Fidler in the Hood: Freaky Friday, super Sunday
A couple of years back after several weeks of being without a phone or WiFi, we gave up on Telkom and moved to the opposition.
Moanin’, everybody. No, not a spelling mistake. It was a bad week all round. Do you believe in life after death? If you have any doubts, then why not while away a few hours at any branch of Telkom? It will do you ‘the world of bad’. The CO and I ‘smiled away’ through gritted teeth for four hours, enjoying the delights of the Telkom experience. It can be said that we are now permanently scarred for life.
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A couple of years back, after several weeks of being without a phone and WiFi, we gave up on Telkom and moved over to the opposition. Telkom’s sales office came back to us, offering state-of-the-art service, indicating they were back in business and service delivery was paramount. Our contracts with a rival telecoms company were coming to an end, so we decided to give Telkom another chance.
Fully prepared with all necessary documents, we popped along and took a ticket advising we would be served in 35 minutes. Our turn came (and went in five minutes). “We need three months’ bank statements.” said the ‘very important’ Telkom person. No problem. We visited the bank and returned.
Another ticket
We took another ticket stating ’40 minutes waiting time’. Your scribe donned his ‘happy face’, which quickly disappeared when told more information on our banking activities was required. At home we printed off the required information, then back to Telkom for another ticket and another 35 minutes’ wait.
Confident we had everything, we approached our newfound friend only to be told “These ‘new’ statements are not stamped: you have to have them stamped”, she said with a sincere face of indifference. Your scribe’s winning smile changed to one of a loser.
Despite proving that we had been with Telkom, including its ADSL service, for three decades and that every bill was paid promptly, cut no ice.
Self-service banking
So once more, back to the bank. “Sorry, we don’t ‘do stamping’ any more. You (the paying client) must do it online. Get in the queue outside, and we will help you when it’s your turn.” It was Friday, some two dozen-plus customers were in the queue and we had queued for over two hours in total at Telkom. “That’s it,” was the muttered reply and we visited the rival telecom shop to be greeted like the prodigal son. After blurting out the sad story, the woman in red wiped your scribe’s tears, proffered a sweetie, adding “No worries, welcome back, don’t stray again, sign here”.
Sinking feeling
After a harrowing day, we decided to relax and take part in the monthly Ramsgate Lions quiz evening. As defending champions, the Chasers (that’s us, folks) were once again runners-up after losing by a solitary point. You can’t win every time. Question-time over, we bade farewell to quiz partners Bruce and Pat Hulley.
But the car keys were nowhere to be found. Now that’s when ‘that certain feeling’ came back, friends. No keys in the hall whatsoever, but then the penny dropped. The Hulleys had mistakenly taken our keys.
Saved by Lions
Fortunately Lions Roland and Sandra Lemmer took us to the Hulleys in Uvongo to retrieve the keys. “No, Rob, I don’t have them. I’ll let you in though.” said Bruce and visions of ‘sleeping rough in Ramsgate’ were conjured up. Out of the darkness, he appeared – with the car keys, apologising profusely.
He had a hired car, wasn’t familiar with the keys and pocketed ours instead. The Lemmers drove us back to collect our car. Many, many thanks, Roland and Sandra. Words of gratitude are not enough. But that’s what friends are for, especially here on the Hibiscus Coast. The day ended on a high.
Pollard to the rescue
From a freaky Friday came a super Sunday. The Boks won; City won and Liverpool won. Is it coincidence that the CO’s maiden name was Pollard? Local hero and grandson of Wally and Hazel Williams of Uvongo, Brad Binder, won the Australian Moto-X Grand Prix. Most South Africans will be glued to their televisions this Saturday morning to watch the Rugby World Cup final against the Old Country. See you, Rob.
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