Amazing. We had the opportunity to stop by the Fort Lewis Commissary with my daughter and her boy friend. We were on base to attend Bob's Retirement Ceremony, after 23 years in the Army. Congratulations and Thank You Bob!
They sure know how to run a store and some of the big chains could learn a thing or two from them. I expected the store to be large, well stocked and clean, which it was. But I love the small differences. First thing we noticed is that they actually have parking spaces for your carts outlined on the floor when you go to the meat department. You are suppose to park your cart, then browse the huge meat department, make your selection, bag it and then return to your cart. This allows everyone a chance to get what they need without having to fight all the carts. Believe me, it helps. The store was busy and it was a weekday.
When you are all done shopping you head to the checkout line where there is someone who actually directs you to the next open check stand. I like this because, trying to find and pick a check stand is like playing the slot machine. You never know if you picked a winner or a lemon. When you are all done, there is a courtesy clerk, for each check stand, whose job it is to take your groceries to your car. You don't have a choice. But they are fast and efficient. You can tip them if you like.
Pricing is a little lower than your local Winco and when something is on sale it is at a very good price. Again, I was very impressed and our Military deserves the best and more.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Directv - July 22, 2012
We had Directv installed when we first moved into our home in 2002. They have been providing us with great service and TV viewing for 10 years, when we decided we needed to upgrade our equipment. We had an old DVR that was not HD and was very limited in the amount of data it could store.
We called Directv to see what they could do for one of their long term loyal customers, who always pay their bill on time. Customer service told us that the best they could do, in regards to new equipment, would cost us $200 to $300 out of our pocket. I was somewhat surprised that was the best they could do.
We only have a couple of options where we live. There is no cable. So it is either Directv or Dish and we had not heard good things about Dish. After thinking about what we have heard about Dish. I realized it was mainly negative advertising from Directv and decided to give Dish a call.
Dish offered us their new Hopper and Joey equipment at a great price. FREE. FREE installation and a reduce program fee for the first year and they threw in FREE HD for life with automatic payment. They could also install it the next day. I don't know if you have noticed something here, but I liked the word FREE!
Well to be fair I called Directv back to give them a chance to meet the offer. To my surprise they said they could not do any better then what they offered the first time. So I asked them to cancel my service as of the next day and called Dish and gave them the OK to proceed.
Dish was out there the next day as promised. Did a great job with the install. The installer was very nice and knowledgeable. We had the Hopper installed in the living room and a Joey installed in the bedroom. We were extremely impressed with the new technology, the ease of use and the programing that was offered. We were very happy with the switch.
To our surprise we immediately started getting phone calls from Directv with offers to get us back. I could not believe it. We we asked the for an upgrade they refused and seemed to care less that they were losing a customer. Then we started getting offers at least once a week from Directv in the mail. They now were offering the equipment free, free installation, reduced programing fees for the first year and free HD for life, just like dish.
The final kicker is that they also offered to pay the fee to break my contract with Dish. Where was all this, Directv, when we called you in the beginning? Seems like it would have been far more profitable for Directv to make me a decent offer in the beginning. But no, they decided that they were too good and that no one would leave them for Dish as they were the best.
Well Directv, you were wrong if we ever come back it will be in the future when we want to upgrade our equipment again and only if Dish won't make us a deal.
We called Directv to see what they could do for one of their long term loyal customers, who always pay their bill on time. Customer service told us that the best they could do, in regards to new equipment, would cost us $200 to $300 out of our pocket. I was somewhat surprised that was the best they could do.
We only have a couple of options where we live. There is no cable. So it is either Directv or Dish and we had not heard good things about Dish. After thinking about what we have heard about Dish. I realized it was mainly negative advertising from Directv and decided to give Dish a call.
Dish offered us their new Hopper and Joey equipment at a great price. FREE. FREE installation and a reduce program fee for the first year and they threw in FREE HD for life with automatic payment. They could also install it the next day. I don't know if you have noticed something here, but I liked the word FREE!
