Being a Trusted Business on the Trusted Saskatoon Directory of Excellence comes with a lot of responsibility - no other directory, advertising medium, or 'watchdog organization' puts businesses through the process we do before we promote and endorse them.
The Trusted Saskatoon businesses become partners with a contract, and they become part of a Trusted community. In a community, we all have our parts to play to ensure that the directory maintains it's high standards and level of integrity. To ensure that our partners are upholding these guarantees on a daily basis we have a MYSTERY SHOPPER PROGRAM, where normal everyday people mystery shop our Trusted SaskatoonPartners.
We then ask our mystery shoppers to fill out a report to tell us about the experience and share them here in our Saskatoon Trusted tip library.
Name of Shopper: Kim K
MYSTERY SHOP CHECKLIST
1. How was the greeting/ welcome/ call answered? Friendly staff member
2. If retail: Appearance of the store/staff and showroom? Great showroom, clean and I had no idea they did lighting!
3. Product/industry knowledge of staff? Very helpful – they directed me to the product that I asked for.
4. If a quote is required is the quote well laid out/ clear? No quote required – they got me pricing and I bought the item there and then from them.
5. Did they ask where you found them? No
6. Overall experience 1-10. I never give 10s- but they get a 9
7. Would you return as a customer/ recommend them to close friends? Yes- definitely – I was happy.
8. Did anyone stand out as exceptional? If so who? Why – Everyone was helpful.
If you made a purchase/booked a job how was the process?
If you did become a customer please refer to the Trusted Guarantees and give an overall mark on each if applicable
TRUSTED GUARANTEES
1. Provide the service and quality promised. - 10
2. Complete the job on time. – 10 – it was in stock!
3. Charge the price quoted with NO surprises- 10 - as priced
4. Communicate honestly and be responsive to customer needs- 10
5. Resolve any issues with customer satisfaction in mind – 10 – no issues with service or product
Please share any other comments relating to your experience with the company.
"I had never been to Kitchen & Classics before finding them on
TrustedSaskatoon.com– I was impressed with the selection, the store and the price of my item (a toilet). The staff were helpful and the quality of the product for the price is great! I will go back in the future and would recommend others to go there – thumbs up from me!
" - Kim
GREAT job goes out to the bathroom team at Kitchen & Bath Classics! They have reaffirmed that they are deserving of the THUMBS UP from
www.trustedsaskatoon.com!
If you need to upgrade your kitchen or bathroom and are looking for a company with excellent customer service and knowledge, check out Kitchen & Bath Classics Trusted Saskatoon listing for more information - they are Trusted Saskatoon Bathroom Experts!
The Trusted Saskatoon Team is excited to announce our latest Trusted Saskatoon Partner. MR Promotions & Apparel are Trusted Saskatoon promotions and apparel experts!
MR Promotions & Apparel
"Our business is promoting yours!"
Owner Kelsey Hufnagel has owned MR Promotions & Apparel since April 2017. When the Trusted Saskatoon team sat down with Kelsey and heard what the name stood for and learnt more about her business we knew that she was authentic, genuine and definitely had high business etiquette with customer service at the forefront!
Did you know it's actually MR Promotions & Apparel not Mr. Promotions & Apparel? This was part of the great conversation that we had with Kelsey had when we first sat down together. She shed the reason behind the name.
"MR Promotions & Apparel or MR Promo as most people like to call us, is a heart and mind name combined. I needed something that would not only stand out, but careful not to be too trendy and I wanted a name that would withstand the test of time. I love MR Promo and what better way to include the initials of my children in the title. I have a daughter Maycyn who is 16 and a son Robbie who is 17. We have been through many challenges and lived bare cupboards for so long that I needed to do this for them. They have gone through a lot and that is why MR Promo name truly is a family name. Adding Promotions and Apparel is important because the advertising speciality industry is all about including apparel with promotional items. I wanted a name that would stand out and be recognizable. A name people could TRUST! MR Promo was unavailable as a business name so we designed it as part of the logo. Everyone still calls us MR. Promo and we knew that would happen and we love it! When people find out that MR actually stands for my kids names they are blown away and we all share in a good chuckle and laugh about it. It is a great way for me to connect with my clients. " - Kelsey Hufnagel (Owner MR Promotions & Apparel)
Everyone knows that authenticity is everything to us at Trusted Saskatoon and we definitely know that Kelsey and her team are the real deal after chatting with some of her clients! We shared some on the MR Promo listing here - and here are some more comments from other clients.
