I wrote an email complaining about the lack of split times and general bad times at the Miami University triathlon that I did a week or so ago. You can read my race report over on my blog.
Anyways, HFP Racing, who kind of runs the race, responded.
Dan,
Thank you for your constructive comments, and of course we will always take the time to read letters from our participants. We take feedback very seriously and grow and learn from it. I have forwarded some of your comments to Miami U. organizers as they are more applicable to their realm of responsibility.
I would like to offer you 50% one of our Wheelie Fun Series events as consolation for the loss of split times. Let me know if you would like to select one and I will give you a 50% off discount code.
I responded - Thanks for your reply. I looked at the Wheelie Fun races and unfortunately, all of them are on Sundays and I don't race on Sundays. I would be interested possibly in a 50% discount code for the 2010 Miami race. I understand you might not have those set up yet but if it works for you, I could just forward this email on to you when you have them set up in a few months and if I plan on racing it
And got a response. Notice me not making fun of her Big 10 grammatical error :-)
Hi Dan,
I hope you're week has been productive. I contacted the Miami University Race Director and requested a 50% off discount for you to race next year. I respect your choice to not race on Sunday's and have struggled with that issue myself. In any case, Mr. Marcechko said that he would be fine with providing you the discount to compensate for problems you experienced on race day. He has reviewed your constructive criticisms as well.
Thanks, and have a wonderful weekend.
So I got that going for me, which is nice.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Kroger bagels
Last Saturday (April 25th) I purchased 2 packages of Kroger bagels, that were on sale 10 for $10. When we brought them home we refrigerated them as instructed on the package. This morning, when we went to use them for breakfast we found that they were growing mold!!!
Needless to say this was unexpected and disappointing only 4 days after purchasing them.
We do still have one of the packages - I looked for any kind of code or sale by date but did not see any obvious one.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Needless to say this was unexpected and disappointing only 4 days after purchasing them.
We do still have one of the packages - I looked for any kind of code or sale by date but did not see any obvious one.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sycamore Township traffic problems
I am writing to express 2 areas of traffic unpleasantness on Montgomery Road in Sycamore Township.
#1 - Early in the mornings (say, before 8:00 a.m.), the traffic light pattern for the traffic light between Nordstroms and LCA Vision is not commesurate with the traffic. At that time of day, traffic is at least 90% either coming from or going to Interstate 71. There is almost never a car that is coming out from Nordstroms or from the LCA / Staples / Old Navy shopping area (since they're all closed that early in the morning). Similarly, even with the construction at Nordstroms, there are almost never cars trying to turn left off of Montgomery, and even when there are, the traffic is light enough that a left turn is easily accomplished.
It's just frustrating as I'm heading off to work, that I have to sit at a red light for 30-60 seconds as no cross traffic takes advantage of it and then, to add further insult, sit ANOTHER 30-45 seconds as nobody takes advantage of a left turn arrow. Such a traffic pattern is definitely called for after say 9:30 or 10:00 a.m. when the mall and shopping areas open, but not before that.
My recommendation would be to re-program that traffic light for early morning times to be "on-demand", and only provide a green light for cross traffic when there actually IS traffic to use it.
#2 - Slightly further north on Montgomery, when going southbound, it is extremely frustrating having to be backed up by someone turning left into the Starbucks plaza. Since there is no dedicated turn lane, and usually heavy traffic coming northbound, it can really back up southbound traffic. There may not be anything that can be done about this, since I'm sure the businesses in that plaza would not be in favor of forbidding left turns into the plaza, and there may not be enough road to have a turn lane there, but I just thought I would express my frustration in the matter.
Thank you for your time in reading this and your attention to this matter.
