No, not happy day that there is this thunderstorm outside of my hotel window!
This is the storm that followed me out of Pennsylvania, through parts of Maryland and into Virginia!
BUT ---even though it’s storming on the outside, it’s bright and sunny on the INSIDE!
You are not going to believe this --- even *I* don’t believe this!
I just got a call from home.
There is a check waiting for me --- for the full replacement amount on my damaged featherweight machine!
AND --
The letter stated that if I do take the laptop in, pay the $89.95 for the evaluation, they will reimburse me for that plus the fees to repair/replace my laptop.
I know it doesn’t make up for the fact that I’ve lost a machine I dearly loved. It may be an inanimate object, but it felt like my right arm having that machine with me when I’m on the road so much.
Will I replace it with a new souped up one? I’m not sure. I’m enjoying sewing on Bea!
AND…..
Because the weather is so yuck --- I’m inside getting set up:
See this table? It was a “package deal” with the little two-toned 301 I bought at the Hershey show. Look closely --- do you see what I see on the TOP of the table?
It’s cut out especially for the short extension table 301A!
There are many “card tables” out there for featherweights, and I’d been looking for one --- but when I saw there was a card table to go with the 301 ----I couldn’t resist. How great is this?!
This is Martha, a 1950s "Bel Air" two-toned 301a!
Pardon my messy bed --- I was so pooped out from driving I took a nap!
I’m a tall girl, and even though I love my Sew Ezi table – I often feel like I am bending way low to sew with it because of my height. This is the PERFECT height for me to sew!
I wish I could be showing you what I’m sewing on tonight, but I can’t ---the mystery quilt is being assembled into a top and it is a BIG SECRET! I want to get it done so when I am home after Williamsburg I can load it in the machine ----
I'd sewn as far as I could on Bea ---but when it comes to assembling a big top and putting on borders, I needed more table space. I needed a bigger machine. I've got it ;c)
I keep thinking about that check and the letter at home ----was it the letter I wrote that did the trick on being reimbursed? I’ll never know. All I know is that I’m glad I had a week to calm down before writing that letter. I’m glad that I didn’t yell, and I think it helps to present any case in a calm cool and collected manner. After all, it wasn’t the person processing the claim who had anything to do with how my luggage was treated ----
And I am amazed that within about 3 weeks of writing the letter there was a check waiting on my doorstep. Sometimes ---things just turn out right!
55 comments:
YIPEE - congrats on getting that check -0 and so quickly!! That should sure make you smile!!
I am so happy for you about your featherweight machine and laptop replacement. When I read your initial post about the damage I felt sick. Hopefully you can find another machine to decorate.
Just maybe it was that letter on Facebook. that did it but whatever, you deserved it all.
Oh, I have never seen that card table. It is similar to the Featherweight one but looks sturdyer. I use the Featherweight one with the extension table, all the time. That is a neat machine but it is heavy isn't it? Did you get a box with it?
Am waiting for that next mystery.
Woohoo! Wonderful news :)
I am so glad the airline did the right thing. I know it will never replace that magenta beauty, but at least they recognized it's value to you.!!
So glad they are doing right by you! I coulda cried when I saw your pictures. I have an ordinary old black fw (which I love) but those coloured ones are something else!
Andrea
Wow, that's great news. It's surprising that your claim got taken care of relatively quickly. I 'm glad they did right by you - of course if the airline really had done "right" by you this never should have happened. At least we all got a good lessen from the whole incident!
Awesome news. So happy it worked out in your favor...as it should!
I'm so glad they did the right thing, and I do hope you get another Fancy featherweight. I do love the new table, though. That's really neat.
YAY!! I'm glad the airline did the RIGHT thing!
United sent you a check that quickly? I'm amazed!! Congrats! Time to buy a new one!1
I'd say your polite letter and internet sharing of the facts has probably worked in your favour, perhaps spurred on by the recent history of broken guitars and the power of what a bit of publicity can do.
I am so glad for you that they have stepped up and done the right thing, without playing games or being silly about it.
I wonder if you buy another featherweight, which colour will you choose?
Great news! Interesting card table for your new machine....I am very, very interested to see how the houndstooth check and floral pieces will be used. Suzanne in Maine
Yes Bonnie, great news, and 3 weeks is a really good turnaround, sometimes it takes that long just to acknowledge a letter!
