Local businesses hurting...

[Arctic Fox]

...or maybe not

I have tried four times to book a table for ten at Gio's. The first time I was asked to hold, and immediately hung up on. The next three I got a recorded message explaining that I couldn't leave them a voicemail.

I have called five property inspectors enquiring about a four-point inspection. Not one has called me back.

I'm glad that they're all really busy, but it is frustrating not to be able to get any service.

[dewilson58]

Labor shortage vs. Overly busy.

[dewilson58]

Most businesses have caller ID....................so they know it's you calling.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Two Bills]

The "Please leave a message, and we will call you back" response, is about as good as "The check is in the post" promise of yesteryear!:icon_wink:

[Calisport]

I think just be happy Florida is not like a California or New York where you won't get a call back from businesses anymore unless they truly need your business.

[Arctic Fox]

Most businesses have caller ID...so they know it's you calling.

Time to change my number. Again.

[jdulej]

I think just be happy Florida is not like a California or New York where you won't get a call back from businesses anymore unless they truly need your business.
I can't speak for New York, but in my 60+ years in California and talking to family who are still there, the vast majority of businesses will call you back in the unlikely event that no one answers in the first place. Your comment really makes no sense to me other than general California/NY bashing, which is getting a bit old by now.
The one "business" I have run into in FL that hands down beats California is the DMV. Everything else is about the same.

[DAVES]

...or maybe not

I have tried four times to book a table for ten at Gio's. The first time I was asked to hold, and immediately hung up on. The next three I got a recorded message explaining that I couldn't leave them a voicemail.

I have called five property inspectors enquiring about a four-point inspection. Not one has called me back.

I'm glad that they're all really busy, but it is frustrating not to be able to get any service.


Welcome to our current world. Sadly, it is not just you.

[dewilson58]

Time to change my number. Again.

:a040:

[Luggage]

DMV and most government offices in Florida are extremely responsive . In fact I have had knocks on my door from my phone calls to respond to my questions

[ComingfromCT]

...or maybe not

I have tried four times to book a table for ten at Gio's. The first time I was asked to hold, and immediately hung up on. The next three I got a recorded message explaining that I couldn't leave them a voicemail.

I have called five property inspectors enquiring about a four-point inspection. Not one has called me back.

I'm glad that they're all really busy, but it is frustrating not to be able to get any service.


I just set up an inspection for this afternoon. My Real Estate agent recommended them. They called me right back and I was able to get an Inspection set up very quickly.
Southern State Inspection, 352-622-0066.

[PugMom]

Most businesses have caller ID....................so they know it's you calling.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

oh, You~! :icon_wink:

[PugMom]

they are REALLY good, & the place is always packed when we're there. it doesn't help that they are only open for a certain period of time during the week. best to just show up, imo, EARLY, & wait for them to get ready to seat all 10 of you. it's def worth it.

[Lil GTO]

You can get the same food at Giovannis restaurant. Same owner as Gio’s deli if that’s what is being referred to.


they are REALLY good, & the place is always packed when we're there. it doesn't help that they are only open for a certain period of time during the week. best to just show up, imo, EARLY, & wait for them to get ready to seat all 10 of you. it's def worth it.

[PugMom]

really?? i had no idea--Thank You~! :bigbow:

[Chase219]

That's the Best Real Italian restaurant in the whole area he also owns Giovannis, with all the New Yorkers down here you'll be lucky to get in he's so busy he usually doesn't take reservations but keep trying. There's always a line out the door.

[ThirdOfFive]

Welcome to our current world. Sadly, it is not just you.
My wife before her retirement was a Senior Purchaser for a nationally known concern. As such she had frequent contact with all parts of the country. It was interesting how she divided them up when it came to service quality and responsiveness.

NORTHEAST AND EAST: Very efficient; they really knew their stuff, but not very pleasant at all.

MIDWEST: Efficient and pleasant. The best to work with overall and best at meeting timelines.

SOUTH: Very friendly but not very efficient. Lots of dropped balls.

WEST COAST: The most pleasant of all, and pretty efficient, but don't expect ANYTHING to get done after 12:00 noon on Friday.

[ChicagoNative]

That's the Best Real Italian restaurant in the whole area he also owns Giovannis, with all the New Yorkers down here you'll be lucky to get in he's so busy he usually doesn't take reservations but keep trying. There's always a line out the door.
I’ve heard that Gios and Roberto’s are both same owners as Giovanni’s, and that Gios is the best of the bunch. Never been there or to Roberto’s, but have given Giovanni’s several tries, and think they are way overrated. Ketchup-forward is my description of their red sauce. Flavorless grease shingles is my description of their pizza. Garlic knots look wonderful, but have never had them served hot….always hard and stale tasting and even the warm brush of garlic butter can’t save them. I know they are popular, but I don’t get what all the fuss is about.

The best Italian we’ve had down here is Francesco’s.

[Windguy]

I just set up an inspection for this afternoon. My Real Estate agent recommended them.

I have heard that RE agents tend to recommend inspectors who aren’t too thorough. The agents don’t want an inspector who might interfere with a sale.

[Old Bob]

I’ve heard that Gios and Roberto’s are both same owners as Giovanni’s, and that Gios is the best of the bunch. Never been there or to Roberto’s, but have given Giovanni’s several tries, and think they are way overrated. Ketchup-forward is my description of their red sauce. Flavorless grease shingles is my description of their pizza. Garlic knots look wonderful, but have never had them served hot….always hard and stale tasting and even the warm brush of garlic butter can’t save them. I know they are popular, but I don’t get what all the fuss is about.

