The totally off-topic thread

[Denali]

Our booking for the Waldorf Astoria is showing an upgrade to a suite.

Considering the problem I had when we first arrived at Hilton Carlton, do you think that and the upgrade is related or just good luck?

Even Hilton glasgow staff have been pretty fantastic since we arrived.

 

[Flashback]

Our booking for the Waldorf Astoria is showing an upgrade to a suite.

Considering the problem I had when we first arrived at Hilton Carlton, do you think that and the upgrade is related or just good luck?

Even Hilton glasgow staff have been pretty fantastic since we arrived.

I would say just good luck. Just checked our booking for the Hilton in Cape Town for tomorrow and that's a 2 bedroom suite, not bad given how cheap the room was (King Guestroom booked)!

 

[drron]

It always does pay to be nice to the front line people at a bank.When still in practice I used to frequent the Mooloolaba branch of the CBA-it was the closest to where I worked.Got on really well with the tellers.Also used to pick up my FX there.One day I was just making a deposit and the manager came over and said-you get a lot of USD.Naturally.She said we have an American here and he wants to change $2000 US.It is above our limit to accept.do you want to deal with him?So we agreed on a rate midway between buy and sell.Win,win.
After that I would sometimes get a ring with a similiar offer.
Years later after retirement I met her at a medical social event.She came up and thanked me.I said why?Because of my feedback and others she was now the regional manager for the Sunshine Coast.I do believe in giving feedback.

 

[Quickstatus]

I’m always wary about feedback. A lot of feedback questions appear not to garner genuine feedback but only to satisfy a narrow set of objectives - usually to validate the current service model which I’m forced to interact with and don’t necessarily agree with. Overseas call centres the common culprit.

My Toyota dealership where I get my Landcruiser service has a feedback request via email. However if feedback is going to be less than perfect, I’m encouraged to talk to them in person or phone first to resolve any issues before completing a perfect feedback.

 

[drron]

My feedback is to phone or email a senior person in the organisation to congratulate someone who has given great service.I rarely reply to requests for feedback.

 

[Denali]

St Andrews Fairmont sent me a survey, I ignored it and a week later, apologies but following up on your survey.

I rated something a 8 or 9 and survey asked what could be done to make it a ten in future.

I got the impression someone really read the responses.

 

[Denali]

 

[Pushka]

The feedback question is interesting. The ones that annoy me the most are those that ask me to rate if I’m satisfied. Well, the person may have been nice on the phone but who knows if my problem has been sorted yet. I did give good feedback a couple of times only to find that the operator was giving me lip service and had not even kept notes. Telstra is the classic for that. And recently with Airtasker. Emails were lovely but they would not do as I requested (admin team, not the talker, for a security issue) and gave me the typical American spiel of ‘have a great day’ when they had outright refused my request to change something. Then asked me for feedback later. Into the trash it went.

I did give a Qantas rep excellent feedback after she went above and beyond a few years ago. It was taken very seriously and the note was put in her file and she was advised. She was so delighted. Last week I went into Bunnings and a delightful young man was fantastic so I made sure his service was known to the team leader.

 

[RB]

Some amazing photos on the Aurora Australis Tasmania site of the Aurora seen last night-can go to their facebook site to see some great photos by Kent Wellard

 

[Quickstatus]

I did give a Qantas rep excellent feedback after she went above and beyond a few years ago. It was taken very seriously and the note was put in her file and she was advised. She was so delighted. Last week I went into Bunnings and a delightful young man was fantastic so I made sure his service was known to the team leader

How would one know if the feedback is properly passed on - especially positive ones?

 

[RB]

Got this video in an email-pretty impressive effort

Beethoven & Avion - YouTube

 

[blackcat20]

Had a survey for Target the other week after a call to their service desk. Expressed my displeasure at their response to my query re a delayed order, and a week later got an email advising of a partial refund as an apology for the delay. So someone definitely read my responses.
Also love to pass on feedback when I’ve encountered fabulous FAs in our travels, often get a nice email in response and sometimes a call.

 

[VPS]

I recently stayed at an apartment for 10 days and had some absolutely fantastic staff and some absolute deadsh!ts who didn't have a clue. Many of the surveys don't allow for a variation in service

 

[Pushka]

How would one know if the feedback is properly passed on - especially positive ones?

the Qantas person told me she had been provided with a copy of my letter. And that it was put in her personnel file.

Of course we can’t guarantee the feeedback is passed on, but a team leader would take notice. We can only do what we can do. And which is better than doing nothing

 

[Pushka]

Some amazing photos on the Aurora Australis Tasmania site of the Aurora seen last night-can go to their facebook site to see some great photos by Kent Wellard

Wow. They are fabulous. I had no idea. Might look into that. Northern lights a bit of a stretch for us.

 

[JohnK]

Go to Gold Coast - heard CG is over and Beattie left town...

There now but only passing through. Back on Tuesday.

 

[ALH]

Oh, I think it will be pretty readily available as soon as the Chinese sweat shops can copy it soon

The last time I bought an Oroton handbag (around $ 500), I had to return it twice for repairs within a month. Finally I insisted on a full refund. When I said how disappointed I was with the quality, the woman at the counter told me not to expect too much as they were now (or at that time) being made in China. I did say ‘in that case, the price should reflect that’. I have sworn off buying any more Oroton for the past 10 years.

Edit: However, all the Oroton bags and purses I have from 25-30 years ago are holding up quite well.

 

[love_the_life]

The last time I bought an Oroton handbag, I had to return it twice for repairs within a month. Finally I insisted on a full refund. When I said that I was disappointed with the quality, the woman at the counter told me not to expect too much as they were now (or then) being made in Asia somewhere. I have sworn off Oroton now for over 15 years.

A lot of bags seem to be made somewhere in Asia. I always look look at the label inside to see where it is made. Sometimes a company's premium products will still be made in the original country but most of their other lines is made offshore. I refuse on principle to pay good money to buy a European brand that is not made in Europe. Furla is another that comes to mind.

 

[ALH]

Love them. Far easier to shave your legs by putting your foot on the edge of the tub rather than staggering around in the shower.

Dreadful with a broken leg and internal injuries

 

[Denali]

The last time I bought an Oroton handbag (around $ 500), I had to return it twice for repairs within a month. Finally I insisted on a full refund. When I said how disappointed I was with the quality, the woman at the counter told me not to expect too much as they were now (or at that time) being made in China. I did say ‘in that case, the price should reflect that’. I have sworn off buying any more Oroton for the past 10 years.

Edit: However, all the Oroton bags and purses I have from 25-30 years ago are holding up quite well.

In my declutter gave niece about 6 leather oroton bags, still great condition and design classic so usable.

Ive been disappointed in design the last few seasons so haven't bought anything for a few years. But I always buy last seasons at outlet