Who's on your "A" list?

[tc]

My family and I moved here in June and love it. We spend a lot of time at the beach, we ride our bikes everywhere and we’re soaking up the lifestyle. We moved here to slow down and focus more on family and less about the Jones'. My only problem here has been with the customer service (or lack thereof).

Our very first experience was with MediaCom, enough said, right? The tech guy told us if he gets any crap from a homeowner he just puts them at the bottom of list (so we were very nice to him….) The short story is - it took F-O-R-E-V-E-R to get the work order complete but after weeks of calling, holding for 45 minutes at a time, it was finally completed!

Just a few weeks ago, I stopped for a light lunch at a “famous” local restaurant. I was with an out-of-town friend and we were on the way to the airport and had some time restraints. We waited over 10 minutes just for our server to acknowledge us. We ordered two iced teas, an appetizer and a salad. And because the server was sooooo s-l-o-w our lunch took an hour and a half, which then meant I was mock speed to VPS.

Most recent was with a local hair salon. The stylist was running late, and after waiting 20 minutes from the scheduled appointment we left. I wanted to find out what their policy was for late appts and asked the stylist to call me; she didn’t. I then called the salon owner (I had to call five times to get him on the phone, oh yeah, he did call me back once) to ask about their salon policy. He informed me they didn’t have one. He told me “people around here come and go like butterflies” and “I need to get used to it because around here everyone’s on beach time” and “20 minutes to wait really isn’t that long”….

I don’t mind being on beach time as long as it’s my time. I am respectful of other people’s time and expect the same. As a full time resident who works and has a family, I have time restraints and obligations. I have other things to do besides wait around for others to get their crap together! I know we live in a small area and things move at a slower pace or “beach time”, that’s why we moved here, but does that mean we have to live with poor customer service?

O.K. enough venting…..I have one kind request - if any of you out there have had a great experience with a restaurant, hair salon, plumber, builder, dry cleaner (is there even one around here?), management company, etc, PLEASE SHARE!!!!

Kurt, maybe you can post an “A” list of the best local businesses and services providers by popular vote. And eventually even give a SOWAL award for the top businesses! Then maybe the businesses will strive for excellence, instead the just the expected…

Here’s who I give an A+:
Starbuck in Rosemary Beach – The morning team, Anna & Mark
All the staff at Wild Olives
The Hurricane Bar
Basmati’s
Spa Blu
Bamboo Bike Rental – Craig

[savvytangerine]

:welcome: My expierence as a long time local..:wave: This time of year can lead to a bit of burn out with employees. I've been guilty of it too. We just sort of crash after constantly running for several months.

Cable, phone companies etc do seem to be slow to do everything but I think it is partially becuase they are understaffed. Some call center miles away will overbook the worker bees and the worker bees then have to deal with people not being happy becuase they are way late. (I had the conversation with a Sprint guy a couple years ago when he was 2 + days late installing DSL at the business I worked at.)

However, once your here for a while you will build relationships with the people that work for the companies. My plumber is the greatest. My car mechaniac always treats me right. And I trust that neither one are trying to fix something to get extra money out of me. :wub:

[ItzKatzTime]

TC if that was D&K's Cafe you had that s-l-o-w lunch at, you just let me know! I will make it up to you! I've already spoken with our staff about this incident and reminded them of the importance of proper service. A few weeks back we had two new people in training....but that doesn't mean a long term staff member couldn't have been having a bad day. NO EXCUSES.....but if it was us :blush: please accept my deepest apology!:bow:

We definitely want to make your A-List!

Kat Krumel
D&K's Cafe
63 Hotz Avenue
Grayton Beach, Fl 32459
850/585-2446 cell

[Curtis]

Kat,

I give you an "A" for attitude and unrelenting effort.

[cp]

Kat,

I give you an "A" for attitude and unrelenting effort.
I second that and I've never stepped foot in your place,awe but I've got plans/:clap:

[swantree]

There are so many good people out there! Overall I'd say that Sowallers have a great attitude and give to eachother with all they can! I know this website has blessed me tons and tons just from saying hellos :wave: and giving props to people I come in contact with! Just like D & K's wanting to help and not knowing actually if they were to blame......that's stand up people there!:clap: :clap: :clap:

[SHELLY]

With all due respect tc, the "service" problems go hand-in-hand with lack of affordability in the area. South Walton made a choice to be an "upscale destination," and speculators during the housing boom have effectively priced the "working class" out of the area. Service workers do not make enough money to live within a decent driving distance of South Walton's places of employment. The long drive to work in dangerous road conditions and the financial squeeze of inflation eating away at menial service-sector wages doesn't make for happy, driven employees.

