Yes, the impossible has happened. For those who have been following on Twitter, I have been dealing with my commute (and everything else) on public transportation WITHOUT my Zune. If these people only knew what torture it has been riding the bus and train, having to listen to everything and everyone around me, day in and day out - it was horrible!
You see, before the holidays, I attempted to download and install a mandatory firmware update, just as I was updating my playlist with my favorite holiday tunes. Unfortunately the firmware update corrupted the unit and there was no fixing it on my end as I diligently tried for several days. Thank goodness it was still under warranty.
I sent it in for repair, I believe sometime around the week of my birthday which was December 15th. I gave it a few travel days (via FedEx compliments of Microsoft) and it arrived at it's Repair Center in McAllen, Texas (of all places) on December 22nd. They immediately turned it around and shipped my unit back to me on December 23rd. It arrived in Atlanta on December 31st. Actually it arrived in Kennesaw at the FedEx hub there. Then on the truck for delivery at my home January 2nd. Unfortunately Microsoft required a person to person signature. I found this out when I arrived home that day, at which time I immediately called FedEx to arrange for a redirect to my work address on Monday, January 5th. Well, FedEx came that day to work and still no Zune. I called FedEx again that night to inquire about the redirect. They didn't have it in the system. Again, the next day, no Zune appeared at work. Again, I called FedEx to inquire about the redirect. A male twerp, uh customer service rep, tried to tell me that only Microsoft could issue a redirect and that the unit was probably on it's way back to them but that I had a package from DirectTV (probably a remote, he said) to be delivered that day. "No", I told him, "I don't have DirectTV." He assured me I would be receiving a package from them that day. Of course, he was wrong and no such package from them has arrived as of this writing.
You see, before the holidays, I attempted to download and install a mandatory firmware update, just as I was updating my playlist with my favorite holiday tunes. Unfortunately the firmware update corrupted the unit and there was no fixing it on my end as I diligently tried for several days. Thank goodness it was still under warranty.
I sent it in for repair, I believe sometime around the week of my birthday which was December 15th. I gave it a few travel days (via FedEx compliments of Microsoft) and it arrived at it's Repair Center in McAllen, Texas (of all places) on December 22nd. They immediately turned it around and shipped my unit back to me on December 23rd. It arrived in Atlanta on December 31st. Actually it arrived in Kennesaw at the FedEx hub there. Then on the truck for delivery at my home January 2nd. Unfortunately Microsoft required a person to person signature. I found this out when I arrived home that day, at which time I immediately called FedEx to arrange for a redirect to my work address on Monday, January 5th. Well, FedEx came that day to work and still no Zune. I called FedEx again that night to inquire about the redirect. They didn't have it in the system. Again, the next day, no Zune appeared at work. Again, I called FedEx to inquire about the redirect. A male twerp, uh customer service rep, tried to tell me that only Microsoft could issue a redirect and that the unit was probably on it's way back to them but that I had a package from DirectTV (probably a remote, he said) to be delivered that day. "No", I told him, "I don't have DirectTV." He assured me I would be receiving a package from them that day. Of course, he was wrong and no such package from them has arrived as of this writing.
Nonetheless, this whole time the FedEx delivery guy made three attempts to deliver the Zune to my home. He called my cell phone the first day and didn't leave a message. The second day, I was able to answer and explain to him that I was not home but was at work, therefore, I couldn't sign for the unit. I begged him to leave the Zune on the doorstep and he said he couldn't, that Microsoft required a person to person signature. I don't know why he attempted delivery the third day.
Anyway, it sat in Kennesaw for a few more days and finally made it to the Atlanta hub where it was put on the delivery truck and, indeed, was delivered this very morning. Amazing, I say, just freaking amazing that it took nine days for me to receive it. If not for the extra help and attention provided by "Yvette" at the Kennesaw hub, I seriously doubt this would have happened. Thank you Yvette!
They actually sent a brand new replacement for my corrupted one. Upon opening the box, I immediately plugged it into my laptop at which time it required the firmware update which it did successfully install. Right now, it's loading all my albums, playlists, pictures, and video and is at 90% complete.
Suffice it to say, I will never use FedEx again, not if I can help it. UPS is much more customer friendly, consistent and dependable.
As I sit here marveling at my new Zune that is now almost completely loaded with my music, pictures, and videos, I am confident all is well in the world (big sigh of relief).
