Train antics

It's nearly a month now since I started catching the train to work.  It's definitely a far cry from the new Hills buses with their clean seats.  Most of the time, one is able to get a seat on the Hills bus for the 30 - 45 mins bus ride. 

Paying a cheaper weekly fare though, I now have to scramble to get in to a crowded train, being careful not to fall down between the train and the platform.  Once in the train, I try to make a bee line to head either up or down the carriage rather than to stay directly near the door.  People tend to like to park themselves near the door, a lot of times, making it hard for passengers to move in and out.  

It is quite interesting to watch some of the passengers:

• there are those who are determined to have a seat, squeezing themselves between two people when the seat is meant only for 2, making it uncomfortable for the existing passengers!
• some practice eyelash batting - not batting an eyelid at the poor pregnant lady or even the elderly
• what about those who have their music out loud or speak loudly to their friends on their mobiles?  Hey, we don't want to hear your conversation!
• some of us could make do with some perfume or deodorant... eewwww...
• there is "The Badger" - the person who knocks you about with their bags.  Tough for those seated along the aisle.
• what about those who are intent on giving their "bags" a seat even though they didn't pay for an extra ticket?  Despite the trains being full to capacity, some people still think that their bags deserve a seat...sigh!
• "Excuse me, excuse me...." comes this voice from the back.  Here is "The Impatient" passenger trying desperately to get off but could not as the train has not come to a stop and he / she is unable to move forward as the line is not moving...why the hurry?
• or.. there are those who sit on the stairs doing their makeup and oblivious to those of us who are trying to get off...
• those near the door during peak hour run the risk of being shoved and pushed...

A lot of people use the public transport each day, I think it'll be good if each of us practice some common sense and common courtesy to fellow passengers.  

Mis-adventures with Sydney taxi drivers!!

Hrrummpphh... they are at it again! After another long night at the office, I was hoping to have a quick dash home from the city. Hailed a cab and after telling him where to go, the driver then started asking me about where I was from, what languages do I speak etc etc... I then decided to dodge more questions by putting a phone call to a friend to enquire about his health. After chatting away for a few minutes, I realised that the taxi driver was going to take me to Chatswood train station instead of Eastwood station!! The driver was then unsure where to go to head to Eastwood from Pacific Highway. He later explained that he asked if it was Chatswood but since I was on the phone... I did not hear him nor given him an answer. But, I think he just conveniently made the assumption that as I was from Malaysia, Chatswood is my natural place of abode as there are a lot of Malaysians living in Chatswood...?????

There was also this other time where I was heading to Darling Point from the city. Went to a cab and told the driver the address. The driver repeatedly asked... "are you sure this is the address?" Why would I lie to him??? He then asked if I knew how to get there as he does not know. After a few kilometers, I decided that it was best for me to get off rather than being taken for a ride.

Not only do taxi drivers not know the roads, some of them refuse to turn the air conditioning on when the temperature is soaring ... all to save some diesel but leaving us sweating like a .... ?? Or, some will leave you hanging on to your seatbelt as they weave in and out of traffic. You feel as tense as they are when you see them sitting straight and upright and gripping the steering wheel tightly... help, someone!

What is happening to our taxi drivers? Whilst some are polite, there are others who are rude, heck, we are paying them!!

Why do we as consumers, need to put up with this nonsense? WHY should we made to feel inadequate when you do not get in equipped with the map and the directions? How are they able to take our visitors around when they themselves do not know the directions around Sydney?

The ironic thing is that 9 out of 10 of these taxi drivers have TOM TOMs .... wonder why don't they use them instead of letting it sit and look pretty on their dashboard?

Introducing....ZAC!!

After the agony of buying a car... here comes.... ZAC!! Zoom Zoom Zac...

Picked Zac (Velocity Red) up last Thursday, 21st. Thankfully, the process went without a hitch. Matt the salesman went through various mechanics of the car and its functionalities. Checked that all the added accessories have been fitted. Was surprised that Matt didn't realise the cruise control steering wheel also came with volume controls. He thought that this would be a nice surprise for me... but... I had already checked it out. My only complaint was that they did not have a replacement cover for my number plate as we could not fit it in after we took it out from my previous car.

