Conference 7.286::digital

Hmm...

Our UPS deliverer left mine without a signature.  Turns out that I have
to send it back, because they put the wrong initials on the engraving.  :-|

    I, on the other hand, signed the back and it was indeed delivered the
    next day in my absence.  Maybe your or my delivery person has the
    policies wrong?  Probably worth your calling UPS to discuss how this
    can be resolved...
    
    Leslie

    
    
    	Hmmmm...I could have written .0 myself.  I'm going thru the exact
    	same thing with my 10 year award.  We tried to get them to leave
    	it and they refused.  So, it is being re-routed to my work place
    	in hopes that I'll be here when it arrives and can sign for it
    	here.  I certainly have received much more expensive items that
    	I've ordered and had them leave it on my doorstep and not required
    	a signature.  I have not been too pleased with this policy.
    

  Re .0: You have pushed one of my hot buttons. A year ago I began ordering
supplments by mail and had them delivered by UPS, the vendor's preferred 
carrier. At first it was simple. They put a slip on the door one day, I
signed it, put it back on the door, and the next day they delivered the stuff.
Or I asked the vendor to print on the label "No signature required" and they
delivered it without a signature. Six months ago, UPS refused to deliver the
goods unless someone was there to receive them, period. I live in an apartment
house. For a while I had a friend in another unit who could receive the pack-
age for me. I called the UPS office that serves my town (Boxboro, MA; office i
in Londonderry, NH, I think) and they said there is no way to get around this.
So I asked the vendor to ship the stuff Parcel Post, and they did so. It takes
a day longer to arrive, but there's no hassle.
  Not all vendors are willing to ship by a different carrier. You can try
asking the service awards vendor to ship your package Parcel Post when you
send in the order, but I expect they will refuse.
  I heard that the reason why UPS has established this policy is that they
delivered a package to an apartment house lobby, it was stolen, and the re-
cipient sued UPS. Or something like that. I also think this policy varies from
one regional office to another, and even from one driver to another.

    I had my fifteen-year freebie (DEC, oops, Digital candlesticks)
    delivered to HLO.  The mailroom got mad at me.  Lately I've been having
    UPS deliver stuff that they insist that someone be physically at home
    to get to my car mechanic.  He's right around the corner, does this for
    several people already, and anyhow I've been spending a lot of time
    there lately, or, rather, my car has - haven't seen the darn thing yet
    this week and hope the mechanic can get it running again before
    tomorrow night when I need wheels!   I too have had UPS leave expensive
    stuff laying out on my driveway but want to deliver in person little
    stuff like this.  Lately they seem to always want either a signature or
    a person to be there - not easy since you have no idea when they are
    going to show up, even if you know what day your box is coming, which
    you usually don't.  I'd rather have stuff come parcel post so I can get
    it at the post office; the UPS office is nowhere near here.
    
    /Charlotte

    RE: last few
    
    I had the same problem getting my lovely pewter bud vase.  I didn't
    really care if I got the damn thing, so I just signed the yellow slip
    and left it on my door.  After three tries, UPS gave up.  Two months
    later, the vase shows up at my office, after having visited several DEC
    sites.
    
    I especially liked the little card that came with the vase.  It says "A
    tribute to your years of service and a lasting symbol of our
    appreciation."  I stuck it on a empty grapefruit juice bottle and put
    it on my desk.  I use it to store the semi-annual bonuses my boss gives
    me (a carnation in the summer and a festive holiday trinket at
    Christmas -- last year we got a little spheroid with a picture of Santa
    on it).  Actually, this summer I got a rose instead of a carnation --
    things are looking up!  So many perquisites make me feel like a member
    of the SLT!  :-)
    
        -- Jeff

    P.S.  I much prefer USPS over UPS.  The USPS office is closer and open
    Saturday mornings.
               

	I'm the original poster of .0.  I received a mail message from someone
who sounded official but did not sign their message, so I'm not sure.  The mail
message states that there was a concern about packages being left on doorsteps
and stolen and an apparent policy that UPS feels they have no liability in such
a case as long as the recipient has signed off.  The message goes further to
state "Now, we use the Post Office and insure the package."  In my case they
aren't using the Post Office but perhaps a change in policy is in the works and
we're just in a transition period.

Brian

    I just received my 15 year award - the watch - and it was delivered to
    my former address.  This occurred even after I had put in the change of
    address on the order form and also called the 800 number to verify my
    change of address.
    
    I was real lucky that the people who bought my house contacted me to
    let me know that it had been left on their front porch.  They found it
    when they got home from work last evening!
    
    DEC - oops - digital can't get their act together on personal
    information.  My change of address has been in the corporate data base
    for 5 months now.  We must be having a little trouble with updating our
    myriad databases!

    I finally gave up and had my husband's 15-yr award sent to me at MLO. 
    At least there would be someone in the office -- doesn't have to be you,
    anyone can sign -- go figure! -- to sign for it.
    

    I'm going through this right now.  UPS tried two time this week and I
    wrote a note absolving them from all responsibilities - here's my
    signature through the award (my 10 year necklace) in the car.  Won't
    do.  So today I called UPS and I'm having them hold it and I can pick
    it up on Thursday am at their office.
    
    This policy is so stupid.  Especially since one of my coworkers bought
    a PC from Digital and it was delivered and left on their front doorstep
    all day yesterday without a signature being required.

    When UPS delivered my Digital PC, they piled it into my shed... No note
    left or anything... Found it (the PC) when I went to the shed for a
    rake....
    
    UPS "the best shippers in the shipping business"....
    
    Bob...
    

    We live in the country (southern NH) and get *lots* of stuff delivered
    by UPS--they just leave it on our porch.  Some of the deliveries are
    much more valuable than the watch I was getting as a service award.
    
    However, the Digital service award has been the *only* thing which required 
    a signature.  And, like the other folks have reported, UPS insisted that 
    someone be home to accept delivery.  Fortunately, my son gets home from
    high school before the UPS truck gets to my part of town.
    
    So, my guess is that this may be some special requirement imposed by
    Digital.
    
    Chet
                                    

    
    Find out, contact the Employee Services and Recreation department at
    MSO to find out what the policy is.
    
    I received my 5-year with no problems and am due for a 10 year soon. I
    know UPS delivers in our apartment building but it goes to the
    clubhouse for safe keeping. But, they will not leave packages that
    require a signature for any reason!
    
    Mary
    

    We were going thru the same craziness. Signed the back of the slip,
    left it our front, and at night came back to find a *new* yellow slip,
    right on top of the one which authorizes them to leave it. 
    
