Customer Service

How do we determine customer service?  That's truly a hard question. 

What will make you go back somewhere even if the product wasn't great?

What will make you NOT go back someplace even if the product was AWESOME?

CUSTOMER SERVICE

I'm gonna review a few places I went this weekend and tell you why I will or won't go back


J GILBERTS  - this place is very near my house and they have INCREDIBLE lobster macaroni and cheese.  They also have some pretty good happy hour specials.  What keeps me going back are the fascinating people I meet there.  They are usually all locals to my residential area, which is why I went this evening.   My apartment complex was doing a meet and greet happy hour there.  I didn't, however, hang out with anyone from my apartment.  Instead, I met Frank.  All the employees knew Frank by name.  I guess you could say he goes there often.   I think this is going to be the place I want them to call me by name when I arrive.   I'll keep you posted on this one.

Public Bar - after an hour and a half of working out AND another hour of Spin Class, my girlfriend who was in town from overseas wanted to watch the Wisconsin college football game.  So...she looked up online who was showing it.  While it was an Ohio viewing party, I guess you can say we crashed the party.   It was an adorable little place with STEEP stairs (if you are clumsly, don't go to this establishment).  Granted they were catering to the college crowd during Saturday game day in November BUT...it took 40 minutes to get our food.   We ended ordering drinks at the bar because a waitress never came around to take our order.   Clearly we did not look the college groupies, but I still think we deserved good service.   I think I would go back because the food was decent and the atmosphere was awesome, but if I get service like that again, I might think twice.   Oh...they also have an awesome rooftop seating with tvs too, but they weren't showing the Michigan up there so we opted for inside.

GYMBOREE - My all time favorite store for children's clothing.  I know you may be thinking...all time one of the most expensive children's clothing stores, but I beg to differ.  While I am a rewards holder for Gymboree, I do not seem to get any promotional stuff in the mail about sales, etc.   So, I go in when I need to get something for one of the nieces and nephews or close family friends, but that's it.  I have yet to go into Gymboree when thye are NOT having a sale.  Today...I found 3 shirts for my nephew for under $5 each.   I found an outfit (pants and shirt) for under $15.   The thing that makes me coming back (besides the quality of the clothes and the constant sales) is the friendliness of the staff.  They are so quick to welcome you into the store and ask if they can help you find something.   They are always smiling and always happy to tell you about  their current promotions.  And if they don't , trust me, you'll find out soon enough!

Jack and Janie - I was really hoping to find some cute kids clothes in the store and to be asked if I needed anything so I could hurry the shopping process along.  When I walked into the store, no one greeted me or said Hello.   I walked by 3 employees chit chatting in a corner but none of they even said "hey" to me.    I didn't feel like I belonged there.   I didn't feel like I was welcome.   Instead, I felt like I was intruding.   After the way I was treated today, it will be a long time before I go back to a Jack and Jannie.   Love their stuff but you have to make me feel welcome when I walk in.

That's it for now...this time change thing is really kicking my back.