I got into a scuffle Saturday morning: a verbal one.
I blame my mother: she’s the one making me take flute lessons again after 18 years. I mean, she knows how I am; if I have to make a teen-aged twit at the front desk cry before handing the phone over to her superior, I have to make a teen-aged twit cry. If it weren’t for my mom, I never would have had to rip the music store manager a new one, either.
You see? It’s not my fault; it’s my mom’s.
It all started last Monday when my husband and I decided to take our boys out of town this past weekend. I obviously knew Monday I wasn’t going to make my Saturday at noon flute lesson, but did I call the music store Monday and cancel?
No. I hosted a lunch play date at my home, had a carpet picnic, and had the most fun time.
Did I call the music store Tuesday and cancel?
No. Latham fell down and bit his bottom lip. There was blood everywhere and I freaked out a little bit – okay, a lot of bit.
Did I call the music store Wednesday and cancel?
No. I went grocery shopping with a one year old and a two year old stuffed in the cart before doing laundry, cleaning and working out.
Did I call the music store Thursday and cancel?
No. I got Latham up early from his nap to go to another play date where we had a great time, but then had to deal with him crying for the rest of the day.
Did I call the music store Friday and cancel?
No. I had to get the boys, my husband and myself packed before leaving for our trip that afternoon.
Did I call the music store Saturday and cancel?
YES, I did! I called as soon as the store opened that morning. Just after the hormonal teen who answered the phone told me there was ABSOLUTELY no way the store would refund my money for the missed session or reschedule it, I accidentally made her cry (she’s just sensitive, I swear – I wasn’t trying to make her cry) and asked to speak to her manager.
The manager informed me the store never reschedules or refunds money for lessons, unless you give them 24 hours notice. I quickly told him no one had ever informed me of the policy and since this was my first offense, why doesn’t he just reschedule my lesson and in the future I know to call 24 hours in advance.
‘No.’ He said. ‘The policy is clearly posted on a wall in the store and if it makes you feel any better, it’s not just you. We don’t make exceptions for anyone.’
‘No, that doesn’t make me feel better.’ I spouted. ‘What does make me feel better is knowing I have two little boys at home that I will be exposing to music in the future. What makes me feel better is you will lose hundreds if not thousands of dollars when I buy those instruments and lessons at another music store since you refuse to reschedule a $16 flute lesson - that is what makes me feel better.’
I thought I got him. He’s going to reschedule my lesson. He’s the manager of a small music store. He needs the business.
‘Okay.’ He said.
‘Hello? Hello? Hello?’ After I realized he hung up, I was furious – furious in a my husband better take me out for a glass of wine right this second kind of way.
I have to take one last lesson since I’ve already paid for it and you know all about the irritating ’use it or lose it’ policy. I just hope I don’t say anything else Saturday that makes someone at the store cry. I certainly could, you know. But it really wouldn’t be my fault: it would be my mom’s.
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Loved the article; love you xxoxoxox