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Comments
bit: I have a Sony DSC-75, it's 2 megapixels and works well enough, but sometimes I wish it were smaller, to be honest. It's mid-size, but I'd prefer a pocket size. Also, some times it doesn't take the picture right away.
As you can imagine, it was pretty hard to keep Franken L in the frame when paisan was driving! ;-)
-juice
So I go to the UPS store with an RMA (a return, basically), and all the info, and they tell me to print the RMA out, they need the bar codes.
I go back to work and print the RMA, then walk back to the store. Now they tell me it's a $3 service charge to tape the label to the box! Sheesh!
Or I can buy clear tape, for $7.50, please! For tape?
Is it just me, or has service just gone by the way side? Was is it with people? $3 for a 6" piece of tape?!
So I boycott, walk back to work again, to the UPS store for the 3rd time and send the box off.
The manager asks "anything else?", thinking she could still milk some money out of me. I'll go somewhere else next time.
What's up with people nowadays? It's their shipment, they're making money on the deliveries, including 3 shipments for my product (to/return/to again). Sheesh!
-juice
Cheers Pat.
Juice- I think we kind of asked for it. The Wal-Martization of many businesses is taking place because American consumers increasingly value price over service. As for your specific experience, it sounds like a grumpy manager.
I do agree with your observation re juice though. Given the fact that our economy has become so heavily weighted toward services (I know, a lot of what I do is considered more a service than a product) you'd think we'd take the time to offer them properly. Please note this does not translate into "the customer is always right" - they're not.
Ed
There has gotta be a backlash at some point. People like me will spend less at businesses like that, or nothing at all.
Bob - check out the Prius topics, they're getting MSRP or more and wait lists are long. Fitz lists one in stock at MSRP, slightly lower for internet price (no free oil changes). $23k is a bit higher than I expected they'd cost, though.
-juice
Ed
Sell cars for basically no profit, then charge $620 for the 30k service.
-juice
Ed
I know when I tried to drop off some packages last Christmas that I did through UPS.com the local UPS Store would not let me drop them off.
Good service -> happy customer -> word of mouth -> 4 sales so far.
-juice
But if the UPS name is on the store, don't they get some kind of fee for being a drop-off center? Who knows.
If I needed a box, bubble wrap, tape, and a pen, they probably would have taken me to the cleaners.
-juice
.. I have NO problem doing business on the internet with many types of transactions ... when I am IN the business with $$ in hand, though, I want to be treated as an important commodity ...
Jon
Yeah, but I just found out, in Maryland, if you by a hybrid, you don't have to pay the 5.5% sales tax! And there's that $2K federal tax deduction too.
Juice, you're right, this is one impressive car. It's roomier than a Legacy, there's a nice large hidden storage area under the rear floor; which also holds the retractable cargo cover when not wanted. The power is adequate, probably quite similar to our Forester in terms of acceleration. It's a very impressive car. To bad it's not AWD...
For anyone who thinks this hybrid stuff is just for goofy little micro cars, think again. This is the real deal folks. I can't wait to see this in some sort of SUV (a Subie SUV!).
Bob
I saw the Prius at the Boston auto show last week - nice vehicle but still a little funky. Honda supposedly will offer hybrid technology in the Accord - once it's in a mainstream vehicle it'll take off IMHO.
BTW, a good source for digi-cam info is: www.dcresource.com.
Craig
Canon used to have a free site for hosting pics (hyperphoto.photoloft.com) but took it down. :-(
Ed
-mike
Funny thing but I was overtaken in traffic by a new model Prius last night. Rear end looks much smnappier than the previous model and performance was definitely passable. Very flat handling around some twisty bumpy corners and shot past me under smooth acceleration.
I'd been pondering taking a better look to see if its a practical alternative to replaceing the Outback. I am suffering from a very painful Subaru salesman who has my cellphone number and calls at exactly the wrong moment every time. However, when I call back, the dealership pretend he does not exist.
Cheers
Graham
Bob
What about when things slow down, though? You think I'll hire those guys?
Nope. I fixed it myself. Even hauled the 4'x8' sheets of plywood/OSB on Sandy's roof!