#1 - Early in the mornings (say, before 8:00 a.m.), the traffic light pattern for the traffic light between Nordstroms and LCA Vision is not commesurate with the traffic. At that time of day, traffic is at least 90% either coming from or going to Interstate 71. There is almost never a car that is coming out from Nordstroms or from the LCA / Staples / Old Navy shopping area (since they're all closed that early in the morning). Similarly, even with the construction at Nordstroms, there are almost never cars trying to turn left off of Montgomery, and even when there are, the traffic is light enough that a left turn is easily accomplished.
It's just frustrating as I'm heading off to work, that I have to sit at a red light for 30-60 seconds as no cross traffic takes advantage of it and then, to add further insult, sit ANOTHER 30-45 seconds as nobody takes advantage of a left turn arrow. Such a traffic pattern is definitely called for after say 9:30 or 10:00 a.m. when the mall and shopping areas open, but not before that.
My recommendation would be to re-program that traffic light for early morning times to be "on-demand", and only provide a green light for cross traffic when there actually IS traffic to use it.
#2 - Slightly further north on Montgomery, when going southbound, it is extremely frustrating having to be backed up by someone turning left into the Starbucks plaza. Since there is no dedicated turn lane, and usually heavy traffic coming northbound, it can really back up southbound traffic. There may not be anything that can be done about this, since I'm sure the businesses in that plaza would not be in favor of forbidding left turns into the plaza, and there may not be enough road to have a turn lane there, but I just thought I would express my frustration in the matter.
Thank you for your time in reading this and your attention to this matter.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Sams Club followup
Received a letter from the membership manager at my local Sam's. Now, normally, I don't like to pick TOO much on people's spelling / grammar, but this lady IS a manager, and...well, you'll see.
Mr. Miller,
I understand your frustration with the difference of Sam's Club pricing and would like to explain why our prices are different at each location. Each club comps prices within their local area on a weekly basis. For example, Tri-county and Fields Ertle (sic) (two stores you mentioned) will comp their local grocery stores, but they also comp Costco pricing, as eash (sic) of these stores have a Costco in their local range. Eastgate will comp their local GFS. Until recently, the Oakley store has had no one to comp but the local Meijer and Krogers (sic) which is easy for us to beat prices on (sic). However, we have just started comping Restaurant Depo (sic) as well, which will make a significant difference in our pricing as it is actually someone to compeat (sic) with. We have just gained access to comp them as of last week, so you should see a drop in our pricing. I hope this better explains why you find a difference in pricing between stores as each store has a range we are allowed to comp within as well as pricing autonomy on low on hand items and/or display units (sic for massive run-on). If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact myself or any other manager at the club.
Respectfully,
Ashley xxxxx
Membership Manger
=====================
To which I responded:
Ms. Byrd,
Thank you for your response. I understand your reasoning, since it is your (and your fellow associates') responsibility to maximize profits for your store. I am sure that you will also understand that since it is my responsibility to provide food for my family at the lowest price possible, until such time as the prices come down, I will be doing my weekly Sam's club shopping at the xxxxx store.
I am not familiar with Restaurant Depot, though it appeared that they sell more supplies rather than actual food. I did notice that you did not mention comping with the Aldi on xxxxx, which has lower prices than you on many food items.
Again, thank you for your time. It was nice to actually get a response back (as opposed to previous times I have contacted Sam's)
Dan Miller.
Mr. Miller,
I understand your frustration with the difference of Sam's Club pricing and would like to explain why our prices are different at each location. Each club comps prices within their local area on a weekly basis. For example, Tri-county and Fields Ertle (sic) (two stores you mentioned) will comp their local grocery stores, but they also comp Costco pricing, as eash (sic) of these stores have a Costco in their local range. Eastgate will comp their local GFS. Until recently, the Oakley store has had no one to comp but the local Meijer and Krogers (sic) which is easy for us to beat prices on (sic). However, we have just started comping Restaurant Depo (sic) as well, which will make a significant difference in our pricing as it is actually someone to compeat (sic) with. We have just gained access to comp them as of last week, so you should see a drop in our pricing. I hope this better explains why you find a difference in pricing between stores as each store has a range we are allowed to comp within as well as pricing autonomy on low on hand items and/or display units (sic for massive run-on). If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact myself or any other manager at the club.
