Would you believe it’s still possible to get a real person on the phone when you call customer service? And sometimes the person you talk to goes above and beyond to help you? After the largest Internet-based retailer, Amazon, screwed up my order for a standing desk, a real person named John at Uncaged Ergonomics came to the rescue.

Amazon’s screw up

I’ve wanted to try a standing desk for a while. After browsing through Amazon, I found the next best thing — a conversion kit from Uncaged Ergonomics with two separate pieces to raise the monitor and keyboard. Excited, I ordered the kit. I couldn’t wait to get it.

If you’re interested in buying this conversion kit, take my advice: order directly from Uncaged. Not Amazon. 

This is why: The monitor and keyboard stands come in separate boxes. Amazon sent me just one box — the monitor stand. That was all.

At first I wondered if I’d made a mistake. I called the number in the package leaflet and reached a guy on the phone who said, simply, “Uncaged Ergonomics.” I’ll be honest: he sounded like he just woke up. I don’t mean to make him sound bad. Maybe he just hadn’t used his voice in a couple of hours, or he needed a glass of water. Whatever, I was afraid my call for help wouldn’t go well.

John to the rescue

He definitely woke up when I explained my dilemma; however, he couldn’t find my order number in his records. “Wait,” he said. “Did you order this from Amazon?”

I told him I had. According to John, that explained everything. He told me Amazon sells and ships Uncaged products from Amazon’s warehouse, as they do with tons of other merchandise. Amazon made the mistake.

He said I could contact Amazon to get things straightened out, but he was concerned they might ask me to return what they’d already sent me.

“How about if I just send you the other piece directly from our warehouse? It will be quicker and easier for you.”

Easier for me? When was the last time you called for help and someone wanted to make things easier for you?!?

All he needed was an emailed copy of my receipt. Less than a week later, the box with the keyboard stand arrived.

Before we ended our conversation, John had said if I was happy with the conversion kit, he’d appreciate it if I’d leave a good review. I did. As a writer, I know the value of a good review.

My new Standing Desk

The conversion set wasn’t complicated, the monitor stand is sturdy, the keyboard stand has an attachment for my mouse. Now, instead of taking a break to get up and stretch, I sit down instead. Both pieces are lightweight. If I want to sit for a while, it’s kind of a production to lift the monitor, which is heavy and awkward, down from the stand, but not too bad.

Related posts: Writers, Don’t Die Like Balzac, or Why You Need a Standing Desk
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