Baby Shower Blues

I want everyone who reads this to know that I am NOT going to bitch about throwing this baby shower. I volunteered for it. I love Cassie, and I want to do this thing for her because I am so excited for her and Tim. And however much work that entails is what I signed up for when I offered to do this, so I have no right to complain. However, the world at large is not making this process as easy as it could be, and they - specifically the warehouse staff and teenage summer help at Babies R Us - are the ones I am bitching about. So here goes my rant:

I ordered Cassie's shower gift exactly 9 days ago - July 8th. I received an e-mail stating that it takes 2-3 days to process an order, then standard ground shipping is 5-7 days. Well, I thought, that's cutting it close, but I should have it on time even at the later end of that schedule.

Imagine my surprise when I get an e-mail at 2pm this afternoon telling me "We're pleased to tell you that your item(s) has been shipped!" I immediately think, "Whaaaaat? That's got to be wrong." I click on the link to track the package. There is no information available except that my billing info has been sent to UPS. More information will be available shortly.

To make a long story short, I tried to cancel the order, but couldn't because it has already shipped. I have to wait until it arrives, call Babies R Us back, and get them to mail me a return label. Then I have to find a UPS store and drop the package off. OK, well, that's fine, but it still sounds like I'm doing more work than they are to solve this problem what with all the driving around. But, in their defense, the lady at the help line was really nice, and although she did not offer to refund me shipping costs (she only offered a refund on the cost of the item), she gave me a shipping refund when I asked for it. In the meantime, however, I have to actually walk inside a Babies R Us (shudder!) and buy the item at the store.

So, then I start worrying about what happens if I show up to Babies R Us (which is not close to my house) and then they don't have the item in stock and I have to drive to Ft. Worth or somewhere to get it. So, I called my nearest store. Some high school kid answers the phone. I describe the item, then offer to give him the item number if that would help him know if he has the exact one. He replies,

"Oh, I've got'em. I've got plenty of'em. No, I don't need that."

"Ummm, would you like to verify that for me, please?"

"No, I mean, we've got a ton of'em here in the store."

"Well, then, can you put one on hold for me, please? I'll pick it up tomorrow morning."

"Sure, what's your name?"

"Laura Clark."

"OK, ma'am, is that all? OK. Have a nice day." Click.

I was stunned. And I have serious doubts about whether Babies R Us will have my item in the store tomorrow, and even graver ones about whether or not I will have said item on hold. If they do, I will forgive them this whole mess. If they don't, there will be a hissy fit.