Author |
Message |
Alwayzmovin
Member
11-06-2003
| Monday, February 09, 2009 - 7:56 pm
Well I fired off an email to the corporate office of the motel chain and they replied back saying, they were checking things out with the motel and would get back to me. We'll see what happens.
|
Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Monday, February 09, 2009 - 8:34 pm
cool, keep us posted and you should tell us the name of the chain so they can get good or bad publicity depending on their response 
|
Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Monday, February 09, 2009 - 9:06 pm
Alwayz...give them a week to respond, then fire off another letter. Don't let them think they've pacified you with the form letter version of "we'll look into it" crap. I've had far too many companies try to blow me off with that line, thus the "crap" reference. Of course, they could be legit, but just saying, be on your toes and keep on them. Don't let them get away with it. When Safeway erroneously accused my Mom of stealing cigarettes (they admitted their error, only to ID her as a potential thief later), I got the same old "we'll pass your letter to the appropriate manager" response to my letter. I e-mailed them back and said nothing short of a personal phone call from the manager himself, complete with apology to my mom would suffice, and that maybe....just MAYBE...we might consider patronizing their store again (I included a history of our spending at that store). We got the phone call and apology!
|
Gumby
Member
08-14-2004
| Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 4:25 pm
My gripe is that I checked this thread earlier today and ever since I've read Serates gripe from February 4th at 9:56 am, I can't get that stupid stupid stupid song out of my head. Thanks a bunch Serate 
|
Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 6:40 pm
You are quite welcome Gumby. Would you like me to see if I could find a youtube of it? 
|
Gumby
Member
08-14-2004
| Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 8:44 am
Gosh, it would be like Christmas all over again if you could. Thanks so much.
|
Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 2:22 pm
Grumble grumble! When I was a kid, even in high school, we had several small bookstores around town. Loved the one I went to. They knew their regulars and most people were regulars! I'd go in once a week with my baby sitting money and she'd ask how I liked the last book I bought, offer suggestions for the next or tell me when one of my favorite authors had a new book out. Then Walden bookstore came to town with their bigger store, more books, preferred reader cards. The little stores were out of business a year or two later. I got used to Waldens. They had a decent selection, good prices, and were quick to order something if they didn't have it in stock. They didn't really offer personal service, didn't know your name, couldn't offer up suggestions unless you gave them a list of authors you liked but it was still a pretty decent store. Then Barnes and Noble came along. Now, I'll admit I love B&N, books as far as the eye can see and they almost always have what you're looking for. But, they're in Palmdale and it's quite a drive so I don't go all that often. Waldens lasted a year or two and then they turned into a Borders and there's my gripe. I hate that place. Everytime I go in there their selection has shrunk even further. I went in today for three books and they didn't have any of them. Thought I'd check what they had new in Sci-Fi/Fantasy...that section has shrunk to two little racks of books. Horror...none, they had some Dean Koontz mixed in in the mystery/thriller section but that was all I saw. I didn't even bother to ask them to order what I wanted, last time I did that it took 3 weeks to come in. I'd recieved a gift card for Christmas for Borders, used part of it last month on an organizer and had $8 left over (which is why I was there today) and walked out without spending it. So that's my gripe...big stores come in and little stores close, then big stores stop carrying what put the little ones out of business. Was the same way with Walmart and the fabric stores, now if I want fabric, I have to drive to Palmdale.
|
Yesitsme
Member
08-24-2004
| Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 3:16 pm
Yeah, I know what you mean Wargod. And I know I am part of the problem. I can browse for hours in little ole bookstores and not buy. But then I buy the book on Amazon.com. There I can read what everyone else thinks about it, read a chapter, then when I order it I get one that noone has pawed through (unless I want a used one, in which case I get a discount.) And I am bad at not making quick decisions shopping, but then when I am ready I want it done! But at least I am not a major book buyer so I don't do too much damage....I am a library girl and they have gotten even better over the years!!!! My personal gripe at the moment is that I went to the eye doctor today and they dilated my eyes and they still aren't working correctly. And I have to drive to a meeting in a few minutes.
|
Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 3:18 pm
You be careful, Yes. I agree that the smaller bookstores were wonderful but I am a happy camper in any bookstore. I love our Borders. I could stay in there for days and that's no lie. Books are my addiction.
|
Sugar
Member
08-15-2000
| Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 9:35 pm
I managed Waldenbooks for years. My staff and I knew many of our customers by name and what they enjoyed reading. We had the most popular Recommends program in our district. You can't find a bookstore in a mall anymore. First B Daltons left and now Waldenbooks. Frankly, upper management became quite top heavy and pretty much ruined their businesses, especially focusing on Borders and Barnes & Noble. Most of the managers and staff I worked with loved the book aspects of the job. Sadly it became too much about magazines, PR cards, cutting hours (despite the mall being open the same # of hours each week) and not reacting quickly to diminish old non selling stock and getting what your store needed. I was ruthless of either getting rid of old stock or limiting some core titles. Most stores don't need 3-5 copies of all popular authors backstock on the shelves. Mall stores simply do not have the space. Nor is there the demand for such. And then all the nonsense with tons of bookmarks, journals, itsy bitsy books, music cd's and crap around the cashwrap.... The stuff simply didn't sell, would hurt your year end #'s. I had million dollar stores yet #'s could suffer due to the # of items per transaction, # of non PR sales, PR sales, average transaction price... Once bookstores stopped being about books and became superstores with coffee, music, magazines, bargain books, dvd's, cards, gift wrap etc they lost a lot. They no longer have space for books. I have friends who were former WB mgrs who now manage Borders and they are not happy. I think the biggest problem is they simply do not want to staff the stores. I do agree Wargod that it seems oddly difficult to find some titles in the larger stores. The size of some sections is pitiful, yet there are rows of magazines, cards and remaindered junk. Now I realize that some bookmarks, journals, magazines, etc and a cup of coffee are not bad things. They have, however, overtaken the books.