Bob: no MD tax, really? It's 5% I believe, so that's about a $1000 discount right there. The federal tax deduction could amount to another $800 if you're in the 40% tax bracket. $1800 off ain't too shabby.
But the one at fitz is $23k, try to find one less loaded up. For $20k, it's a deal. For $23k, you'd be crazy not to get a WRX or something bigger.
You really felt it was roomier than the Legacy? I didn't. Airier, maybe, the roof is really tall. But the cabin is narrow. The Legacy fits 3 across better, and the rear seat is more comfortable.
The Prius has more head and leg room, though. Cargo space is more than the Leg sedan but not even close to a Legacy wagon.
I read your review for the most part, but you don't consider the Civic hybrid a "real" alternative? Just curious.
-juice
People shopping hybrids like the Prius aren't cross-shopping WRXs!
When I went for my test drive an old retired guy came along for the ride. He is not going to be looking at WRX, in any shape or fashion. This is a different customer. People looking at 4-cylinder Accords, Camrys, etc. are the potential customers, not WRX buyers.
I think the Prius has much more rear legroom than the Legacy. It'll seat 4 very comfortably, and 5 in a pinch.
Bob
but I think the Prius is larger, has more features, and is more likely to be thought of as a (4-cylinder) Accord/Camry alternative, than a Civic/Corolla alternative, those cars being larger and more family-oriented.
Bob
Being a Subaru family, your son could get a WRX in that price range. Or another Outback Sport for $6000 less.
OK, so Prius is better for 4, but Legacy is better for 5. Actually the cargo space is what would keep me from considering it. Despite the hatch, it's still not enough for strollers and baby gear.
The positive experience has me anxious to try the hybrid RX and Highlander. Escape hybrid has had so many delays that I'd be too scared to buy something that problematic.
-juice
Being a Subaru family, your son could get a WRX in that price range. Or another Outback Sport for $6000 less.
is not a car guy, and has no interest in the WRX. He's more of a video game kind of person, and that touch-screen thingy really appeals to him because it's video game-like. It also has more comfort features than any Impreza (Nav, etc.), which he likes. He's going to be buying the car, not me.
I've been pushing for the OBS, Forester or base Legacy, but he just can't get excited by them. Also, I think he wants something different. He's had a Subaru for years, and wants to see what else is out there.
If it were me, it would be a WRX in a heartbeat.
Bob
So he's financially independent? Pop the champagne, let's celebrate! LOL
-juice
Bob
bit
I would be curious about battery life, though. I wonder how long they last, they are NiMH I believe. The ones on our laptops typically only got 3-4 years of use.
-juice
-mike
Anybody who buys one now is to a certain extent, going to be a guinea pig. That's my only concern, and I hate to have my son be one. However, if anyone can build one of these, it's sure to be Toyota.
Bob
Whether it's a hybrid, gas, or runs on peanut oil doesn't really matter as far as I'm concerned. Just as long as it works.
Bob
-mike
-Colin
-Brian
TWRX
C'mon Colin, even you can appreciate 295 lb-ft of torque just off idle. Maybe you want to *hear* it, not just feel it, though. ;-)
It's funny, a year ago I would have laughed if you told me I'd soon be interested in hybrids. Try one out, I was shocked, literally. Fast, quiet, and efficient.
Translated to juice-speak, that's sporty (potentially), luxurious, and cheap to run.
Bruce: funny thing is the US TDI is ancient technology for diesels. The euro ones are much, much cleaner, and more powerful, but they do require low sulfur fuels.
Wait til you see the Touareg's V10.
-juice
My understanding is that the TDI can no longer be sold here in MA - it can't pass the emmission requirements for diesel cars.
As long as your son doesn't put tons of miles per year, that warranty should last long enough. 8 years later you only have a couple grand in residual value anyway.
-juice
Bob
-juice
TWRX
Jon
MTM is probably the 'worst', but I've been totally unable to keep up with the topic traffic here lately since I've been quite busy with little time to surf.
So to anyone who may have directed questions/comments at me, I'm sorry that I missed them. Ask again. If you really want an answer for sure, ask in email.
-Colin
The new Autoweek has a tidbit about the new Golf TDI. Now it's up to 104hp, vs. 90 for the old one. Torque is strong, though. I forget the exact figure but it used to be 150 and now it's even more.
-juice