I think you handled the situation with much greater tact and grace than I would have! I'm glad you can now replace your FW and probably laptop, but so sorry you have to do so. You are such a nice person that it was easy for the flight attendant to guilt you about delaying the flight rather than doing her job. Thank you for gently prodding the airline to do the right thing. I'm sure they will keep your experience in mind when dealing with others.
Sweetie, it's your frequent flyer record. They know you are a valued customer... As you should be!
Maybe you should wait until you find the featherweight that captures your heart like the old one did.
I know you miss your magenta baby, but at least the airlines took responsibility.
So happy to hear your news. I was at your lecture in Hershey and I'm glad I heard about your Blog. You have a new fan and I can't wait for next year and I hope your at Hershey again !
You are so right about handling it in a concise manner without berating anyone. I'm glad it worked out for you. That is wonderful news.
And what a cool sewing set-up. I love that table. Lucky find for you, lady!
ALMOST restores your faith in the airlines ....
(feather) weight lifted from my mind. How many of us were sick about that fuschia baby?
This is the scenario:
Letter rec'd at the airline by a lady who is a quilter AND a big fan of Bonnie K Hunter / Quiltville -- she goes to her supervisor--
"Mr. Smith, we have a claim here from a Bonnie K Hunter of Quiltville fame. She had a lovely Featherweight sewing machine, for which quilters all over the world were envious. It appears she had it horribly damaged during a flight; oh yeah, she has some great pictures to back up her claim. I read her blog every day, as do thousands of other devoted quilters. She had been very professional in her letter to us, which, by the way, she has posted to her blog. Her followers, though pulling for her to get her claim acknowledged and a reimbursement, are not really sure that our company will come through - remember the guitar video on You Tube? Yeah, it was referenced several times on her blog, with skepticism I might add about her claim going through. What do I suggest, you ask? Well, sir, if you do not approve this and do right by her... let me just say this -- these quilters carry rotary cutters and they know how to use them. I suggest you pay this claim today, and do right by her on her computer as well!!! Yes, sir I have the check in my hand for you to sign right now. Thanks you sir, we all appreciate your concern and quick action."
Faye in Maine
Oh Happy Day, indeed! So glad to hear that the airline has done what they can to make this right. Love the new machine and table....fun toys, for sure :-)
Oh, yeah, absolutely love the table and "new machine"!!
Faye
Love this story!!! Quilters take care of each other for sure. Thanks for the smile, A BH Fan
Bonnie, if it wasn't the "Quilting Fairy" as described in the above post I too agree that it was your clear and honorable handling of the situation that resulted in this wonderful reply from the airlines. There is no replacing a machine we love and have spent many hours with but stay open. The Universe has her eye on you :) I have the featherweight table that looks like yours and I LOVE it!! If you are in RI again check out this guy: http://oceanwavesqc.com/featherweights.html
The visit is well worth it to see all his machines waiting to be restored. He is amazing and very sweet, but does not paint them as far as I know. Congratulatons! Anxiously awaiting the Mystery.
AWESOME! really awesome.
I handle customer service complaints in my job. I have to tell you that your letter, documentation, clear and concise description of events, and polite and professional approach along with your history of repeat business is what would have prompted me to handle the situation they way they did. I'm glad that they did the right thing. And you in turn have done the right thing by letting us all know that they took responsibility. Great outcome!
Yeah on them coming through on your claims, as they should do! I have a nephew that works for United out of San Francisco and I so wanted to write him and tell him you better see to it your company makes right with my quilting instructors claim. LOL Love "This is the scenario:by Anonymous.. I think she hit the nail on the head. And by the way glad you picked up the 301 with that table, that made it worth the price. I found a 301 table at a estate sale for very little because they didn't know what it was and I didn't tell them. Just paid for it and skipped all the way home. Perfect set up for your travels.
Thumbs up Bonnie!
Stella in CA
A taller table? I would be in heaven! Lucky you. And congrats on the reimbursement.
It might have something to do with the 3000+ followers, which I'm sure must be about 10K readers. I like the comment from Anonymous about the quilter getting your letter!
aha, the table explains the rather high price for the machine, now it seem worth it. I have the table for the featherweight,(had table before machine) and find the only complaint is the distance between machine and edge seems large
i know it doesn't replace the machine, but i'm happy you received a check. that letter was quite impressive. my great grandma always said you catch more flies with honey!
