Q: negative

A: Clear communication is an integral component of every relationship throughout life. For a business, a lack of communication can create many issues including alienating your customer base. Government agencies are unique in that when we do not receive adequate service we cannot simply go to a competitor. The Department of Revenue exemplifies poor communication resulting in poor customer service. On a positive note, the list of individuals I spoke with today were friendly and able to each provide some type of information that helped the mysterious puzzle begin to take shape; however, several calls and valuable work time could have been avoided if clear communication were to take place. It is the old adage of one hand not knowing what the other hand is doing. Over the weekend I received a letter labeled "accounts receivable demand notice" - sounds scary, but more interesting was the fact that I have never received prior communication indicating anything was afoot. There was no explanation, no contact person - only a summarized account balance showing penalties and interest for some unknown event occurring four years ago. The first lead was the bolden invitation to visit them on the web, to which the corresponding web site address was unable to provide an further information. On the back of the statement read the message "if you do not agree with the balance or need further explanation, please call..". I called the number and spoke with a lady asking for the agent's name and other information I did not have. No worries - I provided my taxpayer ID and she was able to provide the agent's name and phone number. She said she would connect me, but for my information the agent's number was...and as she gave the number she mumbled the last 2 digits. I said excuse me, but I didn't get...too late - I was patched through to the agent's voice mail. The message stated I needed to leave a string of information including my UTI number. I don't know what that is, but I don't think I have it on this form... Still being friendly as not to upset "the man" I provided my name and contact information then indicated I had not received a prior letter nor did I have a UTI number, but I did have my taxpayer ID. I clearly stated that I also did not receive the full phone number and requested a return call. Within a few minutes my phone silently vibrated without catching my attention. The agent left a voice mail stating my call was being returned and to please call back. The agent did not leave the office number and the caller ID showed Blocked. Again, I had to return to the general office number and work back to the agent. When I finally reached the agent, I received information as to what generated the letter, what was needed and why it occurred. The agent stated I should next call the collections number or I could set up something on the department web site. But even if I did the web site, I should cal the number to prevent them from taking it further. I chose phone call. In calling the collections department the person answering the phone asked the same questions and suggested I contact the agent. When I indicated that I had already spoken to the agent and it was suggested I phone collections, the representative was puzzled why the agent would send me to them. I was told that the issue was coded to auditing and should contact them to really get it resolved, but since auditing told me to call collections, maybe they could set it up on their end. My information was taken including name, address, SSN, employer, bank, etc. I indicating I would pay half of the bill this month and the other half next month. I asked if I would be sent a bill. I was told probably not - but I could phone in each time and pay over the phone. While each person was friendly and had at least a piece of the puzzle (which is the reason for the second star), the entire ordeal took longer than an hour and would have continued to run in loops. The agent suggesting I contact the collections department to avoid further issues and collections suggesting I contact the agent to prevent further issues shows how well they have the run around game down to a science. Maybe it would be too easy for one person to field the call, give an explanation and take the steps to resolve the issue. Oh, you want to pay? Let me set that up for you. Thanks! I guess three different offices and tossing people back and forth is a way to ensure job security.

Q: negative

A: This hotel is terrible. I am here with my husband for the weekend and have a six month old son at home with his grandparents. I am still breastfeeding and arranged for the hotel to help me send frozen breast milk home to my baby during my stay. I called a month ahead of time and was told by multiple concierges and business center personnel that this would not be a problem and that they provide this kind of service to moms all the time. The only reason I chose this hotel or came on this trip was because of how confident they sounded about being able to get this done. Well I am here now and was given the run around for over an hour this morning. The bottom line is they did not uphold any of their promises to get the breast milk back to my baby, in fact they don't even know how to handle such a request. They have my calls on file but they were not prepared to do what they guaranteed they could do and wanted to charge me five times more than what they quoted me to get the milk home IF they could figure out how to do it. What happened to they do this this all the time??? I am completely appalled. When I asked for some kind of compensation they said they could give me $100 and that's it. Are they crazy??? What kind of treatment is this? It's nice to know the Bellagio doesn't care about feeding babies!!

Q: negative

A: I do not like this particular Petsmart at all and hope that they make some changes. First off the fact that they have 1 door next to the register they seem to use makes it hard to get in and out, especially with a pet. Secondly, the main aisle in the store does not allow but 1 person in it. If someone is looking at the Martha Stewart stuff, then someone has to wait until they move to get around them or have to go down a different aisle to get somewhere. The grooming department is good, but nothing special. Most employees don't seem happy to be there. I feel like it's mass confusion when dropping off my pet or picking up afterwards. I have never used VCA there so I can not voice a thought at that end.

Q: negative

A:
I would give minus stars if that was an option as today's visit to Poundsavers will cost me in a couple of ways. Allow me to explain. My watch battery needed replacing. I intended to go to a jewelers but saw a sign outside Poundsavers advertising all watch batteries replaced. The man behind the counter said it was fine and I would be able to collect my watch in some minutes with the new battery. On retrieving my watch the man insisted on placing it on my wrist for me and although I thought this a bit odd I was okay with it as I would inspect the backing once I left the store. I paid for the new battery and left (can't believe they had the gull to charge me for it!). Upon inspecting the backing I noted many large and deep grooves where he attempted to prise the backing off without any intelligence as well as a significant chunk missing from the watch (this is a very nice wood watch which I adore). I was enraged and reentered the store only to receive terrible customer service. The man insisted it was the fault of the manufacturer, that it was a cheap plastic watch anyway, that my battery was replaced as I asked and he could have done no better a job (I've no doubt of the last statement!). After pointlessly pushing my case that had brought in a complete watch and left with a broken one, which I would have happily taken somewhere else if there had been any indication from himself that he was struggling with getting the backing off (but there wasn't), and that I had every right to be upset, particularly given that he tried to deceive me by placing the watch on my wrist so that I might not notice his savagery, (which he in no way denied and it was obvious from his speech and manner that he knew he had damaged my property), another man working there said they would be willing to refund the cost of the battery. Well, better than nothing but the cost of the repair would be better! As it was clear this was the best I was going to get from this simpleminded lot and that further efforts would be better spent hitting my head off of a brick wall, I was 'kindly' asked once and again and again to leave. At no point did I raise my voice beyond a reasonable level or curse or dance around like a maniac but I certainly felt justly angered for this treatment, expressed myself calmly and coherently and was met with idiocy and false truths. Needless to say I would not shop at Poundsavers if it was the only show in town after the brutality my watch endured and the treatment I subsequently received today. Very disappointed!