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Guo Pei’s theatrical couture collections and sky-high shoes. Love it!

New Years Top Ten Best!

Trendiego’s 10 Best Consumer Experiences of 2010 

        10) Bare Minerals Cosmetics – Great products, easy website, fun features and clever communications. My favorites: how-to information for new looks and special releases of “kits”. The makeup is forgiving so even if you are not a professional makeup artist, you can manage to look great. Very responsive to customer feedback too... I emailed looking for a makeup kit and received a quick, friendly personalized response.

        9) Alaska Airlines – I was clenched and ready for another flight from hell (a side-affect of being man handled by the major airlines on a regular basis.) But then, micro brews and wine from the Pacific Northwest… flight attendants who check on you just to see how you are doing… food that is tasty… happy employees… what is this land called Alaska Airlines? I almost felt... human! I know they have received some bad press (diaper incident) but maybe it was a rogue meanie amongst their ranks. I have had great experiences with Alaska.

        8) Sephora – This is like a candy-store of makeup for grownups. So many choices. There are two reasons I like Sephora more than the average cosmetics store. First, you can sample a wide variety of products from makeup to perfume. Second, there are a number of very helpful associates to assist you. In the past they have been very accurate with product recommendations, color choices and the tools needed to successfully get the look you want. If you are overwhelmed by the number of choices available at Sephora, talk to an associate first.

        7) Cycle City Motorsports, Irvine CA - First, they earn points for having a decent amount of gear for female riders. But what sets them apart is the great service. "Hi, how are you?" when you walk in the door. Just the right mix of letting you browse and " Can I help you?". The guys are really knowledgible and if they don't have what you are lookng for, they offer to order it for you. And if after all of this, you end up with something that is not quite right, the exchanges are fast, painless and without question. Support this small business- you won't regret it!

        6) Discount Tire– Buying new tires (or having existing tires rotated) has very little appeal to me. I would rather go to the dentist- and I hate going to the dentist. I went to Discount Tire in Pacific Beach on a Saturday morning expecting the worst… a hard sell for items/services I did not need, long waits, stinky waiting room and a bad lingering odor in my car interior after the service was completed. I was wrong. The man at the counter was helpful and courteous. I sat down and started to read a novel I had brought along for the wait- I only got through two pages before my car was finished. They drove it to the door… it was clean and sweet smelling. I have already been back for a free tire rotation and the experience was the same. They get you in and out with minimal hassle. Who would have thought a tire place would make my top ten?

        5) Movin Shoes, Pacific Beach CA - I started running again in earnest a couple of years ago. As my 5Ks turned into 10Ks and then into half marathons and marathons, it quickly became apparent that my sneakers were woefully inadequate. Oh, and then there is the fact that no matter how lie, I am really not getting any younger and things started to ache. It was time to get serious about my running shoes. I heard of Movin Shoes and thought, well... I might as well spend the extra money to avoid injury and get some really great, really expensive running shoes. Not only was I expertly fitted, the folks at Movin Shoes also had me run around the parking lot so they could observe the fit of the shoes in action. I found the perfect pair and to my surprise, the prices were comperable to the big chains. You can even join them for a run every Wednesday night (be warned... I think they are part Gazelle). Great product, expert fit.. fun folks who love to run.

        4) Trader Joe’s - I stopped shopping at a conventional supermarket two years ago when we switched to Trader Joes. The food is great quality, tasty, fresh and creative. There are seasonal surprises like Egg Nog cookies (opened the pack even before we got through the checkout) and a sample corner with treats and super-fres, inexpensive flowers. There is no risk in trying new things- if you don't like it you can get your money back. TJ in Pacific Beach also has an employee who I am convinced is the original Spicoli. (He alternates name tags... Spicoli and Robert Plante). Take time to notice the local artwork on the walls and signs. The only drawback to this place is if you have a very large family... there are few bulk portions so you may need to suppliment at Costco for a few items. Its nice to shop where the employees appear to be having fun.

