There are parts of my job I do not like.
Mostly, ordering office supplies. As Megan says, "Like Pam Beesly!"
I contacted Office Max about our annual folder order on July 24th. I knew it usually takes 40 days for an order, and we need them by Oct. 1. So I made sure to contact them well in advance.
Since then, I have called three times and emailed SIXTEEN times and they (two people) have emailed me 18 times. They used the wrong product specifications and the order was wrong. I corrected it. They sent us incorrect samples. I corrected them. Finally, this week, I tell them our absolute need-by date is Oct. 1 and they get all defensive and tell me, "Sorry, this is a custom order, and it will take 40 days."
And I want to scream. Because I didn't do anything wrong. Because we've been in touch for six weeks about this. Because when I asked if the order could be "rushed", they simply said, "No." Because when I asked if we could receive 2,000 of the folders ASAP and the other 34,000 later, they said, "No." Because when I asked if there was anyone else I could talk to in their office, the women replied, "No", but that I could call her if I wanted to. Because when I called the manufacturer directly, they said, "Sorry, but your inquiries will have to go through Office Max." and I wanted to say, "Office Max is THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE RIGHT NOW."
Seriously. Office Max has two people between me and the manufacturer. So every time we want to correct something, it goes from me to Person A, to Person B, to the manufacturer. And then if the manufacturer says something, it has to come back through the same channel. And it's all TAKING FOREVER.
So there you go. I tried to place an order on July 24th that won't be received until October 11 (to the extreme dismay of me, my boss, and all our early action applicants) because Office Max is a bunch of jerks.
*Sigh* and the worst part is frustrating my boss. Because I like my boss. And I like pleasing people.
Update: I have called three people today in an attempt to finally get this thing settled. None of them answered. Now I sit at my desk, afraid to run to the bathroom or walk over to talk to my coworkers because of course, that moment is going to be when the phone rings...
Update 2 on 9/11: To answer Kyle's question, I had contacted WB Mason for a quote because they are now our preferred vendor (we had Office Max until January). WB Mason told me it was going to be 54 cents a folder. After I told them we were getting them for 13 cents from Office Max, they said they were pleased to let me know they could get the cost down to 43 cents each. That's still high (obviously). So that's the original reason why Office Max became our only option.
At any rate, I cut out Person A in the chain of command and went straight to Person B last Friday. I called her again on Monday (9/9). Still, no one would answer my calls, or return them. But Person B was SO MUCH MORE helpful. She sent me an email confirming the quantity and telling me they will be delivered 9/20. Victory! Victory! Victory! Of course, I haven't seen the bill, so there might be more "negotiating" later, but for now, I am satisfied.
