Need Peace? Go East!

Monthly Archives: May 2013

Customer Service on PEI

Posted on by Posted in Hospitality .

customer-service

For years, I have been complaining that Customer service is on the decline.  As a customer of several utility companies, I am often faced with poor customer service.  However, as a visitor to PEI, you can expect good service.  The Island knows that a good deal of its revenue comes from Tourism; therefore we try to treat our guests well.  

 

Beside the Trail B&B

At Beside the Trail Bed and Breakfast, for example, the customer comes first. The website has been designed with mobile users in mind. The price you see for the room is the price you will pay when you get here.  We also help you make the most of your PEI vacation by suggesting our favourite places to visit, to eat, and for entertainment.

Government of PEI

The PEI Government is further committed to improving customer service as part of it 2014 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference.

Sears Canada

Recently I had a customer service experience that went from one extreme to the other.  I went to Sears to purchase a riding lawnmower.  I asked the floor agent if I could get a mulching kit for “this model”.  His answer was simple: “what you see is what you get.” Not good enough for me.  (strike one) I asked to speak to another associate.  This one took me to the computer and looked up the model.  Then he got on the phone with parts.  I kept on browsing and confirmed what I already knew: their internal website had the same Q&A on the product and it said a mulching kit was available.

I go over to the phone where the representative was finishing up. He gave me a catalogue number and told me I had to place the order myself. Can you not order it with the mower? “It is against store policy.” (strike two)

So I order the mower and go home to order the part. after placing the order the agent said what shipping option would you like?  Hold on he says there is no parts warehouse on PEI so you have to pay for delivery to your door. Can you not ship it to the store? It is against store policy.” (strike three)

Because I am already committed to the other purchase, I must assume we are in a 4-strike ball game and I wait . . . a week later the part comes in.  I file that away and wait for the mower to arrive. When the mower arrives I hurry to install the mulching kit as my grass is now quite long.  It does not fit! (strike 4)

Furious, I call parts and ask about the part number for the mulching kit for my mower: “there is no mulching kit for this mower” Now I am beyond furious.  I bought this mower on the expectation of getting a mulching kit with it.  Now I have 2 useless pieces of equipment.  I call the Sears store and ask to speak to a manager. Mason (extension 401) answers the phone and listens to my story.  He said “sounds like the guys in parts don’t have the right information.  Leave it with me and I’ll get back to you shortly.” In a few minutes he phones with good news and bad news.  He found the right mulching kit int he US somewhere but it will take 2-weeks to get here. He is having it delivered to his office to save me the delivery hassles and helped me to return the other part.

All the bad customer service I experiences with 5-6 other agents was suddenly erased within an hour by one dedicated employee who believes in Service Quality.

If Calvin McDonald wonders why Sears is struggling and losing customers, he should read my story. If he is wondering how to improve customer service.  he should talk to Mason here in little Prince Edward Island.

 

 

PEI Mobile Friendly

Posted on by Posted in PEI the Garden Province .

Mobile FriendlyThe tourism industry has to realize that more travellers are looking for mobile friendly websites. It is no longer just enough to let users pinch and zoom to try and find information on websites.

The government of PEI Tourism Site does not look very good in 4 inches or less.  However it is “possible” to search for accommodations or things to do.  The Department has launched mobile apps that work differently.  Check the one that works on your device.  When I try to search for accommodations, all I can do is select accommodation type.  Then I am left to my own resources to check region and price filters.  Personally I would rather use the desktop site and struggle with small viewing windows.

My frequent readers will notice that PEIBLOG has a new mobile friendly look.  Some of my previous posts may have been adversely affected by the changeover but I am generally pleased with the results.  You will see the RSS icon for subscription at the top following the social media links. On a narrow screens, the sidebar is pushed to the bottom. The lists of posts is now down to a summary to make it easier to scroll through several post lists.

I will probably be tweaking a few features in the next little while – please let me know if something is missing or not working too well.

 

Stay tuned for something you can do with your MOBILE in Charlottetown.

 

Guy

PEI Bicycle Rack

Posted on by Posted in The Confederation Trail .

Many people come to Prince Edward Island to cycle on the Confederation Trail. Since we are part of the Cyclist Welcome program at Beside the Trail Bed and Breakfast, it was time to replace our aging bicycle rack.

Bicycle rack

For this project, I needed

  • a box of 1.5 inch screws
  • a handful of 2.5 inch screws
  • 6 8-foot 1x3x8 boards
  • 5 8-foot 2×3 studs

total cost under $50

The planning

I wanted about 18 inches between each bike to allow room for handlebars.  I measured my hybrid bike wheel hub at just under 3 inches so I wanted the gap at 3 inches to allow maximum stability. A 3-inch board is 2.5 inches so I wrote out a line:

2.5 – 3.0 – 2.5 – 12.5 – 2.5 – 3.0 – 2.5 – 12.5 – 2.5 – 3.0 – 2.5 – 12.5 – 2.5 – 3.0 – 2.5 

Now I need the total length and a template to mark those lengths on 3 pieces of wood.  Adding instead, we get

2.5 – 5.5 – 8 – 20.5 – 23 – 26 – 28.5 – 41 – 43.5 – 46.5 – 49 – 61.5 – 64 – 67 – 69.5

The numbers in bold represent the large gap between sections.

