Douglas "Where the hell am i today...." O.'s Profile

I often forget what Sears is now versus what it was when I grew up. I can remember going to Sears during the holidays to look for gifts, with more then appliances and tools.

This Sears is a large store with a few floors of good finds. After the Christmas holiday they had exceptional sales on items in the kitchenware / appliance sections. Some as high as 25% off. The store was empty, I was maybe one of 6 customers I saw through the store. Being their the day they announced closing some stores I can see why.

Outside of appliances, the clothing they carried were a few brands I found at Target / Wal-Mart. Docker / Hanes undershirts, and no real name brands. Maybe I forget what Sears is or was, and I could be mistaken (hence 3 stars).

My challenge with this store is buying online and being sure it's in stock. We have all received confirmation emails but the item is not in stock when you arrive. I was finalizing an online sale but wanted to confirm it was in stock as the website said only one was available. Their website showed 2 vendors they sell on their site and then Sears store inventory (Side Note: I can see why they struggle when they sell vendors first, granted it's most likely just a % commission on all sales). The person I spoke with at the store could not understand the website, and that Sears was on the bottom. She repeated several times that the item was not available at Sears store and especially that location.

I bought online, arrived, had a bit of time locating merchandise pickup. Cool part is online pickup, scan your credit card, name goes on a TV and they bring out your product shortly. Kudos to them for this versus Wal Mart and other stores.

I was torn between a 2 or a 3 on Wal Mart of Chamblee. While all Wal Mart"s seem to be the same in terms of product, not much difference with this particular location. The lower parking is not that hard to find, you can drive through the upper deck, exit to the left of the store and take the ramp down. Or enter from Clairmont, either way, they have escalators that take you directly up to the store level entrances.

My challenge with Wal Mart, besides the long lines, buying stamps behind 3 International Money Orders can take forever, but is the service on in stock availability. I found an item online that they noted to call the store and give a specific number. I called and was placed on hold, and after 5 minute the operator returned and said no one could help. I asked for a manager, and without putting me on hold told her work colleague about me on Line 4 and if she should put me through to a manager. I was told no managers were working and that I could wait.

Of course, I get to Wal Mart, the item is not in stock and time wasted. This is why I trust Target more, where they always seem to be willing to help me. Wal Mart is great for household items, but Target is where I buy everything else.

How on EARTH did I not write a review of Lowe's in Chamblee?!?!? I don't even know where to begin, but I'll give it a shot!

Coming from California, we did not have Lowe's until not too long ago. I can also remember the first time I saw a Wal-Mart! Anyways, back to Lowe's!

Store Location - Easy Breezy to get in and out of, whether coming on Ashford Dunwoody or Peachtree. If they ever close this store, my anger monkey will be coming out!

Venue Image - Always clean, from every department, everything always seems to be in it's place. I have yet to find something that I bought in the wrong place, and priced wrong. The outdoor garden section is great, from shaded plants to those that require sun. Indoor plant selection is orchids to a variety of greenery. Lowe's are always cleaner then Home Depot. I understand Home Depot is contractor targeted but not for me anymore.

Product variety is great, whether you need something in a lower price range or going on up, you can find it at Lowe's. An example is variety in Grills to select from.

Now this is where this particular Lowe's blows out all of the competition, . that could even be my slogan. I bought a grill when I moved here in 2010, a Master Forge, if I recollect. My budget was much but after my previous moved down from Chicago, the snow weather caught up to the grill.

My replacement grill that I bought in 2010 did not weather well. I had it covered whenever not in use, cleaned after each use but it eroded horribly. While at the store, the manager working, Diane, asked if I needed help. We explained how after just over a year and a month my grill was no longer usable, nor safe. Diane attentively listened to my concerns and asked if I had my receipt. I knew I had it somewhere in my house, but it would take a while. She asked me if I had the credit card statement as the cc attached for a refund would already have fallen out of the system. I returned back a few days later with the old grill and they gave me a FULL REFUND! They helped me pick out a much better. It was a bit more costly but Diane new her stuff and I was confident, it was the one!

