Neatly Sliced

While watching The History Channel, I saw an alert in the corner of the screen informing me that if I text “1000″ to HISTRY (447879), I could get “This Day In History” texted to me every day. “Awesome,” I think. “I love useless trivia.” I then text “1000″ to HISTRY (447879).

Much to my chagrin, The History Channel replies in a rather uncouth manner: Access Denied!

I think, “Well, perhaps other mobile alerts are functioning properly.” All of The History Channel’s mobile alerts are listed on their site. I try the WWII one, because hey, that was a weird time in the history of the world. I receive the same error.

I try to report this to The History Channel, only to discover that their feedback form is not functioning at this time.

Ladies and gentleman, woe to me. Would anyone be so kind so as to inform The History Channel of this malady?

Update: As of February 10, 2008, the problem is resolved; I have been receiving my daily dose of history. And there was much rejoicing (yay).

Djangos was my online music recyclery of choice, bearing excellent selection, pricing, and customer service. However, mid to late 2007, I ordered some CDs, received no notification of shipment (quite unlike their normal demeanor), and noted a billing on my credit card statement. I contacted their customer service, only to be informed that “It shipped Media Mail and it takes forever and a day to get to you, be patient on your sorry self” (not a direct quote, but the direct meaning).

So I waited forever and a day, and received nothing. I recontacted customer service, informing them that I would like either (a) a refund (b) my music. They say, hey, we’ll send you the music. I rejoice.

I wait forever and a day. I receive no music. I cease rejoicing and I contact customer service. They refund my credit card.

Now I see that the company is closing its doors. Is there a correlation between botched customer service toward the end and this closing of doors? Perhaps. Might it have been something to do with the terrible ASP coding and mystery navigation on the site? Maybe. No one will ever know.

Now I seek a new online music recyclery, as my local brick and mortar used CD store does not always carry my desired selection. Spun appears on the exterior to be an acceptable alternative, although I have not yet committed a transaction through them. Anyone worked with Spun.com before?