Tuesday, January 14, 2014

ChaCha Search Inc

Mr. Scott A. Jones, CEO
ChaCha Search, Inc.
14550 Clay Terrace Boulevard
Suite 130
Carmel, IN 46032

1/14/14

Dear Mr. Jones,

I am a long-time ChaCha user and fan. I have frequently used the service to answer questions while out and about and have been relatively pleased with the results. It is with regret that I must inform you I will be able to use the service no longer.

A few weeks ago, I attempted to text the ChaCha 242-242 number. I was presented with a reply indicating that ChaCha would be discontinuing its text-based service, and that I could continue using the service via the website only. Now, I do not have the Internet on my phone. If I did, I would not need ChaCha because I would have access to Google and a number of other resources.

It struck me as bizarre that ChaCha would choose to discontinue service to those who have no alternative but to use it, and to instead to cater to those who have a host of other options that are just as quick and easy to use, and are far more thorough. I find this circumstance very unfortunate. I am sure ChaCha’s leadership chose to go in this direction for a reason. I am sure it was a good one. However, for me, it has rendered ChaCha virtually useless.

At this point, I have no intention of upgrading to a smart phone, but should ChaCha choose to branch out into other areas, I will certainly remain open, as I have always been pleased with my past experiences with the company.

Regretfully,

Apple

Mr. Timothy D. Cook, CEO
Apple Inc.
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014

1/14/14

Dear Mr. Cook,

I am a long-time Apple product user and fan. I grew up using an Apple IIe and have more recently enjoyed products like my MacBook and iPod. I would consider myself a fan and supporter of Apple as a company, and of its products. It is with regret that I must inform you of my most recent experience with the company.

A few weeks ago, a colleague informed me that Apple had released its most recent operating system, OS X Mavericks, as a free upgrade. Excited by this news I immediately began to look into how I could go about upgrading to Mavericks and exploring its new features. I purchased and installed additional memory to meet the 2GB minimum, and I purchased the software package to upgrade to Snow Leopard.

Several weeks later, after everything was installed and upgraded, I set about to download Mavericks. To my dismay, the Mac App Store stopped me right there. My model number, you see, is MacBook3,1, and despite having the necessary system requirements, a 3,1 just is not good enough.

I find it bizarre and unfortunate that I am not allowed to use Mavericks because my MacBook is unfit in model name only. This is surprising because I have always heard that Apple is great about supporting older products. I see no reason why I cannot upgrade, except for the fact that Apple wants me to dish out a thousand dollars for a new computer because it has a different model name. I would love to oblige, however, I cannot afford it.

In retrospect, I spent $40+ on Apple products to upgrade this computer to Mavericks compatibility and am no better off than when I started. I am hoping that Apple can rectify this for me in some way. I have always had faith in the company and would hate to think that with the new leadership the company has abandoned its tradition of excellent customer service.

Sincerely,

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Outback Steakhouse

Ms. Elizabeth Smith, CEO
Bloomin' Brands, Inc
2202 N. West Shore Blvd. Suite 500
Tampa, FL 33607

1/22/14

Dear Ms. Smith,

I am writing to you in regard to my recent experience at your Outback Steakhouse location at 25 McMurray Rd in Pittsburgh. My girlfriend received a $50 gift card to the Outback from her sister on Christmas and she was very excited to go, seeing as she had never dined in the Outback before. It is with regret that I report that she had a less than pleasant experience.

Everything started out well. We had an artichoke dip appetizer, which we were pleased with. However, after finishing the appetizer, my girlfriend accidentally knocked over a glass, covering ourselves and the entire table with water and ice. The waitress promised she’d be right over to help, but basically just threw some towels on the floor and we had to clean it up ourselves. It was another 20 minutes before we saw another server, and we had to specifically request new napkins, silverware and another glass of water. The wait staff all seemed to be fussing over a table of 10 or so, and seemed to ignore the rest of the restaurant.

Furthermore, when we received our meals, my girlfriend’s $14 shrimp and steak dinner appeared to be a few tiny scraps of meat on a large, empty plate. (See attached image.) Her garlic mashed potatoes were not brought out and we needed to, again, make a specific request to get them.

We did enjoy the food despite the small portions, but the service left much to be desired. I would have liked to visit the Outback again someday, but at this point it unfortunately looks like it is off of our list.

Sincerely,