Well to be fair I called Directv back to give them a chance to meet the offer. To my surprise they said they could not do any better then what they offered the first time. So I asked them to cancel my service as of the next day and called Dish and gave them the OK to proceed.
Dish was out there the next day as promised. Did a great job with the install. The installer was very nice and knowledgeable. We had the Hopper installed in the living room and a Joey installed in the bedroom. We were extremely impressed with the new technology, the ease of use and the programing that was offered. We were very happy with the switch.
To our surprise we immediately started getting phone calls from Directv with offers to get us back. I could not believe it. We we asked the for an upgrade they refused and seemed to care less that they were losing a customer. Then we started getting offers at least once a week from Directv in the mail. They now were offering the equipment free, free installation, reduced programing fees for the first year and free HD for life, just like dish.
The final kicker is that they also offered to pay the fee to break my contract with Dish. Where was all this, Directv, when we called you in the beginning? Seems like it would have been far more profitable for Directv to make me a decent offer in the beginning. But no, they decided that they were too good and that no one would leave them for Dish as they were the best.
Well Directv, you were wrong if we ever come back it will be in the future when we want to upgrade our equipment again and only if Dish won't make us a deal.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Chickens July 15, 2012
The new chickens have started to lay eggs, They have given us 8 so far this week. I tried a couple for breakfast and they were tasty. One of the larger eggs was a double yoker. Right now most of the eggs are on the small side, but soon they will start to be large or extra large. The chicken we call BB likes to lay inside the goat barn in the goats bed.We will have more eggs than we will know what to do with, so I guess we are going to put up a sign and sell them for $2.00 Per dozen. We have seen signs posted around us for $4.00 per dozen. We are not trying to get rich, just help pay some for the food. We enjoy our little ranch too much to care if we make money. Mellissa let the goats and Rue out for awhile as she was cutting them black berries. Rue was so cute hopping around. When it was time to go back in, they all went back with very little effort. I think Rue has already stolen our hearts.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Rescue Ranch July 13, 2012
We officially became an animal rescue ranch, last weekend. My wife received a call from her sister on Saturday. She was all upset as her neighbor had a baby lamb and its mother and were told by their landlord that they could not keep live stock. So they ate the mother for dinner. She talked them into giving her the baby and then talked us into taking her. We named her Rue.
Mellissa went and got her and brought her home. We were not sure how she would be accepted by the goats. Mellissa had talked to someone at the feed store who said they should get along and maybe Prim will become the mother and take care of her.
Well I guess they really don't know goats. There was really no problem until it was feeding time. Rather than being motherly, Prim was more concerned that Rue was getting more or different food than she was and started head butting her away from her food. Then Peeta joined in the game and poor Rue had to run for her life. Lamb's have no defense other than running. They are a very docile animal and thus are very skittish and run at the first sign of trouble.
We ended up making a small feeding pen for Rue to be in during feeding time. Seems to work, but the goats still try hard to get into the pen. We have the vet coming out Saturday and we will see what he has to say.
It will be interesting later as the lamb will grow to be much bigger than the goats. If anyone has experience with goats and Lambs, feel free to post comments.
Mellissa went and got her and brought her home. We were not sure how she would be accepted by the goats. Mellissa had talked to someone at the feed store who said they should get along and maybe Prim will become the mother and take care of her.
Well I guess they really don't know goats. There was really no problem until it was feeding time. Rather than being motherly, Prim was more concerned that Rue was getting more or different food than she was and started head butting her away from her food. Then Peeta joined in the game and poor Rue had to run for her life. Lamb's have no defense other than running. They are a very docile animal and thus are very skittish and run at the first sign of trouble.
We ended up making a small feeding pen for Rue to be in during feeding time. Seems to work, but the goats still try hard to get into the pen. We have the vet coming out Saturday and we will see what he has to say.
It will be interesting later as the lamb will grow to be much bigger than the goats. If anyone has experience with goats and Lambs, feel free to post comments.
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