victoria

I have used Costco for countless reasons on a weekly and monthly basis as a teacher. They supply me with great office supplies at bulk buy for cheaper prices. I am able to get all of my posters enlarged and their printing department is outstanding. It truly is quality printing. I have ordered pizzas through Costco for meetings, classroom parties, and school wide events. Their pizzas are amazing and their prices per pizza are hard to beat for the quality and service. Costco is a great company.

Strengths: * wonderful customer service
* friendly atmosphere and employees (helpful)
* knowledgable staff
* quality products
* low prices
* product guarantees
* amazing return policy
* rewards
* membership programs and incentives

Needs to improve: There are many times when I had wished Costco was open just a bit later. However, that is my own personal preference and not necessarily a ding at Costco.

Recently our sports teams have used Chick Fil A as a "Dine out Night" for our fundraiser to raise money for our tournaments and sporting equipment. We had a great turn out and made a good chunk of money. The employees were extremely friendly all evening and the hospitality they showed the students was outstanding. I would do another fundraiser with this restaurant again in the future.

Strengths: * clean environment
* good family values
* great food
* fundraising opportunities for sports teams and schools

Needs to improve: None that I have experienced

We have used Subway to cater in for meetings and social committee events held on our school campus. Our local Subway is located around the corner and they work with us to get us our orders in a timely fashion. I appreciate their quality service and fresh products for our staff.

Strengths: Experienced personal
friendly service
quick turn around
flexible time frames for big orders
cleanliness
fresh sandwiches
good catering menu

Needs to improve: none

I have used Office Max for school supplies, office supplies, as well as personal needs. Office Max has always had the products I've been in need of at great prices. It helps that it is also local.

Strengths: * great variety of supplies
* low prices
* local
* friendly sales associates

Needs to improve: none

I have worked with Big 5 for my middle school and high school sports teams. I send my athletes to the store for shoes, clothing, braces, and equipment. We buy equipment for our teams as well online or in the store for upcoming seasons. They have great quality.

Strengths: * online ordering
* brand names on basket balls and volleyballs
* specialty equipment and discounts to school teams
* great customer service
* clean store

Needs to improve: None

We own a hotel management company and have been in the hotel and hospitality industry for over twenty years. Typically during the holidays we sent the traditional corporate baskets and we were looking for a more unique gift idea and more health conscience as well. We love the product and receive numerous compliments. I also find this is a hard gift to re-gift during the holidays because people would rather keep them and eat them. I highly recommend as an alternative to corporate gift baskets.

Strengths: * healthy alternative to traditional corporate gift baskets
* fresh fruit vs boxes fruits/dried fruits and chocolates or pears
* More eye catching
* unique
* Can be given for a variety of gifts (holidays, corporate gifts, funerals, brays, ect...
* reasonably priced
* great customer service line

Needs to improve: I've only had one basket not make its destination. However, the company did not charge me and another basket was sent.

I have used Target for volleyball equipment and outdoor sports equipment for my middle school students. I find that Target has reasonable prices on quality name brand items such as nets, volleyballs, and other sporting goods needed for my athletes. I have always been happy with their customer service and quality of products.

Strengths: * All sporting good products available
* Brand name volleyball equipment
* Target gives 5% back
* Has great sales/ summer savings
* Teacher savings
* convenient store hours
* good customer service
* quality products

Needs to improve: Target has always shown great customer service whenever I have shopped in any of their stores. I have never had a problem with the lines, pricing, or quality of their products. They honor returns and exchanges without any complications. I always use Target for my sporting good needs for my middle school volleyball teams.

The last three years we have coordinated with our local Applebees to fundraise for our annual field trip. Applebees allows our students to sell $10 tickets for an all you can eat pancake breakfast. This is a fantastic fundraiser for the students. They are able to serve and clean all the tables. The restaurant is extremely helpful and opens their doors to us. We love this fundraiser and our local Applebees. It is important for our local restaurants to help our students. I appreciate their opportunities to help our students.

Strengths: * clean facility
* great customer service
* supportive of local schools
* fundraising opportunities
* student involvement
* family oriented

Needs to improve: None

I have used Fed Ex on several occasions for not only shipping purposes but also for creating high quality colored photo posters and laminating work. Their customer service reps are always extremely helpful and gracious. I have never had any issues with damages packages with regards to shipping. I have always been extremely happy with the quality and service of this company.

Strengths: * open 24 hours (FED EX Kinkos)
* Quality printing and shipping
* Fabulous customer service representatives
* pricing is reasonable
* never experienced lost or damaged packages
* High quality color printing on posters, invitations
* Laminating

Needs to improve: None that I have experienced

I have purchased all of my flat screen TV in my home from Samsung. I love the product that I have actually bought one for my classroom. Our family company uses all Samsung televisions in all of our hotels. The quality speaks for itself. We would not buy hundreds of them for our hotels if we did not believe in the product and the customer service relationship that come along with it.

