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Kimberly S.

4
Level 4 Contributor

Contributor Level

Total Points
2,787

About Me

40-year self-employed Accounting/Tax professional. Well traveled and multi-lengual I am very eclectic in my tastes and activities. I have a menagerie of 8 goats, 5 cats, 4 dogs and a hen. After taking care of the animals, I spend my time between my business where I help people fight taxing authorities, restoring my vintage 1929 home, doing volunteer work and looking for land for a real farm for my retirement.

How I Can Help

Obviously I have expertise in taxation and record-keeping. I am a Certified Internal Auditor and an IRS Enrolled Agent (think 'tax attorney' without the ability to go to court) and was elected as a Fellow of Forensic Accounting by Cambridge University. My 40 years of fighting the IRS and winning should help others if they have any questions regarding finance, accounting, budgeting, or taxation.

Interests

My family is #1 including pets & friends. I like reading & arts. They help me stay balanced.

26 Reviews by Kimberly

  • Cricket Wireless

2/6/23
Verified purchase

1) I got this phone for one, very-limited purpose and set it up on autopay. It was $30 per month for 5 years and I used it about 4 to 8 times a year! They made their money on me

2) They had some problem with the autopay credit card 4 months ago (it wasn't a balance issue because I have yet to come close to the balance on that card) and didn't notify me - or, rather, they SAY they notified me by texting the phone number on the account - THE PHONE WHICH THEY HAD CUT OFF SERVICE ON! They sent me NO other notices - by their own admission!

3) Their customer service is farmed out of country to places without English as a primary language and whose employees are so busy READING what they want to say to you that they can't LISTEN to the problem!

4) Now I have an emergency and I can't use the phone set up for that very purpose!

MINDLESS, INCOMPETENT, RUDE AND UNHELPFUL!

Tip for consumers:
Anything is better than this

Products used:
Cellular Service

Service
Value
Quality
  • SearsHomeServices

6/7/19

Sears used to be the best. Not so much any more.

Over the past 6 months I have had cause to contact them twice. Both times have been horrible disappointments.

The first was when my upright freezer stopped working. I called around and was informed by Sears online, that the local store had a similar capacity unit at a price I could afford and was assured that they would deliver it. So Off I went. When I got there, they only had ONE freezer that I could buy and take home right then and it was much smaller, has no light and is not frost free. Everything else on the floor was "Order and pay for it and then wait for delivery to the store before you can pick it up." and "No. We don't deliver. Sorry." But, I was over a barrel because all my food was thawing and NO ONE in town had a freezer I could buy right then at a price I could afford. The ONLY other one was nearly $2,000!

The next problem was my my LG all-in-one washer-dryer. 5 years ago when it died, I went through - or rather my warrantee company went through - half a dozen idiots until I called Sears on my own and they got it fixed.

So, when it malfunctioned again, who did I call? Sears! The 'call fee' was $89 to 'diagnose' the problem. Ok, not horrid but a little higher than I'm used to. The tech that arrived was incredibly rude. Nothing overt, but looking down his nose at me, talking down to me and talking over me, that sort of thing. I tried to explain what I knew was happening - the clothes were coming out wet but ONLY when I used the dry cycle so the pump was working fine - so he didn't have to re-invent the wheel and his response was "I'll decide what the problem is after I examine the machine." He then turned his back on me indicating that I had been 'dismissed from his presence'. So I left.

A while later, he came up to my office and announced that the problem was that I hadn't cleaned out the intake hoses?! That's not in the maintenance manual. Why would I need to clean out hoses running clean water? The filter, the drain hoses - those have to be cleaned, but intake? Well, whatever. I paid him and told him I'd call back if my problem wasn't fixed.

When I went downstairs a bit later, I found that he had moved my drying rack off the top of the machine and had not returned it to its location.

Moreover, he'd moved the machine out into the room so he could access the back of it and didn't move it back! What sort of person does that sort of thing to an elderly woman with a leg injury who, obviously, can't be expected to move the machine back into place.

Worse, my clothes were still coming out wet - not damp which is how they would come out of the wash cycle after the spin and before the dry cycle - and not misty which is how they are supposed to come out of the dry cycle in this type of machine - but WET! Which is WHY I had called in the first place. So, the problem WASN'T fixed despite his ever so smug assurances to the contrary.

So, I called Sears back, and, after trudging through their 'call center' for nearly 30 minutes where the employees do NOT speak English well enough to readily understand or be understood, I was able to get a call-back from a manager (several hours later) in Customer Care where I filed a complaint against the tech. They apologized, promised me a new 'master technician' would be assigned, and I wouldn't be charged a second fee for the re-diagnosis.