The Cutting

So now I can cut 3 of the 2×3 at exactly 69.5 inches.  Then I can mark all 3 according to the template above.

The riser in the back I calculated at 27 inches. The top is cut at a 45 degree angle on the wide face.  See picture below.

bicycle rack detail of cut

 Now for the 1×3.  The pieces across the bottom are 27 inches also.  A bit of math gives me 37.5 inches for the angular pieces.  Those will also be cut at 45 degrees at the bottom for an easier fit.  See picture below.

bicycle rack detail

 

A bit more math tells me that 2 27-inch pieces and one 37.5 inch piece can be cut from an 8-foot length.  The 4 remaining 37.5 come in pairs in the last 2 pieces of 1×3.  After cutting the long pieces, cut a 45 degree angle on one end only (the bottom).

The assembly

Since you will often be attaching close to the piece ends, a strongly suggest pre-drilling to avoid splitting the wood. With 2 of the 2×3 on their side marked according to the template, attach the 8 27-inch pieces with 1.5 inch screws.  On the front piece, put the screws near the inside face so as not to interfere with the angle piece that will go on top.  You can just see the head of the screw in the picture above.

Assemble the riser on the outside of the bottom pieces as shown below.  Referring to the previous pictures, attach your other piece of 2×3 on the angle face – here you may need a helping hand.

bicycle rack detail

 

Next, assemble one angle piece on one end at the bottom.  To square off the top, you can just line up the board flush with the top piece or use a square to make sure the angle is perfect.  Repeat this procedure on the other end.  Be careful when drilling pilot holes on the top end to ensure they do not strike the screws underneath.  Finally, attach the other 6 pieces to complete your 4-bike rack.

You could easily extend this pattern to 5 bicycles.  Any longer would require finding longer pieces of 2×3 or strategic splicing.  You may notice I made the rack from economy wood since it is being used indoors.  For outdoor use, your plan may be similar but might require lumber adjustments (pressure treated or good quality outdoor paint).

Regardless, if you are accustomed to working with wood, this is an easy half-day project.  Enjoy

 

Guy

5 Outdoor Family Trips in Prince Edward Island

Posted on by Posted in Experiences .

Canada’s smallest province Prince Edward Island or ‘PEI’ for short is known for its pastoral scenery and lush agricultural landscapes. Its idyllic towns and capital Charlottetown move at a gentle pace, surrounded by Maritime delights, towering red sandstone cliffs and peaceful beaches. Whether you are local looking for new pastures to explore or you are new to the area, PEI offers plenty of fun family days out in the great outdoors. If you are travelling from mainland Canada, you may want to stay somewhere overnight to break up the journey. Look online for listings of Quebec City hotels for a quick kip before setting off on a short drive to the Island.  

Basin Head Provincial Park  

basin-head

 

Enthusiastic guest reviews claim that Basin Head houses one of the best beaches on the island. The park in Souris provides nine miles of white sand along the beautiful coastline with great parking facilities for visitors. You can also learn about the Maritime history of the area in the Fisheries Museum. The popular area fills up quickly in peak times; however, you can walk along the beach to a more secluded area at Bothwell Beach. Take a picnic and laze under the sun in the day park while the kids play in the children’s village or enjoy a cooling ice-cream before a stroll around the Park’s gift shop.  

Prince Edward Island National Park

PEI National Park

 

Prince Edward Island’s National Park boasts a diverse range of landscapes, scenic views and local wildlife. The park is home to woodland, wetlands, sand dunes, beaches and the Island’s signature sandstone cliffs. The National Park is also important for protecting the endangered Piping Plover, a delicate bird species. Parks Canada has been helping to revive the numbers of this coastal bird since 1982, which is continued to this day. The park was also awarded Best Canadian National Park, 2013 by About.com readers.  

Charlottetown

 charlottetown

 

PEI’s capital is a bustling hive of entertainment, activities and historical landmarks. Like everywhere on the Island, you are never far away from water. The bays near the city provide ample activities by the water’s edge including fishing, boardwalk strolling and biking. Alternatively, you can stay inland to discover the Islands history which is perfectly preserved in an array of stunning buildings including the St. Dunstan’s Basilica and Beaconsfield Historic House.

Shining Waters Family Fun Park 

 shining-waters

Take the kids to this family-friendly park which is spread over 30 acres. Take a splash into Buccaneer Bay or climb up the tree houses in the Adventure Woods. Children can also play with animals in the barn as well as watch animated animals in performances and shows. There is also carnival rides for older children as well as canteen facilities for an energy boost at lunchtime.

Burlington Amusement Park

burlington

Fancy an adrenaline rush after lazy days spent on the beach? Kensington’s Burlington Amusement Park is home to PEI’s only batting cage and children’s go-karts. There are a total of 3 go-kart tracks for any age and level as well as bumper cars and mini golf.  

 

~~ Guest Post by Susan Varano ~~