    At the same time another UPS driver came and left another package at
    the back door - no slip, no fuss!
    
    Called someone we know at UPS. They picked up the Digital pen for me,
    took the slips (3 of them) and were going to track down why the drivers
    were doing this. He saw no reason they weren't left with us as
    requested, and was going to try and fix it (this is at the Shrewsbury,
    MA UPS plant).
    
    /Thorgan

    I fail to see the problem.  Digital wants you to get your
    service award.  Digital arranges a delivery mechanism which
    can ONLY be completed by you remaining at home to collect
    the service award.   Digital of course wouldn't make a 
    mistake about this.  Therefore, the only possible conclusion 
    is that Digital wants you to take the day off (paid, naturally)
    to collect your service award.

    The problem is UPS.       
    
    As an unmarried, gainfully-employed apartment-dweller I have been, but
    am no longer, a victim of their `service'. I think UPS assumes that the
    world is composed of traditional families (i.e. with a stay-home
    spouse), couch potatoes, or people who get off on brown uniforms.
    
    My policy is: DON'T use them. REFUSE to purchase items from companies
    who refuse to use anyone else. Inform the company why verbally if
    possible and always in writing.* Let unsolicited and unexpected
    packages travel in a one of those clean brown vans for a few days until
    they let you go pick it up. Remember to be polite to the UPS clerk when
    I go to pick it up, if I do--it's not his fault. 
    
    I've managed to live happilly and almost completely UPS-free for many
    years as a result. Occasionally, I get a response from someone who
    wants my business, telling me exactly what magic words to write and/or
    say to have postal delivery performed.
    
    Once, in response, I was called by someone at a mail-order house who
    tried to explain to me why UPS delivery was better. I regret to say I
    lost patience and became rude with her before hanging up. They still
    send me junk mail, though.
    
    Coincidentally, I had to drive to Chelmsford, MA today to pick up a
    package which was inadvertantly given over to UPS with my post office
    box as the address. (An admitted an apologized-for mistake on the part
    of the shipper. They were pleasant and understanding of why I wanted
    USPS delivery when I placed two previous orders.) The `tightest ship'
    did find my home address--probably from the regional telephone
    book--and tried to deliver it there: no signature waiver allowed.
    
    * Dave's clever suggestion in .15 notwithstanding, this would apply to
      Digital as well. I did manage to get USPS delivery of my last award
      but it was nearly 5 years ago so I don't remember how.

    Less than two weeks ago, I received my 15-year gift.  On the first
    attempt, UPS left the slip and there was an indication I could sign
    it on the back.  I did and added instructions as to where they should
    leave the box.  When I returned, the box was exactly where I had
    requested it to be.
    
    I suspect that people's problems with UPS are largely due to
    local, individual incompetence, or perhaps "they just don't care".
    I've personally had little trouble with UPS.
    
    				Steve
    
    P.S.  The gift I selected, the "weather instrument", isn't the same
    as it used to be - it's larger and uglier and has a "mercury"
    (read "alcohol") thermometer instead of the old dial, and it now
    has a clock (which I couldn't care less about).  Oh yeah - the
    Digital clock-tower medallion was stuck on crooked.  Sigh.

    My wife got her 15-year award recently, and had the same runaround with
    UPS - despite their leaving some other things (which didn't require
    signature) without our being home. The signature requirement on the
    award didn't, therefore, originate with UPS, at least in our case.

    Fortunately, she was home when they came the third time. Now she's got a
    pen which is identical to the 15 year pen I got a couple of years ago
    ... we'll be mixing them up from now on...

    I guess digital will have to give us a day off to sit around and
    wait for UPS to come a knock'n to ensure that we receive our well
    deserved and valuable service award. It could be considered a benny
    for making it through another 5 years. ;-))))
    
    Jim C.
    
    

being  the one without a service award.......

I've just completed 15 years and when I checked with Personnel, our (U.K.)
Service Awards have been suspended with little or no explicit information to the
staff.

So Imagine yourself lucky!! 

    I thought they'd been reinstated (pens etc only) although I'm still
    trying to find out where my 10yr pen&pencil comes from...
    
    

    
    
       If I am not mistaken this is possibly NOT Digital's fault. I make my
    my pro comment firts. I just received my 15 year award last week from
    UPS.  Sorry, all my wife runs her business from our house so there was
    no issue with signing.  If memory serves me correct Digital contract
    with this company out of Utah who specializes in this type of program.
    It MAY be THEIR policy to have it signed for so Digtal cannot go back
    at them for lost/stolen awards.
    
    Now the negative.  I ordered the Citizens gold watch for my award.  I
    figured it would be nice to have a half way decent watch.  Well, as I
    am not a very big person the watch needed to be re-sized downward. 
    Saturday I brought it to the local jewlers.  The husband and wife team
    came to the conclussion that this band cannot be made any smaller and
    it appears I am out of luck.  I intend to bring it to a better class
    jewler this week to see if this in fact.
    
    Summary:  I guess we should be somewhat appreciative that we still get
              recognized by the company for our service.  Some may say it
              is a waste of money.  Me, I think for the little it may cost
              for this program it's still nice and some moral builder in
              these (at times) bleak moments.
    
    Bob Montville

    A few years ago I was working as an ex-pat in Geneva when my 10th
    rolled around.  Because I was still listed as a US Digital employee
    (goes with the "temporary" 3-year overseas assignment), I received the
    order form for the 10th anniversary award from the US.  I dutifully
    filled it out to get the wall clock.
    
    A few weeks later I received the wall clock at my office, and didn't
    give it much more thought until about two weeks later when I received a
    bill for the import duties at home!  I don't know how the Swiss
    authorities connected me at my business address to me at my home
    address, but they ARE efficient.  Seems the Swiss don't like to have
    timepieces imported into Switzerland, so they impose a 100% duty on
    them.  Cost me ~$60 for my service award!!
    
    The happy ending: Digital paid the duty.  
    
    Bill

    RE: .22
    
    A couple of points.
    
    1. I believe the requirement to sign for packages IS based upon the
    contract arrangement that UPS has with the company they are delivering
    for. For example, I've ordered (and received) a number of packages from
    LL Bean over the years; I've never had to sign for them. Packages from
    other companies seemed to have different arrangements. Not to say there
    aren't UPS drivers that interpret the rules/contract differently.
    
    2. I also chose the Citizen's watch last year, and had to arrange for
    links to be removed. I was able to find a jeweler to do it for me. I
    think it cost me around $10 - $15. 
    
