Blun, there is a story you might like associated with 'Pops' parcel. I get all my clock base materials from a place called Bunnings (Australia's largest hardware store - they are opening in the UK next year I understand). Also, I have done about 10 grands worth of renovations round my home over the past couple of years, as well as many other things, which altogether would top the 20,000 dollar mark. When I finished 'pops' present I needed a small cardboard box and have found the shallow ones from their gardening department are ideal and they chuck them in a pile of others at the front of the store. I have had about 50 over the 2 years so imagine my surprise when the sheila at the front (who welcomes customers in and farewells them as they leave) came across and asked me what I thought I was doing. "Getting a cardboard box" I replied. She told me in no uncertain terms that these boxes were for customers to take their purchases out as they didn't supply plastic bags. I told her that the trolleys were used to load their purchases and were then taken to their cars. I told her I had taken heaps of these boxes and she then took it out of my hand, threw it back on to the pile, and told me I wouldn't be getting any more. I rang their head office and asked why I couldn't have a cardboard box from their chuck out section after I had spent 20 grand in their store and they nearly fell apart. Thought I was joking! I told them that I was putting it on Facebook and they apologized straight away and sent me a $50 voucher and told me they would instruct their staff that the cardboard boxes were for anyone. They have CCTV camera's in their store so I bet they had a great laugh watching the replay of this sheila who was obviously just being officious. Unbelievable.
