Waitrose are lovely

I recently ordered from Waitrose for the first time. They have only started delivering here since opening a new shop about 10 miles away. I did pop in to check it out when I had to go that way for something else recently.
Well there were a few things not available, the delivery man was most apologetic and some substitutes I sent back, and he told me if there was anything else I wasn't happy with to ring the free phone number.
After he had gone when I started to put stuff away I realised that the two tubs of organic Duchy ice cream both contained maize starch, something that will make me feel ill. I rang to say it would be helpful to have that information on the website, as the ice cream was not cheap and they told me as a gesture of good will they would refund me. I was surprised to get a message left on my phone telling me later that the branch would not refund me after all. I rang again and asked if I take this back to the shop will they refund me then? Of course they would have to throw it away. Customer services advised me to ask to talk to the manager next time I was in the shop taking my bill with me, but as I don't go to the shop usually I wanted to phone and ask about it.

I spoke to the manager who apologised and told me of course they would do a refund, and he would look into it. I later got a phone call from another manager who told me they had refunded me double the cost and could they deliver a bunch of flowers to say sorry?
How lovely is that, and not something that the likes of Tesco practice for much worse things (such as the gone off chicken)!

Anyway the poor chap who turned up, and I think it was a manager, asked if he had caught me at a bad time. I was wearing my yellow rubber gloves, my beloved old pink T shirt that has moth holes and a blob of blood coloured paint in the middle from a card making session, which was also a bit soggy and my hair (desperately in need of a trim) looked wild and so did I from his reaction! In fact my parents had been round before that and my Dad asked what was on my top, I said "blood" and he just said "oh". I had to tell him it wasn't really, wasn't worried about it being blood though. I wore it out dog walking once and worried in case anyone thought I had been stabbed - no not round here! I didn't even invite him in. Maybe my top is due for recycling, sigh.

Well I will definitely be ordering again, especially as delivery is free for over £50 of goods, and you can order fresh fish unlike the other supermarkets and the service I got today was superb.

Unable to stop spending - help!

Thanks for all the nice comments I have been getting on my blog and my cards recently. They are much appreciated. Also my health probs are long term but I hope for an improvement soon.

I have had a yearning to visit Hobbycraft for a few weeks, maybe it is something to do with the leaflets that recently arrived and vouchers on the back, but I got my long suffering hubby to drive me there (I can drive but get awful pain in my legs if I go that far).

I have to say it was disappointing. I had a mental list of things I would like, and two vouchers with a plan to split it into two baskets to use both, but I struggled to spend enough to use one!

I wanted to at least look at the Big Shot in black and pink, knowing that I can get it the same price or with some dies for just £7 more with free delivery from Cutting Edge Crafts online. It was in the catalogue, but nowhere to be seen. I mentioned it at the checkout, the girl said "There is one up there I will show you if you like" - off we trotted and it wasn't there. I may have looked to them to be getting on a bit but my eyesight isn't that bad, the Big shot is - well - big - not something easily missed. "We have one out the back would you like me to get it" she offered "Well if it isn't too difficult" I replied - off she went and maybe 20 minutes later arrived back with the blue one, and a colleague and said here it is £69.99. I said "I can get the newer one cheaper - look", producing the print (well I hoped I could find the same kit and haggle it down) - "oh O..K." she said, and went to put it on the shelf at which her colleague told her she shouldn't as it was put out the back for a reason she thought!

So I asked about the new pink Xcut punches, I wanted the ribbon one. The assistant hadn't heard of those.

I have just bought a 120 Prismacolour pencil set on Ebay using my 20% discount code, and I wanted the stumps (not that I really know what they are for yet, I think you blend colours then use them to draw but I am not certain), Sansodor - though I have some other stuff that might be the same, and anything related but I found the stumps all looking dirty and used and quite pricey each.

I looked for anything else that took my fancy, found a small easel and bought that. I have seen them used to display cards in photos and quite fancied one. I also bought two punches from the bargain box, and a bumper bag of stickers and peel offs at half price to give to my youngest niece. I also bought two heart shaped trinket boxes to decorate.

At the checkout the girl told me they don't get the leaflets I got, and seemed quite jealous that I had them. Wouldn't it be an idea for the staff to know what is actually supposed to be on sale in the shop and why it isn't there?