Good customer service: Where do YOU get it?

After reading the posts about best restaurants and the good comments about Nykuns, I started thinking about the places in town (or nearby) that seem to try to cater to my wishes. One is the Laundry Basket by the new Quik Check in H'town. Owned by a local family. Clean. Friendly personnel. I almost hate to tell anyone about it because I don't want all the washing machines taken when I come in to do my laundry.
But they deserves kudos, imho.

Marty's Bicycle Shop on main street has great service and employee's.

Chris at the Hackettstown Sandwich Shoppe
Jacen at JLM Computers
Glenda at Westside Hair Salon
Kay at the registration desk at the Hackettstown Hospital
All the employees I've encountered at Panera Bread
Dee at Gold's Gym


And, I don't know his name, but there's a guy at the new QuickChek on Rt. 517 that is always smiling and saying hello to everyone--such a ray of sunshine when you stop in!

SusieQ July 23, 2008 12:29 pm | Link

The guys and girls at Mama's -

Always friendly and accomodating. Used them for Christmas catering (like to enjoy one holiday out of the kitchen) and I explained a dietary need for my Mom. They came up with an excellent solution for this one person in the party at a time that they were very, very busy with catering orders for the holiday. Was not even any hesitation to support this!

Coralie July 23, 2008 12:43 pm | Link

Pete at Pietro's
All of the guys and gals at Bagels Abroad
The staff at Bank of America
All of the staff of Emmaus Surgical center (have been there for shots in my back and everyone there is phenomenal)

Skylands Pharmacy on Stiger Street!
Car wash on Mountain Avenue (can't think of the name)!

Jag - I think you are referring to Zane's Car Wash...right?

Lyn's Hair Salon next to Mansfield's Dunkin Donuts. When I'm there I feel like I'm the only one who matters. Besides, Karen does a great cut and color for me, and I would go there just for the hair wash/head massage she knows how to give RAVES!

Greene's Beans
Kaptan although it's not currently open (really hope they recover - in every way)
Harper's
Zaytun
Pandan Room
WaMu
Manhire Optical
Statefarm - Jim Malay (although Sasco and Stuber both have great, great people)

And yes, the QuickChek guy.

It wasn't me but on Sunday I saw the lady in front of me get great service at Rita's - she wasn't familiar with the flavors and tried a bunch of them, tiny tastes of which were all served to her with a smile and without complaint.

GC July 23, 2008 6:30 pm | Link

Oops. I didn't proofread. I meant ... she knows how to give. RAVES!!!

Hoffs Automotive on grand ave in Hackettstown has excellent customer service and the Technicians are all very friendly and they have the cutiest dog named cody

I heard that there is a website called Twitter...you can blog good customer service (and bad). Large companies such as Comcast monitor this site and rectify any problems people have...just for your info.

Many of our local businesses realize the importance of customer service in such a competitive environment...personally, I love Harper's, Isoceles, and many of the staff at the "old" Quick Check on Stiger Street. And Tony at Hometown Hardware...you always help me out when I can't find the proverbial needle in a haystack. Kudos to all of our hometown store employees...keep up the great work!

imurbrnidgrl - can you tell me more about isoceles? i have seen that store but have never stopped in there. it looks so cute! what brands do they have and how are the prices?

Comcasts Twitter Account: http://twitter.com/comcastcares

You can also just email We_Can_Help@cable.comcast.com directly and they will help you.

Toy Towne - Rt. 57 in the same complex as Bensi, across from Kohls. They have a great selection of learning toys (wooden as well) and awesome customer service. They will personalize gifts and wrap them. I go there whenever I need a birthday party gift. Just give them a price range and some ideas and they will help you put it together! I love them! Oh and they have a $3 off coupon on their website for any purchase of $20 or more.
http://www.toytowneusa.com/

Pat at Skylands Pharmacy - always friendly and talkative. Brian at Brian's Butcher Shop; always a smile... The guys at Speedy Mart on Rt 517. Victoria at Bank of America, is ultra pleasant to work with and knows customers by name. She's a sweetie. The guy that runs JLM computers, Jacet. He's a very nice guy.

