Missing True Deparment Stores

[fnelson487]

Scott

Your initial impressions are very accurate. When I first moved to California in 1979, I remember being very disappointed in the retail stores. Bullocks was the best but no comparison to Carson's or Fields. I remember transplanted Easterners and Midwesterners saying that they went back east to shop for clothes and such. The only thing I really miss about Southern California (besides the almost perfect weather) is Gelsons the grocery store. Have never come across anything like it anywhere else. If you get a chance check out the Santa Monica, Westwood, or Encino (my store) Gelsons. You will be impressed by the produce (never picked up anything less than perfect), meat, fish and service.

Fred

 

[angus]

Federated did the same thing to Filene's, Bullock's and I. Magnin. Filene's and Foley's were sold to May and Bullock's and I. Magnin were sold to Macy's. Ultimately Federated got them all back plus got Macy's to boot. But the damage was done.

 

[scott55405]

Michaelman, the Target is on Rodeo Road (pronounced like it looks) as opposed to "RoDAYo" Drive in Beverly Hills, LOL.

Jaune, you are correct, I'm speaking of the Target on Jefferson, and I think we're talking about the same mall. You're the second person that's referred to it as "Fox Hills" to me, though on the building it says "Westfield Shoppingtown". Maybe I'll try the Beverly Center and Westside Pavilion. I do like South Coast if I'm in Orange County.

The Target I've been going to is in Manhattan Beach, it is nice and is convenient to my job in El Segundo. I bought my computer at the Fry's on Sepulveda and Rosecrans. It was a dive but they were nice and several hundred dollars cheaper than Best Buy for a similar computer.

I've been doing most of my grocery shopping at the Vons on Centinela, bet. Washington and Venice. Besides being the closest grocery to my house, it has a very 60s feel to it, which I like. Unfortunately, the groceries here are still fond of using those loyalty cards, which I detest and which have all but disappeared in Minnesota. Guess that part's not that big a deal. They are very helpful and nice there. I didn't realize Safeway owned all those stores. I wondered why Von's had so many Safeway brand items, and why I haven't seen an actual Safeway store.

Fred, I am familiar with and have been to Gelson's in the past. They are indeed very nice stores. I think there's one over this way someplace too. One of my dearest friends lives near Encino, just north of that big park. I've been shopping on Ventura Boulevard a few times when staying there.

Though very young, I still remember visiting Bullock's on Wilshire Boulevard on my first trip to California in 1969. I did go to a Macy's in downtown LA when I was interviewing down there that I thought was pretty nice. Mark goes there all the time.

 

[kenmore1978]

Store changes

" The only thing I really miss about Southern California (besides the almost perfect weather) is Gelsons the grocery store."

Gelson's and Mayfair are the same company. One of the few non-huge chains here in Southern CA that are successful

"Michaelman, the Target is on Rodeo Road (pronounced like it looks) as opposed to "RoDAYo" Drive in Beverly Hills, LOL."

The difference is the English and Spanish pronunciations of the same word. "RoDAYo" is the Spanish pronunciation, RoDEEo is the English pronunciation.

"You're the second person that's referred to it as "Fox Hills" to me, though on the building it says "Westfield Shoppingtown"

That area of Culver City is referred to as Fox Hills, and when it was originally built, it was called the Fox Hills Mall

"I've been doing most of my grocery shopping at the Vons on Centinela, bet. Washington and Venice. I didn't realize Safeway owned all those stores."

Safeway used to have a big presence here, but after being bought by Kohlberg, Kravis, & Roberts in a leveraged buyout in the the 80's, they sold all the Southern CA stores to Vons in order to reduce debt. Apparently, Vons paid with a lot of stock instead of cash, which then years later allowed Safeway to return and take over Vons.

 

[ironrite]

Just Plain Old Service

Decided to look at a new computer today. I'm looking at a Sony RC series to handle video editing. So off I go to RC Willey, a local appliance/electronic/home store. 8 Salesmen standing around, talking on their cell phones and I'm sitting on their floor looking around at a couple of desktop models. Hmm, let's put the most expensive models on the lowest display rack. Nobody came over to help.

Then called the local Sony Style store here. It took several attempts to get someone on the phone. I could not understand a word they said. Asked a couple of general questions, then questions about the RC, both times put on hold. No product knowledge and they work for Sony! They have a display model, but aren't selling the machines at this time, was told to order it direct from Sony.

Now, off to Fry's Electronics. They've never heard of this Sony, though thought they had it, but wouldn't look it up in their inventory. Finally went over to buy an external hard drive. Watched 6 salespeople talk for 5 minutes before someone noticed me and I finally got the hard drive.

When I'm ready, I'll just order the computer over the internet. But it simply stuns me that these people have jobs. How on earth did they get past an interview? I've worked sales before and I used to work in customer service, so I know it's not a picnic, but it appears now it's turning into a party! But the customer is not invited.

 

[petek]

In many cases, not all, it does pay to complain about poor service. I have no qualms whatsoever about doing it and doing it loudly depending on the circumstances. If I'm being obviously ignored it's loud and to the point followed up by a letter to the management. If the person is woefully inadequate about product knowledge and I mean woefully I'd ask them how long they'd been working there and if it was time enough to know a product line I'd ask them why they didn't know what they were selling, leave and follow it up with a complaint letter.
If I'm in line to pay and the cashiers phone rings and she begins talking to a customer about something in the store I usually reach over and hang the phone up. I'm not being put on hold just because someone phones in. What's with people thinking a phone call from a customer comes before a paying customer in front of them? I don't get it. Don't they know how to put a phone call on hold till they finish what they're doing?
Believe me, complain properly and you'll get free stuff. When you make your complaint in writing do it professionally and always always always make mention of the "valuable" time you wasted as a result as well as if they plan on making any corrections. Address it directly to the store manager with a copy to the head office if that applies.

 

[magic clean]

The phone

Petek states "If I'm in line to pay and the cashiers phone rings and she begins talking to a customer about something in the store I usually reach over and hang the phone up. I'm not being put on hold just because someone phones in. What's with people thinking a phone call from a customer comes before a paying customer in front of them? I don't get it. Don't they know how to put a phone call on hold till they finish what they're doing?"

Man, you've pushed my button with that one. Hotel front desk staff are notorious for this. Does not seem to matter what "class" of hotel it is either. I think they are trained to work in this manner, as they've already got you as a reserved guest, so by answering the phone they can potentially reel in another. Most of the time, some of the conversations are downright idiotic....at least the half you are privy to. I've personally complained vigorously about this, and at most you get a shrug of the shoulders & "sorry".

And while on the subject of hotels, I've asked many a manager & other staff if they've ever stayed in a room at their hotel if things are not quite right. The answer is generally "Noooooo"! Airports & airlines can be another source of "fun" nowadays. Then comes the rental cars!! Well enough of this rant from a sometimes hot, tired and aggravated road warrior.

 

[kenmore1978]

Salespeople

I've gotten to the point where I do all my research before I go into a store so I don't have to bother with salespeople who don't know anything anyway