It is hard to describe the feelings for Zac - I am thankful for a car which will transport me from A to B. - have wheels will travel! I don't feel any differently as I loved my Jazz!! It had served me well.

Having said that, I feel more secure in Zac, given the improved safety features in the Mazda vs Honda. Furthermore, it's a slightly bigger car (2.0ltr engine) than my Jazz (1.5 ltr) and it handles well. Mum said it felt more comfortable - she's happy, so that says something! More costly on the fuel given the bigger engine but more importantly, pray that Zac will not let me down!

Some pointers:

1. If you are a female, take someone along, preferably male, to buy your car. Thanks Chris!

2. Do your research, know what you want (eg accessories) and negotiate as best you can.

3. Once you sign on the dotted line, don't expect much follow up / after sales service. Matt expected me to bring a case of beer with me when I went to pick up my car... wonder what for?

4. Important to go to a dealer where you will get your car serviced. I bought my car from Artamon and they provide an additional 3 year warranty if it is serviced in their dealership. Not sure if the Parramatta dealer has the same deal.

5. Try to sell your car privately as you'll definitely get more bang for your buck towards your new purchase.

Am happy to report that this chapter is now closed *BIG GRIN*, hopefully, no more dramas.

Next.. dealing with real estate agents.... groan!

Women and Car Salesmen!

Hmm... seems like I am not alone in my car buying dilemma. Was speaking to a friend today and she went through the same process about 2 weeks ago.

She drives a 4WD and went in to 4 different dealers to check out another 4WD. She had researched and knew exactly what she was looking for. Well... what do you know... a dealer asked if she was going to wait until her "husband" comes in, another was persuading her to buy the next model down... hello... she's has the $$$ and here he was, insisting she buys a cheaper model. Did she get any service??? NO!

What do these men take us for? Dumb? Lesser mortals? Don't know what we want? Incapable of making our own decisions?

As for me, went to another dealership with my friend, Chris and guess what, we were well received and was given the necessary attention.... but, I threw them a spanner in the works as a friend of mine called on the same night I bought my car andsaid that he might have a friend who was interested. Called them the following day to see if they could hold the contract for a week, they came back and said no but will check with the boss. That was Monday and I have yet to hear from them 5 days later...

I really do not have faith in car salesmen anymore.... wonder how the next generation of women will be treated???

Hell hath no fury like a woman's ....

Eleanor Roosevelt once said that no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Nothing was further from the truth late one Friday afternoon... Zoom Zoom Zoom ...

I was really looking forward to test driving the new Mazda 3 after having done some research on it. Off I went to the closest Mazda showroom and since it was nearly closing time on a Friday afternoon, I had expected some old fashioned customer service and had imagined someone greeting me and taking me through the various models prior to offering me the test drive.

Boy... was I in for a rude shock... firstly, everyone seemed very busy at their respective desks. I stood there for a while probably close to 5 minutes before someone came up to see if I had been attended to. I then advised him that I would like a test drive. The sales person asked if I had made an appointment (and, of course... I had not as it was an impromptu visit). He then said that he will check to see who is available and came back to say that they are all very busy since it's Friday and people are picking up their cars. Suggested that it is best I come back over the weekend. I didn't realise that one had to make an appointment for a test drive these days!! A lot of car buying protocols must have changed over the past 5 years.

Humph... talk about a lack of customer service. Not to mention that they must be defying the global financial crisis as they were so busy with their sales...!

I really felt like Julia Roberts in the scene from Pretty Woman where she went in to the shops in Rodeo Drive hoping to buy some clothes but did not get any service and was looked down and frowned upon.

Could it be that being a woman, I am seen as being incapable of making my own decisions about buying a car, hence the lack of interest or .... the shortfall in the customer service in this particular showroom was due to their brisk trade? Or...???

Whatever it was, I thought I'd give them another go and decided to take my chance at a test drive a few days later. The sales person took me round the block and had the gall to ask if the test drive was long enough, to which I answered that it was too short. He then offered for me to go another block but said that I can't go far as the car was low on petrol... arrghh!!

I am in the customer service industry and to be honest, in times like these, I would have thought that customer service would be more pertinent than before but alas, this was not the case.

Downcasted but not defeated, I'd like to go back to this particular showroom and tell them..."BIG MISTAKE!!"... but ... in going through the motions... will I be made to feel inferior again???