They sent a new tech out who, I am sorry to say, was completely out of his depth. First, he tried to charge me another diagnostic fee. I told him I'd already paid it and this was a re-visit because the first guy didn't do the job right. So he verified and I wasn't charged, but he should have had that information at the outset.

Second, and more importantly, He didn't even recognize the machine for what it was! He said "Is this it? It looks like a washer." I explained that it was an LG All in One. His response was "Really? I've never seen one before. This is interesting."

THIS is their 'MASTER TECH' - someone who hasn't even seen an all-in-one let alone worked on one?

He took a photo of the plate with the model and serial numbers and started searching for information on it. After about 30 minutes, he came upstairs and informed me that the model and serial numbers are "... only coming up with washer parts." and that he was going to have to "go back and do some research" without any attempt at scheduling a followup appointment. Just a promise to call me to set one up.

Two days later on Thursday, Sears left me a voice mail after 8pm which is when my phone turns off for the night. So on Friday Morning I get a voice mail telling me they have "Scheduled your technician to arrive between 10 am and 1 pm tomorrow." Which, of course, it the same day as I received the message.

I work from home as a Tax Advocate so all of my meetings with clients are confidential and privileged just like a Doctor or Attorney. I had a client scheduled for the time period the technician was scheduled' without so much as a courtesy call to verify the time and date with me.

I called to try to reschedule and was given the royal run-around. "You're his last appointment." "We can't change the appointment now." I even asked for a supervisor who BS'd me some more and gave NO explanation as to why an appointment was scheduled without any communication with me. She said "I realize you have errands to run" At which point I cut her off and explained vehemently that I wasn't running errands' but had a confidential and privileged meeting with a client and could not have a repair person running in and out during the meeting. She apologized but gave no alternative options so, completely fed up, I said, cancel the appointment and refund me my service fee since I haven't received any service. Her response was "The service fee is non-refundable." At which point I told her, impolitely, what she could do with her service fee' and proceeded to call my attorney.

I realize the service fee is non-refundable' but that is only if one actually received the service for which it is intended which I have still not received.

I will never call Sears again. They have become like every other money-grubbing, dishonest and lazy repair service company that takes your money and gives you nothing but frustration and aggravation in return. They are useless.

Products used:
Appliance repair services

Service
Value
Returns
Quality
  • Sears

6/6/19

Sears used to be the best. Not so much any more.

Over the past 6 months I have had cause to contact them twice. Both times have been horrible disappointments.

The first was when my upright freezer stopped working. I called around and was informed by Sears online, that the local store had a similar capacity unit at a price I could afford and was assured that they would deliver it. So Off I went. When I got there, they only had ONE freezer that I could buy and take home right then and it was much smaller, has no light and is not frost free. Everything else on the floor was "Order and pay for it and then wait for delivery to the store before you can pick it up." and "No. We don't deliver. Sorry." But, I was over a barrel because all my food was thawing and NO ONE in town had a freezer I could buy right then at a price I could afford. The ONLY other one was nearly $2,000!

The next problem was my my LG all-in-one washer-dryer. 5 years ago when it died, I went through - or rather my warrantee company went through - half a dozen idiots until I called Sears on my own and they got it fixed.

So, when it malfunctioned again, who did I call? Sears! The 'call fee' was $89 to 'diagnose' the problem. Ok, not horrid but a little higher than I'm used to. The tech that arrived was incredibly rude. Nothing overt, but looking down his nose at me, talking down to me and talking over me, that sort of thing. I tried to explain what I knew was happening - the clothes were coming out wet but ONLY when I used the dry cycle so the pump was working fine - so he didn't have to re-invent the wheel and his response was "I'll decide what the problem is after I examine the machine." He then turned his back on me indicating that I had been 'dismissed from his presence'. So I left.

A while later, he came up to my office and announced that the problem was that I hadn't cleaned out the intake hoses?! That's not in the maintenance manual. Why would I need to clean out hoses running clean water? The filter, the drain hoses - those have to be cleaned, but intake? Well, whatever. I paid him and told him I'd call back if my problem wasn't fixed.

When I went downstairs a bit later, I found that he had moved my drying rack off the top of the machine and had not returned it to its location.

Moreover, he'd moved the machine out into the room so he could access the back of it and didn't move it back! What sort of person does that sort of thing to an elderly woman with a leg injury who, obviously, can't be expected to move the machine back into place.

Worse, my clothes were still coming out wet - not damp which is how they would come out of the wash cycle after the spin and before the dry cycle - and not misty which is how they are supposed to come out of the dry cycle in this type of machine - but WET! Which is WHY I had called in the first place. So, the problem WASN'T fixed despite his ever so smug assurances to the contrary.

