The Worst In New York!

It's a Dog's Life...

Service Diva — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 20:44:33 GMT

Well, at least somebody in the burg is getting the royal treatment. We New Yorkers just looooovve our pooches, don't we? Don't you just want to give the little fluffy poo a big kiss? I'll just take all the pampering little poopie pie gets from mommy...... Must be nice!

Boycott Subway Newsstands that Now Charge $1 for Candy

Service Diva — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:00:01 GMT

The abrupt jacking up of the price of candy in subway newsstands from 85 cents
straight to a dollar is not something you as a consumer should tolerate or just lay
down for. These newsstands get a constant flow of steady foot traffic, and have
more repeat business than you can shake a stick at. There's no reason for them
to all of a sudden be this greedy, not to mention, completely disregarding the people
who help to make their businesses thrive - you.

Stores like Duane Read, Walgreens, and all your pharmacies, delis and drugstores
have not hiked up their candy prices, so you can still get your reasonably priced candies
and snack items from them. Send these greedy newsstand owners a message. They
can't just bilk you out of your hard earned $$$ (those daily purchases DO add up) just for
the hell of it. Boycott candies, nuts, snacks etc, but still buy their papers and magaziines
(if you already do). They won't mistake that message!

Stands confirmed charging $1:
34th & 6th Ave
42nd St Grand Central #4, 5 & 6 line
--If you know of any others, please let us know in the comments section

Please Boycott this Newsstand!

Service Diva — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:28:56 GMT

I know that the costs of running a business are high, but going from charging 85 cents for a candy
or candy bar STRAIGHT to $1 is outright highway robbery and customer abuse. I have bought items
from the newsstands in the 34th St and 6th Ave train station for years, and I don't know if they just
changed owners or something, but this sudden jump in prices is just not fair. Especially when the other newsstands all over NYC are still charging 85 cents, or 90 at the most. I'm not saying that you shouldn't go ahead and buy their newspapers and mags, but DEFINITELY boycott their candy.
Someone has to take a stand.

There are actually two of them, and they're BOTH doing the outrageous pricing of their candy items.

The Ultimate in Parent Manipulation

Service Diva — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 17:04:24 GMT

Ya just gotta love it. Department stores really do think of everything. So, here in the middle of Macy's, Herald Square, we find the fast food mecca, McDonalds. RIGHT SMACK in the children's clothing section! They sure do know how to make a mommy (or daddy) suffer, don't they?
Now, in all fairness, of course they couldn't put the Starbuck's in the kiddie section, but have some mercy! How about a nice Subway or something? Okay, Macy's parents.....Ronald awaits!



The Worst Businesses In New York!

Service Diva — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:13:42 GMT
As we go about our own business day to day here in the Big App, every now and then we encounter something that needs to be fixed: an attitude, a transportation line, a way of being served, the way you are treated as a paying customer....you get my drift. Now, understandably, some things are not always a particular service person's fault; it moreso falls on the management. But if you're in a restaurant or store, or somewhere paying a rent, or some kind of fee, you are at least entitled to a decent level of service and respect in return for your hard earned dollars.

Did you go to eat out only to have a bad experience due to a waiter who obviously didn't give a damn about giving good service? Are you being ripped off repeatedly by mechanics or other tradespeople? That includes contractors, carpenters, computer techs, etc. If you find yourself being "given the business" instead of what your money is really paying for, let it be known NOW! People shouldn't be allowed to get away with shoddy work, rude attitudes, and lackluster service when YOU'RE paying for the pleasure. After all, YOUR business is part of what gives them their livelihood!

All any hardworking consumer wants is respect, and a good return on their money. We aim to see that start to happen alot more in old New York. Got a story or a beef about a biz? Let us know. This is your forum. And remember, word of mouth is a powerful thing! Use it!

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Worst McDonald's

Service Diva — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 00:14:19 GMT
My vote for the worst McDonald's is the one on Canal St. Now, I know that serving billions of burgers a year isn't easy, but the crew that works on Thursday nights at this location sucks big time. I stood on a line with five or so other people, and it took over 10 minutes for me even to get to the counter and get my order in. They were THAT slow. There seemed to be one person doing the order taking and one doing all the cooking. The whole time we 5 (and counting) were on line, there were NO fries. Not even in a fryer basket cooking. No one thought of it til the last minute. When I finally got to order, I got to wait another 10 minutes.   Then, the order was wrong. I also had to ask for my soda, which was finally given to me in a cup only filled up about 3/4 full, and then the cashier didn't exactly give it to me. He just put it up on the counter quite a ways away from me, with me having to ask if it was mine or not. I then had to walk down the counter to get my soda. The sour attituded cashier just couldn't be bothered.

Although it was the crappiest Mickey D experience ever, every customer that was there waiting just smiled and took it light. It was almost like watching the Keystone Cops in action. They were that uncaring and inept. No one blew up or got mad. We just looked at each other and shook our heads, joking it off. You could clearly see this skeleton crew was in over its' head. But that being said, I'll never go to that McDonald's again. Ever.

Worst Gym

Service Diva — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:51:25 GMT

I have been to a plethora of gyms including Crunch, New York Sports Clubs, the Rock in Astoria, and even the old "Jack La Lanne", now called Bally's. The Bally's on Union Turnpike in Kew Gardens, Queens is now at the bottom of my list.

Ok...so you bought yourself a membership, after a tour and a hard sell from a sales rep. You've taken the bait, signed up, and are good to go, right? Wrong!  Not so fast, buddy...!