    Regards,
    
    Kevin

    I wrote to the base noter via e-mail.  This is basically what I
    said, and what I have learned (through experience) about UPS service.
    
    USP has two methods of delivery, each method is the decision of
    the SENDER.  
    
    		1.  signature of sendee is required.  This is the ONLY
    		    method that provides the SENDER with any guarantee
    		    that the package was received by the SENDEE.  In
    		    this scenario, UPS will NOT leave a package without
    		    a signature.  I don't believe that the sign-off
    		    process (little note left by UPS requesting a
                    signature) is in effect any more.
    
    		2.  no signature of SENDEE is required.  In this scenario
    		    the package can be left.  If the sender never receives
                    it, and UPS determines that it was delivered (this
    		    gets tricky), there is no recourse.
    
    I recently sent a package via UPS to my daughter in Florida.  Not knowing
    about the two methods, I assumed that when I insured the package,
    UPS would require a signature from the SENDEE.  My daughter never
    received the package.  After tracing the package, interviewing the
    UPS driver, etc., it was determined (via the driver's recollection!!)
    that the package was left on my daughter's doorstep.  She was home
    all day during the day that the package was supposedly delivered,
    but never saw the UPS truck nor a package.
    
    UPS claimed no liability, based on their determination that the
    package was delivered.  The package contained about $300 worth of
    belongings.  There was no recourse.
    
    Now, we use the US Mail and insure the package.
    
    

Perhaps UPS has changed in the past few years, but I have had expensive ($600+)
packages left by them on my front porch which clearly stated on them "Signature
required".  So I now try my best not to use them whenever possible. 

-  David

re: .16

So you're the one I have to blame for all these companies, including
LL Bean, switching to (poorer) FedEx service :-).

Like many of the other noters, I've never had a problem with UPS
dropping off packages.  But FedEx refuses to leave things without
my signing away their responsibility, which I'm loathe to do.  So I'm
forced to drive down to Auburn (a fairly long haul for me) to pick 
up packages.  

Vendors seem to vary even for individual items.  Lotus shipped SmartSuite 
FedEx, forcing that long drive on me.  Subsequently, they shipped the 
1-2-3 and Improv Updates by UPS, and they were conveniently delivered 
behind the screen door.  Borland shipped a bunch of stuff, all UPS,
all delivered safe and sound.

I do agree with previous comments about USPS being the most convenient
way to go.

   Gary

    I just went through the same hassles with UPS for my 20yr award. I got
    the Howard Miller Clock (and the chimes worked!)  
    
    I followed the directions on the first yellow slip ( I have never had
    to be at home for any other delivery).  I followed the directions on
    the second yellow slip and when that didn't work, called their 800
    number, told them to deliver it to Digital here in MRO3.  The delivery
    man showed up at the house the next day and without knocking on the
    door or ringing the door bell, walked away with the package.  My
    husband had to call after him (and run down the walk) to get his
    attention.
    
    Since it is Digital requiring the signature, then delivery to the work
    place should have been the first option (IMHO), not a second.  
    
    ps. Hi Kevin.... 

re: .25

Hi,

	I did receive your email which I appreciated.  I'm just curious, when
you say "Now, we use the US Mail and insure the package." are you in some 
official position with Digital and are saying that Digital is now going to 
use the Postal Service or are you speaking for yourself?  Just curious.

To all:  I didn't mean to cause quite the fuss this seems to have brought up.
The award itself isn't that big a deal to me.  (I can just envision thousands
of people snarling about what a greedy jerk I must be for whining about not
getting my free gift.)  I was just surprised about a few odd things about the
way Digital appears to be handling the service awards.  Several other people
have pointed these out as well:

  1) Why not deliver to the work location?  Should be easier and less expensive
     all around.

  2) If delivery to the home address is important for some reason why use UPS
     instead of USPS and why require a signature?

Thanks,

Brian

    Why use UPS??   Most businesses use UPS because they can track a
    package.  If the USPS loses a package it is LOST...period.  Also,
    insurance with the USPS is about double what UPS charges. It is
    the sender who sets the signature requirement - not UPS. So blame
    Digital for your problems.
       
    
    

    Have the employee's manager hand the gift in person to the employee
    in front of follow co-workers.  That is recognition.  No party, no dinner,
    just a few minutes in the office or on the factory floor with a few words
    of appreciation.  Let's be more humane and personal about this and
    accomplish what the award is intented to accomplish - and solve the
    mickey mouse UPS problem at the same time.

    Have you ever tried to trace a lost UPS package???
    
    /Charlotte

    RE: .31 'hand the gift in person to the employee in front of fellow
    co-workers'.
    
    Let's see, my manager and 7 of my  co-workers are located in one
    location 1000 miles from my office. The other 3 are in 2 different
    states, even further away. With travel restrictions, I haven't seen my
    manager or co-workers since April. Do you really think we'll get
    together to present an anniversary award?
    
    I didn't think so.
    
    Kevin

    RE: .32
    
    I have traced many UPS shipments.  They are very prompt with their
    replies and, in all but one case, the packages were certifiably
    delivered and sitting in the shipping department of some company
    (I'm talking business deliveries).  In one case (personal delivery)
    my package was indeed lost - I received a check for the value of the
    contents within two weeks.  
    
    Question - Have you ever tried to trace a package lost by the USPS -
    impossible unlesss certified or registered.
    
    

    The one time the US postal system lost something of mine (which was NOT
    sent insured or registered) I had them trace it and they found it after
    a couple of weeks, intact.  I once had to have a small shipment
    sent three times by UPS because they lost the first two shipments -
    they couldn't even figure out if they had ever attempted to deliver the
    thing anyplace, in the first case.  The second box they claimed they
    delievered to "some address on your street" and they got a "signature"
    for it written in CRAYON with the initials "DS" (I think it was).  I
    don't know anyone with those initials, and I asked everyone on my
    street...  I finally called up the town clerk, and told her what
    happened.  She got out the town census data for my street.  There is no
    one on my street with those initials, or with "SD" either.  So I don't
    know where UPS shipped it.  Neither did UPS.  I did finally get my box.
    The third time I had the shipper send stuff, it did arrive.  I get a
    LOT of mail-order stuff.  I must admit that the other times I've had
    UPS trace stuff they did eventually locate it, but I don't have a
    comfortable feeling about their ability to do so, and would rather
    shippers use a different carrier when possible.  I've gotten three UPS
    shipments this week, though.  But I've gotten even more USPS stuff.
    
