In this world of huge corporations, many of us feel like pawns or peons when trying to get a good deal or to make sure we get our money's worth. In this little space of mine on the Internet, I can express my opinions on the various businesses that I've interacted with. While I don't expect that this will change the way that companies will do business, at least I feel better about it and perhaps someone else can benefit from my experience.

Consumer Stuff

• What's a good credit score?

Cars

• My current car: A 2018 Dodge Charger in the indigo blue that I bought at Watertown Toyota in Watertown. My wife had bought her 2020 Toyota hybrid Rav4 there and the salesman asked us to give him a chance to sell us another car. I wasn't having much luckpo finding the car I wanted (I saw a few in Michigan or Wisconsin that also wanted $1700 for delivery). I found this one about a mile down the road when I expanded my search. The car had only 12,000 miles on it and we joke about the previous owner needing to trade up to a more "responsible" car.

• Previous cars included:
  • 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix GT
    Basically I got the same car as the 1997 except that it was 10 years younger. Same 3.8L Supercharged V6 with 20 more horsepower. :-)
  • 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP when they changed the body style ("wider is better")
  • 1991 Chevy Beretta - Never thought I'd buy a Chevy but it was a great car for what I paid for it. Also bought it at the old no-haggle Porter Chevrolet. I paid $75 over invoice. What a deal.
  • 1984 Pontiac 6000 - great car, though I probably should have gotten the STE model.

• My favorite car to rent was the Oldsmobile Intrigue. Too bad they're not making it anymore.

Other stuff

However, when we travel, we will always look for Bob Evans. Always awesome service, always awesome food.

• Florist:
  I've been buying flowers from Irving Glick at 31 Clarendon Street in Boston (617-338-9271) since my junior prom. I had to send flowers recently (unfortunately, it was for a funeral) and I was in California. I picked a price range and they took care of the rest; my friends kept telling me how nice the arrangement was. They also specialize in flower events for Asian events (weddings, funerals, etc.)

• Opticians
  I recommend Jim & Bernie at Two Opticians in South Boston. They used to be part of the great crew at Gopen's in Chinatown; I've trusted these people for almost 30 years for my glasses. They have no problem with trying a set of frames on you and telling you they don't look good on you. And they don't have any compelling reason to sell you the most expensive glasses (unless they *really* look good on you).

• Chimney sweep
  I recommend The Chimney Doctor in Concord, MA at 1-508-369-7072.

• Replacement Windows
  I recommend Stormtite in Watertown at 170 Belmont Street, Watertown. 617-924-2254. I had noticed them in the Boston Herald's list of Better Business-recommended businesses. Owner John Karnikyan, while a little free with his language, is very opinionated and is more than willing to give you the honest low-down on what it takes to make you a happy customer. He'll also tell you exactly how good another company did on your windows if you had any other work done (as I did). His workers are instructed to ask the customer during the job what they think of the on-going job.

• Computer suppliers:
  • In the Boston area, I go to the MicroCenter in Cambridge. They don't always have the best prices but I like their service. Sometimes you get surprised at the cash register because they forget to post the sale prices on their shelves but you get charged LESS than you expected.
  • In Silicon Valley, Frys Electronics (Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, and Campbell) and Action Computer (lots of computer hardware for cheap) in Sunnyvale. Check their posted prices to make sure of the price you pay at the register and not after the rebates. Frys had the most complete selection of SIMM memories I've seen anywhere.
  • For general electronic supplies, I can't think of a better place than U-Do-It Electronics in Needham.