"Kelsey is fantastic, outgoing and knows what she is doing. We had a great experience with her. We are currently going through the purchasing pages on MR Promo right now and she's been absolutely fantastic. We give her a 10/10 and would definitely recommend her," - Angie Sandin (Willowpoint Financial)
"Kelsey is currently working with us for our re-branding and we have a short timeline. She has been working directly with us to get things embroidered and quoted a very fair price. She is great at communicating deadlines and there have been no surprises. She is on top of everything, very professional, very good at knowing what we want and honest about all the products! She has our recommendation!" - Courtney Tuck (SureGrowth Technologies)
We asked Kelsey what her favourite success story has been so far and this is what she had to say:
"Honestly, I was asked by a significant role model in the Promo industry from the United States to be on his radio program. I didn't think I could do it, but it was an hour long and only felt like 5 minutes. To be recognized in the U.S. where the promotional industry is gigantic was a big deal for me. It has given me more credibility in the in the industry. It has also connected me to so many people that I needed and wanted to to help grow my business. My most exciting request so far was from the Regina Food Bank to quote 5000 shirts! It's very exciting!"
We are proud to have Kelsey and her business MR Promotions & Apparel on our directory of excellence. She passed our verification process with flying colours and you will love her personality, promptness and all the great products she offers!
J & S Picture Frame Warehouse believe that your pictures deserve the best! Locally owned and operated, they constantly strive to bring their customers the best materials, advice and workmanship for all of your framing needs.
J & S Picture Frame Warehouse simply offers the best selection of materials to preserve your treasures, keepsakes and works of art in Saskatoon. Quality is paramount at J & S - all work is completed with superb craftsmanship, expert advice and friendly service. Nationally acclaimed local artists trust J & S with their original artworks...why trust your memories to anyone else?
J & S Picture Frame Warehouse are Trusted Saskatoon Picture Framer Experts.
J & S Picture Frame Warehouse Saskatoon Celebrates 40 Years in Business!
It’s been 40 long, exciting, and change-filled years since J&S opened their doors in 1978. For four decades, J&S Picture Frame Warehouse has been offering premium picture framing services to the people of Saskatoon out of their Jessop Avenue Store, in the Sutherland neighbourhood. As part of celebrating this extraordinary milestone, we decided to sit down with the current Owner and Operator of J&S , Sherry Morris and learn more about her story.
There and Back Again
Sherry was born and raised in the Yorkton, SK area. She is the daughter of a farmer and rancher, and one of six siblings. Growing up, Sherry was always into art, and when an opportunity to apprentice with a picture framer in Toronto presented itself, she jumped at it. Sherry apprenticed under a man named Tino Tamburi – a Turkish-Italian immigrant who owned 8 stores in Toronto. Under Tino’s instruction, Sherry learned the art of selecting, preparing, and assembling materials into beautiful, high-quality frames.
Sherry ended up liking the profession. She brought her skills back home and started J&S Picture framing with her Husband Jack, and her brother Sam. While the “J&S” initialism referred to the owner’s names, in the early days they affectionately ascribed the meaning “Juggle & Struggle” to their business name. Despite the early challenges, the team persevered and established themselves as a trusted business.
When sitting down with Sherry she described herself as a “big-big family person”. You get a sense of the aptness of this description the moment you walk into the shop. The warm and welcoming staff combined with the beautifully framed local artwork makes it a very pleasant place to walk through and enjoy. Among the local artwork are pictures of Sherry on her various adventures through the world – Kenya, Egypt, China – and a healthy share of space devoted to pictures of Kane, Sherry’s beloved pooch. For good measure, the artwork of the extremely talented J&S staff members hangs among the other displays. This scene reflects-back perfectly on the kind of shop J&S is – a local business that treats their talented staff like family and strives to make everyone who walks in the door feel like part of that same family.
Check out this slideshow walking us through the 40 years of J&S history!
Congrats on 40 Years of Great Service – Here’s To Many More!
On behalf of the entire Trusted Saskatoon Community, we want to say an enormous CONGRATULATIONS on 40 years in business - what an accomplishment! We’re proud to promote you as Trusted Saskatoon Picture Framing Experts, and thank you for being an amazing Trusted Saskatoon Partner since the very beginning!
