The Wrench In The Works Is Multi(plier)ing

A situation has come up at work where audio plugs are being broken off in the front audio port for desktops (for valid reasons not relevant to the story), and we don’t have needle-nose pliers that are thin enough to extract the wayward plugs from the ports.

I decide to order some from [Big Online Store].

I find a good option: a set of three of them in different configurations (normal, thin, and forceps-like) for a good deal. I place the order, and I’m told it will arrive the next day. Easy-peasy. No problem.

I receive the item the next day and verify the label on the box: a set of three needle-nose pliers.

I open the box… and find a ten-inch plumber’s wrench.

I check the order again, and I check the label on the box. Yep, they both say, “Set of 3 Needle-Nose Pliers.” With a big sigh, I reach out to [Store]. They say they’re sorry and they’ll send a replacement, next-day, no charge. The world is back on track.

The replacement package arrives the next day. I verify the package. “Set of 3 Needle-Nose Pliers.”

I open it to find…

…a Ten-Inch… Plumber’s… Wrench.

They didn’t just send me the wrong item. THEY SENT ME THE SAME WRONG ITEM, packaged the same way. Seeing it in that package, it looks like a ten-inch middle finger aimed at me.

I’m not proud of what happens next. I go full Entitled Jerk.

I contact the online agent with the title “STOP SENDING ME PLUMBER’S WRENCHES!” I choose the online agent because I know yelling might come into it, but every response is practically dripping with disdain and displeasure.

The poor agent offers a $5 credit, and I figure that is the most I am going to get. I apologize for my attitude, but I’m pretty sure I am her worst “call” for the night, and I’m not proud of that.

Two days later, I pick a different supplier and get the pliers I need. But I will never forget how I felt when I opened the second package and saw that wrench.

It doesn’t take much to turn a loyal customer into a jerk.