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Dear Diary
June 26
  Triple witching hour.  I noticed the diaper and wipe supply dwindling and needed to take action.  I ended up ordering from three store: Huggies wipes from Homeruns, and diapers from both NetGrocer and DrugEmporium.com -- and hence, the triple witching hour.  Homeruns is now offering very competitive prices on diapers and wipes (e.g., $12.59 for the double pack of Pampers diapers and $5.19 for the refill 160-count of Huggies wipes) -- good idea in order to attract families with infants or young children .  I had a $20 off of $50+ purchase coupon code for NetGrocer (got this at FlamingoWorld.com) and a $11 off of  $50+ purchase coupon code for DE (and a $10 off of a $40+ purchase coupon code for DE).

I went through some mental gymnastics for about 20 minutes when deciding from whom to order the diapers and wipes.  The factors that I considered were product price, shipping fee, shipping duration (i.e., when would the products show up), coupon code value and requirements, and other items that I could order (e.g., cedar wood from NetGrocer for my "fine clothing" closet , ear phones from DE for my radio and milk from Homeruns for the boys).

The bottom line is that as coupon codes shrink in value and become less abundant -- which is occurring -- the less it is worth to search for them and use them.

Here are the data that I worked with:
.............................Homeruns......................DE............................NetGrocer
Diaper pricing........$12.59 double pack.......$5.99 single pack.....$20.49 triple pack.
Shipping fee..........$0.00 (w/ $60+ order)....$3.95.......................$5.99 (for my < $60 order)
Ship duration.........next day (Tuesday).........probably Thursday....probably Friday
Coupon code........$0.00.............................$11 off $50+............$20 off $50+
Other items...........groceries........................ear phone..................cedar wood

I ordered seven bags of Huggies wipes from Homeruns (plus some other groceries) and my total order was in the amount of $60.36.  I ordered eight bags of single pack Pampers diapers from DrugEmporium and a Maxell ear phone; the total order was in the amount of $44.86 .  I ordered two bags of triple pack Pampers diapers from NetGrocer and some Cedar Fresh cedar wood hangers and blocks; the total order was in the amount of $35.94 (it should have been $38.93, but apparently, after I placed my order, the cedar block, priced at $2.99, was out of stock -- the $20 off coupon remained in effect even though without this $2.99 item, my total purchase would not have exceeded $50. NetGrocer did the "right" thing).

I was expecting to hear from my local area Mercedes Benz dealer with regard to setting up a home visit.  No word yet.  This appears to be typical behavior for auto dealers.  Last week -- on June 20 -- I sent in another request through Cars.com for HondaOdyssey information.  I heard from two of three dealers to whom I sent in a request.  I replied to these emails and I am yet to hear back from either "Internet Sales Specialist."  I know two dealers with whom I am unlikely to do business.

A response from one of the dealers
Dear Bruce,

Thank you for your interest in our new 2000 Honda Odyssey, here at (dealership name withheld). My name is (name withheld) and I am the Internet Sales Specialist. We are committed to providing our Internet consumers with a simple, efficient and enjoyable shopping experience. Moreover, here at (dealership name withheld) you can be assured of receiving the premier service in the (city name withheld) area.

Unfortunately, that particular vehicle is not currently available. But you could put your name on one that will be 2 months a way . Please allow us to facilitate the best new vehicle purchase you have ever experienced.

When would be the best time for me to contact you?  Today or tomorrow?  Morning or afternoon?  Appointment time?  Location (dealership/home/office)?

Please let me know at your earliest convenience (via e-mail or phone). Also, please include the two most convenient phone numbers to reach you at so I can reconfirm this appointment. If I have not heard from you by the end of business today, I will try to touch base prior to leaving the dealership.

Once again, thank you for your inquiry and for choosing (dealership name withheld).

Sincerely,
(I withheld the name)
Internet Sales Specialist
(phone number withheld)
(email address withheld)

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Given that the Internet Sales Specialist is yet to reply to my email -- it's been about four days -- it is clear to me that this dealership and Internet Sales Specialist are "committed to providing our Internet consumers with a simple, efficient and enjoyable shopping experience. Moreover, here at (dealership name withheld) you can be assured of receiving the premier service."  I'm not convinced this dealership could "facilitate the best new vehicle purchase" that I "have ever experienced."

Response from the other dealer
Dear  Sir or Madam,

I am the internet coordinator (dealership name withheld). please call me at (telephone number withheld) or e mail and it will be my pleasure to work with you on this project.

Sincerely,
(name withheld)

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Maybe some woman are named Bruce?  Johnny Cash  once sang about a "boy named Sue," so why not?  (The site www.JohnnyCash.com does exist, but for some reason it freezes my system so I am not providing a link to it.)  I guess being referred to as Sir or Madam isn't so bad -- I've been called worse before.  Given that the Internet Coordinator has not replied to my email response, I guess it really will not be his "pleasure to work with" me "on this project."

In fairness, these sales people may not have replied to my email because I did request information that might be difficult to supply.  I asked them for information about their dealership and what I would get were I to buy from them.  Their failure to reply speaks volumes.  Who says poor service is dead?

My water pipe going out to the water and sewer main pipe in the street is leaking a little.  Fortunately, the city takes responsibility for this and will repair it.  Were it necessary, I am confident that I could have found 2" steel pipe online.

 
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