At PickNic's Catering and Fine Foods, they understand you need more from your caterer than culinary expertise; you need peace of mind that someone you TRUST will take care of every detail. That’s why they have been serving more than just excellent food to Saskatoon and area for 15 years— they are here to serve you. From stress-free planning services to a sounding board for all of your catering ideas, everything they provide will make your event unforgettable and uniquely yours!
PIckNic's Catering & Fine Food is a TRUSTED SASKATOON CATERER.
Nicola Lawson, Owner & Manager of PickNic’s Catering Saskatoon, began her culinary training at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, in Edmonton, and completed the required schooling to begin her three-year apprenticeship as a commercial baker. Upon graduation from the program, she began her career in the food industry working at a variety of establishments all across Canada.Nicola has managed and worked at a variety of food and beverage establishments throughout the world. Her travels have taken her to the Yukon, where she managed the pastry shop of a hotel, to the cultural mecca of Capetown, South Africa, managing an in-store grocery bakery and then on to sunny Bermuda, where she took time from her busy sun-bathing schedule to run a classy resort’s pastry department. She returned to Canada to find her extended family had since moved from Alberta and settled in Saskatoon. So, a short hiatus in the Bridge City turned into a winter job contract commitment and not after too long she was smitten with the city! She and her 2 beautiful children have been living here happily ever since!
To be in business for 15 years with the ups and downs of the economy is not easy but Nicola and her team have been very successful. A huge part of this is their passion, quality, service and commitment to being the best caterer in Saskatoon.
Nicola Lawson is recognized as a leader in the Saskatoon business community. She is a driving force and founding member of the 33rd Street Business Improvement District in which her business is located. She is an active member of the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon Women’s Network.
She is actively involved in her own community as a member of the Meadowgreen Community Association.
In addition, she has been nominated for several business awards including:
- Saskatoon chamber of Commerce SABEX Awards,
- YWCA Women of Distinction Award as well,
- 2007 Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Member of The Year recipient.
- PickNic’s Catering has also been voted, numerous times, as Saskatoon’s Best Caterer in Planet S magazine.
Trusted Saskatoon owner, Sara made a speech at the 15-year celebrations and presented Nicola with a gift on behalf of the Trusted Saskatoon team. She also presented Nicola and the PickNic's team with the 5year Trusted Saskatoon Award - We are proud to support Nicola and her team, who by the way, have not had a single complaint in over 5 years!!
Contact Nicola and her amazing team and see what sets them apart!
The Trusted Saskatoon Directory team is proud to support many different community initiatives including this event that two of our Trusted Saskatoon Partners supported! Ricky Iula, Decora Homes Ltd. and Kari Calder, Century 21 Fusion both participated in the Celebrity Bartending Challenge on April 11th at Congress Beer House in Saskatoon in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Local Bartending Challenge in Support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Saskatoon
On April 11th at Congress Beer House in Saskatoon Ricky Iula and Kari Calder showcased their bartending skills and sold their signature cocktail to raise money for this great cause! It was a wonderful evening raising awareness of the importance of positive mentors and supporting youth in our community.
Ricky Iula from Decora Homes Ltd. stepped up in a HUGE for Big Brothers Big Sisters and raised $21,825 earning him the top fundraiser award and bragging rights! Ricky set a goal and exceeded it by reaching out to his amazing team, suppliers, family and friends for support! Ricky puts a 110% into everything he does including the stunning custom homes they build for their clients.
Kari Calder, Trusted Saskatoon Realtor showed off her bartending skills at the Local Bartending Challenge and earned herself the best cocktail award for her Dirty Flamingo! She also raised money for STARS ambulance with every flamingo cup sold and donated hundreds of dollars to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon! Kari is a multi-award winning realtor and she truly cares about the Saskatoon community!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon and Area's mission is "Every Child in Canada Who Needs a Mentor, Has a Mentor." This year alone Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon will change lives for more than 600 children and youth in Saskatoon helping to support them to be more confident, feel secure and become leaders. Many children and youth in Canada struggle with societal barriers and face adversities in their lives. This organization is there to support them by providing positive mentors and experiences. Thank you both for your contributions at the event to support this great organization!
Whether you are looking at custom building or buying/selling these two amazing Trusted Saskatoon Partners have you covered! See client testimonials and more by clicking links below!