So, I called Sears back, and, after trudging through their 'call center' for nearly 30 minutes where the employees do NOT speak English well enough to readily understand or be understood, I was able to get a call-back from a manager (several hours later) in Customer Care where I filed a complaint against the tech. They apologized, promised me a new 'master technician' would be assigned, and I wouldn't be charged a second fee for the re-diagnosis.

They sent a new tech out who, I am sorry to say, was completely out of his depth. He didn't even recognize the machine for what it was! He said "Is this it? It looks like a washer." I explained that it was an LG All in One. "Really? I've never seen one before.
This is interesting." THIS is their 'MASTER TECH' - someone who hasn't even seen an all-in-one let alone worked on one?

So he took a photo of the plate with the model and serial numbers and started searching for information on it. After about 30 minutes, he came upstairs and informed me that the model and serial numbers are "... only coming up with washer parts." and that he was going to have to "go back and do some research" without any attempt at scheduling a followup appointment. Just a promise to call me.

AND, he tried to charge me another diagnostic fee. I told him I'd already paid it and this was a re-visit because the first guy didn't do the job right. So he verified and I wasn't charged, but he should have had that information at the outset.

So, now I'm waiting to see what happens. I'll keep you posted.

  • E Appliance Repair

6/6/19

My history with contractors has been, shall we say, abysmal? Depressing? Painful? Costly? All of the above, in fact. So, when my ice-maker went out and my home warranty company denied my claim (long story in another review), I went looking. I came across El Paso Appliance Repair, the visit fee was reasonable (comparatively speaking) and it applied to the final service, so I make an appointment.

George is an entrepreneur who, like me, cares about customer service. He was on time, courteous, efficient and polite. No, more than polite, he was friendly and informative. He explained to me what was wrong, why it went wrong, what I can do in future to prevent such a malfunction (something that is NOT in the maintenance book) and did what he could to get the part delivered by the next day.

Unfortunately, the parts company isn't as conscientious as George so it took an extra day, but it was done within 72 hours of my initial phone call. That is what I call service! And the best part is that it was affordable. I really expected to have to pay between $300 and $400 and it was about half that.

A friendly, honest, competent contractor that isn't going to gouge you for more money is truly a phenomenon and a blessing in this area.

Moreover, I found out that he can work on my LG all in one washer/dryer which has been the bane of my repair experience since I bought it. It doesn't have problems often, but when it does, it's been a nightmare!

George is my new hero and my first call on ANY appliances for all three of my properties from here forward. I hope my review makes him millions because he is a shining example of what a good businessperson should be.

Thank you George!

  • SelectHomeWarranty

6/3/19

I signed up with them two years ago for my property. I was promised courteous and attentive customer care with fast service from good, licensed contractors. Also I was told I would be allowed to choose my own contractor and they would reimburse me the funds I was out of pocket in excess of the $45 deductible in a timely' manner.

After two years, Let's see how well that has worked out:

1) Attentive customer care - Non Existent
NONE of their customer service personnel speak English as a primary language. That, in and of itself, is not a problem. But when they haven't learned the language well enough to understand a simple explanation of the problem or to be understood by someone who is multilingual. That IS a problem especially when there is no one there to whom they can transfer the call to get the help required. Moreover, the 'customer care' center, while polite, is totally useless. They can't get anything done especially when there is an actual problem with customer care and attention.

You can't call in a claim. If you do, you are directed to submit it online. They have no answer to "What happens if the problem precludes your ability to use your computer?!" Then they call you back in a day or two for 'more information'.

There is no place or way for you to check your account(s) or claims online to see the status and calling in, as I've said before, is useless. All you get is transferred multiple times until you reach someone in existing claims' who, essentially, gives you the party line of "We are processing it. You should be contacted in a day or two."

2) Fast service I'm STILL waiting for a return call on a claim I filed two months ago!
First is to note the fact that once you submit a claim, it takes them a day or two to call you back for more information' which amounts to your name and address and type of claim - all information which you already provided to them online. Then it takes them another "24 to 48 hours" for "Claims to assign a contractor." who you have to call to set up an appointment. So, even under perfect circumstances, you're already at a week before the contractor gets to your property to evaluate the problem and order parts.

Well, the first plumbing problem I had was spraying water all over the downstairs. I had to turn the water off and called in a claim. After a week during which there was ZERO running water at the property, and multiple calls to the 'claims' center, they STILL hadn't assigned a contractor so I chose my own and got it fixed.

That fix' caused problems up the lines. The company was notified this might happen prior to the first repair. But, when I called in the second claim for a leak up the line, I was refused service on the basis that I had signed a release' (see below) which, apparently, was in tiny print on the check they sent me and prevents me filing a claim on that water line in perpetuity. So after one claim, I can no longer use the service for my water intake pipes - EVER! What sort of insurance is that?