Respectfully,
Ashley xxxxx
Membership Manger
=====================
To which I responded:
Ms. Byrd,
Thank you for your response. I understand your reasoning, since it is your (and your fellow associates') responsibility to maximize profits for your store. I am sure that you will also understand that since it is my responsibility to provide food for my family at the lowest price possible, until such time as the prices come down, I will be doing my weekly Sam's club shopping at the xxxxx store.
I am not familiar with Restaurant Depot, though it appeared that they sell more supplies rather than actual food. I did notice that you did not mention comping with the Aldi on xxxxx, which has lower prices than you on many food items.
Again, thank you for your time. It was nice to actually get a response back (as opposed to previous times I have contacted Sam's)
Dan Miller.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The "Quality" of Pampers
To Whom It May Concern,
I've been wanting to write this letter for a few weeks now. We have two children: an almost 2-year-old and a 5-month-old. When we had our first child, we tried just about every diaper brand out there and ultimately decided, rather early on, that Pampers was by far the most absorbent and best-fitting brand of diapers. We have not used anything but Pampers for almost two years now. However, within the past few weeks, when we go to put a diaper on one of our children, we often find that one of the tabs completely rips off, rendering the diaper utterly useless. This has happened about 7 or 8 times now and is unacceptable. Diapers are way too expensive, especially these days, to just say, "Oh, well." We have always loved the Pampers brand for our children, but we are very seriously considering switching to another brand. Huggies, for example, is available at Costco and is cheaper than getting Pampers elsewhere, which is what we have always done in the past, because we believed Pampers to be the best. We don't feel this to be the case anymore.
Thank you for your time, and I hope that you will improve the quality of Pampers so that the problems that we have been experiencing do not happen again.
I've been wanting to write this letter for a few weeks now. We have two children: an almost 2-year-old and a 5-month-old. When we had our first child, we tried just about every diaper brand out there and ultimately decided, rather early on, that Pampers was by far the most absorbent and best-fitting brand of diapers. We have not used anything but Pampers for almost two years now. However, within the past few weeks, when we go to put a diaper on one of our children, we often find that one of the tabs completely rips off, rendering the diaper utterly useless. This has happened about 7 or 8 times now and is unacceptable. Diapers are way too expensive, especially these days, to just say, "Oh, well." We have always loved the Pampers brand for our children, but we are very seriously considering switching to another brand. Huggies, for example, is available at Costco and is cheaper than getting Pampers elsewhere, which is what we have always done in the past, because we believed Pampers to be the best. We don't feel this to be the case anymore.
Thank you for your time, and I hope that you will improve the quality of Pampers so that the problems that we have been experiencing do not happen again.
Sams Club
Hi,
I am calling to complain about the high prices at the Sams Club that is nearest my house (Club #xxxx). I got a Sams Club membership (again) a little more than a year ago and for the most part have been very happy. You have a good selection and better prices on some items than a typical grocery store.
But recently, while I was at a different Sams Club also in the Cincinnati metro area, I noticed that the price on cheese was lower than I remembered. Then, after I got home and did a little research on your website, I found that this was not a fluke, that in fact, the prices at my Sams Club were consistently higher (and not insignificantly).
I compared 4 clubs that are near my house: Club xxxx (8 mins away), Club xxxx (22 mins), Club xxxx (15 mins) and club xxxx (23 mins), for the items that I typically buy at your store.
Here are a few of the items, with the prices at each of those 4 clubs
5 lb Cheddar Cheese - $8.24, $8.28, $9.16, $9.22
5 lb Mozzerella Cheese - $7.93, $8.05, $8.53, $8.56
American cheese - $7.42, $7.79, $8.12, $8.12
Pancake mix - $5.68, $5.72, $5.72, $6.48
I did find a few items (mostly non-perishables) that appeared to be the same price at each club.
