Excellent Customer Service – Page 4 – SQM Pick

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Shoes Speak Louder Than Words

March 21, 2018David Lipton Comment

A few weeks ago, one of my close friends bought a pair of relatively expensive shoes. Immediately after putting them on for the first time, he realized that there was a very strong smell that didn’t seem to go away.

Even though my friend has purchased many shoes, and is familiar with this particular brand, he’s never had an issue like this before, and he absolutely could not figure out where the smell was coming from or how to get rid of it. He tried airing them out, leaving them outside, shining them, and spraying Febreeze on them, but he just could not get rid of the smell.

After exhausting all the ideas that were suggested to him, he ended up calling the company and explaining his problem. They had never heard of a problem like this but wanted to please him and so they sent him a gift card to replace the shoes.

I decided I was up to the challenge of finding a way to fix these smelly shoes, so I took them to a certain place I’ve heard about. Nick’s Custom Boots and Shoe Repair on Dupont Avenue near Davenport. This business has been around for many years and I’ve been hearing it’s the go-to place in Toronto for people who have a pair of shoes and needed something done. Nick is the go-to guy and knows everything about shoes. In addition to repairing shoes, Nick is also known for making custom shoes. Whether you have a weird shaped foot or want something very fancy, Nick can do it!

When I first called the store, and then went down with the shoes, it was immediately clear that all of the staff were friendly, polite, and knowledgeable. That said, in this case, they were stumped by the odour so they brought out Nick to look at it.

Nick immediately knew what it was. The culprit was the type of rubber on the sole of the shoe and there ended up being no way we could get rid of it because it was the smell of the chemical itself. Whereas some people would have given me a song and dance, he instead simply gave me a few suggestions on how I might be able to lessen the smell, but truly didn’t believe it was possible to get rid of it entirely.

On top of that, when he found out I was going to a wedding that night, he quickly shined a pair of shoes for me and only charged $5.00!

Nick and his staff are very talented and truly a pleasure to deal with. Whether you need shoe products, a shoe repair, your shoes shined, or some nice new shoes, I highly recommend Nick’s Custom Boots and Shoe Repair.

Nick’s Shoe Repair

info@nickscustomboots.com

416-924-5930

https://nickscustomboots.com

The Olympics are over…but the newfound appreciation for Korean Cuisine goes on!

March 14, 2018David Lipton Comment

A few weeks ago I was getting together with a former SQM employee and for a bit of fun, I gave her the challenge of picking the restaurant. She asked me if I preferred better food or a fancier place and I responded that I’d like better food. I don’t care how fancy it is as long as the place has good food and a good atmosphere. Since her background is Korean, she picked a popular Korean restaurant near Yonge and Finch in Toronto.

Huh Ga Ne is a traditional BBQ restaurant that is open 24/7. They have your regular tables and the more traditional ones where you sit on the floor. I’ve been there three times now and it has always been insanely busy! The restaurant offers authentic, ethnic, and delicious cuisine!

The staff are very friendly, helpful, and are happy to make recommendations. I’ve tried both hot pots and barbecue…both options are excellent and filling. They have a nice selection of beers and drinks to choose from. Other than one small television that is usually tuned to CP24 and the news, all of the other, large screens are constantly playing kpop, which I personally find adds to the fun atmosphere. It truly is a relaxing, casual place, with a great Korean atmosphere.

Given the amount of business, the products are certainly fresh, and even though I’m cooking some of it myself, it has always turned out to be tasty and flavourful. Even better, it’s reasonably priced….two to three people could eat for $40.00 -$50.00 depending on what you order. If you want something not too far from midtown Toronto, and a fun, authentic experience, I suggest this cozy Korean spot.

416-901-1288
http://www.huhgane.com/

Spice Girls Are Not the Headliner Anymore!

February 28, 2018David Lipton Comment

If you’re an avid baker, you may have realized that there is a worldwide shortage of vanilla beans. Not only is the price of supply skyrocketing, but it’s also making it difficult to find good quality beans. Since my wife had a recipe that required several vanilla beans, I went on a search looking for beans at a reasonable price. During my research, I came across a store that I used to be familiar with when I lived downtown. House of Spice located in Kensington Market in Toronto on Augusta Avenue.