There are a number of fantastic service folks working in the area, but they will only stay where they are well-paid and appreciated--every other employer is left to scrape the bottom of the barrel. Some very decent establishments have crashed and burned as a result of not being able to hire and keep reliable and motivated workers. I don't see anything that is going to fix this situation anytime in the future.

As for crappy cable TV/Internet service....that's a given ANYWHERE in the world.

.

[ItzKatzTime]

With all due respect tc, the "service" problems go hand-in-hand with lack of affordability in the area. South Walton made a choice to be an "upscale destination," and speculators during the housing boom have effectively priced the "working class" out of the area. Service workers do not make enough money to live within a decent driving distance of South Walton's places of employment. The long drive to work in dangerous road conditions and the financial squeeze of inflation eating away at menial service-sector wages doesn't make for happy, driven employees.

There are a number of fantastic service folks working in the area, but they will only stay where they are well-paid and appreciated--every other employer is left to scrape the bottom of the barrel. Some very decent establishments have crashed and burned as a result of not being able to hire and keep reliable and motivated workers. I don't see anything that is going to fix this situation anytime in the future.

As for crappy cable TV/Internet service....that's a given ANYWHERE in the world.

.


We have been fortunate to have all of our wait staff with us for 5 or more years. Just recently we hired two new servers and they are in training now.
The kitchen staff is by far the hardest to keep.....even if they are paid more then anyone. But we are fortunate to have two really great guys that have been trained by Doug. One of our servers drives from Freeport, the others live very close. They are all well paid and get an extra bonus on hard weekends or nights. We pay our staff first before we take out monies for 3 owner salaries.

Shelly is right, but let me tell you even with the best staff, you can have an off day or night. Sometimes no matter what you do the flow gets away from you or too many doubles catch up with a server, hostess, cook and owner. As hard as we try we do not have a 100% service rate....I doubt we ever will. But, we won't stop trying and we will definately make it good if we find out someone is unhappy.

And, oh by the way....my cable just went to static on all channels!:bang:

[ROY/SWEETIE]

my a would go to babs cleaning

j &B PAINTING

BOTH ARE GOOD/////////////////

[InletBchDweller]

TC, great thread and Ideas,

When I moved here in 2001 I was shocked to see how far I had to drive for certain things (dry cleaning, dentist, cell phone store,) Now at least there are more business' open but that does not mean that they are good service wise....

I have not had any luck with dry cleaners around here. I drive to Superior Cleaners on Harrison Ave. in downtown PC. They do a great job, dont cost a fortune, and you get a discount if you pre-pay.

Cable? Like shelly said you are always going to have cable problems. I dislike Mediacom b/c of their personal (or lack of) service and it seems the cable in my neighborhood (inlet beach) was always going out. We have Direct tv (have to b/c of NFL ticket) I have never had a problem with them at all in the past, but that is not to say that others have....:idontno:

Hair Salon? I had a friend that did my hair in her home until 2006, then I was on my own. IT was scary b/c I was comfortable with her, and her prices. What sticker shock I had when a cut for my hair was well about $60. (my hair is blunt cut across the bottom, that is it) I went to several places and still have not found someone that I like to cut my hair. Anyone know anyone????:idontno:

Auto body shop-----:yikes: I think that i something lacking around here. I know of someone that wanted to open one between Inlet and Sandestin but could not b/c of the scenic corridor issues...:roll: (he wanted to be on hwy 98) Frimet on back beach is great, :clap: they are just very very busy......

tc I am glad that you love it here, it does have some negatives, IMHO, which are lack of services that you need day to day to run a household. It is getting better, it will just take time....

[goodwitch58]

I have experienced all the above in the 7 years I have lived here. Finally got rid of Mediacom and got Dish TV...in almost a year, no problems, and only one outage...

Otherwise, things are not as convenient as in other places, but my solution is to take a walk along the beach when I get too frustrated...

Nothing seems to matter too much when I realize that I can enjoy this beautiful beach everyday...it is why I moved here and why I stay.

It is still magic to me inspite of the overbuilding and other frustrations....it is something to be treasured.

[sandflea]

My A List

Salon- Shores Salon (Destin) ask for Jill - she's awesome
Mechanic- Tire Tech on Airport Rod (Kim-owner-honest hardworking)
Cable? Cox Cable in my experience has been good Customer Service-wise
Dry Cleaners- Destin Cleaners (Palms Shopping Center-Destin) Good folks there

All mine are in Destin- sorry.

