Awesome and Awful

Which do you want first?

We made a non-Newtonian fluid from corn starch and water yesterday after physics club. It was absolutely fabulous. It was so much fun to play with, it's a wonder I got anything done the rest of the afternoon :-) We'll be playing with it at the Open House this spring, but if anyone wants to make their own, it's very easy. Two parts corn starch to one part water (approximately - quit adding water when it looks like fun). Warning - it is very hard to stir up, because it becomes hard and solid-like if you exert too much stirring force. That's just the nature of the beast.

Now for the awful: AtomicPark.com. I ordered a projector bulb from them two weeks ago. They charged my PayPal account right away, but never delivered. Ten days later, I tried to contact AtomicPark customer service. Their “customer service” phone number is manned by operators who “cannot help with customer service and sales questions”! So I tried their online LiveChat, but it did not work. Finally, I sent a message to their customer service e-mail address. I immediately received an automated response, stating an intention to “do our best to answer your inquiry within one business day.” That was four days ago. Now I have taken it up with PayPal, maybe they'll listen to them.

I'm hoping this situation was an honest mistake, but it gives me a great idea for getting no-interest loans. Just set up a bogus online store selling expensive things that you don't actually have. Charge people's PayPal accounts for them. Of course, you'll eventually have to square up, but you won't have to pay interest or anything - what a deal :-{

Update 3-24-07:
Here is the response I got from AtomicPark via PayPal Resolution Center. Also my PayPal account has been credited.
"Dear Cecilia, Boy what a mess. I can't even begin to know where to start - but simply apologize. I have cancelled your order and will refund you next. Sincerely, Bud Chumbly"


Update 3-26-07:
Apparently I deserved two responses.
"Ms. Vogel,
Due to not being able to get the product into our warehouse, your order
has been canceled and credited back to paypal.
Sorry for the delay and inconvenience.

Best!
Daisy O'Dowd"