Hats Off To Big-O Tires...Tremonton

 I don't blog enough about companies that offer great customer service--I should do it more.

This has been "take your car to get serviced" week for the Taylors. We took in the van on Monday, and my daughter's car in on Tuesday. They didn't have a part for our van on Monday so on Wednesday we took the van back in the shop.

Yes...that's a lot of trips.

The shop in question is a local Big-O Tires in Tremonton. Months ago we needed to get an oil change for my daughter's car. We chose them for no other reason than we knew where they were located. When we needed to get both cars serviced this week, we picked them again. They were prompt and what we were charged what appears to be fair. But, it was what they did today that really impressed me.

Yesterday--the first day this week we didn't have a car in the shop--we took the van into town. We noticed it pulled hard to the left. Granted, we had a strong wind from the west blowing the van, but it felt like the pull was from more than just the wind. It also was a little bumpy at higher speeds. This morning without wind, it did the same thing. We were bummed because we had spent a lot on the van this week already...the last thing we wanted was to spend even more (actually, the last thing would be to have an unsafe vehicle...).

I called Big-O this morning and told them what was going on. Mark said, "Bring it in--we'll take a look." We brought in the van and the parking lot was packed. They had a ton of work to do, but he said it was no problem--they'd get it looked at today. We picked up the van hours later--no charge. But did it fix the problem. A quick drive on the Interstate and...no pull and the bump was better, too.

No, I don't blog enough about companies that offer great customer service--I should do it more.

Paragon City Games...

I wrote about Fryecon yesterday. Conventions are a great place to get to know authors, readers, and those who love to read and write.

But sometimes you get to know others as well, like some of the people behind Paragon City Games, a company that's more than a gaming store.

I've known about Paragon City Games for years. I've listened to Daniel Swenson's podcast, Dungeon Crawlers Radio many times. Paragon City is a sponsor. In fact, many of Dan's podcasts have originated from the store. The company sponsors other events as well, events geeks and nerds of all ages and types like to frequent.

I've not yet stepped foot in their store. This is something I'd like to remedy. But, then again, I don't get out much very often (as many of my friends who have invited me to various events can testify...). It's not that I don't want to experience their store, but our lack of going places makes it tough.

On the first day of Fyrecon, I met Alton, one of the main dudes in charge of all the awesomeness. We chatted. I told him I've been admiring their store from afar and he told me about all the cool things the company does. I told them there was a great gaming store in Kaysville that's no longer there and we discussed how difficult it can be to not only open a gaming store, but maintain a customer base which allows them to stay in business. I was impressed by what they do for authors, gamers, their public.

Now, I'm not writing this because they gave me a free shirt. Oh, no, my friends. I've written nice things for much less. But the shirt, the conversation, all of it impressed me. I met a business owner who wants to create a space that's more than just four walls, product, and a cash register (or card reader...). If their store reflects the attitude Alton showed me (and I'll bet it does...), Paragon City Games sounds like a place I'd not only love, but would like to frequent as much as I can. I hope that day comes soon. You can visit their website: HERE, or their Facebook site: HERE. I hope if you haven't been there before, you--like me--will want to go.