16 Comments
Jan 3Liked by Becky Isjwara

A (non)chilling tale of poor customer service. Oh man. Bad tech service is the worst. Hope you're up and running again soon.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks Rick! It irked me so much that it takes too many days to fix an appliance when going through the "official" process of warranty etc etc. Ugh. It's all good now but gosh I really hope it doesn't break down anytime soon!

Expand full comment

There should be an extra clause in the warranty saying, "We guarantee all repairs and our response time will take longer than you think."

Expand full comment
Jan 9Liked by Becky Isjwara

"Becktaurant" = Great name.

"I flipped over the meat. Maybe if I make a good dinner, the fridge will bounce back." = This is funny!

"take pride in hosting dinners for friends and chosen family" = This seems to be attached to your identity.

"On day 16, Samsung called. Finally! I can cook again soon! I can stop eating takeout! I can shop for groceries! I can take restaurant leftovers home!" = This is how I felt about not being able to write for 2 months. Looking forward to the day when I can publish again but failing everyday.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks Rohan!

Expand full comment

Rohan, that part about looking forward to the day you can publish but failing everyday..I felt that so hard🙌🏾 It's crippling. I'm hoping we manage to do it and succeed

Expand full comment
Jan 3Liked by Becky Isjwara

The lamp that helps me read at night. The electric kettle that guarantees I get my daily dose of coffee. And the fan that fights against the tropical heat of the Philippines.

You helped me realize how important these everyday appliances are. It's so easy to take them for granted. Thanks for sharing Becky, and hoping your fridge is all better now!

(also just wanted to say that when i read becktaurant at the beginning, i knew this was gonna be good lol)

Expand full comment
author

haha! thanks Linart. And yes it's all good now. Only took them... 3 weeks.......

Expand full comment

This turned out great! It's amazing how much we rely on things that are supposed to work to just work. When something as "simple" as a fridge goes out of order, our lives do too.

Your writing is engaging. I felt this. Well done!

Expand full comment
author

Very much so!

Thanks for the kind words, Miche <3 your feedback was really helpful

Expand full comment

Becky. I actually saw the ending being a crying session because it's just too much🙌🏾 I'm sorry you had to experience bad customer service. And there isn't even an apology, just "keep waiting we'll get back". Those are times I wish I'd learn how to fix appliances😂 Great essay Becky. Your writing is so engaging. I love to read your work❤️

Expand full comment
author

Thanks so much Scholastica ❤️ yeahh we are so far removed from being able to build & fix appliances. But at the end of it I thought - this would make a great essay for Substack :p

Expand full comment
Jan 3Liked by Becky Isjwara

There's an old superstitious from where I come - Appliances at home tend to talk to each other. And if one breaks, others follow. Really hope your fridge doesn't have any such superficial powers and it sticks to chilling. All the best.

Expand full comment
author

ohmygod. I pray that my AC will be ok!!

Expand full comment

This turned out excellent and it's got such a good shiny dime! We need those spaces where we recharge, where everything is calm and functional and nourishing so we can "face" the rest of the world/work/relationships, whatever that is.

And it was _such_ a pleasure meeting you IRL - twice! What a treat!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks Lavinia. This wouldn't have been as refined without you! It's a good reminder that upkeeping our sacred space is important even when it doesn't seem like it.

Expand full comment