Beside the Pointe

The Cracked Dashboard Is My Problem

Since my last posting I have been contacting Chrysler non-stop about my truck.  The reason it has been non-stop is because the agents at Chrysler headquarters only like to call you once a day, are never at their desk so you can get a hold of them and, in my case, their extension never seems to work and is always under repair.

Anyways, I have since taken my truck to the dealership to get a quote of repair costs which came to $1700.14.  The dash piece alone costs $375.72.  After about a week of playing phone tag with Keala we finally spoke over the phone and he told me that the estimate was being reviewed by Chrysler and that they would be getting in contact with my dealership and that I should wait for a phone call from the local dealer.

Translation: Stop calling us.

My local dealer did call me back after another week.  The result?  Chrysler is willing to pay everything up to $470.  That means that I get to cover the cost of this defective part plus a little bit of labor.  No dice. 

I have since called back in order to get a hold of Keala with no luck.  I have received no call backs from him and have been essentially told by two different people that it is out of their hands as "the director" is the one that makes the decisions and contacts the dealer directly.

So, my next step is to contact the dealer and tell them I am not willing to pay more than $200 as well as contact Chrysler again and ask to speak to this mysterious director.  I'll probably have no luck on the Chrysler end but at least I can say I've tried.

Oh, and I'm going to start contacting news agencies.  I've already contacted my local Channel 12 out here in Phoenix (I'm waiting for a response) and I'm going to be contacting some out-of-state news agencies who have already ran the story a couple of years back to see if they would be interested in re-running the story.

Random thought, but how hard do you suppose it is to start a class action lawsuit against Chrysler in order to get them to recall the dashboard?  Probably pretty hard.  Good thing I don't shy away from hard work.

Progress?

On Wednesday the 3rd I finally spoke with Keala at Chrysler and it happened completely by chance. I just happened to be out of my work building running job related errands when my phone began to ring. I answered the phone and began speaking with Keala. He asked me whether or not I had gone to the dealership yet. I informed him that I had not as I wanted to contact Chrysler headquarters first so that I would know how to proceed. Keala stated that I would need to take my truck to the dealership and get a diagnostic performed on the dash before Chrysler could move forward with any goodwill services.

After giving Keala my dealership information I told Keala that I would take my truck to my dealer on Friday. We both agreed that he would call me back on Monday and I reiterated on the phone with him that any time after 3:30 p.m. would be fine on my cellphone.

Friday rolled around I diligently took my truck to the dealer and waited patiently for about an hour to receive my repair estimate. The estimate came back at $1700.14.

Here's how it was broken down:

$885.00 for the labor

$375.72 for the dashboard

$376.95 for the cluster trim (reportedly these break during dash replacement).

So, here I'm at, waiting for a call back.

Another Day And My Dashboard Is Still Broken

Courtney at Chrysler couldn't mesh schedules with me.  Her last and apparently final attempt at contacting me was this past Friday.  She called around 2:30 (I don't have my phone with me so I don't have the exact time, but rest assured I am keeping all the voicemails) which is not 3:30.  Again.

I called Chrysler on Monday and was informed that I had a new person assigned to my account by the name of Keala.  After finding this tidbit of information out I asked to be transferred to him.  After about a minute of being on hold the phone hung up. 

So I called back, this time asking for Keala's extension myself so that I could call it.  I tried calling the number and an automated response from Chrysler informed me that the extension was no longer valid.  Interesting.

I called Chrysler a third time and explained my situation.  The representative told me that was weird and she put me on hold to investigate.  Turns out the extension didn't work for her either but that it was the correct extension.  She told me that she was going to put in a request to have the extension looked at and that she would personally let Keala know that his extension wasn't working.  Funny side note, I was told last week by a different representative that he couldn't physically tell Courtney I was on the phone because it was such a large facility and he didn't know who she was.  So who is lying?

Anyways, the representative whom I was currently speaking with assured me that she would input yet another note under my file indicating not to call prior to 3:30 (Keala had left me a message around oneish) and that I was attempting to return his call.

Well, yesterday I decided that I was going to take a nap once I got home from work and I was true to my word.  When I woke up, which was around 6:00 in the evening, I walked into the living room and picked up my cell phone.  I noticed I had a voicemail and it was from Keala.  He had actually called after 3:30 but I had fallen asleep and didn't hear the phone ring.  Sigh.

I finally have someone at Chrysler who listens to my requests and I mess up. 

Today I'll be ready.

Fool Me Once, Shame On You. Always.

