Hey everyone. I posted a photo last week on our Instagram of our Christmas tree as a little teaser and planned to write a post about our first fake tree. However, that single photo is the only one that will ever exist of this year’s Christmas tree.
It seems our first ever artificial tree was a lemon. Not a lemon tree. No, not that. It was poorly made and had a short in it. Part of one section would be on a minutes and then off a few minutes. That drove me crazy. I watched The Crown, and out of the corner of my eye, I could see the tree malfunctioning. Yikes!
We bought the tree at Lowe’s, and the box clearly stated do not return the tree to the store. So, being the rule follower that I am, I called the number on the box and was on with them for at least half an hour. The girl spoke poor English, and with every question I asked, she had to put me on hold and ask someone. Finally, she told me to take the tree apart, put it back together, and turn it on and off three times quickly.
No…..If I had to take off the ornaments and take the tree apart, I was returning it to the store and exchanging it for the same tree. Lowe’s was wonderful and readily accepted my lemon Christmas tree, but they didn’t have another one like it in stock. They checked the other nearby stores, and they didn’t have one either. I had selected a real looking fir that was 7.5 feet tall and was slender. That size fit the spot just right. I checked some other stores, but they didn’t have just what I wanted, and I was afraid to buy just any tree and then become dissatisfied with it.
So, the bottom line here is that we no longer have a tree, and we won’t be getting another this year. Luckily, we will be spending Christmas at Jordan’s and will get to enjoy her live tree. Meanwhile, I loaded the place up with poinsettias, have some decorations out, and am playing Christmas music. That will have to do for 2016.
The humanity! Sorry about your tree mishap, but may I suggest going to Amazon to have a look-see at Vickerman artificial trees? Talk about looking real! Maybe you can get a deal after Christmas! Good luck.
Oh no!! We talk about getting a fake tree each year after we put our real one up and the sneezing begins. But then we forget about our discomfort during the interim eleven months of the year. Our tree this year is BEAUTIFUL, but dying super fast! Our deal was too good to be true. (You can read about it on the blog.) I’m so afraid I’m going to have to take it down before Christmas and family arrive! I keep telling my husband if we have to take it down, we will go without. He can’t imagine that possibility . . . Crossing our fingers!
Julie,
It was such a dry fall, that I thought Christmas trees would really lose their needles quickly. That was one of the factors in buying new tree. I hope your tree makes it.
I had the same experience last year with a tree from Home Depot…twice! We returned the first tree, got a new one that worked for a few days after being fully decorated, and then the lights in the middle of the tree went out. We rigged up some lights, made due until after Christmas, and then returned the second tree. Home Depot was very nice about the whole thing. This year we bought one from Target, 7.5 ft. slim tree, and we just love it! You are wise to just wait for next year. Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas at Jordan’s lovely home.
I didn’t think we were the only ones with tree issues.
How frustrating!
One tip on dealing with customer service. I usually give the person a chance to help me. Then I ask if I’m speaking to someone in the United States. If they say no, I ask them to transfer me to the US. Every time I’ve asked to be transferred this way I get a rep that can speak English clearly….whether they actually send me to the US or not I can’t tell but it’s always worked for me.
Jenny, that’s great advice for all customer service – not just Christmas trees. Thanks!