My mother wanted a simple thing: buy a computer for my brother as his big Christmas present. I talk my mother into buying it online and I find the perfect computer at an affordable price at Overstock.com on December 14, with a general assurance that the computer will arrive before Christmas. Well, it still hasn't arrived. Honest to god. Despite my calling daily since December 24. It looks like Monday might be the day, but I'm not holding my breath.

For the past two weeks I've been given incorrect information and been lied to by Overstock and their vendor Computer Express - both of whom blame poor UPS (which is total bullshit - UPS is the only reason I have any information at all and they've been the most helpful). So to make a long story short, I was so fed up I blew up this morning and demanded that Overstock make this right in some way - some form of compensation for the stress and effort I've had to make to get the product I ordered. Here's their idea of compensation: Overstock would be willing to give me $5 off my next order - from Overstock of course. Well, that will be a cold day in hell.

And I would advise against anyone else ever using Overstock again. I know my way around ecommerce sites and sometimes shit happens. I can accept that. But that's not what happened here. I was lied to repeatedly, the blame was shifted somewhere else, and there is no accountability whatsoever. The response is: sorry, too bad. But come back soon (I've been spammed three times since 12/24 with their marketing emails.)

It makes me so mad I can't see straight. Overstock is a simple business - take the credit card number and deliver the order. Well, they've got the taking part figured out. They need serious help on the delivery part. Overstock told me that I'm the exception and that most of their customers are satisfied. Frankly, I don't give a shit. How they can screw up something this simple, in this day and age, is beyond me.

Since the $5 coupon was unacceptable, I'm looking for ideas on what would be adequate compensation for someone who goes through something like this. I'm committed to making Overstock as miserable as it's made me these past two weeks so I'm open to suggestions. And if anyone has an email address for Overstock directors or managers, send them my way. I'd love to drop them a line. Or better yet - wouldn't this make a great news story to balance all of the "feel good about buying online" bullshit we've been forced to read lately. Just a thought...