I called up to find out if they had the product I was looking for, and much to my surprise, they stocked a few different varieties of the bean. The most popular is the Madagascar vanilla bean and while other places quoted as much as $12.00 a bean, House of Spice was selling them for $6.95. My wife and I decided to go down there to check out the quality. Much to her excitement, the beans were fresh and of high quality!

While we were there, my wife started looking around and found a number of different and unique ingredients that she had been searching for. Items like pickling salt, Ethiopian spices, and several different types of coffee were all right there, tucked into the little store. In addition to the wide selection of products and reasonable prices, perhaps what was just as important, if not more, was that the staff were extremely friendly and very knowledgeable.

When it comes to something like simple salt and pepper (this store had 4 different varieties of specialty sea salt and truffle salt!) you don’t need an expert, but with other products you need someone who understands what they are for, and how they should be stored. The employees at House of Spice were helpful, and clearly know their business! Although it is a small store, they manage to stock a lot of different items, so I would plan on browsing the shelves. In fact, why not make an afternoon of it? There are lots of other food stores in the neighbourhood, as well as great restaurants to grab a bite.

House of Spice is definitely a worthwhile place to check out for anyone interested. Enjoy your cooking and shopping and remember to invite me for dinner!

House of Spice
416-593-9724
http://www.ehouseofspice.com

Keeping Great Customer Service Up and Running

February 21, 2018David Lipton Comment

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog highlighting my great experience at The Running Room. At the same time, I was dealing with The Running Room, one of the SQM employees directed me to another shoe store that she’s been dealing with for years, known as Running Free, and in particular the Ajax location.

The owner, Steve Ockrant, immediately called me to introduce himself and while he suggested it was best if I came in, due to his schedule and distance he offered to bring some shoes over to my office, for me to try on. Realizing he was doing me a favour, due to our mutual friend, I must say I’ve never had such a special service for a retail product!

Steve came, we chatted, and he brought six pairs of shoes for me to try on. Based on the sizes and styles he brought, he was able to narrow down the shoes that would work best for me, and then a few days later he returned with more shoes. He even left me with a couple of pairs for me to walk around the office in before I made my final decision.

Although I returned both of the pairs that made it to the shoe finals, I eventually made it out to his store where two of his amazing employees found the perfect pair for me.

If you are ever looking for great shoes, at a great price, but more importantly amazing and knowledgeable staff go to Running Free, ask for Steve, and mention my name.

Running Free

(416) 410-3733

www.runningfree.com

An “Amped Up” Amazon Experience

February 14, 2018David Lipton Comment

Whether for pricing, selection or convenience, I find myself more frequently turning to Amazon to make a variety of purchases. While I’ve always felt they provide great customer service, my most recent experience re-enforces this….

Back in mid-December, my wife purchased a Bluetooth speaker to give to a friend as a Christmas present. Since she was very excited about the speaker and our friend loved it, I decided to surprise her and recently went online to purchase another one. When I looked at my order history, I realized that the speaker was now less than half the price that it had been selling for a month earlier. I decided to put Amazon to the test and called up customer service to see what could be done about the difference in pricing.

While I thought it would be easier to simply credit my account, the Amazon customer service representative indicated that their system works differently and that I would have to return the item and reorder it. When I explained I didn’t have the original item because I gave it as a gift, he allowed me to order two items, and give one back with the return label he was providing me. To minimize my inconvenience, he even allowed me to order the new items with the fastest shipping method. To me, this sounded great!

I placed the order on Saturday afternoon, and much to my surprise, on Sunday, I received an email that Amazon had already attempted to deliver it to my office (I didn’t think they would deliver on a Sunday as they indicate “business days” for shipping times). My item was received the very next day and a day later I received confirmation of the credit reimbursement.

