Good Choice Gift
This family-run store carries the most adorable jewelry that dangles and sparkles. I can't find such a selection anywhere else. Each piece cost $6. Some of the necklaces look flimsy, but the earrings are really cute. The clerk gift-wrapped all three pairs of earrings that I purchased at no extra cost. There's no pressure to buy.
Shane
I think this place is overpriced. I definitely could have done a better job styling my own hair than the lady who tied my bangs into a pixie-tail. She actually used a beaded bracelet as a rubber band. I liked the bracelet enough to purchase it for $6. What happened to the days when beaded jewelry was all under $1?
A & R Textbooks
This place is packed at the beginning of every semester. They have more employees now, so it's getting better. I was happy that someone helped me right away. As I was waiting for the clerk to find me the book, another one asked me if I had been helped yet. The books here are definitely cheaper than the ones in the Santa Monica College bookstore. You can generally save $10 by shopping here.
Elevation Sports
This shop is so close to my house that I was reluctant to drive elsewhere to compare prices. However, I'd bet that Doc's shop is the priciest in town. For the life of me, I could not find a ski jacket that was under $600. The pants alone cost me $300. Needless to say, my bank account was hit hard. I had to wait for my paycheck to purchase the $90 gloves, one of which I lost at a gas station the next day. The employee kept handing me a size 42 even though I told him I wanted 44. He claimed that it was the last one. Then I found a size 44 myself. He blamed his poor eyesight.
Space Command
Dish Network is definitely cheaper than Adelphia. However, all hell breaks loose if you try to get out of your 1-year contract. I tried to read the fine print and couldn't find anything on how much I'd be fined if I break the contract. However, I remember that the installer told me it was around $300, which I wouldn't mind paying. When I called Ken, he upped it to $700. I agreed to stay being a Dish customer as long as he switched me to cheaper monthly package. Two months later, I discovered that he never switched my subscription. I had to call Dish Network myself.
Los Angeles Haircut & Hairstylist Color Salon At Capelli Lounge
I've had my hair cut in practically every style before, so I wasn't expecting much when I came into this salon. I just wanted a trim. However, I was delightfully surprised when I saw the finished result. Lupe styled my hair in a very classy way. It was definitely a new hairstyle. I had to ask her how she added so much volume. She's very talented.
Verizon
If you think getting put on hold is bad, then you haven't been to this store. It's a minimum of twenty minutes. Make sure you sign the waiting list. I'm not kidding! What's sadder is that they misdiagnosed the problem, so I had to make a total of four visits within a week. One woman refused to believe that the problem was the phone charger. She insisted that I return home to charge it for a full 6 hours before coming back.
So Cal Sports Club
Joyce is the most amazing woman on this planet. She always has a smile on her face. That's really encouraging because I dread working out. We started off with weights and focused on my form. This gym is medium-sized, which makes me feel claustrophobic. I wish the treadmills faced the windows instead of the work-out machines.
Marina Dental Ctr
My dentist was Dean Salo. I overheard that he works at two offices, and the other one charges less for the same procedures. He explains everything thoroughly to his patients. The waiting room has a marble floor and is quite cozy. He even has one of those headsets that plays movies as you're getting your cavities filled. I didn't have dental insurance at the time, so it all seemed pricey.
California Graduate Institute
I had Nectar Redman, who is a PsyD, whatever that means. She's talkative and very smart. Her rates are based on a sliding scale, so it was $60 per session. My mom was in charge of paying her but wasn't doing a very good job of it because I had an outstanding balance for eight missed payments. Nectar didn't trip though. She just brought it up at the end of one of our sessions one time. I was embarrassed as hell!