The best Italian we’ve had down here is Francesco’s.

Roberto is Giovani's younger brother, and he owns Roberto's.

[CCristella]

They have caller ID and don't want to talk to you. They must know you?

[Rodneysblue]

Most businesses have caller ID....................so they know it's you calling.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:
:boom:

[fdpaq0580]

Italian in the United States is not like Italian food in Italy. That is a generalization, of course. There are a few pretty authentic places, but even they vary a lot based on the region the recipes came from. So, it comes down to what do you like rather than which is the most "authentic".
Personally, having tried all three of the aforementioned establishments, (all good imho), if I get to choose, I go to the Olive Garden. Love the salad and the various dishes are just fine for me. Yes, Americanized, perhaps. But, being American, it is more like my non-Italian mother would make.
This was not meant to offend anyone's taste or choice. Just another opinion.

[golfnut]

Time to change my number. Again.

You don't need to change your number, just dial *67 before the number and it will block your number from being seen

[dewilson58]

You don't need to change your number, just dial *67 before the number and it will block your number from being seen

It was a joke.

[jdulej]

My wife before her retirement was a Senior Purchaser for a nationally known concern. As such she had frequent contact with all parts of the country. It was interesting how she divided them up when it came to service quality and responsiveness.

NORTHEAST AND EAST: Very efficient; they really knew their stuff, but not very pleasant at all.

MIDWEST: Efficient and pleasant. The best to work with overall and best at meeting timelines.

SOUTH: Very friendly but not very efficient. Lots of dropped balls.

WEST COAST: The most pleasant of all, and pretty efficient, but don't expect ANYTHING to get done after 12:00 noon on Friday.
Being an ex west coaster and current southerner i agree with those descriptions although as a northern Californian we viewed southern Cal as a different country! 😀

[Arctic Fox]

You don't need to change your number, just dial *67 before the number and it will block your number from being seen

How did you know that I still use a dial phone, not a touch pad?

[golfnut]

you need to change your number, again

[BaileyMom]

My wife before her retirement was a Senior Purchaser for a nationally known concern. As such she had frequent contact with all parts of the country. It was interesting how she divided them up when it came to service quality and responsiveness.

NORTHEAST AND EAST: Very efficient; they really knew their stuff, but not very pleasant at all.

MIDWEST: Efficient and pleasant. The best to work with overall and best at meeting timelines.

SOUTH: Very friendly but not very efficient. Lots of dropped balls.

WEST COAST: The most pleasant of all, and pretty efficient, but don't expect ANYTHING to get done after 12:00 noon on Friday.


I'm quite pleased with your wife's assessment as I'm from the Midwest!
:a040:

[Arctic Fox]

On the plus side, I now have a table for 10 booked elsewhere and a home inspector booked for Tuesday :a040:

[Topspinmo]

Time to change my number. Again.


I doubt that do any good you name probably pops up? :)

[Two Bills]

How did you know that I still use a dial phone, not a touch pad?

Tracking you!!:shocked:

[giorgio1948]

...or maybe not

I have tried four times to book a table for ten at Gio's. The first time I was asked to hold, and immediately hung up on. The next three I got a recorded message explaining that I couldn't leave them a voicemail.

I have called five property inspectors enquiring about a four-point inspection. Not one has called me back.

I'm glad that they're all really busy, but it is frustrating not to be able to get any service.

Visit them IN PERSON and speak with them a out it:)

[newgirl]

Just beware, as a licensed Realtor for 20 yrs in Mi we never referred a inspector. It was not allowed because of conflict of interest( if inspector finds a issue, agent loses a commission). Not saying your agent did anything wrong, but I would ask for a list of 10 and speak to previous client's. If a inspector misses something that costs thousands to repair they are only liable for cost of inspection, basically, you get your money back.
Again, not saying your agent did anything wrong, could be custom here.

[retiredguy123]

Just beware, as a licensed Realtor for 20 yrs in Mi we never referred a inspector. It was not allowed because of conflict of interest( if inspector finds a issue, agent loses a commission). Not saying your agent did anything wrong, but I would ask for a list of 10 and speak to previous client's. If a inspector misses something that costs thousands to repair they are only liable for cost of inspection, basically, you get your money back.
Again, not saying your agent did anything wrong, could be custom here.
It sounds wrong to me. I don't think it is a custom for a real estate agent to engage in a conflict of interest anywhere. The agent should remind the buyer that they work for the seller, not the buyer. And, they should not be selecting the buyer's inspector.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Being an ex west coaster and current southerner i agree with those descriptions although as a northern Californian we viewed southern Cal as a different country! 😀
Agree 100%. You NorCal folk are a bit different. It's fun to check out the YouTube videos of Asians (Chinese and Viet mostly) comparing SoCal (Irvine) and NorCal (San Jose) Asians, same at the videos are entertaining as those comparing SoCal (Baja) Mexicans and food with TexMex folks and food.

[Arctic Fox]

Just beware, as a licensed Realtor for 20 yrs in Mi we never referred a inspector. It was not allowed because of conflict of interest( if inspector finds a issue, agent loses a commission). Not saying your agent did anything wrong, but I would ask for a list of 10 and speak to previous client's. If a inspector misses something that costs thousands to repair they are only liable for cost of inspection, basically, you get your money back.
Again, not saying your agent did anything wrong, could be custom here.

Thank you for the "heads up", newgirl

My initial post was unclear, in that the agent gave me a list of four inspectors that they had worked with previously, rather than specifically "recommending" anyone.

I contacted twelve in total (of which six eventually replied) so the final choice was definitely mine.