Academy-GREAT Customer Service

I went to an Academy Sports store last Friday. While I usually am typically the GOM, I am also fair. When I arrived at the store I was leery of trying to walk all the way to the back, where I needed to go. I can only stand or walk for about 10 minutes without having to sit and rest.

Well, I walked to the back and found the clerk at the counter was helping another customer with another 3 customers waiting. I asked a passing store employee if there was a place I could sit for a bit. He directed me to the outdoor patio section, rather curtly. I went there and sat for a spell. I then went back to the counter and found the clerk was still helping the same customer. As I couldn't stand up any more I left the store.

When I got home I called Academy's corporate customer service. This was late Friday afternoon. I suggested they have scooters available for their disabled customers as so many other stores do. I can shop at the grocery stores, Lowes, Walmart, Bass Pro, and many other retailers. I really believe that as America's population ages and becomes less mobile there will be a time when all stores will have the scooters.

Much to my surprise, at 8:05 on Saturday morning my phone rang. It was the manager of the local store. He was very nice and offered me a gift card. He was in agreement and said they would try to get some scooters. I assured him my suggestion was meant only as a suggestion and not a complaint, as it was. He said that he understood that and he still wanted to send me the card for my inconvenience.

Needless to say, if I can, I will shop there again. I do hope they get the scooters.

This is an example of great response to customers needs. Academy responds to comments quicker than ANY company I have dealt with. KUDOS!

Coffee and Retirement

How did we get here? I've seen and somewhat understand the rise of Starbuck's. The Boomers had to have a place to get their upgraded coffee to which they feel entitled. Now I see McDonald's is jumping in to the specialty coffee business. 

Will any of the people that have, or will have paid upwards of $50 per gallon for their coffee over the  period of their lives ever regret it?

Let's see how many senior citizens living on Social Security in the coming years will be ordering thier egg mcmuffin with a double latte mocha caramel frappachino with double whipped cream.  Will Mickey D still offer the simple "senior coffee"?

I can't wait to see the circus at my local McDonald's, the one mentioned in a previous post. Maybe they can understand "Starbuck's speak" better than they do English.

McDonald's and the Illegal Immigration Crisis

The standard disclaimer applies to this post. Please understand the difference between immigrants and ILLEGAL ALIENS.

The GOM visited a local McDonald's over the holidays. As I waited in the line, there was only one ahead of me, four different customers approached the counter with complaints about their orders. There were 5 or 6 people behind the counter screaming at each other in a language I didn't understand. It used to be that McDonald's used a lot of young people and even retirees to staff their stores. Not any more! The use the cheapest labor they can get. McDonald's employees used to try to get the orders right. Now they either don't care or can't tell the difference, or both.

The person ahead of me was served and then the register attendant joined the others in the screaming match. I was approached by a 70-75 year old lady who very nicely asked me why there was no one in the restaurant that spoke good English. I told her that I was not the person to answer that. She then stated that they should all move back to Mexico. I laughed and asked in a loud voice if there was anyone who could take my order. One of them broke away from the jibber jabber and took the order.

If ICE were to conduct raids on all the McDonald's I don't think there would be enough employees left to lock up the doors. There was not ONE Caucasian in this restaurant, which was in an upscale area of town, not in the barrio.

When will the population WAKE UP? These ILLEGAL ALIENS are going to find a way to VOTE! We need to have representation in DC that will stand up to the corporate lobbyists. Our politicians are SELLING our country.