Make sure your camera gear stays in good shape...

I called the repair center of my camera today to confirm I can pick up my gear on the weekend.

Gee! - You can really tell when there is no competition: it drags down service quality like hell!
Though the camera was ready, it still had not been shipped to Stuttgart for me to pick-up. And they only ship on Monday and Wednesday nights.

Leo: Well, I would like to pick up the camera
on Saturday.
Service Droid: It will be shipped Monday night.
Leo: I understand, but I won't be there to pick
it up on Monday night. So I need to get it on
Saturday.
Service Droid: This is not possible.
Leo: Why don't I just pick it up at your center
in Reutlingen?!
Service Droid: We have already packed it.
Leo: Why don't you just keep it where it is?!

Without any further word, the service droid put me on hold, which I think is a very weird way to handle a customer, by the way.
After a little while she was back on the line, saying that she collected my stuff and confirming that I could pick it up on Saturday.

Alleluia - that's something!

Going to Reutlingen will be a hassle, but I will have at least my camera back.

Why this whole process will then have taken a full month honestly escapes me...