Given how Amazon stood behind their lower price and made it quick and simple for me to return and receive the item, it truly was an amazing experience. I still love going out to the stores, but this is another example of why mortar and brick retailers really have to step up their game.

Hats off to Amazon!

www.amazon.ca

What’s Hip and Happening around the Holidays

December 6, 2017David Lipton Comment

December is always a cheery time of year! With the holidays just around the corner, more and more holiday-themed activities seem to be popping up around town. Many stores are taking part in holiday festivities, and with no shortage of holiday cheer going around, it’s always nice to engage in one or more activities. Some of the more popular activities, which I enjoy, include:

Toronto Christmas Market – Down in the Distillery District, the iconic Christmas market is on until December 23rd! Enjoy Christmas music, magical lighting, singing, dancing, visits with Santa, and everything to get you into the holiday spirit. Though the experience is purely magical, it’s $6.00 to get in on weekends and lineups can be lengthy.

Starbucks Holiday Cups – I always enjoy the little things that add bits of holiday spirit. Starbucks offers some cool and interesting holiday drinks with a fun design on them. It’s a great pick-me-up, and a great way to warm yourself up. This year’s design encourages customers to colour and draws on the white background of the cups.

Skating at the Harbourfront Centre – Want to do something active, fun, and festive? Skating is the perfect way to engage in holiday cheer while burning some calories at the same time. Visit your local skating rink and rent a pair of skates – or bring your own. The Harbourfront Centre has a beautiful, scenic outdoor skating rink and best of all – admission is free!

Holiday Fair in Nathan Phillips Square – At the heart of downtown Toronto, celebrate winter by shopping in the market, skating, or simply enjoying the view at their annual holiday fair. Until December 23rd, experience different foods, find that perfect gift, and listen to some live Christmas music!

The Nutcracker – Experience the magic firsthand when you see The Nutcracker live in theatre! As an all-time classic, and world-renowned play, the National Ballet of Canada has been performing every year since 2005. It’s an amazing and entertaining family activity, and suitable for all ages. Catch it now until December 30th.

Get Involved with A Charity – Whether it’s helping out at your local food bank, preparing meals for the homeless, running a toy drive, or collecting clothes and personal care products for those in need, getting involved with charities is something that should not be overlooked during this busy and hectic time of year.

Whatever you choose to do, and wherever you choose to go…from all of us at SQM, have a safe and enjoyable holiday season, and a happy and healthy new year!

Breaking Boundaries at Best Buy

November 22, 2017David Lipton Comment

Although I wrote about Best Buy a few months ago, this is an unrelated experience, and one which I felt was worth sharing.

Let’s rewind the clock to a couple of weeks ago. I had been shopping for a laptop and was checking out different options, going through reviews, pricing, visiting different stores, and somehow ended up at the Best Buy at Downsview.

I was very pleased with the knowledge of the sales staff, and in addition, Best Buy had the best prices of all the competitors I was looking at. In fact, these days, they apparently even go so far as to match prices from other reputable businesses.

In addition to buying a laptop, I needed a Microsoft Windows license. As a result, the salesperson suggested that I get a Geek Squad membership, which would save me a significant amount off of the regular cost. At first, I was skeptical, but when I did the math, between the Windows license, a monthly movie pass, and the added benefit of technical support, I thought it was very much worth it to try out for six months.

In terms of technical support, I’ve brought in different items to be fixed or looked at by Geek Squad. So far, all have been fixed to my satisfaction, and in fact, they’ve consistently exceeded my expectations in terms of getting my things back to me as quickly as possible.

During my most recent Geek Squad visit, I was probably pushing it a little, and really put them to the test. I had been having problems with my phone charger, and while the Geek Squad representative was able to partially fix the issue, the end result was that I needed a new one after only having bought it a couple of months ago.

Since I didn’t have my receipt (my fault) I didn’t have much hope that they could do anything, however, without hesitation, one of the employees at Best Buy provided me with a new charger! I was completely stunned. My jaw dropped and I walked out of the store with a huge smile on my face.

