Reasonable, Attentive, and Industrious!

RPM Tree Service was my fourth estimate among five companies I contacted to remove four medium size trees from my backyard. The estimate also included two small trees and one large tree from my neighbor’s yard. Much to my surprise, the bid from RPM Tree Service was several hundred dollars cheaper than the two lowest bids (Matthew's Tree Service and R & R Tree Service) and almost 50 percent less than the two highest bids (Appalachian Tree Service and Timberline Tree Service). I quickly discovered that the pricing at RPM Tree Service cannot be matched by the local competitors. As such, I scheduled an appointment with Perry. I found him to be prompt, professional, polite, very reasonable, and extremely knowledgeable about trees. Two days later, I received a written estimate and proof of insurance via email. He and his crew were very conscientious, prompt, and assiduous completing the job to include an excellent clean-up in both yards in about two hours. And equally as important, there were no hidden charges, expenses, and/or surprises at the completion of the job. I paid exactly what was quoted in the written estimate. In summary, I am very satisfied with the job in general and RPM Tree Service in particular and would certainly recommend them to anyone who may need tree removal or grooming service.

Wonderful Chocolate Covered Caramel Balls

Following a very negative experience at the Eye Gallery at the North Point Mall in Alpharetta (see my review posted on 6/25/2009), I contacted a BlueVision Insurance Representative who referred me to Premier Eyecare of Roswell at 330 Crossville Road. There, I was met by a terrific staff who were all very helpful, professional, and considerate. The owner and optometrist, Dr. Renae Weinick, immediately took my eye prescription and personally assisted me in my fitting for new glasses. I found her to be very knowledgeable, informative, and personal. Next, the office environment presented a feeling of home with a comfortable waiting area decorated in good taste. Finally, Dr. Weinick at Premier Eyecare of Roswell honored my BlueVision Insurance and I was able to obtain the exact name brand glasses that I had just tried on a few days earlier at the Eye Gallery for a significant savings of just over $600.00. My overall experience at Premier Eyecare of Roswell was superb, the caramel candy at the reception desk is fantastic, and the money I saved was almost unbelievable. In fact, my next eye examine has already been scheduled with Dr. Weinick at Premier Eyecare of Roswell.

Does Echo reside here?

I wanted a portrait style sepia tone photograph of my daughter. This was to be a very special picture for me as my daughter would be visiting me on a short military furlough from Iraq. I selected Tanner Photography because of the friendly New Zealand woman with whom I initially spoke on the telephone. I did not feel rushed and she seemed to not only understand my objective, but also appreciated it. My experience at the studio was a totally different story. The studio exuded an aura of amateur anthropologists stuck inside a poor retro representation of the cosmopolitan modeling empire. Nonetheless, at my initial meeting, the frame was measured and I paid the posh sitting fees for a photo shoot that took no more than five minutes so the photographer assured me that there would be no “touch-ups” fees. By contrast, most of the local agencies I contacted have minimal sitting fees that include digital retouching; a 30 minute session with a vast number of persons and poses; and unlimited clothes and/or prop changes. Although I am happy with the portrait that now hangs on my wall, this photograph quickly became an expensive emotional endeavor that took almost six months to obtain. So if you have plenty of money and enjoy working with a company boasting a roller-coaster business model where time has no meaning and brazen narcissism is the norm, then Tanner is certainly the studio for you. There, you will also be able to discover frustration levels you never before knew.

Avoid! Avoid! Avoid!

I have FEP BlueVision insurance. When I contacted the Eye Gallery, 1000 North Point Cir #2006, at the North Point Mall in Alpharetta, I was assured that their office was a participating provider for the network. Furthermore, I obtained the contact information from the BlueVision provider list. Only following my examination with Dr. David Lopp at the Eye Gallery, was I informed they would not honor the benefits as outlined and agreed to by all participating providers. It was as though the Eye Gallery was using the FEP BlueVision network website to provide them with referrals. Despite the fact that I had a FEP BlueVision insurance representative contact their office, the Eye Gallery refused to honor their contractual obligations. So if you desire paying twice as much for the same brand name glasses you can find less expensive elsewhere and you want someone doing your eye examination who does not honor their contractual agreements, then by all means call the Eye Gallery and schedule yourself an appointment in a practice where business trumps integrity. Otherwise, I recommend the Premier Eyecare of Roswell at 330 Crossville Road (770-518-4884) where I was able to obtain the exact name brand glasses for a savings of more than $600.00.

Very Unprofessional

Despite the fact that I am registered on the Federal “do-not-call” list, I was contacted numerous times by a sales associate at Panda Painting at 1827 Powers Ferry Road. I finally agree to an appointment to obtain an estimate for exterior siding and painting. Despite the fact that the appointment was scheduled for 16:00, he shows up at the house “unexpectedly” at 13:00. When approached by my wife, he said he was there to take measurements. No one ever returned for the 16:00 appointment and around 17:30 I received a call from Chris, the individual who took the measurements. He informed me that he could no longer make the appointment, but assured me that he would email me the estimate. The estimate was never received. I again called him to remind him that I never received the estimate. To this date I have not received the estimate not to mention a returned call. If this represents their business approach, I say no thanks!