Oh Chrysler, how I want to believe that you will do the right thing but so far your customer service proves otherwise. About four or five years ago my 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 developed a strange affliction. The dashboard started cracking for no reason. Now initially I passed it off as something minor and probably related to the heat out here in Phoenix. As time went on though the crack became larger. In fact, it became so large that it went all the way from my windshield to the airbag cover on the passenger side. Just recently the crack has decided to fork so now the there are two cracks that lead to the windshield.

After being annoyed and a little concerned over this large crack that connects to my airbag cover I noticed that another crack starting to form over my instrument panel. This crack, which initially started very small now runs from my windshield to about an inch shy of my black edge moulding over my instrument panel. Nice.

Why am I discussing my cracked dash? I'll tell you why. Last week my cup holder broke in my truck. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I love my in-dash cup holders. They are by far the best cup holders on the planet. Because I cannot live without a functioning cup holder I decided to call different salvage yards so that I could replace said cup holder. After calling 26 salvage yards (yes you read that right) to no avail I decided to call my local Dodge dealership from where I bought my truck just to get an idea what Dodge was charging for a new cup holder. Dodge quoted me a price of $209. Now I knew to expect the part to be really expensive but holy hell! This is a piece of plastic that holds drinks and ice cream. On top of that Dodge told me that I was looking at about a month out for this cup holder as Chrysler currently doesn't have any. After thanking the gentleman and containing my laughter. I turned to eBay and found a cup holder for $68. Sold. Well, after accomplishing that feat I sat back and thought to myself "What else does my truck need?" My dashboard immediately popped into my head and that's when I decided to do some internet research.

Shockingly I found that I was not alone. Not by a long shot. Apparently numerous Dodge Ram owners have had a problem with their dashes cracking.  In fact, if one were to Google "dodge ram cracked dashboard" tons of sites pop up with people all complaining about their broken dash boards.  I also stumbled upon Orlando's Local 6 news website that reports this issue not once, but twice back in 2007.  And I found an entire website dedicated to Dodge problems. 

With all this new found information I started becoming upset that Chrysler would let this go on for so long.  Clearly, Chrysler hasn't done anything since the 2007 Orlando news report and it doesn't appear that they have any intention of correcting this problem.

Considering all this I still decided to go ahead and try to get Chrysler to pay for a new dashboard for my truck.  I called Chrysler on January 22nd at their toll free number 1-800-992-1997.  I reported my problem and what my expectations were.  I was told that my call would be escalated and that someone would call me back on the 25th by the end of the business day.

The 25th arrived and I did receive a phone call as promised.  A representative by the name of Courtney left me a voicemail around one o'clock in the afternoon.  I returned her phone call but received her voicemail so I left her a message informing her to call me anytime on my cell phone after three thirty in the afternoon MST.  The next day Courtney called me again at around one thirty in the afternoon. 

Okay, not three thirty like I asked for, but maybe she hadn't received the voicemail I had left her the day before.  I called her back again and received her voicemail once more.  I again informed her that anytime after three thirty MST would be fine to call me as my cell phone does not get a good signal at my work and I will not hear it ring.

So on Wednesday I check my phone during my lunch break and notice that Courtney had called me again.  This time she called me at eleven forty nine in the morning.  Sigh.  I tried calling her back 30 times (no lie) and each time I received her voicemail.  At this point I felt that leaving Courtney a voicemail would be pointless as she either a) never checks her voicemail b) has no desire to humor my request or c) doesn't understand what it is I am requesting of her.  I decide that calling the toll-free number was in my best interest.  I speak with a gentleman explaining my situation.  He tells me that agents like Courtney only call once a day and that's it.  It would also be impossible relaying a message to her but that he would input my time request in the computer under my reference case.  Fine.  I'm not satisfied but surely Courtney will see this message when she brings up my case right?

Wrong.  On Thursday Courtney calls me at eleven forty eight.  Seriously?  Is this just a game to her?  Is this a way to weed out and discourage people from following through with their complaints?  I am not giving up. 

I called a couple of times to Courtney's extension (which is 66160# if you're interested) and naturally received her voicemail which leads me to believe that she is either the busiest woman in all of Chrysler or she runs away from her phone after leaving me a voicemail.  Again, I called the toll-free number and spoke with woman by the name of Peggy.  After making my frustration known yet again Peggy told me that she was going to escalate my case to a supervisor and that either a supervisor would be calling me back the same day (didn't happen) or that possibly a new agent would be assigned to my case and would be calling on Friday because apparently mine and Courtney's schedule do not mix.  Really?  You think?

So this is where I'm at.  Today I will find out if Courtney is going to call me again at the wrong time or if a completely new person is going to call.