The second claim I put in involved a broken sewer pipe inside the house which was dumping sewer water into my downstairs. AGAIN, No assignment after 48 hours so I called again. I was promised assignment in 48 hours. That didn't happen. I called again and got the name of the contractor they had assigned. The contractor was in a DIFFERENT STATE and didn't work my state. So I called back AGAIN! After much teeth gnashing and threats, finally got to speak to a manager who promised me immediate assignment and a call back that afternoon with the name and number. Didn't happen. After more than a month with sewer water running inside the house and their failure to respond in anything vaguely resembling a 'fast' or 'courteous' manner, I finally paid someone to fix it for which I have yet to receive any reimbursement.

3) Good-Licensed Contractors Possibly, but not necessarily licensed in your state or servicing your area
I made a claim for a plumbing issue created by a cast iron sewer pipe cracking and dumping sewer water into my guest bedroom. After filing the claim online, I called every other day for two weeks before I finally got someone assigned' to the matter. I called the assigned plumber who doesn't live or work in my state, isn't licensed in my state and does not service my town. I called several times and was promised that they would fix the matter'. After weeks of waiting, and payment for a half-dozen estimates' from a variety of contractors, I finally found someone licensed and competent to fix it within the $500 plumbing reimbursement limitation in the contract (the average estimate was over $1,000). That was four months ago and I'm still waiting for my reimbursement check.

4) Timely reimbursement I guess within my lifetime' is their idea of timely'
It took them 2 months to get me a reimbursement check for one claim and, as stated above, I'm still waiting for the second one! How is that timely?! I submitted the paid receipt the very day it was paid. It took them a WEEK to get me the 'appropriate claim forms' and another 6 weeks to get the check after that was submitted back to them. I'm elderly and on a fixed income. That $250 was my food money for the month. I had to sponge off my friends and family to eat thanks to their 'timely reimbursement' policy.

5) Claim approval "We approve over 90% of claims submitted" according to the sales department
However, MY personal experience is that they approve 25% of claims submitted.

In two years, I submitted four claims Two separate plumbing leaks, my all-in-one washer/dryer stopped drying (immediately after the first plumbing leak was fixed), and my refrigerator icemaker stopped making ice. FOUR claims and only 1 was approved and serviced at all.
The washer-dryer claim was denied on the basis of inadequate maintenance' and on the release letter (see below) in spite of the fact that the damage to the machine was directly caused by the plumber manhandling the machine and not any lack of maintenance.
The ice-maker wasn't a covered part of the refrigerator. In spite of the fact that the policy says "all components" under Refrigerator, apparently the Ice Maker is a special rider which no one mentioned when I was purchasing the policy.
The second plumbing claim was simply lost', I guess. I've never been able to get any response on that particular claim.

6) Release letter This is the icing on the "not customer friendly" cake
Once a claim has been serviced and you have paid the contractor, in order to get your reimbursement' you have to sign a release document identifying you as "RELEASOR" and Select Home Warrantee as "RELEASEE" and says in exact verbiage that "RELEASOR releases and discharges the RELEASEE, RELEASEE's heirs, executors administrators, successors and assigns from all actions, causes of action, suits, debts, dues, sums of money, accounts, reckonings, bonds, bills. Damages, judgments,. Claims and demands whatsoever, in law, admiralty which RELEASOR, RELEASOR's Heirs, executors ever had, now have or hereinafter can, shall, or may have for, upon, or by reason of any matter, cause from the beginning of the world to the day of the date of this RELEASE."

Seriously?! So if the contractor they recommend and you pay for the service ends up doing additional damage (which is what occurred in the one plumbing claim they DID approve and eventually - pay) the company will not pay to fix the damage EVER! Once something is fixed, they will NEVER fix it or anything related to it. What sort of service is that?

I have found another company and fired this one. And get this! When I called to cancel, I had to spend 45 minutes ARGUING with the representative who kept insisting that he could help to address your problem'.
After all they put me through in two years, I couldn't even cancel the services without a fight!

Bottom line they aren't worth the money or the frustration. Find someone with a better track record.

Products used:
Home warranty service.

Service
Value
Quality
  • AHS American Home Shield

8/7/18
• Updated review

After months of haggling with the company, I had my attorney write them a letter about the plumbing and about my LG Washer damage. AHS responded with a not-very-polite "we don't want your business". My LG washer is still broken because I can't afford to get it repaired and my new warranty company won't cover prior damage. So much for 'Home Warranty'. I will be filing a complaint with the state insurance board.

Run! Avoid this company at ALL costs!
12/29/17
• Previous review

I'm not going to write a dissertation of my 6 months of nightmare with this company. BUT, I AM going to list for you the violations and abuses to which I have been exposed (in addition to the omnipresent 30 to 45 minute hold to speak to a human being at the company). To wit:

* They say in the first line of the contract under "Coverage Overview" that "Coverage under this contract includes... malfunctions. Which occur <due to>... insufficient maintenance, rust, corrosion or sediment." BUT, when you file a claim for lack of water pressure due corrosion and sediment in the pipes, they say "We don't cover problems caused by low water pressure" and "It's not covered if there isn't a leak."

