Bon Bon Pastry Shop definitely losing it's touch & taste now

We have been Bon Bon's loyal customers and so all the more I was very disappointed to see the declining customer service, quality and attitude. Customers gave the right to receive a pleasant experience while buying something from a shop. Customers are entitled to good service. I noticed that they are not getting good reviews anymore because of their lack of interest in maintaining their original quality and service. We like the chicken patties, chocolate triangles and eclairs there but lately the lady behind the counter is just not keen on packing the patties in the boxes bearing their label. The other day I had bought about five patties and even then they were not given to me in a box.

 Many a times we buy stuff from there as gifts for others and not having the confectionery packed in their boxes and that too separate boxes can make others feel that we have shopped from a roadside vendor rather than a reputed shop like Bon Bon. I even told the lady concerned that their name sells and all the more I would prefer that everything irrespective of the quantity is given to me in their boxes instead of blank brown paper bags. After all presentation and packaging matter and that is why one goes to a shop like theirs.

As for the all time favourite eclairs, the cream does not seem to be that fresh anymore and the quality of breadsticks is deteriorating. Some time back we were told that we could not buy just a packet of breadsticks and instead we had to place a big order for them and which we did. But again the breadsticks were not packed properly and they did not seem to be fresh.

I hope they are able revive their old time hospitality and quality instead of taking it for granted that customers will keep returning to them because of their reasonably priced goodies. I have always liked Bon Bon because of their prices and quality in the past but because of the recent attitude of the lady there I may be inclined to change my opinion. As it is I find myself going more to other shops now.

Save Water- each drop counts !

Save Water and don't waste it ! Every thought in this direction counts and every drop counts. Every drop can save a life ! There is scarcity of water everywhere and we hear of droughts all the time all around the world in the news. Soon there will be wars over water ! We may not be able to do much in providing water for all but we can definitely do our bit by contributing in saving water and in turn saving lives. We can start from our homes. The shortage of water is a very serious issue and we need to save water all the more now than ever because everybody is entitled to have water !

Having access to water and that too clean water if possible is a human right. Not many are doing anything about it and what we don't realise  is that tomorrow we too may not have access to water at all. We could face drought as well. So many people have to walk such a distance just to get water and I was informed about this by many children from neighbouring villages when I visited Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Many children even requested me to give them empty bottles so that they could use them to store water. Such is the condition of people who are denied water not only in certain villages but certain cities too. Their thirst is reflected on their faces...

Everybody has a Right Not to be Thirsty ! Everybody had a Right to get water !  And we must keep that in mind and educate people not to waste water so that in the process we could share water with all.  As said earlier, It is our right not only to have water but get clean water !

Some days back we bought a RO Water Purifier and from Day one my mother was concerned about the amount of water that is wasted in the process of purifying the water for drinking purpose. An enormous quantity of water just drips from a pipe during the water purification process and it is so heartbreaking to see that when one considers how that amount of water could be so useful to so many who are denied water. Of course we worked out a way to end this kind of wastage of water . We store that quantity of  so-called wasted water that the Purifier leaves in big vessels and use it to clean utensils or mop floors. Actually that water could be used for so many other purposes instead of just throwing it away. In a world that is now facing water crisis this is the least we can do.

But my concern is that why the companies selling these Water Purifies are not doing anything at all in finding ways to save that water by using certain techniques to recycle the water wasted by the machine at the time of purification. Maybe they could design the RO Water Purifiers in such a way that the wasted water could be emptied or released simultaneously in another container with a tap to recycle it or something. Many responsible citizens have found ways to store that water wasted by the RO Water Purifiers in big containers to use it for cleaning utensils or washing clothes. One of my friends shared a post concerning the same on FB today and that  reminded me to share what I meant to write for long regarding how we are combatting the wastage of water by these Water Purifiers.

I feel that gigantic water purifying plants should be set up everywhere in the country to provide pure drinking water for people and at the same time recycle the large amount of water released during the process of purification of water for various other purposes. This way nobody would need to buy individual RO water purifiers which result in immense wastage of water in households. As it is , this will ensure in real saving of water as well as providing clean water for drinking purposes for everybody. The mistakes of some are depriving others of having water and that is not fair. And some who may have access to water are just not getting clean water . Some are just not getting water safe enough for drinking. Strict measures need to be implemented to tackle not only water shortages in every way possible but also provide clean water.

Each step towards saving water can contribute in dealing with the long-term possibilities of a water crisis in the not affected areas as well. Many countries have already found sophisticated ways of dealing with water shortages as well as water  problems by recycling wasted water and advising people to save water at their homes by doing the same.

As I always spread the word around that water is a necessity and we must not waste it at any cost or soon it will just become a luxury accorded to a few who can afford it. It is our right not only to get water but get clean water ! Save Water as well as collectively do something somehow to get pure drinking water for everyone ! All deserve water and that too clean water. 

Know your Rights as Customers in dealing with Telecommunications Companies

Nice to have so many people from India, U.K and so many other countries come forward to support my petition against the Dishonest Business Tones of Vodafone...

For some this may be sheer wastage of time but for some such things matter ! Any telecommunications company could target you next and One has to stand up against such harassment as One to start with and then collectively as One  ! 

Vodafone may never respond positively ! Vodafone may never act responsibly ! But we as customers still still need to spread the word around about their dishonesty to create an awareness amongst others who may become their next victims. Customers must know their Rights ! Customers must be aware of how to deal with the unpleasant behaviour of any Telecommunications Company for that matter !

