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SB Customer Service
updated: Sep 29, 2012, 11:28 AM

By Edhat Subscriber

What memories of good customer service do Edhat readers remember in Santa Barbara?

Tonight in driving by what used to be the General Telephone building on Chapala Street, I recalled when applying for telephone service at that office, one sat at a tasteful desk with a courteous, unrushed representative and it was all seemingly civilized transaction. (The reps weren't powered by caffeine, cigarettes, or energy drinks.)

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 325842	2012-09-29 11:34 AM
Cody's Cafe - great service and nice people.
COMMENT 325849P	2012-09-29 11:41 AM
Sorry if I sound like a Pollyanna, but I generally find that I get what I give. If I am kind and friendly, I get kind and friendly service. There have been far too many to single out just one.
COMMENT 325856	2012-09-29 11:50 AM
I always got great service at Red Robin.
ROGER DODGER	2012-09-29 11:54 AM
The Good Earth when it was downtown..
COMMENT 325864	2012-09-29 12:01 PM
Moby Dick's when Al Steinman was the manager. He went out of his way to make sure you had a good experience and good food. My husband who loved the clam chowder that wasn't served until lunchtime was surprised when Al served him a bowl of it at breakfast. That became a weekly ritual.
COMMENT 325869	2012-09-29 12:12 PM
I mainly remember when most checkers or counter people everywhere said the words "thank you" at the end of a transaction.....im still amazed when i dont hear those words......
COMMENT 325874	2012-09-29 12:17 PM
I remember great service at Petrini's last night, last week, and as far back as I've ever gone there. They are and always have been terrific.
COMMENT 325889	2012-09-29 12:32 PM
The Gas Company rep who came out to inspect my home after repair of a gas leak was very courteous and friendly (he even put on booties over his shoes before entering the house). As much as I disagree with Randy Rouse's politics, good service at Paradise Cafe last night. Also at Rose Cafe on the mesa this week.
COMMENT 325896	2012-09-29 12:45 PM
Harry's last night with my daughter - great service and conversation with the long standing local Bartenders - FUN
COMMENT 325897P	2012-09-29 12:45 PM
I will hazard to say that bad service is more an exception than a rule. I generally feel good about the service I receive in our town.
COMMENT 325914P	2012-09-29 01:20 PM
874....Thanks we try to always make your dining experience a pleasant one. We also have the Goleta store up and running again. Please come by and bring the family!
COMMENT 325938	2012-09-29 02:24 PM
Too bad the words "no problem" have replaced "you're welcome." As in "thank you" responded to by "no problem." Really? I'm glad it's no problem for you. On the other hand, I do have to nominate the Marborg workers, who have the toughest job in the city/county, and are the most polite service workers I know.
COMMENT 325943P	2012-09-29 02:30 PM
I must agree with Marborg. My current top-rated is Medicine Shoppe Uptown. Parking is hell, you have to go late afternoon, but they rock.
COMMENT 325970P	2012-09-29 03:22 PM
Marborg workers are good - they have a pause that refreshes sometimes on our block, when I bring out Coca Colas or Kern's juices. Cheerful, nice guys; the twinkle in the eye of Luis is happiness. We even know his birthday.
COMMENT 325986	2012-09-29 03:56 PM
Marborg guys are cheerful, but they hang out for 10-15 on our street, engine idling, then do it again in other streets in the neighborhood. Marborg must have told them they have work in the yard for them when the route is done. BFI let the workers go home at the end of their route; they were extremely fast and left less mess in the streets than the malingering Marborg workers do now.
COMMENT 325987	2012-09-29 04:00 PM
The man & woman who are usually behind the counter at the Victoria Court post office are always really nice!
COMMENT 325993P	2012-09-29 04:19 PM
986, companies the size of Marborg must give their employees a 15 minute break for every four hours worked. It's the law, any wonder that BFI is out of business?
COMMENT 326021	2012-09-29 05:19 PM
I have found that the employees at Orchard are friendly and knowledgeable. It is a contrast with Home Depot.
COMMENT 326032	2012-09-29 05:46 PM
A bunch of us used to go to Hong Kong Cafe out in Goleta, in the 1970s. I think the location was Nectarine Ave. The owner's name was "Nancy." She was a tiny little woman, always smiling. As she got to know us better, she would make a point of slipping a bag of almond cookies into my hand, when the group was leaving the restaurant. The food and service were always top-notch. Nancy was a class act. And Roy, at Vior's Bakery. A nicer man never lived. Going way back (50s-60s) I remember Santa Barbara Savings & Loan, at the corner of State and Figueroa. It was fun to go there. The clerks would always call out your name, in greeting, as you came through the door. That was service. Now I use First Bank. The employees there are unfailingly friendly and efficient. I love the Manager, "Jack." It feels good to be recognized as an individual, and First Bank treats me like a valued customer.
MACSCIDOR	2012-09-29 06:05 PM
2012 wonderful 'memories' added each & every week shopping at Gladden's Produce (5342 Hollister Ave_near Patterson). Jared is always busy but super-friendly *and* very knowledgeable = the real deal. = Just a true natural. And, other Gladden-folks at the store are great as well.
COMMENT 326048P	2012-09-29 06:27 PM
I also miss the days when the worker behind the counter said "Thank you" as in "We appreciate your business". Zizzo's is great that way. They are so friendly and always seem happy to be serving me.
COMMENT 326050	2012-09-29 06:32 PM
