For Filcor
I am very upset. I take my responsibility as a secret pal and recipient very seriously. Given that I had a mostly fantastic experience for the previous two rounds (I started Nov 2008), save that my first pal never responded to anything I sent (packages, snail mail, e-cards, etc.), it's obvious that I do not take lightly my commitment nor the expectations of others. I've had great experience (see my posts in the forum from past rounds). However, given that I have attempted twice to contact you by e-card twice at the email address given (checked and double checked multiple times) and you have not picked up the cards, how is it that I am supposed to contact you? Should I stalk you through a people search engine by using your address to get a phone number?
The first card was sent 04/13 (the very same day you left the very sarcastic nasty gram in the forum (to which others responded with mutual disgust and sympathy) of which I was unaware until Rona told me about it via PM last night.
From: "123Greetings.com"
To: "oh secret pal"
Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 9:08:21 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: ecard sent to XXXX
Your ecard (04013609709408117727) has been sent XXXX on 13-Apr-2009
We'll send you an email message when XXXX has seen your ecard.
View a copy of your ecard at:
http://www.123greetings.com/send/view/04013609709408117727
The second card was sent 04.17:
From: "123Greetings.com"
To: "oh secret pal"
Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 2:25:51 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: ecard sent to XXXX
Your ecard (04416809302425250757) has been sent to XXXX on 16-Apr-2009
We'll send you an email message when XXX has seen your ecard.
Granted, I did not know about a 3 x week contact requirement or a deadline for packages (a change since round 1 as far as I know). I searched the message board on the forum and found these:
Post Date: 12/31/08 3:46 pm
Let's get this PARTY started!!!!
If you live in a state in Zone 1 (States listed below), PM me with your Name and e-mail address and I will send the "Get to Know You" form to fill out and return it back to me. I will than assign you a Secret Pal for 3 MONTH If you are new, this is a place where we support each other through e-mail, cards and we send a gift once a month. The Gift should be a minimum of $10 not including tax and shipping. The gift should be shipped by 15th of each month, if you are running late please e-mail your Pal and let them know you are running a little late. Thank you in advance for signing up - we should have a blast while on our new journey together.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post Date: 4/15/09 5:35 pm Renée in NY |
|||
This was my mistake and I accept full responsibility for it. I am sorry .
However, if you view the e-card sent 04/13/2009, you will see that I did indicate that the package would be going out by the end of this week. Just yesterday I picked up a few final doo-dads (total package worth lots more than $10.00 as have been all of the gifts I've sent to other pals), got a festive box at the post office and was planning to ship today. At this point, given the nasty tone of your post, part of me wants to saw screw it. Ironically, before coming to OH this morning, I was at the M&M site and have several items in my virtual shopping cart since you indicated that you collect the green M&M girl. That was going to be part of the May package.
I am now offended. By the way, you may be interested to know that I have scoliosis, degenerative disc disease of the spine, bilateral osteoarthritis and meniscal tears, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. I've spent the last 4 weeks getting x-rays, MRI's, having ortho consults, and forced into making a decision regarding bilat knee surgery at less than 5 months post-op; so I've been a bit distracted but cognizant of my obligation and made an effort, despite the pain, to go out to get things I thought you would like. I'm sorry that my chronic pain has escalated to a level of intense pain that has kept me significantly immobilized and depressed.. Perhaps had you inquired politely as opposed to unfairly, angrily, unjustly, and publicly calling me a deadbeat, things could have proceeded more cordially. I did not appreciate the inquiry as to whether I was as "unreal" as the Easter Bunny. As a matter of fact, my exacerbated disability over the course of the past month prevented me from getting my final package to my secret pal on-time last month. I, however, once I was feeling a tad bit better, sent her a PM and she's now in possession of her "March" gift.
So I guess it’s your call…would you like to proceed or not? The Easter bunny is not real; however we do share at least one common trait, we don’t like giving treats to petulant children.
Amy
I know that I would never change the rules mid quarter. You show a post from December and then the next from April but not the one that was in between the two stating the guidelines for the second quarter.
444.5 / 430.2 / 408.2 / 299.8 / 244.5 / 249 / 225
Highest / 07-11-08 / 11-25-08 / 06-07-09 / 03-25-10 / 01-31-11 / STG
444.5 / 430.2 / 408.2 / 299.8 / 244.5 / 249 / 225
Highest / 07-11-08 / 11-25-08 / 06-07-09 / 03-25-10 / 01-31-11 / STG
And it would be your right to be upset.
My point is that perhaps instead of assuming the worst and publicly stating that your pal was "make believe" and implying that whoever was the scum of the earth, an inquiry could have been made privately to the zone coordinator. Perhaps I am unusual, but this forum is not one I read daily; I view it as the vehicle that facilitates a program of support and connection as opposed to the inherent source of that support and connection. That distinction is significant because it means that I was unaware that between round 1 and round 2, there were significant changes to the "rules" in terms of thrice weekly contact. I apologized for my misunderstanding. I also responded immediately to the inquiry from my zone coordinator because I do get alerts at my personal email when I'm sent a PM.
Furthermore, my post was an attempt to explain, not excuse, the reason for the delay. Had the person to whom I am assigned made an inquiry earlier to the zone coordinator, I would have been prompted to respond and fully assume my responsibility. Instead, the person chose to "***** and moan" publicly which served no purpose other than to inflame the situation. Anyone who is significantly disabled can probably understand that physical limitations (and the psychological issues that go along with them) sometimes get in the way despite our best intentions.
Perhaps it is best if I cease participation in this program. I am truly sorry about this turn of events. I am honored to have met and befriended Tricia M, Darlene W, and Sandy B since Nov 2008. I would also like to thank my current pal for the e-cards she has sent. I look forward to a continuing friendship with all of those wonderful women.
I will send my package to Filcor on Monday and post the tracking info here so that she, and anyone else who is interested, can verify shipment. I sincerely hope that she likes her gifts as a lot of thought, effort and time was spent getting the materials together. Beginning immediately I hope that Rona can simply assign my current pal to Filcor. That should resolve the situation.
As always, I wish everyone well on their paths to a happier, healthier, and longer lives.
~Namaste~
Amy 
I'm sorry that things aren't working out here. I must say that I feel put in the middle but I will do as you ask and remove you from the program. I wish we could have worked things out differently. I will contact your pal and make the necessary changes.
To everyone else,
Please contact me if you have a problem so we can work things out without getting personal. I promise to immediately check into whatever your problem is and get it worked out.
Thanks.
Rona
I am sorry if I offended you. I have been out of town since Wed and did not have access to a computer. I was very excited to receive the cards from you when I got home. I then came here and see that I have hurt you. My deepest apologies.
As you know this is a site for support and I was reaching out for it. When I felt I was being slighted I acted like an imature child. I can see now that you are the one that needs more support than I do with all of your medical problems. Please disregard me and take care of your self. You have far more on your plate right now then you need. I have participated in the past with secret pals and I have been burned. I felt it was happening again. I did not know you were having such a hard time. I am not a 'petulant child'. I don't know what I am not told.
I wish you the best and I am sorry I caused you even one moments distress. I will add you to my prayer list and wish you better health.
Claudia
