13 January 2009

The Great Service Topic - who was really good?

| ant
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I went looking for a topic where you could post accounts of great service received in and around Canberra, but failed to find one. So here’s one. I want to know where are the places to go to get great service, as they should be supported. Likewise, I want to know who are the people who give great service, for the same reason.

Last week, on the same day, I got great service from two businesses, service that made me go “wow”. Not just, that was nice, but wow, these people are amazing.

First was a weird one. I’m off to visit a friend in Utah on 1 February, and years ago, promised to bring her a Ho Mi hand hoe. They make them in Gundaroo, an Asian hand-tool which is the best thing I’ve ever used for gardening, it’s like a metal extension of your hand. So I went to the website to order one, and they’re closed for all of January! Argh! Noooo! So, in desperation, I emailed them, explaining the problem, hoping there was some way I could buy a Ho Mi.

A few days later, I got a nice friendly reply, asking me to ring them in the evening with my details and they’d send me one. So I did (I think they were in the middle of dinner!) and they sent me one. Absolutely brilliant.

Here’s their site: http://www.allsun.com.au/

Second great bit of service? I saw the Flight Centre ads for their killer cheap airfares to LA, and so rang the number the next day. Got a young chap at Fyshwick Flight Centre shop, called Jason. Well, he was great. Happily looking up fares, seeing how to cobble together airfares. He already knew I usually used the ‘net to get fares, but was clearly enjoying hunting around and seeing how good a deal he could find. We had a great chat, and I went off to think about things. However, I that night found a slightly better deal online and went with that, and called him back to say sorry.

This is the kind of travel person you want, if you are looking for someone to hunt around and do it all for you. Friendly, energetic, and motivated. This is not a checkout-operator style travel person, this chap will jump in and enjoy seeing what he can do. I recommend him thoroughly. I think the Fyshwick shop tends to be a bit quiet, too, so if you want someone who can spend some time on your trip, Jason’s your man.

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peterh said :

i have worked, off and on, in the phillip area, and have to say, commonwealth motors now is better than it was previously. The mechanics don’t take client cars for test runs sideways around prospect court any more.

Haha well that is a bonus. I work nearby as well so it is very convenient to get my car serviced there. As long as the service is good, I will return, even when the warranty expires on my trusty Holden.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

I’ve been a commonwealth motors regular ever since buying the VY, and when I got it their service was excellent, then it slid a bit, now it seems to be improving again. I get my other car serviced there too.

That said, once I’m out of extended warranty cover (which is dependent on it being serviced there as it isn’t ‘factory’ cover), I’ll be heading back to my local guy.

i have worked, off and on, in the phillip area, and have to say, commonwealth motors now is better than it was previously. The mechanics don’t take client cars for test runs sideways around prospect court any more.

Wow, that Re-ACT Roofing story is what I call great service!

MissMoniker,

Thats awesome service, I love people who put their customer service before their bottom line.
I daresay in this guy losing a few dollars, he has generated a substantial amount more by way of mouth.

Just before Christmas my parents were doing a ringaround to get some quotes for a small repair job on the boards that sit just under the roof tiles, (forgive me, I know not what the correct term for it is!) After several quotes (all for four-figure sums) were made by several different roof-fixing companies, the Re-ACT Roofing Man came over. He climbed the ladder, sussed out what the problem was, then came down and told my Dad that he could probably do the job himself, saving thousands. He sent my Dad up the ladder, calling to him from below, to look at this and that and described exactly what to do to fix it. When my Dad came down the ladder, the Re-ACT Roofing Man then helped him write the list of things needed from Bunnings to do the job…then off he went! Suffice to say, my parents were stoked.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy11:20 am 14 Jan 09

I’ve been a commonwealth motors regular ever since buying the VY, and when I got it their service was excellent, then it slid a bit, now it seems to be improving again. I get my other car serviced there too.

That said, once I’m out of extended warranty cover (which is dependent on it being serviced there as it isn’t ‘factory’ cover), I’ll be heading back to my local guy.

My car had a few little things repaired under warranty at Commonwealth Motors in Phillip a few weeks a go. They fixed all these problems, then a couple of days later also gave me a phone call to find out if everything was ok. Made my day.