While the phone manufacturer is known for making their customers jump through hoops to address issues, Best Buy stood behind the product and their goal of leaving their customers satisfied.

In last week’s blog, I suggested retailers were going to have to step up their game in their battle against Amazon and other online retailers. From my recent experiences at Best Buy, they clearly understand what they need to do to be successful, and they’re doing a terrific job!

Best Buy (Downsview)
416-636-6574
www.bestbuy.ca

Geek Squad (Downsview)
416-634-2305
www.geeksquad.ca

Fun and Friends at the Freeman Family Day Centre

November 15, 2017David Lipton Comment

Over the past few weeks, I’ve posted several blogs regarding my aunt, as she is recovering from a broken hip. Around the same time my aunt broke her hip, my father enrolled in a program at Baycrest, specifically at the Freeman Family Day Centre. The program is a day program for seniors, allowing them to keep active and engaged while socializing with other seniors.

Once accepted into the program, seniors can choose to come up to four days a week (the program runs Monday to Thursday) as well as either half days or a full day (full days run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Typically, the day begins with coffee, pastries, and some informal socializing. After everyone settles in, one of the group leaders discusses current events, which typically results in some entertaining conversations. The participants then get active with low-impact seated exercises, known as Stretch and Kvetch, which is run by one of the physiotherapists on staff. After morning exercises, several program options can be selected, ranging from art, to music, to book reviews or even movies.

After working up an appetite, the members all head to the dining room for lunch, sitting with those with common interests.

The program then continues until 2:30 p.m. with a variety of options for activities.

When it comes to getting to the program, there are several transportation options. Aside from driving or taking the bus, many attendees use taxis, Wheel-Trans, or iRIDE, to get them to and from the facility.

The cost of the program is approximately $40.00 a day, plus any transportation fees.

The program director and the rest of the staff are great to deal with. Whether it is helping new members adapt to the routine, getting coffee, assisting members to the washroom, or taking people to the next event, there is always help every step of the way. The staff are truly amazing people and are always there to help.

My dad originally attended the program and now that my aunt is on the road to recovery, she attends as well. Whether it’s the two of them or the other attendees that I’ve met, they all seem to enjoy it.

I know when folks hit 80 they become very set in their schedules, but for anyone that has a senior in the family and wants to keep them busy and active, I personally recommend the Freeman Family Day Centre.

Baycrest, Freeman Family Day Centre
416-785-2500
www.baycrest.org

Home is Where the Health is

November 1, 2017David Lipton Comment

I’ll have to be honest with you…I might not do this organization justice because I’ve only used a fraction of their services, however, I’ve been quite impressed with my experience thus far. I know of the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC), also known as the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), because of the services they provide to older people who are sick, can’t get out of the house, or have a serious injury. Their staff consists of various physiotherapists, caregivers, nurses, and occupational therapists. Workers are sent to the patient’s residence when they are older or unable to go out and perform various activities.

As my aunt is currently recovering from a broken hip, I have recently, however, unfortunately, gotten to take advantage of these services.

I was warned that there were various challenges associated with this organization and with public health services in general, but I have been extremely pleased with the quality of care and level of service which has been provided.

The process works like this: you are assigned a care manager, and that care manager is your main contact, but you may also deal with different individuals and agencies depending on your needs.

So far, on behalf of working with my aunt, I’ve met pleasant, dedicated, knowledgeable, patient, and helpful healthcare professionals. Whether it’s the nurse that comes in to change a dressing, the physiotherapist that comes to do exercises, or the personal support worker that takes care of a variety of duties…these people are an amazing group of individuals!

While the system isn’t perfect, and there’s always room for improvement, we are truly fortunate to have such a great healthcare system in place here in Ontario.

I would like to extend my appreciation and thanks to all of the people who have been and continue to be, involved in my aunt’s care and recovery. Keep up the great work!

Toronto Central LHIN
310-2222
www.healthcareathome.ca

The Scary Spirit of Halloween

October 25, 2017David Lipton Comment

The end of October brings many things along with it – colder weather, shorter days, and of course, Halloween! At this time of year, I always prepare myself for a breakout of pumpkins, candy, and amazing Halloween decorations.