    /Charlotte
                                         

    Sorry, .36 is replying to .33.  I got blown off the system before
    I could correct

    
    
    	I don't believe I've seen it mentioned here but Digital doesn't
    	actually handle the awards program as I understand it.  It's
    	like magazines who hire another company to handle their
    	subscriptions.  A third party company actually sneds out the 
    	awards.  So, if the "sign for it" rule is in place it is
    	because the sending company set it up that way(or it's just
    	a UPS rule) and Digital isn't the one responsible.
    		Got mine delievred to my desk by the kind receiving
    	folks in MRo1 this past week.
    
    		Good luck folks.
    

    
    My wife came home yesterday and found her anniversary gift on our
    porch, nobody had signed for it. Go figure...Phil

    My 10 year is coming up in Jan. It seems I remember getting the catalog
    in the mail for my gift a month or so before my actual anniversay date
    for my 5 year. Those of you have recently gotten awards, do you remember
    when you received the catalog? I may be caught in the "new address"
    black hole depending on when they send them out.
    
    Thanks
    DEbbie
    

I got my notice in July, I think, for an October anniversary.  The gift
itself arrived the week after my anniversary.  (An improvement over my
5-year, which I didn't get until 6-1/2 years had gone by.)

On the same subject, my supervisor tells me that she hasn't seen the
anniversary certificates come in for a long time now.  Have they been
showing up elsewhere?  

				Steve

    probably on Bob Palmer's desk waiting for signatures...  :-)

    I got my notice in August for a July anniversary 8^(...  Aparently
    there was a hold on the program during the end of the last fiscal year
    and that got things backed up a bit.
    

    I also got my notice somewhere around early August for an April
    anniversary.  I don't think they time it to arrive before your
    anniversary date.  Rather it seems like they go out in batches (maybe 1
    batch) for people who have them within that year.
    
    BTW, I have not seen or heard anything about the certificate yet
    either. 
    
    I suppose a 10 year lunch is out of the question...

	I just got a certificate for one of my employees who had his anniversary
in February of 1993, so the certificates seem to take a lot longer than the
awards themselves.

Brian

    re: last few
    
    Thanks on the time frames. I guess I can expect it anytime between now
    and June. ;*)
    
    One of the guys in my group got his 5 year certificate presented at
    staff last week. I think his anniversary was in the spring sometime.
    
    Lunch - I believe this is up to the individual's manager.
    
    debbie
    

Ok, ok...  I've seen lots of notes here complaining about UPS.  Some of
them valid.  However most people apparently don't really understand how
UPS works.   I have a couple friends who work for UPS, plus I get a lot
of packages from them.  I'll try and explain.

The basic concept that UPS has is that it's the DRIVER'S responsability
for everything.  If anything goes wrong, it's the driver's fault.  But
on the up side, they give the drivers a lot of latitude to deal with each
of their "customers" the way they feel best.

When dealing with packages like the service awards, there are two
conflicting concepts involved:

  1. Driver's are under the gun to deliver packages.  The company wants
them to make every effort to get the package to the recipient (ie, make
revenue).

  2. If a package gets lost or stolen, it's the drivers fault for not
taking proper precautions.  It (losing a package) apparently shows up
somehow in their review (or raise) or something.

The requirement for a signature is basically ignored if the driver wants
to.  He/she will create a signature requirement if they want to as well.

UPS used to leave packages all the time (ignoring the signature line) for
me and my roommate.  Then one day they stopped.  All the yellow slips had
the "signature" like crossed out. I went in to complain.

A supervisor called the driver over to ask him what the story was.  He
responded "I can't hide them anymore... You moved your canoe!  And if
something get's lost, they'll hold me responsable!!!".

Drivers will tend to just leave packages if they think it's safe.

Drivers will almost never leave a package if they've previously had bad
experience in an area with packages being lost or stolen.

Suggestions for dealing with UPS:

1. Drivers get to know all their customers really well.  They work the same
route for years and years.  Get to know the driver in your area and let
him/her know what you want done with packages.  If you say "hide it behind
the third bush", they will.

2. If a yellow slip is left saying you've got to be there to pick it up;
then, in the delivery instructions area write "REDIRECT TO STOP AND HOLD".
This means the driver will send the package to the local UPS office where
you can go and pick it up before or after work.  [I use either the Nashua
(NH) or Chelmsford (Mass) UPS offices. (In Nashua, it's right off exit 5,
in Chelmsford, it's right off Route 3 (exit 29)).]

3. You can also go into the UPS office and request that ALL packages get
redirected to "STOP-AND-HOLD".  This means that the package generally will
stay in the local UPS office and they "might" send you a postcard (another
story).  If the package *does* end up on the truck, when the driver tries
to deliver it he'll see you on his list as a "stop-and-hold customer" and
know enough to bring the package back to the plant.

4. Use a Post Office Box as your address.  UPS can't deliver there, but they
do send you a postcard.  And once that happens you can go down to the UPS
office and pick up your package.  [Note: Because of this UPS makes it hard
for shippers to send things to PO Boxes.  But if you push the shipper hard
enough they will.]

						/Skip

    
    Re .42-.46
    
    The US anniversary award program was on hold for at least H2 FY93,
    "pending a complete review[1]". Awards started flowing shortly after we
    announced the Q4 profit. My anniversary was in March; I got my notice
    in August, and my award last week, though I haven't yet seen the
    suitable-for-framing certificate.
    
    -----------
    
    [1] Suspicion runs high that this was a thinly-veiled ploy to move
    the cost of awards into FY94. Those of us who were subjected to
    the delay can take pride in our contribution, however fleeting, to the
    bottom line.
    

    Re: .47
           
    I've just trashed a much longer note. Instead, I'll just say that one's
    mileage will vary. Of your four suggestions, I have tried all of them
    and the only one that matches my experience is number 2, which is
    everyone's last resort--unless you happen to be out of town for an
    extended period when UPS will ship your package back to the shipper,
    leaving you to take care of having it sent again. (My earlier note in
    this string demonstrates that your suggestion number 4 is at least an
    ideal.)

>UPS exists to cater to shippers, not recipients

Of course. Who do you think pays the freight?

>        <<< Note 2722.50 by ELWOOD::LANE "Good:Fast:Cheap: pick two" >>>
>
>>UPS exists to cater to shippers, not recipients
>
>Of course. Who do you think pays the freight?