* In response to a call regarding the lack of water flow in the bathrooms and kitchen, they sent out a rude, incompetent contractor who broke my expensive vintage chrome gooseneck faucets with porcelain handles and separate sprayers. AHS tried to replace them with $5 cheap garbage flat faucets with plastic knobs and no sprayer. It took nearly TWO months to get THAT mess corrected and get proper replacements for my faucets - which, by the way didn't fix the problem (see the first item above).

* The same incompetent contractors, in order to replace the faucets, turned off my water at the main. Even AFTER I explained in GREAT detail about NOT turning it back on without disabling the sprinkler system because the sudden pressure would damage the system, they ignored me and blew my entire sprinkler system to the tune of $3,500 in repair costs and another $325 in lost water because I was at work and didn't see the problem until I came home to knee deep water in my yard. OH - neither the contractor nor AHS will take responsibility for the damage.

* They sent the same incompetent contractors (after multiple complaints about them) to fix a broken sewer pipe. They did such a slip shod job that now, 6 weeks later, I'm having to pay again to have the pipes fixed. I have refused to allow the previous contractors in my home. I have a new company working on them.

* The SAME incompetent contractors also manhandled my LG All In One Washer/Dryer unit which ceased working as soon as they roughly shoved it across the floor and I now have to have repairs done on that. AHS sent someone out who didn't even recognize the machine when he had just put his phone on it! So far its cost me $135, but it's not fixed and it's been a month. Again, they both refuse to take responsibility.*.

There are simply too many options now to put up with this total lack of service and refusal too perform on a contract.

  • TFCU

2/13/18

I am a financial professional and have been a member of TFCU for nearly 40 years. However, I am now moving my business elsewhere.

Why? Well, quite simply, because they are liars who no longer care about their long-time members.

Briefly - I have a small partnership which rents out small residential and commercial buildings. TFCU holds the mortgage on one of them.

With falling interest rates we were looking at a refinance. We sent TFCU all the application information requested. Their response was in the negative and their stated reason was "Based on our analysis, you would be unable to make the new payments".

Since we are currently paying nearly twice the required payment on the current loan which is 25% more than the new payment would be; the company has had a profit every year for the past 4 years; and we've paid down a $75,000 20-year loan by more than 50% in 7 years, the "reason" simply doesn't hold water.

The only conclusion is that they were incapable of properly/accurately evaluating the information in their own loan system and the application, OR they simply didn't want to refinance at a lower rate because they would make less money. Either way, it's a problem.

While this is not the ONLY problem we've experienced in the past few years, it IS the straw that broke the Camel's back.

We are actively looking for a new financial institution.

  • BankOfTheWest

2/13/18

As a financial professional, I am frequently asked by my client to recommend financial institutions for their needs. In the past, I have been very supportive of Bank of the West (BOW), but no longer.

I contacted BOW concerning one of my clients who was looking for a local bank with whom to do business. This client is a multi-million dollar corporation headed up by a 34-year-old female president. She was looking for a local bank that could offer them a line of credit as well as the other banking services they required.

Bank of the West (know known as WestStar) advertises themselves as particularly interested in helping local businesses and they had assisted a variety of my clients in the past. Unfortunately, it seems they are only interested in doing business with men at the helm.

My client was turned down because "the Equity doesn't add up" which, in my experience as a financial professional of more than 30 years and multiple Master's degrees in the field, is simply not possible. One cannot have equity that 'doesn't add up' since the equity is, by definition, the result of all the activity of the business.
Therefore, one need only look at the activity to determine any changes in equity.

It is obvious to these seasoned financial eyes that the 'reason' was fabricated because it makes no sense and, in this world of computerized accounting, is, frankly, impossible.

Worse, when I attempted to speak to the reviewer who was the head of the loan department and a Board Member, he was borderline abusive about my client - implying fraud but not outright making the accusation - and personally insulting to me which was highly unprofessional.

I have a variety of clients who were approved for larger loans with much less income/profit and who provided less-accurate financial information on their businesses to the bank. I know this because I saw everything they submitted when they brought it in for my review after the fact.

This business provided much more information that was more accurate and professional because I prepared it for her to take to the bank. Her annual growth has been astonishing, her income exceeds that of every other business I sent to BOW but one and her profit margin is higher than most. Her income and assets to debt ratio are both better than the majority of the businesses that were approved and, in fact, her debt base is lower than all of them. These are the very things looked at by financial institutions in the loan approval process. So, since every one of the factors used to evaluate loans was better, why was she not approved like all the other businesses? What is the difference?

