308 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

So 11 of the 78 stores are mobile phone places.

Since settling into iPhones well over a decade ago, I think I’ve only visited a mobile phone place once or twice.

[Mike K.]

It sounds like there may have been a serious incident at the mall. Sounds like someone fell from an upper floor to a lower floor. Not good.

[Mike P.]

So 11 of the 78 stores are mobile phone places.

Since settling into iPhones well over a decade ago, I think I’ve only visited a mobile phone place once or twice.

Telus/koodo had a mobile kiosk going up the first set of escalators from the main entrance with a sign "welcome to canada, start your newcomer journey with telus". Do they really need 4 locations at the bay centre?

And perdon me but i would never recommend telus/koodo to anyone, not even my worse enemy... Well maybe.

Edited by Mike P., 17 January 2025 - 12:20 PM.

[Mike P.]

Telus/koodo had a mobile kiosk going up the first set of escalators from the main entrance with a sign "welcome to canada, start your newcomer journey with telus".

"Welcome to Canada, we'll charge you exorbitant prices and if you need to call customer service, we'll connect you with our agents which are conveniently located in your home country that we exploit by paying $1/day, that's after waiting 24-48hrs for our callback after you text us. Telus how you feel"

Edited by Mike P., 17 January 2025 - 01:07 PM.

[lanforod]

Its no different than Bell or Rogers.

[Mike P.]

Its no different than Bell or Rogers.

All of Rogers employees are in Canada, but it's true, the big 3 all charge an arm and a leg for mediocre service:

In 2020, we proudly became the only national mobile provider with 100% Canadian-based call centres, and now, together with Shaw, we'll continue to provide customer care from our knowledgeable teams based in communities throughout Canada. This is just one of the many ways we are investing in Canada.Jul 1, 2023

[Mike K.]

Do the Rogers/Etc call centre folks also work from home? My last call to account services sounded like the fellow was working from his kitchen.

[lanforod]

Probably a lot of it being replaced by AI.

[LJ]

I think all the call centres are home based now. In the US I usually get some woman based in Georgia or Alabama that I can't understand either.

[Victoria Watcher]

Hudson's Bay says it has laid off 41 staff as it revamps the retailer's structure.

 

Charla Parkinson, a spokesperson for the department store chain, confirmed the staffing cut in an email but did not answer questions about what roles or cities laid off staff were in.

 

https://www.msn.com/...nds/ar-AA1xnJWa

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 January 2025 - 03:10 AM.

[Mike K.]

HBC plans to begin liquidating its business as early as this week.

 

It's unclear what the future for its stores is, including the three stores on Vancouver Island (2x Victoria, 1x Nanaimo).

[FogPub]

Wonder how much longer it'll be called the Bay Centre?

[Matt R.]

I think some folks called it the Eaton Centre long after Eaton’s had left.

[Barrister]

Maybe the Walmart center. The older I get the more things seem to turn into crap.

[m3m]

Maybe the Walmart center. The older I get the more things seem to turn into crap.

That’s capitalism for ya!

[Mike K.]

That’s capitalism for ya!

 

That's capitalism working hard to give consumers what they want.

 

You have lots of choice that doesn't involve Walmart.

 

Victoria's economy seems to reward Walmart more than The Bay.

[Victoria Watcher]

It is what it is.  

[Blair M.]

Walmart has abundant quality issues, and the Bay has extremely limited selection in its ever diminishing inventory. 

I don't use either.

 

Certainly a far cry from my parents, who seemed to get everything they needed - from family photos, power tools, furniture, clothing, jewelry, etc from Sears!

 

It would seem that the era of the department store is diminishing severely, unless you're looking for the absolute cheapest item you can find in any given category, which seems quite solidly Walmarts ongoing forte.

[Victoria Watcher]

Like I say, it is what it is.

 

I have extremally fond memories of shopping Sears, with my family then as an adult.  And K-Mart and Zellers.

 

Same Eatons, the Bay.

 

Same when Canadian Tire came to town.

 

It's a different world today.  

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 March 2025 - 12:47 PM.

[Mike K.]

We've never had more choice across the spectrum of price points, if that's what you mean by it being a different world.

 

You can buy a cheap TV at Walmart, or a high quality, top-of-the-line TV at Atlas Audio. You can also buy a mid-tier TV at London Drugs. There are lots of TVs to choose from at Costco, from cheap to very expensive.

 

It's never been better. People just don't like to pay $3,500 for a TV when Walmart sells a model for $399.