Fabulous Financials

THIS IS THE SPAN OF MY DAY, STARTING WITH A HORRIFIC DC COMMUTE. I LEAVE MY HOUSE AT 4:40AM AND RETURN HOME AT 6:50PM. OVER 14 FUCKING HOURS!! UGH!

I HATE THIS COMMUTE.

I HATE DC TRAFFIC.

I HATE DRIVING IN DC TRAFFIC.

I HATE ONE WAY STREETS.

I HATE FORKS IN THE ROAD.

WHO’S DUMB ASS IDEA WAS THAT ANYWAY?

STREETS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO SPLIT, THEN SPLIT AGAIN, THEN SPLIT AGAIN…UNTIL INFINITY.

AND WHERE ARE THE FUCKIN SIGNS???????

I HATE RUDE DRIVERS.

SOME PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THEIR HORNS DISABLED.

I HATE GETTING LOST.

I NEED A GPS SYSTEM IN MY CAR.

SCRATCH THAT, I HATE DRIVING IN DC.

SO I TRIED MASS TRANSPO…

COMMUTER BUS + METRO + WALK = UNFABULOUS SINGLE MA BY 7AM

I HATE THE COMMUTER BUS - I GET MOTION SICK.

I HATE THE METRO - IT’S DIRTY, IT STINKS, AND PEOPLE ARE MEAN.

I HATE WALKING THREE BLOCKS “UP” A HILL. IT MADE ME REALIZE HOW OUT OF SHAPE I AM.

MY THIGHS HURT.

MY CALVES BURN.

GAWD I’M FAT!!

I HATE THIS JOB.

I HATE MY OFFICE, WAIT…I HAVE NO FUCKIN OFFICE. I DON’T EVEN HAVE A CUBE. YOU WOULD THINK THEY DIDN’T KNOW I WAS COMING. I MEAN, YOU ONLY OFFERED ME THE JOB OVER A MONTH AGO. UGH!!

THIS PERSON HAS TO MOVE FIRST BECAUSE THEY WANT THE VACANT CORNER OFFICE. THEN THIS PERSON HAS TO MOVE BECAUSE THEY’VE BEEN WANTING THAT OTHER PERSON’S OFFICE FOR A LONG TIME SINCE IT’S CLOSE TO THE BREAK ROOM. BUT WAIT, PERSON #1 CAN’T MOVE UNTIL THEY PLACE A TICKET REQUEST SO THE IT DEPT CAN MOVE THEIR COMPUTER AND PHONE. SO IN THE MEANTIME, YOU CAN JUST PUT YOUR STUFF DOWN HERE AND COME SIT IN MY OFFICE WITH ME. WTF!! THEN WHEN PERSON #2 MOVES, YOU CAN HAVE THEIR OFFICE. OH AND IT’LL JUST BE TEMPORARY BECAUSE THE WHOLE DEPARTMENT IS MOVING AGAIN IN TWO MONTHS ANYWAY. *DEAD*

I HATE UNORGANIZED SHYT!!

DID I SAY I HATE MY COMMUTE??

AFTER ALL THAT BULLSHYT I GO THROUGH IN THE MORNING JUST TO GET THERE THEN I HAVE NO FUCKING OFFICE TO RETREAT TO AND BLOW OFF STEAM.

DID I SAY I HATE THIS JOB??

WELL LET ME JUST SAY I HATE MY COMMUTE ONE MORE TIME.

AND I REALLY HATE MY COMMUTE HOME.

IT SEEMS 2X LONGER THAN THE MORNING COMMUTE.

I HATE IT, HATE IT, HATE IT!!

I HATE EVERYTHING.

I WANT MY OLD JOB BACK, COMFY OFFICE SPACE, AND 10 MINUTE COMMUTE.

I’M SO IRRITABLE.

I’M SO SLEEPY.

I’M GOING TO BED.

MUST BE UP BY 4AM TO START THIS SHYT ALL OVER AGAIN!!!

I’M MOVING TO NOVA ON SATURDAY.

WHY ARE THE MOVERS PACKING ME ON THE 4TH, PICKING UP ON THE 7TH BUT NOT DELIVERING UNTIL THE 14TH?? WHAT THE FUCK????? A WHOLE FUCKING WEEK TO GO FROM MARYLAND TO VIRGINIA. MARYLAND. VIRGINIA. LESS THAN 100 MILES. UGH!!

I’M TAKING NEXT WEEK OFF.

I HOPE THIS SHYT GETS BETTER.

PLEASE TELL ME IT’LL GET BETTER.

4:40AM TO 6:50PM. 14 HOURS.

3 DAYS DOWN, 1 MORE TO GO. UGH!!

I’M FUCKIN MISERABLE!!

~SM

This is the last installment of SBD and the last post about my homebuying experience. I’ve signed a non-disclosure statement and it restricts me from discussing the other issues that have been escalated. Thanks for your patience!

