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A rant about Korean flower shops
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SuperFly



Joined: 09 Jul 2003
Location: In the doghouse

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 4:02 pm    Post subject: A rant about Korean flower shops Reply with quote

So my wife hurt her leg a few weeks ago and has been really frustrated with her healing process, physical therapy, etc. Last night she was extremely depressed, so I decided to have flowers delivered to her work address this morning.

What a joke.

On their website, my coworker and I filled out all the details that they asked for, including the address and my wifes cell phone number.

We even wrote down which floor she works on.

The delivery guy called her and said, "I'm here, where are you?" before he even got to the building....even though he had CLEAR and PRECISE directions! My coworker even called the delivery company and gave exact directions to her work...even after writing everything down in detail on their website.

Then he went on to tell her, before he ever got to the building:

"I think your husband bought you flowers for me to deliver! Where are you right now??"


So much for the surprise.

Freakin idiots, I tell ya.
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Young FRANKenstein



Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:11 pm    Post subject: Re: A rant about Korean flower shops Reply with quote

SuperFly wrote:
The delivery guy called her and said, "I'm here, where are you?" before he even got to the building....even though he had CLEAR and PRECISE directions! My coworker even called the delivery company and gave exact directions to her work...even after writing everything down in detail on their website.

I've found this to be true of most delivery services in Korea. I've had it happen with Teak-bae services, CostCo delivery, whatever... draw them maps, write down detailed directions, etc... they still call when they leave the warehouse to ask you where you are.
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GoldMember



Joined: 24 Oct 2006

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Phones wll sorts of tech gadgets,
Fridges with 20 wizz bang buttons.
Who cares.
How about a simple no nonsense low tech address system. Duh!
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mateomiguel



Joined: 16 May 2005

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

GoldMember wrote:
How about a simple no nonsense low tech address system. Duh!


But then how can you keep track of which building is older and which is younger?

It sounds strange, but that is the reason for the confusing address system! Cities are divided into Gu's, Gu's are divided into dongs, and in each dong a building is given a number based on WHICH BUILDING WAS BUILT FIRST. So the building numbers are scattered literally randomly all over the dong. Streets are entirely unimportant. Street names are ignored, because they don't help. The only real way to find anything in this crazy city is to drift over to the general area, or dong, and ask someone. I've had to do this myself even when visiting governmental buildings. Even when someone drew a map for me, it was wrong. It was just a generalized area map, more a metaphor than a piece of information.

So delivery drivers just cut out the middle man by calling the person who will receive the delivery. Smart for them, given what they have to work with.
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Juregen



Joined: 30 May 2006

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Addresses are getting normalized.
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Vancouver



Joined: 12 Dec 2006

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"If you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself"
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Passions



Joined: 31 May 2006

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Vancouver wrote:
"If you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself"


Exactly.

What did you think? It was 1-800-Flowers or something.
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Qinella



Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Location: the crib

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's the ol' copy a western business model without understanding the fundamentals behind it.
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jaderedux2



Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Location: lurking just lurking

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

During Chusok I wanted to surprise my in-laws with a gift. My spousal unit who is Korean is gave them the address and very specific instructions. I wanted it to be a surprise as it was some expensive beef.

Surprise surprise they called my father-in-law and asked them where they were and then the surprise was spoiled. To add insult to injury my father-in-law decided he wanted a different delivery date and complained I sent it too early.

Needless to say they get spam sets now.

Jade
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PeteJB



Joined: 06 Jul 2007

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If they need to ask, they should send you a text instead...
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koreandefence



Joined: 05 Oct 2007

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Qinella wrote:
It's the ol' copy a western business model without understanding the fundamentals behind it.


I agree with most of the replies on this topic apart from this clown's response.
Are you not being a little sweeping with this statement. Have you ever thought to study Korean business models and history to see the Korean business models are based more on the Japanese system. Or do you need to prove the west is better every time.
Clown
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Homer
Guest




PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 4:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

She got the flowers right?

Mission accomplished!

I will agree with others here: you want garanteed surprise...deliver the flowers yourself! Wink
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Qinella



Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Location: the crib

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

koreandefence wrote:
Qinella wrote:
It's the ol' copy a western business model without understanding the fundamentals behind it.


I agree with most of the replies on this topic apart from this clown's response.
Are you not being a little sweeping with this statement. Have you ever thought to study Korean business models and history to see the Korean business models are based more on the Japanese system. Or do you need to prove the west is better every time.
Clown


Neckties. Police. School. Research. Driving.

I guess you're right--'business' was a bit too limiting.
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Hyeon Een



Joined: 24 Jun 2005

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

koreandefence wrote:
Have you ever thought to study Korean business models and history to see the Korean business models are based more on the Japanese system.


And the Japanese system was based on the Kor... no wait, the Chine.. no wait, the eastern.. no wait, the WESTERN, American business model. Nice-uh!찡!
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VanIslander



Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

koreans being korean: knowing that I wonder if it'll make any difference if one requested a "don't call" and "keep a secret" on the order form

best bet: deliver them yourself
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