INeedMoreCowBell July 23, 2008 8:41 pm | Link

Lonny at AS Dry Cleaners on Main Street
Arthur at Hot Bagels Abroad
Dr. Chi's office
Jason and Sylvano at Franks Pizza on Stiger St
Kathy and her husband at Garden Market (I was there the other and was short a few bucks, with a smile and laugh Kathy said hey no problem just give it to me next time you're in. I mean, you are never going to get that sort of service at a big chain store!)

HappyHtownMommy July 23, 2008 9:26 pm | Link

Everyone at Kristina Michelle - They know how to treat you like a queen or king! Love it there.

Coralie July 24, 2008 7:10 am | Link

A few of mine are Donna at Donna's Hair Salon and now Highlights, the boy at Shop Rite that knows what all the produce is that I buy without having to ask, the young man at Quick Check on 517, always cheery, the owners of Garden Market, always pleasant and chatty. I'm sure there's more, gotta go to work though!

Bessie July 24, 2008 7:24 am | Link

Calico Country Flowers
Kiddie U
from Bushra at ShopRite
Dr. Madan, Pediatric Dentist

justcurious July 24, 2008 7:43 am | Link

Hackettstown Animal Hospital... friendly courteous staff AND they saved my little buddy's life when he got a urinary tract blockage. Plus, they went out of their way to make sure that we could visit him regularly during the course of his 4-day stay.

Jim at Hackettstown Pet is #1 to me always there to help and answer any questions for me. #2 I give to Tony at Home Town Hardware he is great and goes above what he has to every time but the owners of that store are not very.

MEEE July 24, 2008 10:45 am | Link

justcurious, I agree about Bushra, and Ruth at Shop Rite too!

Bessie July 24, 2008 11:13 pm | Link

I believe you are talking about Jeff at the Rt 517 Quick Chek. I called from work to order a sandwich which I ran in to pick up and he remembers me from that first day and is always friendly and helpful.

The staff at Skylands Bank (Mountain Ave and Crossroads) and especially Dorrie and Angel at the Crossroads branch.

PS - Thx Susie Q Luv you 2

I have to say Skylands Pharmacy......great people always finds a solution when I mess up my prescriptions.

Skylands Community Bank, Arlene, Claudia, Holly etc. Always are courteous solve any problems and always explains what went wrong.

Hometown Hardware, If they dont have it they can get it. They always do my flower arrangements in the spring and they are GORGEOUS!

Harpers Bagel always serves with a smile and a thank you!

Customer service is important in every business. What gets me everyone messes up one time or another the key is to find out what happen and apologize. It upsets me when they say I DONT KNOW WHAT HAPPEN!

Christine July 25, 2008 3:05 pm | Link

the guys at zane's are SO nice. kathy and her husband at kathy's cleaners - truly lovely people who have let us "pay her next time". i didn't realize i didn't have the cash on hand and my order was too small for a CC.

At IHOP - Jennifer and Jarve (?) are always very helpful and friendly.

Copygirl July 25, 2008 4:54 pm | Link

Donaldsons--they are always willing to serve and will go that extra mile to please.

friendlys verynice people

Jay at The Trading Post, We purchased appliances for our new house from him. Knowledgable, curteous, no pressure!

Chris at Hackettstown Sandwich Shop, Martys Cycle, Basil at The Jewelry Store (Plates?). Oh and Stella G's

Surprised no one said Valley Auto and Tire. Phenomenal service, courtesy and knowledge. Ted and Derrick are great human beings!!!

I forgot about Valley. You're so right - they're wonderful!

The Natural Foods Store on Washington Ave. They always order what they don't have, are super helpful and give us discounts and free stuff when we are leaving. Plus, they always let my kids pick a candy to go. Once, when trying to decided on a multi vitamin for my children, the woman actually opened a jar and let the girls try them to see if they liked them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, Muheisens Deli in Washington is great. Good food and good people. They have the BEST french toast bagels.

anna July 25, 2008 9:57 pm | Link

Smacku, I was just going to add, how could I have forgot the guys at Valley Tire, they're the best, not sure what I would do without them!

