Best & Worst of Rhode Island - Fall 2010

Everyone is looking for the best deal for their dime in a tight economy. Here's how local businesses fared this quarter:

BEST

Midas
525 Reservoir Ave.
Cranston

When was the last time you brought your car somewhere (without the hassle of an appointment) to have the breaks checked...and the person in the back took all of the wheels off, looked it all over, topped off the fluids, put it all back together, and came and said you didn't owe them a dime? It's easy to see why the folks at this Midas know most of their customers by name - they like coming back, and the company offers a fair deal on even routine maintenance items like oil changes. Download coupons for even greater savings by clicking here.

Automotive Engineering Specialties
1173 Warwick Ave.
Warwick

They change your oil, set your tire pressure, and do all the "extras" most quickie shops let slide...and for around $30 (they'll match competitor's coupons if you ask). Best of all, you can TRUST the work Steve does on the BIG jobs! They're great to have on your side when you need them. Call Diane (401) 463-8460 for an appointment or email: diane@auto123.necoxmail.com.

Nextel

Looking for a cheaper than cheap deal on a phone that IS a phone? Try Nextel - pick one up almost anywhere for around $19.95. Fifty dollars a month (plus about four dollars in tax) lets you chat with anybody, anywhere, for thirty days. No hitches. You can even text (if U Cn TXT, 4 4ry). If you'd prefer "rollover minutes," the buy-in is the same, but the fee is per minute.

Hill's Orchard
86 Windsor Ave.
Johnston
401-949-2940

Allan Hill thought he'd be programming computers when he graduated from college in 1975; instead he returned to help his then ailing dad - and wound up programming a sweet future of branches and blossoms. Make sure to mention you want to bake a pie when you see him; he'll be sure to pick out a special bag just for you. Nestled in the foothills of Johnston, Allan's orchard is the perfect place to stock up for the winter, to hike for the day, or to take a hayride. Get your own set of Hill's Orchard memories.

Angkor Wat
Wickenden St.

Khmer meets Lao at Angkor Wat. Here you'll find a full variety of authentic Thai food, including Nime Chow (fresh egg rolls), Pad Thai (hand-cut noodles), and Nam Yaa (spicy broth with noodles and herbs - "Medicinal Soup"). Bopha Kem was the original chef and developer of the menu here. Kem received the once only orally transmitted fare from her aunt, who served as personal chef for the sister of the queen of Cambodia. When Civil War struck in 1970, Kem fled with little but the clothing she wore...and her transcribed recipes. She arrived in Greater Providence as one of the original "Boat People." Her family started Angkor Wot in 2006 after running several other area restaurants. It is now run by Chutama Am.

Pawtucket Credit Union

Pawtucket Credit Unionoffers free savings and checking with fair terms on other accounts, easy access to and personal service with no hassle. Optional ATM and credit cards are available. Checks are free for life with direct deposit.

Rhode Island Rehabilitation Center

Need a massage? Physical Therapy? Help with Neurological Rehab? Drop by Rhode Island Rehabilitation Center where you'll receive full-service care. They accept most major insurance, and have six convenient, easy access locations to serve.

WORST

Valvoline

The bright red Valvoline coupon on the back of your grocer's slip SAYS "$10.00 off any service." Pull into the pit, and the technician quotes with filter, tax, and disposal $29.99. Even when technicians are told a regular mechanic handles everything else they insist upon "showing patrons their air filter as a courtesy." OK. OIL ONLY. At the end of the ruse, they still charge $39.99 with the coupon. ($49.99 w/o)? This, and sixty other Valvoline franchises, are owned by Henly Enterprises, Inc. of Scarbourough, Florida (also owners of AAMCO). Valvoline is headquartered in Wellesley, Massachusetts and may be reached by emailing VIOC_Customer_Service@ashland.com. Todd Nelson, Corporate President, can be reached toll free 800-327-8242 with concerns. Speed up - and wave (as a courtesy) - when you drive across the street to Midas.

Number 1 Tire Service

Poised now centerally upon Warwick Avenue, this group has moved around over the years -- first at Hoxie Four Corners, then upon Elmwood Avenue before landing in their current locaton. Customers presenting with coupons and agreed-upon prices for work are routinely charged more after the completion of routine services like oil changes, however. Their recent addition of a "make work mechanic" costs patrons air filters, bulbs, and other minor unnecessary add-on repairs. Go there once, and you'll have their Number....

