Star Trek c.2269

This ship was inspired by the idea that Starfleet developed their own cloaked vessel based on the Klingon D-7 design after stealing the cloaking device from the Romulans. There are only 3 of these ships in Starfleet service. The first of these vessels was nicknamed Blackbird. One issue that starfleet has been having with these vessels involve the mattar antimatter engines held within the outboard warp nacelles. The problematic nature surrounding this is the warp signiture is difficult to mask while cloaked at warp speeds. As a direct result, speed is limited to a sleepy warp factor 2.9.

 

bistro burger joint

After many months of anticipation, bistro burger joint (all lower case!) in Alliston, ON has finally open its doors. Being someone who enjoys food, and really enjoys good food, I can say that this they have the best burger around. There’s no comparison to fast food chains that sell burgers, so I won’t even bother. Or for that matter, other restaurants in town.

The burgers are dense and filling. The fries have a nice seasoning to them, though I’m not a fan of them being sold in a cup (the bottom fries get soggy), it’s really a preference and personal taste. The toppings look fresh and tasted good. I liked the option of the mushrooms!

Their menu is nice and simple too. Burgers, fries and onion rings… You can get beverages of course, including milk shakes, a great ending for a good burger!

I hope they develop a good customer base to keep them going. Hopefully that and a low overhead with a nice cozy space and simple menu will keep them around for some time.

I’ve always been astonished at how difficult it seems for a lot of places to make a decent real burger. bistro burger joint does not have that problem. They’ve won my family as customers.

Canadian Tire Complaints

I have created a Facebook group for people to coplain about Canadian Tire. Complain here or there, because Canadian Tire won’t respond anyway.

I will be brief as I can. My burning hatred for Canadian Tire started a few years ago with the purchase of some expensive Kodak hikers. I wore them for the first time on a hiking trip in Algonquin Provincial Park.  And it was a couple hours in that they started to fall apart. Canadian Tire didn’t care. Kodak didn’t care past asking some more details about the failure of the product.

Then there is the constant lack of any assistance at all. How many times have we all wandered the tore looking for help only to find some poor part time kid getting paid minimum wage who tries, but doesn’t really know anything?

And the lines. For empty stores, why am I always waiting forever just to checkout?

One time I picked an item only to have the incorrect price come up on the register. The kid couldn’t find the right price. I went back and tried to bring it back to no avail. And when I asked to speak to the manager, I had to leave after Wang 15 minutes for him/her NOT to show up!

So what have I learned about shopping at Canadian Tire? Well the first is that no one will get back to you with any real customer service. Not head office either. They just don’t care. And after seeing CBC’s Market Place and their story on the worst customer service in Canada, I now see Im not alone. Canadian Tire came in second to Sellers. You know, the store that’s closing its doors.

So post your complaints here and share your pain. Join my Facebook group Canadian Tire Complaints.

They won’t care, but complaint.ing about them feels great!

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28 March

I neglected to mention my latest issue. I was given a coupon for a free oil change when I purchased my road side assistance package (I really hope that wasn’t a mistake!). I called my local Alliston Canadian Tire for an appointment, and they don’t do that for the little things like oil and tire changes. So I went early wednesday morning- the store was empty and there were a couple cars in the bay. The service guy wanted me to wait “at least 2 hours”…

Yup- for an oil change. Because they were so busy, they couldn’t spare one guy for 15 minutes for an oil change. Yet they don’t do appointments.

So I didn’t wait. Not again. I already waited 2 bloody hours to get one tire changed a few months ago. Last time I will buy a tire there might I add.

So I contacted head office, and asked if they can arrange to just give me the filter and the oil and I will change my own oil. Seems fair enough. It took a couple of days to get my form letter from them that said they were forwarding my concern to the local Alliston Canadian Tire Manager.

Well it’s been a week now and no response. Then again, like I said above, this is the same place where I waited in the store for the manager who couldn’t be bothered to come down from his/ her office.

Typical Canadian Tire BS. So I will be writing head office right after I post this.