Exquisite Craftsmanship

I recently contacted Paul at Master Tile for an estimate on remodeling my secondary bathroom. In many ways this project was unique as it included removing an old existing tub and replacing it with a granite shower, dropping the ceiling, additional plumbing to include installing an overhead shower, mounting an original U.S. Navy WW-II ship porthole inside the shower wall, and relocating a toilet. Although I received four estimates, I selected Master Tile because of their notable efforts to accommodate my schedule; reasonable pricing; remarkable ability to complete not only the tile work, but also the carpentry and plumbing; and repeated emphasis on cleanup and craftsmanship. Unlike the other tile companies who could not complete the plumbing and carpentry aspects of my remodel, Master Tile was able to do the entire remodel from start to finish. Regardless of the size and scope of your bathroom remodel, I strongly suggest first contacting Paul (678-923-6511) at Master Tile. The craftsmen are hard workers who are extremely skilled and trustworthy. I think you too will be equally very satisfied with their “old world” craftsmanship, particular attention to detail, and diverse magnitude of remodeling knowledge and skills. Soon, I will again be calling Paul for my dining room project.

A Rapidly Declining Grocery Store!

When I first relocated here from Texas in October 2004, the Kroger located at 570 E Crossville Road in Roswell was certainly a grocery store where I enjoyed shopping. The store was always very clean, maintained a helpful staff, and seemed very willing to accommodate the customer by obtaining certain stock. For example, in an effort to find a one-stop grocery store, I had requested that the store carry “Noxzema Medicated Shave” cream for sensitive skin and “Blackburn” syrup. Within two weeks, I had my saving cream and syrup. It was a fantastic place to shop and no longer was I running to several stores to make my groceries. Today this is unfortunately no longer the case. If you ask for a “specialty item” to be stocked, management will quickly explain that they can no longer request such items as all stores now have a “centralized” system from which store decisions are no longer locally being made. As time passed, so did the notable changes in their stock and one-by-one the very reasons I shopped at Kroger also started to disappear. No longer could the store provide me with one-stop-shopping. No longer was the store kept spotless. And despite the fact that I do not work at Kroger, I was then encouraged to use self-service check-out. Under these circumstances, I could no longer justify paying the higher prices so now I make groceries at Wal-Mart.

Professional Paint & Service

Regardless of the size of your next painting project, I strongly encourage you to make your purchase at Porter Paints, 875 Mansell Road, in Roswell. Porter Paints offers the public a high-quality professional product at similar prices found on less superior paints at Lowes and Home Depot. I painted the exterior of my home with Acri-Shield. This paint covered my James Hardie Siding very well. In fact, after several years, my home still has that freshly painted look. In addition to their superior paints products, you will be greeted by very experienced, friendly staff who knows their paint and offers the public exceptional expertise. For example, my dining room wall was scratched. Using a small sample that I peeled off the wall above the baseboard, they were able to provide me with such a perfect match that I only had to paint the scratched wall. The customer service at this store is second to none and they will frequently even load the paint in your car. So, whether you buy paint or not, I have found the staff to be more than happy to answer any of your questions and offer you knowledgeable advice on any of your painting projects.

A True Headache

The Lighting Gallery at 7807 Inwood Road in Dallas has definitely topped my headache list as the most negative business experience in my life. Despite their Website claims to be a family business that “strives for “100% 5 star feedback” and provides “email support to all of our customers” you will be ignored. And to any potential customers who might doubt my words, I suggest dialing 214-353-9112. I purchased a ceiling fan before Christmas through the Lighting Gallery website (lightinggal). After two weeks I tried to register an account on their website to track my order, but this page did not work. I then emailed them to include my order number and item description as instructed, but never received that promised “quick and concise response.” In fact, I am yet to receive any response. I have also made numerous calls and left several voicemails to no avail. To date, they have the money and I having nothing. So if you enjoy empty promises, hearing unprofessional computer generated voicemails telling you “no one is available,” and disputing purchases with your credit card company, then the Lighting Gallery should be your next headache. Unfortunately, I was forced to give this business one star as Kudzu does not offer a rating system that adequately assesses such bad business practices.

A Wonderful Motion Picture!

The Buckhead Diner at 3073 Piedmont Road is truly an Atlanta icon that precisely represents the early American fountain cafés of the Art Deco era. From the stainless steel and lacquered wood to the geometric lighting and cubism floor, this restaurant accurately characterizes this opulent style with a great deal of attention to detail. The menu offers a wide selection of moderately priced entrées as well as “snacks,” soups, salads, sandwiches, desserts, and classic fountains. Despite the typical one-hour wait at dinner time, the atmosphere offers a very entertaining method of passing the time especially for those individuals who enjoy people-watching. And in keeping with the true Art Deco flavor of the period, the crowd also seems to unfold in front of you much like a classic film noir or stylish Hollywood drama emphasizing moral ambiguity and sexual motivation with more than enough femmes fatales and narcissist men to last you a lifetime. Although the food and service are excellent once you are seated and I highly recommend any newcomer to try their “famous” homemade potato chips, everything takes a back seat to the value discovered in watching the actors who frequent this stage. And if that were not enough, I think most observers will be equally delighted to witness the great demonstrations of diversity in costumes that have been popularized on stages, screens, and peep-show booths in countless reincarnations. So, take a friend and enjoy the show!