As I do not foresee myself giving up I've decided to take to The Pointe and document my progress or lack thereof on a regular basis; possibly for future reference as I do not know where this broken dashboard is going to lead to now that I'm so mentally and emotionally invested.

Wish me luck.

There's Nothing Funny About The Way I Talk

In November of last year The Hubby and I took a much deserved trip to Australia. Neither of us had ever been to Sydney and the prices were too good to pass up ($655 per person round-trip).

I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Royal Botanical Garden

Large Fruit Bats in the Royal Botanical Gardens

Sydney Opera House

Hyde Park

Sydney skyline

There are tons more pictures that I will have to include in a later date.

All and all, Sydney was an awesome city to visit and the people were really nice. I highly recommend visiting the city and country if ever given the chance.

Happy 29th To Me!

A little while back I celebrated my birthday with The Hubby and The Ladies at Papa Deux's. 

I received some awesome gifts (not pictured is me receiving tickets to see Phantom of the Opera):

And I also received the single best birthday cake I've ever had.  Seriously.  This cake trumps my Strawberry Shortcake cake I had when I was four, it trumps my Alfred E. Newman cake when I was eleven and it trumps my Rednose cake from just a few years ago.  Behold my Jason Voorhees Friday the 13th cake:

Yes, it's okay.  Be jealous.

Inside the cake was a strawberry filling which is oh-so-appropriate for a horror movie character cake.

Vintage Cookery: Bleu Cheese-Noodle Casserole

This wonderful dish stood out among the all the other pork chop casseroles simply because it called for Bleu cheese.  One thing to note about me is that I love me some Bleu cheese and will hardly, if ever, pass it up in a meal if it offered.

With that being said, this casserole, unlike some others we have tried does not really save you any money as it basically accounts for just one meal a night (if only two people live in the house).  It would be no different if we decided to cook pork chops for dinner three days straight as we would be using the same amount of meat.  It does, however, save you from cooking for the next two evenings.

Again, please note that this recipe if from 1968, so do not be too shocked to see "fat" as a listed ingredient.

What you'll need:

6 tenderloin pork chops, 1/2-in. thick
Fat
Salt and pepper
3 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. flour
1 c. milk
3/4 c. grated Bleu cheese
3 c. noodles, cooked
3 tbsp. chopped green pepper
3 tbsp. pimento

Slowly brown chops on both sides in a small amount of fat.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Melt butter; blend in flour, 3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper.  Gradually add milk; cook and stir until thickened.  Add cheese and stir until melted.  Combine drained noodles, sauce, green pepper and pimento; place in 10 x 6 x 1 1/2-inch baking dish.  Arrange meat on top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until pork chops are done.  Yield: 6 servings.

Thanks to a Mrs. George Berry of Fairfield, Cal. for submitting this recipe.

What I learned by making this casserole:

1. Besides salt and pepper to taste for the pork chops, some seasoned salt also works well.
2. The pasta can be any type you like.  I believe we chose Rotini which worked out really well.
3. I don't think Bleu cheese comes grated (at least I've never seen it grated).  Crumbled Bleu cheese works fine.
4. If you're a huge fan of Bleu cheese like me up the amount of Bleu cheese to a cups worth.  You'll be glad you did.
5. Generally, when a recipe calls for fat I just use Crisco.  I'm not sure of the health differences but I feel slightly less guilty.

I hope everyone enjoys this casserole.  Very easy to make and it smells/tastes great. 

Binge And Purge: How Do I Accumulate So Much Crap?

With my latest flight of fancy of being frugal I have come to realize that I have a lot of crap in my house and half of it I cannot account for.

I have no recollection as to when I bought some of these items or for what purpose.  I'm fairly certain there was a reason and purpose at the time.  I'm sure of it.

But that purpose has completely escaped my memory and all I am left with a bunch of crap in my house much like a hoarder.

So because of this recent epiphany I have made today a shredding/recycling day.  All I'm going to do today is go through all my stuff and see what I can shred or recycle.

Pile of papers found on top of dresser?  Recycle!  Mystery receipts shoved into my ten purses?  Shred!  Socks that have no matching partner (as sad as that is)?  Recycle!  Old check book carbon copies that have been hanging out in my closet since 2003?  Shred!

Oh man, I am getting things done!

But yet, as I look around my surroundings I realize there are some items, for one reason or another that I cannot bare part with.

For example, my little ceramic parrot:

This little guy measures about four inches tall, has a chip on his tail and has had his tail broken completely off and re-glued.  Ordinarily my parrot would be considered junk, and rightfully so, but I can't bare to toss him in the trash ( I read once that any figurine that has been broken should be promptly tossed).

