The UPS Store on HWY 64W

January 15th, 2010

This little store surprises me almost every time I go in. The employees at first glance look like the employees of any random retail store. I first expected the middle aged woman to be gruff and short with me and for the seeming teenage workers to act like, well, teenagers. My first impression couldn’t have been farther from the truth.

This UPS Store handles shipping and every thing that could possibly be related to shipping. They sell envelopes, pens, postage stamps, even the occasional toy or high-tech gadget to include in your package. They offer notary and fax services. They do copies in all varieties of inks and paper colors, including banners the size of a refrigerator. They have boxes and bubble wrap. They’ll even box items up and attach the label for you. A lazy man would be very happy shipping from this location.

I was introduced to this multi-function store when I needed to make about one hundred two-sided color copies. I had traveled around Tyler to the most obvious places –Kinko’s, Office Depot and Office Max only to realize that they were charging way more than I expected for simple color photocopies. My next idea was to purchase a thirty-five dollar color printer at Wal-Mart, which after paper, ink cartridge and a connector cable was well over sixty dollars. I got this home and printed out twenty copies at high quality. It ran out of ink faster than I had ever imagined, and the copies looked subpar. Needless to say I was disappointed.

On my next visit to Wal-Mart I saw a sign advertising cheap color copies at the UPS Store. I didn’t even know that shipping businesses made copies at the time. I went in and got amazing prints, amazing service and all for an incredibly discounted price. The copies were about a fourth of the cost of Kinko’s. The price was very nice, but the reason I kept going back and still do today was because the service was so impressive. As I said earlier, my first impression was very wrong.

The employees of the UPS Store treated me like they were happy I was there. They smiled, asked how they could help, helped above and beyond what was necessary and maintained a very healthy level of small talk. The cool thing is that it was not just Christmas or something like that. Somehow the manager has found a way to maintain a standard of this treatment with all of their employees. In most of my frequented stores I brace myself when I walk in and wince when I see certain cashiers. This is never the case with the UPS Store on Highway 64. It also seems that they have a small enough client base to remember me. It’s not quite like the television show Cheers, but it is close. They just haven’t memorized my name.

The other thing that so impresses me with this store is their shipping service. I suppose that should be the first thing one notices with a shipping business, and that is probably the case with most people. The employees always try to find the cheapest solution for me. They weigh the item and wince with me when it will cost an unexpected amount. They even offer to ship via the US Postal Service. It is at a slightly higher rate than going into the post office, but the convenience is more than worth the extra pocket change.

My most recent discovery is that if wanted they will save your information in their computer database. I walked in this Christmas with an unlabeled box. I told them my name. They verified some basic details to make sure it was me and then asked who I was shipping to. I started to tell them the name of the addressee and they finished my sentence and told me the address they had saved. I let out a stunted laugh and told them it was correct. Then they printed the label and charged me an arm and a leg to ship a box during the Christmas season. I didn’t mind. I left with a smile and told my wife about the good experience.

I must offer one last bit of praise for this business. They are the only place I have found on this side of Tyler that sells individual, large, red, permanent markers. I need these every year before Christmas and can never find them. Most years I end up paying five to ten dollars for a multi-color pack and then fill my drawers with blue and green markers that I will never use. I am not sure why they even sell the red ones, but I am so grateful for this discovery. If you are in need of a large red marker go to the UPS Store on Highway 64 near Wal-Mart. There is even a Papa Murphy’s next door so you can bring home dinner.

3872 STATE HWY 64 WEST
TYLER, TX 75704
STATE HWY 64 W @ LOOP 323 IN THE WALMART PLAZA
Phone: (903)526-3232
Fax: (903)526-3434
Email: store5437@theupsstore.com

Tags: Amazing Service, Cheap Color Copies, Color Photocopies, Connector Cable, Fax Services, Fedex Kinkos, First Glance, First Impression, Kinko, Kinkos, Lazy Man, Middle Aged Woman, Occasional Toy, Office Depot, Office Max, Paper Colors, Postage Stamps, Shipping Businesses, The UPS Store, Tyler TX Mailing Store, Tyler TX Shipping Store, UPS, Ups Shipping, UPS Store, wal-mart
Posted in Shipping | No Comments »

Tyler Ross Store

January 13th, 2010

Tyler Ross is located on Rice Road in a small shopping area by what used to be Linens and Things. Ross is also near Starbucks, Murphy’s Jewelry, Jason’s Deli and the Marble Slab ice cream shop. I am sure that many of you have been to Ross or have heard of Ross by now.

Ross is a great place because they have nice clothes at good prices and usually the clothes that are there are brought in from other department stores. You often get to find name brand stuff at 50 to 70 percent off. Who wouldn’t like that? Ross has a variety of stuff that they offer from a good selection of purses, shoes, and also things for your bedroom like bed sheets and comforters, towels, and of course clothes.