Why, the recipients do - it's normally added as a line item to most
"mail" order items, padded by the supplier of the product to add 
to his bottom line.  It's part of the service the customer (us, in the cases
at hand) are paying for.  As Tim mentioned earlier, if you don't like
the terms a provider provides, switch providers and tell  them it is because
you don't like their choice of shipper.

And it's still a business-oriented world.
Why don't UPS and AirBorne (who refused delivery to me yesterday for want
of a signature) and FedEx and the other companies run 5pm to 9pm routes
in residential areas?  Most package volume is business-oriented.
Distinguishing between residential and business routes (at the time the order
is taken, perhaps) would solve a lot of these problems.

- tom]

    .47  Your clarification explains then the reason we are out $300
    worth of goods.
    
    	 UPS places the responsibility on the driver, you indicate.
    The driver, in our situation, insisted that he left the package
    on my daughter's front porch.  This, again, based on his
    "recollection".  We suspect that the package was either stolen or
    delivered to the wrong address.
    
    Recourse?  None.  UPS says they delivered it.  A signature was not
    required.
    
    It would seem that UPS's policies would lead to drivers being very
    "creative" in verifying that a package was delivered.

re: .51 by REGENT::POWERS, the RECIPIENTS pay the freight

>>Of course. Who do you think pays the freight?
>Why, the recipients do - it's normally added as a line item to most
>"mail" order items, padded by the supplier of the product to add 

Ok, Ok, Ok. Look at it from UPS's point of view. The sender pays the
frieght. If the sender also bills you for it, that's the sender's business,
not UPS's. Back to the initial statement, which has nothing to do with
Digital BTW, UPS is of course going to tailor it's practices to it's customer
and that customer is the sender.

    Re: .52
    
    >...that customer is the sender.
    
    Not from the point of view of someone who has to add $5.95 for
    "shipping and handling", or who never sees anyone other than the "man
    in the brown van" when waiting to get something from a mail-order
    catalog. 
    
    [I watched a UPS television commercial with amusement last night. No
     deliveries to families in picket-fenced homes, only to successful
     businessmen in mirror-sided buildings....]
    
    To drag this back to Digital then, many of us around here went through
    an exercise of determining who our real customers are and how to
    improve our processes for providing service. A given provider of goods
    many never even know what effect their choice of shipper has on their
    image to the customer. I suspect there are analogies to draw in our own
    company.

RE: .52 <24858::FERRIGNO>:

>    .47  Your clarification explains then the reason we are out $300
>    worth of goods.
> ...
>    Recourse?  None.  UPS says they delivered it.  A signature was not
>    required.

You'd probably win in small claims court.  They (UPS) would have to
provide proof that it was delivered.

/Skip

    RE: .55 (SKIP::MORRIS) -<take 'em to small claims court>-
    
    This would be suggestion number 5?  :-)
    
    [Although I agree with this one.]

> Ok, Ok, Ok. Look at it from UPS's point of view. The sender pays the frieght. 

I did that too.
Yes, you are right that the deal is between UPS and the shipper.
My point was really that as the ultimate customer of the product desired,
shipping is a part of the deal, perhaps a necessary evil.
It behooves us as consumers to complain about secondary services
to our primary provider - how else will they know they don't have a winning
combination at hand?  If it means not doing business with places that
refuse to accommodate your shipping needs, that's the deal that results.

- tom]

	Since I started all this I guess I should say that a nice young man just
stopped by my office and delivered my service award, which UPS delivered here to
LKG per my request in a note I left the driver.  Took a while but I got it.

	Please feel free to return to the debate about the merits of UPS.

Brian

  <<< Note 2722.47 by SKIP::MORRIS "Indecision is the key to flexibility." >>>
                               -< UPS Explained >-

>Suggestions for dealing with UPS:

>1. Drivers get to know all their customers really well.  They work the same
>route for years and years.  Get to know the driver in your area and let
>him/her know what you want done with packages. 

  This assumes that you are home at least part of the time during business
hours and therefore can "get to know your driver". If you are never home when
the UPS man delivers packages, you are stuck. It's sort of like having locked
your car keys in your car.

> This means the driver will send the package to the local UPS office where
> you can go and pick it up before or after work.  [I use either the Nashua
> (NH) or Chelmsford (Mass) UPS offices. (In Nashua, it's right off exit 5,

  How do you find out that these offices exist, unless you have met the driver
before and had the foresight to ask? The Chelmsford office is not listed in the
Lowell phone book; in fact, most phone books don't list a street address at
all. When I tried to have a package delivered in Boxboro, UPS told me the
office serving me was in Londonderry, NH, over 40 miles away.
  For the few of us who are near a local office, there is still the hassle of
taking time off from work to go to the office and pick up the package, unless
you have an unusual work schedule.
  We badly need a package delivery service that truly serves RESIDENTIAL cus-
tomers. 

>  We badly need a package delivery service that truly serves RESIDENTIAL cus-
>tomers. 

I'd hazard a guess that the U.S Postal Service would be your option here. 
You can leave a note in your mail box to the carrier with instructions
about how you would like the package redelivered.  Or you can call the
post office and ask to talk to the carrier supervisor.  As long as your
request is reasonable, the carrier will make every effort to deliver your
package according to request.  This means that to stay out of trouble with 
the supervisor the carrier is not allowed to leave his or her route except to 
travel to or from the post office.

Yeah, I know its not popular to say nice things about the USPS, but it always
works for me.

    
    
    	I 'd like to ask if everyone who got their award also got a
    	certificate for hanging on the wall???  I didn't get one and
    	don't know who to contact about it?

Re: .61

I asked about this too, and the answer I got back through Personnel was that
certificates for anniversaries through July are being issued now, and that
those with later anniversaries will receive certificates in the coming
months.  I'm told that the certificates now come from an "outside vendor".
I'm assuming that the certificates still get presented to you by your
management; it would be disappointing if it just shows up in the mail.

					Steve

    The certificates are going to your managers.  I just got mine last
    week.

	What color is the certificate?
	Burgandy :-)

	dick

    
    
    	My anniversary was June 20th so I expect it will show up soon.
    Thanks for the feedback.
    

    I got my ten year cert 12 months late.
    
    Color: Deep Dark Blue
    
    Signed:  By Mr. Palmer
    
    
    		Bob

My 15th Anniversary with Digital was March 5, 1994 ( I started when I was
10 ;-) ).  I got my award selection brochure sometime in December.  I made
my selection and sent it in within the required 2 week deadline.  Since my
current briefcase is just about ceased to be functional, I chose the
briefcase that was offered.  This past Monday (4/4) I returned home to discover
a small package from UPS on my front porch.  Upon opening it I discovered
that I had received the 3 piece Cross Pen Set ( the default offering if
you don't choose one ) instead of the briefcase.  Inside was a small card
that read ....

