Reviews by bide
Ever since his regular secretary left the quality of service has declined somewhat. Despite this, Dr Paul Placanica is a very pleasant man who speaks both English, Italian and Spanish, he's always willing to listen to the problem and is happy to refer to specialists. There's a good appointment service to use because he's always busy!
It always takes a very long time for them to dispense my medication even if there's no one else waiting on prescriptions. Sometimes in can take up to 20 minutes! The staff are not always helpful or even friendly, they act as if they have something better to do. They do provide some good services for long-term customers and regulars, though, and are open very good hours.
A very good clothing store, they often have amazing sales with some products reduced by more than half price. A good range from casual, smart casual and work clothing, they also have a good range of accessories from jewelery, handbags, scarves and sunglasses. The staff are friendly and willing to help if you ask.
Approximate cost: $10-50
I love visiting Crossroads! They always have good deals on and even without specials their clothing is reasonably priced compared to other similar stores. They have some great designs that suit women from teens to 30s, though occasionally they'll have something for older ladies as well. Lots of good accessories are available instore.
The staff is always helpful, even letting you know when the clothing works or doesn't, and they'll find similar styles and colours that suit you if you ask.
Approximate cost: $20-35
I always find this Big W to be a mess. Nothing is ever properly on its shelf, the staff always act as if it's a big hassle when I ask them where something is, and there's always a long queue because not enough staff are on the check-out sections. Hopefully this will get better after the renovations they seem to be doing.
This store has a good range of manchester, bedding, kitchen and home decor. I really like their cushions and faux rugs which are perfect for the spare room. I've purchased side tables from them before and I love the look of classic but modern elegance. They have some really good specials sometimes.
I love visiting Canterbury Leagues Bulldogs Club because of the gorgeous waterfall and garden they have outside. This place is so nice inside and out, it looks like a resort hotel you could find overseas. They have some really well-priced restaurants inside and good membership facilities.
Really cheap cakes, this is a must for me every time I'm in the area. They also make some nice biscotti, but can't really go past the cheapness and quality of the tiramisu and chocolate mud cake. It's family owned and the staff is always friendly.
Approximate cost: $2
Amazing gymnasium, my favourite so far and I've tried a fair amount in the Eastern Suburbs. The staff is friendly and helpful, always ready to answer any queries and clear up any problems. There's ample parking, two levels of fitness equipment, a creche, fantastic bathroom facilities (with showers, a dryer, and complimentary deodorant/talcum powder). Personal trainers, classes and a dietitian and kitchen are also available on premises.
The treadmills, bikes and cross-trainers all come with a TV connected to FTA tv and Foxtel, which is great as I can watch exactly what I'd like to when I'm training. There's also a room specifically for spin class and another room for stretching. Fantastic gym.
I recently purchased an expensive pair of tinted sunglasses with them. It took a week and a half to make, quicker than they told me it would. The lady who helped me with my initial order was friendly and forthcoming.
When the sunglasses arrived they were far too light than the tint that I ordered, and so I sent them back. They told me they'd have to send the tinting to another branch as they cannot tint it at the Eastgardens branch. A week or so later, my glasses returned much, much darker than I expected in a horrible red tint that I had not asked for. Looking through them was like looking at a 1970s polaroid! So unsafe to drive with, my main reason for getting them.
I asked for them to be re-tinted yet again and explained very clearly what my issues were with the tinting. Again the staff was really friendly and helpful, and I asked the person working to write down 'remove red tint' on the work order.
Two weeks later, my glasses arrived and were exactly the same as when I had sent them to be re-tinted. They accidentally gave me the work order and it said "lighten slightly" and said nothing about red tint, which I had politely explained was my reason for re-tinting.
While the staff is always polite and helpful, this can only get you so far when there are no real results to be had. I now have a pair of $500 glasses that I am too embarrassed to wear because they are dark red globes on my face. While OPSM has some really good frames, that's all they have. In the future I will only purchase frames from them and get my normal optometrist to put in the lenses and tinting, as I have had no issues with lenses from him. The only reason I went to OPSM in the first place is they had a better selection of prescription sunglasses.