Here’s the Back Story

Here’s Part II

Here’s Part III

Again, the insurance adjuster drives at least 2 hrs in traffic to get to my house. When he arrived, I summarized the extent of my research and gave him copies of what I wanted him to see. I rejected his initial offer of $500 and told him I wanted $2,500. I let the number marinate for a minute, then I provided substantiation.

He responded with standard protocol. I let him speak.

He took time to review what I had given him. I gave him space so he could think.

He tried to find fault in everything I presented. I was prepared with a sufficient rebuttal.

After about 30 minutes, he made two phone calls, then said he would be in touch.

For days, we played phone tag and negotiated over voice mail. Eventually, we came to an agreement and he drafted a release statement. My attorney reviewed it, I signed and faxed it back. Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to share the settlement amount but I am VERY pleased with the results. Initially, I only wanted my ceiling fans installed (lol). But considering all the runaround, frustration, unnecessary delays, and simply being a waste of my MF time, I’d say it was a fair trade off.

The damage occurred in August 2006. It is now a new year and I just received the check this week.

*smh* @ Stupid. Business. Decisions.

At risk of being called dishonest, unethical, and the B word again, I’m only sharing this experience to fulfill a reader’s request about negotiations. Please do not leave anymore anonymous personal attacks because I may not be as friendly this time.

For those who asked - I do not have any special negotiating “techniques,” but I will say this:

1 - Never be afraid to ask for what you want
You can’t get what you don’t ask for.

2 - Do your research and know what you’re talking about
It’s hard to dispute “facts” when they’re in your face.

3 - Don’t lie and don’t bluff, but be sincere
Honesty really is the best policy, but be careful what you say and HOW you say it.

4 - Be flexible
No one likes a hard ass.

5 - Speak with conviction
If you aren’t confident, you can’t expect someone else to take you seriously.

and last but not least…patience, patience, patience. I’ve seen it time and time again. Responding irrationally without thinking things through will only lead to regrets…and Stupid. Business. Decisions.

Some of you know me personally, outside of this blog, and have seen me negotiate. I’ve been asked if I’m a lawyer…NO. I’ve been asked if I read negotiating books…NO (lol). I’ve been asked if I’ve had any formal training…hmm, not really but I do have an MBA and I work a 9 to 5.

The way I see it, (first and foremost) I am just a mom, a daughter, and a friend. But in business, I wear a very different hat.

Peace & Blessings

~*~*~*~*~*~
Work to achieve, not to acquire.
And as always, BE FABULOUS!

~SM

Here’s the Back Story

Here’s Part II

Eventually, the insurance adjuster calls to set up an appointment. He needs to see the damages and take pictures. By then, I had already emailed pictures to the regional manager months ago, but the insurance guy needed his own. Ok, whatever! He works in NoVA, which is over an hour from my house - two hours in traffic. So considering his time and salary, they’re already wasting resources on an issue that could have easily been resolved.

He gets to my house, snaps a few pictures, we chit chat a little, and he gives me the nitty-gritty of his profession. When discussing business matters, I am very observant and I listen. You’d be amazed at what you can learn when you actually listen to people.

He asked if the sofa was part of a set (mental note), he asked how long I’d owned it (mental note), he mentioned the average life span of furniture (mental note), actual cost and depreciation (mental note), replacement cost (mental note), blah blah blah and a bunch of other insurance jargon.

I started drifting for a minute, until he said the word I was waiting to hear…

Insurance Adjuster: So what can we offer to make you happy?

Single Ma: What do you think it’s worth?

IA: I have permission to give you an initial offer of $500.

SM: *mental note of the word “initial”* And what is the basis of that offer?

IA: *spewing a bunch of insurance crap*

SM: Thank you Mr. IA. I appreciate the generous offer, but I need to research a few things and get back to you.

He reiterates some of the things he’d already said, makes the same offer again, realizes I’m not easily swayed, then hands me his card before deciding to leave.

Over the next week and a half, I did a little market research of my own and this is what I gathered:

- I found the receipt for the original purchase (this was NOT easy lol).

- I researched property damage claims. I learned that furniture is estimated to last ~15 years and has an annual depreciation value of 3-5%, depending on quality. I learned that actual replacement costs are paid up to 75% of the value. When the item is actually replaced, the remainder is paid in full.

- I searched online for comparable furniture. I looked at showroom pieces. I looked at custom pieces. I looked at sofas only. I looked at sofas & loveseats only. I looked at entire sets.

- I contacted the original manufacturer to see if that same fabric item no. was still available.

- I called a few furniture repair companies for estimates.

- I called a few furniture upholstery companies for estimates.

- I sent/rec’d a lot of emails. I sent/rec’d a lot of faxes.

When I was all done, I had:

• 2 estimates to repair the furniture
• 3 statements that the fabric couldn’t be matched and why
• A non-availability statement from the original manufacturer
• 4 estimates to replace the furniture (mid to high quality)
• an Excel spreadsheet showing calculation for replacement value
• an Excel spreadsheet showing calculation for actual value sans depreciation
• a high and lowest acceptable figure (in mind) I would accept for reasonable compensation

Think they picked the wrong one? TRUST AND BELIEVE!

