Chalk up another odd customer service experience to greed and bad decision making.
SHAME on the Chevron station at Ponce and Piedmont. Not only is their gas a full 20+ cents more than other local stations (YAY QT and Kroger)...but - on my way to meeting someone I encountered the MOST absurd thing I have in ages.
Ridiculous greed.
I put some gas in my car - as I was in a time crunch on the way to the airport to pick up a friend. I noticed a reduced rate for a car wash with purchase and since I haven't washed my car in months (per Mayor Shirley and Governor Sonny) - I thought I'd get it cleaned. So - I told the gentleman behind the plexi-wall that I wanted $10 gas and the $4 express wash (normally $5)...
When he told me that that wash was a rinse only - my jaw dropped. Nowhere NOWHERE did any signage mention that. In fact - the express was to include a "velvet brush wash" or some verbiage like that and a "spot free rinse" or such per the sign on the pump and at the counter...
SO - how would any car wash in any kind of good faith charge $4 to spray a car with water? AND - the sign clearly indicated a "wash" of some kind. Simple, pollen season greed.
I got $5 gas and left. Dirty and disgusted. Have you ever?
SHAME ON CHEVRON AT PONCE & PIEDMONT!!!!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
TGI-feeling good-F!!!
"Birds flying high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Reeds driftin' on by you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good"
Amidst all the tsuris and mishigaas of life...a ray of sunshine...
A great customer service experience with Texas Health Credit Union. A beautiful conversation with my treasured friend Jose Perales that made me cry [did I have a mini-stroke?]. A laugh-filled morning coffee with a glorious ray of sunshine Miss Tiffany Davis. A stunning day in Atlanta...
I'm embraced by a complete sense of well-being and joy. No worries about being doughy... no worries of money issues [not enough dough - LOL]... no worries about work issues... Just a sense of calm and happiness.
How cool.
And...I'm, indeed, feeling good.
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Reeds driftin' on by you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good"
Amidst all the tsuris and mishigaas of life...a ray of sunshine...
A great customer service experience with Texas Health Credit Union. A beautiful conversation with my treasured friend Jose Perales that made me cry [did I have a mini-stroke?]. A laugh-filled morning coffee with a glorious ray of sunshine Miss Tiffany Davis. A stunning day in Atlanta...
I'm embraced by a complete sense of well-being and joy. No worries about being doughy... no worries of money issues [not enough dough - LOL]... no worries about work issues... Just a sense of calm and happiness.
How cool.
And...I'm, indeed, feeling good.
Monday, April 14, 2008
K is for Kirkwood...
As with any great city, Atlanta is lousy with little, up-and-coming neighborhoods where bungalows are being rehabbed and nifty destinations pop up. Little Five Points is probably the precursor to many of the small ‘hoods – most close to the I-20 corridor. East Atlanta Village is an established destination. Now – Kirkwood is coming into its own.
The neighborhood – east of Moreland Avenue on Hosea Williams Drive - can trace its beginnings to “suburban” development in the late 1800s. By the early 20th century, streetcars connected – what was then considered a suburb – to Atlanta.
Incorporated as an independent municipality in 1899 – the charming neighborhood is now part of the city and boasts several buildings nominated for the National Register of Historic Places.
I stumbled across the neighborhood caffeinating with the groovy Miss Tiffany Davis at Gathering Grounds. Officially one of my favorite Atlanta coffee spots, their foodstuffs aren’t necessarily stellar – but the vibe, comfort-level and service is!
Fuel Pizza is a neighborhood pioneer that I've heard great things about. AND - it looks like another new place is going in next to it. Ace's looks like a rockin' spot and seems to have a great brunch.
In one of Atlanta's ubiquitous mixed-use developments a hip restaurant/music venue called Vinocity Winebar has landed (having left Midtown).
In addition to a broad menu and well-curated wine selection - this lofty, two-story spot has occasional live music and will soon feature a wine store as well! I had the fortunate occasion of dining their recently. The service rocked. My dining pal (HEY JANIS!) and I split a couple of apps with great, tart lemon drop martinis {forego the sugar rim!}. I thought the duck confit had a strange aftertaste. The crabcakes were, however, swell! Next time I HAVE to try the deconstructed pulled pork ravioli! When it came time for entrees - Janis enjoyed the Chicken Roulade - which was sauced with a lush reduction (a rosemary jus - perhaps?) and served with killer mac and cheese! I chose the evening's special. Sort of a stuffed steak Oscar - if you will. The asparagus was perfectly al dente - especially for large stalks - and the steak itself was DELICIOUS - cooked to order and full of grilled flavor. Did we have dessert? Well - yes. I devoured [DEVOURED] a delightful carrot cake and Janis coveted her bread pudding. Great wine pairings and AMAZING music rounded out the evening. I'll be damned if I can recall the singer's name. Sort of a cross between Jamiroquai and The Style Council. Neat space. Nice people. The wildly diverse crowd - from a fun group of rowdy GRLZ to the Japanese birthday party and unfortunate Hilton Head-style fella in the whale-embroidered shorts and topsiders - lent a welcoming, inclusive vibe.
