Love the values at Kohl's ... but not the cashier's authority level

I just got home from shopping at Kohl's. Kohl's is one of my favorite stores. It's not that trendy. It's not extremely high quality. It's nothing fancy. But I can always find something new there -- from jewelry to clothes to housewares. And, it's always a great value ... especially when you use their credit card with their special savings coupons. I just got my newest coupon -- 30% off (usually coupons are 15% off; they must miss me so they sent me a 30% coupon. It worked!)

I went specifically to get something for my daughter and son-in-law for their upcoming wedding anniversary, but I can't tell you what in case they are reading this. Of course, while I was there I found other stuff on clearance -- a couple kitchen chair cushions, a couple shirts and some cute shoes.

The shoes were a pair of green plaid Keds -- simple flats for casual wear. They listed for $39.99, but were on clearance for $8.99. Add on the 30% and $6.30 isn't a bad deal.

Checking out was the hard part. The shoes did not ring up. The cashier said it was a wrong UPC. No matter what she tried to enter, she couldn't get it to ring up. She called the shoe department and we waited ... and waited. She gave me that look that said -- do you really want these bad enough to wait. It wasn't that I cared about the shoes that much, but I wanted to see how the Kohl's employees would handle the problem. We waited some more. I said, it was the last pair, it was on clearance, inventory probably didn't matter on this item and there must be a way to ring up a generic item since it was now a low-cost, out of inventory item.

No, of course the cashier can't do that. So we waited some more. Another employee came by and she asked him to open the other register so all the people waiting in line could be helped. While he was ringing up people he said she should call someone else. She saw this other guy (who turned out to be the assistant manager) at the other entry registry. So we waited some more. Finally, she saw him finishing up over there and called him over. But she didn't tell him there was a problem so he seemed to take his time.

When he got there, he simply pushed in a few numbers and viola, I had my inexpensive shoes. You would think that:

• the shoe department would have called back quickly
• the assistant manager would have been there quickly
• someone could have given the secret code over the phone

or even, how about this:

• the cashier know the number or be able to make a decision to help the customer immediately.

Just a thought. I'll still go to Kohl's for the values, but my respect for the company has definitely lowered. Why can't companies think like customers and do what's right?

The art of buying a new car

Yesterday, I test drove a couple new cars. You would think that since the auto industry is in a world of hurt, the dealers would do everything in their power to exceed customer expectations.

I've done my on-line research. I'm looking for a small car, nothing fancy (no vanity issues here), just to tool around town in. My criteria:
1. comfortable seats and headrest
2. center armrest (1 and 2 are the most important because of back issues)
3. decent gas mileage
4. automatic headlights (I guess I could learn to turn of/off lights again, but I haven't had to do that for 10 years or so, why start now)

I don't think I'm too demanding. So, how did it go?
1. Chevy Aveo - no center armrest. No sale.
2. Pontiac Vibe - I asked for a test drive. Took quite a while to find someone to help me. He wanted to ask all kinds of questions about style, color, etc. I said didn't matter at this point, just want to drive. Finally, he picked a silver Vibe parked right out front. Turned the key -- the car didn't start. He said the problem was it was too cold. Not buying it -- it was 45 degrees at the time. So, he started the process to find another car to drive. Took over 10 minutes while he searched -- even though they had 30 Vibes on the lot. Another employee told me not to worry about the car not starting, it happens because they don't drive them regularly. People -- a car not starting is NOT a good way to show how reliable it is. It certainly doesn't make me want to buy. I did test drive the car. There are automatic headlights - 1 point. But the seat, headrest and arm rest were only so-so. That's what I told the salesperson who then tried to talk me into a Pontiac Torrent. Did he not hear -- small car. I asked for his business card. It took him another 5 minutes to go somewhere before he could give me a business card. I thanked him and left.

Now in reality, I could buy the Vibe for about $15k. It is kind of cute and does meet the basic criteria. I'll keep it on my list -- for now, but would probably go to a different dealer.

3. Honda Fit - no center armrest. Salesman Mark tried to talk me into a Civic. I'm really thinking about the Vibe/Fit/hatchback kind of look, but I did sit in the Civic. He did NOT offer a test drive. OK, but not on the list.

4. Volkwagen Rabbit - Cute car. Does have a comfortable seat/headrest. Does have a center armrest which is moveable. The armrest is not as good as I would like, but is doable. Gas mileage is less than the Vibe. Price is about $5k or so more expensive. Ride is nice. Heated seats - nice extra. NO auto headlights (well, they do come on automatically, but you have to turn off the interior lights at night every time).

Is it worth $5000 dollars more? Not sure.

You know what. My old truck with the auto headlights, great armrest and so-so seats runs just fine for now. Guess I'll just keep thinking about buying a new car and not really taking any action.