			  Congratulations on
			 Your years of service.
			    We want you to 
			be completely satisfied
			   with your award.
			   If you have any
			 concerns, please call
			    1-800-828-8836.

I thought, there must have been some paperwork error.  I'll call them tomorrow
and they'll straighten it out ( the pens have no engraving so they can be
returned ).  Well I did call and awaited a call back from the "person that
handles your account".  When she did call back, she was very unsympathetic.
She basically said that they didn't get my form so I got the default gift.
When I paraphrased my understanding  of her intended response to my problem 
as being "So what you are saying is that I am stuck with the pen set then ?"
Her reply was "YES".  Her whole attitude made it clear that she completely
did not care whether or not I was completely satisfied with my award or not.
She did mumble something about maybe talking to my manager, but I fail to see
what he could possibly do about the situation that they shouldn't be able to
do without his intervention.  Does anyone know who I could contact to try and 
get resolution on this ?  I got the feeling that I was dealing with an outside
company handling our awards delivery program, but I'm not positive.

I know that it is a small thing, but to me it really is just a matter of
principle.  If we're going to continue with the awards program, then we should
do a quality job of it !  As bad as things are around here, I really didn't
expect to have get into a hassle about this.  How much of a problem could it 
be to allow me to exchange my gift ? Am I being too petty ?

Thanks for listening,
Sharon

    Sharon:
    
    Good luck.....  I didn't have ANY in the same situation.  If you do get
    it "fixed", let me know what you did and I'll pursue for me...
    
    Toodles.....JP
    

Call back. If they can't deliver, ask to speak to their boss, and so on, until
you get an answer that satisfies you. 

I called my 'award' in. Nothing left to chance.

Doug.

    re. last few.
    
    If you haven't already figured it out, the average consummer as a
    customer is no longer "always right".  I have noticed this for the last
    several years.  It has been occurring with increasing frequency.
    
    I my job, the only paying job I have had, I am a Multivendor Customer
    Services Senior Engineer.  In my world the customer IS always right. 
    If I let them know they are wrong, they will take their buisiness
    elsewhere.  After ten years of apologies and falling on my sword to
    customers, I am well accustomed to it.  It is when I am the customer I
    would like the same consideration once in a while.  It is a rare
    occurance that I am treated with a "the customer is right" attitude,
    whenever I have problems with a purchase.
    
    Jon

    Bingo, Aller!  That old "I'd rather apologize and resolve the issue
    than be right" attitude is what kept us in customers (and distinguished
    us from IBM's service).
    
    It does appear to have gone by the wayside in general, doesn't it?
    
    							Tex

    My neighbor has, on his wall, this "motto":
    
    "If they're stupid enough to give you an 800 number, give 'em hell 
     until you get what you want."
    
    Seems applicable here.

    
             <<< Note 2722.68 by KAHALA::FOREMAN "Back from the Shadow" >>>
                              -< No refunds/No exchanges >-
    
    
    My 15th Anniversary with Digital was March 5, 1994 ( I started when I
    was
    10 ;-) ).  I got my award selection brochure sometime in December. 
                        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    
    
    	Over here in England, When I completed my TWENTY YEARS of service
    with DIGITAL last August, nobody even mentioned the subject - much less
    said anything and even less to say "thank you!"
    
    	When it leaked out to my manager several weeks later, he did send
    and embarassing mail out to the whole of DECdirect where I work,
    offering congratulations.
    
    	Some months later, when the subject of length of service and the
    announcement of the appointment of Chris Conway was raised by senior
    management, I sent a mail to Chris Conway offering him a welcome aboard
    (from my lowly position).  In the course of subsequent mails (I can't
    remember the whole way things happened, but I think that it was around
    the fact that awards had been totally stopped), I told him that no-one
    had even mentioned my length of service to me - I thought that it was a
    pretty poor show that HR don't even send a mail, CC then offered me
    thanks for my continued dedication to the company.
    
    	My point here is not to gain any sympathy or thanks or even
    commiserations (I would be grateful to receive none now thank you!),
    but to point out the state to which the company has descended!  ie. to
    totally ignore the care of employees.
    
    				Malcolm.

    I got my 15th year watch this week and was quite please with it.
    I consider myself lucky after reading your story and hearing
    others as well.
    
    SUBURB::POWELLM, what can I say other than what has happened to you
    shouldn't have.
    
    Jim C.
    
    

    
    
    Should one part of the company be handing out service awards but other
    parts (i.e. the U.K.) not ???
                      
    Ian.

    I would love to see the "working out" of the calculation that decided
    that scrapping service awards made fiscal sense with respect to ROI,
    despite the effect on the employees' morale.
    
    Laurie.

    
>    Should one part of the company be handing out service awards but other
>    parts (i.e. the U.K.) not ???

    Well, lot's of us have been beaten up as insensitive for suggesting
    that a huge difference in buyout packages is unreasonable so I guess
    it would be really insensitive to suggest that the difference in
    service awards is unreasonable.

    			Alfred

    Yeah Alfred,that combination weather thing I got for my last
    anniversary *does* indeed make up for the disparities in things like
    days off etc.
    
    Ken

	When you's received your packet to select an award was that
	before your aniversary date?  If so how soon before the actual day?

	Just curious as my next one is coming up 2-June

	Thanks
	dick

Funny, The exact same thing happened to me on my 15th anniversiary. Maybe they
think that if we have been here that long we would be used to that treatment. :*}

    
    Re: .68
    
    Karen,
    
    I don't think you're being petty.  What you have experienced is 
    a very good example of why Digital is in the mess it's in.  You
    could say that your experience is very much a microcosm of the
    company.  If we don't change this we're all going to be out
    of jobs.  You are quite right about this.  The *gift* may
    be a "small thing", but the *principle* most certainly is
    not.  If they took the trouble to include a card saying that 
    they want you to be satisified with your award, then I'd say
    they know what's right and they've opened the door for you to
    insist on it.
    
    Steve
    
    
    

    re:  oversight by management
    
    This is not new to Digital.  My fifth year aniversary was nine months
    past before my manager and his manager finally acknowledged it and I
    got my five year pen.  That was in 1976! 
                                                                 

    Here's a good one:

    About a month ago my wife received a five-year award certificate
    for a person who used to report to her.


    That person's anniversary was last August.


    That person was TFSOed last June.

