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Ok, so today (SUnday) is Joe's and my 1st wedding anniversary. But I have no gift for him. Heres what happened:

On Thursday I picked up a CG Zippo from a local store and decided to take it to Things Remembered to get engraved. I used to work at TR when we lived in San Diego, and knew that engraving a Zippo is super easy, and had faith that there wouldn't be any problems. So I dropped it off with the understanding that they would have it done the next afternoon.

Friday morning I recieve a call from TR. They're calling because they forgot to lift the needle, and so it dragged across the whole thing and its now ruined. I'm floored. (Anything that is brought in from another store has to be engraved by a certified engraver, its a corporate policy.) Then the woman (who I later found out is the store manager) on the phone tells me that she went to the store I had bought the Zippo from, and they don't have anymore. I'm panicking now. And then she says "Oh, but don't worry, we can have another ready for you in 2 weeks."....

I had to hang up on the woman. It was too much. After a brief freak out I went into the store and talked to the woman in person. I requested a refund on the engraving I had paid for (nearly $50), and told them that when the new lighter comes in I don't want them to touch it.

But what really gets me, is the fact that the woman never apologized or acted remorseful for ruining my gift.

I guess what I really want to know is, what should I do? When the new lighter comes in should I still give it to Joe? Should I return it since the occasion will have passed? And what about the people at TR? Should I file a complaint, or am I over-reacting?

What would you do in my situation?

**Update**
So this morning (9/25) the woman from TR called me regarding the lighter. Apparently the one that I had bouht is now a discontinued style and they can't replace it. Therewas another CG zippo they can order, but I was told that it costed more and they refused to pay for it.
Gawd, I swear I just can't win. I'm so tired of fighting this, and yet still playing nice to the woman who ruined my anniversary. I think I'm going to give her a piece of my mind when I go in there. mad

Yup, definitely complain or else they'll do the same thign to others with the same level of impunity. I would just forthrightly tell Joe what happened... andlet him know that you'll have something for him.

Other than that, it's a real present mess!

well, everyone agrees on the complaint. Theres just no forgiving her rudeness.

Second you should a small sweet gift, something still meaningful and give that to Joe. Also tell him that there's another gift but that it will take some time to come in. Don't tell him what it is.

Then of course once the lighter comes in take it somewhere else to get engraved and than give it to him. Maybe another TR if theres one in your area, or simply find somewhere else to go.

I don't believe there is anything else I can add, except the fact I agree with everyone.

A guy can only be so lucky xp

Make a trip to the Netherlands, and visit me!!!!! heart

Most of us guys have trouble remembering it's the aniversary anyway. Just wait for him to not give you a gift, then get huffy and pretend he doesn't get his now. blaugh

Also there's that whole thing of most guys thinking a good enough gift is the woman still being there.