Apple Valley Fair

I like Apple, don't get me wrong. It's just that this particular Apple Store's Genius bar is far from genius quality. The so-called "genius" workers there didn't know squat. I had to tell them what's up and provide all the possible answers to my own questions. It was weird, let me tell you a situation I had there. So I had a problem with my computer and I had some possible solutions that could fix my problem. I only went to the Apple store to try and confirm one of my possible solutions. When I get there, the "genius" said, you might want to check online for a solution to this problem. I said, "do you think it could be this or this?" Genius replies, "yeah that may work, but I am not sure." I said thanks anyway and then just went online to confirm my potential solution. Such a waste of time for me.

Oh, and another thing that bothers me about Apple stores. How come there are so many workers there? They often outnumber the number of customers there!

PROS: Usual well kept store.
CONS: Genius Bar is far from genius. Too many workers there.

AMC Mercado 20

This is a popular hangout for movie goers on the weekend. Parking is free and there is plenty of it for all your family and friends. Although sometimes you have to park a ways off, since this place can get crowded at times. The snacks there are your usual insanely priced varieties, not the the snack brand names, but the movie prices for the snacks.

The weekends are usually crowded with college kids. The movie selection is varied and you can use Fandango there too. I'd recommend buying your tickets online because the line for tickets can be a wait at times. And besides, Fangao is not a wild beast, it a convenient way to get tickets online.

PROS: Lots of free parking
CONS:

REI

REI has alot of outdoors stuff for both the beginner or the advanced adventurer. The staff at REI are friendly and helpful. You can go to their website to search for your products. When you go online, there is a clearance section that you can find some pretty good deals every now and again.

And they will rent things like tents, and other equipment to you for a fee, of course. There are tons of stuff for any outdoors person at REI, and since it is a co-op you can get money back at the end of the year - kinda like a Discover card.

PROS: Has what you want if you are into outdoorsy stuff
CONS:

Missing Link Bicycle Coop

This store has been in business for 30 years. It has many followers and new customers alike. The people that work at Missing Link are great and will be able to answer all of your questions. They are not only the workers there, but they also are avid bicyclists. So if you need to know what's a good trail to ride, just ask them or pick up one of a number of trail books that are at the store.

The store carries the major brands and they also do repairs. They also have biking gear, clothing, and accessories. They have shocks, pedals, shoes, you name it. I give this place a 2 thumbs up, oh wait this is not a movie review.

PROS: Great service, friendly and knowledgable staff. Oh and pretty good deals there.
CONS:

Target

This Target is a fairly new and is bigger than most Targets that I've been to. What is that familiar red dot symbol that Target always uses? It's a liger and it's pretty much my favorite animal, I mean my favorite store.

This Target has plenty of parking and the store is clean. If you have nothing to do, it's always fun to browse a target store. Along the side aisle, there will usually be clearance items. This is true for most Target stores.

I believe this is a Greatland Target store. Greatland stores are bigger than most Target stores. Oh, and some people have told me that Target has a pretty good return/satisfaction policy.

PROS: Good way to pass the time. Pretty good deals and you can probably do all your shopping here.
CONS:

Cody's Books Inc

There are 2 Cody's Bookstores. I prefer the one on Telegraph, just because it near UC Berkeley. Go Bears!

The magazine selection here is very extensive. Far more specialized publications than Borders or Barnes & Noble. You have to see it to know what I'm talking about.

Cody's does special orders of any book in print - you are impressed, aren't you. Cody's is a landmark establishment in Berkeley and continues to attract many people from all around the world.

PROS: If it's in print, they can get it for you.
CONS:

Moe's Books

Moe's is a Berkekely landmark. And it has been serving the Bay Area for many decades. It looks small from the outside, but this store is quite large as it has many floors and a basement level.

This is no Barnes & Noble cookie-cutter setup. Moe's has character and attracts all kinds of patrons. If you are looking for a comfortable bookstore to browse or just waste time in, Moe's is a suitable fit for you.

Just look for the Red and White Awning.

PROS: Hard-to-find books, used books, art publications, antique books
CONS:

Alvarado Coin Op Car Wash

I like self service coin-op car washes. They are becoming a rarity these days now that there are so many car wash places that will hand wash your car while you wait.

After some practice you can wash your car for as little as $4. And you get some exercise too since it is self service. This car wash facility has giant brushes and water sprayers. All you need to do is bring your quarters, and a towel to dry your car, if you like towelling off your car. There are also powerful vacuums that you can use (also takes quarters) to clean out your car. Maybe you'll find more quarters while you clean out your car. It's a win-win situation.

PROS: Inexpensive, usually not busy, well-kept. It's nice to wash your own car once in a while.
CONS:

Office Depot

So I come across this Office Depot, cause I needed some office supplies. This Office Depot is rather hard to find and easily missed. It's a white brick like structure that has a free parking area and a red Office Depot sign.

The odd thing about this Office Depot is that there are bars on teh outside of the windows. Hmmmm, the neighborhood seemed okay enough. Well, your guess is as good as mine.

The service there was good and the employees were helpful and knew where things were. Oh, one more thing, the inside is a bit dark (less lighting is used at this location) that other Office Depots I've been to.

PROS: Good service, and knowlegable too.
CONS: Can be a little dark inside.

Best Buy

The store manager is unprofessional, has no respect for the customer and would rather lose a customer's loyalty and potential future business over providing any kind of customer servce.

I went with a friend to try and price-match an item there. The store manager, though it was within his discretion, would not price match the item. My friend called corporate customer service. Corporate customer service rep called the Best Buy store to see what was going on. Corporate customer service told my friend that the reason why the store manager would not price match was because the ad my friend brought in did not show a picture of the exact outside packaging of the item on sale. (But the ad did show exact model, brand, and picture of the item for sale). On top of that ridiculous rule, the store manager never stated such a rule to my friend. Store manager only said "No, I will not price match it."

My friend asked "so you are willing to lose my business and all of my friends' business that I tell not to shop

PROS: Not really a Pro, but maybe other Best Buys are better?
CONS: Terrible business practices. Unprofessional. No wonder they are losing business to the likes of Fry's Electronics and Circuit City.