I have had THREE really good experiences in customer service recently. These experiences were enough that I remember each person by name. I am going to split them up over the next few weeks.

My first customer service shout out is to Benson with Verizon Wireless. I had something I needed urgently and had to go to the store. I knew the store would be a madhouse and I literally had very little time. I called the store and Benson answered. He listened to the issue, came up with the best solution and told me he would have it ready– to just give my name at the door. I was a little worried when I got there as the place was PACKED with pre-Christmas madness. However, I gave my name at the door and within minutes Benson was assisting me. He had everything ready to go, was super efficient with check out and didn’t try to upsell me on ANYTHING. He was smiling and laughing amidst the madness and acted as if I was the only customer he had that day.

Hats off to Benson for all his help!

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I had a lovely lunch with the girls at the New York Butcher Shoppe today. I initially thought that we would just check out the new digs, but upon entering realized we could stay and eat. They have tables set up for dining in, and a lunch menu. As you approach the counter they have paper lunch menus that you can fill out and turn in with your order marked. I chose an Italian sub. While I waited on my sub, I checked out the goods in the store.

The meats at the butcher counter look wonderful. There are many options for cuts of meat, and the prices looked fair. They are more expensive than Food Lion, but superior quality. They are more on par with Harris Teeter, but superior quality. I scanned the fresh fish as well, and this is definitely where I will start buying salmon. I checked out the buffalo meat as well… but I think I will leave that to the more sophisticated connoisseurs. I was also impressed with the cheeses they offer as well as the wines.

I don’t know if you have ever been to the Fresh Market in Columbia, but this is similar in many ways. Those of you that drive to Columbia to buy steaks and bring them home in a cooler will not need to do that anymore. I overheard the proprietor, Brent Tiller, saying that they expect more inventory to come in shortly. I know this will be the place to visit before hosting a party. Chef Jeremy Williams will do a fabulous job with the prepared foods they offer.

After I finished viewing the selections, my sandwich was ready. It really was superb and exactly the way I wanted it. I had some fru-fru gourmet chips as a side and an ice cold soda. What more could I need? (It even met my under 10.00 lunch requirement.)

I am sure I will be back over the Christmas season, but initial reaction is four out of five Palmetto Trees. Check it out, and tell them I sent you! (It won’t get you anything, but it certainly will make you look cooler.)

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I have reviewed Victors in the past, so this is just an update. I went to Victors with some friends last night and it was absolutely delightful. I had the House salad (hold the jicima) to start. Their salads are always a delight, and last night was not an exception. Two other people had the goat cheese salad, which they swore by. The house salad is smaller and thus saves room for the rest of the food.
The menus is tapas which means that the portions are smaller, more like an appetizer. I usually get two. Last night I had the bistro salmon (with a blueberry glaze). They had a special where you could add a lobster tail for $5.00 and I did that. YUM. Other diners at my table had the tuna (reportedly superb) and the bistro oysters (always a favorite). For dessert I had the creme brulee. I also love the pear pound cake, but I needed something a little bit smaller. The creme brulee last night actually had chocolate in it as well, an interesting and yummy twist.
The only thing that I did not have last night that would have made the evening better (if I had a bigger stomach) is the hot artichoke dip. LOVE.
I had a new server last night, and she was excellent. Impeccable timing, lingered the right amount of time, and took care of everything efficiently.
All in all, another five star evening in Flo-town.

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I don’t know why I continue to shop at the Florence Toys r us. It is obviously some exercise in self-punishment. The store is dirty, the staff is unhelpful, and my blood pressure always rises. Today was no different. The man in front of me obviously felt the same and was upset about something. The cashier was practically screaming at him that he was wrong and a manager would come set him straight. There were no other registers open of course. She finally looked at me and all of my stuff that was on the checkout counter. “Get your stuff and come to this other aisle around the crazy man.”
Ummmm…. customer service classes anyone?
I loaded my stuff BACK in my cart, moved it over to the OTHER aisle although this was totally absurd. As soon as I put it down she turns around and goes back to fussing at the man. Then she starts calling people on the phone.
I have got to print this post out and remind myself that no deal is worth the stress.

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I wonder at what point my Verizon cell phone will work in Darlington County?  Apparently the “Do you hear me now?” guy hasn’t made it this far yet.

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I loved many of the points made in this letter to the editor in today’s paper.

One of Mr. Webster’s points deals with power lines in Florence. They ARE SO UGLY! And they are EVERYWHERE! Every time I try to take a picture of the local scenery? Totally messed up with powerlines. I know businesses have to use photoshop to get them out. Mr. Webster also hits on needing a sign ordinance, with which I wholeheartedly agree. Sometimes I think Florence is so worried that if they push a business, the business will leave. I just don’t think that would happen. Best Buy, Target, et al…. they are not leaving. They don’t COME until they have done umpteen marketing studies and location tests. If they have to change a sign? Eh. They change the sign.

I especially love this phrase in the letter, “help establish Florence as a leader in progressive municipal planning in this state.”

Nicely put!

Thanks for the letter, it was well written and thought provoking.

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

Rant:

I came home this morning to find that for the second week in a row the City of Florence did not touch my recycling bin. Everyone elses green bin was upside down, and there was mine festering in the morning sun. I chased the guy down to see what the problem was. “It’s the glass ma’am.” I knew that glass wasn’t accepted, so I was surprised we had glass in the bin. He was very nice and told me if I would retrieve the glass he would come back by. I discovered there were two glass bottles in the bottom of the bin. Within minutes he scooted back by and took the rest of the recycling. Clearly, my rant is not directed at this young man as he was very helpful.
Hey, Florence? Did you know that you can recycle glass? I assume the decision is an economic one, based on this article. My brief research indicated the cost of recyling glass is problematic. However, the City of Columbia recycles clear, brown, and green glass that is left curbside.
I think a potential problem created by leaving the bin at the curb we discourage recycling and create a potential for more litter to be created. I was happy to take the glass out and recycle, but I wonder how many people will just dump the bin into the trash can?
(You can pay $10.00 to the sanitation department and they will deliver a second recycling bin to your home if you find yours is filling up.)
Rave:

Dear McLeod Urgent Care:

WHERE have you been all of my life? How did I not know about you? I knew you existed of course, but I did not know how fabulous you would me. I am used to waiting hours to see a doctor. I have had a “cold” since Tuesday. I finally admitted defeat this morning and weighed my options. I just could not bear the thought of hours in a waiting room. I remembered a friend mentioned Carolina’s Urgent care, so I googled them. First of all, Carolina’s could really afford to bump up the urgent care website. As in, they don’t have one. I finally found that Carolina’s Urgent Care does not open until 10 am. Bah. I googled Mcleod Urgent Care and found their webpage.
Score! They open at 8 am!
Now, I almost hate to tell you about this. I don’t really want everyone to discover this little gem. I got there at 8:10. I filled out new patient forms, saw a doctor, had a prescription, and was out the door before NINE AM.
Let the chorus sing.
My experience was positive from the intake receptionist to the discharge nurse. Everyone there had cheery personalities and concern for the patients. A little girl with an ear infection came in after me, and the nurses gave her all star attention. I noted that this is also a place I can bring the little Flossips when they need medical attention quickly.
Added bonus: The new bojangles right down the road where I purchased and extra large sweet tea. That counts as fluids, right?

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.