|
Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 10:22 pm
Sugar, that's funny you mention that, I was going to post about all the crap they have (candy, cards, board games, stationary, etc) but thought that may be more of a local thing. There was a whole lot more of the crap than of books. Once the smaller stores went out of business, our Waldens was so busy all the time (didn't help that at the time that was the only book store left in town.) I don't think the employees had the time to get too personal with the customers. And Sugar, now that you mention it, I realize you are right! Both Waldens and B Dalton are gone from our mall. I have no idea how long they've been gone (don't go to the mall that often) though I did notice it the last time I was there and didn't really think too much about it. I love B&N, and I did enjoy Waldens but yep, preferred the smaller stores. When I can I shop at any smaller store. I love my bead store (owned by a local family) though I will go to Michaels if I need something the bead store doesn't carry. Always shopped at the small fabric stores until they were gone. There's a local produce store thats totally awesome. And now with Caleb interested in his guitar playing, we've found a small music store that's great (I can buy picks and strings and books at Walmart and Target, but like the small store better.) I just prefer to shop stores that are locally owned and smaller when I can mainly so it doesn't end up like with the fabric store situation (which still ticks me off.)
|
Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 10:32 pm
Merry Christmas Gumby! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5oN4Z0Qe9E
|
Gumby
Member
08-14-2004
| Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 5:48 pm
Thanks so much Serate. You're the best. I've put you at the top of my gift list for next year.
|
Alwayzmovin
Member
11-06-2003
| Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 6:24 pm
Ok...still haven't heard anything from the manager of the motel in Iowa. The name of the motel is the AmericInn, we really liked staying there before because they use lots of insulation so you don't hear "neighbor" noise or even hallway noise. Guess the next move is to fire another email!
|
Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 8:55 pm
Keep at 'em Alwayz! Maybe in the next e-mail mention that you are now mentioning them by name when you tell others of your bad experience, and their reluctance to resolve it. Many years ago, when I had to do everything by snail-mail (don't even know if e-mail was a thing then, LOL). Sears had done me wrong, I fired off letters (I always deal with the corporate office first), only to get the "we'll pass along your info to the appropriate manager" garbage. So, after it had taken them months of no response, and a few more letters, I cut up my Sears card and included it in the final letter. I told them it was my final letter to them, the ball was in their court, and it was up to them to decide if they wanted me as a customer any longer. I had responses from the offending store's manager in a week. I got the issue resolved, and a 100$ Sears gift card to boot!
|
Sugar
Member
08-15-2000
| Monday, February 16, 2009 - 3:03 pm
Pizza! Yes, you read right my gripe is about pizza. I am a picky eater and only like a few toppings, cheese, canadian bacon, beef and the occasional pepperoni. Absolutely NO onions, mushrooms, peppers, olives, anchovies, hot sausage or anything of that ilk. It rarely fails that if a group of people decide to order pizza there are a lot of people who say, "Get everything." So those of us picky eaters put in the order for cheese or some other plain topping. When the pizza comes, the get everything people eat all the plain pizza and leave the icky kind. The last time this happened where I worked, I put that crappy pizza back and asked where the beef & cheese pizza was. "Oh, nobody wanted beef (I did), I guess the cheese is all gone. Everyone said to get everthing pizza" (Again, not everyone) So I asked, if that was what everyone wanted why was that the only one left? The person who ordered felt bad and gave me my $ back. She may have been out some $ but as I had no lunch I didn't feel too badly. Don't IM everyone asking what kind of pizza to order and then specifically ignore someone telling you they only eat X pizza and do not like Y pizza only to ignore them. The other people obviously eat cheese & beef pizza. If one persons order request is in the minority let them know so they may bow out of the pizza order. My supervisor IM'd me (she is deaf so we communicated via IM) asking me if I knew the pizza was here and to go get some. I replied that yes, I knew but wasn't eating as the cheese was all gone on I didn't care for what was left. She immediately typed back what a big pet peeve that was to her, so she was always the first in line when the delivery came so she was sure to get what she ordered. I told I her I would do the same in future.
|
Kitt
Member
09-06-2000
| Monday, February 16, 2009 - 3:28 pm
That's a big peeve of mine too Sugar! I'm vegetarian, so in a group people they usually get one veggie or cheese pizza and several meat ones, but when it comes to eating it everyone wants a slice and I have to force my way in to get any food!! If so many wanted it why did they order so many meat pizzas and only one cheese!?! Grrrr... I hear your pizza pain!
