May 9, 2010
Hobby Lobby, please, please take a lesson from Target on how to handle returns.
12/29/07
When I took my purchases out of the Kohl's bag today, there was a slip asking me to participate in a Customer Service survey.
Without much hope I logged on to see if I could actually provide some useful feedback. Of course, I couldn't. There was the standard set of questions, none of which addressed the problem with the store.
I wanted to say, "I work at a retailer down the street from your store, and you would be very distressed at how many times I hear, "I was in Kohl's, but got out of line because it was moving too slowly, and came here instead."
Wouldn't you want to hear that? I would. That is something I would definitely want to fix.
Other survey answers I would love to give
I would tell Target:
"Enough with the Red Cards already! Your interest rates are too high, your rewards are too few, and people are too credit savvy to sign up for more credit cards with only the promise of a 10% discount!" I would further suggest that, since they do popcorn so much better than the movie theaters, they should take over the movie theater concessions. If they still have their hearts set on pushing Red Cards, they can offer a 15% (NOT 10%) discount on concessions. That's a fast, instant reward that people can relate to!
(In fact, I did actually write to their corporate headquarters with that one. Got a very nice response, too. But they're still pushing the Red Cards, and I don't see their popcorn in any movie theaters.)
I would also advise Target that, although the clothes in the stores are very attractive, they don't really fit anybody. I suspect that that's one reason that their sales numbers keep tanking. Invite Mossimo and Mizrahai (sp.?) to use real women as their models. It's not just me. A woman I know who has the tall, slender figure beloved of fashion designers says the clothes don't fit her, either. But boy, do they look nice on the rack!
If the Target designers would keep their beautiful designs, yet let their clothes have the fit of Penney's St. John's Bay line, they'd clean up.
I would ask Wal Mart why they persist in having only 2 non-express lines open in stores where they encourage you to do ALL your shopping. How many people do their weekly grocery shopping, plus clothing, toys, and hardware, and have 20 or fewer items? And yet...
So either make your surveys worthwhile, or skip them. You're just wasting paper and annoying people.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Movie Editing
WORLD'S BEST EDITOR
When I had to fill out a jury duty questionaire they asked if there was any limiting condition that would make me unfit to serve.
I was tempted to say, "I fall asleep during long spells of talking." Instead of a doctor, I thought I could call on the pastor to corroborate.
This is why I would be a prime movie editor. I don't just fall asleep during slow-moving movies that depend on lots of talking. I fall asleep during any movie that doesn't move along smartly. Just last night I fell asleep during "Live Free or Die Hard"--AT THE THEATER, WITH ALL THE SUPER-ENHANCED SOUND. The action scene--yes, the ACTION SCENE--just dragged on. Somebody needs to tell movie makers that gunshots and loud noises don't keep a movie from being boring.
There are bad movies that are well-crafted, and good movies that could seriously use my unique editing sense.
Titanic, now: I thought the dialogue was trite--in fact, the whole plot was nothing new--but it was VERY well made. I watched it late at night, at home (TV after 9 p.m. is guaranteed to put me out)--and stayed awake the whole time. I didn't even like it that much! But it was extremely well-crafted.
I fell asleep several times during "Independence Day", which is a movie I actually like, now that I've seen the whole thing. Good movie, could use some editing. Most movies could.
Best movie ever (I mean English language, I've seen very few foreign films) was "Anatomy of a Murder." Low key, plenty of humor--had me riveted. Not from suspense--just because it had no dry spots.
NOW: Let's talk about the MPAA.
Last night, the previews that showed before "Die Hard" were all rated "G" by the MPAA.
Did they actually have their eyes open when they rated these trailers??? One was for a buddy movie that included hookers dancing around in spangled negligees (or less), with the men making predictable comments. Two trailers had more gunshots, explosions and deaths crammed into their short spans than many of the hour-long TV shows that are rated too violent. What's up with that?
I think the MPAA needs to wake up and watch the trailers. Or at least admit that the trailers aren't rated "G." It's fine to show them at the "Die Hard"-type movies--just admit that they're for grown-ups.
When I had to fill out a jury duty questionaire they asked if there was any limiting condition that would make me unfit to serve.
I was tempted to say, "I fall asleep during long spells of talking." Instead of a doctor, I thought I could call on the pastor to corroborate.
This is why I would be a prime movie editor. I don't just fall asleep during slow-moving movies that depend on lots of talking. I fall asleep during any movie that doesn't move along smartly. Just last night I fell asleep during "Live Free or Die Hard"--AT THE THEATER, WITH ALL THE SUPER-ENHANCED SOUND. The action scene--yes, the ACTION SCENE--just dragged on. Somebody needs to tell movie makers that gunshots and loud noises don't keep a movie from being boring.
There are bad movies that are well-crafted, and good movies that could seriously use my unique editing sense.
