I have never really been interested in shopping for electronic goods. I do it only when it is absolutely essential and I cannot avoid it any further. Even when I am in the store, you will not find me browsing through gadgets. They just don't interest me. However, there have been a couple of instances when I have actually strolled through electronic appliances lined up on shelves, just like that. It is not that electronics per se bore me. But yes, it may not be my first choice on a shopping outing. And I must confess that the post sales and especially installation irk me no end!
Buying a pair of headphones or a spike buster or a hair dryer off the shelf is no big deal. The real trouble arises when you decide to invest in durables like a home theatre system, a washing machine or a food processor. The hassle begins once you've taken possession of the goods. Get the warranties stamped, understand the terms and conditions of servicing and maintenance, disuade the salesman from persuading you to buy an extended warranty; and as if all this, after the toil of having selected your gadgets, wasn't enough you are required to fill in an installation form - which is nothing but your preferred time and day when the official 'engineer', who is basically a mechanic, can come over and install your appliance.
You've filled in your preferred time for installation as the coming Monday, between 12 noon to 3 pm - let's assume you binged on electronics on a Friday. The 'engineers' don't work on weekends, so Monday was the earliest option. The electronics are stacked up in a corner of your house awaiting the 'engineer'. In the meantime you decide upon a spot to get it installed, and your insincere maid has an excellent excuse for not sweeping and mopping the area around and under that huge carton. Finally, after a lazy weekend, Monday does arrive. You rush to work, and instruct your spouse - I am not just referring to the wives here! - regarding the installation. When you return home, you spot the carton intact where it was. It so happened that the official 'engineer' had a busier Monday than you'd thought he would. He may probably call on you the next day.
If you are lucky the mechanic turns up the next day, at whatever time is convenient to him. He may interrupt your lunch or worse, your siesta. But do you have a choice? You are supposed to stay indoors till the esteemed guest graces your residence. Once the 'engineer' is in your house, rest assured that it is the end of your peace and solace for the rest of the day, atleast. You must make sure that your house is appropriately ventilated to suit the busy man. He will fuss about unnecessarily with the packaging of your gadget, demand the warranty card and sometimes even the payment receipt! He will place his filthy bag on your sofa or the dewan as may be the furniture in your house. He may even trod on your carpets with his socks on! Out of courtesy when you offer him a glass of water, make sure its straight out of the deep freeze. They are fastidious about these things you know and do not think twice before ordering you around your own home. While they are working you must be at their beck and call, equipped generally with a dry duster, a wet duster, a broom stick, a mop and some old newspapers. More specific requirements will be pronounced as the installation progresses.
When the ordeal is finally over, he will proceed to make a call - that in addition to the N number of calls he already attended to while he was at work. You remember he's very busy, right? Not to mention the pseudo-intellectual expression on his visage. While on the call, he will start checking your device as though he installed it for himself, completely ignoring you and forgetting that you are waiting for the demo. Then he gets busy with the memos and other paper work, tells you where to sign, almost snatches the memo when you want to fill in the attendant feedback and leaves. At the doorstep, he turns, and nods. Personally, it takes a hell lot of self restraint for me not to strangle that unpleasant creature. I shut the door saying 'thank you' - not for installing my appliances but for leaving.
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