Much like my fall blog post a couple of weeks ago, I decided to find several must-dos to help everyone get into the Halloween-y mood:

1) Screemers is one of Toronto’s best-haunted theme parks, featuring a wide variety of terrifying attractions and shows, including the Zombie Prizon, The Haunted House, and Skull Castle. Join Screemers this October as they celebrate 25 years of terrorizing their guests! For adults, kick back and hit up the Vampire Lounge and toss back some liquid courage before coming face to face with your greatest fears.

2) The infamous Halloween Haunt at Wonderland is one of the most popular Halloween attractions out there. Feeling brave enough? There are 700 monsters scattered around the park as well as mazes, live shows, and scare zones.

3) Every now and then, I do love a blast from the past. If you haven’t already gone to…or even if you have….go watch the original, Rocky Horror Picture Show in theatres. There are several showings at the Ted Rogers Cinema throughout October and into November. Don’t forget to dress up and bring your props!

4) Save some money this year and rent a costume instead of buying one! Everyone wants a cool costume at an affordable price, and for something you only wear once a year, plenty of people are looking to save some money. Malabar, located in Toronto, does just that.

5) Choose costumes from historical figures, superheroes, animals, and more! Be cautious of what your costume will be this Halloween, as more people are starting to make more conscious decisions on what to wear.

6) Choose something unique to give out on Halloween night! Instead of giving out candy, give out arts and crafts supplies, fun school supplies, or toys. There’s even one person in our neighbourhood who hands out Webkinz. Make this Halloween a memorable one for kids.

7) Take a peek at Casa Loma’s Haunted House! Make your way through the spookified castle and immerse yourself in a terrifying environment. Witness iconic Halloween figures, such as Dracula, the Phantom of the Opera, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

Halloween only comes around once a year. Make the most of whatever you decide to do, and most importantly, don’t be afraid to get into the Halloween spirit!

Falling in Love with Fall

October 18, 2017David Lipton Comment

As I get older, I am becoming more and more fond of the fall season. Whether it’s apple picking, going to the pumpkin patch, taking a drive up north to see the leaves change, or hitting up one of the many fall fairs, I truly find it an extremely enjoyable time of year.

While I probably should have written this blog a few weeks ago, given the great weather we’ve been experiencing, there’s still lots of time to get out and experience many fall-themed activities. These may include:

1. Carl Laidlaw Orchards is perfect for apple picking! Pick your fill of apples for a crispy, tasty treat, or turn your gatherings into a hot and filling apple pie. Some farms seem to be closing down as farmers sell the land to builders, so you may want to get out apple picking before you can’t anymore.

2. Take a hike or bike on the Don Valley to see the leaves change. The weather is perfect – not too hot, not too cold, and everybody could use some exercise. Now is the best time to get outdoors before our cold, Canadian winter comes romping along.

3. If you’re looking for some more leaf-changing, and perhaps some nice pictures too, consider taking a drive to Campbellville and Kilbride – about an hour’s drive from Toronto. There are five regional parks in Campbellville and an abundance of great scenery and trees.

4. When driving around Kilbride, try and spot the iconic farmhouse driveway that was the default fall wallpaper for Microsoft several years ago.

5. Take a fall boat cruise on the RMS Segwun – North America’s oldest operating mail steamship. This year is its 130th birthday!

6. Support a local farmer and buy a pumpkin at the pumpkin patch…Downey’s Farm Market, Brooks Farms, and Reesor’s Farm Market, to name a few. Spruce your pumpkin up and decorate it in time for Halloween!

7. Attend some fun fall festivals! Hit up Pumpkin Mania at Rounds Ranch for pumpkin-themed games, farm animals, and a pumpkin to take home for yourself, or swing by the Pumpkin Festival at the Buckhorn Berry Farm for wagon rides, corn mazes, and a spooky haunted barn.

8. Cross something off your bucket list and take a hot air balloon ride! The changing of leaves makes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience along with some beautiful scenery. Give Sunset Balloons in Scarborough a try!

