You Broke My Menorah???? (Dresser Queen I think I Hate You)

[Betsy]

Wow... all I can say is POD to everyone who says "go after shipping company, contact police about filing charges (hate crime, tampering with mail, looking at you cross-eyed, whatever they can do), and contacting the HOA"

[Veronica]

She is just evil.  

Marina- do you have a Target near you?  I know they have some relatively inexpensive menorahs that could get you through the holiday.  Not nearly as beautiful as the one she broke though.  

[NOVA Lady]

Cicero...I want to thank you so much for your suggestion about the Chabad!!!! I called them to ask where I might be able to purchase one to use for this year and they actual have regular old tin menorahs and candles right there and I am welcome to come get one.

I was really nervous calling because I really didn't know if I was going to ask them something totally outrageous, but they were sooooo nice to me on the phone.

I guess I am so upset because the one we broke last year was the one we'd used since our very first Chanukah together. So we made it a positive and said...well this is our first married Chanukah so we'll get something to celebrate that can last us a lifetime.

And now we wont have it use for the holiday and it just makes it feel "ruined" which I know is childish.

Now I have to work up the nerve to go to the Chabad house.......that is scary to me for some reason.

[NotCinderell]

I would sue.  She took a package with your name on it and broke it.  It cost $400.  She should reimburse you.

[Bibliophile]

I would sue.  She took a package with your name on it and broke it.  It cost $400.  She should reimburse you.

Get a statement from the driver that he/she left it with her.  File a police report about the damage.  Use those as evidence - including your talk with her, and file a civil case for reimbursement.  Usually, you don't even need an attorney for a civil case.

[cicero]

Cicero...I want to thank you so much for your suggestion about the Chabad!!!! I called them to ask where I might be able to purchase one to use for this year and they actual have regular old tin menorahs and candles right there and I am welcome to come get one.

I was really nervous calling because I really didn't know if I was going to ask them something totally outrageous, but they were sooooo nice to me on the phone.

I guess I am so upset because the one we broke last year was the one we'd used since our very first Chanukah together. So we made it a positive and said...well this is our first married Chanukah so we'll get something to celebrate that can last us a lifetime.

And now we wont have it use for the holiday and it just makes it feel "ruined" which I know is childish.

Now I have to work up the nerve to go to the Chabad house.......that is scary to me for some reason.

marina - why are you worried? i am truly NOT into chabad, but they make it their business to "be there" for fellow jews wherever they may be needed. there is a lot that i DON'T like about their style, but I give them credit for being 'an address' for anyone who might need it. are you afraid they might ask you questions or try and absorb you into their community? i doubt that would happen. just be friendly and grateful and "oh, sorry, i'm in such a rush". those tin menorahs are quite flimsy, btw, make sure you put them on a stable fire proof tray or something. (i imagine it's the kind that they give out in kindergartens in israel). get some pretty candles and you will be fine!

[NOVA Lady]

Cicero...I want to thank you so much for your suggestion about the Chabad!!!! I called them to ask where I might be able to purchase one to use for this year and they actual have regular old tin menorahs and candles right there and I am welcome to come get one.

I was really nervous calling because I really didn't know if I was going to ask them something totally outrageous, but they were sooooo nice to me on the phone.

I guess I am so upset because the one we broke last year was the one we'd used since our very first Chanukah together. So we made it a positive and said...well this is our first married Chanukah so we'll get something to celebrate that can last us a lifetime.

And now we wont have it use for the holiday and it just makes it feel "ruined" which I know is childish.

Now I have to work up the nerve to go to the Chabad house.......that is scary to me for some reason.

marina - why are you worried? i am truly NOT into chabad, but they make it their business to "be there" for fellow jews wherever they may be needed. there is a lot that i DON'T like about their style, but I give them credit for being 'an address' for anyone who might need it. are you afraid they might ask you questions or try and absorb you into their community? i doubt that would happen. just be friendly and grateful and "oh, sorry, i'm in such a rush". those tin menorahs are quite flimsy, btw, make sure you put them on a stable fire proof tray or something. (i imagine it's the kind that they give out in kindergartens in israel). get some pretty candles and you will be fine!

I think it is because I am not orthodox and I am worried they'll ask me questions I can't answer or judge me for being less observant. Probably an irrational thing.

[ShadesOfGrey]

To let you all know I am DEFINITELY going after the shipping company about this, because I don't know WHAT would have prompted them to leave a package with someone else to take into their home without instructions to do that

Do you think the company with whom you purchased the product would have better luck/more influence in going after them? (I am going by stories I've heard here about the person not having much luck, but that the company might be better able to go after lost resources??)

[Joannie81]

Anyways, the fact that she dropped it "a few times"  is highly suspect.  I am a middle aged lady and I recently managed to carry a UPS package containing a large,metal,  fully loaded toolbox into my house and down the basement stairs without damaging it or killing myself. I didn't even drop it once.

This was my first thought also.  I can't really believe that she dropped it accidentally.  "Accidentally on purpose" maybe.  If I am carrying something that is heavy and feel that I may drop it, I lower myself and the object to the nearest place to set it so I don't ruin it.

I'm sorry this happened to you.  It really is lovely.

[cicero]

I think it is because I am not orthodox and I am worried they'll ask me questions I can't answer or judge me for being less observant. Probably an irrational thing.

i see - well, i doubt that they are going to grill you, they MIGHT want to make sure you know how to celebrate the holiday "properly" and maybe give you a booklet on how to light candles, but as i said - just be gracious, and be in "oh such a huge rush thank you bye".

and they absolutely will not judge you!!

[ZipTheWonder]

Do you think the company with whom you purchased the product would have better luck/more influence in going after them? (I am going by stories I've heard here about the person not having much luck, but that the company might be better able to go after lost resources??)

She doesn't have any recourse to the shipping company -- only the seller does.  Her recourse is with the seller, and *they* can go after the shipping company.   They shipping company *may* be willing to do something for her, but the transaction (and any insurance) is between the sender and the carrier.

[ShadesOfGrey]

Do you think the company with whom you purchased the product would have better luck/more influence in going after them? (I am going by stories I've heard here about the person not having much luck, but that the company might be better able to go after lost resources??)

She doesn't have any recourse to the shipping company -- only the seller does.  Her recourse is with the seller, and *they* can go after the shipping company.   They shipping company *may* be willing to do something for her, but the transaction (and any insurance) is between the sender and the carrier.

exactly. 

[Hillia]

Minor hijack - can someone explain what a 'chabad house' is?

The menorah is beautiful, and your neighbor a nutcase. 

[KarenK]

It's interesting that it has only been mentioned by one PP.

I have three words for you: Small Claims Court. DQ needs to get a summons from the local district court, along with a visit from the HOA. The police would be a nice touch as well, but if you do not get a free replacement from the company, then I'd go after her. It was in her care. It was damaged beyond repair. She is responsible.

[Scritzy]

First of all, I'm sorry this happened. That has to be the most beautiful Menorah I've ever seen.

Second, I'm glad you found a last-minute replacement. I was going to offer to make one for you and overnight it. (Not of blown glass, but of something. I have lots of craft supplies. )

Third, I agree with contacting everyone remotely involved with this incident. Well, maybe not your congressman and the fire department as cskirpan's crazy HOA lady did.

And last, but not least ... Happy Hanukkah!