Bessie July 25, 2008 11:02 pm | Link

Anna, I am not familiar. Where is Washington St.? Is it in Hackettstown? The Natural Food Store sounds like a place I want to go to.

cbel and Bessie, it's nice to see some nice followup comments. It's not always easy today to find good customer service; I think, especially honesty at an auto mechanic. Glad you both agree they desrve to be recognized.

Smacku,

Washington Avenue is the main street going through Washington. I know I should be posting about Hackettstown, but hoped it was local enough.

Take Rt. 57 towards Phillipsburg, The natural Foods Store is on your left hand side- between the Rt. 57/Rt 31 intersection and the Bellvidere/Broad St. light.

anna July 26, 2008 9:53 am | Link

Smacku, honesty in an auto mechanic is almost unheard of and that's why I always try to get Ted and Derrick's name out there, they're fabulous. When I listen to people talking about where they take their cars for service, especially the ones that go to the dealer, I always think...ummm, I wonder what Ted would say and charge!

Bessie July 26, 2008 6:33 pm | Link

I have to add John Roff at Hackettstown Trading Post and Joel at Minuteman Press! John is always great to us and sends a nice note of thanks in the mail, and Joel just made 120 copies of a recipe booklet for me for our church OVERNIGHT! Incredible service!! Thanks, Joel!

SusieQ July 27, 2008 11:53 pm | Link

Second Time Around, Harper's, Zaytun's, Skyland's Pharmacy, Quick Check, Trinity Thrift Store and Kathy's Store. We are always treated very nicely.

JJames July 28, 2008 9:53 am | Link

Weis Supermarket in Mansfield. The employees are always helpful and pleasant. George's Auto Body on Stiger Street, Rich Fix It, Hometowne Hardware, Skyland's Pharmacy,

Dr. Shatto, vet at Garden State Animal Hospital. The receptionist is wonderful, as well.
Plaza Family Care - we love Dr. Dick and Dr. Chang.

I miss the scrapbook store that was on Main St. The owner was awesome.

For ice cream, we love to go to Blvd. Scoops by the Cracker Barrel in Mt. Arlington. Worth the drive. Great, homemade ice cream and the best service.

great customer service @ bar 46.

romans July 28, 2008 8:55 pm | Link

AliasFan-I also miss the scrapbook store on Main St.!

Bessie July 28, 2008 11:01 pm | Link

Toy Towne and the Book Loft in Mansfield. Skylands Pharmacy reminds me of the earlier days in Hackettstown.....where you knew everyone, and everyone knew you.

LVmomofboys July 28, 2008 11:21 pm | Link

Want to add Uncle Sal's Pizza on Rt. 46 (I think it is Budd Lake) and Piggy's Deli over by Ruby Tuesday.

Piggy's has some really good sandwiches and a small cup of joe is only a buck.

Thank you Anna for the directions.

Bessie, we KNOW what Ted would say and charge, right? Also would not tell you about 10 other things that you need to replace.

Tibor from Riverside Imports (next to Dairy Queen)!!! I have been using him since the beginning and never once has he done anything to my car that was not necessary. Super nice guy!

Jenn August 1, 2008 8:03 am | Link

Jenn - I second that opinion on Tibor. He is wonderful. Been going to him for 14 years. Absolutely the best!

Just went to both Book Loft and Toy Towne, yesterday - received excellent service at both - true small town stores!

Coralie August 1, 2008 8:37 am | Link

Imurbrnidgrl and MEEE: Thanks for mentioning Tony at Hackettstown Hardware. I swore off that store after a few tries because of the "We don't care if you shop here or not" attitude I encountered. Well, the other day I gave it one more try and I got Tony. What a guy! I'll shop anywhere they know what good customer service means. It's really not that hard.

Also, the record store on Main Street has one of the nicest owners ever. Will always order me what I want and offered me a free CD after I bought a ton from him. A+ for independent music stores.

Good customer service.......On a hot day you wait around, listen for the music and let it come to you! Adam's Frozen Treats in that spiffy white truck always offers service with a smile at reasonable prices. Just ask your kids.

Hmm, you know years ago this discussion would be about "poor customer service". Those businesses that didn't attend to their customers simply went out of business. Isn't it sad that we now have to LOOK for good customer service!