Titanic, now: I thought the dialogue was trite--in fact, the whole plot was nothing new--but it was VERY well made. I watched it late at night, at home (TV after 9 p.m. is guaranteed to put me out)--and stayed awake the whole time. I didn't even like it that much! But it was extremely well-crafted.
I fell asleep several times during "Independence Day", which is a movie I actually like, now that I've seen the whole thing. Good movie, could use some editing. Most movies could.
Best movie ever (I mean English language, I've seen very few foreign films) was "Anatomy of a Murder." Low key, plenty of humor--had me riveted. Not from suspense--just because it had no dry spots.
NOW: Let's talk about the MPAA.
Last night, the previews that showed before "Die Hard" were all rated "G" by the MPAA.
Did they actually have their eyes open when they rated these trailers??? One was for a buddy movie that included hookers dancing around in spangled negligees (or less), with the men making predictable comments. Two trailers had more gunshots, explosions and deaths crammed into their short spans than many of the hour-long TV shows that are rated too violent. What's up with that?
I think the MPAA needs to wake up and watch the trailers. Or at least admit that the trailers aren't rated "G." It's fine to show them at the "Die Hard"-type movies--just admit that they're for grown-ups.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Goofy TV habits
1. Do the members of Stargate's SG-1 team wear tiny earplugs? They're constantly shooting in enclosed spaces, such as Stargate Command and Go'auld ships, yet they never go deaf.
2. After spending an entire episode of Medium (2005-2006 season) talking about how selfish Allison was, the next episode showed her still reaching across her sleeping husband to make phone calls in the middle of the night.
Did they ever figure out that she and Joe should either switch sides of the bed or move the phone?
3. Do TV producers realize that nobody can remember cliffhangers from one season to the next? Heck, I can't even remember the scenario from one EPISODE to the next, let alone take the summer off. I'd like to see a show actually complete a storyline at the end of a season. (THANK YOU, "HEROES!") 'Cause I ain't holdin' my breath, I assure you. All I do is get aggravated at the producers and writers for being so lame.
4. Speaking of "Heroes", since Hiro Nakamura is so fascinated by "Star Trek", did he ever notice that his father (George Takei) bears an uncanny resemblance to Mr. Sulu (George Takei)?
5. By the way, the soundtrack scattered through the shows is getting old, too. It was OK for one show, though it was best when they had one song at the end. Now it's passe, and as annoying as the widespread cliffhanger phenomenon.
More TV
March 2, 2010
Just finished watching the season 1 finale of "Men of a Certain Age." I love this show. I hope that they don't goof up Season 2.
2 great shows, "Northern Exposure" and "Chuck", goofed up their second seasons by putting in lots of sex scenes. I never did figure out why. Here you've got exquisite shows (OK, I admit it, I'm a sucker for a feel-good ending), perfectly crafted, and you go and mess them up by putting in sex scenes. What for?
So, "Men of a Certain Age", please don't fall into that trap. You're great, just the way you are.
2. After spending an entire episode of Medium (2005-2006 season) talking about how selfish Allison was, the next episode showed her still reaching across her sleeping husband to make phone calls in the middle of the night.
Did they ever figure out that she and Joe should either switch sides of the bed or move the phone?
3. Do TV producers realize that nobody can remember cliffhangers from one season to the next? Heck, I can't even remember the scenario from one EPISODE to the next, let alone take the summer off. I'd like to see a show actually complete a storyline at the end of a season. (THANK YOU, "HEROES!") 'Cause I ain't holdin' my breath, I assure you. All I do is get aggravated at the producers and writers for being so lame.
4. Speaking of "Heroes", since Hiro Nakamura is so fascinated by "Star Trek", did he ever notice that his father (George Takei) bears an uncanny resemblance to Mr. Sulu (George Takei)?
5. By the way, the soundtrack scattered through the shows is getting old, too. It was OK for one show, though it was best when they had one song at the end. Now it's passe, and as annoying as the widespread cliffhanger phenomenon.
More TV
March 2, 2010
Just finished watching the season 1 finale of "Men of a Certain Age." I love this show. I hope that they don't goof up Season 2.
2 great shows, "Northern Exposure" and "Chuck", goofed up their second seasons by putting in lots of sex scenes. I never did figure out why. Here you've got exquisite shows (OK, I admit it, I'm a sucker for a feel-good ending), perfectly crafted, and you go and mess them up by putting in sex scenes. What for?
So, "Men of a Certain Age", please don't fall into that trap. You're great, just the way you are.
Fashion Quirks
1. Whose idea was it to put the adjuster on the BACK of the bra straps? Have they actually tried using them?
2. I never did buy Brown as a spring color (spring 2006). I predicted that the designers would compensate by throwing together all the colors they DIDN'T use last spring and handing them to us. And they did.
3. If Old Navy wants to know why its sales REALLY went down, I can tell them: They stopped making shirts that mature women could wear.