Come time for my grill to have arrived, I was called by Erik to pick it up. Unfortunately it was not ready. He apologized profusely for calling and it being opened and found to be damaged in shipment. Erik gave me 10% off my new grill, a free cover, and free delivery by one of his actual store employees! WOW! Wow! I didn't inquire for a discount but he wanted to go above and beyond to keep me loyal.

Stained  my deck a few weeks later, Diane called another store where she knew an expert was working in the stain department. She handed me the phone and I selected the perfect product for where my deck is located. I revamped my garage, shelving from the ceiling, floor redone, walls redone, cabinetry, all purchased at Lowe's.

Don't forget, buy on http://Lowes.com and quick and easy pickup in store!

When I go to Lowe's, the return process is easy, hand them the card you purchased with. I am excited to start using MyLowe's to help keep track of what I bought, paint colors, etc. I would not consider visiting any other Lowe's, the customer service team, Eric and Diane, do an outstanding job. To say they exceed my expectations is an understatement. Lowe's Chamblee (not just any Lowe's) is a must for your home improvement needs. Knowledgeable people ready and willing to assist! I am still in awe how they went above and beyond. One long review on Yelp but incredible interactions. Plus they let me bring in my pup, and know her by name, asking where she is if I don't bring her. Thank you LOWE's of Chamblee!! I have told everyone about this store and will continue to!

If you are in need of airplane parts, Aircraft Spruce, located in Peachtree City, just over an hour or so drive from Atlanta is the place to go. They offer GPS, Replacement parts, batteries, pilot clothing, and novelty items to name a few.

The have their head office in Southern California, but easily work between the locations to answer your call. When you call, they set aside the product to make it easy to arrive and get what you need. A big reason to use them is the price is much lower then places like Epps or Falcon Crest Aviation in Atlanta at Peachtree Dekalb Airport (PDK). When I say much lower as in 100's of dollars cheaper on two items.

The staff is very humorous to interact with, always tend to walk out remembering some funny line I recollect. A bit plus is when you arrive at the local airport (Falcon Field) they offer free pick up and delivery back to the airport in a courtesy van.

Great Staff, Great Prices, I'm in!

When traveling around Atlanta, a place to touch down is McCollum Field (RYY) because it has services such as fuel, and other items found in an FBO along with Elevations (Restaurant). When you touchdown, the staff at Executive Jet Center greets you, and lets you quickly get out of the plane to move on to what you are at RYY to do. They offer reasonable 100LL fuel pricing, though not quite as competitive as other airports within just 10-20 miles, not terribly bad as a place like Signature.

Recently they renovated the interior and it looks stellar. The outdoor lighting is embedded i the concrete and was made to resemble the lighting built into the taxiways. The arrival area for cars now has a water fall, and a round about. Very clean interior, and the staff indoors is just as friendly as the staff outside.

First let me note that this review is of Delta Community Credit Unions services as a company, combined with the staff.

My previous review remains dead on, they have incredible staff that are welcoming and there to help. Kyle is a friendly bank associate that remembers us anytime we return. You cannot go wrong from a customer service and interaction experience.

Where I struggle is with the technology of Delta CU. I opted to switch to a local CU after a hiccup with my bank that prompted me to move part of my savings out of that particular branch. The big drawbacks are their website, and iPhone app. I think it is great to have an iPhone app but it was horrible. Both items are supposed to be upgraded in 2012, potentially....

Website - First, you cannot have a user id, you have to use a, what I would call, crazy long account number to login. After you login the layout looks like something a very low end company put together. The recent transactions are clunky, to say best. If you want to download your info, they only supported csv, or the connection to Quicken. Some banks charge for the Quicken connection but I don't like Quicken and still utilize MS Money. This was a big set back for me with this bank. Online check deposite becomes available after 90 days, regardless how much you have in your account. The limit is only $500 which means I have to go in most the time anyways. Online Bill Pay was horrible, adding a payee took several steps, and way too much information. Allow me to enter in my information and then lookup the particular provider. This website was more trouble then it was worth, first indicator, bail on this.

