Here's a fun little story for your weekend.
I purchased a sofa from Bob's Discount Furniture.
This is the model, but I bought it in black.
I asked to have it delivered on Saturday the 24th, when I moved in. I was told that they couldn't offer me that date until the Tuesday before that Saturday, but I could call on Tuesday and move the date to then. Until then, I would have to pick another day. So I chose Tuesday the 27th instead. I knew I was taking off work that day and figured, worse comes to worse, it would only be a couple days without a sofa and I would be unpacking anyway, not lazing about on the couch.
So the Tuesday before I moved came and went, and I didn't change the delivery date. I was OK with sitting on the floor in the living room for a few days.
Then, on Sunday the 25th, I heard of a blizzard that was going to hit NJ on Tuesday the 27th.
Bob's called to let me know all deliveries on Tuesday the 27th were canceled, but I could use the handy automated tool to reschedule. The earliest the automated tool could guarantee me was Saturday the 31st.
A WEEK without a couch?! I couldn't stand for this. I figured if I spoke with a real human being, I could get it straightened out. After all, how many people were sitting on the floor in their living room with no other furniture?
The offices were closed on Sunday, so I held off on contacting them until Monday, as soon as they opened. I spoke with the lady, gave her my story, and was told the earliest she could help me out was.... Monday February 2nd.
So not only do I have to wait 2 extra days for the delivery than if I had just used the automated tool, I can't even be there when they deliver it to make sure everything is done right. I have to put my trust in someone else.
Talk about an automated tool. Ugh.