Since they refuse to provide a valid financial reason for the rejection, I have no choice but to assume that the real problem was that the management/ownership of the business was not to their liking. Unfortunately, the only difference between the management of the approved companies and this one is that the other businesses have men at the helm.
Which then begs the question of gender bias and prejudice. Obviously, I cannot say for certain this is the case, but the circumstances certainly lead this educated and experienced professional to believe that it could be.

Either way, i shall not be recommending this financial institution to any of my future clients. I require an institution that is trustworthy, consistent and that isn't going to dissemble when asked a valid question.

Regardless of their real reasons for refusal of my client's loan, at the very least, Bank of the West is none of these.

  • USAA

2/13/18

I have been a USAA member for more than 35 years. They USED to be the best at everything they did. Unfortunately, except for the insurance, they are seriously declining in quality - especially in the customer service area.

Without going into VOLUMES of information, suffice it to say that the mortgage department violated regulations related to a refinance request on my home. When I complained, not only did they not back down, but I have now been TARGETED!

Since my complaint they have blackballed me with other mortgage lenders, closed my bank accounts without notice or reason and refused even the courtesy of a response to my queries as to their reasons for these blatant abuses of a long-time loyal member.

I will keep my insurance because that is still the best option out there, but I am rapidly moving my banking and financial investment business elsewhere.

I am truly sorry that this institution which has protected and served our uniformed heroes for decades is becoming just another uncaring money-grubbing bank.

  • Johnny Rockets

2/10/18

When they first opened, they were GREAT! It's wonderful for a vegetarian of more than 40 years to have a place to get a burger and fries. They would replace any burger patty with a black bean burger. Everything was cooked to perfection, the malts were just the right flavor and thickness and it was simply a wonderful place for someone who remembers the malt shops of the 50s.

I don't know what has happened, but the last several times I've gone, it's gone from bad to worse. The service stinks and the food is practically inedible.

For example: Today I ordered sweet potato fries, an original cheeseburger with a black bean patty and no lettuce, and a medium chocolate malk with extra malt.
What I got was an original burger with lettuce and no black bean patty, regular fries and a malt so thick it wouldn't go through a straw. I had to eat it rather than drink it (it's supposed to be a drink, not soft serve ice cream in a cup). So I went back.
I got my sweet potato fries, but they were almost burnt and my burger was a dry bun with a black bean patty and NOTHING ELSE - no tomato, no onion, no cheese and no condiments. TWO trips and they STILL got the order wrong! So I called to complain and the manager LIED TO MY FACE saying they only make the black bean burger that way! Not what I asked for - I asked for an "Original with cheese, no lettuce and replace the meat with a black bean burger".

Besides - vegi-burgers are dryer than meat because they don't have the fat. WHY would Johnny Rocket's make a black bean burger with NOTHING on it!? Two pieces of dry white bread and an overcooked black bean burger?! YUK! Have they decided that people who don't eat meat don't deserve flavor either?

Moreover, when I called to complain, the 'manager' allegedly called the General Manager to discuss my situation. He OBVIOUSLY assumed I didn't understand Spanish, which was a grave error. The terms he used to describe me I will not repeat in polite company. Suffice it to say he was really rude and nasty.

Well, I have been a loyal customer since they opened, but I will never go back. It's bad enough that they screwed up my order not once, but twice, but when a company starts lying to me, I'm done. I will tolerate a lot but not dishonesty, especially when I'm paying for it.

  • Dollar General

12/29/17

The trick with Dollar Stores is not buying everything in one place. They are not all the same, but every one of them has items that simply aren't worth what they are charging to offset the massive savings on some of the higher-end stuff.

Example: I can get a blanket for $5 - good deal. But, at the same store, a single pair of socks is $1 - so so good. But, they sell more socks and it makes up for the low cost on the blanket.

So, do your homework. Find out what things cost in regular stores, then shop accordingly. AND, if you have access to more than one, you may find that different things are different prices so you can plan your shopping to get the biggest bank for your buck.

BUT - remember, gas costs money, too. Driving 50 miles to save $1 isn't a savings. So shop wisely.

  • Sam's Club

12/28/17
• Updated review

I have tried everything possible and NOTHING. Not even a letter from my attorney worked. They refuse to process a refund unless I drive across town to the store which will actually cost me more in gasoline and time than the refund is worth. So They have defrauded the church out of it's hard-earned funds and created an impossibly difficult 'refund' procedure that ensures they don't actually have to provide a refund.