Mobile App - I would call it more an app to see your account balance. If you want to have something similar, sign up for http://mint.com. You may not get the ability to pay bills, which I don't think I had on their, or could use but horrible app. Don't forget that crazy long account number has to be entered everytime you open the application.

Support / Inquiries - The CU told me to utilize the support through the website. It took several days to hear back, it seemed pointless option.

My bank offers bill pay, it receives the bill from whatever I have, utility, etc, and then I can set it to pay in full, how long before, a partial amount, etc.

When I look at the ratings on Yelp, and what the one star is "Eek! Methinks not" - I have to give it one star because it's not just I've seen better, i tried it and Me Thinks Not is the perfect description. If it was based solely on service it would be a 5, but at the end of the day, it was the total banking experience of Delta CU.

Famous Hair can get you in for a quick cut most any day. You walk in, no loud music, a friendly welcome. They have several staff members on which makes it less stressful if I am about to head out on a trip and know I need to get my hair cleaned up. I tend to not arrange my hair cut which makes it a last minute attempt.

When you get your hair cut, I find the staff to be sociable, professional, and engaging. They are reasonable priced and offer coupons when you visit. A hair cut in 30 minutes with maximum 10 minute wait, perfect! They offer a variety of hair products of various lines at competitive pricing you would find around the area.

I like Yoforia for the variety of items they carry, with some seasonal specialties, Pumpkin Spice yesterday. With the seasonal items they have a few ingredients you can mix together to make a taste similar to a full tasting dessert. An example is Pumpkin and Spice pie they had yesterday, graham crackers, wafers, and the yogurt.

Toppings are in abundance, from gummy bears to chocolate bars. One item I noticed yesterday that I found a very big positive was the dark chocolate yogurt made with non fat dairy and stevia for sweetener. The nutrional content was reasonable, though mass quantity is easy to pile on. I only wish they offerred smaller cups, way to easy to fill up. I know, I know, I can fill it less but would be less waste and easier to be reasonable on what I buy. Two yogurts yesterday were $14.00. Would need to cut back on this a lot if I were to return.

Home Goods carries an incredible amount of very reasonably priced items for your home, kitchenware, furniture, lamps, bathroom, candles, seasonal goods, rugs, etc.

I was recently searching for some glassware to restock my bar at home. I found them at Home Goods for $6.99 for 4 glasses, that I found at another Department store for $19.99. The items they carry you could find at several major retail / department stores including Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, Le Creuset, Macy's, Bed Bath & Beyond, and many, many more.

Home Goods is part of the same company as Marshall's and TJ Maxx. You won't be disappointed if you are looking for some unique things for your home, I typically find something I have to have, on each trip. Yesterday was a set of candle lanterns in 4 sizes, which will be great for outdoors. If in the area, stop on in!

Paulding Northwest Regional Airport is a hidden gem in Atlanta for pilots for a multitude of reasons. It is the first jet capable airport to be built in Atlanta in over 30 years. The airport is located about 30 nautical miles from Peachtree - Dekalb airport in North Atlanta. The airport has an FBO, self service fuel, amazing runway, and tons of parking. Why do I love Paulding?

I am on track to get my private pilots license. In working towards the 40 hours needed, an airport with low traffic to do Touch and Go's that is well lit, close to my home airport (Peachtree Dekalb Airport) and ample room to play on the ground is key. The airport sits atop an area of higher elevation making it easier to find in day or night. The airport has ATIS but does not have a tower. The facility was built in in the past year or two, along with incredible runway / taxi ways to compliment the entire facility. I can do touch and go's for as long as I desire with no traffic! The length of the runway is perfect for anything you may be training on.

The airport has self service fool provided by Shell, both 100LL and Jet-A, in a location very easy to navigate to. Ladder to help fuel, easy to use credit system. A HUGE benefit is the price of fuel is very competitive, yesterday it was $4.95 / gallon versus $6.30 at Epps at PDK and $7.25 at Signature. One must see how beautiful the FBO is to realize just how modern and cool this place is. If you are ever flying around Atlanta, check out Paulding!