    Re: .83
    
    Only nine months?  I didn't get my 5-year award until I had been 
    here 6-1/2 years.  I did get my 15 year award on time (the selection
    card arrived several months before).  The certificate finally
    showed up; several months late - but I don't have it yet as we haven't
    had a group meeting since it arrived (my supervisor did show it to
    me, though!)
    
    The service awards are contracted out to an independent company which
    doesn't give a damn about the individual employee.  Note that if they
    did receive your selection they send you a confirmation card, so
    folks should watch for that and complain if they don't get one in
    a reasonable (30 day?) time after sending the selection card in.
    
    					Steve

    not particularly trying to turn this string into a "can you top this"
    one, but about a year ago, I got my 10 year certificate.  Two years
    late.
    
    tony

    
    	I re-iterate what I wrote - the company doesn't care any more about
    its' employees!
    
    	It doesn't matter, in this context, whether you are talking about
    not receiving the particular award you requested, or any lateness, or
    even when awards are sent to people who have been pushed out long ago,
    THE COMPANY DOESN'T CARE ABOUT ITS' EMPLOYEES ANY MORE!!!!!
    
    	Yes, I shouted.  This isn't the company I joined 21 years ago
    nearly.
    				Malcolm D. Powell, DECdirect, Reading.

    Malcolm, the sad part is you probably won't get much of an argument
    as it is almost a given.
    
    Jim C.
    

    Malcolm, there is an inconsistency in the treatment you've received.  I
    am sure I saw a mail which said that after a period of being suspended
    the service award scheme was being re-introduced in Europe.
    
    As I'm appraoching my 15 year anniversary I was interested to see I
    could select something to a vlaue of about $120.  I'm going to pursue
    this one and will let you know what happens.

        Malcolm,
        
        Whan you  yell in frustration THE COMPANY, what do you mean?  The
        company is a  collection  of  roughly  90K people, most of whom I
        believe  care  enormously.     There  could  possibly  be  a  few
        individuals that are responsible for  service awards in Personnel
        or  your  management chain that don't care,  but  I  believe  the
        problem is lots of people who hold small  parts of responsibility
        who are under severe emotional or job pressure who  each are able
        to do a little less than they used to.   Unfortunately there is a
        compaunding effect which  makes  the  results  devastating.    My
        experience is that if you confront these types of problems with a
        positive attitude and talk to  the  people involved, the problems
        disappear.  In the case of  "we  didn't  get your form, tough", I
        would have done what was suggested.   asked to talk to a manager,
        explained the situation, tried not to be confrontative.  It helps
        enormously  in  these conversations to show a tiny little bit  on
        interest  in  the  plight of the person on the other end  of  the
        line.   I would also ask you, Malcolm, and the other readers  "is
        there  a  tiny little chance that you may be playing a small role
        in creating a similar problem?".
        
        Hope this helps/Anker

    re .86  Gee, it's good to know I'm not alone.  My 5 year anniversary
    was in Sept 92 and I still haven't received my certificate.  I did get
    my gift and I was kind of surprised that it went as smoothly as it did,
    since from May 92 - Sept 92 I was on STD, vacation and parental leave.
    
    Susan

    My wife received her ten year "plaque", her ten year "gift" (nice pen)
    and her layoff notice all within 14 days of each other. 
    
    She gave me the pen...
    
    tim m.

    I celebrated my 15th anniversary in June 1992. I did receive my gift.
    I have not yet received my 15 year certificate. I recently asked
    personnel about getting a certificate and they stated that they could
    not do anything as there was a one year limitation on filing for a 
    certificate if you had not received one. Really a nice caring feeling
    for an employee!!

    
    I never received my 20 year certificate!!!!

	I asked in an earlier note how far in advance from your aniversary
	date did you receive your award selection packet as mine is coming
	on 2-Jun.  FYI I just received it today 8-Apr and it state's to
	return the selection to Employee Services, MSO2-1/C4 by May 1, 1994.
	It gives a contact to call for assitance/information

			Jody Cotton DTN:223-9660

	The memo was sent by Sheila Fantozzi DTN:223-9532

	I'll call both of them and give them my selection plus personally
	bring in the order form to MSO today.

	dick

    I've been with Digital for over 18 years.  For the first 8 years
    I worked for the CSS division. At my 5-year anniversary, I asked 
    about a certificate. "Hmmm, what a novel idea", they said. I was
    told since I was a graphic artist, I could make a certificate for 
    me and anyone else that had an anniversary coming up.
    
    Wish I hadn't asked, I ended up hand-lettering about 35 service
    certificates.
    
    Jodi-

    so, Jodi.....
    
    Can you hand-letter up  a few hundred dollar bills for me?  Or maybe a
    diploma from Harvard... (I always wanted to be a "professional") ???
    
    8*)
    
    tony

    
    Sure Tony, right after I hand-letter up my SERP package.
    
    :^)
    
    Jodi-
    

    Since this is all handled by an independent company that doesn't give a
    flying...but DOES send out little cards 30 days later, I suggest anyone
    who's had problems check the "No, I didn't receive my award" box.
    
    Then, when they keep sending duplicates, you can:
    
    1) Keep them in a closet until they figure out five years from now that
       you've got 5,436 of each item.
    
    2) Forward them to people who got left out and posted a note here.
    
    3) Put a bid into Digital to handle their Awards business with the
       same items as the current company but at a MUCH lower price.
    
    							:^] Tex

    Hi,
    
    I am currently pursuing information from my H/R consultant about what
    the return policy/process is.  As soon as I hear back I'll post an
    update.
    
    still_trying_to_be_optimistic,
    Sharon
    
    P.S. If this doesn't work out are there any 15_year'ers out there that
    want the pens that could order the briefcase and swap with me ???

>                      -< Let's be Proactive not vicious >-

	You point is taken, but there are two issues:

	1) What is the return process?
	2) Why were you treated so shabbily by the representative you spoke
	to?

	If you care about point 2), then you may have to get "vicious" in
	order for the problem to be solved. Otherwise, the same thing will
	happen to many others.

	Roy

    I replied via mail to the author of .99 (Tex) that I meant to put a
    smiley at the end of my title.  I don't really think he was being
    overly vicious in his reply.  I am pursuing information about what the
    return process should be.  The only way to assert influence at this
    point is to find out what was supposed to happen and then push back on
    them if they did not deliver on what their contract says they should.
    
    Either way my complaint has been logged to Digital Human Resources.
    I assume they are the ones that control the selection of vendors.
    Perhaps we can find a better one or push for improvements with the
    current one.
    
