Book Nibbles...Sort of

As I mentioned before, the week of Christmas I wouldn't be pimping out any particular book but I am sort of.  And a movie.

This week on Book Nibbles, I'm showcasing The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, both movie and novel.

Here is a link to the trailer and site for the movie. 

As for the novel, you can check it out here on Amazon.

My two cents...
I tried reading the book.  Honestly.  Forty pages in and I just couldn't stay focused and not because of the story or writing style.  There are a lot of names and places mentioned during the beginning of the book and I found myself trying to figure each out and commit it to memory.  Alas, I failed.  However, I've been told by many that the first 60 pages or so are hard but once you get past them, you'll sail through.  Heck, I have a friend who read the entire book in one day.  Now, I'm a fast reader, but dang.  That book is long! 

I did, however, see the movie the other night and WOW!  Totally intense, graphic, on the edge of your seat kind of stuff.  And from what I understand, it is very true to the book only changing a few details and from what I understand those are minor. 

There is only a few things I did not like about the movie and those are really my own personal hang-ups.  The rape.  Yikes, I cannot handle a movie with rape but I pulled my big girl panties on and forged through and didn't let it ruin the movie for me.  And it didn't.  It was great and the cliffhanger ending totally puts me in Twilight mode waiting for the next installment.  (waiting like a silly girl!)

I will warn you, the movie is graphic.  I mean, rape aside, there is consensual sex, violence, blood, foul language and torture. 

Now, you may wonder.  Will I give the book another try so I can read #2 to prepare for the movie.  I don't know.  I want to but the same thing happened with the Harry Potter series.  I watched all the movies, up to 6, and then tried to read the books.  Got to #3 and was totally done with it.  The movie did help to play out the scenes and names in my head but I just couldn't get into them enough where I devoured the entire series in a matter of days. 

Which leads to my question, have you read the book and seen the movie?  Or are you like me and enjoy the visual only?

Customer Service

Today's topic has nothing to do with books or writing, really.  I guess I could make a stretch at the end but you're smart enough to see through my attempt.  No today, I'm fired up about customer services.  Customer service in all industries.

Let me back up a bit and say I graduated college with a degree in Marketing Management.  I studied all aspects of marketing and applied those teachings to real life.  First off, you have to know where to place that product and how to get your target audience in the door.  Next, and this is the tricky part, you need to keep them there and sell them the product.  Finally, once the sale is said and done, you need to have follow-up.  Make that person not only love the product, but if something were to go wrong or if they have follow-up questions, there needs to be good service. 

All of this brings me to a point. In this day with the bad economy and people being better shoppers, don't you think that customer service should be job #1?  That in order to seel the deal and hope for repeat business, don't you think there needs to be, now more than ever, better customer service?  I do.

First off, I consider myself a savvy shopper.  But a loyal shopper.  If you snatch me on the first time around and it was a great experience, I'm likely to keep coming back.  And recommend you to my friends. 

This holiday season has plagued me with bad customer service.  I understand, it's busy, I get it.  Heck, I worked retail at large department stores and small specialty shops.  I get it.  But not once did I let my mood interfere with my job. 

Today, I called my car dealer to get my car in for routine maintenance.  My car is new so this is only my 2nd time needing service and after un-stellar customer service the first time, I'm more unlikely to enjoy the second but I'm stuck getting service from this particular dealer because I paid for a maintenance package.  My bad.  Anyway, my husband also gets service from the same name of dealer, just a different shop and different make of vehicle and when he goes in, they treat him like a god which has made him purchase 2 vehicles from this dealer in the years we've been married.  First off, the service dept at my place could care less what I want.  Then when I make the comment of needing a loaner since I will have 2 kids with me and sitting at a repair shop for 2+ hours is not an option, he tells me I need to speak with my salesman.  I mention that the salesman is hard to get a hold of and last time didn't return my call and I was stuck sitting at the shop.  You know what he said?  Nothing.  So fine, I call my salesman and he assures me he'll have a car waiting for me.  I'll have to get back with you on that.  It would have been nice if the service was like "listen, I understand, he's busy but here's what I'll do.  I'll follow-up with him today and make sure he gets your message or that he knows to have a car for you."  Was that really so hard?

Next, I had to exchange a necklace chain at a locally owned jewelry store; a place I've shopped at for 12 years or more and have sent most of my friends to when they needed jewelry.  Not to mention my in-laws are customers as well as close friends to the owner.  My husband, bless his wonderful heart, had a necklace with the birthstones of me, my grandmother and my daughter made for us.  I love it!  So the lady there, and I've used her before but has never been a "fan" was like too busy to really focus on my needs.  I mean, she didn't even smile.  I almost wanted to be like, do you know who I am, but I came off my high horse and kept my wits.  Then I needed to have other items repaired or cleaned and you'd think I asked her to work late on Christmas.  If I was bothering her so much, I could take my business elsewhere. 

I don't know, maybe it's me.  Maybe I expect too much for my money.  I used to think I got bad service if I dressed poorly but the more I think about it, my appearance shouldn't matter. 

What are your thoughts?  How many times do you get bad service somewhere before you say something or discontinue going there?  I'd love to hear what you think.

Happy Holidays!

Today is Christmas Eve and while hopefully most of you have your shopping done, if you don't, be careful.  My presents are wrapped, my cookies are baked and my stockings are hung by the chimney with care.  And while I don't wear a kerchief, I can promise you I'm laying around the house in my pjs. 

If I don't talk to you again this week, please have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Holiday and a Bright New Year!  2012 is already shaping up to be a good year for me and my family. 

Thank you for spending a little time with me and I hope to talk with you soon!  Here's a clip from my favorite Christmas movie.  I'm curious.  What's your favorite holiday movie?

Gosh, it get's me everytime!  *balls like a baby*