Our trash ("rubbish") is collected every Thursday morning. We have one small metal trash can ("rubbish bin") and two recycling bins, and we are also supposed to have a small bin for food waste. We don't. Several weeks ago, I checked our local council web site, and they had a form you could fill out to request a new one. I filled it out and submitted it. Nothing happened. We were out of town for 10 days, so I waited til we got back and tried again. This time I got an email confirmation:
Seven working days later, there was still no sign of any bins, so I called the number. The conversation went something like this:Request for food waste bins - Reference: AF98849E Thank you for using the online request form. Your Complete set (outside bin, kitchen caddy and liners) will be delivered within 5 working days to your front garden.
From: "esenquiries@merton.gov.uk" <esenquiries@merton.gov.uk> To: mistry9@yahoo.com
If you have any enquiries regarding this request please email esenquiries@merton.gov.uk or call 020 8274 4902.
Information regarding our food waste services can be found at www.merton.gov.uk/foodwaste
Your reference number for this form is AF98849E
Naina: Hello, I'd like to check the status of a request for replacement food waste bins. I have a confirmation number, if that helps.
Council lady: OK, what's the number?
Naina: A - F, as in Foxtrot ...
Council: What? That doesn't sound like a confirmation number. Where did that number come from?
Naina: I submitted a request online and this is the number I was sent in the confirmation email.
Council: No, you can't request food waste bins online.
Naina: Well, then why do you have a form on your website? And how did I get this confirmation email. [Reads contents of email to Council lady.]
Council: If we let people request replacement bins online, then everyone would be doing it. Do you see what I mean?
Naina: Uh... No. Look, I just moved here from another country. The house we are renting does not have a food waste bin. How can I get one?
Council: I can submit an order for you. What's your post code and house number?
Naina: SW19 8TH, number 35.
Council: And what's your home phone number?
Naina: 0-2-0-3...
Council: Don't you mean 0-2-0-8?
Naina: No, it's 0-2-0-3-...
Council: The numbers in our calling area start with 0208.
Naina: I don't know what to tell you. This is the number assigned to us by Sky.
Council: What's your surname?
Naina: Mistry. M-I-S-T-R-Y
Council: That's not showing up in our records. Are you sure you gave me the correct post code and house number?
Naina: Yes. We are renting the house. We just moved in two months ago, so maybe the records haven't been updated yet. We've paid our council tax. Can we submit the order?
Council: Yes, here is your order confirmation number: [xxxxxxx I don't have it handy]
Naina: And how long will it take to receive the bins?
Council: When is your regular food waste collection day?
Naina: I don't know -- we don't have a food waste bin. Is it normally collected the same day as the trash and recycling?
Council: Yes.
Naina: OK, then Thursday.
Council: In that case, you may get them on Thursday when they collect your trash. If not, it usually takes 5 working days.
Wow . . .that sounds like a bad comedy routine. So annoying!!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the time I called PG&E to inquire as to why I hadn't received a bill in over SIX MONTHS. They said they couldn't tell me that information because the account was not in my name (DONALD). I tried to explain that I was just trying to make sure the bill got PAID so my power didn't get shut off. Still wouldn't tell me anything. I didn't get a bill from PG&E for another TWO YEARS. And then they billed me for the entire time that had passed.
ReplyDelete