The SERVICE Department that Means What it Says

Everything about Fletcher Jones Motorcars is memorable. It is the largest Mercedes dealer in the world. There is no doubt why.

The sales team is outstanding.

The ownership is always interested in our experience.

They survey customers incessantly…and they give us a gift certificate to encourage responses.

They provide free parking and a shuttle service to / from John Wayne Airport. This alone is remarkable. Avoiding the cost and possible damage in the airport parking lot…possibly arranging regular maintenance while we travel…it’s all good.

They provide a free courtesy Mercedes or other car whenever service is required.

The customer lounge is an internet café, with free coffee and several TV’s tuned to different channels. It’s clean, comfortable and welcoming.

Get your nails done while getting an oil change? Of course.

Shoeshine bar? Of course.

Putting green? You bet!

Mercedes gift store? You got it.

Free car wash for life? Yes!

Regular maintenance costs? Always fixed. No misunderstanding or surprises.

Absolutely stellar telephone manners all round. Every time. Without fail.

Cashiers dressed professionally and unfailingly polite.

Today, I had yet another great experience. My low beam bulb burned out. I called FJ Motors for a replacement. Response? Come in. We’ll do it while you wait. Have a coffee if you like.

But, no mention of the cost.

Now I know why.

Cost of the bulb? $12.12.

Total cost including smile, warm welcome, instant service, coffee and a holiday greeting? Uhh…that’d be $12. 12.

Why would I EVER buy a car elsewhere?

HARDminute #13 Largest US Bankruptcies

The HARDminute # 13
A Series of “Top Tens”
That Took Forever to Compile
But Requires Only Sixty Seconds
for You to Read.


TOP TEN
U.S. BANKRUPTCIES


Company/ Date / Pre-bankruptcy Assets $MM

1. Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. 9/15/2008 $691,063
2. Worldcom, Inc. 7/21/2002 $103,914
3. Enron Corp. 12/2/2001 $65,503
4. Conesco, Inc. 12/17/2002 $61,392
5. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. 4/06/2001 $36,152
6. Texaco, Inc. 4/12/1987 $34,940
7. Financial Corp. of America 9/9/1988 $33,864
8. Refco Inc. 10/17/2005 $33,333
9. IndyMac Bancorp, Inc. 7/31/2008 $32,734
10. Global Crossing Ltd. 1/28/2002 $30,185

HARDminute #12 Tallest Structures

The HARDminute # 12

A Series of “Top Tens”

That Took Forever to Compile

But Requires Only Sixty Seconds

for You to Read.


HARDminute #10 listed the ten cities with the highest number of “skyscrapers.”

HARDminute #11 listed the ten tallest “statues.”

In this HARDminute, you’ll see the ten tallest “structures.”

Because the bragging rights for biggest/tallest/best, etc. are always hotly contested, you are probably NOT surprised that there is actually an international body that determines whether a tall structure is a tower, a statue, a building, etc.

This Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the organization that determines the title of the "World’s Tallest Building," recognizes a “building” only if at least fifty percent of its height is made up of floor plates containing habitable floor area. Structures that do not meet this criterion, such as the CN Tower, are defined as "towers."

Due to the disagreements over how to measure height and classify structures, engineers have created various definitions for categories of buildings and other structures. One measure includes the absolute height of a building, another includes only spires and other permanent architectural features, but not antennas. The tradition of including the spire on top of a building and not including the antenna dates back to the rivalry between the Chrysler Building and 40 Wall Street. A modern-day example is that the antenna on top of the Sears Tower are not considered part of its architectural height, while the spires on top of the Petronas towers are counted.


Category Structure City & Country Ht. M’s Ht. Ft.

Skyscraper Burj Dubai Dubai, UAE 707 2320
Guyed mast KTLY-TV mast Blanchard ND USA 628.8 2063
Concrete tower CN Tower Toronto ON Canada 553.3 1815
Skyscraper Sears Tower Chicago IL USA 527.3 1730
Skyscraper Taipei 101 Taipei Taiwan 509.2 1671
Skyscraper World Financial Ctr. Shanghai China 492 1614
Tower BREN Tower Nevada Test Site USA 462 1516
Mast radiator VLF transmitter Lualualei HI USA 458.11 1503
Twin Towers Petronas Kuala Lumpur Malaysia 452 1482
Chimney GRES-2 Power Stn. Ekibastuz Kazakhstan 419.7 1377

Notes
1. Under construction. Actual height is still secret to protect bragging rights and thwart other structures hoping to be taller. This is minimum estimate.
4. To top of antenna
5. To top of spire
6. To top of roof
7. For scientific research
8. Insulated against ground


Please let me know if this is of interest to you.

I welcome your feedback!

HARD