Starbucks N. Scottsdale 8-25-08

My Experience: This one on Frank Lloyd Wright near AJ’s is always slower than others in the area and today was the same.  I ordered two lattes, one grande, one venti and got the grande one but then waited a few minutes while the three people behind me got their drinks, then my venti showed up.  I wonder if they have secret auditors go in and time the thru-line.  It would be easy enough to do with a digital watch and a fake cross-word in hand. I know from experience this one is half as fast as the others around here.  Another “have a nice day” and no “thank you.”  They just shut 600 units, you would think they could squeeze one out for my eight bucks, I have a coffee maker and milk frother at home and $8 is a month’s worth of coffee from Costco.  I also came from my gym which has a Coffee Plantation in the parking lot and was heading to get my dry cleaning which is next to a Coffee Bean.

Total Score from a possible of 10:  8

Interaction Cost: $8

Said “Hello” first:  1 Out of 1 point

Smiled:  3 Out of 3 points

Efficient:  1 Out of 2 points

Friendly, Engaged or Enthusiastic:  2 Out of 2 points

Said “Thank You”:  0 Out of 1 point

Bonus for getting all of the above:  0 Out of 1 point

If you have been here please leave a comment about your experience!

Barnes & Noble Books N. Scottsdale 8-23-08

My Experience: With a few minutes before a movie we decide to burn up a gift card.  I was looking for a book I heard about called “The 22 immutable laws of branding” and the girl said one was on order and she would be glad to hold it for me.  Cashier got the job done but no thank you and not a smile to be found.

Total Score from a possible of 10:  5

Interaction Cost: $28

Said “Hello” first:  1 Out of 1 point

Smiled:  0 Out of 3 points

Efficient:  2 Out of 2 points

Friendly, Engaged or Enthusiastic:  2 Out of 2 points

Said “Thank You”:  0 Out of 1 point

Bonus for getting all of the above:  0 Out of 1 point

If you have been here please leave a comment about your experience!

Go Wireless Henderson, NV 8-21-08

My Experience:I stopped in to buy a charger for my Blackberry.  Six months ago I bought one here and it did not work with my Motorola Q.  I asked for a factory brand and they said they did not have one.  They assured me it would be fine.  I bought one and we plugged it in right there and it did not work.  All-the-while the young man behind the counter is calling me “dude” and “bro”.  He also asked for my id when I gave him my American Express.  I assumed he was going to glance at the id but he started entering everything.  When he I asked him to stop he did not.  So demanded he stop stating he did not need my home address to buy a power cord.  He just gave me a look.  Another charger with a few “bro’s” and “dude’s” sprinkled on top and I was out the door $39 later.”Later Bro” in leiu of a thank you.  I had no idea “thank you” was almost as rare as a smile.

Total Score from a possible of 10:  1

Interaction Cost: $39

Said “Hello” first:  1 Out of 1 point

Smiled:  0 Out of 3 points

Efficient:  0 Out of 2 points

Friendly, Engaged or Enthusiastic:  0 Out of 2 points

Said “Thank You”:  0 Out of 1 point

Bonus for getting all of the above:  0 Out of 1 point

If you have been here please leave a comment about your experience!

Chipotle Restaurant Henderson, NV 8-21-08

My Experience: Smooth enough but the people behind the counter were a little lax in calling me dude and “have a good one.”  Just say thank you.

Total Score from a possible of 10:  5

Interaction Cost: $8

Said “Hello” first:  1 Out of 1 point

Smiled:  0 Out of 3 points

Efficient:  2 Out of 2 points

Friendly, Engaged or Enthusiastic:  2 Out of 2 points

Said “Thank You”:  0 Out of 1 point

Bonus for getting all of the above:  0 Out of 1 point

If you have been here please leave a comment about your experience!

Golden Spoon 8-18-08

My Experience: I ordered four different flavors of frozen yogurt to-go.  The nice kid came back and said that one was unavailable.  When I asked if they were out he said, “No, it’s frozen.”   Isn’t that the point…I got another “have a good night” in leiu of a “thank you.”  It’s just not the same.  I say have a good night while being cordial to my neighbor with whom I have not had a financial exchange.  Thank you says to me “we understand you have choices, including the choice not to get any yogurt tonight at all, and we appreciate your business.”

Total Score from a possible of 10:  6

Interaction Cost: $8

Said “Hello” first:  1 Out of 1 point

Smiled:  3 Out of 3 points

Efficient:  0 Out of 2 points

Friendly, Engaged or Enthusiastic:  2 Out of 2 points

Said “Thank You”:  0 Out of 1 point

Bonus for getting all of the above:  Out of 1 point

If you have been here please leave a comment about your experience!

Safeway N. Scottsdale 8-18-08

My Experience: Even though I had a dozen roses in my hand the cashier could not smile or act like she was even slightly wanting to be there.  She also did not have her cash drawer so it stopped the whole line when the guy in front of me went to pay cash. A stoic, “Have a good day”  is not a thank you.

Total Score from a possible of 10:  0

Interaction Cost: $12

Said “Hello” first:  0 Out of 1 point

Smiled:  0 Out of 3 points

Efficient:  0 Out of 2 points

Friendly, Engaged or Enthusiastic:  0 Out of 2 points

Said “Thank You”:  0 Out of 1 point

Bonus for getting all of the above:  0 Out of 1 point

If you have been here please leave a comment about your experience!

Albertson’s N. Scottsdale 8-16-08

My Experience: Forgot whipped cream for the cook-out.  Went through self cashier.  No interactions.

Total Score from a possible of 10:  0

Interaction Cost: $3

Said “Hello” first:  Out of 1 point

Smiled:  Out of 3 points

Efficient:  Out of 2 points

Friendly, Engaged or Enthusiastic:  Out of 2 points

Said “Thank You”:  Out of 1 point

Bonus for getting all of the above:  Out of 1 point

If you have been here please leave a comment about your experience!