GOOD customer service
At times, the comments on this blog tend to be a little negative. There is nothing inherently wrong with that, but it's nice to hear a positive comment now and then. That's why, for the first time ever, I'm starting a thread in which you can share stories of good customer service you've experienced at local stores, restaurants, etc.
We seem to love complaining about bad customer service (I know I sure do), but I think it is important to recognize good customer service when we experience it. So, here's your chance to thank that store clerk, waitress, or anyone else who has recently given you good customer service. Leave a positive comment for a change!
By the way, thanks to the reader(s) who suggested this type of thread a while back.
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53 comments:
I would like to say I had great customer service at Rydell's when I had to bring my vehicle in for warranty work. The service managers were excellent. I was told it would be 2 hours for the fix. 1 hour 45 minutes later I received a call telling me it was done. Rydell's gave me a ride home when I dropped the car off and picked me up when it was done. Very satisfied with Rydell's service.
Always excellent service at Red Lobster, no matter who the server is.
I love my tellers and bankers at Gate City Bank. Nicest most helpful people in town.
I have some good service stories, but I wanted to issue a warning to the potential danger of revealing a good service story.
I used to work on South Washington, and would often get my lunch via Hugo's deli. Then one day I went to Leever's deli and my loyalty shifted dramatically. The selection, serving size, and, most importantly, side dish options were so much better than Hugo's. After a while, I decided to express how much I valued Leever's deli and would sell their brand to friends. I did this in the form of a comment card. I believe that became my favorite lunch choice's downfall.
Not long after, the deli staff began to inform me that I could not choose from the cookie dessert or the macaroni salad, or most of the other sides I could once request. It was potato salad or cole slaw, just like Hugo's. The portions got a little smaller, too. I still think they have a decent selection and the portions have been somewhat revived. But, I just can't help but kick myself for apparently having spilled the beans on a good deal, to the wrong people at the wrong time.
Thus, a little compliment can sometimes be a bad move.
I love the guys at Odin's Belmont! Best service around.
Aurora Medical Center is top notch. My doctor wanted some blood drawn for testing. When I went to the lab because of a mix up my order was not there. The receptionist, think her name was Bobbi, was fantastic. She literally walked the problem through making a trip down the hall to get it down as quickly as possible. Didn't tell me to go here and there as so often has happened to me in the other GFK medical facitility.
Thanks Bobbi. Thanks Aurora. It is nice to be treated that way.
Interesting comment about Aurora. I have never gotten a "Hello," "Thank you," "Have a nice day," or even a smile from the intake people at Altru. I just don't understand why some people, especially groups of people doing the same work, need to be so grumpy. Is your job that bad?
Uh oh, here I go with the negativity again.
I get EXCELLENT service from everybody at Charles Bridgeford, DDS, especially Dr. Bridgeford himself. Most unlike the accusatory Q&A session given to my wife and me by John Clayburgh, DDS. That guy was something else (and not in a good way).
ODIN's on Belmont is probably the best and most honest auto service in town. If it happens they can't do it, they'll tell you who can and won't try to make more out of it.
Bridgeford and his staff are really nice!!! I agree. His assistants and secretaries are VERY nice.
Porpoura coffee shop. A few weeks back I was looking for a place to hold a meeting/gathering of people. To make a long story less long, the manager and owner went out of their way to accomodate our needs. The staff was simply wonderful and their committment to community is very impressive. I have to say a little about the atmosphere--fun and very comfortable. Thanks to them for a job well done.
I have had excellent service and care at Altru Family Medicine for my entire family for years-especially Dr Bakke.
What do you think about the customer service at Alerus Fiancial?
I think its great!!! Always helpful and answer all the questions I might have.
I agree with Red Lobster...a cut above local restaurants in service. Friendly, but not overly familiar, professional, and consistently so.
Cast another vote for Red Lobster.
And, at risk of sounding redundant, also the predictably excellent waitstaff at the Big Sioux.
And there are more than a few doctors who still relate well to their patients; Drs. Weiser, Funk, and Rathbone immediately come to mind---all who've gone out of their way to improve others lifestyle.
