A shot in the dark.

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

A recent thread caused me to use this term in a reply of mine today. It got me thinking back to my own experiences that would fall into this category. One in particular came to mind, and I thought it would be fun to share it, and to hear some of yours. These are great ways of showing how you defied the odds and came out on top. Who doesn't love a happy ending?

Mine has to do with a Christmas present. It was for my husbands brother, a very successful businessman, who could afford just about anything he wanted. He defines "hard to buy for"! I decided to take a picture I had of their new home, situated in a very picturesque setting, and have an ink dot drawing done. I had heard of someone who did them, actually the sister of an old boyfriend. So I contacted her, met to give her the picture, and waited.

Finally it was done. She dropped the picture off where I was working, which did not give me time to truly scrutinize it. But I did look at it and it looked great. I was so happy, knowing this was a cool, one of a kind gift for my BIL. So I paid her and that was that. Until I got home, and really started admiring it. All of a sudden, I realized there were 3 very faint, but good sized pink spots scattered throughout the picture. It looked like someone had spilled something. I was so bummed, and upset. There was no way she could not have known about this....

So I called her up and explained what I was seeing. She denied anything was wrong. I just kept saying, look, they're there, I can see them. And so would you if you come look at it. So then she switched to, "You ok'd it and paid for it". Yes, I had. But also in a rushed environment, which I don't think was a coincidence. And I explained this to her, but she wasn't budging. She would not give me the rather pricey refund. So I hung up.

The more I thought about it, the madder I got. And I just kept thinking, how do I get my money back? And then, the "shot in the dark" thought occurred to me. So I wrote her an email, and this is what I said:

Dear Soandso,

I have come to terms with the fact you are not going to do the right thing and refund my money. So I'm going to go ahead and give this gift to my BIL, whose wife happens to be an art major. She will be critiquing it I'm sure. I'm also sure they will hang it on a prominent wall in their new home. And when they have parties (which they do quite often) and all their very influential friends remark on the pink stained drawing you did, I will make sure they point out ALL the details in your drawing, and give everyone your name so you get full credit.

Sincerely, Beth

She called within hours to offer me a refund. ;)

So, tell me about yours!

Featured Answer

gadgets

6 years ago

Good for you. My then husband had bought a brand new Dodge pickup. Within 6 months the trunk bed started rusting through. They wouldn't take care of it. So he made two signs, one for each side, painted on it that this was the work of Dodge (and the dealer's name). Drove around town and inside the parking lot of the dealership. He had a brand new bed installed before the week was over.

I'm glad you got your money back. What did you end up getting for your BIL's present?

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Comments (19)

happy2b…gw
6 years ago
That is quite a story. I can't think of a story right now, but I look forward to reading others.
beth09 thanked happy2b…gw
lucillle
6 years ago
Beth, what an awesome way to think up a solution to a difficult situation.
beth09 thanked lucillle
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joyfulguy
6 years ago
I can't think of one at the moment, either ...

... but yours worked out well, didn't it, beth09?

o j
beth09 thanked joyfulguy
PKponder TX Z7B
6 years ago
Beth, that was clever!
beth09 thanked PKponder TX Z7B
2ManyDiversions
6 years ago
Clever, clever gift idea first off! Secondly, I'm a bit surprised she refunded the money given how stubborn she was initially... kudos for making it happen!
beth09 thanked 2ManyDiversions
beth09
Original Author
6 years ago
2Many, thanks. And yeah, this truly WAS a shot in the dark, because she was so adamant it wasn't going to happen. But, I figured I had nothing to lose, yanno? I think what surprised me most of all was, she took the picture back. lol Maybe for the frame?

gadgets, LOVE it!!! Good for your husband. That's one thing nobody wants, bad publicity.

And I honestly don't remember what I got him. That was another thing, it was so close to Christmas by then, no time for a clever gift. :/
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
6 years ago
Excellent thinking! Good for you.
beth09 thanked Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
ingeorgia
6 years ago
My son had a house built, there were still a few things that needed taking care of but the contractor stalled and stalled. My son painted a sign on the side of the house stating how long he had been waiting for the contractor to fix the problems. Within days they had come out and fixed the issues.
beth09 thanked ingeorgia
beth09
Original Author
6 years ago
Yep. I truly think there is a lot to ones name. We don't want it tarnished. Good for your son!
aok27502
6 years ago
My DH has a home repair business, and much of what he does is the work involved in selling a house, either before it goes on the market, or after the inspection takes place.

He had done about $800 worth of pre-listing work on a million dollar home. The owners ignored all attempts to collect, this had gone on for several months. One day, I had to be within a couple of miles of the house, so I drove by. It looked like they had moved out, but the Realtor sign was in the yard. A check of the county listing confirmed that it had not yet sold.

I sent an email to the Realtor, really played the dummy. Gee, I just don't know WHAT to do, I can't contact them in any way. I HOPE you can somehow help me. I would hate to have to go to the trouble, but I might have to file a LIEN on the house. Please let me know if there is ANY way you can POSSIBLY help me!

I heard not a peep from the Realtor, but a check showed up in about a week. No Realtor wants threat of a lien on one of their listings!!
beth09 thanked aok27502
joyfulguy
6 years ago
A -O.K! That sounds like great idea!

Was the cheque signed by the owner of the home ... or the realtor?

ole joyful
aok27502
6 years ago
The check came from the owners. Hmmm, finally got their attention!
javiwa
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
beth: Kudos! I should have flown you down here to deal with my countertop fabricator. ;)
beth09 thanked javiwa
beth09
Original Author
6 years ago
aok, good job! ;)

Isn't it a shame though, that sometimes we have to resort to threats at all? *sigh*

I should have flown you down here to deal with my countertop fabricator.

Yes, and you could have paid me in cookies. ;)
javiwa
6 years ago
Sigh...I would have been all OVER that! Woulda, shoulda, coulda...
bengardening
6 years ago
My DH used to work for a small manufacturing plant in Bismarck. They only had about 10 employees at the most. The boss had bought a new crew cab Chevy pickup. There were so many things wrong with it and they wouldn't stand by it. He had a brother who was an artist. He had him make a big yellow lemon and mounted it on the top. The he had signs made for in the back window that listed all of the things wrong with it. He drove it to all of the trade shows that way and made sure to park it in front so everybody could see it. If there was a Chevy dealer near by he parked it on the street by it. He was down in Louisville Kentucky and parked it on the street. The dealer told him he couldn't park it there. He said Why not its a Chevy. There was a factory rep there and saw it. He got a different pickup before he went back to Bismarck. I guess that got their attention.
beth09
Original Author
6 years ago
Awesome! :)
carabubble
6 years ago
Love these stories!
beth09 thanked carabubble

A shot in the dark.

gadgets

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