I like to take classes, and also to not have to wait a year and a day to get on a treadmill or elliptical. They have a sign up system for both. You have to be really crafty and come about an hour early to actually get one of those devices. Sometimes you get one, sometimes you don't. Nobody really pays attention to time limits on treadmills and other equipment and the management doesn't do a damn thing to police it either.

I signed up for a spin class, a day before, and when I arrived for class, was told that the class was full. Well, I was supposed to be on the list. Somehow, mysteriously, I wasn't. I let it go the first time. But then, it happened again the next week. Now wait a damn minute! Come to find out, there's some fudging going on with the list! Front desk people who make the reservations will cross out a name already on the list if someone they're more "friendly" with asks them for the favor. So, now I realize that I not only have to pay my membership for this gym that's hard enough already to use, but I also need to cozy up and get friendly with front desk staff people to get an "in" for classes.   This is bullshit!

Finally, the third week (after bitching with every manager, trainer and employee within reach), my reservation actually works. I make it in to spin only to find that 4 of the spin bikes are broken. Great! Just what I'm paying for! Also, a couple members had towels draped over bikes saving them for a friend. So what good is the damn list, then????

I'm done with Bally's, and am now fighting to get out of this membership. I'm told I'm gonna have a damn hard time since I signed up for one of their special promotions. We'll see. I'm damn sure gonna try, though.

Worst Train Line -- #6, Hands Down!

Service Diva — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:52:02 GMT
This is during rush hour, especially the evening one. Now, I know that no train is the best during this time, but riding the 6 uptown anywhere between 4pm and 7pm on most weekdays is a punishment few should have to tolerate.
The most crowded, the rudest riders, and definitely a few crowd loving perverts thrown in for good measure.
I have seen fights break out on this train frequently.  Especially in the doorway of the train where the people trying to get on just bum rush the people trying to get out. Let 'em off first, folks! Come on! We do this every day. You should know how it goes by now.
Anyhow, they really need to hurry up and finish the Second Ave line, if there ever really is going to be one. I avoid the 6 during rush hours at all costs, even if it means I have to take a slow bus. It's the only way to reach my destination fight and stress free.

Worst Bus Line

Service Diva — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:52:37 GMT
M60 between LaGuardia Airport and 125th St/Harlem. Teeny little airbuses for people heading to and from the airport with stacks of luggage and then, there's no room for regular passengers to even squeeze in. If the bus is full (which it always is!), the bus driver just blows by the bus stop, leaving you standing there another 15 minutes, hoping the next bus won't do the same. Which it sometimes does. An absolute JOY during rush hours!

Worst Duane Reade

Service Diva — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:54:15 GMT
My vote is the one on 76th and 1st, UES. Now, the current staff of cashiers is definitely nicer than some of the ones they've had in the past; bad attitude girls that seem to think they're doing you a favor just by ringing you up, no "hello", and damn if you ever hear a courtesy "thank you".  However, I must give them points on now having a much more courteous crew. But they still always seem understaffed at the registers. The line can go on for a MILE, and there's just one girl/guy at the counter. I've been in banks on payday with shorter lines! Get more cashiers on 76th, DR!

Worst Starbuck's

Service Diva — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 00:03:41 GMT

They all seem to have long lines, but I'll say one thing for them....their customer service is among the best as far as cashier/barrister attitudes towards customers are concerned. Always friendly, and they ALWAYS say "hello" and "thank you".
In a city rife with nonchalant, full of attitude, can't be bothered, "I am SO doing you a favor by serving you" cashiers, Starbuck's counterpeople get big points for their niceness! Kudos for the courtesy!

Worst Mechanic

Service Diva — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 20:22:33 GMT
Other than this mechanic in LIC (I will dig up the bill and get the name) charging me for a battery I didn't need, and charging me $1015.00 to fix a problem that I later learned cost half as much to repair, my experience with car mechanics hasn't been so bad. Especially since I've now gotten rid of the car.
But I'm sure plenty of car mechanic nightmares abound in the big city.....

Worst Landlord

Service Diva — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 20:23:05 GMT
Mine is pretty good, with the exception of raising my rent $300 in one year. But I've adjusted well to my new life of rice and beans and Kraft macaroni and cheese 5 days a week. Life is still a dream!
How's your landlord?

Worst Caterer/ Party Planner

Service Diva — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:36:00 GMT

Did some inept caterer wreck your event with sub par food, terrible service, and/or less than you bargained for? Warn the masses!

Worst Store/ Merchant

Service Diva — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 20:22:08 GMT

Didn't get what you paid for? Did it fall apart within days of you buying it? They won't give you your money back?
Tell us the story!! Warn other poor, unsuspecting consumers to STAY AWAY!

Worst Repair Service

Service Diva — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 20:24:44 GMT
That means ANYTHING you paid to get fixed, but got it botched instead. Also, bad customer service when it came to getting your issue resolved.

Worst Waiter/Waitress or Server

Service Diva — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:31:38 GMT

Hey, you don't have to give the name. Unless the service was THAT bad! lol. Just the restaurant and a description of your server will do!

Worst Nail Salon

Service Diva — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 20:25:37 GMT
Ladies? (and/or Gents?)

Worst Sit Down Restaurant

Service Diva — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 20:26:24 GMT
I have a list....and not enough time.

Worst Bar

Service Diva — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 00:09:19 GMT
Anyplace you'd never go back to, even if the drinks were damn near free?
"And the award for most watered down drinks goes to....." Let us know!