Picture frames and stuff for your kitchen are also available at surprisingly cheap prices. They have a selection for your man also from clothes, under garments, ties, shoes and other stuff your man might enjoy. They have a pretty good selection for movies and some music CD’s. They also have a pretty good selection of clothes and shoes for your baby and your teens.

I always enjoy going shopping to Ross because you never know exactly what you might find. They have a small collection of watches that are all brand name. I bet Ross has something to offer for anyone in need of something and definitely if you are looking for clothes. Ross has almost all of their things priced much cheaper than other stores. I think Ross’s prices are as competitive as Wal Mart prices. Yes I said it. I think Ross might have a better selection of clothes than Wal Mart as well. You don’t have to choose between the two because I go and shop at both places. I don’t feel guilty at all by shopping at both places and neither should you. Ross is a great place to go shopping for your needs and wants.

Tags: Bed Sheets, Brand Name, Clothes, Department Stores, Garments, Going Shopping, Linens And Things, Marble Slab Ice Cream, Music Cd, Picture Frames, Purses, Rice Road, Ross Store, Ross Store Tyler TX, Shoes, Shopping Area, Starbucks, Ties, Towels, Tyler Ross, Tyler TX Ross, wal-mart, Watches
Posted in Shopping Centers | No Comments »

Tyler Dollar Tree

January 13th, 2010

Tyler Dollar Tree is located on Hwy 64 right across from the Wal Mart shopping center. I love Dollar Tree because everything in there is a dollar. Yes that is what I said a dollar. So there have been many times when I only had about $5 – $10 dollars to my name and went in there and walked out feeling rich because I found a lot of the things I needed just for a buck. They have a variety of stuff anywhere from children’s toys, books, housewares, body care stuff, food and many other things.

The exciting part is that everything is just a dollar and of course the things you find in there are not fancy but practical. The quality is good enough that sometimes people don’t even know that you got it at the dollar store. At the beginning of a school year lots of people don’t have much money to spend on their children. You can go there and find the school supplies that your children needs to get their school year started right. Your children won’t have to feel left out because all the other kids have what they need.

Just the other day I went in there and bought mechanical pencils and erasers for school that I needed for myself. Another time I had a school project and needed some things for it that I did not have to be able to finish the project that I had for school. I walked in the Dollar Tree and walked out with the things that I needed and it only cost me around $5 dollars.

When you are broke you can’t beat that price. There are a lot of other dollar stores in Tyler, Texas. One is located close by where the post office is and another one on Broadway going towards the mall on the other side of the street. All of these stores have different things to offer. Some have better quality than others. I know that some dollar stores have a section that costs more for some of the items that they offer but for the most part everything it is just a dollar and only certain sections cost around $5 dollars.

The Dollar Store that is located by the post office is larger than the one on 64 and they have a better variety of stuff because it is larger than Dollar Tree located on 64. They have stuff for you to work on scrap booking if you are into that kind of stuff which I am. Also I know that most of the stuff you need to buy to have a nice scrap book costs way more than a dollar per item. The Dollar Store is a nice place for you to go get the things you need to start working on your scrap booking or if you have already started working on it and you need to put the finishing touches on it.

The Dollar Store probably has almost whatever you need and you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for it. This particular Dollar Store also has nice children’s books, nice picture frames, beautiful greeting cards and all kinds of other neat stuff. The only things is that these are the items that cost a little more because they are better quality than some of the other stuff and this Christmas I even dropped in and made some last minute Christmas shopping. But it will be our little secret.

For real I loved what I bought there and you could not tell it was from the Dollar Store. Besides I have heard it said that its the thought that counts. Right? So if you are on a tight budget like me, then just drop in and let loose because it won’t matter anyways because it’s all just a dollar!

Tags: Broadway, Different Things, Dollar Store, Dollar Store in Tyler, Dollar Stores, Dollar Tree, Dollar Tree in Tyler, Housewares, Lot, Love, Mart Shopping Center, Mechanical Pencils, Much Money, Pencils And Erasers, Post Office, School Supplies, School Year, The Dollar Store, Toys Books, Tyler Texas, Wal Mart Shopping Center, wal-mart
Posted in Shopping Centers | No Comments »

Walmarts in Tyler

January 12th, 2010

While I’m not sure Tyler warrants them, we now have three Wal-Mart Supercenters in town. The idea of one stop discount shopping is a fine idea. I’m a firm believer in free enterprise capitalism. So if I’m critical of the store it’s not about politics. It is about the quality of the product and care given by the employees to address customer needs as well as maintain the store.

The South Broadway and the Troup locations are pretty nice stores. Although they are not the Wal-Mart’s I usually shop, I find that they are orderly and the employees are generally fairly knowledgeable. I have heard the retail giant often poked fun at for its greeters. Not unlike walking into church there is usually someone there to welcome and if necessary point the customer in the direction of what he or she is looking for. This is not something I require in a department store but it is nice. The employees at these locals are mostly neat in appearance, and reflect positively on their perspective stores.