Heck I remember when it was a 'long drive' to Fort Walton to get to any of these...my, how times change

[ItzKatzTime]

My A List

Salon- Shores Salon (Destin) ask for Jill - she's awesome
Mechanic- Tire Tech on Airport Rod (Kim-owner-honest hardworking)
Cable? Cox Cable in my experience has been good Customer Service-wise
Dry Cleaners- Destin Cleaners (Palms Shopping Center-Destin) Good folks there

All mine are in Destin- sorry.

Heck I remember when it was a 'long drive' to Fort Walton to get to any of these...my, how times change

:funn: SO True Sandflea....The first year I moved here I drove to Tifton, Ga. where my hair stylist had moved from New Orleans! Sometimes I stayed a night and had a mini vacation other times I just turned around and drove back. I feel spoiled now with so many things getting closer to us over the past 5 years. When Publix came to our neck of the beach we all thought we'd died and gone to heaven!!!!

Beach Tech is where we take our cars.....but, busy busy busy.
Destin laundry next to Movie Gallery and Bruno's
Patchouli's
Hiabiscus
Miss Lucille's
Pam at Walton Nursery on 98 has always been great
Our daughter Kalie loves COCO's and they are really really nice...grayt service
The new BillaBong in Grand Blvd. has our vote now. They and Victoria's Secret keep me from having to go to Destin Commons shopping with Kalie.

I try to first shop 30A to give my business to as many as I can. Look around the economy is knocking down small businesses in our area like sitting ducks. :yikes: :(

[Indigo Jill]

My "A" list is:

Grocery Shopping :: Publix/Sandestin (Publix/WaterColor for convenience) / For the Health of It

Seafood :: Shrimpers

Gas :: Tom Thumb on 331/98

Hair :: Salon Twist - Gina/haircuts and Kerry/color

Wine :: Chans for occassions/Publix for "Vin de Table"

Dry Cleaners :: no recommendations

Coffee :: Starbucks or Fonville Press

Doctors :: no recommendations at this point - but need some!

Dentist :: Dr. Ratcliff on 98 in Santa Rosa Beach

Vet :: Dr. Barry - but I've heard great things about a vet in PCB and Freeport which I may have to check out

Spa :: Solace or Serenity by the Sea

Health Club :: WaterColor Workout

Yoga / Mind Body workshops and events for Adults and Kids :: OneYoga Boutique Studio- South Walton :blush:

Lunch spot (so hard to pick just one!):: Amore - panini's and authentic pizza to die for / Fabrice - it's just all good / Beach Eats on the Go - great burger and hot Cuban sandwich

Dinner :: Fish Out of Water - gourmet cuisine AND sushi / Borago - great Italian / Oysters and Beer or Bloody Mary's - Hurricane Oyster Bar

[tc]

Thanks for the recommendations so far! I am going to start a list and I'll post it when I'm done.

ItzKatztime - Thanks for your concern but our experience was not at D&K's. We look forward to trying your place soon.

IndigoJill - Thanks for a great evening out! :wave:

[ItzKatzTime]

Thanks for the recommendations so far! I am going to start a list and I'll post it when I'm done.

ItzKatztime - Thanks for your concern but our experience was not at D&K's. We look forward to trying your place soon.

IndigoJill - Thanks for a great evening out! :wave:



:wave: TC....I thought about this all yesterday and today.
I had so many errands to do today so I was all over Destin.
As I was driving I kept thinking was that us? :scratch: Did we really blow it that badly? :doh: Will they let me make it up to them? :idontno: Will they even tell me if that was us they had lunch with?:confused: I was so stressed I ate everything I could get my hands on!:popcorn:

Now sitting with Doug ready to watch a movie (the first one in about a bazillion years) I can breath again! :roll: Thanks TC for letting me know. I look forward to meeting you! WELCOME TO SOWALL!

:welcome: TO D&K's

:drink2: Kat

[yippie]

I have a couple of companies on my "A" list I would like to recommend.

Air Conditioner - Southern Aire

Plumbing - AAA Paul's Plumbing

Hair Salon - SoHo in Destin, Ask for David, he's fantastic

Wine - Vintij - if they don't have it, they will find it.

Swimming Pool Service - Gulf Pool Service - Ask for Craig

Groceries - Publix, not the one in Sandestin, but Watercolor and Destin. However, if you are in a pinch Modica Market. Always fun.

Lunch Spot - Smiling Fish Cafe in Gulf Place. Great Food, Great Service Fabrice - Same, Great Food, Great Service

Fresh Produce - A Girl Named Toni

Natural & Health Foods - For the Health of it. (There is always someone to help and answer questions)

Physicians - Get out of here as fast as you can and head to UAB.