Mark R.

Moshulu

The Moshulu is a nice restaurant ship on Phillys waterfront. The service is terrific; the food delicious (although portions are skimpy.)

Deserts are heavenly creations.

Its a great place to take a date for dinner. If it weren't so very expensive, I'd go more often and rate it 5 stars.

Aquahab Rehabilitation

I was a good Worker's Comp patient for many years at Aquahab. They forgot to bill my insurance and kicked me out for a month while they re-billed.

I wanted to continue my therapy but only the VP at Cherry Hill could authorize it; I called; emailed; and left messages every other day for 2 weeks. NO ONE ever responded to my request/complaint. Wrote to the owner --no response.

Very very poor service.

Worldwide Aquarium and Pet Center

They seem to take good care of the puppies and kittens. Fish are ok, I suppose. Their reptile area is below typical pet shop standards though. They keep many of their amphibians too warm and have a small selection of snakes. Many times I've visited they don't have pinkies or small mice in stock. I'd buy frozen if they offered them.

The store is large but nothing special; sometimes merchandise is dusty, and the staff are not knowledgable in exotics.

I'd probably continue to buy supplies or fish there, but reluctant to buy live herps.

Ceramic Shop

The Ceramic Shop might be one of Phillys best kept secrets. Nestled in the old Oliver Knitting Factory in Port Richmond, it is not just a wholesaler; they rent affordable studio space to clay artists ($160/mo. at present), conduct beginner and intermediate classes; and also carry a nice selection of tools, clay bodies, kilns, wheels, and glazes in their retail shop. My class experience is limited to working with Brooke Hine; she is a patient and proficient instructor. I've taken her "beginner" class 3 times. Regardless of my unusual ceramic experimentation -- from the wheel... to handbuilding... to making turtle spas or lizard condos... or throwing bird feeders... or making a clock...Brooke has always been supportive and her experience valuable. I've taken classes elsewhere and spent a month making nothing but vases <yawn>. It is unusual to have a MFA instructor in a small community ceramics class and I'm sure all the students appreciate Brooke and the Ceramic Shop as much as I do. I've observed the interactions among some of the studio artists and the shop management and everyone seems to get along well and the owner actually meets with the studio artists periodically for their input and collaboration. While not exactly "World Class" this unique studio in Philly deserves your attention and 5 stars.

Eppie's Tire Svc

Eppies has been a favorite tire place for my family for decades. Their retail store is on Bustleton between (Grant and Welsh) ...I think their warehouse is listed above.

They are very informal; the place looks like crap; but they KNOW tires. I've bought at least a dozen sets over the years, including run-flats and wheels with internal telemetry transmitters. Jay always makes sure everything is perfect and even the flat fixer techs are efficient and tollerate my request for "no airgun" mounting (I switch my wheels around occasionally and need to get them off by hand!)

They even repaired my bent alloy wheels (most places would not attempt it --they would just sell you new wheels.)

Prices on tires and wheels are good; prices on car repairs are slightly on the high side, I think.

And they are as polite to me in my 92 Talon as they are to someone in a new BMW.

Nypd Pizza

A nice local spot; good pizza and a fair selection of other Italian items. Slices available and limited seating inside for dining.

The place is clean and bright and the folks are generally friendly.

Portions are good and the quality is 4 out of 5.

Utrecht Art Supply

This place has a really nice selection and knowledgeable sales people. Sometimes I find better pricing online, but I tend to go back to Utrecht for their advice.

Springboard Media

I've shopped at Springboard on occasion (got an iPod and an FM transmitter) and really didn't interact with the staff much.

But when I needed to learn quickly what I needed for a video editing system, they were terrific. I especially remember Eric and Martin answered all my questions and I eventually purchased two G5 Final Cut Pro systems and gobs of accessories.

They even delivered it all to my work (Jefferson Hospital)

Pep Boys

I've been an occasional Pep Boys customer for decades. While I wouldn't take a car there for diagnostics or any complex repair, I would trust them to change the oil or replace brakes, etc.

I recently purchased a $70, 12v electronic battery charger for a 12 volt AGM solar battery I use for a backup in my home. Because the battery is connected in a circuit, the electronic battery charger didn't work right. I took it back 20 minutes later and they exchanged it. I told them I didn't want another one, but they insisted. Tried the second one --same exact problem.

Returned again and asked for a refund. Spoke to the store manager, too. It seems that Pep Boys has a "NO Refund" policy on "anything usable" (whatever that means.)

So I'm stuck with a store credit and little incentive to ever shop there again.

If they posted this no refund policy, I think that would have been fair. Why a secret no refund policy? Who expects a retailer to have a no refund policy? Even eBay is better!

I could have made the purchase at Sears, or any of a number of places that do not have such a Draconian policy.

Verizon Residential

I had a old fashioned landline telephone for many years at my home. For the past 4-5 years, I would have static on the line. Sometime so terrible that I couldn't use the phone. It was worse during bad weather. I reported it dozens of times. Sometimes it would improve for a few days but never actually solved. They checked the inside and outside wires many times. One repair tech said I probably needed a new outside cable run but the company hates to do that due to cost, etc. Anyway I got tired of using my cell phone as my primary telephone at home, so now I have Vonage (via my cable Internet) and it is wonderful. Audio is way better than the static-ridden copper line! Wish I did this years ago. My Verizon landline was $40 ish /mo. and Vonage is just $17 plus tax./mo.