Dr Stayman at NVFM is a great physician. He is friendly and takes the time to listen.
Larry at Perkins on Columbia is one of the best waiters I have ever had.
I think TRUDY at bronze boot is thee best ever waitress in this town ever.
Is "TRUDY at bronze boot" the older German woman? If so, she told my dining companion that she MUST have stuffing on her turkey dinner plate, because that's how the kitchen prepares it. I don't mean we were looking for a substitution. I just mean all she wanted was no side dish on the plate because she couldn't eat it. Hell, we even said it could be put on a side dish, just not on the entree plate. But this server (Trudy?) insisted that the stuffing HAS TO BE ON THE PLATE! No concern for celiac disease, where any mingling of edible food with wheat-based food can make a person very sick.
Yup, that sounds like awesome service!
Coffee Guy-
Caught you complaining again. GF Guy wants us to say nice things!
I just wanted to share my thoughts on "best ever waitress in this town ever."
I've already given you a few examples of great service.
The cashiers at Target are always polite and friendly. And I've mentioned it before, but all the folks at Martinizing Cleaners are much nicer than anybody I ever encountered at the other place.
The staff at New Panda have always been friendly to us.
Altrus's family medicine residency has staff in all areas of the clinic that are friendly and respectful. Dr Philpot is the best doctor I have ever been to.
Here's my take...
Altru's service depends on what doctor or staff member you end up encountering. I take my mother to her appointments when my father doesn't feel like going, since she doesn't like to drive in the winter. Daniel Walsh, MD (in the Cancer Center) is honest and respectful.
I haven't been to Aurora, though my parents have, so I'll get that insight soon.
I agree about Odin's having top notch service.
Kudos -
Gateway auto tech. Wouldn't trust my car (a Toyota) anywhere else. All my other friends with import vehicles all swear by that shop as well.
Dr. Warren Jensen - by far the most helpful and competent faculty member at UND Aerospace. Simply incredible guy.
Jeremy,
Re: Dr. Jensen - seconded!
He was one of, if not my best, prof at UND.
Any comments on insurance agents in town??? I'm in the market for a new one, but find most to be pushy and arrogant... I'd like to find someone who is more friendly and eager to help.
Call Eric Pearson at Country Insurance. He has NEVER been pushy with us. He's very laid back and friendly, as is his wife who works with him. He even came over to the house to help finalize paperwork when we moved in because he knew we were too busy to go to his office.
He seems like a guy who truly appreciates his clients.
523 DEMERS AVE
GRAND FORKS, ND 58201-4528
701-787-5433
Second Eric Pearson at Country Insurance. Simply a very polite and helpful agent. Never will I do business with Geiko again.
Geico*
Other than the bloggers I recognize (jgs, coffee guy, dale, etc.) how do we know businesses aren't fluffing their own reputations?
We don't. Caveat emptor, e pluribus unum, and habeas corpus.
Thanks for the tip on insurance coffee guy... I've gone to the wrong person before and found out the hard way that they are hard to get rid of once you decide not to go with them for service.
No problem. We have homeowners with him, and auto with somebody else--somebody we've had for 20 years. Eric asked if we wanted to get his rates for car insurance, but only asked once or twice while we were setting up the homeowners. Never pressured us, then he just dropped the idea when he realized we were staying where we were.
When altru has over 3,000 employees of course your service is going to vary from staff member to staff member there is no way to replicate one good worker.
And also back to the fact that they employ 3,000 people lets not be so hard one of our cities largest employers.
I will reiterate how wonderful the service is at Odin's on Belmont, and also how lovely it is to trust the people who take care of your car.
Dave Mahar at United Valley Bank is one of the best bank employees I've ever worked with.
I don't know how much this relates to customer service, but the music and drama teachers at Red River High School and the Summer Performing Arts Company (Dean Opp, Brad Sherwood, Tom Young, Connie Sherwood, Maria Williams Kennedy, Angie Black Erickson, and Mike Weber, specifically) have done so much for the Grand Forks community. They seriously change lives. Just think of all the trouble those kids could be in if they weren't involved in theatre! It keeps many doing something productive, as opposed to drinking their high school years away.
