Phone calls made and plans arranged for the transition of summer tires to snows!

Unfortunately it was for the morning after a get together for a Leaf game at friends and every cotton pickin’ time we go to watch a game, the Leaf’s loose!  Streak unbroken.  2 – 1 Canucks!

Sunday morning and everything quiet with the exception of Izzy whose tail is playing “Wipeout” on the bookcase at 7:35 AM.  A quick scratch of Izzy’s neck and the thought flashes through my head….”Where in the heck is the wheel nut lock?”  Sneakers and pajamas have never been stylish but in the relative dark they served the purpose perfectly.

I did the secret agent clothing change and started rolling tires and carrying rims to the pick up and arrived at my appointment location with scant seconds to spare!  “Ya, that’s going to be $149.00……wait did you buy the tires here?  You did, oh well then we can save you some more money here!”

Truck in the shop and my stomach grumbling as I sip my coffee while walking across a pretty much empty parking lot.  I’m going to give her a call!  Ya, Sunday and I’m sure she’ll be reading her book!  “Hey Babe, want to join me at Starbucks for a coffee and a brekkie sammich?”  “That’s great, I’ll wait for you outside.”

What a glorious morning dawned upon us this day!  Bright sunshine and almost no wind with temperatures around 0’C.

I went into the Starbucks and read their menu board to get a head start on what I’d like.  The young lady was prompt and courteous to take my order but I explained I was waiting on my wife.  I returned outside and waited for Karin to arrive and when she did we entered the store and the Calley greeted us with a “So now the other half is here”.  She took our orders based on some recommendations and off we went to find a table. As we waited for our orders to be filled, Karin and I both commented on how the staff here acted as a whole!  The smile was always in place and each one behind the counter interacted with each other to get the orders out.  We sat and munched our breakfast and it kind of turned into one of those cherished “date” moments….you know, while getting your snow tires put on!

I’ve always been an equal opportunity kind of guy.  Do it wrong and I’ll tell ya!  Do it right, and I’ll tell ya as well!  So the traffic takes a lull and I’m up to the counter….”Which one of you ladies is the Manager?”  Both faces are riveted on my face!

I told them that Karin and I had been talking about our experience and that the crystal clear and genuine greeting from Calley was exceptional.  Recommendations were offered and explanations were given!  The entire staff operated behind the counter like a pro football team on the field and as a customer, it was a joy to watch the interaction.  Even when I asked who was the manager, Calley continued to smile in the face of not knowing what was coming!  Professional, confident, and the kind of front line staff that most companies just dream of having!

So who’s driving this bus, you ask?  Who is making all this customer satisfaction take place?  The young lady’s name is Tanya Monk!  Karin and I spoke with these two and what came forward was amazing!  One states that she gets worried when she hits her start time and it’s announced that there may be things not available to offer.  The other mentions that it’s a responsibility to function as a team and to have EVERY customer leave happy.  Really?  Without telling all, I’m just going to state that if you want to attend what I saw to be a perfectly functioning retail coffee/sandwich operation, you need to visit Starbucks at 103 Mapleview Drive West in Barrie.

I just call them as I see them, but this morning was a great morning, the sandwich was exactly what you said it would be, it was a blast having a date with my wife, and you two provided the avenue for it.

Thanks so much!!!