Whoo Hooo Bonnie!! Must have been your lucky day. I'm so glad at least your costs were recovered. Such good news. My mom must have known bunbear's grandma because she said the same thing about flies, although I always wondered why you'd try -- never mind, it's just a blessing that you got the check. :-)
that is great news Bonnie... I am so glad the airlines took responsibiity! Maybe they heard about your blog and feared an onslaught of quilter outrage! LOL!
Super news Bonnie! So happy this mess has turned out in your favor. I believe your letter was, at least in part, why you were written the check!!!
I have that exact card/sewingmachine table. But never knew what machine it was made to fit. John reworked the opening to fit my Sapphire855. LOVE IT! Like you, I am not short lol, and the table is perfect. Happy sewing.
When do we get to see this interesting quilt? Black and white, is it?
Smiles all the way
JulieinTN
What a blessing, Bonnie! I'm sure your polite, but to the point letter helped things work out in your favor. I always figure, don't get mean until you are forced to :) I'm just sad that your beautiful FW had to be put to rest.... Ava K from Wellsboro, PA
Bonnie,
So wonderful you got a good size check! Get a good one! Love the card table. How neat!!!!!! My Pfaff could use one like that. I'll start watching for it - half the fun is in the hun
Please come our way (Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, etc. as we need the rain desperately!!!!
Barby - Mountain Home, ARK
There's nothing beats a nice 301 machine. I have two 301 and one featherweight and it's always one of the 301s I grab to sew on. Lucky you, though, I don't have a special table for them. I'm glad they're coming through on reimbursing you for the damage so quickly. Took my sister nearly a year, many phonecalls and much aggravation to get paid back for ruined luggage and contents a few years ago.
Pat - Lincoln, NE
Congrats on the reimbursement and on your new acquisition. Love the table...it just adds to the package.
If you ever find someone who is looking for a table like that for a 301 longbed, send them my way. I have one and no 301 to put in it.
Enjoy!
Anna in IL
Glad it worked out for you... On my way home from Belize two days ago TSA checked by bag, didn't fully zip it back and when it got yanked off the truck and tossed onto the conveyor belt they completely ripped the zipper and top off of my suitcase!!
We were picking up loose stuff that had fallen out of the suitcase onto the belt. My rotating cutting board, my 4" x 16" ruler, I thought I had lost my rotary cutter and a shoe when all of a sudden they came out of the chute (the rotary cutter had been placed in my shoe)!
My camera battery was dead, I didn't have my phone with me, and I had 15 minutes to get through security and catch my connecting flight. I didn't have time to argue with anyone. Luckily we took much more than we brought home and I had an empty suitcase that I dumped everything into. I then removed anything that could identify me (tags, etc.) and dragged it to a security guard and left it with him.
Never a Dull Day with the airlines!
Paul
My grandma used to say you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. So true. So happy for you. Thanks for all you do.
You are so welcome, I love the comradery we all have.
Faye
i'm thinking 3 wks has got to be a record of some sort for an airline to respond so positively. that is such good news!
Yeah!!!! How wonderful is that!!!
Bonnie - what wonderful news about the airline actually responding so well. I know it won't replace your machine but it will help.
And I am envious of that table! Nice!
Bonnie...
I am overjoyed for you that you have gotten a full reimbursement! I am also very shocked. Looking forward to that November mystery quilt this year!!
Personally, I'm not surprised that they are reimbursing you for the items. When we had to check a bag gateside and the suitcase itself got damaged, they reimbursed us on the spot at our destination.
As for the 301...now I know why the price was so steep! Lucky you! Looks like a great table!
When I bought my FW at an auction, it came with the table, too, as a "package"! :)
So happy that you will be reimbursed for your featherweight and laptop repair...airlines are getting smarter (and a little social network pressure doesn't hurt either, lol!) Continue to enjoy those antique shops!
Great news! So happy for you. Great find on that table. Enjoy.
Excellent news! And congrats on the table. I am jealous. Lane
Great outcome for your poor featherweight loss. I think it demonstrates that it is always best to wait until you are over the yelling stage to try to ask for what you want when you've been hurt.
Such great news, Bonnie! I think you handled it very well and it paid off. So happy for you. I love the machine table you found. Great find!
I love my SewEzi table, too. However, I am relatively short (5'4"), so it's perfect for me. Glad you find a solution for portable sewing!
Post a Comment
If you are commenting as "anonymous" please leave your name at the end of your comment.
Did you know that ad space on this blog provides for all of the free patterns and free mysteries and challenges at no cost to you? Without ads, this blog would not be possible.
Thank you for understanding the many hours that go into this blog 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. :)