The hard-working folks below offer good products, good prices, good service, or at least two out of three.  I encourage you to do business with these folks.  Remember, these recommendations are not based on a single encounter, and these recommendations don't necessarily mean we've had no problems; in fact, the real test of a company is how they handle any problems that did occur.

In my opinion, these businesses don't deserve any of your hard-earned dollars.

Air Conditioning by Jay - These folks have been performing the semi-annual preventative service and all repairs on our air conditioners for several years now.  Their technicians are prompt, courteous, competent, and clean.  We keep an annual contract with them. 

Airpark Auto Service - How many car repair places can you go where you don't worry about being "taken for a ride?"  This family-owned-and-operated company has earned top ratings from AAA for many years - and when you visit them, you'll see why.  You'll be treated with respect and your repairs will be done for a fair price (much less than the dealerships - especially Infiniti). 

Amazon.com - Very comprehensive list of products, very competitive prices, responsive customer service.  Keep in mind, however, that for some items, Amazon is simply the store front for other merchants.

Ampro Construction - I've used the folks for drywall repair and painting.  They are - in a word - "superb."  Call Steve at 623.329.4585 - and please mention my name!

Bank of America - Yep, this one surprises me, too.  You wouldn't expect good service from the largest commercial bank in the USA, but I guess part of the reason they got big was being responsive to their customers.  The people at my local branch treat me with respect and courtesy.  The folks at their customer service 800 number take responsibility for solving problems.  Their deposit-image ATMs are WAY cool.  And I even got a call-back from Corporate Headquarters explaining they would stop using mobile billboards.   

Rich Bouckhout financial planning.  Looking for ethical, logical, and thoughtful financial advice, from investments to insurance to cash flow?  Rich has been our financial advisor since 1990, and we trust him implicitly to give us honest and helpful appraisals and suggestions.  Contact me and I'll let you know how to get in touch with Rich.

Butterfield's Pancake House & Restaurant - Superb food, prepared well, served quickly in a pleasant airy well-lit environment by courteous and gracious wait-staff.  All this, at a great price.  Try this well-run place (on Shea, just east of Scottsdale Rd. in Scottsdale, AZ), instead of IHOP!

The Chuckbox - Want a mouthwatering, mesquite-grilled hamburger fixed just the way you like it in a rustic atmosphere?  IMHO, best burgers on the planet (and I've been eating Chuckbox burgers since 1977, which means I've been eating their burgers longer than most of their employees have been alive)!

City of Scottsdale - This might come as a surprise, but unlike other government agencies, I've found everyone with whom I've dealt in the City of Scottsdale to be helpful, responsive, and customer-oriented.  It's hard to find the right department from their web site, but when you do talk to someone, they'll get you to the right place.  And you'll find yourself talking to PEOPLE, not machines.  This is a model for other government agencies! 

Dr. Steven Cohen, O.D., P.C. and the other fine folks at his office for your optometry needs.  Dr. Cohen and his entire staff really "get" customer service.  You will be treated personally, ethically, and delightfully by the entire staff of pleasant people.  You can have your eyes examined, buy lenses and/or frames, and get other optical needs issues addressed.  

Discount Tire - I don't know what else to say.  If you don't know what tire you need, they'll help you select without constantly "up-selling you."  If you DO know what you need, bring in the best price you can find and they'll usually meet the price and order the tires in.  They are fast, honest, and have that "the customer is always right" attitude (even when as customers, we are being big fat jerks!). 

Garage Butler - This is a well-designed and useful device (it closes your garage door if you forget).  The inventor is smart, pleasant, and responsive - and does whatever it takes to make sure his customers are delighted!

Google - How do they do that?  Amazing!  Fast and consistently relevant search results! To get even more from Google, check out these materials which I use in the courses I teach at Scottsdale Community College.

KJZZ - This local PBS-affiliated radio station, run by the Maricopa Community College District, is commercial-free, offers GREAT news (not 15 second headlines) on international, national, and local fronts, has "intelligent talk" programs midday, very funny shows suitable for the family on the week-ends, and REAL jazz music week-nights.  Give it a try, and then pledge. 

SHS Scottsdale Home Service Plumbing -  Plumbers (like auto repair) are one of those areas where you just start out by assuming you're going to get ripped off - the only question is how much.  But this family-owned and operated business charges fair prices, won't do work that isn't necessary, and has polite, respectful, and competent servicemen.  They are registered with the Registrar of Contractors and have a perfect record with the BBB. Call them at 480.899.5959

Staples' InkDrop Program - Staples has a cool program in which you are provided with postage-paid envelopes for sending in your empty ink cartridges.  When they get them, they send back identical units.  They pay the postage both ways, and your cartridges are being recycled.  There's no charge to enroll.  I've found their prices to be VERY competitive. 

Wikipedia - Another "How do they do that?" amazing internet information resource.  This internet phenomenon relies on the COMMUNITY of internet users to keep their information tuned, relatively accurate, and helpful. 

AmericaRx - This web merchant has consistently had wrong availability on their web site, and has never shipped the proper product on the first try.  I'm through dealing with them, and would like to save you the problems you will inevitably encounter if you order from them. 

AntOnline.com - They have twice shipped the wrong product and refused to issue a refund.  Good thing I paid with Visa and the bank came to the rescue!

Comp USA - Buy from them only when they have the best price and can PROVE they have it in stock.  This company has forgotten the simple basics of customer service. 

Home Depot - Few chains have been able to display such a consistently poor level of service.  Employees, when you can find them, actually avoid eye contact with customers, prefer talking to each other over talking to customers, and set a new standard for lack of helpfulness ("It's not my department").  When the level of service is this consistently bad, one has to blame leadership.  Instead, do business with your local Ace Hardware, which is probably run by REAL PEOPLE who can ACTUALLY HELP YOU - and their prices are good, too.  

Infiniti - Our sales and service experiences with Pinnacle Infiniti/Nissan, and with Infiniti of Scottsdale, were consistently expensive, annoying, and aggravating.  The behavior of both sales and service representatives crossed over into the unethical.  Thanks to them, the day we sold our Infiniti was one of the happiest days of our lives.

Juniper Bank, owned by Barclays.  This bank offers a MasterCard that earns frequent flier miles on US Air, but their systems and customer service set new standards for incompetence.  Four months after closing my account, and after countless e-mails, phone calls, and letters, and after at least six promises that I would receive no more correspondence, they still send me "payment due" e-mail notices every month.  Stay away!!! 

SynLawn - We love their products, but this company is apparently owned and operated by lawyers.  The contract to install 400 square feet of synthetic turf at our house was eight pages long, and the contract is all about the company never being liable for anything, and making the customer liable for everything.