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy and make the most of the fall season!

A Slice of Happiness at Bitondo’s

October 4, 2017David Lipton Comment

A couple of weeks ago, I found myself in my old stomping grounds, down near Little Italy. Feeling a little peckish, I decided to head along College to grab a quick bite. I had been circling around, looking for a parking spot in the residential area, when I came across a small restaurant I had bypassed hundreds of times…Bitondo’s Pizzeria.

It’s a small pizzeria that looks like a restaurant still stuck in the ’50s…with signs painted on the windows and minimal decor…a place that has made a name for itself with the quality of its pizzas, panzerottis, and pasta.

When I stepped in, I was greeted pleasantly by a young lady and asked what I would like to order. Since I was in a hurry, I ordered a pizza slice, which was immediately warmed in the oven. It was about $5.00 for a slice and a drink, and the place was doing a brisk business, with some people sitting at the few chairs and tables inside the restaurant, and others opting to head outside and sit on a bench in the warm weather.

Much to my surprise, the pizza reminded me of an old-style pizzeria – it was not too thick, thin, or chewy. In addition, both the cheese and pepperoni were extremely tasty, and didn’t seem industrialized – the quality was fantastic.

My only complaint is that there wasn’t much of a selection of cold drinks, despite having a large cooler.

During my time in the restaurant, I noticed employees answering phones and making pizzas for delivery. Sadly, I live too far away to be a regular delivery customer, however, if you want to try an independent pizza place, in an old-school style, I highly recommend Bitondo’s Pizzeria!

Bitondo’s Pizzeria
416-533-4101

Canadian Tire’s Tireless Customer Service

September 27, 2017David Lipton Comment

About a year ago, I bought a portable tire inflator that plugs into a cigarette lighter adapter from Canadian Tire – the one on Sheppard Avenue, near Leslie. I find this gadget comes in extremely handy when the temperature changes (as it causes a change in tire pressure). It’s certainly much easier than finding a service station with an air pump that works…not to mention that most stations now charge a loonie for air!

Recently, the pump has been giving me a bit of a problem, and when I tried to use it a week or two ago, it shut off completely and wouldn’t restart. I didn’t have the receipt any longer, but since this tire inflator was Canadian Tire’s MotoMaster brand, I decided that I’d try going back to the store to see what could be done.

After a short wait at the Customer Service counter, a friendly employee listened as I explained my situation to her. She started to apologize and told me that the product does not actually have a lifetime warranty, but only a one year warranty, which I had admittedly exceeded. During the interaction, one of the store managers happened to overhear the conversation, and without hesitation, approved an exchange. The employee indicated that I should grab another inflator off of the shelf, did some paperwork, and within minutes I was able to go on my way.

At a time when retail manufacturers seem to stand more and more behind the fine print in their warranties, it was refreshing to see a manager step up to the plate to keep customers happy. It goes without saying that a happy customer is much more likely to be a loyal customer, and I would think that’s what ultimately any company is striving for.

I can’t vouch for all Canadian Tire dealers but I’ve been happy with my experiences at this location and this visit only reinforced my belief that I was shopping at the right store.

Canadian Tire
416-226-4411
www.canadiantire.ca

Happy Trails Claireville Ranch

September 20, 2017David Lipton Comment

Back when my daughter was just three years old, we drove by a horse farm on the way to our cottage. Eventually, we started stopping at the farm as the owner would let her sit on a pony, and I would walk her around the property. The first time we did this, the owner thought she wouldn’t even last 10 minutes, yet an hour and a half later I was still going around the farm!

We continued visiting the farm until they closed up (they’ve since reopened under new management), and her interest and love of horses have continued to this day.

One day, last year she asked if we could go horseback riding somewhere in the city, and after some research, we found a small facility known as Claireville Ranch, located at the Claireville conservation area in Brampton.