|
Texasdeb
Member
05-23-2003
| Monday, February 16, 2009 - 5:15 pm
my pizza peeve isn't so much about the toppings (I like any & everything excluding only anchovies) but I like thin crust. Everyone always wants to "sample" MY pizza choice too because it looks so good. That's the only pizza I take pieces from unless I go back when everyone is done to consolidate what's left. I may take a slice then of something other than my choice.
|
Christy358
Member
07-10-2007
| Monday, February 16, 2009 - 8:48 pm
You are all so right...the everything pizza is ALWAYS the one left over. Everyone will eat cheese, most will eat pepperoni. I am not picky about it at all, but have seen too many vegetarians go hungry. I just try to be the person who helps decide what to order.
|
Neko
Member
08-03-2001
| Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 9:20 am
My gripe is about people talking behind people's backs. Now, I understand venting. Sometimes you're so frustrated with someone and you know it's about something that isn't really a big deal but for some reason it's bothering you, so you vent to your mom, or your boyfriend, to someone that it doesn't really matter to them about what your saying because they know it's just venting. That's one thing. It's something else to talk about someone behind their back to acquaintances of theirs who will now have an idea of what kind of person they are based PURELY on what the person told them, rather than on who the person really is. I'm now quite sure that I have to end a friendship I've had with someone for 8 years over this. It's gotten to the point where she told at least one of her friends, an acquaintance of mine, to lie to me and say that he doesn't have room in his car for me for a skiing trip that was going on this weekend, because I'm "driving her crazy" and she "doesn't want to travel with me." I'm just tired of this. I only have 2 friends, and now I'm only down to one.
|
Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 9:41 am
Neko, people are <24>.. (That is what my dh just told my ds after ds told him of a situation yesterday where his so-called friends were bullying him. And, except he didn't use the word <24>.) And of course not all people are <24>. Don't sit and count your friends. Do activities that make you happy and you'll find friends as you are doing that. If you don't enjoy the people you work with (and for that matter the people you are hanging out with) then find something you are passionate about and volunteer, join a club or take a class... (ie volunteer to read to sick people at a nearby nursing home, or volunteer at an animal shelter. Sign up for a cooking class or join a photography club. Then people there will really get to know you and you will find yourself with many new friends. Just keep in mind, there are ALWAYS going to be those kind of people who will gossip and who might even stab you in the back. Just stay away from them. THere are a lot of good people out there too.
|
Beckie03
Member
07-05-2007
| Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 9:47 am
ah drama...it doesn't end like they say it does in high school. it continues because unfortunately, unless you hole yourself up in a room and talk to no one...someone in your life will continually try and start some type of drama. even if you get rid of that person...someone else will take their spot (you just won't know it upon first meeting). neko, not really sure what to say as i have had this same exact problem before. i've gotten to the point of where if someone believes something somebody else told them and doesn't want to get to know me based on that information...then it is their loss (not saying that this is your position, just want i have committed myself to). i will say...people only seem to talk trash about someone when a) that person screwed up royally and did something against that person (i.e. the girl cheated on her boyfriend, and the boyfriend talks trash on her) or b) the person is just jealous of something...which seems to be your case. like i said...i'm not really good about giving advice about this type of thing because i'm in the thick of it myself. i will said, just let whatever stupid sh*t she says slide off your back...and realize that you are better than that and whatever you do, don't put yourself on her level...she'll beat you with experience. lol. like a good quote i saw once said: if someone is talking behind your back, don't worry about, it just means that you are two steps ahead.
|
Neko
Member
08-03-2001
| Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 4:25 pm
If it was just this one time, it'd be one thing, but I know it's not. I'm not saying I'm completely amazing and the best person ever and she just is a *bleep*, I know I haven't done completely right by her either. But I also haven't gone and slandered her name to her friends behind her back. That was something I may have done back in high school, but I've got about 5 years out of that, and I'm feeling like she's not. I guess this isn't so much a gripe as venting and sadness. It never feels good when you realise that a friendship isn't really going to be a friendship anymore, and that you'll just fade out of each other's lives. It just sucks that this all has to go down right now, because I'm also moving out by myself in a week (hopefully), and will really feel truly alone then, and knowing that I'm a friend down, doesn't make the loneliness feel anymore bearable. This is the person I call whenever anything happens in my life, and to not have that source of comfort, that wall to bounce ideas off, right around this time when I'll really need her... It just sucks all around.
|
Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 5:19 pm
Neko, just remember, you have to be the one who ultimately can comfort yourself. Learn to be comfortable and happy without needing others to do so for you. That is the best advice I can give you.
|
Sugar
Member
08-15-2000
| Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 1:16 pm
Neko, if it bothers you that much, talk to your friend and let them know what was said and how it hurt you. As you are considering dropping the friendship, you have nothing to loose and you will be the one to tell them why you are either ending the friendship or let them know what are acceptable terms to remain friends. Your post indicates you are in your 20's. Believe me, things get much better as you grow older, you simply don't take or give much crap anymore.
|
|