        3) Padres Stadium - I am a Yankees fan. Still, I can't help but love this ballpark. Maybe I am used to paying exorbanent ticket prices at Yankees Stadium and Fenway, (only to top it off with an $8 hotdog and $12 beer) .I was amazed the first time I went to see a Padres game... inexpensive tickets, unobstructe views, sunny warm weather and inexpensive concessions. They have family friendly promotions so you can take your whole clan AND still have enough leftover to spring for some hotdogs. Lots of entertainment value for what you would pay for a movie. Even the cheap seats have an advantage- the bleachers feature beach sand for the kiddies.

        2) Pharmaca - I never really gave this place much thought since I do not use homeopathic or natural medicine but my husband got a (standard medicine) prescription filled here one day instead of CVS. We have been hooked ever since. The pharmacist KNOWS you after a couple of visits and takes the time to let you know about your medicine... not in the corporate-mandated way CVS does- she really chats with you! We buy standard over the counter medicines, our prescriptions and now even vitamins. Have not ventured into the homeopathic/natural section but if we want to, there are experts to answer our questions. (There is NO pressure to do so and they don't look down on you like other places that cater to that crowd). I have also found two items I can no longer live without- one is a chocolate bar and the other is this fabulous brand of soap. If they are out of either item, they give me a personal call when they get some in. Then they remember me when I go in to buy it. Amazing. Really friendly people and one terrific golden retriever. Great place whether you go natural or conventional. You'll never go back to CVS.

         1) MyTights.com - Based in the UK, this online store carries tights, stockings, sock and more in styles, colors and textures not easily found state-side. I have been ordering from this website for years and I have never been disappointed. The site has changed (it is bigger with more navigation and search options) but the service is still speedy and accurate. Beware- completely addictive.

 

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New Years Top Ten Worst!

Products, service, retail environment, price… a lot goes into a positive shopping experience. In the spirit of the New Year Celebration, here are our top 10 lists of the best and worst for 2010. Additionally, here are two organizations (best and worst) who skip the list and go straight to the Hall of Fame. Enjoy.

Trendiego’s 10 Worst Consumer Experiences of 2010

        10) UPS - On a recent trip back east, we shipped items across country from a Massachusetts UPS store to our home in California. When it became apparent that the items would not arrive in California prior to leaving for another business trip, we called UPS to have them hold the items. We were informed that the UPS store is not affiliated with UPS and we could not track or re-route our items. What? Not interested in the long-winded “we are technically different companies” explanation from the customer service representative either.  
In another case, UPS delivered a legal-document, important-looking package to our door. Problem was, the package was for a prior occupant of the home. When I called UPS to tell them the package should be returned to the sender, I got the 3^rd degree. Finally, after refusing to give the customer service representative all of my personal information, I told him that the package would be at my door if they cared to get it back. 10 days later it was gone. Your welcome UPS. Beware of brown.

        9) Sears – Where do I start? Pushy appliance sales people, crappy merchandise, dismal customer service… unless I REALLY need a Craftsman tool, I try to run out of that store as quickly as possible when I park in the Sears parking lot at the mall. The Sears in Laguna Hills even has a funky stench. Blech.

        8) Time Warner Cable – Oh TV Gods… why have you forsaken me? While renting in a planned community, we were forced into buying cable. I’m not sure what was worse- frozen screens, dropped DVR recordings, numerous resets or my favorite, “please wait” screens-of-death. When you called for technical service, the technician’s next appointment was always several days later with a 5 hour arrival window. I even tried their online, on-demand IM customer service. (A particularly wicked ploy to make you THINK they are going to resolve your issues). Did you know that if you have a TV/phone bundle, your account is not eligible for IM customer service. Well, let me save you 45 minutes- it’s not.
 The kicker? I know Time Warner is aware of how painfully terrible their products and services are… I tried to leave input on their blog- it is ONLY open to Time Warner postings. It even has a big disclaimer that the blog is not an appropriate area for “customer service feedback”.  Nice transparency. I am now comfortably back with my satellite.

