Carolyn P.

Borders Books & Music

We had been looking for a book for a of years and had no idea that it was out-of-print -- probably one of the reasons we couldn't find it. Another problem was that we didn't now the exact name of the book or author, just the category it was in. They found the information on the book for us and even found a used copy that we could buy in MN. They ordered the book, sent a email confirming that it had been ordered and ten days later called us to say the book was in as well as mailing a confirming email. All with a smile. They seem able to track down any type of item they may carry and go the extra mile to make sure they have a satisfied customer. I've been to some book stores only to find myself endlessly wandering the aisles, searching for someone to assist me, only to end up walking out because the personnel was too busy browsing the merchandise themselves or visiting with friends.

They helped me and then did not linger, looking over my shoulder waiting for me to buy something. I want to be waited on but I don't want to be stalked when shopping for anything.

PROS: Friendly, knowledgeabl staff
CONS:

Dona Maria Tamales Restaurant

My father was always the big tamale fan in the family, but since we've tried the tamales here, I'm the big tamale eater of the family now. We even order extra to take with us back to CA when we go visit friends.

PROS: Friendly, patient staff, clean restaurant, good manager
CONS: none

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill

Since they weren't real, real busy, the waiter spent a little time to familiariaze me with a new camera that I bought and was having trouble with at my table AND his manager wasn't giving him a bad time for spending the time on something other than his "job" and realizes it's good PR. We were new to town and he made us feel very comfortable and went out of his way to make my shy (at the time) and ackward son (who was not happy we moved here) feel very comfortable and even enjoy the time we were there. It was just a start for him but it was a start we couldn't make. Thank you. Oh, yeah, and the food and service was excellent. It's not close to our house, but when we go to Applebees, that's the one we visit!

PROS: Friendly, patient staff, clean restaurant, good manager
CONS: None

Circuit City

Bought some equipment at Ultimate Electronics (see review)but was forced to go elsewhere for my accessories. The staff at Circuit City could have sold me the most expensive accessories but instead reviewed my needs and showed me what I could get for a little less that would do the same job. They even offered to look at my equipment (since I had it in the car) to make sure that what I was buying was the right size and was capatible with what I had. They even told me if I had any problems I could call them, and save myself a trip down there if I needed an exchange to make sure I didn't waste my time and gas when they could handle it over the phone. They really helpful, knowledgeable and willing to spend the time with me to get what I needed. I have since gone back to this store, and will continue to do so, for any electronics needs. More than I can say for any of the Ultimate Electronics stores.

PROS: Reasonably priced, stock what they advertise, no stories
CONS: None!

Ultimate Electronics

We went to the store the morning their ad came out in the paper -- in fact had to wait for the store to open. They had NONE of the items advertised in stock. Supposedly, they "checked their inventory and had 40 on the truck from CO arriving in three days" and would gladly let us pay for the items THEN and would call us when the merchandise arrived IN THREE DAYS! Every call I made to the store after that gave me a different story: They supposedly had already sold them all out because they were discontinued; all of the ones that came to the store were already sold; they didn't have any in and of the other stores; we would have to pick different merchandise. I was never able to reach our original salesman and after calling upteen times over the next three weeks, making several trips to the store itself and threatening to turn them in the BBB or calling one of the TV stations, miraculously they were able to track down our products and ONLY THEN did they offer to send them directly to my house. Originally, I intended to buy all our accessories for the equipment we bought from them. Needless to say, we went somewhere else . . . to Circuit City and got the best service ever . . . but that's an entirely different recommendation!

PROS: Absolutely none
CONS: Don't carry products advertised & never got the same excuse twice

Michael E. Clifford

He diagnosed me, or I should say misdiagnosed me, within 2 minutes. He asked why I was there, I told him (with a referral from a great orthopedist in CA -- who just so happens to work for the Oakand A's), and he told me I couldn't possibly have that (what I was later and previously diagnosed with). He came to that conclusion at the end of the very first question he asked.

PROS: Seems to like to order lots of tests
CONS: May not read the results and doesn't listen to the patient at all.

Blockbuster Video

Everyone in the store seems to be very knowledgeable and they are very patient when you don't really know what it is that you are looking for. They even answered questions for us about the blockbuster.com plan and all the benefits of using both aspects of their company.

PROS: Very knowledgeable and fast
CONS: Too many empty shelfs

Forte Family Practice

Recently we moved to NV from another state and my 83 year old father needed a doctor right away. The closest place (we thought) practically gave him a pad of paperwork to fill out and told him to come back the next day. On our way home, we saw Forte Family Practice and I thought I would try that before taking him to the hospital. They saw him right away. They also set him for a check-up the next day. They said if he didn't feel better to come back the day after that. When we didn't return the third day (because they had taken such good care of him, he didn't need to go back), they called us just to make sure that he was okay and that his condition had improved. Dr. Forte is now the doctor for the entire family and it's as if we had never switched doctors -- quite a statement after having the same doctors for 25 years.

PROS: Wonderful bedside manner and they actually hear you.
CONS: Not enough doctors like Dr. Forte around

Ted Wiens Tire & Auto

They have specials all the time. I had an only change and they checked everything else on the car, they were fast and the price certainly was right. Very personable staff. I've gone for a "simple oil change" to other places before and ended up coming out having problems I didn't have when I started out. That is especially reassuring for a woman -- no matter what your age. I took my dad just because when going to a new place I have found that having car work can be a real . . . let me say adventure. I didn't have to go through any of that here.

PROS: Fast, thorough and reasonably priced
CONS: none

Midas Auto Service Experts

Very friendly, helpful personnel. Great price, will work with you to do what needs to be done. Has a nice little service center -- car wash and detailing, smogging all in the same area. You can get all this done at one stop and he can arrange it. Good work done fast and with a smile!

PROS: Can get several things done fast and one stop
CONS: None!