In the same development - which helps anchor the "downtown" is a gorgeous little gourmet shop - Le Petit Marche. While a wee bit spendy - it's a beautiful collection of foods and some staples as well as a little sandwich bar.
In addition, Mission Motif - a great home furnishings and lighting store focused exclusively on the myriad of Mission and Craftsman bungalows of Atlanta is there. More shops - including Arden's Garden and Kirkwood Feed & Seed, a new public library and the East Lake Station stop on Marta - make it accessible. Affordable housing - by most accounts - helps make it an intriguing destination - and one more Atlanta neighborhood to explore.
The neighborhood – east of Moreland Avenue on Hosea Williams Drive - can trace its beginnings to “suburban” development in the late 1800s. By the early 20th century, streetcars connected – what was then considered a suburb – to Atlanta.
Incorporated as an independent municipality in 1899 – the charming neighborhood is now part of the city and boasts several buildings nominated for the National Register of Historic Places.
I stumbled across the neighborhood caffeinating with the groovy Miss Tiffany Davis at Gathering Grounds. Officially one of my favorite Atlanta coffee spots, their foodstuffs aren’t necessarily stellar – but the vibe, comfort-level and service is!
Fuel Pizza is a neighborhood pioneer that I've heard great things about. AND - it looks like another new place is going in next to it. Ace's looks like a rockin' spot and seems to have a great brunch.
In one of Atlanta's ubiquitous mixed-use developments a hip restaurant/music venue called Vinocity Winebar has landed (having left Midtown).
In addition to a broad menu and well-curated wine selection - this lofty, two-story spot has occasional live music and will soon feature a wine store as well! I had the fortunate occasion of dining their recently. The service rocked. My dining pal (HEY JANIS!) and I split a couple of apps with great, tart lemon drop martinis {forego the sugar rim!}. I thought the duck confit had a strange aftertaste. The crabcakes were, however, swell! Next time I HAVE to try the deconstructed pulled pork ravioli! When it came time for entrees - Janis enjoyed the Chicken Roulade - which was sauced with a lush reduction (a rosemary jus - perhaps?) and served with killer mac and cheese! I chose the evening's special. Sort of a stuffed steak Oscar - if you will. The asparagus was perfectly al dente - especially for large stalks - and the steak itself was DELICIOUS - cooked to order and full of grilled flavor. Did we have dessert? Well - yes. I devoured [DEVOURED] a delightful carrot cake and Janis coveted her bread pudding. Great wine pairings and AMAZING music rounded out the evening. I'll be damned if I can recall the singer's name. Sort of a cross between Jamiroquai and The Style Council. Neat space. Nice people. The wildly diverse crowd - from a fun group of rowdy GRLZ to the Japanese birthday party and unfortunate Hilton Head-style fella in the whale-embroidered shorts and topsiders - lent a welcoming, inclusive vibe.
In the same development - which helps anchor the "downtown" is a gorgeous little gourmet shop - Le Petit Marche. While a wee bit spendy - it's a beautiful collection of foods and some staples as well as a little sandwich bar.
In addition, Mission Motif - a great home furnishings and lighting store focused exclusively on the myriad of Mission and Craftsman bungalows of Atlanta is there. More shops - including Arden's Garden and Kirkwood Feed & Seed, a new public library and the East Lake Station stop on Marta - make it accessible. Affordable housing - by most accounts - helps make it an intriguing destination - and one more Atlanta neighborhood to explore.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
The NEW home of the Whopper...
What a cool concept.
Many fast food chains have dabbled in brand extensions with mixed results - JBX Bistro from Jack in the Box...Market Fresh by Arbys (I - for one - am a big fan of this concept, especially with addition of reasonably priced hand-tossed salads - hear me Chop't?)...Boston Market Grill...and McDonald's myriad of tester concepts. Well - BK has developed a new concept that showcases their signature sandwich.
Welcome the Whopper Bar.
Sexy design...stepped up options...developed for limited footprint spaces - the new concept exalts the sandwich that their recent ad campaign showed has engendered deep consumer loyalty - The Whopper. Imagine a smaller, sexier Fuddrucker's...
The image shows dark wood...stainless steel...flatscreen images of fire (flame-broiled, after all)...it will likely include an open, interactive "build-your-own" option for consumers who really want it their way.
A smart, fun, updated, fresh way to invigorate the 51-year-old icon. Can't wait!