Then I called the insurance adjuster to set up another appointment…

Peace & Blessings

~*~*~*~*~*~
Work to achieve, not to acquire.
And as always, BE FABULOUS!

~SM

Here’s the back story.

So anyway…

Surprisingly, the seams on the 3rd floor were fixed to my satisfaction. However, when the contractors were returning my furniture to its rightful place, the sofa was caught onto something (still don’t know what it was) and the fabric…ripped.

[dead silence]

Single Ma: Why’s everyone so quiet? What happened?

Contractor #1: Umm, ma’am…

SM: Lawd, what y’all jack up now? (half joking)

C1: The sofa…we made a mistake…

C2: Boss, you want me to go get the Super?

SM: Yea, you betta go get the Super! *looking at the damage*

C1: Yes, call the Super please. Ma’am, it really was a mistake. I’m sorry…

SM: Mm Hmm *grabbing camera to snap pictures*


[click to enlarge image]

Superintendent: I was afraid something like this was going to happen, but the damage is minor so it’s no big deal. Go ahead and move the rest of the furniture so you guys can get out of here.

SM: What the heck do you mean it’s no big deal?

Sup: I mean the size of the damage ma’am. We’ll take care of it.

SM: How? When?

Sup: I’ll have to report it to our corporate office.

SM: I’m one step ahead of you patna *dialing his supervisor’s number*

Of course, I wanted my furniture repaired, and if that wasn’t possible, I simply wanted consideration. I spoke with the construction supervisor, customer service supervisor and regional manager. I let them know I wanted my furniture repaired and I was flexible/open to suggestions about how to make it happen. I didn’t think the fabric could be duplicated (it was semi-custom - not off the retail floor - hand selected and special ordered from the manfacturer), so I wanted to see what they would offer. In my mind, I planned to ask for a free service. Surround sound pre-wiring, ceiling fan installation, rooms painted, etc. You know, small stuff. [Single Ma in cooperative mode]

After weeks of being given the runaround and months of delays, my demeanor changed. I told them I would just include this property damage with my other claims. Well that little tid bit added fuel to the fire because they decided to hire a 3rd party insurance adjuster to estimate the damage. Just great…more BS! [Single Ma transition to hardball mode]

And the drama continues…

Peace & Blessings

~*~*~*~*~*~

Work to achieve, NOT to acquire.
And as always, BE fabulous!

~SM

In this post, I wrote about some of the problems I’ve had in my new house. Just a quick recap: most things have been fixed, some are still in process and there are two major things I’ve turned over for legal assistance.

In that post, I mentioned the carpet was being replaced due to poor padding. Although I upgraded to the highest level, I could feel holes in the floor when I walked barefoot. Come to find out, the padding they used was so old that it hardened in various places. Imagine old cotton candy. I was so pissed, I had them redo the entire house. Then after settlement, I noticed the seams in front of the bedrooms were unusually noticeable. They tried to fix them with a patch (creating two seams instead of one) and made it worse. So all the carpet on the 3rd floor had to be replaced AGAIN.

To eliminate carpet seams, I’m told the threads must flow in the same direction. The only way to guarantee a perfect fit is if the seams are glued together with pieces from the same roll.

Guess how they decided to handle it this time?

Since I was all moved in, they said it was too much trouble to move furniture in the three bedrooms and replace all the carpet. So the Super told the contractor to move furniture in the basement, use that carpet to replace the hallway carpet connected to the bedrooms (assuming it was off the same roll), repair the seams, then put brand new carpet in the basement.

*thinking* You’re STILL moving furniture and you STILL have to order new carpet, but err, umm, ok Einstein?

Since I have the basement set up as BabyGirl’s teen room, it’s fully furnished. They asked me to unhook all the electronics so they could start work, but I told them I wasn’t lifting a finger. “Matter fact, I dare you to break something and I want everything put back the same way you found it!” After going back and forth about liability, blah blah blah, I refused to sign anything and they started losing patience. Umm, ok, and… *shrug*

After wasting a half day trying to convince a brick wall to move, they finally sent in their crew to get busy. At this point, I’m beyond pissed so I was giving everyone the evil eye (lol). Imagine 10 grown men walking on egg shells cuz they know I’m two seconds from going postal. All day was “excuse me ma’am,” “yes ma’am,” “no ma’am”… I was fuming, but in retrospect, it’s kinda funny.

Anyhoo, they moved all the basement furniture into the foyer and garage. They took up the carpet in the basement and used it to fix the carpet seams on the 3rd floor. Then another crew came with new carpet to put down in the basement.

Sounds complicated with a lot of unnecessary work, huh?

Yea, that’s what I thought.

But it gets worse…

Peace & Blessings

~*~*~*~*~*~
Work to achieve, NOT to acquire.
And as always, BE fabulous!

~SM