I just find it frustrating that in order to achieve the "every day low prices" that your company always touts and advertises, that I have to drive around to several different clubs WITHIN YOUR SAME COMPANY!!!
I would like to send this to the manager of my local store (#xxxx) to let him know that he will now be losing my business due to his prices, but found no way to contact an individual store on your website.
Thank you for your time.
Dan Miller
I am calling to complain about the high prices at the Sams Club that is nearest my house (Club #xxxx). I got a Sams Club membership (again) a little more than a year ago and for the most part have been very happy. You have a good selection and better prices on some items than a typical grocery store.
But recently, while I was at a different Sams Club also in the Cincinnati metro area, I noticed that the price on cheese was lower than I remembered. Then, after I got home and did a little research on your website, I found that this was not a fluke, that in fact, the prices at my Sams Club were consistently higher (and not insignificantly).
I compared 4 clubs that are near my house: Club xxxx (8 mins away), Club xxxx (22 mins), Club xxxx (15 mins) and club xxxx (23 mins), for the items that I typically buy at your store.
Here are a few of the items, with the prices at each of those 4 clubs
5 lb Cheddar Cheese - $8.24, $8.28, $9.16, $9.22
5 lb Mozzerella Cheese - $7.93, $8.05, $8.53, $8.56
American cheese - $7.42, $7.79, $8.12, $8.12
Pancake mix - $5.68, $5.72, $5.72, $6.48
I did find a few items (mostly non-perishables) that appeared to be the same price at each club.
I just find it frustrating that in order to achieve the "every day low prices" that your company always touts and advertises, that I have to drive around to several different clubs WITHIN YOUR SAME COMPANY!!!
I would like to send this to the manager of my local store (#xxxx) to let him know that he will now be losing my business due to his prices, but found no way to contact an individual store on your website.
Thank you for your time.
Dan Miller
Sunday, March 29, 2009
To NBC, RE Kings
I heard a rumor that Kings may be on the chopping block. (as in the proverbial one, not the horrible TV series one).
Please in the name of all that is good about television, do not cancel this show. Finally My wife and I have found a drama that interests us as much as early ER and 24. We have been looking for a long time and have found disappointment after miserable disappointment, but we love Kings.
Great acting, compelling story lines, and intelligent writing make it a show we look forward to.
That said, we do watch it on DVR, so if you are going solely by the ratings, we aren't helping any, I don't think, but remember that there are those of us out there that think this is a great series and will be sorely bitter if you cancel it.
Cheers!
Please in the name of all that is good about television, do not cancel this show. Finally My wife and I have found a drama that interests us as much as early ER and 24. We have been looking for a long time and have found disappointment after miserable disappointment, but we love Kings.
Great acting, compelling story lines, and intelligent writing make it a show we look forward to.
That said, we do watch it on DVR, so if you are going solely by the ratings, we aren't helping any, I don't think, but remember that there are those of us out there that think this is a great series and will be sorely bitter if you cancel it.
Cheers!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Compliment for Garage Doors of America
We had a garage door problem a few weeks ago and did not know where to turn. We tried the Home Warehouse chains and did not find much help there, so I looked online to see what I could come up with. Your website was one of the first that I found and within minutes of finding your site and signing up for help, we had a contractor scheduled to come out and fix our garage door. And the 15 dollar coupon was helpful as well.
Keep up the good work!
Keep up the good work!
Friday, November 14, 2008
A Letter to XM Radio
This was a letter that I sent to XM Radio regarding the format change from the old channel called POTUS 08 that was devoted to the presidential elections. I understood that some changes would be needed after the election was over, but, as you will read, certainly don't like the way that they are going.
