Downtown Vancouver Updates

[Locked In]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Here's a stupid one: my girlfriend was purchasing a few Olympic souvenirs at the Bay (downtown Vancouver). There is a separate cashier you have to use, and they only take Visa or cash. At least 2 people were frustrated, shook their heads, and walked away leaving things at the counter.

Off topic, but only cash as in bills and coins only? Or does the 2010 store take debit?

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

yah - you can't buy olympic tickets with nothing but visa or cash either

is it signed well at the bay? they should at least inform customers of that before they get to the counter - do they also refuse HBC cards?

Yes they do. They are eligible for HBC points though. Poorly signed so far, and frankly, poor marketing. They are giving up sales, although I guess Visa doesn't care...

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Locked In

Off topic, but only cash as in bills and coins only? Or does the 2010 store take debit?

I'm not sure. I can't imagine people walking away if they took debit, unless they are that broke.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by jsbertram

Quel Suprise?

Visa and The Bay are official Oly sponsors.
You can ONLY use Visa at all the Oly sites & related venues, and it explains why there isn't an Oly trinkets store inside Sears.
... and why the Visa Oly banners are plastered only on The Bay, and not Pacific Centre.

I've seen other places selling 2010 stuff though. Obviously not to the extent of the Bay, but they sell mascot toys, keychains, etc. And take any form of payment.

[djh]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

All they need to do is replace their awnings and HB building is a gem!

It really is our flagship department store, not the ugly mess of Sears.

YES! Does nobody at HBC see this! Gorgeous gorgeous building! Now sort out those terriible, ugly, light-reducing awnings and put glass ones in so the pavement below them is bright and people can look up at the great restoration you've done!!! Is this not obvious?!

[Delirium]

i was SO disappointed to see that the only thing they are doing with the awning is re-painting it that ugly beige...

[johnjimbc]

While I agree a modern glass covering would be nice, don't underestimate the improvement from new paint and cleaned up / replaced lighting underneath (or just making sure light bulbs work and are replaced when they burn out ).

It will make a big difference. I thought I noticed they were painting the other day so hope the other report here is confirmation that they really are.

At the risk of making too many comparisons , when I first moved to DC they were recovering from many years of financial neglect. One of the things that had been "skipped over for lack of funds" was taking care of the grand circles where one of the roadways actually passed under the circle through tunnels. The railings, benches, and lighting around the park and along the streches between the varying road levels looked crappy - lights burned out or just gone, paint peeling, weeds growing wherever they could get a foothold, benches missing or broken. Even when the streets and sidewalks leading up to them were nice, the circles were depressing instead of expansive and uplifting.

As the city finances recovered, they started work on the circles one by one. When they began the work on the one nearest my condo - one of the first they tackled - I was SO disappointed that they didn't change anything. They just cleaned up what was there, replaced / repaired the lights and benches, got rid of the weeds, and then started scaping and repainting the railings the SAME dull green colour.

But when it was done, it was fine - more than fine. It managed to still look historic, and the older colour actually fit because it was understated and didn't attract attention to itself. What you noticed instead was the circle and the details on the lighting, etc. That colour and style had clearly been chosen so it would have a presence yet be subtle.

So I think painting the HBC awning and just cleaning it up so it doesn't detract anymore would be fine. It is one of the better awnings to walk under. Even in disrepair, it doesn't leak like some of the new modern ones do. It doesn't have little gaps. I think the main issue is it's ugly and draws attention to itself now. If it were clean and painted and the lights worked, I wouldn't even think about it (which is what's intended). It doesn't have to be some "tricked out" display in itself. It just needs to look nice and "disappear" as a presence in itself .

[nova9]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Yes they do. They are eligible for HBC points though. Poorly signed so far, and frankly, poor marketing. They are giving up sales, although I guess Visa doesn't care...

I don't agree but because the olympic section is quite separated in looks and design as well by barriers at certain points. There are already 4 dedicated POS including the 7 wicket one in the middle of the section. They're kinda hard to miss. So in terms of customers becoming frustrated by having to pay in another section - i will blame it on the customer.

In terms of Visa exclusivity, whatever, I'm just glad they don't have AMEX exclusivity, hah.

I just generally have a more skeptical view and intolerance of customers after working retail in my previous life.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by nova9

I don't agree but because the olympic section is quite separated in looks and design as well by barriers at certain points. There are already 4 dedicated POS including the 7 wicket one in the middle of the section. They're kinda hard to miss. So in terms of customers becoming frustrated by having to pay in another section - i will blame it on the customer.

In terms of Visa exclusivity, whatever, I'm just glad they don't have AMEX exclusivity, hah.

I just generally have a more skeptical view and intolerance of customers after working retail in my previous life.

I agree that customers (ie: the general public) are idiots. But that's the reason you have to treat them like idiots to do well in business. Assume they have some intelligence, and you'll just lose money.

You don't have to agree with me, but my gf did see people who wanted to purchase Olympic merchandise simply walk away at the till.

[raggedy13]

I remember I checked out the Bay the day the Olympic superstore opened and I bought lunch at the Happiness (Coca Cola) Cafe inside. They also only took Visa or cash which I found annoying at the time since I always pay with debit and didn't have any cash on me. Luckily I had my Visa but I don't especially like to use it for small purchases.

[Yume-sama]

And I bet you that darn Happiness Cafe won't even sell you a Pepsi!

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Here's a stupid one: my girlfriend was purchasing a few Olympic souvenirs at the Bay (downtown Vancouver). There is a separate cashier you have to use, and they only take Visa or cash. At least 2 people were frustrated, shook their heads, and walked away leaving things at the counter.

Not surprised. The Olympics are a business, nothing more.

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Not surprised. The Olympics are a business, nothing more.

"Sponsorship" would be a better term. It gives VANOC more than a billion dollars, covering costs that would otherwise have been payed by taxpayers.

[johnjimbc]

Thanks, Mr X.

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by mr.x

"Sponsorship" would be a better term. It gives VANOC more than a billion dollars, covering costs that would otherwise have been payed by taxpayers.

This is what the anti-olympic people don't understand.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by Denscity

This is what the anti-olympic people don't understand.

I'd venture to say they understand a lot of things, but, are so firmly rooted in their opposition... they don't care.

People have their beliefs, and no matter the facts or truth, you can't change their beliefs.

These people have invested YEARS in to being "anti-Olympic" (wonder what they'll do in March?), just as others have... well, I don't want to say invested time in (it takes more energy to be against )... but... are "pro-Olympic"

[WarrenC12]

^^^^^ Agree 100%.

Originally Posted by Denscity

This is what the anti-olympic people don't understand.

That's just one thing on a long list of things they don't understand.

[officedweller]

FYI - the tents at the Plaza of Nations are the rehearsal facilities for the opening and closing ceremonies. You can hear them practising already at nighttime.

[Locked In]

Alto, on Howe Street:












(my photos, taken today)

Getting closer to the envisioned finished product:



Source: 6717000.com

[officedweller]

Thanks.
Interesting that the dark spandrel panels were nixed in favour of lighter coloured ones.