I received my little parrot when I was about ten-years-old and have loved him ever since regardless of whether or not he matches my home decor.  He makes me smile with his cheerful colors and his little hint of a beaky smile.

Another item that I can't seem to get rid of after almost two decades of ownership is my little set of resin dragons:

Again, having owned these whimsical little guys since childhood I have since grown too attached to them.  The funny thing is, I don't even really care for dragons that much.  I did once upon a time but no longer.  Regardless, the little dragons will stay with me until probably my death.

Are there any miscellaneous items that you cannot part with?

Vintage Cookery: Chicken 'N' Stuffing Scallop

As mentioned in an earlier post, I own a set of vintage cookbooks called "Favorite Recipes of America".  These books are separated into five different categories and the one I've been focusing on is the Casseroles book.

The recipe that I have made more than once now is the Chicken 'N' Stuffing Scallop.  Think "down home cooking".  Think "filling".  Think "I'll be living off of this for days".  All those thoughts will apply when it comes to this casserole.  A good helping of mashed potatoes and some nice green veggies will make your meal (and meals to come) complete. 

Also, please keep in mind that these books were written in 1968.  Some of the recipes may not call for the healthiest of ingredients such as MSG or fat.  The point of these recipes, I believe, is to enjoy a nice home meal that is filling, a meal that will last for days and if you have a spouse or family members or significant other these recipes will allow you to do something together which I have found to be quite fun.  If being health conscience is  your thing, I'm sure items can be substituted.

Here is what you'll need to get started (pictured are the larger or harder to find ingredients):

For main dish:

1 8-oz. pkg. prepared stuffing
3 c. cooked chicken, cubed
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1/2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
Dash of pepper
4 c. chicken broth
6 eggs, slightly beaten

Prepare stuffing according to package directions.  Spread stuffing in a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish; top with a layer of chicken.  Melt butter: blend in flour and seasonings.  Add cool broth; cook until mixture thickens, stirring constantly.  Stir a small amount of hot mixture into eggs; return to hot mixture.  Pour over chicken.  Bake at 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes.  Let stand 5 minutes to set; cut in squares and serve with sauce.  Yield: 12 servings

For sauce:

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/4. c. milk
1 c. sour cream
1/4 c. pimento, chopped

Combine all ingredients.  Heat, stirring often, until hot.  Serve over chicken scallop.

End result, minus sauce:

Some helpful hints I learned along the way to make this casserole: 

1.  All you'll need is 3 skinless chicken breasts (if white meat is your thing) as one chicken breast equals about one cup.  Having a little more a little less of three cups will not make or break this recipe.
2.  Buy the 32 oz. container of chicken broth as that is the exact amount you need.
3.  Unless you already shop at places like Whole Foods or equivalent, which I do not, you'll probably be hard pressed to find actual fresh pimento peppers.  I found pimentos next to jarred olives and pickles in cute little jars already chopped for me.
4.  When stirring all the ingredients for the casserole topping give it about five minutes of constant stirring.  You'll notice a thickness occur, much like a gravy.

I hope everyone enjoys this recipe as much as The Hubby and I have.

Oh, and I would be amiss if I didn't add that a Mrs. Theodore W. Boltz of West Hartford, Conn. included this recipe in the book.  In fact, this recipe received an award.

Jaws

Even though The Hubby's birthday was a little bit ago, I can't help but post these awesome pictures of his birthday cake.

The Hubby was feeling a bit down about his upcoming birthday and wasn't particularly excited by the whole prospect of turning one year older.  I myself love birthdays (mine to be exact) and fully believe that it is truly not one's birthday until they have a birthday cake.

The cakes of The Hubby's birthday past have been decent and always themed to something of his liking naturally.  But this year I had to come up with something brilliant and awesome in order to cheer him up and make this birthday especially memoerable for him.

After racking my brain for a few days it finally came to me.  The Hubby's most favorite movie in the world is "Jaws" and I know that making a cake from a scene of that movie would not be at all impossible.  The next question was "which scene do I make the bakers make the cake into?"  After scouring the internet I finally found the right picture thanks to McFarlane Toys:

I arrived at the bakery with a printout of the photo above and instantly I knew I had a winner of an idea.  All the guys in the bakery were excited about making this cake.

The big day came and this is what the cake looked like (note: I made it very clear that there was to be blood included on this cake):

All in all it was an awesome cake which took days to eat.  I'm not sure how to outdo myself next year, but I have some time.