Sears
RT2
Warwick

Sears on RT2 in Warwick wins honorable mention in the Shameful Bait-n-Switch category for oil change coupons. Download a $14.95 or a $19.99 coupon from their corporate website and Dave there will find every way he can to not honor it (meanwhile, his guys in the bays are idling). A brief chat with Nicole from Sear's regional office revealed Sears publishes the coupons...and leaves the option of honoring them up to the site. Unsuspecting patrons are left holding the bag for the additional $20 - $30. "There's a lot of counterfeit coupons out there," said Nicole. She couldn't, however, offer a reason why anyone would like Sears enough to create a market-value promotion for them.

MetroPCS

It's bright purple. The billboards scream "$40 a month. That's it." The company takes the nationwide blue ribbon for rip-offs in the cell phone industry. Walk into any purposely placed urban MetroPCS locale or order online and you'll soon discover just how many undisclosed fees (including "Walk-in," & "Cash Payment" fees) there really are. All are supposedly disclosed in a "contract" you never received - or signed. Pay a monthly charge to reactivate a MetroPCS phone and it'll work...for a few hours. MetroPCS refuses to fix the problem or refund your cash (remember - the only payment they'll accept on-site). "Ha!" said Brianna of the MetroPCS Park Avenue, RI location, "The Attorney General ain't gonna' do nuttin'. We do this all the freakin' day long." Northeast Regional Manager of Customer Operations James Brazelton (978-244-7322) considers customer fraud resolution a "courtesy." Brazelton whines the corporation "cannot force dealers to refund these payments even though the circumstances may warrant it." Do Metro PCS a courtesy they so desperately request - and run, don't walk, past the bruise it leaves on the face of the American economy (and call Maria at 401-274-4400 x2228 at the Atty.General's office - or your own consumer advocate) if they owe you money. She "does this all the freakin' day long," too, Brianna, and you know what? She will "do somefin." And she's pretty darned good at it.

Citizens Bank

Citizens Bank vies for expatriation with its developing reputation for hidden fees and lane changing without a signal. If you have existing accounts with them - or multiple accounts - beware! The terms of your cards have changed, they've been replaced without warning, and fees have been added without notice. Even though you believe you have plenty of funds to cover your purchases, Citizens Bank may be taking a look where they can pinch a fin (and plenty of them - daily), fuse accounts, and change terms of your agreements - and all without warning. This amounts to bullying at best, thievery at worst. Citizens opts not to review or abate even minor fees - but rather to lose your business. Might be time to become a citizen of a different bank instead.

Hurd Chevrolet

Hurd Chevrolet shoots a spare for a flat tire in customer service after the sale is made. Glowing with cast and crew, Chris Hurd peers into the camera and proclaims "We treat you like family." The joke, of course, among those making the mistake of purchasing for cash from Hurd is, "He must keep Grandma in the trunk." Hurd fails to honor new car warrantees and pre-sale promises of oil changes, cleanings, and other obligations. GMC leaves their patrons hanging in the lurch. "I can't get more than five miles per gallon out of this thing," said Mrs. H. (asked not to use her name), an owner of a new Buick LaCrosse CX. "That just doesn't make any sense. I asked how come and they got mad - just because I thought there might be something wrong." Another owner of a new Chevrolet reported being given a difficult time because their car had a defective tire when it arrived from the factory. It was supposed to have been replaced before he picked up the car. Others report getting cars back from service with additional mileage. Hurd doesn't deny this happens, he offers gas coupons as compensation. Sport, huh?

Intuitive Touch Massage Therapy
110 Main St.
East Greenwich

Intuitive Touch Massage Therapy brings up the rear for bad business and bad performance overall. The only positive reviews of the business appear to be those owner Jennifer Givan writes herself. Patrons tell another story and it's consistent: abrasive behavior, unattended candles left burning, oil stained dark colored sheets, repetitive high-pitched "nature" soundtrack. With masseuses competing today for just about every streetcorner with nail salons, maybe skip the chance of this one rubbing you the wrong way.