Reviews by lolly

This review is for Golden Circle Live Factory Outlet, Northgate QLD

verified email - 18 Feb 2008

Haven't been there for a while, but last time I went, prices weren't that much lower than retail, a lot of food was past its used-by date but not labelled as such and there was not an inspirational choice of softdrinks (no diet drinks anymore - at least on that trip). I don't think I bought anything last time, which is a pity because I used to love going there and stocking up.

If you're shopping there, make sure you check the use by date on every item. Last year there were bottles of jam for sale for $2-something (again, not much below supermarket prices) but they had a use by date of almost a year and a half earlier. It sounds like an exaggeration, but I was absolutely horrified and there were boxes of them. Keep this in mind when you're visiting the Cannery.

This review is for Countrylink, Sydney NSW

verified email - 18 Feb 2008

Travelled between Brisbane and Sydney. Went to the QR shop at Roma Street to organise a seat to suit us and were told we would have plenty of leg space. This ended up not being the case as the QR person we arranged the booking through was apparently not aware that all the seats turn backwards to face the other way - we were right at the back rather than the front of the carriage. Keep this in mind.

Travelled down on economy and back on first class. On the way down, sleeping was an impossibility due to what I guess was a dodgy wheel that kept screeching every time it breaked, turned or made any change to its movements. That being said, the workers were pleasant and friendly and made the best of a bad situation and the train was clean.

On the way back, in first class, it was revolting. I could not believe I'd paid to travel in such squalor. I would have prefered to have slept overnight in a QR train and that's certainly saying something. The toilets were filthy and smelt sooo bad I couldn't even let the bottom of my jeans touch the floor when I was getting changed. The carpet outside was stained, threadbare and there was food scattered throughout the compartment and in my seat - I gather they hadn't been cleaned. The first class section was full of pensioners making broad judgements - if you're not a pensioner, save yourself the money and mental anguish and either go economy or just bypass Countrylink all together.

Bring your own food too - the people I spoke to were not impressed with the soggy 'fish and chips' available for $9. Hot water is free if you use your own cup/mug. I think it's $1 if you want it in a cup.

Approximate cost: $120

This review is for Australia Post, Boondall QLD

verified email - 18 Feb 2008

Sent a laptop to SA with registered post and paid extra to make sure that a signature would be required and we'd be notified. Somehow the signature slip disappeared and we got no notification that our $600 package had arrived safely - had to rely on buyer to notify us through ebay. Would think twice about wasting my money on such 'guarantees' next time.

Somehow, it took four days to get a slip of paper from Taigum post office to Boondall (10 minutes walk away). No wonder half of my letters/packages arrive a lot later than anyone elses. SAs at Australia Post have shared my angst - lamenting the fact that a parcel takes 5 days to get across the country because it's transported by road.

If AusPost is going to charge so much ($18 for COD?!), it should back it up with quality service...too bad they're the only postal service available. And despite having a magazine 'pipe' next to the letterbox and a bright coloured piece of paper saying 'DO NOT PLACE ITEMS ON TOP OF THE LETTERBOX', the postie insists on putting my magazines on top of the letterbox where anyone walking past can and has taken them.

This review is for Bakers Delight, Taigum QLD

verified email - 18 Feb 2008

Friendly service, but if you want an item from the front 'window', you'll probably get a corner one that is a bit dry and crusty, so you actually have to ask for one that isn't a corner one. I thought they'd all be soft no matter what. Reasonably priced compared to other Bakers Delights (eg Toombul). They used to mark down their unsold items at the end of the day, but now they keep them the same price until they throw them out. Seems like a silly move, so I don't shop there too much any more - used to shop there a lot. Days for specialty items/breads seem to change a fair bit and, even though there is obviously demand for them, some are only available one or two days (they sell out on many of those days!)

This review is for Civic Video, Boondall QLD

verified email - 18 Feb 2008

Lots of stock. Friendly staff and owner. Good promotions. Great communication between the workers and customers. Tuesdays are $1 days - all movies are $1.

This review is for Rainbow Takeaway, Sandgate QLD

verified email - 18 Feb 2008

I will always return to Rainbow Takeaway. The food is excellent quality and their price is very comparable for fish and chips. One of the only places I could find that had battered fish, rather than crumbed. It seems like a family owned business, bright colours inside. In addition to the ice blocks and drinks, there are bagged lollies!!

Approximate cost: $7

This review is for Hungry Jacks, Aspley QLD

verified email - 18 Feb 2008

I'm continually disappointed with Aspley. The chip packets are often three-quarters full, drink containers are not completely full and waiting times in the drive thru can leave a lot to be desired. Price increases didn't correspond to increased quality of meals or service. If it didn't taste so damn good, I'd be taking my business elsewhere. If you have a complaint and put it through their website, they probably won't respond - over a couple of years, I've submitted three or four and have not been contacted as a courtesy once.

Approximate cost: $7

This review is for McDonalds Family Restaurant, Chermside QLD

verified email - 18 Feb 2008

My favourite visit to them was when I was waiting for aaaages for a cheeseburger and then the girl serving me gave me the cheeseburger and a medium chips (I gather for waiting so long). Hasn't happened again, but then again, I've never waited that long again.

This review is for Borders, Chermside QLD

verified email - 18 Feb 2008

Amazing store. Completely overwhelming. I got lost, but that's okay. I phoned to ask if they stocked two books (one relatively hard to find, the other near impossible) and they had one of them and told me it was on order and how long until I could expect it.

This review is for Big W, Chermside QLD

verified email - 18 Feb 2008

Purchased a sample pot of paint from Big W (Chermside) and mentioned I was planning on painting my room. The guy mixing the paint then told me to wait until after Christmas to buy the paint because it would be going down a good $20. Can't get service like that in many places!