3 Stores You Might Want to Keep in Mind

By Maria Fernanda Pereira Ywazaki on October 17, 2014

Starting College or transferring to a different University most times brings about several changes in the lives of many students. Moving to a new city, getting your bearings and learning to take care of yourself are but a few of the differences to being away from home. However, the familiarity with the areas is not the only thing that changes or might make us homesick. Where do you cut your hair now (especially after going to the same place for so long that you probably know all the staff)? Where do you go fix your glasses? which places are good? affordable? have good customer service? trustworthy? We search the internet in hopes to find a place that is convenient (especially if you’re mode of transportation is the bus) in location and prices. In our search we try to find reviews, hope they are accurate, and venture forth. Unfortunately, it is a question of luck and trial and error. During my stay here in Tallahassee, I have had to make a few searches in the internet and questioning around. So far, I have had a few lucky hits that, though specific, they are worth mentioning for any future searcher!

1) Stringfest  At 518 North Calhoun Street

Maria F. Pereira Y.

Some months ago I had to change the strings of my violin; however, I had absolutely no idea where to take it. I had thought of asking music students several times, but that seemed to take more time than googling it because of a serious case of shyness and forgetfulness. I found the website of Stringfest and decided to take a chance and make an appointment with Kyle. The three things that convinced me about doing it was its rather easy access from the FSU campus, and Kyle’s promptness responding my e-mail and the availability. At my arrival, he makes pleasant conversation while getting straight to business. Immediately, it was evident that this man is very passionate about his job. Kyle took out the violin from its case with almost reverent care and inspected it carefully. I far from consider myself a musician, but something that I share with (most of) them is that their instrument is their baby. We get tense at the thought of someone else handling it, and no one is ever careful enough (something to consider the next time you ask a friend if you may play with their music instrument, especially if you don’t know how to play it). I had no such issues with Kyle, quite the opposite, I felt that he could and would take care of my violin better than me! Kyle showed me that his interest was in the performance and sound quality of the violin, and even cut me a little break for being a broke college student!

2) University Cycles At 668 West Gaines Street

Maria F. Pereira Y.

Not having a car, I have come to consider my bike as a life-saver. I rarely go out without it, primarily because of the time I save. Whenever people consult me for advise on whether they should buy a bike, I have always told them to get one. Nevertheless, investing in a new bike is being willing to spend a bit of money. If you are thinking of buying a bike to be used daily to commute, it is better if you invest on a good bike. It is true that it will be a little heavy financially, but it will save you so much grief (speaking from personal experience). I cannot emphasise how much a friend’s bike draws the attention of people. In fact, when we are together, both our bikes call a lot of attention due to being the same brand and are similar enough (and people probably think that we got them together because we look like a couple). Every time my friend is asked for advice on where to buy a bicycle, his answer is always the same: University Cycles. I understand that sometimes budget does not allow us to spend on certain things, so buying in a price range that makes you feel comfortable is important, too. Once a person is the proud owner of a bicycle, if he/she wants it to last for a long time, it must have maintenance for optimal performance. Or, even if you are not constant with maintenance, there will probably come a time when you need to take it to the shop (a flat tire, new breaks, among others). The reason my friend and I like this place so much is, first of all, for the service. They are always so nice and professional. Also, best of all, their focus is always the client’s needs and not the money. On several occasions they have suggested solutions to my bike problems that go easy on my piggy bank. As a matter of fact, sometimes I found I did not even need to break it or fish money out of it because the solutions offered were free!

3) Eye-I-Deals At 410 West Tennessee Street

Maria F. Pereira Y.

I am far from being blind as a bat, but when my eye glasses broke it quickly became one uncomfortable experience. Gradually getting myopia is not too noticeable until suddenly you are struggling to read what is on the whiteboard, or when friends point to signs that you are unable to read because they are too blurry. If it was a slow progression, or if your nearsightedness is not much, then it may not be too troublesome in your day-to-day activities. This is because you become accustomed to your vision and don’t realize that it could be better. However, once you put on your glasses and see the immediate contrast of the clearness you had been missing, is like a whole new world. Once you are used to wearing your glasses and the clear vision you have with them, anything less is bothersome, and your myopia becomes highly noticeable.

At first, I had just wanted to invest in a new frame because the lenses were still intact. However, with glasses you have to have your eyes checked up to make sure the prescription is still the same or has changed. I did not know where to go to get new frames so I decided to go to a chain store. They were as helpful as they could, but they were limited by the equipment they had (or rather didn’t have) at the store, so I had to look for another place. The lady had recommended me stores that could help me that were near Tallahassee Mall, and some other far place (clearly an inconvenience for someone who doesn’t own a car). So, back to Google I went, in search of a place to get a new pair of glasses. Finding Eye-I-Deals was very lucky. I had arrived at a good time when they had an opening for an appointment, which I promptly took. The people were nice and helpful with every inquiry I had and in a matter of minutes I was being looked at by the doctor. A nice and peppy person who made pleasant conversation while examining me (when she was not explaining what she was doing). She asked me if I had anything to see when I headed out, which I answered as no. I was taken to their specialist to pick out a new frame and to have lenses made with my new prescription. In less than 20 minutes I was already trying out my new glasses and was ready to go out to the world. On top of all, they made sure to give me a discount for my glasses and that I did not go over my budget.

 

The reason I like these three establishments so much is because in all of them it really did feel like the customer comes first. All of them in their own ways showed that their concern was to give a good service and not how much they could charge me. Not only were they willing to nice on my wallet, but the quality of the service never lessened, and was always treated with respect and kindness. Moving to a new city, it is important to find those go-to places that you might need, especially if you do not have the option of going home frequently. If you have any of my situations, these three places should definitely be in your list to be checked out. Not only for being so accessible from campus (actually my apartment complex is farther than two of these establishments), but because they are not looking for a way to drain you of your money, and because you are paying for quality that is worth every penny. In my opinion, there is nothing better to look for than these qualities.

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