This is a great story by CBC. Typical Canadian Tire…

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2012/canadasworstcustomerservice/

Update- 27 April 2012

After much persistance and many emails, someone finally got back to me. They offered to help me with the oil change, and offered an apology.

Really, that’s all I wanted. I’m glad they did, and I can continue to shop at Canadian Tire.

2370 concept

 

Driving In Toronto. Why Can’t People Learn?

I was at the intersection of Yonge and Elmhurst this morning turning left. Being the first person in the intersection, I was waiting for the long flow of traffic to pass to make my turn. Though it eased off a little, I still couldn’t turn because of an SUV making a left turn opposite of me, from the oncoming lanes. I couldn’t see if the oncoming traffic lanes were clear of not because of this SUV, therefore I waited until I could see clearly.

However the three cars behind me didn’t think that was prudent. After much honking, the first BMW SUV I think it was, proceeded to skirt behind me and turned. Followed by yet another car, and one more was about to, though was thwarted by my ability to turn after getting a clear line of sight.

Could these pin heads see more then me? I find that hard to believe. And my car cam will show the images when I get home and upload the stills. But I am 100% certain that I did the right thing and 100% certain that they did the wrong thing. And why was this? Because they are impatient and reckless…

Now by no means do I claim to be perfect, but I don’t go out of my way to cause a problem. They could have caused an accident inconveniencing so many people. All because they selfishly wanted to get into the parking lot 2 minutes sooner then they would have if they just kept their baby diapers on, stopped crying, and just waited for their bottle- I mean light to change.

So to sum up- You’re douchebags.

Happy motoring. Next time I won’t pull so far ahead.

Algonquin Park. Time To Start Preparing For Backpacking in 2012!

It’s a new year and with spring upon us and warm weather thawing us out, it’s time to get all the backpacking equipment ready.

My friends and I have already begun to plan our first trip of the year into Algonquin. Possibly heading in through the Rain Lake entrance again.

I’ve already ordered some new stuff from MEC. My new yellow backpack rain cover just arrived. My new cook set is on the way. And my Gerber field knife sharpener is on backorder.

I still need to order some more paracord- only one of the most verstitle items in my kit!

I need some new hikers. Some odds and ends,but that’s it really.

The first step towards my preparations entails repairing and waterproofing my tent. I got a couple of small holes in it and the tarp leaked a little. But nothing some sealant wont fix, giving it one more season of life.

So the preparations are underway. Planning will be posted. Pictured will come soon.

Happy 2012 Camping!!!

Canadian Tire. The Store Without Customer Service

I don’t know about anyone else, but my experiences shopping at Canadian Tire in Alliston, as well as other locations, have been time consuming and more often then not, a complete wast of time.

For products that break within a month, to stores staffed by kids who don’t know anything about their products or even where something is located, to managers that are completely absent and ignore customer concerns.

There has been more then one time where I have searched and searched in vain for assistance, only to eventually find some kid who has no clue where to find what I am looking for. And ask for an adult, you are met with complete desdain and disrespect from said kid.

How many times have I stood for up to 20 minutes in a line because either no other registers are open or the tellers have no idea how to solve a problem?

How many times have I left my potential purchase and walked away because I simply don’t have all day?

And how many times has something broke only to have Canadian Tire ignore my concerns?

Well at least two.

I bought a pair of tough Kodiak hikers a couple of years ago. They fell apart the very first time I wore them. Fortunately I was only 8 km into a 30 km backpacking trip in Algonquin.

Canadian Tires wouldn’t replace them or refund me. And Kodiak asked me questions and then ignored me.

The second time involved a nice Vidal Sasoon hair driar that I bought my wife for Christmas. No help from crappy tire because I foolishly didn’t keep a receipt for a 2 month old gift that crapped out. And Vidal Sasoon? Well good luck getting a hold of them unless you are buying something.

So. No more crappy tire products for me. From horribly long line ups, to delinquent store managers, to untrained child labourers, they are a corporation that should sink into the sea of bankruptcy for all I care.