It's always someone else's fault

"Our office is closed and we can't call them, so we can't tell you what's happened to your delivery, so sorry." (Got this twice from 2 different shops)

"Sorry, I thought my guys have fixed it already." (from one-half of the Awesomes)

"Sorry, there was a dispute with the overseas manufacturer who just appointed a local distributor and told us we had to order from them. We managed to persuade them to send the consignment but we cannot give you a delivery date. Maybe 3 more weeks. Could be after Christmas."

"Sorry, who called you from our side to tell you that the serviceman would be coming at 7 pm ?"

And my favourite:

"The worktop contractor for the kitchen said that there will be a delay because he does not have the right colour of glue."

It drives me mad that vendors don't hold themselves accountable for the lack of supervision of employees or substandard parties they appoint, whether to make a delivery or provide an essential component of the service. In this age of outsourcing, they ought to realise that incompetent contractors give them a bad name. It's really really not enough just to make the sale.