Gungahlin Al11:04 am 14 Jan 09

Significant other occasionally chips me for getting grumpy about poor service. I simply say give me good service and grumpy disappears.

In Sydney for a few days over NY we were frequently and pleasantly surprised by just how good the service was at various retailers, food outlets, even a gym.

Our surprise served to underline just how infrequent such service is in Canberra.

+1 for Wok It Up – The original noodle box joint in Gungalin area – and it seems they remain strong while others die off.

Also N+D Automotive Mitchell, trading as Ogilvie Automotive.
They are always fast, reliable and cheap and can stand behind their work at the same time.

Great communication and no hidden charges EVER.

My wife uses them regularly, and for a female to feel comfortable when talking to mechanics is really something special (Unfortunately its not across the industry yet though)

KFC, Maccas, Subway & the like employ the students, the new Australians etc and in boom economic times, they cannot attract or retain decent staff. Hence, we’ve got poor customer service from them at the moment.
Give it a year or two, and a proper recession, and we’ll have better service at such places.
Yet another argument in favour of the fostering of a permanent underclass!

iObject said :

Also, on the negative side – is there some sort of fast-food time-space anomoly in Gungahlin that makes the two big name crap-food outlets especially slow?

Slowest. Fast-food. Ever.

True. KFC has been brutally slow at times. If I want fast food in Gungahlin, I go to Wok It Up which is awesome and fast.

Gary Singh is the patron saint of good service.

The Brad said :

Hansel and Gretels at Phillip – while the service is neither good nor bad, the staff there enjoy each others company, and their enjoyment of each other overflows to the customers.
I always leave there with a smile on my face.

how about trying the olive? we have left H&G now. all our coffee comes from the chocolate olive.

For customer service in Phillip, that i have had a good experience with, are the following establishments:

Chocolate olive cafe – very courteous and great attention to detail
Indian Affair – gary singh prides himself on his customer service
Jax Tyres – really helpful guys
Security One
george’s liquor
any of the chinese restaurants, special mention for mings,
Elite physique
Canberra Toyota – service section

Thanks Granny 🙂

It’s good to hear Pangaea are serious about the service thing. You know, I reckon good service can make up for ordinary food… not that their food is ordinary, it’s OK. But the service really makes you happy to go there again.

Now, Silo, they serve good food but I’m not willling to put up with their crap to get it. so I don’t go. I like the Vietnamese down the street. They’re normal and honest.

I went to Pangaea for my birthday because of ant’s review and we got amazing service also. The guy even gave us some free Italian hot chocolate to try, just because, and thereby ruined me for any other hot chocolate ever again!

I was pleased with the service I got at Pangaea, too (did a review, in fact!).

Also, I’ve noticed that the service at Tarocash at DFO is always very good. Really helpful, in that the help is helpful, not annoying. They actually add value. They seem to attract good staff.

I object, iObject! I just wanted to say that.

Also, on the negative side – is there some sort of fast-food time-space anomoly in Gungahlin that makes the two big name crap-food outlets especially slow?

Slowest. Fast-food. Ever.

I must say that the last couple of times I went to Pangaea in Manuka I was blown away by how good the two maitre-des (sp?) were.

The service was so good, my gf and I were compelled to tell them so after the meal (also top notch).

They admitted they were service specialists who had been hired by the place to improve their customer service and image, and boy were they worth every cent.

A company like that could make a mint in Canberra!

Sadly I could tell you of numerous BAD customer service stories….. But almost no good service stories…

Although I havent been there in awhile – But the staff at Jeanswest in Belconnen Mall were always outstanding….

Hansel and Gretels at Phillip – while the service is neither good nor bad, the staff there enjoy each others company, and their enjoyment of each other overflows to the customers.
I always leave there with a smile on my face.

The owner (Tall slim straw blonde lady) always remembers me because I religiously get jindi blue, crackers and quince paste.

She is always friendly – regardless of how her day is going (Which is great customer service IMO)

If you go I think tuesday nights it is, you get 15 or 20% off (Cant remember the day or percentage really) but quite often Mrs Danman and I head down there early in the week to get a cold antipasto dinner. I do not think that they have stretched themselves too far, having never been dissapointed when going.

Their deli section is quite impressive.

I go there for the stuffed capsicums and frittata sangers at lunchtime, and muggacinos and compliments almost anytime!