The ranch is located in a beautiful area, has about 25 horses and a very pleasant and knowledgeable staff. The ranch provides pony rides for kids, trail rides, private trail rides, and riding lessons. The ranch doesn’t take reservations, but trail rides go out on the hour. An hour-long trail ride costs $35.00 (however there are discount coupons online), which is one of the more inexpensive costs that I’ve come across.

When I first discovered the place, my daughter wasn’t old enough to ride on her own, so I took her on a pony ride involving me once again walking her around the facility. Fast forward two years, and a few weeks ago, she asked if we could go back again. She’s older now, so she’s able to take a trail ride by going on a horse herself. Despite the beautiful weather and crowd on the weekends, when we got to the ranch, they had space for us on the next trail ride. After signing the waiver, being asked if we wanted to rent a helmet (I suggest this), and paying, we had a few minutes to hang around, grab a cold drink, and enjoy the area. Just before our hour was to begin, we were directed to our horses, the saddles were adjusted, and we headed out onto the trail.

We had a leisurely ride and about midway through, one guide asked if we wanted to go faster. Unlike many trail rides which only go slow, we were allowed to gallop at a steady pace for a short time.

During this recent visit, as well as our previous ones, the staff were all extremely friendly, polite, and knowledgeable, and perhaps most importantly….had safety as their primary concern. Our group of about 10 riders and two guides had a great time, and despite some sore muscles, I’m looking forward to going back again. After a quick stop at the snack bar, we were on our way back to our place, which wasn’t more than a half-hour drive away. For fun and a relatively low-cost way to do something different in the city, consider visiting Claireville Ranch!

Claireville Ranch
905-794-0700
www.clairevilleranch.com

Ride the Rocket!

August 23, 2017David Lipton Comment

A couple of weeks ago, the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) was in the news after a horribly frustrating morning of delays, due to switch issues, maintenance problems, and emergency alarms being pulled. While I realize that these challenges are experienced on a far too regular basis, for those passengers that rely on the TTC for their daily commute, I wanted to share some positive thoughts on the organization.

Although I am not a daily TTC user, I often take public transit when travelling downtown to events or meetings, as it is easier and less stressful than driving in a car. I’m able to sit and talk to my friends and family without having to focus on the road, and I don’t have to worry about finding parking.

Though the TTC undergoes plenty of maintenance, I have experienced minimal delays when travelling on the system and when delays do happen, I’ve found that the employees have done their utmost to get us moving again. Generally speaking, my trips have been smooth and comfortable and more than once I’ve found myself lulled to sleep by the swaying subway cars.

In more recent times, I also had the opportunity to use the TTC app, which provided me with accurate information regarding the bus schedule, allowing me to maximize my time visiting someone at the hospital, while also getting me to my destination on time.

My only two complaints would be the quickly rising cost of the fares and the added cost of parking at a TTC lot – why charge for parking when you’re trying to encourage people to leave their cars at home and take public transit?

One last thought…although becoming increasingly rare, I truly enjoy the look of those TTC operators who still wear the more formal “peaked” uniform hats (like the police or ship captains wear). These hats exude a more professional image, resulting in an increased level of respect from customers for employees and the industry.

The TTC has certainly had its share of ups and downs, but for more convenient and relaxing rides, consider taking the rocket from time to time.

Toronto Transit Commission
www.ttc.ca
416-393-4636

Go-Getter Customer Service for Go-Karts

August 16, 2017David Lipton Comment

For quite some time, I’ve been wanting to take my daughter go-karting. While I realize that there are a number of indoor tracks in Toronto, I’m a bit of a traditionalist and I think it’s more fun outdoors. Although I’ve always been driving past one of the tracks up north, a friend recently told me about an outdoor track, right here, in the city, named ‘Go-Karts @ Polson Pier.’ Indeed, it seemed very promising.

Last Sunday I called the location to gather more information. The phone was answered by an older gentleman by the name of Bob, who also happened to be the owner. Bob was friendly, polite and patient in answering my many questions regarding the hours of operation, pricing, age and height restrictions, and whether it was busy (because I didn’t want to drive down and end up waiting for hours).

