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.  

Trailside B&B

At the Trailside 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.

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

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.

 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.

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.

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

Basin Head Provincial Park  

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

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

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 

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

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 ~~

Canadians know about the elimination of the penny. I was surprised that it made the news in the schools in North Carolina where some of our grandchildren live.

So what will we do with all our colourful expressions like:

• Penny Wise Pound Foolish
• Cost a Pretty Penny
• Penny for your thoughts
• A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned
• Penny Ante

After awhile, some of us will literally not have two pennies to rub together.  So what will that mean for shoppers from outside Canada?  Quite simply, you will not see pennies in Canada.  While they are still legal tender, you will not get them in your change.

If you pay by debit, credit or cheque, nothing changes.

If you pay cash, most store will round up or down.  This means that is an item costs 41 or 42 cents, you will pay 40.  Conversely, if it costs 43 or 44 cents you will pay 45.

Retailers  with computerized cash registers may do the rounding automatic ally when calculating your change.  But when you buy that item for $1.43 and the cash register says you get $.77 change, don’t be put off if you only get $.75.

If you want to save a penny on your groceries, go to the Atlantic Superstore, they have vowed to round down all the time.  To continue saving you a penny, they will round down that 44 cent item to 40 cents.  If you know of any other stores that round down all the time, please let me know.

If you are looking for interesting things to do with your old pennies, see Cindy’s Blog at Hats N Hospitalitea.

Guy

Sunday shopping is still relatively new on PEI.  Most big stores will not open until noon on Sundays.  However, the convenience stores and gift shops are likely to be open earlier.  Remember also that several of the specialty shops and souvenir establishments are not open year round. Therefore it pays to check hours of operations or give them a call before heading out.

Shopping Malls

If you come from the big city, remember that malls here have from 10-30 stores in them.

Charlottetown

• Confederation Court Mall
• Charlottetown Mall
• Shops of St Avards
• Confederation Landing (Seasonal)

Summerside

The main shopping areas in Summerside are centered on Granville Street as can be seen on the map. The downtown mall has been struggling for several years due to the popularity of malls int he outskirts where retail space is less expensive.  However, in the summertime, Spinnaker’s Landing is quite a bustling spot.

Shopping outside the two major cities

 There is a small mall in Montague. In the North-West you will find another in Bloomfield. Let’s not forget the Cavendish Boardwalk where you can find all sorts of treasures in the summertime.  Though not a mall, Victoria by the Sea deserves mention.  This is a small village when about half the houses have been turned into shops. This makes for a different walking shopping experience.

Special Gifts and Souvenirs 

What do you get for that friend that has everything? I will give that some thought and give you my favourite ideas on a future post.

Guy

Did you know I love Seafoam Sea Glass more than blue, red or black glass?

I love the variety: not quite clear (white), not quite blue and not quite green.  Men and women usually disagree on the transition between blue and green. If blue and green are the only choices, I say those on the left are mostly blue while those on the right are mostly green.  Click to enlarge the picture and make your own opinion.

It is such a soothing colour.  After years on beachcombing in PEI we have finally amassed a good critical mass of seafoam seaglass to contemplate a major art project.

How about decorating an entire room? A Google search of seafoam glass room yields almost 200,000 results.  I guess we are in good company. Today, the top hit for “seafoam glass room PEI” is at the Trailside Bed and Breakfast.

I hope you enjoy seafoam glass as much as I do. Come search the PEI beaches for your own seafoam treasures.

Guy

If you have been following Cindy’s blog, we have been on the road since November. While we have visited many interesting places, it seems that finding out where to go was the biggest challenge.

We visited many information centres, state run and private. We picked up several pamphlets and tour guides. We also did considerable research on the Internet. While these are good resources, we found we were often overwhelmed by the huge number of choices.  How do you pick the best one?

We found that talking to people was often more informative. Sometimes we would strike up a conversation with a store owner and ask where they would go to visit.  This is one of the reason Cindy blogs about our trip.  We highlight the favourite places along our trip; if your interests are similar, you will likely enjoy them also.

This trip has also given me the idea of helping plan trips to PEI. Over the next few weeks, I will compile some of my favourite things to do in PEI.