Best dentist and crew in town- Steve Swanson
Best bank- American Federal
"And also back to the fact that they employ 3,000 people lets not be so hard one of our cities largest employers."
Why? That's stupid.
Well the Red Lobster good service would not suprise me at all. I have worked there for way too many years on and off, although I have not worked at the one in Grand Forks. It is their policy that a server can only have so many tables so that every customer gets so much attention. Also during busy times there is a manager at the front of the house and the back of the house. And many other policies that a server has to follow in order to upkeep Darden's reputation.
In good service I pretty much always get good service at Big Sioux Cafe.
The bartenders at Rhombus Guys have always been friendly and helpful to me. Props.
I don't frequent retail establishments much, but I'll keep my eye out.
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www.campusdakota.com
Best dentist/oral surgeon Dr. Greg Frokjer. By the way all 5 complaints against him dismissed by Judge Alan Hoberg. greenglass4.
Here, here for the Summer Performing Arts comment!
Not a summer goes by when I dont pine for the days when I was a student actor with SPA back in the early-mid 90's.
As for changing people's lives, I couldn't agree more. It pulled me from football to the stage, and I have never looked back since. I became a theatre major at UND because of SPA, and I joined Second City in Chicago because of SPA, and finally, I am a professional improv-er because of SPA.
There isn't a better place for local youths to get a quality arts and entertainment education, for cheaper, I might add, than SPA.
Hats off to Dean Opp, Brad Sherwood and company for their years and years of hard work!
Thank you, gentlemen!
Re Altru -- I've gotten some good customer service from them and some bad. It does seem like a lot of the business office people really hate their jobs.
My husband went to urgent care at Aurora and raved about the receptionist, nurse and MD he saw, very happy with their service.
Always excellent care from the nursing staff, though, both in the clinics and the hospital.
Fantastic customer service from the office staff at Riverclinic in EGF. The North Valley staff is very friendly too.
Always GREAT service from the wait staff and bartenders at Whitey's.
I bank at Citizens Community Credit Union. I've always had good experiences with the tellers and with the loan rep when we refinanced a car loan through them. If we ever re-fi the house, that's where we'll go. It's also helpful now that they have a new Wal-Mart location.
Checkers auto parts!!
I went in for a bulb for my low beams and for new wiper blades...
They gave me exactly what I needed and did the install for me in the parking lot!!
I will spend all my "auto-parts" money at Checker for the rest of my life.
I nominate GFG and this blog.
Heck, it's the only blog that gets regular service from the boss, and with a positive stroke at that.
O:)
Ahhh...you're too kind, Charlie. :)
Texas Roadhouse has been consistant with good timely, friendly, quality service; for the fact it is a steak house.
Rhoumbus guys were also equally notable.
I like Starbucks on Washington. Not only do they serve good drinks, but the employees there are always friendly and attentive. They will answer any question you have. Thanks Starbucks on Washington Street.
I had a really great experience with the girls at Party America this last weekend. They went out of their way to help me find something that their were sold out of in Fargo.
Auto service
Olson Auto just off Washington and Dyke. Rod and company won't steer you wrong, definitely do not overcharge you like the dealerships, and even take the time out to explain nearly everything that was done in ways that are understandable for someone who doesn't know anything about cars.
Insurance
Tom Lerud - American Family. Quick, efficient, resourceful and considerate.
Dining
Phyllis @ Paradiso. By far the best server in all of Grand Forks! She remembers nearly everyone that she gets a name from, remembers what you have had the last couple of times you've visited, cheerful, friendly, and a damned hard worker!
Anna @ Red Lobster. Quick and friendly, always has a beautiful smile going and she knows when to and when not to come around.
My husband and I love Julie at Red Lobster. We think she is the best server in town. Thanks Julie!
Customer service is going to be the biggest thing happening to the business world. And when more customers are satisfied, the more business the company will receive. Thumbs up for those who gave good service! They deserve free publicity..
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Nice post. Customer service is vital to the success of any business. Despite how good your product or service is, customer service can make you or it can break you. So you better treat your customer in a very nice way.
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