        7) Amazon.com – Can we all agree that pedophiles are bad? In a stunning act of stupidity, Amazon decided to sell, and then defend selling “The Pedophiles Guide to Love and Pleasure”. At what point does profit outweigh common sense? Who made the call on that one Amazon? I am dying to know what other titles were listed under “People who enjoyed this book also liked reading….”

        6) TSA – Let’s face it… even before the advent of the body scanners and full pat-downs, the TSA was not winning any awards for dealing with the public. Notoriously rude, slow and short on common sense, these folks should not have chosen a career that puts them in contact with other human beings. Put me in the full body scan line if it means I can go through security without running into a TSA agent.

        5) Bank of America – Did you know that if you open a BOA account in one state that it is on a different “system” than another state? Bank of America has figured out a way to diminish one of the few advantages of having a large, behemoth-sized bank. What you think you are gaining in convenience by having a nationally focused bank is quickly diminished when you learn that due to legacy issues, the accounts are not necessarily seamless across state lines. I wish I had a dime for every time someone at California BOA says “oh, that’s a MASSACHUSETTS account! Then 45 minutes of shuffling ensues so I can complete a transaction. One BOA representative actually said- “well (the hassle) is only when you want to do something with your account.” Huh?

        4)  Microsoft - Microsoft popup messages are slowly driving me crazy. "You have unused icons." "A Network connection has been established"...  I am sending Bill Gates my psychiatric bill.

        3) Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California – Technically, with the hours I have spent on the phone with this company, I should be considered a part-time employee. Blue Cross Blue Shield customer service (in the Midwest) and Blue Cross Blue Shield of California have the communication skills of John and Kate Gosslin. Good luck shuffling through the mounds of paperwork, jumping through the bureaucratic hoops and recovering from the cauliflower ear you will no doubt suffer from after hours on the phone. By the way, cauliflower ear is not covered by your BCBS plan.

        2) Nissan Finance – For some strange reason (which is still unknown) Nissan Finance paid taxes to a car I did not own in a state I did not live in and forwarded the charges to me via my lease invoice. No problem right? I’ll just call and get it straightened out... or not. It took one entire year of weekly phone calls to correct the charges. The customer service representatives had to send the claim into another department, that department needed to file a claim with another department, that department had to call the Pope, and so on. No one should have to wait a year for a resolution to a billing error. I now drive a Toyota.

        1) Tie: American Airlines / Delta Airlines – I dislike ties but when you have two companies whose service is so chronically broken it is really unfair to name one or the other for the top (dis)honor. My top beef? The money-making scam of charging for checked luggage. Fees aside, this scheme creates the unpleasant side affect of every passenger trying to cram as much carry-on luggage into the overhead as possible. This causes delays AND if you are in a boarding group higher than Group 3, you will inevitably be forced to check your bags due to lack of available overhead space. This has happened to me twice in the last month and a half and… drum roll please… in both experiences, my bags did not arrive at my destination.
In both cases, I needed some supplies to hold me over. On the red-eye from CA to MA, I was handed a small bag with men’s deodorant, a men’s razor, a straight plastic comb and shaving cream. Attention American Airlines- women travel too.
Delivering your lost bags (once located) is also an adventure. Delta and American give you a FIVE hour window for your bag to be delivered or else it is left at the door of your address. Delta wanted to deliver my bag between midnight and 5 am. (Wrong).
Forced baggage check, cramped seats, no food (or over-priced, inedible food-options), dirty planes, unavailable attendants, lost luggage, dismal “emergency” kits, inconvenient lost bag delivery… am I missing anything fellow frequent flyers?

Hall of Fame Inductee – The Worst
1)        The DMV – Dante was wrong- the first circle of hell is the DMV. No explanation needed.