A Busy Week-Charleston SC-and Verizon Frustration

We are still in Myrtle Beach and what a busy week it has been I have no idea where it disappeared to. I've finally convinced myself that any resort/campground that offers free wifi means that the wifi will show strong signal but you can't use it-this sure seems to be the pattern. I tell myself we shouldn't be so dependent upon technology, but lets face it, it is a technology world and its our lifeline to family back home, and friends on the road.

Monday was a totally frustrating and wasted day for us. We had activated our 2 year old verizon air stick while in Mississippi. It was due to be renewed around April 5th so last Monday we headed on over to the verizon store to accomplish this task. And what a task it was. Drove all the way to one outlet and they couldn't do it-they put me on the phone with customer service. Well we all know where that went..to heck in a hand basket, as I was connected to India call center. I immediately told her we were from Canada. After asking her numerous times to repeat all her questions (I couldn't understand her accent) when we got to the 'zip code' question I again informed her we are from Canada and do not have a zip..she immediately informed me she couldn't help me then. I was standing there with my receipt from the verizon store in Mississippi but she rudely informed me that I did not present at a verizon store in MS and activate my stick. Even the sales rep in front of me was shaking his head. We left and drove all the way to another verizon store on his advice as it was a corporate store. I was in and out in minutes..humm that didn't seem right to me. We got back to the MH logged on - nope wasn't working. Packed up the mac, receipt in hand and back we went. The rep apologized and stated he had done it incorrectly. He was truly a nice guy he did it the way the manager told him to. So how much does the mgr know..not much I guess. She came out and dealt with us was extremely rude, berated the rep infront of a store full of customers for doing it wrong. She 'voided' the 50.00 charge on our CC-then apparently did it right ?? To me there is a major difference between a 'void' and a 'refund' so we will see how long this takes to show back up on our visa. And charged us 80.00 for 5 gigs. Now in MS we paid 50 for 5 gigs and the first rep charged us 50 for 5 gigs (on Monday). But she wanted 80.00 all I wanted was a stick that would work. After trying to log on while there again it was a no go! And onto the phone with customer support. Where I was informed that we paid 50 for the 5 gigs and the other 30.00 was taxes...60%??? Gawd...anyway to shorten this frustrating story we are up and running by the time we left there at 6pm. Canada and the US have got to get together with internet / phone related services its crazy to say the least. Seems Canadians can't do anything without zip codes and the verizon stores just plug in any old one then it doesn't match your credit card statements ughhhh...k shutting up about that now...and they always seem to make it 'your' fault. No compassion at all-and no offer of anything discounted for their mistakes.

Tuesday was a beach day for us..and it was a pretty good one. Wednesday we hit the outlets for some shopping at Tanger..some great deals there. Yesterday we dropped the kids off at a spa we checked out during our travels on Monday and we headed for Charleston. Another glitch we discovered the other day that Lilly's had some vaccines that just expired..but her rabis was still valid. We found a vet not far from the resort popped her in had it all updated and the cost was $34.00 can you believe that? And they were doing rabis shots for $5.00 for everyone. For her required shots it would have cost at least 120.00 at home. Sure makes one wonder doesn't it. We can't seem to get in the vet's door at home for anything less than 100.00 and if we need shots its more.

Charleston was wonderful. Reminded me of New Orleans only cleaner. We took a horse and carriage tour and it was worth every cent. Cobble stone streets, churches everywhere, beautiful homes, a 3-4 block market, we had a great day and the kids had a super day at the spa they were some tired last evening from playing all day. 

Charleston

Beautiful churches everywhere

Notice the patches that is stucco-our guide told us the city paid over a million $ last year to do that patch job-apparently if you don't have stuco on your house or building you were considered 'poor'

nice hidden walled gardens in some private homes

beautiful architecture

this is a single family home and it was massive- they all are

another single family home

Jake receiving a pat from Rick

and another church but no steeple

gorgeous single family home

A shot from the upper level parking garage 

If your in the area and need a place for your kids- the spa is Benji's Bed and breakfast and they are fantastic. Big outdoor play areas, clean and everyone seemed very nice. Lots of staff etc.

Sorry the sun was shinning strong

Nice play area

 I would not hesitate to leave our kids there again.

I've been having blogger problems, seems I can read all the blogs but can only post on some of them, could also be my stick connection. Glad to see you are all safe and sound but very sad to see that some of you are having mechanical difficulties-and coach damages. I'm almost scared to hit the road for home and am praying we luck out and don't have any on the road problems.

Take care all thanks for stopping by - sorry for the major 'rant' and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

remember

"home is where you park it"