I agree with all the people who've commented that cashiers don't often enough say "thank you". I am usually the one who says thank you, usually responded to with a "yup". And I'M the customer! THEY should be thanking ME! But often they never do. Let's not forget Trader Joe's, whose employees are almost always friendly and awesome. And the (now defunct) Bitterman's Deli on W Canon Perdido -- the lovely woman who always worked the register used to give me a free bag of bagel chips because i was a regular. True, they were just stale bagels that were sliced thin and baked, but still. And their turkey & avocado sandwich (called the 189 or something) was one of the BEST sandwiches in town. I miss Bitterman's.
COMMENT 326053P	2012-09-29 06:38 PM
Hunt's China and Gift Shop - on East Carrillo - what kind service one would have - years and years ago.
COMMENT 326078	2012-09-29 08:23 PM
Talk of the Town restaurant had the best customer service that I have ever experienced at an establishment in SB. I ate their several times as a young man. I was on dates, and was very nervous. They essentially treated their customers like royalty...
COMMENT 326090P	2012-09-29 09:08 PM
Goleta Trader Joes, always friendly helpful customer service.
COMMENT 326092P	2012-09-29 09:10 PM
I used to go to dinner at the Montecito Inn. Best service I had for years and years. They would cook anything you wanted even off the menu. The chef himself would come greet you and ask how you liked your dinner. He was Brian Gilbert a supper Chef!. He was really amazing! I miss his great cooking. and his fantastic desserts! Boy did he know his wines! He always made us feel special. Wish there were more chefs like him. I have never found any in 30 years.
COMMENT 326093P	2012-09-29 09:16 PM
I believe Chef Brian Gilbert was at many great Santa Barbara Restarants. He was so tallented. I bet he has his own restaurant by now and is very famous!. Loved his chocolate desserts!
TRIPLEA	2012-09-30 12:09 AM
I always enjoy being a customer at the San Roque Post Office. The folks who work there bring good humor and cheer to their tasks and it is infectious. The folks working at Chaucer's are also inclined to solid customer service as well. Another adherant to the concept of good customer service is Gil Sanchez of Stone Age Marble and Stone.
OLDLAWOMAN	2012-09-30 07:01 AM
Emily, the Pharmacist at CVS Turnpike, is endlessly patient, kind, and gives all to her clients. Love her. Also, all the staff of the pet shop on Ontare Road. Ralph's employees on De La Vina. Trader Joe's staff is exceptional, on De Le Vina.
OLDLAWOMAN	2012-09-30 07:05 AM
The staff at the Chaucer's book store is generally very rude, especially to children. I'll never go there again after this old woman working there had mistreated my granddaughter this way several times. Never would I do such a thing.
NANCYSBL	2012-09-30 07:45 AM
@993 - not just "companies the size of Marborg", all companies. It's CA labor law. BFI was purchased by Allied Waste, I believe.
COMMENT 326167	2012-09-30 08:09 AM
San Roque post office - they are all friendly, but most recently Dana and Bob, the carrier, have gone out of their way to help us. Trader Joes on DLV. The Boathouse. American Riviera Bank.
COMMENT 326175	2012-09-30 08:33 AM
I've noticed the Marborg drivers are much happier now that they no longer need to get out of their trucks and manually pick up the trash cans and dump the trash them self’s. It's basically a push button job now. It's all done with hydraulics. How is that having the toughest job in the county?
COMMENT 326261	2012-09-30 11:01 AM
@175, I don't know what you're talking about push button trash service. We have 1 recycling can on wheels, 1 green can and 1 brown can with no wheels. The latter two cans require a Marborg worker to lift their contents into his can, then roll his can to his truck. I don't put the cans in the street, the Marborg worker walks on my property to empty the cans. If you have a sense of smell, dealing with everyone's rotting garbage after a week of "fermentation" is not a piece of cake. I could go on about maggots, flies, dog waste, etc, but I'm sure you get the picture. Marborg workers have the toughest job in town.
RICHBUSYWOMAN	2012-09-30 11:08 AM
Via Maestra 42. Star Rug Cleaners.
COMMENT 326332	2012-09-30 03:01 PM
@175,Why are you making it so hard on them? Sounds like you owe the Marborg guys an apology. All you have to do is pick up your phone and ask for the proper trash cans. Your driver would probably start to like you.
CHILI_CON_ARTCARNE	2012-09-30 06:23 PM
The guys at the paint counter at the Home Improvement Center are great!
SBJULES	2012-09-30 07:55 PM
I have had nothing but good help at Chachers and also Tecolote in Montecito. Love Joes service
COMMENT 326566	2012-10-01 11:32 AM
Trader Joe's in Goleta has consistently friendly staff. Marborg, as a company, is efficient and friendly. Dave Perry at Harry's is always walking around, greeting people and making sure all goes smoothly. OSH has knowledgeable workers, though I have to say Home Depot is trying harder these days. Roll-a-Lot in the University Albertsons, has a great owner and very polite staff. DIOJI staff in Goleta are fantastic. Good with my dog and helpful on training and allergy treatment.
COMMENT 326612	2012-10-01 01:51 PM
I get a warm and fuzzy every morning when I go outside of my townhouse at the Santa Barbara Highlands and I see one of the grounds workers sweeping the roads and entire parking lot with a large palm frond, rather than blasting the leaves with a loud blower.
COMMENT 326615	2012-10-01 01:54 PM
Without a doubt the best customer service I have received is from Art Phillipe, one of the bartenders at Break Time Sports Bar in Goleta. Art is awesome!
COMMENT 326699	2012-10-01 04:43 PM
You are so wrong about Art. He served me a shot, made me pay for it, when it should have been complimentary. I asked for another one and he emptied the bottle into the glass, not even filling it halfway. He then proceeded to be rude saying he would not pour another. He did not know what a spider is. I was fuming mad, but what do you expect when all the respect has all been removed. That guy is a supreme jerk. Please replace him with some eye-candy, not some mutt.
COMMENT 326917	2012-10-02 11:44 AM
That's so funny! If you think a bartender is offering you good service, it's time to sober up.

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