There is a reason I don't shop at Sam's

Beware Catering Scam
4/18/17
• Previous review

When looking for catered food for a church party, we looked at Sam's Club and found some lovely-looking sandwiches, wraps and fruit-trays. What we received for our money was nothing like what was described. The sandwiches were dry, the wraps were so spicy not even our jalapeno-loving parishioners could eat them and the fruit tray was, not only NOT what we paid for which was their high-end model, but the fruit was either on the verge of rotting or so green it was inedible. We didn't have time to take the stuff back (a 20-mile drive) so we did what we could to salvage the food, prepared some other items on our own and ran with it. However, I did try to get a refund for the price difference (we paid nearly double for the high-end trays we didn't get) between the fruit trays we ordered and the fruit trays we received. We ordered online and, so, foolishly thought we could simply get a credit back to the account we used to pay. No such luck. We were told we had to drive to the store to get the refund! So I called Corporate and was told they would process the refund for us. 6 weeks later, I get an e-mail from an area manager who reiterated that we have to drive 40 miles roundtrip to get this refund!

Horrible food, out and out deceit on the fruit trays AND a demand that we drive 40 miles for a refund they rightfully owe us?!

Also, when I tried to submit a review on the Sam's site they refused to publish it. Apparently they only publish GOOD reviews so what you are seeing as ratings are not the REAL thing.

This is nothing short of deliberate scam to defraud the customers out of their hard-earned money! I will never go there again and recommend no one else try either. Pay the slightly higher prices for someone more reputable.

  • iHerb

5/7/17

I've been a loyal iHerb customer for more than 15 years. While I liked iHerb better when my loyalty credits didn't expire every few weeks, they are still the best place to get vitamins and supplements. The variety is amazing and the quality is excellent and the prices are more than reasonable in comparison to other stores (online or in person) where these items are sold. I've never had a bad experience here and have nothing but confidence in their products.

  • Petco

5/5/17

I have 25 animals I care for. 4 are dogs and 8 are cats (5 strays). I've priced getting in the car, going to a store, buying the supplies I need, driving back, etc. In time and money, Petco is actually less costly and light-years more convenient. It all comes right to the door - automatically - just when I need it! I haven't seen the inside of a pet store in years! Check it out!

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
  • WebMD

5/5/17

I come from a medical family and am a healer myself. I love WebMD.

That said, I caution everyone to understand that WebMD isn't there looking and examining you and just because you have symptoms of X or Y doesn't mean the problem can't be P or T. Many problems have similar symptoms, and symptoms sometimes don't mean anything important. So self-diagnosis is not the best idea - for anyong - no matter what the problem or medical expertise level.

BUT, using WebMD for information gathering, for looking into symptoms to see what MIGHT be the problem, to educate oneself on general health and understanding of the human body. Absolutely unsurpassed in my book!

I especially enjoy the e-mail quizzes and the advice on improving overall health.

I also like that I can go to my doctor, fully informed on what might be the problem; find out what's actually wrong, and then go check on WebMd for options on treatment. The site often has some that even my physician doesn't know about - and many that are holistic and/or non-invasive.

This is a GREAT site that can help everyone be healthier.

  • Rejuvenation Innovations

4/24/17

Got a sample product. GREAT stuff! BUT, don't bother to pay the extra for fast shipping. What the website says and what happens in real life are different universes. The website says it takes 24 to 48 hours to ship. OK, that's reasonable. Then it says you'll receive your merchandise in 7 to 10 days for Standard Shipping and 5 to 7 days for 'Rush' which costs extra. It also says you'll get an e-mail with tracking information once your item ships. What the site doesn't tell you is that these are 'working' days, not calendar days. Nor does it mention that it takes 3 days for orders to even be loaded into their system - What?! The computers don't work on the weekends?! Nor does it mention that the days to delivery only start AFTER the order is actually shipped! I placed by order the morning of April 14 which was a Friday and paid for Rush shipping. I assumed Sunday the 16th wouldn't be included in the shipping time. But all the shipping companies work on Saturdays. So, I'm thinking it should have shipped on the 15th but no later than the 17th which is 48 hours from the order time. Based on the website information, I calculated that I'm should receive delivery by the 21st but no later than the 24th. However, as of the 24th, I hadn't received any e-mail for tracking. So I called. I kid you not, if the product wasn't AWESOME, I would have cancelled right then and there. According to their less-than-helpful-and-unbelievably-rude 'Service' person, it takes 2 to 3 'working' days for the order to be entered in to the computer, then another 2 to 3 'working days to ship - and, they don't work Saturday or Sunday or Holidays. My package was, apparently, shipped on the 19th in the afternoon - 5 days after I ordered! I won't get it until the 28th. That is a full TWO WEEKS (11 'working' days) from the date of the order! Seriously, it's not worth paying the extra for rush shipping. PLUS, if you do decide to order, add 7 to 10 'working' days to whatever the shipping time says on the order form online because they are completely incompetent on this matter. What in the world are they doing - waiting on the orders to actually MAKE the product being ordered? In today's electronic world, there really isn't any excuse for it to take more than minutes to be recorded in their computer system and 5 days to ship is simply unconscionable unless you are FULLY INFORMED OF THAT on the website BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR ORDER - which, as of the writing of this review, you are not.

