Can we return this patio set?

Thanks for calling the Lawn and Garden Department, this is Chris.

Hi Chris, we purchased a patio set from you last week, the Palmetto.

Yes, I think I remember.  Everything OK?

Well…

Uh, oh.  Tell me.

It was delivered two days ago and my husband put it together.  I’m afraid we’re going to have to return it.

Oh no, is there a problem with the set?

Yes and no.  It went together just fine.

OK.

But we tried to sit at it yesterday, and the sun had made it really hot.  We hadn’t anticipated that.

Um, the sun made it hot?

Yes.  Really, really hot.

The Smoking Battery

Hi, I bought this rechargeable battery here last year.  Yesterday I removed it from my drill and it started smoking.  Can I get it replaced under warranty?

Sure, I’m sorry to hear that.  Could I see your receipt?

I don’t have it.  Could you look it up?

I can, but the database is not reliable more than a few months back.  Are you sure you can’t come up with a receipt?

No, I don’t have it.

OK, what’s your name?

Bill Jones.

Phone number?

555-1234.

Alternate phone number?

555-1235.

OK, give me ten minutes.

…

…

…

…

All right, I searched the sales database for the last two years using your name and the two phone numbers you provided.  Nothing came up.  I also searched for all of the identified purchasers of that battery over the last two years.  Here’s the list, no Jones.

OK, while you were gone I thought of something.

Yes?

Are you searching just this store or others in the chain?

It’s a local database, I can see this store only.  Why?

Well, it may be that I bought it at Eastpoint.