Just the other day a Vodafone customer I know was being bullied into paying for the 4G SIM card which is supposed to be delivered free at your residence on putting a request for it through their customer service number. Fortunately I intervened and talked to the Manager and as luck would have it that day the Manager agreed with me and ensured free delivery of the 4 G card. So it is important to know what you are entitled to and how...Know your Rights as Customers ! 

Thankful to All of you who supported my petition ! Started with one and now there are 32 supporters...Means a lot ! Please spread the word around !

A new Chapter - Good Customer Service at Marks & Spencer

In recent times, Marks & Spencer GIP Mall has undergone a huge transformation in it's customer service and attitude towards customers and I for one am certainly glad about seeing this positive change in their attitude. The credit goes to their Managers ( Mr. Anand and Mr. Rishab ) as well who it seems took my recent feedback seriously regarding the impatience and insensitivity demonstrated by a certain staff member in dealing with me and specially a senior citizen. So you see how important it is to bring forward your concerns so that they may be addressed if possible by the stores.

Since then I have experienced a visible change in their way of dealing with customers and I compliment them in taking my feedback seriously and implementing it right away to enhance their customer service. Henceforward shopping would be certainly a pleasant experience at their store hopefully. As it is I like their exchange policy whereby they give you a credit note for a long duration to shop later or refund the entire money. Just last week I was forced to return a very nice top as the piece was defective but I seemed to have misplaced the price tag as I took the piece back to the store much later since the day I was about to wear it. Fortunately the store manager accepted the defective piece to be returned in exchange for a credit note based on the bill I provided and I am truly grateful to him for that.

Their staff  members like Navneet and Amjad Khan are quite helpful, courteous and interactive. Their  knowledge of clothing contributes in selecting the right stuff for yourself as a customer.

Such good customer service extended to me and the pleasantness of their staff now will definitely make me want to keep going back there for more and more shopping !

We did it !!!

It  is always important to speak up ! It is important to do something ! If nothing else many customers feedback including mine made a difference and even though a very delayed response and not well timed in my case, Air India has agreed to extend miles of customers till 30th of June 2016 ! 

So we definitely made a difference if not for us then for others !

Air India may have initiated some flexibility in it's dealings with it's Flying Returns Members and that is a start but Lufthansa is still way behind...Miles and More should follow suit...

No pleasant returns from Air India's Flying Returns mileage programme

I think Air India's Flying Returns is the worst ever mileage programme that I have come across because one faces lots of hurdles and unpleasantness in simply redeeming miles leave alone upgrades. The entire interaction with their staff handling flying returns at their central contact centres is just not smooth as they just don't know much about their own mileage programme and every representative offers a different perspective about flying returns resulting in total confusion. The customer suffers because of their lack of accurate information and lack of real assistance to resolve any issues or complaints regarding redeeming miles. In fact they are very rigid in their approach and just do not know how to deal professionally with customers.

As for Air India's Flying Returns Service centre at Mumbai, they are just not responsive or interactive. They never really answer calls or reply to your mails even if you constantly send them reminders regarding mileage related queries . They are as good as not being there.

I have an old account with them and in all these years they never ever thought of  verifying my details. Suddenly AI wakes up and realises that they need to verify my details just when the miles are about to expire ! Naturally one cannot redeem miles till KYC is updated and verified according to them and one can't help but think that their timing is perfect in terms of making the customer lose their miles because the verification process takes time. I can't help but think that it would have only been fair had they informed me much earlier about the KYC updating, I would not be on the verge of losing my miles. It seems now because of them I may be about to lose an award flight since their back end team is just not in the mood to verify the documents I updated ( proof of address certificate by the Superintendent of Police, passport details, aadhar card etc.). And their lack of co-operation in the matter reveals their lack of interest in promoting their mileage programme. They were not willing to extend the miles so that the customer does not suffer by losing miles due to their delays in verification or even accept another alternative where the customer could provide the KYC documents in person at their office so that the miles could be redeemed right on time before the expiry date,

Emirates has a much better mileage programme compared to Air India or Lufthansa for that matter and have a very courteous and flexible attitude towards their customers. Emirates had once extended my mother's miles for a year  as they were having technical problems but Lufthansa never did anything like that and Air India too would not ever extend such courtesy to their customers in the same situation. Flying Returns definitely does not offer pleasant returns !

Costa Coffee Shop

Life is all about choices and the choices we make everyday affects are lives in so many ways...Some choices are easy and some difficult...but each good choice makes our lives worthwhile and getting value for the hard earned money we spend is one such choice. It is our right to get value for the money we spend on purchasing things or the services we use...

Recently I visited the newest mall in the neighbourhood and after a very long time for the first time around here did I actually enjoy a steaming hot and delicious cup of Hot Chocolate at Costa Coffee situated in the DLF Mall Noida...The ambience is great and a very courteous person responsible for this shop there by the name of Dinesh prepared the most delicious thick Hot Chocolate beverage for me and that made my evening. It is all about the right amount of mixing ! At the time of placing an order, I had shared with him the fact about Costa not really serving that good a Hot chocolate and that I was yet to come across a truly tasty Hot Chocolate drink here but he assured me that this time I would change my mind about Hot Chocolate drink at Costa's and he stood true to his word. I am already looking forward to my next visit there because of  the good service and the delicious Hot Chocolate drink served there. Cost may be high but it certainly is value for money there all thanks to Dinesh !