Quick fix for a shirt spot
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I bought a black T-shirt that I love, but there’s a white spot on the sleeve that looks like the black dye of the fabric missed a spot. Can I just dye that part of the sleeve black?
Dear Marley: Yes, you could dye just the small white area, but there’s an easier way. (Dye is messy and permanent and easy to get onto your bathroom carpet, etc.) Get yourself a black Sharpie permanent marker — preferably not fine or ultra fine point — and the job is done fast and efficiently.
I use color Sharpies to touch up furniture and wall paint nicks and even worn out spots on a very beat-up “Persian” carpet. They’re a full service tool for a dollar or two at drugstores, Target, Walmart and just about anywhere.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I just got off the phone with a customer “service” rep from my cable television provider and I’m exhausted, angry and defeated. All I wanted to know is what I was paying for so I could decide if I could cancel some of the monthly charges to reduce my enormous monthly bill.
The person at the overseas call center kept saying, “that’s a good question” like I was some sort of grade schooler who needed a pat on the head. But, he couldn’t tell me anything helpful. What did I do wrong? How can I get the answers I need to make some intelligent choices?
Dear Eleanor: Having been in your shoes, I’ve put together some tips that could help you get the answers you need and bring that bill down. It will take patience and perseverance, but it could be worth it.
1. The first thing you say is, “If we’re disconnected, will you call me back at this number?” Make the rep repeat your number back to you.
2. End any phone call with any company rep by asking if there are any special offers or a way they can rebate you some of your charges. Even the lowest tier of customer rep usually can OK $20 or $30 in rebates. And don’t jump at the first offer.
3. Escalate: “I need to talk to a supervisor.” Don’t take no for an answer and ask the rep to stay on the phone until you’re connected to their boss.
4. Ask the supervisor if there are any deals or specials, or other advice to reduce your bill. Also ask if there is a phone number or email for “elite” customers to avoid the long wait for a rep at the foreign call center and get straight to a service rep.
5. In the event that you come away from this effort dissatisfied, scour the company’s website to find the “contact us” information and succinctly set out why you’re tearing your hair out.
6. If you’re asked to participate in any how-arewe-doing survey, do it. Be brutally frank and if possible leave your phone number and email and ask for a real person to reply.
— Marley E.
— Eleanor B.
Now it’s your turn
Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds — on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty — to answerangelellen@gmail. com.