reviews Archives

I’m Back

I’m back online and ready to start sharing stories again. What an adventure this was. I’m still playing the password game. I also found out what happened to my old computer. It wasn’t a virus. It was Windows 10. Somehow the upgrade that I kept refusing managed to slip past me. Once it hit my old computer it was the begining of the end. I watched my old faithful electronic friend die a slow death. I lost files and apps and eventually the on/off functionality. It was a frustrating and “painful” process.

My New Computer

I settled on a Dell computer this time. It has the same memory as my old one. I purchased it at Best Buy in Mansfield but they only had the floor model in stock. They found another one in stock for me at a Best Buy store in North Attleboro. I went to North Attleboro on that Saturday to pick it up but found out that I had to take it across the store to the Geek Squad section. It hadn’t been set up yet. I haven’t set up a new computer in years and when I did the new one at work last month I had the IT guy right there to handle all the data transfer. My work computer came from our home office with all of the apps installed. I am so spoiled. Anyway I figured I’d have Geek Squad do the same thing for me.

Geek Squad

Years ago I used Geek Squad to set up my computer. I had them come to my home and hook it up too. I hated the job they did and stayed away from them after that but I really didn’t want to deal with the set up this time. I’d set it up at home but with my sick computer holding photos and data I really didn’t want to mess with it. I left my new computer with a copy of a quicken application and the security software and headed home. It took 2 days and I got a call the computer was ready. Now I disconnected the old one and headed back. If I’d understood the process I’d have given them the old computer the first time but I was still using it (or trying). In another 2 days the data transfer was done from my old computer.

Its finally home

When I finally picked up the new computer I made an appointment so there was no waiting. The Geek Squad associate set up my computer right there in the store and showed me what was done. We went through all the data transfer so I could confirm it was correct and all there. In all my dealings with them they were professional and respectful. It was an amazingly good experience. Well done Geek Squad! Now I just have to finish downloading the remaining applications and I’ll be back in business.

This post is for my sister. She is always interested in the places I stay. I mean literally. She wants the scoop on any motels, hotels or time share condos I visit on my travels.

This time I was in a Ramada Inn that I found on Hotels.com. I had looked into using the time share but it would have cost me almost as many points for 3 nights as it would if I was staying for a week so I chose to rent a hotel instead.

The deal I got was $56.25/ night. That was pretty inexpensive . Of course Florida doesn’t have an income tax (or so I’m told) so they make it up in other ways. There was a charge of $62.58 for “Tax recovery and service fees.” Still even with the fees it was less than $80.00/ night.

At that rate I was a little concerned about the hotel and I did pass through a rather sleazy area on my way but by the time I reached the Ramada the area seemed fine. This one is located at 5100 North State Rd 7, Fort Lauderdale. I had a non smoking room with one King Bed. It could use a desk but other than that it was quite a nice room.

I was impressed with the hotel.

One of the best things was washer and dryers on the 2nd and 4th floors. I was on the 2nd floor and they were right down the hall from my room. They were coin operated and change and supplies were available at the front desk.

They had everything there…a heated pool, basketball courts, tennis courts and a restaurant on premises that served breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also had a beauty shop, gift shop, game room and gym. Wi-fi was free throughout the hotel.

Although I used Golden Corral for meals quite a bit over my stay I did enjoy a couple of meals at the restaurant. It was buffet style and the food was only so-so but it was convenient and the price was quite reasonable.

The Wi-fi turned out to be slow and spotty. Clearly it wasn’t sufficient to support the number of users during the week. Sunday night was different. The hotel emptied out and voila…I was surfing again.

All in all, this was a very nice place for the price. One cautionary note. There was a “Welcome Center” off the lobby and restaurant. The ATM was located here and a rack of brochures. The back part was divided into cubicles. When I woke up the first morning there was a paper under my door inviting me to the Welcome Center to pick up local maps and coupons for discounts. Sounds nice doesn’t it. Well it wasn’t. The Welcome Center is just an euphemism for a sales pitch. Similar to a Time Share presentation the representative tried to book me for an appointment to hear about a “Vacation Club”. Another time another trip and I might have said yes but on this trip I just wasn’t interested. That didn’t sit well with the booking rep. I made the mistake of telling him my plans when we first sat down. Now he made fun of them and told me how I was wasting my time. When I asked him where the maps were the invitation promised he practically threw them at me. At that point I stood up, thanked him for his time and left. But on my way out I stopped at the front desk and lodged a complaint. That made me feel better.

No way would I let the rough start to the day put a damper on my spirits. The sun was shining. I just knew the rest of the day was going to be awesome.