I’m in Flint, Michigan today. It’s humid, it’s stormy, and I could very easily pawn something for a new tattoo if I wanted. (Hey - some even offer corporate discounts.)

On my flight in, I watched ‘V for Vendetta’ on my laptop. This is the most phenomenal movie I have seen in a very long time. Given the state of our country today, everyone needs to watch it. It gives you a glimpse of where it all could go - and it’s not for the better.

It’s not over the top and it’s not predictable. I won’t spoil any of the movie - but don’t be turned off by the previews or by the fact that it’s based on a graphic novel. It’s out on DVD August 1. Watch this movie!

Target. Fun, shiny inexpensive stylish things. Dyson vacuums. Archer Farms cookies. Target is one of my most favorite places to go. You can always find something new and it’s an all-around pleasant shopping experience. Image my shock and dismay when I found out that my local shopping mecca was closing. Yes, closing for 3 entire months while they finish the new SuperTarget and tear the old Target down. I know - the thought of getting a SuperTarget is almost too exciting for me to think about right now, but it doesn’t change the fact that I am without my shopping place for THREE MONTHS.

This got me to thinking that there ought to be some type of government oversight in place to prevent this from happening. Imagine if the city built a new water treatment plant and told the citizens to not use their water for 3 months while they finish it and tear the old one down. There would be rioting in the streets! A city can’t do that! It can’t take away the town’s most precious resource! This is how I feel about my Target. Although it’s unlikely that they will have to call in the National Guard or anything, it will bring about some different behavior in me and other Target groupies. Either we’re going to have to travel to the nearest Target - which means we won’t be going and buying as often, or we’re going to have to buy our stuff somewhere else. Like Wal-Mart. (shudder).

If Target was considered a public utility, it would have to stay open during construction. Even if it’s in makeshift tents, the people deserve an uninterrupted supply of fun, shiny inexpensive stylish things.

We’ve all heard car buying horror stories and I’m sure you have a few of your own. Sadly, I decide I need a different car every 45 minutes. I also hate buying cars. I also need to mention that I was raised in the car business. It supported my dad growing up and it supported me. They were honest, hard working people and treated people with respect. Seriously. With all that personal baggage aside - what the hell is wrong with car dealers?
The car buying experience is not a good one. I can’t even say that it’s broken, because I don’t know that it ever worked. Sometimes it’s the salesperson who doesn’t know the product he’s selling, but acts like he does, sometimes it’s the high pressure ‘what’s it going to take to get you to buy this car today’, sometimes it’s the complete apathy, it’s always the insultingly low trade in value and it’s always unpleasant. What other industry can get away with this kind of behavior and customer dissatisfaction on a regular basis? Why do we tolerate it?
Oh yeah - if you want a car - you have to go to a dealer.

Here are a few recommendations to make the experience slightly better than going to the dentist:

1) Understand that this is a serious purchase. It’s not a new pair of pants. It’s $300/mo. until the end of time. If I’m not happy with my car - I’m not going to be happy with you for selling it to me. You can give me the facts and give me time to figure it out.

2) Interior design, anyone? Make the dealerships pleasant to be in. There are colors other than white. Salespeople need offices, not cubicles. Yummy snacks are good. Make me feel warm and fuzzy. Give the dealership a personality, a vibe of its own.

3) Be timely - If you have a website, update it! If you have email, read it and respond (preferably not in ALL CAPS and a month after it was sent). Follow up with me before and after the sale.