Dear West Bend,
Martha and I love popcorn, and not that nonsense that comes in the bag that you stick in your radar range. No sir. Popcorn in a popper. Popcorn in YOUR West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy 6-Quart Electric Popcorn Popper. Life has been a dream—one popperful of corn at a time. Different flavors of popcorn salt on different days. And on Saturday…CARAMEL CORN!
Here’s the deal. I design components, just like the crack staff at West Bend. We all sat in the same classes, with the same barely-speaking-English professors, learning basic design concepts. Among those: avoid stress risers. Stress risers are sharp corners in components, where cracks are likely to begin, and quickly propagate. I explain this to you as though you don’t know what I’m talking about.
I’m accusing West Bend of intentionally designing an Achilles heel into their popper globe. My globe is hanging on by a thread, and you know it. You planned it. You’re giggling about it.
Why else would you design such a sharp corner, where the handle meets the globe. That globe is so flimsy and flexible, leaving that area so vulnerable to cracking. In fact, to slow the crack propagation down, I’ve ceased washing the oily popcorn aftermath from the inside of the globe.
You know darn well that there should be a nice rounded, gradual transition, with reinforcing ribs. I’m sure that saving several cents, plus creating a reason for folks to buy a new West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy 6-Quart Electric Popcorn Popper.
Well I say no. I’m really angry. I’m going to climb the highest mountain and shout it at the top of my lungs.
I’m a dissatisfied customer. I’d appreciate a written explanation.
Sincerely,
Jerry
--------------------------
Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 08:20:13 -0600
From: service@focuselectrics.com
Subject: Focus Customer Service Request B10-04-0182
Please email back the four digit date code beginning with zero or nine from the base of the machine. Also, include the date and store of purchase. With this information we can assist you further.
Regards,
Alyssa
CSR
-------------------------------------
To: service@focuselectrics.com
Subject: RE: Focus Customer Service Request B10-04-0182
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:49:16 -0400
Hi Alyssa,
It's 0044. Is this the 44th day of 2000? Keep in mind, it had an eight year hiatus on a shelf, when I had discovered potato chips.
Thanks,
Jerry
---------------------------------
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2010 06:37:33 -0600
From: service@focuselectrics.com
Subject: Focus Customer Service Request B10-04-0182
Unfortunately, your unit was manufactured by the original West Bend company in 2000, and discontinued before Focus Electrics acquired the company about 5 years ago. Because you unit is 10 years old the only option we can give at this time is to purchase a new lid, or we can give you a discount on a new popper. The lid is part P347-2D for $22.94, which includes shipping and handling. You can order online at www.focuselectrics.com, or with customer service at 866-290-1851.
We are willing to offer you a new unit at a discounted price. Please log onto our website at www.focuselectrics.com to view our current product offerings. If you choose to receive the discount of 30% off (coupon code 30AK) of the regular listed price please contact customer service at 866-290-1851. Please contact us back if you require further assistance/
Regards,
Alyssa
CSR
If you reply to this message, please be sure that the request id B10-04-0182 is contained in the subject line of your email.
-----------------------------------------
To: service@focuselectrics.com
Subject: RE: Focus Customer Service Request B10-04-0182
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:39:47 -0400
Alyssa,
I think I figured it out. I paid $29.99 for a popper back in 2000. I can buy basically the same popper in 2010 at Target for $29.99. Or, I can buy the poorly designed lid for $22.94.
My other option is to go on your website and pay $44.93 for the same 6 quart Stir Crazy popper that I can get at Target for $29.99. With your 30% off coupon, that's $31.45 plus shipping.
Plus, I don't see that the lid handle on the new model is really improved at all. Why not fix the lid once and for all?
Jerry
Martha and I love popcorn, and not that nonsense that comes in the bag that you stick in your radar range. No sir. Popcorn in a popper. Popcorn in YOUR West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy 6-Quart Electric Popcorn Popper. Life has been a dream—one popperful of corn at a time. Different flavors of popcorn salt on different days. And on Saturday…CARAMEL CORN!
Here’s the deal. I design components, just like the crack staff at West Bend. We all sat in the same classes, with the same barely-speaking-English professors, learning basic design concepts. Among those: avoid stress risers. Stress risers are sharp corners in components, where cracks are likely to begin, and quickly propagate. I explain this to you as though you don’t know what I’m talking about.
I’m accusing West Bend of intentionally designing an Achilles heel into their popper globe. My globe is hanging on by a thread, and you know it. You planned it. You’re giggling about it.
Why else would you design such a sharp corner, where the handle meets the globe. That globe is so flimsy and flexible, leaving that area so vulnerable to cracking. In fact, to slow the crack propagation down, I’ve ceased washing the oily popcorn aftermath from the inside of the globe.
You know darn well that there should be a nice rounded, gradual transition, with reinforcing ribs. I’m sure that saving several cents, plus creating a reason for folks to buy a new West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy 6-Quart Electric Popcorn Popper.
Well I say no. I’m really angry. I’m going to climb the highest mountain and shout it at the top of my lungs.
I’m a dissatisfied customer. I’d appreciate a written explanation.
Sincerely,
Jerry
--------------------------
Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 08:20:13 -0600
From: service@focuselectrics.com
Subject: Focus Customer Service Request B10-04-0182
Please email back the four digit date code beginning with zero or nine from the base of the machine. Also, include the date and store of purchase. With this information we can assist you further.
Regards,
Alyssa
CSR
-------------------------------------
To: service@focuselectrics.com
Subject: RE: Focus Customer Service Request B10-04-0182
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:49:16 -0400
Hi Alyssa,
It's 0044. Is this the 44th day of 2000? Keep in mind, it had an eight year hiatus on a shelf, when I had discovered potato chips.
Thanks,
Jerry
---------------------------------
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2010 06:37:33 -0600
From: service@focuselectrics.com
Subject: Focus Customer Service Request B10-04-0182
Unfortunately, your unit was manufactured by the original West Bend company in 2000, and discontinued before Focus Electrics acquired the company about 5 years ago. Because you unit is 10 years old the only option we can give at this time is to purchase a new lid, or we can give you a discount on a new popper. The lid is part P347-2D for $22.94, which includes shipping and handling. You can order online at www.focuselectrics.com, or with customer service at 866-290-1851.
We are willing to offer you a new unit at a discounted price. Please log onto our website at www.focuselectrics.com to view our current product offerings. If you choose to receive the discount of 30% off (coupon code 30AK) of the regular listed price please contact customer service at 866-290-1851. Please contact us back if you require further assistance/
Regards,
Alyssa
CSR
If you reply to this message, please be sure that the request id B10-04-0182 is contained in the subject line of your email.
-----------------------------------------
To: service@focuselectrics.com
Subject: RE: Focus Customer Service Request B10-04-0182
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:39:47 -0400
Alyssa,
I think I figured it out. I paid $29.99 for a popper back in 2000. I can buy basically the same popper in 2010 at Target for $29.99. Or, I can buy the poorly designed lid for $22.94.
My other option is to go on your website and pay $44.93 for the same 6 quart Stir Crazy popper that I can get at Target for $29.99. With your 30% off coupon, that's $31.45 plus shipping.
Plus, I don't see that the lid handle on the new model is really improved at all. Why not fix the lid once and for all?
Jerry
-------------------
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