When he learned that it was my daughter’s first time he kindly offered us the management special, which brought the price down, considerably. When we got down there, we met Bob, who came out to shake our hands while the employees set us up with tickets and helmets. My daughter went with the two-seater car first before feeling comfortable enough to go out on her own. Within a few laps, she was zipping around the track like Emerson Fittipaldi, and having a great time.

The racing equipment and the track were clean and well-maintained, and the staff were pleasant, polite, and friendly. Furthermore, Bob added to our visit by making it more personal and memorable.

After our fun on the track, we headed back into the downtown area for a bite to eat and some ice cream, which was the perfect end to a great afternoon.

I highly recommend visiting this track for a fun and somewhat different activity.

Go-Karts @ Polson Pier
416-778-5278
www.gokartsatpolsonpier.com

Crazy for Cubana Cuisine!

August 2, 2017David Lipton Comment

Over the last few weeks, my friends have expressed a fondness for Cuban food, so I decided to take them to a Toronto, Cuban restaurant that I had recently been introduced to. The restaurant, named La Cubana, currently has two locations – each with slightly different menus. For their first visit, I took them to the one which I had visited, on Ossington Avenue.

The experience I had there was different from anything else! From the minute you walk in and see the decor, you can tell that it is different from normal restaurants. The main dining room is set up with an old-style lunch counter, complete with a bar and high chairs. There is nice Cuban music playing in the background, adding to the relaxed and open atmosphere.

The menu is simple and straightforward and includes many types of pop, Cuban sandwiches, meal plates, appetizers and desserts. Bread and buns are baked fresh, in-house, and everything is served hot, fresh, and quick. The food is always properly cooked and well prepared, with diverse (and tasty) flavours.

On top of that, the servers are all extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and able to provide detailed descriptions of the various dishes and recommendations.

Near the end of our dining experience, the restaurant ended up having a problem with the internet and consequently, it affected their credit card machine. The bill took 10 minutes to produce, and the servers, empathetic to our situation, took a drink off of our bill.

For a taste of Cuban cuisine without travelling, check out La Cubana!

La Cubana
416-537-0134
www.lacubana.ca

Dyson Leaves the Competition in the Dust

July 26, 2017David Lipton 1 Comment

Based on the advice of a few friends, a number of years ago my wife and I bought a Dyson vacuum cleaner for our new house. The purchase ended up being a great decision, and we liked it so much, that we later went and bought another smaller, handheld Dyson, to clean up smaller messes, dust, etc.

Although Dyson is typically more expensive than the average brands of vacuum cleaners, I truly believe it is worth the investment. The vacuums themselves are engineered extremely well, ergonomically designed, easy to maintain, and don’t have a lot of complicated parts. In fact, given all the benefits, and how pleased I was with the home vacuum cleaner, we also decided to buy a Dyson for the SQM office.

Although our office Dyson vacuum has always been very well maintained, a few weeks ago we began to experience some problems with it. In particular, the rotating brush, or “head” of the vacuum stopped rotating. Naturally, we first tried to fix it ourselves because Dyson products are usually very easy to take apart and put together, but no dice. Our next step was to call Dyson and tell them about our problem. The representative answered the phone quite promptly, asked and answered the necessary questions, collected the model number from us, and told us it was still under warranty. Without hesitation, they offered to ship a new head directly to us.

The process of fixing equipment that was still under warranty was painless, and the new piece was shipped to us, just as promised. Unfortunately, our problems didn’t end there. We quickly discovered that we could not remove the old piece from the hose part of the vacuum. After placing another call to Dyson they offered a new hose piece since simply removing the head was no longer an option for us. A few days later, the hose piece arrived, safe and sound, and we were successfully able to switch the parts out and fix our office vacuum.

Dyson seems to have the perfect recipe for success: great quality products, amazing customer service, and a commitment to stand behind what they sell.

Whether you’re looking for a vacuum, their bladeless fans, or a hairdryer, consider Dyson as a long-term, worthwhile investment.

Dyson
1-877-397-6622
www.dysoncanada.ca