Sprinkler Blowout Land: The Case of the Disappearing Notifications

Welcome back to Sprinkler Blowout Land, where the compressors are running, the routes are getting longer, and our customer notifications have apparently entered the Bermuda Triangle.

Every evening, we send text messages to customers scheduled for sprinkler blowouts the following day. These messages explain when we’re coming, what needs to be accessible, and where to find routing updates.

It’s a simple system.

We send the text. You receive the text. Everybody knows what’s going on.

At least, that was the theory.

Unfortunately, we’ve discovered that some of our messages are disappearing somewhere between our phone and yours.

Our system says they were sent. The customer says they never arrived.

And somewhere out there, apparently, is a secret island populated by missing text messages, lost socks, and all those 10mm sockets that have vanished from toolboxes over the years.

So We Called in Reinforcements

Starting tonight, we’re sending emails to customers scheduled for service the following day, in addition to our usual text notifications.

Same information. Same reminders. Same instructions about gates, pets, valve boxes, and access to the sprinkler timer.

Two methods of communication.

Twice the opportunity to get the message through.

What could possibly go wrong?

Well, funny you should ask.

On our very first evening of sending these emails, several were blocked before they could even leave the building.

Apparently, some email systems are just as suspicious of us as the cellular carriers.

We’re trying to tell you we’re coming to blow out your sprinklers, not sell you an extended warranty on your refrigerator.

But evidently, telling someone we’re coming to their house with a giant air compressor is enough to make the internet nervous.

And That’s Why We Have a Blog

Fortunately, there’s one method of communication that doesn’t require your cellular carrier or email provider to approve our existence.

You’re looking at it right now.

Every morning, we publish updates right here about our sprinkler blowout operations, including where our technicians are working and any schedule changes.

You don’t have to wait for a text.

You don’t have to search your spam folder.

You don’t have to wonder whether your email provider has decided that sprinkler blowouts are a threat to national security.

Just check back each morning, especially if you’re still waiting for your sprinkler blowout.

Spend about three minutes reading the latest update. That’s less time than most people spend looking for their phone while they’re talking on it.

The Bottom Line

We’re now using three methods to keep customers informed:

• Text messages: Sent the night before scheduled service.
• Email notifications: Also sent the night before as a backup.
• Our blog: Updated daily with routing information and scheduling developments.

We’ll continue sending the texts and emails, but we cannot control what happens after those messages leave our systems.

Your cellular carrier might block a text. Your email provider might reject an email. And neither one is particularly interested in explaining its decision to the guy sitting behind four computer monitors trying to keep the entire operation moving.

Which is why we keep pointing everyone toward the blog.

We can send notifications until the cows come home, but if the electronic gatekeepers won’t let them through, there’s not much we can do about it.

And frankly, we’ve already got enough trouble with actual gates.

So please check back each morning for the latest routing and scheduling updates.

Meanwhile, we’ll keep the compressors running, the routes moving, and the notifications going out.

Somewhere, a missing text message is probably sitting on a beach next to a missing sock, enjoying a Coke Zero.

Must be nice.

Welcome to Sprinkler Blowout Land.

Here are the routes for today:

Eddie in the Boise 83709 with Blowzilla

Gisborne St
Apsley Way
Mardia St
Tevoit St
Winton St
Apsley Pl
LaGrange St
Townsend Pl
Wakes Pl
Antietam Ct
Carolina Dr
Mornin Mist St
Allante Pl
Fernwood Dr
Cameron St

Jesse in the Boise 83709 with Orange Julius (OJ)

Red Maple Ct
Braddock Dr
Tennyson Way
Norristown St
Camas Dr
Alejandro St
Pepperbush Pl
Silverking St
Scranton Way
Simsbury Pl
Darby St
Pontler Ct
Montauk Ave
Chieftain Way
Whisper Cove Way
Linda Vista Ave
Campville St
Bodley St
Sandhurst Dr