Old Navy used to have comfortable, stylish shirts that looked good on grown-ups. Most women loved them. Then the store fell into the "let's make everything stretch across the chest" shirts, and sales plummeted. Yet they didn't get the connection.
I haven't shopped there in a while. Maybe I'll try again to see if they've seen the light.
Dec 8, 2008
I’ve thought of a great video to post on the internet, on You Tube. It involves women trying on clothes and modeling them for the camera. Target always wonders why its sales are going down; it’s because even the tall, slender women can’t make those clothes work. (I used to think it was just my body shape. I tell you, working in the fitting room has done wonders for my morale.) Same for all those other companies, with the shirts that stretch so tightly across the bust that any woman over size A looks like a hussy—or has to wear the clothing 2 sizes bigger to get it to look good across the chest. I think it’d be a great wake-up call for the fashion industry.
More (Non) Fashion
February 22, 2010
I see that designers this year are going with gloomy colors for Spring because the economy stinks. Presumably they think that no one will feel like being perky and wearing pretty colors.
On the other hand, who wants to spend money on depressing stuff? If I wanted to entice people to buy things, I might mute some shades (or darken them slightly), but still use color. And put a little sheen on them, so that they'd be different enough from last year's to actually tempt somebody to buy them.
But what do I know? I'm only the person buying (or not) the clothes.
2. I never did buy Brown as a spring color (spring 2006). I predicted that the designers would compensate by throwing together all the colors they DIDN'T use last spring and handing them to us. And they did.
3. If Old Navy wants to know why its sales REALLY went down, I can tell them: They stopped making shirts that mature women could wear.
Old Navy used to have comfortable, stylish shirts that looked good on grown-ups. Most women loved them. Then the store fell into the "let's make everything stretch across the chest" shirts, and sales plummeted. Yet they didn't get the connection.
I haven't shopped there in a while. Maybe I'll try again to see if they've seen the light.
Dec 8, 2008
I’ve thought of a great video to post on the internet, on You Tube. It involves women trying on clothes and modeling them for the camera. Target always wonders why its sales are going down; it’s because even the tall, slender women can’t make those clothes work. (I used to think it was just my body shape. I tell you, working in the fitting room has done wonders for my morale.) Same for all those other companies, with the shirts that stretch so tightly across the bust that any woman over size A looks like a hussy—or has to wear the clothing 2 sizes bigger to get it to look good across the chest. I think it’d be a great wake-up call for the fashion industry.
More (Non) Fashion
February 22, 2010
I see that designers this year are going with gloomy colors for Spring because the economy stinks. Presumably they think that no one will feel like being perky and wearing pretty colors.
On the other hand, who wants to spend money on depressing stuff? If I wanted to entice people to buy things, I might mute some shades (or darken them slightly), but still use color. And put a little sheen on them, so that they'd be different enough from last year's to actually tempt somebody to buy them.
But what do I know? I'm only the person buying (or not) the clothes.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Work-related questions
1. If a company keeps you waiting for an interview that they scheduled for a certain time, do you get to come in late that same amount of time on your first day?
2. Do people REALLY care about the format of your resume? I've worked in some cities where they were happy if the applicant could just spell correctly. I've never yet looked at a resume for its format, only for what the person applying for the job can do.
3. Interviewers often ask, "Tell me a negative about yourself." I always answer, "If I'm concentrating on a task, I don't much like to socialize." It seems negative, but can be construed as a positive. But it's not my worst negative.
If I were being truthful, I'd say, "I stink at making decisions, and I'm lousy in a crisis." But who really wants to hear that, and--let's be honest--who REALLY is going to tell something negative about himself in an interview?
2. Do people REALLY care about the format of your resume? I've worked in some cities where they were happy if the applicant could just spell correctly. I've never yet looked at a resume for its format, only for what the person applying for the job can do.
3. Interviewers often ask, "Tell me a negative about yourself." I always answer, "If I'm concentrating on a task, I don't much like to socialize." It seems negative, but can be construed as a positive. But it's not my worst negative.
If I were being truthful, I'd say, "I stink at making decisions, and I'm lousy in a crisis." But who really wants to hear that, and--let's be honest--who REALLY is going to tell something negative about himself in an interview?
Monday, April 9, 2007
Goofy Questions
1. Do people who say, "Think outside the box" realize that they're using a cliche?
2. In ancient Greece, artists used to leave a rough or unfinished patch on their work, so that they couldn't achieve perfection and potentially compete with the gods.
I wonder if anybody ever looked at a work of art and said, "No need to leave a rough patch on that one!" Maybe it became an ancient insult.
2. In ancient Greece, artists used to leave a rough or unfinished patch on their work, so that they couldn't achieve perfection and potentially compete with the gods.
I wonder if anybody ever looked at a work of art and said, "No need to leave a rough patch on that one!" Maybe it became an ancient insult.
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