Updated 11/03/2007
Here's a chance to see the Small Businesses' interpretations of what's being done right in our area. Perhaps we can all share some good tips from the following merits. To see where companies error, go to The SBM's sister site, www.getem.net.
Audio / Video Services
Audio Video Systems (Rocklin, CA) 2/99 - This is the second time I've used this company to wire my home for stereo and cable TV. Both times I was overwhelmed with the quality of service and reasonable pricing. The installer explained every step and how it was most efficient or cost effective. This is who I call when I want the most bang for the buck and still have my home in one piece when the job is done.
Banks & Financial Institutions
Downey Savings & Loan - (Rocklin, CA) 11/07 - Excellent friendly helpful staff. Uncrowded. Efficient and economical.
Computer/Internet Services
Government / Utilities
South Placer Municipal Utility District- 2/99 - Customer Service answered the phone with a human voice within 1 minute and responded to potential sewage problems at local Rocklin development within hours of notification.
United States Post Office (Roseville Downtown) 3/99 - Staff courtesy has been consistently warm and friendly despite the public's willingness to show their unhappiness regarding long lines and new postage price increases.
Insurance
Blue Cross California Care (Statewide CA ) 2/99 - Customer Service answered the phone with a human voice within 2 minutes.
Newspapers
Sacramento Bee (Sacramento CA ) 3/99 - When I asked some simple questions of the Editorial department at the Bee via email, I received timely and complete answers. As an anarchist with a soft spot for Libertarians, I have a natural suspicion of Liberal newspapers that have gained a monopoly in a given area. The Editor took the time to carefully and logically answer my questions. This is very rare in this day and age and left me feeling important and respected. In turn I found myself having a lot of respect for the Bee.
Restaurants
Applebee's (Roseville / Stanford Ranch Road ) 2/99- Lunchtime Server went the extra mile to make sure customer was happy with the food, service and value by her friendly responses to our requests on an extremely crowded Sunday forewarning us that our meal might take awhile longer than we might expect. Food was well prepared and met our party's expectations.
Carl's Jr. (Roseville / Stanford Ranch Road) 2/99 - Evening Server went the extra mile to make sure customer was happy with the food, service and value by making sure the Nacho's came out as good or better than the picture represented them.
Jamba Juice 7/2000 - Manager Jeremy Sanders. What a nice change to an already great looking store. Clean, neat, excellent healthy products. You really get what you pay for here. Service is prompt and friendly. Staff is well trained and makes the customer feel important. When suggestive sales are made, they are done in a friendly non-intrusive manner. I'm a picky customer and they handled my special request without a hitch. I've been there three times in the past week. Guess they won a new customer with me and their good service wasn't just a fluke!
Jasper's Hamburgers, Rocklin 2/99 - Lunchtime Server went the extra mile to make sure customer was happy with the food, service and value on a coupon lunch. Fries were excellent. he demonstrated that she cared about the success of the business she worked at above and beyond her own success as a food server.
Pasta Pomodoro, Rocklin 12/04 - A beautiful, warm and comfortable Italian restaurant. Currently, at least two waitresses there will make your evening dining experience a real pleasure. But hurry! The word's out on this culinary establishment and I can't make a promise that they'll be there forever. Their names are Carina and Nicole and they are rare professionals that enhance the great food and ambience. Management goes the extra mile for its customers. Despite lots of competition in the area for Italian style cuisine, it won't stop Pasta Pomodoro from becoming a favorite.
River Rock Café 3/99 - First Impression at 8:00 a.m. - No cars, Nice modern building design, Beautiful artistic bronze handle on front doors. I confess to not being a true coffee aficionado. That is probably why I chose the Costa Rican blend of coffee because the name reflects my desire to visit that far away place one day. The un crowded atmosphere in contrast to other morning coffee houses was conducive to my reading a book with my coffee. Being an artsy fartsy type of guy, I had to rate the River Rock as a very fun place to have coffee while enjoying the view of puffy clouds passing overhead as seen through the huge glass atrium. Though clean restrooms may not be that unusual, the River Rock's even had a Bose speaker system installed and held the light scent of cinnamon. Extra care and expense was given to many aspects of this new establishment. Though the price of a standard cup of coffee seemed high at first, it came with free refills. There is no doubt I will return to the River Rock soon. Expect it to become more crowded as the word gets out.
Sierra Roasting Company 12/17/04 - If you're tired of the corporateness of Starbucks and want a place free from spilt coffee drinks in the parking lot, this coffee house is the answer. You can select from up to 8 types of coffee here and save money in the process. Internet service is FREE. That can be a big one. The staff can be interesting and fun to talk to. The owner has had a pretty constant presence and makes sure you get one of the best deals in town. Facing the sun, the outdoor area is comfortable and relaxing while not being in the middle of the pathway. Though we be creatures of habit, get out and give this a try. If you're a chess player, they actually have the equipment and meeting times to accommodate you and your buddies.
Starbucks Coffee 7/2000 - After receiving hard criticism from The Small Businessman for various small issues with one particular store through their advanced web based system, Starbuck's customer service staff responded by handling the matters quickly and informing the Small Businessman immediately of the actions taken to address the issues, They were non-defensive and very concerned about their customer's opinions. This set an excellent example for other businesses to follow and has won yet another customer due to their responses.
Retail Stores
Batteries Plus (Greenback Lane / Citrus Heights, CA) 2/99 - Staff went the extra mile beyond the sale of the battery to install the new battery in my UPS power backup unit. Despite broken screw housing I presented to him, he was able to repair the unit at no additional charge above and beyond the already favorable price given for the battery. I'll be back.
Target (Douglas Blvd. / Roseville, CA) 2/99 - Manager responded kindly and promptly to our need to have a broken component replaced when the part wasn't available in the store. He also accommodated our inability to bring the whole furniture item into the store due to it's size and the fact we had already put the whole thing together. He promised to call us the minute another item like ours arrived so he could change out the part. This could have been handled a million ways to our dissatisfaction, but was instead handled quickly and efficiently winning this customer's respect for him and his store.