What happened to my POTUS? It went from being the first and usually the last destination on my XM dial to being just another talk channel. What's up with having commercials? What happened to commercial free in the land of the free? Where did the good programs go. At least you still have the Press Pool, but please tell me you aren't seriously going to keep Pete Dominic around. Please. I can accept that everybody will have a little bias and a little bent to their opinions, but this guy is so far left he makes Obama look plain conservative. I have listened to his show a few times this week (how can I help it, it is always on!) and I have heard him insult just about everything that I stand for. I have heard him tell a man who was abstinent from sex due to religious preference that he was dumb and should "get laid", I heard him say that God doesn't exist, I heard one of his callers swear several times in the course of an anti-American (the caller was from Canada) rant and not get censored or at least reprimanded, and on and on. And even if I agreed with his politics, this guy is so full of how great he is and how novel his talk show is that he feels that he needs to tell us. Every 5 minutes.
I can't be the only POTUS listener who is sorely disappointed in the direction that this channel is taking. I don't need a whole slew of hosts who espouse my views (I don't really like most of the right wing shows anyway) but I just want what you had set up before - a channel where I could listen and get facts and even occasional opinions that were non-insulting and fair and interesting.
For many months POTUS 08 has been the biggest factor keeping me subscribed. If it keeps in this direction then I'll just go back to land-based radio because if I want blowhards I can get them anywhere.
Sincerely,
A disgruntled listener
What happened to my POTUS? It went from being the first and usually the last destination on my XM dial to being just another talk channel. What's up with having commercials? What happened to commercial free in the land of the free? Where did the good programs go. At least you still have the Press Pool, but please tell me you aren't seriously going to keep Pete Dominic around. Please. I can accept that everybody will have a little bias and a little bent to their opinions, but this guy is so far left he makes Obama look plain conservative. I have listened to his show a few times this week (how can I help it, it is always on!) and I have heard him insult just about everything that I stand for. I have heard him tell a man who was abstinent from sex due to religious preference that he was dumb and should "get laid", I heard him say that God doesn't exist, I heard one of his callers swear several times in the course of an anti-American (the caller was from Canada) rant and not get censored or at least reprimanded, and on and on. And even if I agreed with his politics, this guy is so full of how great he is and how novel his talk show is that he feels that he needs to tell us. Every 5 minutes.
I can't be the only POTUS listener who is sorely disappointed in the direction that this channel is taking. I don't need a whole slew of hosts who espouse my views (I don't really like most of the right wing shows anyway) but I just want what you had set up before - a channel where I could listen and get facts and even occasional opinions that were non-insulting and fair and interesting.
For many months POTUS 08 has been the biggest factor keeping me subscribed. If it keeps in this direction then I'll just go back to land-based radio because if I want blowhards I can get them anywhere.
Sincerely,
A disgruntled listener
Kroger shredded cheese
To whom it may concern:
Recently I had some trouble with a bag of shredded mild cheddar Kroger brand cheese. While most of my experiences with Kroger store brand products has been positive, this one was very frustrating. On the top of these bags of cheese there is a strip of plastic that rips off, allowing you to open (and reseal) the bag. But this particular bag's strip would not rip correctly. I tried ripping it from each side, and it only partially tore, rendering the bag unopenable. Eventually I had to carefully cut the top with a pair of scissors.
While this was only a minor inconvenience, I thought you would like to know so that you could try to improve your manufacturing process. I tried to look for a manufacturing code or something like that to further aid you in tracking down the problem, but was unable to find one.
Thank you for your time in reading this.
Recently I had some trouble with a bag of shredded mild cheddar Kroger brand cheese. While most of my experiences with Kroger store brand products has been positive, this one was very frustrating. On the top of these bags of cheese there is a strip of plastic that rips off, allowing you to open (and reseal) the bag. But this particular bag's strip would not rip correctly. I tried ripping it from each side, and it only partially tore, rendering the bag unopenable. Eventually I had to carefully cut the top with a pair of scissors.
While this was only a minor inconvenience, I thought you would like to know so that you could try to improve your manufacturing process. I tried to look for a manufacturing code or something like that to further aid you in tracking down the problem, but was unable to find one.
Thank you for your time in reading this.
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