Strengths: * High Quality products
* Great customer service
* A variety of technology offered to utilize within school classrooms

Needs to improve: none

I have used Pay Pal for several transactions over the last few years. I was a little skeptical at first but it has proven to be a very trust worthy system. I have no problem paying for items or sending money via pay pal. I I have used pay pal for very expensive transactions. It is helpful for school and sports fundraisers as well.

Strengths: User friendly
trust worthy with personal information
confidential
reliable

Needs to improve: None

I have ordered through Dominos several times for classroom parties, social committee events, and team meetings. They are usually pretty quick in their delivery and most of the time the pizza is hot and fresh when it arrives. They also have a variety of other options to order from the menu.

Strengths: * Quick delivery
* Good customer service
* affordable pricing
* fresh pizza
* Variety of other foods other than pizza

Needs to improve: * pizza sizes could include more slices * sometimes sauce is lacking on pizza

I recently met with my team at Panera Bread for our teacher prep day. Our team spent the day at Panera bread and were able to meet, get work accomplished, eat a great lunch, and obtain free wifi for a good five hours. It was a great atmosphere to work in and I would highly recommend.

Strengths: * clean restaurant
* outside seating
* Fresh food
* variety of healthy options
* wifi available
* areas and tables to hold meetings (bigger space than Starbucks)

Needs to improve: Wifi went off after a certain amount of time or when the restaurant became overly crowded

I stop at Starbucks almost every morning to kick start my day. However, more importantly I have used Starbucks to help cater our morning meetings, inservice meetings, and they have been very accommodating in donating gift cards, cups, and even coffee if advance notice is given. I love their support for schools and lending a helping hand.

Strengths: * Great customer service
* Great resource for helping with schools (donations)
* Excellent quality
* Cleanliness of facility

Needs to improve: Occasionally the order has been wrong but it happens.

I look to amazon when I need to buy large quantities of supplies at a great price. I have recently purchased many items for back to school and supplies that will be needed for extra projects. Their binders, folders, and many other miscellaneous school related items I have purchased have been of exceptional quality at reasonable prices. Even better I have been able to find old movies from books we are reading as well. Amazon ships in a timely manner even quicker than their expected dates.

Strengths: * Great buys in bulk
* Great prices
* Variety of options
* Good quality products
* Great return policy

Needs to improve: I have yet to experience a negative

Our school currently uses ADP for our school. We just brought this system in and I have to say that I love being able to look up my information and have a place to go to to obtain any pay stubs I may need. I'm also able to go in and change my personal information (new address) and keep track of my W-2 withdrawals or change what I want to claim. I don't feel I have to inconvenience the human resource department every time I want some information. Great resource that we have put into place for our human resources and payroll :)

Strengths: * Reliable
* Great customer service
* user friendly
* information easily accessible to employees

Needs to improve: I have yet to experience any weaknesses with utilizing ADP within our system.

I recently bought my first Apple computer this past year. I did a great deal of research for a while before choosing my dream computer. I had several questions upon entering the store and the sales rep was able to answer all of my questions. He was patient (as I am not one to make decisions quickly) and knowledgeable about the product. I was very impressed and left loving what I had purchased! I have been extremely happy with my MacBook Pro!

Strengths: * Excellent customer service
* knowledgable about the product being sold
* Able to answer many questions
* Patient sales reps
* Not pushy
* Provides training on the products
* Quality product

Needs to improve: Price points can be high

I have gone to staples for many of my classroom needs. I recently bought a desk for my classroom. It was well built and Staples provided excellent customer service in helping me find the perfect desk. I usually always go buy my ink for my printers as well. I love that they recycle the ink cartridges as well. Again, if needed it can definitely be a one stop shop.

Strengths: * Excellent customer service
* Abundance of items always in stock
* Teacher sales dates (beginning of school)
* Earn points
* bulk items available
* one stop shop for all supplies (stationary, binders, furniture, candy, pens, computers, ect__)

Needs to improve: * Some items can be pricey compared to other stores

I have had to order Togos for several lunch meetings and different catering events. Each time I have ordered from Togos I have never been disappointed. There food is always fresh and we were able to get a variety of options from salads, to sandwiches, to soups in order to feed a large group easily. I would highly recommend their catering services. Prices are reasonable as well.

Strengths: * Freshness quality on bread and veggies
* Outstanding customer service
* Able to handle large orders in a timely fashion
* Great packaging for large catering needs
* A variety of catering options and choices at reasonable prices

Needs to improve: None

Best Buy was extremely helpful in managing my need to shred confidential documents at the end of our school year. Their prices were reasonable and I would use them again and again for this particular service.

Strengths: * Great customer service
* Confidentiality (trustworthy employees)
* Easily accessible
* Able to answer questions and give out useful information

Needs to improve: * None