A Ladybug in my Mexican food

Tonight I had dinner at what was my favourite restaurant. Although I looked forward to the meal, I wasn't as excited as usual and the proceeding events would confirm my feelings.

We received our appetizers after our meals, my rice was undercooked and my Piña Colada was gritty and watered down. I was willing to deal with all these disappointments, as the meal itself was not bad, until I saw it....a ladybug, right in my meal. I lost my appetite right there! I called the waitress over and showed her my uninvited meal. Of course she was very apologetic, asked me if I wanted anything else (to which I replied, "no, nothing, I would NOT like anything else") and took my plate back to the kitchen. She came back, still apologizing and said that my meal would be taken off my bill and I would not be charged. When she walked away, I told my husband that they should be crediting us our drinks and be taking at least 50% off our meal if not free.

When she came back to the table I told her what an awful dining experience I had endured and that after a more than 10 year love affair with this establishment, I was not returning there again. I also explained to her that if the manager or owner did not have the good grace to come and apologize in person (after a patron found an insect in their meal, of all things) they should at least be crediting us some or all of our meal, and not just the bug infested meal-I found a bug, did they think I was going to pay anything for it?

To make a long story short, our bill was credited 50% and I divorced my favourite Mexican restaurant.

Well, good riddance to bad bugs is what I say.

P.S. If you encounter a similiar problem, don't be afraid tell the establishment what you think and demand what you want. I think my ex-restaurant will be paid a visit from Public Health.



Happy Shopping!!

Free McDonald's Coffee

From March 1 - 14, McDonald's is offering their small, premium roast coffee for free, all day.

Coffee wars are on...McDonald's vs. Tim Hortons (Roll Up the Rim). Let the games begin.

Happy Shopping!!!

Dirty Washrooms at Fast Food Chains

Why do multi-national food chains, with billions of dollars in profits all have the worst washrooms in the country? I recently had lunch on Clifton Hill at Niagara Falls. Me and my family ate at the "King's" palace...you know the guy, the royal with the crown and whopper???!!! The restaurant was dirty and dingy. As you approach the counter, you notice the signs right away, 'We Do Not Participate in Coupon Programs' and 'We Do Not Offer Refills.' I was hesitant, but I ordered anyway...fries for my daughter, and 3 combos...for me, my husband and son. The burgers were small, the fries were barely non-existent and my coke was less than refreshing. I was ok with all that until my daughter said she had to use the washroom. I dreaded going to the washroom (if you have a small child who is being potty trained, you know what I am talking about.) As we got to the washrooms, there was a girl standing in line. Looking at my daughter, and knowing she couldn't wait very long, I asked the girl ahead of me if there was anyone in the mens' washroom. She said she did not think so. I pushed my way in there. (A mother has to do, what a mother has to do.) I could've vomitted. The place smelled of urine, feces and others. It looked disgusting and I was afraid to touch anything, even worse, I kept on telling my daughter every 5 seconds to not touch anything.

All the suggestions and ballot boxes, even the survey at the back of my receipt, which offers a coupon for answering five closed-ended questions, doesn't make a difference. There are never enough stalls, mirrors are dirty and let's not discuss the sink and taps. These corporations should be ashamed of themselves. Do they think so little of their clientele, that we are not deserving of a decent place to piss?

Unfortunately, this revolting experience is not something that is relegated only to fast food chains. What would Sam Walton think if he needed to use the facilities and found the washroom at his establishments in the disgusting state in which his customers often do?

Millions upon millions of dollars in profits, corporate jets, bonuses, expensive vacations, sponsorships and all they can afford for the people who got them there is a pit latrine. Might as well build us an outhouse!


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Happy New Year

I want to wish a Very Happy New Year to all my readers. Sometimes, coming up with posts is not easy, but knowing you are out there, makes it easier.

Have a blessed new year and we will connect again in '10.

P.S. January 1st is a statutory holiday. All banks and major retailers will be closed.

Happy Shopping!!

Gift Cards

For some, the thought of going from mall to mall, shop to shop looking for that perfect gift, is really what the Christmas season is about. For others like me, I am indecisive and usually end up getting something the receiver does not like. That's why I like to give the gift that keeps on giving, gift cards. I've had discussions with people who think gift cards are cold and impersonal. That they are easy ways to get out of truly looking for and spending time to find a gift that the receiver would love. C'mon, let's be honest, most gifts end up being returned because it's either the wrong size, make, colour or fit. At the end of the day, it's the wrong gift.

My opinion is, why not save yourself and the receiver the hassle of returning a gift when they can pick their own. It's not the same as cash, in that, with a gift card, you are directing the receiver where to go. Unfortunately, the problem with giving cash is that it can be used on things that you might not have intended it to be used on, like bills. With a gift card, your receiver is forced to spend it on something for themselves, from a particular store.

Gift cards are availabe everywhere. For the coffee lover, why not a Tim Horton's, Second Cup, Timothy's or a Starbucks gift card? For the new mom, maybe a Toys 'r' Us or Babies 'r' Us or a Shoppers Drug Mart gift card. For the handy man, Home Depot, Home Hardware or Canadian Tire. For the overworked and stressed woman, a gift card for a particular spa or a mani-pedi and for those picky teenagers, an i-Tunes, VISA, MasterCard or American Express gift card. The options are endless.

Information on gift cards:

• businesses are required to fully inform consumers at the time of purchase how and where gift cards can be redeemed, used and replaced. Whether only at corporate stores, outlets, specific locations, etc.
  

• Gift cards that expire are prohibited, unless they are issued or sold for charitable or promotional purposes, or if they are for a specific good or service such as a haircut, because it is not expected that a business would make the same product or service available indefinitely.

• handling charges or fees are prohibited , except in limited circumstances. 

Contact your Consumer Affairs Department for specific provincial legislation.

Happy Shopping and 
Merry Christmas!!

2010 Smart Consumer Calendar

 2010 Smart Consumer Calendar has arrived. This calendar is full of  tips and advice to help you be a better, smarter and wiser consumer.

The calendar features different consumer protection themes each month such as tips on gift cards, buying or selling a home, dealing with an energy supplier, and buying cars and fitness club memberships.
Get your free copy from Service Ontario.

Life after debt

Bad credit does not have to be the end. After having gone through bankruptcy or a consumer proposal, many people might think that their credit is shot and that there is no way of ever getting a good credit score.

Without a decent or good credit score, you will not qualify for personal or car loans, lines of credits or even a mortgage. There are many companies out there that are willing to help you re-establish your credit after going through some debt troubles.

One of those companies I have had the personal experience of working with is Prudent Financial Services. Prudent specializes in personal loans, car loans and mortgages. By getting a loan with PFS, not only is it an opportunity to re-build your credit but (unlike banks), they will not lend you any more money than you can afford to re-pay. They are easy to work with and have very flexible repayment schedules.

It's nice to know that credit problems are not the end, and that there is life after debt.

Click here for more information on PFS Loan Centre.