Finally, I’m a rule-breaker

I’ve always been a rule follower. Last Friday, I was challenged to obey a pretty ludicrous rule.

I dropped my phone, and the bottom right corner of the screen shattered. It seemed to have caused a concussion in my phone’s brain. Bright strobe-like lights flashed at the bottom of my screen. I headed to the big store where I purchased it. I knew I had included the Technology Protection Package in my purchase. Ugh … they only repair iPhones, not Androids.

I was directed to another store, 11 miles away, that involved navigating two road closures and way too much traffic.

After waiting 15 minutes, I was greeted by a young man working the repair desk alone. The very polite man looked at my phone with a broken brain and gave me my choice of installing a new screen or getting a new/reconditioned phone. The cost for either choice was $99. It’s the deductible for having the protection plan. (Of course, there is a deductible.)

I hate getting a new phone. I paid the $99, and then he began to work on his computer to see if they had the screen. Good news … they did. Bad news … they didn’t have the repair kit to install the screen.

Here’s how our conversation went …

Young man: Getting the parts will take four to five days.

Me: Okay, will you call me when the kit comes in? If my phone doesn’t work, will you call my husband’s phone?

Young Man: We have a new rule. You have to leave your phone here at the store.

I’m thinking about the reason for this rule.

Me: Seriously? Do you not think that the new rule is a bit absurd? (I was trying to remain calm and allow my words to process through my niceness filter about what I would say next.)

Young Man: Yes.

Me: May I speak to a manager?

Young Man: He hasn’t been here for three weeks. The young man was avoiding making eye contact with me.

Me: So, what you are saying is that I cannot take with me my phone, which I own, and that I’ve paid you to repair it, and you cannot repair it because you do not have the repair kit. At times, my phone works, including whenever I use it in my car with my Sync system. You are leaving me without a way to contact anyone in an emergency.

Young man: It’s a new rule. I am just the messenger.

Me: Well, the rule is ludicrous. What if I walk out those doors and get in my car with my phone, and you call me or my husband when the parts come in?

Young man: He whispers … take your phone.

It’s been eight days, and I have heard nothing from the store about the repair kit being in. Of course, there is no direct number to call to check the status or find out when I can bring my phone in to be repaired.

It should not be this complicated, nor should this ludicrous rule be in effect.

The definition of ludicrous is “amusing or laughable through obvious absurdity.” The thing is that … I’m not laughing.

I have now become a rule-breaker!

Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). Visit janethartleonard.com.