I'd like to list here for you some local businesspeople that I've had really good
experiences with. (Most of these will be in the area of Springfield, Missouri.)
What this list isn't: it isn't an organized or
"mutual referral" kind of deal. There's no need for you to mention my
name to any of these guys if you do business with them. It's simply a list of my
most-preferred businesses.
As well, there are some very good businesses -- even ones
that I do business with regularly -- who don't appear on this list, for
the simple reason that this list represents the really exceptionally good
-- in my personal experience. As I gain more experience with various
merchants, other businesses are likely to appear on this page in the
future.
- Advertising: Names and Numbers ("Yellow
Pages" advertising) at Battlefield & Lone Pine -- I just can't say enough
that's good about these folks. If you have a business and aren't in the
Names and Numbers book, you need to be!
In my personal experience (and I've had some dealings, at least, with two
competitors), Names and Numbers has been miles ahead of their
competition -- both in
terms of the sheer advertising value they deliver to customers and in terms
of the customer experience of dealing with them. The people I've
dealt with (Steve Kelsey the Sales Manager and Laura who keeps everything
together on a day-to-day basis in the Springfield office) are top-notch as
well. Their company has a web site at namesandnumbers.com.
- Automobile Service -- Brakes & Mufflers -- Best
Discount at 2040 S. Campbell. I've had really positive experiences with
these guys on brakes. A while after getting my brakes serviced the noise
that had been there previously seemed to come back. They took 'em apart and
went through them again. How much for that? No charge.
- Automobile Glass -- Carsten Auto Glass at
Glenstone & Seminole. This was actually what prompted my adding this
page. Our van had a small but growing crack in the windshield, and when it failed
inspection we had to do something about it. Carsten Auto Glass was
recommended to us by someone else. We called, and they quoted us $185 to
replace the windshield.
We looked at the phone book, at competitors, and briefly considered calling
a couple of other places for quotes. $185 sounded like a decent price, but
perhaps we could get it a bit cheaper. At that point, I said to my wife,
"These guys were recommended to us. I fairly often deal with computer
customers who end up having to spend more in the end because they started
out trying to save a few dollars." So in the end we didn't bother
calling any of the competitors.
When we went to pick up our van, they presented us a bill for $164.
"Some of these Astro vans require a molding that your van didn't, so it
turned out a bit cheaper than we originally quoted you," they explained.
They didn't have to tell us that -- they could've simply charged the $185
they had first quoted. Guess who we'll go to the next time we need auto
glass? (Hopefully we won't need them again for a while, so I'm recommending them to you!)
- Crafts -- Potternot Pottery, Branson Mill,
Branson. For a family outing one Sunday, we decided to drive down to Branson
and visit Branson Mill. This attraction has a variety of specially-made,
often handcrafted items; and several artisans who demonstrate their craft
right before your eyes.
We were visiting with 5 kids, whom we had admonished not to touch anything
at all without permission. We were mostly successful in keeping a close rein
on the 3-1/2 year old, but while we were watching and talking with Tracy
Adams of Potternot Pottery (who was busy creating ceramic works of art on a
potter's wheel), we heard a clunk. The 3-1/2 year old had tipped over a
decorative snowman.
After taking the 3-1/2 year old out and calling him to account for his
disobedience, I returned and examined the snowman. I'd thought no actual
harm had been done, but unfortunately the ceramic snowman's little carrot
nose had broken, so I went and informed my wife (who was still talking to
Tracy, the potter).
When we announced to the children that a $20 snowman had been damaged and
was going to have to be paid for (with a possible loss of dessert for all),
Tracy beckoned for my wife to come and talk to her. She graciously told Joan
not to worry about the snowman. Joan told her that we appreciated her
kindness, but affirmed that we wanted to go ahead and pay for the damaged
item.
When we arrived up front at the cashier's stand, we were told that the
snowman was "half price" -- and discovered that Tracy had called
ahead and told them to reduce the price for us!
Not only was Tracy exceptionally nice (she also spent significant time
chatting personally with the kids, including the 3-1/2 year old), she also
makes beautiful ceramic items, so I can recommend her shop on both counts.
If you're in Branson, check out Branson Mill and Potternot Pots.
- Mobile Homes -- Lakewood Mobile Home Park, 2710
N Fulbright. I haven't dealt with them as a customer, but have had very good
experiences having them as my customer. I've known Dick and Leigh
Hooper for the past several years, and can tell that they really take care
of the folks they do business with. I wouldn't hesitate recommending them to
anybody.
- Urgent Care Clinic -- Family Medical Walk-In Clinic on
South Campbell. A while back, I stepped on a nail and went to these guys for
a tetanus shot. I was sufficiently impressed by Dr. Fulton's
"couch-side manner" that I made a mental note: here was a doctor I
liked.
A few months later, our 7-year-old son got a HUGE splinter under one of his
fingernails. Did I say splinter? It was really more a chip of wood, the
biggest thing I've ever seen under a fingernail.
Well, we couldn't get it out, because the wood was old and fragile, and it
just broke off, leaving a large chunk still under the fingernail. We hoped
it would work its own way out, but it didn't. We ended up needing to get it
dealt with by someone who had resources we didn't, late at night because we
were leaving town on a trip the next day.
The biggest problem was the 7-year-old's level of apprehension (which was
approaching panic). This was much alleviated by Dr. Fulton. I thought he
would probably have to drill right down through the nail. Instead, he took a
pair of tiny scissors and patiently snip, snip, snipped, again and again,
removing the tiniest possible bits of fingernail until he got it far enough
back to get the chip out. He spent a LONG time doing things the painless
way, even though we were the last customers of the day and it was well after
midnight by the time he was able to get a grip on the sliver.
In doing so, Dr. Fulton turned what could've been an awful, traumatic
experience into a great one -- and I left there with a 7-year-old who was
very happy and
greatly relieved.
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