah just changed a whole bunch of stuff regarding tax exempt paperwork so I had to send out new forms to all my local vendors. It was amazingly convenient that I could download a signed PDF copy of the form from the purchasing department website and just email it out. All the vendors were happy too!

 

[Sony]

I can't figure out where my software went for my all-in-one, so now its scanning functions are defunct. Not being able to scan in a document is painful. Our reliance on technology is crazy, especially in this field. With the number of computers our during tech, could you imagine what it was like in the "good ol' days", well, at least Derek is old enough to remember working with plumbed gas lights.

If it's an HP or Epson you can usually download all the software you need right off the Manufacturer's Website.

 

[seanandkate]

And if your email program has the facility to inform you that your email has been received and / or opened, use it. It saves a lot of time when the "I never got it" conversation rears its ugly head.

 

[achstechdirector]

Thanks for all responses yall

The Director is kinda emotionless ( yes I know VERY IRONIC)
Knowing that someone knows what i am going through can be very helpful

 

[genericcomment]

Reading this gave me a mental image of techies doing customer service. We still use fax machines?? Those things are more unreliable then asking a freshman actor to hand you a hammer.

 

[jowens]

Some schools don't even allow a purchase order or subsequent invoices to be faxed at all...

 

[achstechdirector]

I finallyt got the order placed today and it will be here friday

Cool little ending:

After seeing all the trouble I went through trying to collaborate the ordering of this equipment, the principal is giving me, yes me, my own office (I AM A STUDENT) with fax, phone, computer w/ internet, minifridge and microwave, and the best part is it is 10 feet from the tech booth, with a door that opens right into the back of the theatre

 

[avkid]

After seeing all the trouble I went through trying to collaborate the ordering of this equipment, the principal is giving me, yes me, my own office (I AM A STUDENT) with fax, phone, computer w/ internet, minifridge and microwave, and the best part is it is 10 feet from the tech booth, with a door that opens right into the back of the theatre

Who had it before?

 

[Sony]

My office IS the Tech Booth, and the Dimmer Closet is where we keep our Microwave and Mini-Fridge.

Thats pretty sweet though, good job!

 

[achstechdirector]

the attendance officer had the office and she was located out in our campus when she serviced schools 45 minutes away so the district is moving her to the Alcorn County School District Education Center which is centrally located. Thank god that somebody is realizing the work that the tech crew is putting in at ACHS. I hope that your school has appreciated you more than they have us. This year they have really stepped up. All tech crew members are to be paid 8 dollars per hour for assemblies, awards ceremonies, pep rallies, etc. the only thing that we are not paid for is the theatre productions but we get credits and a grade toward it

 

[icewolf08]

Well, all I have to say, is, don't abuse the privilege! You are lucky that you have been given a space for yourself, so make sure that you keep it up and use it to show some pride in your work. Make sure that if you decorate it is tasteful, you don't let food go bad in your fridge, and you keep the floor clean so that when you sit down to talk to people in your office you convey a good image. Show your pride!

 

[achstechdirector]

I am so proud to get it that i will take great care of it