    Sharon

    I just got my 10 year award selection card and was thinking about the
    wall clock.  Has anyone got one?  Is it any good?
    
    Brad.

    It's not bad.  My little clock tower hasn't fallen off yet... ;-)
    
    Rich

    About 3 weeks early (!), I just got my 5-year award -- a monogrammed
    tie clip with an image of the Mill clock-tower.  I was curiously
    sentimental about it...  especially because I got to wear it for the
    first time last Friday when I fulfilled a dream -- to present in the
    Doriot Auditorium.  As I looked out on the actual clock-tower and
    prepared for the talk, I thought of the decades of use that the Doriot
    has seen, and of what I've read of the General himself, and of the
    proud history of DIGITAL.  I thought that the tie-clip will become a
    nice keepsake.
    

    My 10-year wall clock is a bit different from the one currently
    offered (it was 5-1/2 years ago), but it's quite nice.  And the 
    emblem hasn't fallen off yet either.
    
    					Steve

    A couple weeks ago I was checking out the '20 year' award selection
    poster, making a mental note what I would select in a few months. 
    I can scratch that note now.  Monday is my 'exit interview'.  :^(
    
    Goodbye, it's been fun.
    
    Jodi-

         Jodi - :( thanks for helping to build DEC.  Happy trails...
         

    I got my clock three years ago .... the emblem fell off two years ago
    when I transferred to the east coast.
    
    Serenity

    Got the flyer for 15 yrs service coming up...ordered the watch with
    metal band.  FOr 5 years, got the pen but lost it a few years ago.
    For 10 years, got the clock.  
    
    Mark
    

    I received the wall clock for my 10 year award (3 years ago).... The 
    emblem hadn't fallen off until the day DEC became Digital... That very 
    day, the emblem popped off... I haven't bothered to glue it back on..

    Now this may seem like a story, but it is true..!

    Bob

I picked the wall clock for my 10 year gift (3 months ago).  Only problem is 
synching the hour and minute hand if they aren't.  You have to remove the back 
of the clock but it comes off with 4 screws, fairly easy.

Dave

    
    My clock arrived last week and the emblem fell off as soon as I removed
    it from the packing.  It's some kind of omen.

    
    Leave it off...It increases the value of the clock !!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    MTS

    
    Is this where the moderator comes in and says, "no more logos fell off my
    clock" reply's.

    Well, I got my clock a few months ago and the logo was mounted
    upside-down.
    
    -Bruce

   The logo fell off after three years, then a year later the clock stopped
   working <sigh>.  My 15-year desk-top clock/pen/thermometer still works.

    
    I received mine two years ago and have had no trouble with the clock
    or the company...
    
    bc
    

    
    I had my 10 year back in Oct 93 and have never heard one word.
    
    Who do I contact ?
    
    Rick A

    they usually wait within a 6mo period to get all the ten yearers
    together. your month might have been the beginning of that 6month
    period. so you should be getting your reward real soon!! does anybody
    know if they have parties anymore??
    
                  stig

We are having a Service Award Recognition Celebration here at ALF tomorrow 
afternoon for all the recent 5, 10, 15 and 20 year people.  I'm not sure what 
it will be, but they will hand out the wall plaques and might have some snacks 
for us.

I'm assuming it's being put on by the site and I'm not sure of the frequency 
of these events either.

Dave

    .122
    
    I've heard that they are going to collect us all in one room, shut the
    door, and exit us out the back. 
    
    This is like one of those parties the police host every now and then
    and turn into a "sting".
    
    (Think I'll be sick tomorrow...)

    Sounds better than a 'parking lot' meeting.

   I got my 10-year clock back in 1989.  The clock tower fell off about
   3 weeks after I mounted the clock on the wall.  During that first 3
   weeks, my wife hated that clock.  After the logo fell off, she liked
   it.

    That's as may be, but I'll bet that if the logo had sported ROUND dots
    over the i's, your wife would have mourned its passing.
    

    At the end of our staff meeting on Tuesday,our manager handed out the X
    years of service recognition certificates. He had about 8 of them. The
    first one that he gave out was to an individual that celebrated his
    5th year with Digital in 1992. There were others that were delayed from
    1993 also. The guy that got his from 1992 had K.O.'s signature on it!!!

At our meeting today they read off at least 1 name of a 5 year recipient
who is no longer with the company......  

Dave

    FWIW
    
    The moment I took out my pen & pecil set from it's wrapper, the tower
    fell off the pen.
    
    I received my 5 year certificate 10 months after my 5 year anniversary.
    They said it was lost somewhere back east. 
    
    Bob
    

    Well, I can add a new twist....I just got my SECOND 5 year anniversary
    certificate.  An exact duplicate of the one I got a few months ago.  My
    5 year date was October 93.  Does that mean I've really been here a
    total of 10 years and can I now demand equivalent vacation time?
     

>> .130 by CSLALL::LCOBURN "Plan B Farm" >>>
>>    Well, I can add a new twist....I just got my SECOND 5 year anniversary
>>    certificate.  

Must be mine that I never got.  I did get my 10 year tho.  I don't think I'll
see #15.  :-(  

    
    Well, something worked.  I just celebrated my 10th anniversary and I
    haven't received my watch yet, but an additional week of vacation time
    did show up on my payslip.  No certificate yet either, but at least I
    have some extra vacation time. 
    
    Happy_with_what_I've_got_so_far_Al

    iam really excited about this, i got this letter from DEC telling
    me about my 5 year anniversary comming up and to select my reward now so 
    i'll get it in time.

    this so exciting, by the end of July i'll be a 5-year DECeeee, i'll
    be like an old timer.

    this weekend i want to sit down and fill it up and mail it fer sure.

    \nasser
    a_5_year_DECeeee_veteran_old_timer_by_this_summer

    For my 10 year, I picked a knife. It was really neat. And the logo
    stayed on and everything.
    
    	But my boss retired before I could show it to him. ;^)
    
    jim
    

	Well I for one have yet to have a clocktower fall off of any of the four
service awards I've received. My five year pin did take five and half to show
up, but I was in the Field ans not GMA. My twenty year award came a month before
my anniversary date. 

    Last friday, myself and several other 20 and 25 year employees were treated
to dinner at the Briarhurst Manor here in CX land. VP of the America's zone 
john Paget came in and gave a pep talk. The local area managers then spoke in
recognition of each of the employees in their area. On the whole it was quite
an enjoyable evening.

  Keith

    Good news here....I received my clock AND my extra weeks vacation all
    within the same week.