Mr. Murphy, the Move from Hell, & a Korbel Cheers!

Some of you know by now that I am a new resident of Santa Rosa, in the heart of California’s Wine Country!

Yes, I’ve left my beloved San Diego (not to mention kids and grandkids) to return to my native Northern California – although my roots are in a direct line from Santa Rosa to the state’s eastern border county, El Dorado, in the Gold Country – Sonoma County borders the ocean, and that works for me.

The ambivalent decision to move so far from my loved ones was not made lightly. However, cousins Ron (like my brother) and Jimmy (it’s his childhood home!) made a roommate offer I couldn’t refuse. (Think of us as The Golden Girls of Three’s Company. LOL!)

Although no one of retirement age wants to move – what an odious project at best – I’m hoping it will provide more time to work on my writing. Timing is everything …

You've heard of Murphy's Law, right? "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong." Ol' Murphy just LOVES me.

The plans were set – all was in order to move. Penske rental truck reserved, help on the way, 90% of “stuff” still in storage/boxes from earlier this year – easy-peasy, right? Ah, Mr. Murphy had his own plans …

The Move from Hell …

Of course, we expect some things to go wrong when moving, and exhaustion dogs us. But consider this:

First, my laptop – which holds most of my current files – died the night before we were to pack up. NO, I had not backed up in MONTHS … I KNOW how stupid that was … I’m sore from kicking myself.*

Sunday, 10/27, Penske/San Diego cost VALUABLE time, taking nearly two hours for the transaction to pick up the 16’ truck. The clerk charged the wrong card, tried to reverse the process – keep in mind banks deduct immediately but take two-three days to add it back into your account – and she didn't advise me of her actions. **I did not have the card with me that she charged, which caused transaction issues between my bank and Penske’s processing system.

Since this was Sunday, the location manager allowed the truck to go out (believe me, with an irate and frazzled Irish woman standing in front of him he had no choice) and we’d figure it out on Monday when I returned to add the car carrier for my Jeep.

We finished packing storage much later than we'd planned because of Penske’s delay, and realized the last room of stuff was not going to fit … sigh … I’d relied on Penske’s estimation. Visions of George Carlin’s shtick on “stuff” danced through my head.

Carlos, the lead worker from Santa Rosa offered to pull a trailer for the rest. So …

Monday morning … moving day …

Penske took another hour-and-a-half to resolve the charge issue, crediting me with discounts for time wasted and probably to get me out of there. I was calm, but firm.

However, they don’t rent trailers. They sent us to the nearest U-Haul which didn't have the right size. Yep, Mr. Murphy was still hanging ‘round. We were sent another seven miles east for the trailer.

Finally, truck and trailer were packed up and ready to head out about 2:00p. Late again, thank you, Penske; at this point we just hoped to get over the Grapevine north of Los Angeles, before stopping for the night.

Ya know how it NEVER rains in Southern California? … only when I move …

Not only did rain arrive that hadn’t been on the radar when I last looked four days ago, but snow for the Grapevine was a possibility. Ron and I agreed we’d take the long way around the higher mountains, since we were fully loaded and towing a two-ton Jeep.

About two-thirds of the way to Mojave, our evening destination, the rain ran right through the Penske truck’s weatherstripping that stretches above our heads, across the length of the truck and binds the truck cab to its box.

Yep – we were rained on INSIDE the cab. I only wished that Mr. Murphy was sitting on the seat next to me – so

his shirt could be cold and wet, too! We didn’t turn the heater on because falling asleep at the wheel was a distinct possibility, so we soldiered on.

The rest of my move north proved relatively uneventful – unless you count unloading the bulk of the truck’s contents the next evening in my new storage, with fifteen minutes to spare before “lights out.” And learning that Carlos continued to help us unload before he finally told us he had to leave, as his seven-year-old son had been taken to the hospital emergency room for pneumonia! He is better now, but I wish Carlos had mentioned it earlier.

Now, with all of the hassles and delays caused by Penske (and Mr. Murphy), I could have simply accepted my discounts and gone about my business settling in to my new life.

Companies from my move - RATED - below my signature ...

However, scenes of Undercover Boss circled my brain and I decided Penske's corporate office needed a phone call. Sometimes it’s important to consider that just because a franchise or branch office is inept, rude or uncooperative, doesn’t mean their actions reflect the established policies of their corporate office.

Of course, like so many large companies who really don’t want to hear from us peons, finding Penske’s corporate office phone number was a challenge. Ah, but I have the determination of a Boomer redhead (stop laughing – L’Oreal ensures I still am).

Amy in the Support Services department was very solicitous and listened intently and without interruption as I explained the problems, along with what we appreciated – like there were no mechanical breakdowns. **Two issues were not done according to their policies, so she appreciated the feedback; and planned to follow up on the truck’s weatherstripping repair. Ultimately, she authorized a fair partial refund which I was not expecting, but truly appreciate.

So here I am. Now what? Good question.

In the next few weeks I’ll contemplate that question while enjoying the view of a big ol’ oak tree outside my attic “loft” room, and look forward to thinking without a head-cold. The pitter-patter of tiny feet on the rooftop precedes a gray squirrel’s leap to a branch. “Ethel” as Jimmy and Ron call her (and yes, there is a Fred, Lucy & Desi!), soon blends into the majestic tree trunk. I raised my Korbel in salute.

Speaking of – Cheers to everyone – hope your life is “Murphy”-free!

Rating My Move

Note: I rarely award 5 stars; reserved for exemplary actions

Cousins Ron & Jimmy (& Sharon) – 5+5 stars!

Penske Truck Rental - 4 stars (see article)

Although they caused immeasurable delays, their ultimate CS made up for much of it.

Price Self Storage, San Diego CA - 2 stars

I’d paid them early for Nov. prior to whirlwind moving decision, but they would not refund nor prorate ANY of my payment.

Southpoint Self Storage, Santa Rosa CA – 4 stars

Excellent CS, working a little OT to accommodate my move-in.

U-Haul / trailer rental, San Diego CA – 4 stars

No complaints – smooth transaction all the way.

Vagabond Inn, San Diego CA – 3 stars

Low clearance into parking would not accommodate moving truck; had to park 100’ down; water off next morning for nearby construction.

Days Inn, Mojave CA – 3 stars

Room could have been a little cleaner; excellent phone reservation system & CS agent.

*And good news update! Mr. Murphy’s impish chuckle could be heard as he messed with my mind. The laptop, apparently tired and/or confused (like me), powered up again like new, several days into my NorCal residency. Yea! (Though I’ll never truly trust it again …)