I love a good fresh food grocer. I used to go to Fruitylicious and I agree that they do have very polite staff. Unofrutnately I had to stop going there as they often didn’t stock the fresh food I needed and thought they had their fingers in too many pies and lost focus on their fresh food section. In the end I couldn’t justify making the independant trip there before going to Woolies. Maybe this has changed since the last time I have been. I might give them another go.

I now go to Woolies for my all my groceries and the occasional shop to HUB Asian Grocer (which is fantastic!).

I would have to agree with you, Danman.

I went in there the other day as they were packing away tables and stuff and asked if it was too late to get a muggacino.

Not only were they happy to make me one, but they also offered to let me stay and drink it at the store.

They are always friendly, and keen to recommend which is the best home-made cake or salad or cheese to try. I leave the place feeling kind of hugged.

I am going to have to give Fuitylicious in Gunghalin a huge plug – they always have happy cheerful sales assistants, a great selection of fresh food, fruit veg and a deli section.

The clincher for me was the other day – there was a line of about 7 people waiting to pay, it was bloody hot and the sales staff could see evryone getting a little figety, so the owner went to the freezer and got out a tub of the mini gelati waffle cones and started handing them around to everyone in the queue, keeping young and old alike happy to be waiting.

Small touches like that ensure my repeat custom.

Hahaha Wellington Macca’s, mate you were lucky you were served at all. Wellington has one of the highest unemployed populations in all of Australia. My girlfriends folks live on a property outside Wello and I avoid the town at all costs.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy11:47 am 13 Jan 09

I had a similar experience in the Maccas at Wellington, central NSW. It took them 15 minutes to make a bacon and egg mcmuffin one morning. And I was the only customer in the shop.

That said, the Queanbeyan maccas also sucks arse, although I think they’re trying to improve it now.

As for really good service…? Don’t think I’ve had any at cafes, although the Kingston bakery is always good for quick and cheap food.

The trick to getting good service in hobart is to not mention Martin Bryant, and talk very slowly

I was recently in QLD, and stopped at Macca’s in Robina Town Centre. The two teenage boys behind the registers were having an in-depth conversation for several minutes, before they asked up the customers from the queue, and then the guy that served me stuffed up my order (which at 1 item, seemed relatively simple), whilst they other guy managed to royally screw up the other customer’s (slightly complex) order… This never happens in Canberra Macca’s…

Oh don’t get me started on the service in Paris. It is by far the worst I encountered in Europe. The Scots and the Swiss were fantastic.

Woody Mann-Caruso10:32 am 13 Jan 09

Route 132D, even.

Woody Mann-Caruso10:30 am 13 Jan 09

Canberra seems to have a lot poorer customer service overall

As somebody who’s been served in every capital city except Hobart, and pretty much every large regional centre in the country, and internationally in places as diverse as a fine bistro in Paris and a desert roadside stand somewhere along Route 32 in Mexico, I’d say service in Canberra is pretty much the same as everywhere else – that is, about halfway down a 10 point scale that has the US at 9.

Which is why it’d be good if people highlighted the really excellent places and people who give excellent service. They deserve to be publicly acknowledged (and I’d like to patronise them, so as to get good service!).

I’m not saying there aren’t people out there with good customer service, but Canberra seems to have a lot poorer customer service overall than other cities.

H1NG0 said :

Oh and added to that, customer service does not apply in Canberra. We are all greedy public servants and should be treated as such, thats why we are astonished when someone is actually helpful.

rubbish.

I work in sales, in the IT industry, and am very diligent to provide the best levels of service to my clients, as they are my life. If i am prepared to go hungry, I treat them badly.

not ever going to happen.

I receive great customer service every day. There are places that i frequent for coffee with clients, and lunches, the staff are always professional and courteous. (Chocolate olive for one, in phillip….)

Oh and added to that, customer service does not apply in Canberra. We are all greedy public servants and should be treated as such, thats why we are astonished when someone is actually helpful.

If we are discussing Cafe service, then Cafe Injoy at Gold Creek gets my vote. It is the type of Cafe where you need to go to the counter to order, however their service is very quick and efficient. Even when the place is packed, I have never had to wait more than 10 minutes for my food. Amazing service.

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