Nature Lovers Trip

Here are may Favourite Spots in PEI to admire Nature:

North Cape

North Cape is the windiest part of PEI.  It was the first experimental windmill site.  This is where PEI experimented with several designs.  Unfortunately, many of the older models have been dismantled. It is still a great place to learn about wind energy.  There is also an Irish Moss Interpretation Centre. At low tide, you can walk out a great distance between “the two tides”. There, you can often spot seals basking in the sun.

West Point Lighthouse

 West Point Lighthouse is steeped in history.  Visit the lighthouse and attached motel to find out more. There is also a beach where you can walk for miles.  On a good day, you might be able to come back with a handful of seaglass.

Brakley Beach

While Cavendish Beach is very popular, I enjoy Brackley beach. It features the same great sand and unspoiled nature. Now, there is also a bicycle path that runs alongside the roadway so you can pedal your way through nature’s sights.

Greenwich National Park

Like Brackley, Greenwich is part of the National Park system. So if you get a park pass at Brackley, make sure you also use it at Greenwich before it expires. There is a swimming beach in Greenwich. My reason for going there is the nature trails. Go past the welcome centre all the way to the end of the road. There are several hiking trails. The longest takes you through an open area, a short walk through a wooded area, a boardwalk through a marsh, and ends up on one of the nicest beaches on Prince Edward Island. Turn left and go down a couple of hundred yards. There is a place to climb back over the dunes to learn about their formation.  Be sure to bring suitable sun protection and water. You might be out for a long time.

Singing Sands

Basin Head Provincial Park is the site of Singing Sands Beach. Children of all ages love this beach as they like to make the sand sing.  So come and take your shoes off.  Find a dry patch of sand and walk kicking your feet in the sand. On your way out to Basin Head, you will pass by the town of Souris. As you approach via the causeway, you will see a parking area on your right and a long stretch of beach.  This is also a popular area for beachcombing.

Victoria Park

My nature lovers tour ends in Victoria Park. Donated to the city of Charlottetown almost 150 years ago, the park remains a 35 acre park close to downtown Charlottetown. There is a boardwalk all around the outside perimeter. There is also a bicycle lane during the summer. The inner court of the park has tennis courts, a playground, a pool, and trails through wooded areas.  It is a great place to spend the day or to unwind after a busy day of exploring Prince Edward Island.

Harmonized Sales tax is coming in April.  So what does this mean for the traveller? For the next few months, we will be charging 5% federal sales tax and 10% on top of that.  So this means we are charging 15.5% tax on most purchases.  On April 1, the tax will be blended into one harmonized sales tax (HST) at a rate of 14%.  This means that for most purchases, the price will go down by 1.5%.

If only life were so simple.  Some goods are currently exempt from provincial sales tax.  On those, you are paying only 5% federal tax today.  Come April 1, the tax on some previously exempt items will rise to 14%. 

Confused yet? Let’s add in another wrinkle.  Some small businesses do not need to charge federal tax.  With the coming of HST, these businesses will have the option of charging the new HST or not.

Let’s take a small Bed and Breakfast as an example.  Let’s say your room rate is $100. Because they are exempt from GST, you would pay just 10% provincial tax for a total of $110. After April 1, this Bed and Breakfast decides to opt into the HST: your room will cost $114 or an increase of about 4% to you the visitor.  The other B&B that also charges $100 for their room decides not to opt into HST and your cost for a room is $100.  That is about 10% less than you were paying last year.

So it pays to check.  When you are making your accommodation reservation, ask for the full price with tax.  That way there will be no surprises. See that the Trailside Bed and Breakfast has decided to charge no tax next year.

Enjoy your PEI holiday.

Guy

In several places, there is also clear signage that says “public beach access.” If you are planning a beachcombing trip to Prince Edward Island, rest assured you will not have any trouble getting to the beach.

Pick up a Prince Edward Island map.  You will see swimming beaches marked with a beach umbrella.  There are all easy access with free parking.  The three Beaches in the national park (Brackley, Cavendish, and Greenwich) are subject to a daily park usage fee.

You can read more about PEI beaches on the Government Website.

In a world where prime beach properties are being gobbled up by developers, it is refreshing to come to Prince Edward Island where hundreds of kilometres of beach are readily accessible.

Happy new year to all my followers

Guy