  • DataSphere

4/24/17

I was contacted and told they'd get me a banner ad on KFox News, Local Saver and Facebook and would create a video ad for me. It sounded like a good idea for tax season, but I've been burned in the past. So I had my attorney check out the contract, talked to others, had witnesses on my phone conversations so that all their promises were documented.

First, they NEVER contacted me after they had my name on the preverbial 'dotted line' and my money. I waited and waited and finally contacted them only to be told that my ad was already "LIVE"! WHAT!? I didn't approve anything! When I went out to LOOK at my 'AD'. There was my business name, a horrid canned image of some out-of-focus men standing around a conference table (We are all women in my practice) and a phone number. Not where I was located or - and this is the really IMPORTANT point - NOT ONE WORD ABOUT WHAT SERVICES OR PRODUCTS I PROVIDE!

When I complained, they informed me that I was supposed to 'approve' their test ads - but I never got contacted about them so how could I do that. It took 10 weeks for them to get anything out there that was acceptable, let alone semi-professional.

And lets talk about my video - After the disaster with the banner ad, I was taking no chances. I, personally, downloaded and paid for every image, wrote the script, and then created a power-point of EXACTLY how I wanted it to look and sound. I sent it all to them with a very specific instructions and a demand that, whoever the voice actor was they needed to be a native speaker of Spanish. What I got was exactly what I told them I DIDN'T want.

Can these people even READ?! What kind of marketing firm is this?!

IF - and it's a BIG IF - they are actually displaying my ad as they keep claiming (allegedly it's been 'displayed' 107,510 times with 597 alleged actions) I should have had at least ONE phone call in the past 6 months. But nope! Not even a phone call, let alone a client. I'm paying near $200 a month for them to destroy my professional reputation with their amateurish ads and unparalleled incompetence.

I did get 1/2 off the bill for TWO months, but that doesn't even start to cover the financial losses I'm suffering.

To slightly shorten this saga of more than 6 months of advertising nightmare, my tax season advertising budget resulted in NOTHING. Actually, less than nothing since we didn't even get our usual number of new returns.

I'm still having to deal with them as they are getting monthly payments and I am still getting NOTHING of value in return.

I've been in business 30 years and I know which ads make money and which don't. This one doesn't.

UPDATE 05/05/17 - THANK YOU Site Jabber! YOU got their attention and they agreed to stop advertising my business and cancelled my account without penalty. No refund, but at least the nightmare is over.

It's nice to know that, when all else fails, Site Jabber comes through.

Service
Value
Quality
  • LaborForceElPaso

4/20/17

Labor Force has been supplying skilled clerical and bookkeeping staff as well as providing runners and unskilled labor when necessary for my accounting and tax firm for over two years. They pre-screen based on my requirements and send me what I need. We have been very happy and pleased with the selections they have provided and have found some excellent permanent additions to our staff and have provided last minute replacements when we got caught short-handed. Best of all, they do it at a fraction of the cost of other temp services we've used and they have better and more professional service! Thank you Labor Force. We couldn't do it without you.

  • Fabulous Furs

4/20/17

This company has, finally, done the impossible. They have created 'real' fur. I kid you not! I have multiple throws from them and the ONLY way to tell their 'fur' from the real thing is to part it down to where you can see the fabric to which it is attached. They even have invented 'suede' that is so close that the variance from the real thing is negligible. So, I'm not killing anything for warmth or beauty and the darn things are washable! The ONLY reason it's not 5 stars is that they keep changing their stock so I can't get duplicates of what I have that friends and family might like as gifts. I get adding to the designs, but they keep discontinuing things I love. Lastly, the slippers aren't really worth the money. They fall apart too quickly. The company needs to find something sturdier as a base because the hollow vinyl/plastic just falls apart. Otherwise, this place is a dream come true for someone who grew up with and appreciates the luxurious comfort, beauty and warmth of real fur but now has issues with endangering entire species just for their fur.

  • Bath & Body Works

4/18/17

Yes, they are more expensive than some. However, the quality is well worth it. Their candles last longer and smell stronger than any I have found, some for more money. PLUS, they have these incredible sales! I just hit their 2 for 1 sale over the weekend and, with a 20% off coupon, ended up getting my candles for 35% of retail! I HIGHLY recommend this company.

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Kimberly Has Received 1 Thank You

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Ann A. thanked you for your review of Sam's Club

“Horrible company. Should have looked at reviews before I also fell prey to them to the tune of $1500. 00”

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