I found a suitable plug-in time switch, an Extech 375475, with three-prong plug and socket for connection and a LCD display of day, time and program functions. It was more expensive than some and less than others. I ordered it from The Human Solution and received confirmation that it would be shipped in 2-3 days.
This morning I received notice that the status of my order had changed. I checked the site, expecting to learn that my order had shipped. Instead, I learned that the order had been placed on hold. So, I sent an email canceling the order and a request to cancel the temporary authorization of payment.
Now I bet you are expecting that I had trouble with cancellation of payment. Well, the temporary authorization is still there, it may take a little while to be canceled. No, the problem occurred when I went back to Yahoo! Shopping to find the next best price for an Extech 375475.
I found a price only slightly more than the previous order and a similar high rating from Yahoo! Shopping. Because of the recent misrepresentation of availability, I decided I first would call the company to determine availability. I went to the web site for testequipmentdepot and found an 800 number. I called the company to ask if they indeed had the product in stock.
The sales manager, after inquiring from what state, connected me to Chris. I asked Chris if they had the product in stock. Chris asked for my name. I asked why my name was needed to determine if the item was in stock. Chris said it wasn’t, but began to explain that he had to collect “all the appropriate information.” I hung up.
He called back and began berating me for hanging up, so I hung up again. He called back again and started threatening me: “I’ve got your name and your phone number.”
I waited a while and called the regular number of the actual company, Fotronic Corporation in Melrose, Massachusetts. I got the same sales manager, who said that he would, “Take care of it.” No apology.
Next I tried to contact the police department in Melrose about the harassing telephone calls. No answer. I called the Mayor's office and someone did answer and took my complaint.
Next I tried contacting the Massachusetts Attorney General's office. They need a complaint in writing. I downloaded the form, although the printer still is disconnected. I am waiting for the return of Madika.
Next I sent an email to Yahoo! Shopping. No response. Yahoo! Shopping is pretty irresponsible about the stores they feature, so my expectations already are low about any satisfaction from them.
As I was continuing to shop, I went to the Extech site and, while searching for an appropriate alternative place to find an Extech 375475, discovered that Fotronic was listed as a National Distributor. So I sent an email to Extech. No response.
I eventually found another national distributor that listed the product online. I called and learned that there would be a one week delay as the distributor was out-of-stock. I told the courteous, business-like representative about my previous experience with a hold on an equivalent order.
After further discussion, we agreed that I should first call Extech to ascertain that the item was in the Extech warehouse. I called and a representative quickly assured me that the item was available. So, I called the distributor, spoke with the same representative, and placed the order.
Meanwhile, I need to convince Bonnie to go back to TK Storage with the extension cord that I forgot to bring with me when I drove the gemcar a nearby location to be stored over the winter. With the main switch on, the batteries run down. In three days, they probably have dropped quite a bit.
What Next 
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