This is not my impression of the highway 64 location. Upon entering the store the customer is “greeted” by an employee who stands and listlessly stares in the direction those entering the building. The store’s appearance is another problem. It is generally disorganized, and what is more, the employees usually know very little about the products they sell. On more than one occasion, I’ve had workers tell me they were unable to find what I was looking for and simply leave me to search the aisle on my own. And then there are the customers themselves… I guess I’ve just never experienced the joy that loitering in a department store can bring.

As a rule, I like Wal-Mart’s low prices and their community involvement. The company is a good company, but some of the local outlets need some serious quality control. In comparison with other companies like Target who’s stores are always neat and the employees are always attractive, Wal-Mart has its work cut out for it. For those who have a choice of Supercenters I would shy away from the 64 location. Better yet, try shopping on line at www.walmart.com.

Tags: Aisle, Appearance, Capitalism, Community Involvement, Department Store, Firm Believer, Free Enterprise, Good Company, Greeters, Locals, Perspective, Quality Control, Retail Giant, South Broadway, Stares, target, Tyler Texas Walmart, wal-mart, Wal-Mart Supercenters, Walmarts, Warrants
Posted in Shopping Centers | No Comments »

Confused Rudeness

January 10th, 2010

I have written a before of my distaste of the rude Wal-Mart shoppers at the Wal-Mart stores in Tyler. Now I am talking from a whole different view.

The other day I went to Wal-Mart in Lindale by myself, which is very odd because I usually am balancing two screaming children and trying to get groceries at the same time. I decided to do the most annoying thing that Wal-Mart shoppers do, I stood in the middle of the aisle and looked on my phone. I tried out different places in the store to see if I got different reactions. Since this mission was during the extremely busy holiday season, I stood between the canned yams and the canned French-cut green beans. I pulled out my phone and leaned over the cart. Soon enough a little old lady stood staring at the canned goods. She tried not to look at me and just stood there waiting for almost a minute, not saying anything to me. She tried to act like she could not decide what sweet potatoes to use to put in her candy yams. I began to feel bad, so I moved on.

My next stop was the diaper aisle. My victims were the young moms. Being placed in this category, myself, I embraced for the worse. As I stood there blocking the infant diapers, half looking at the products and half looking at my phone. As I expected it wasn’t long before a young mom walked up to me with a small child sitting in the back of the cart surrounded by groceries. She had no patience a quickly snapped at me with “um, excuse me”. This was about the reaction I would give, and have given.

Wanting to get each variety of each Wal-Mart shopper, I headed to the electronic section. I stood in front of the new release DVDs and Blu-ray discs. I had to wait a while before someone actually came and looked at the movies. My cart was blocking most of the movies on the self. As a middle aged man walked up her just asked if this was my cart, I nodded “yes” and he slowly moved it out of his way to reach for what he wanted. I felt like this reaction was appropriate, I wasn’t moving and I wasn’t moving or touching my cart.

My last stop of this experiment was the toy section. This was the section I looked the most forward, because of the crowded and insane holiday shopping. I stood in the middle of the “pink aisle” in front of the beloved holiday Barbie, and the Disney princesses. This time I did the most famous of shopping moves, I talked way too loud on the phone that everyone could hear my conversation. No one said anything to me, even though I am obviously in their way. I don’t know if it was the fact that I was on the phone and people didn’t want to interrupt my obnoxious conversation, or if it was that they were in to much of a hurry. People reached around me, I was getting hit in the back with a purse, and my car was being pushed around, and people were reaching over my cart or reaching under it. So it was as if people were being rude, pushing my cart out of the way, while trying not to be rude and interrupt my phone call.

My last act of rudeness to blend into the mold of the typical shopper, was talking on my phone and walk extremely slow down the middle of the store. People sighed in frustration loud enough for me to hear and people quickly speed-walked right past me, shooting me a bad look over their shoulder. The world of the rude shopper is very intense. The Wal-Mart shopper must be fearless, and heartless, and most importantly, oblivious to the people around you.

Through my experience of rude shopping, I realize how hard the art of rudeness is. I also realize how often rudeness is repaid with rudeness.

Tags: Annoying Thing, Blu Ray Discs, Busy Holiday, Candy Yams, Canned Goods, Canned Yams, Different Places, Distaste, Electronic Section, Green Beans, Groceries, Holiday Season, Infant Diapers, Little Old Lady, Middle Aged Man, New Release Dvds, Rudeness, Sweet Potatoes, Tyler Wal-Mart, Tyler Walmart, Wal Mart Stores, wal-mart, wal-mart Tyler Texas
Posted in Shopping Centers | No Comments »

Recent Posts

The UPS Store on HWY 64W

Tyler Ross Store

Tyler Dollar Tree

Walmarts in Tyler

Confused Rudeness