Many fast food chains have dabbled in brand extensions with mixed results - JBX Bistro from Jack in the Box...Market Fresh by Arbys (I - for one - am a big fan of this concept, especially with addition of reasonably priced hand-tossed salads - hear me Chop't?)...Boston Market Grill...and McDonald's myriad of tester concepts. Well - BK has developed a new concept that showcases their signature sandwich.
Welcome the Whopper Bar.
Sexy design...stepped up options...developed for limited footprint spaces - the new concept exalts the sandwich that their recent ad campaign showed has engendered deep consumer loyalty - The Whopper. Imagine a smaller, sexier Fuddrucker's...
The image shows dark wood...stainless steel...flatscreen images of fire (flame-broiled, after all)...it will likely include an open, interactive "build-your-own" option for consumers who really want it their way.
A smart, fun, updated, fresh way to invigorate the 51-year-old icon. Can't wait!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Boy - Seth + Amy are busy this week...concealed weapons on MARTA? REALLY?!
Unfortunately - as we deal with traffic and sprawl - Georgia lawmakers have given drivers reason to avoid MARTA...
According to HB257 - Georgians with concealed weapons permits would be allowed to carry guns on MARTA and into restaurants as long as they don't imbibe... yeah - that's a good rule. So easy to enforce.
This is embarrassing - and scary!
According to HB257 - Georgians with concealed weapons permits would be allowed to carry guns on MARTA and into restaurants as long as they don't imbibe... yeah - that's a good rule. So easy to enforce.
This is embarrassing - and scary!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
re: "The Finger"
I'm relieved to say - it was indeed a fan-freakin'-tastic April Fool's prank!
Whew!
Let icons be icons...
Whew!
Let icons be icons...
Note to Nestle: per Seth + Amy - "REALLY!?!?"
After 80 years as Butterfinger (remember Bart admonishing all those tempted not to lay a finger on his Butterfinger?) - the marketing and brand management gurus at Nestle have decided to change the name to "The Finger." So unless this is an elaborate April Fool's Day gesture, I say...
Really?!?!
Apparently this was studied for 2 years and consumers found the old name represented "undesirable traits." It's the name of a freakin' candy bar. Now after 80 years and 2 years of corporate fiddling (analysis paralysis), the name makes me think of unpleasant traffic gestures... I am sure there's a tongue in cheek nod to that in some smug marketers mind [or 04/01 joke]. It sounds - to me - somewhat uncivilized.
Why not embrace Butterfinger's clumsy connotation and have commercials featuring surprise celebs catching and tearing into a fumbled bar? How - now after 80 years - does the name imply that it's candy for only clumsy people [this according to Nestle research]???
Really?!?!
Just like spelling quick with a "K" and a "W" it just seems like one more dumbing down of an American icon.
What's next?
-Milky Way - becomes "WAY!" I can hear it now... "No way!??! WAY!"
-Charleston Chew is - The CHEW
-M+Ms become M's
-Since few young consumers really know about Baby Ruth - it's now just Baby..."Baby got nougat."
-Similarly Oh Henry becomes ChocoRod. What? It's still a baseball reference - right?! A. Rod?
Just not buyin' it. As we shorten every product name and spelling and smart-ass up the identities of iconic brands we lose a little bit of American consumer history and we inch ever further away from being the civilized bunch we think we are. God forbid someone have to crack open a dictionary or look at a map.
I, for one, won't be begging for anyone to give me "The Finger."
[If it isn't a joke, it, sadly, comes as little surprise...]
Really?!?!
Apparently this was studied for 2 years and consumers found the old name represented "undesirable traits." It's the name of a freakin' candy bar. Now after 80 years and 2 years of corporate fiddling (analysis paralysis), the name makes me think of unpleasant traffic gestures... I am sure there's a tongue in cheek nod to that in some smug marketers mind [or 04/01 joke]. It sounds - to me - somewhat uncivilized.
Why not embrace Butterfinger's clumsy connotation and have commercials featuring surprise celebs catching and tearing into a fumbled bar? How - now after 80 years - does the name imply that it's candy for only clumsy people [this according to Nestle research]???
Really?!?!
Just like spelling quick with a "K" and a "W" it just seems like one more dumbing down of an American icon.
What's next?
-Milky Way - becomes "WAY!" I can hear it now... "No way!??! WAY!"
-Charleston Chew is - The CHEW
-M+Ms become M's
-Since few young consumers really know about Baby Ruth - it's now just Baby..."Baby got nougat."
-Similarly Oh Henry becomes ChocoRod. What? It's still a baseball reference - right?! A. Rod?
Just not buyin' it. As we shorten every product name and spelling and smart-ass up the identities of iconic brands we lose a little bit of American consumer history and we inch ever further away from being the civilized bunch we think we are. God forbid someone have to crack open a dictionary or look at a map.
I, for one, won't be begging for anyone to give me "The Finger."
[If it isn't a joke, it, sadly, comes as little surprise...]
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