Gold Coast Shopping & Services

• Cycling - I cycle regularly for exercise when getting from A to B instead of taking the car or motorbike. My bicycle needs regular maintenance and I have been a customer of Australia Cycle World for some years now. Graham, the owner, and Will, have always given great service and the store has a fantastic range of bikes, parts and accessories. There are some interesting older bicycles on display too. You can find Australia Cycle World at 85 Ashmore Road, Bundall, Qld. (07) 5592 2204.

• Veterinarian - Gold Coast Vet Surgery - "Where pets are family" http://www.goldcoastvet.com.au/ This Vet practice is run by Kevin and Fiona Cruickshank who are both qualified Veterinarians. I have got to know Kevin particularly well. Over the years, both here and in the UK, I have come across many vets and this experience, coupled with my professional cross disciplinary people evaluation skills, means that I do not comment lightly - Kevin is an outstanding Vet, both in terms of professional skills and in the way he cares for his animal patients and their "owners". His integrity is beyond question.

The other thing I like about Gold Coast Vet Surgery is that I never get the feeling I am being "over serviced" and advised to have unnecessary services, tests or products. I have on many occasions felt & suspected this at some other vets, especially the multiple practice chain type. Interestingly, I have subsequently had a very reliable source from within the Veterinary industry (one of my professional hats is that of Private Investigator) advise me that over servicing is common, especially in "chains". There can be pressure placed on the employed Vets to increase revenue. Not all chains will be like this of course, however due to the dynamics of such businesses the temptation will always be there.

The thing which concerns me most of all about over servicing by Vets is simply that it may mean that the owner cannot afford essential care in the future for their pet because of all the unnecessary cash they have outlaid previously. How is that good for the animals?

• Shop Fitting & Renovations
  Healing Construction & Maintenance Pty Ltd - Keith Healing and his company are often chosen by designers for top quality shop fitting projects - check out their web site for some stunning images of their work: http://www.healingcm.com The company also carries out high quality renovations.

• Accommodation - Paradise Towers Apartments  Situated right in the heart of Central Surfers Paradise, Paradise Towers Apartments are located in Paradise Towers offering Three Star Quality Apartments at extremely affordable rates . Being so centrally located, you quickly discover that all is within a minute's walking distance. Each one of the 33 Apartments are tastefully decorated, and depending on the aspect boasts splendid views of either the ocean, beach or scenic hinterland and mountain surrounds. All facilties such as Post Office, Super Market, 24 Hour Medical Centre, Transit Centre and over 200 cafe's, restaurants,and speciality stores are all located within the immediate environment. Paradise Towers Apartments are Family Owned with friendly staff to attend to all your needs. Three Star Rating, all Apartments are Self Contained. Laundry facilities are available throughout Complex, Outdoor Swimming Pool located on First Floor. Full security Complex and parking.

Peter Nissen, who manages Paradise Towers Apartments, is an extremely pleasant, friendly, caring, discreet and helpful man whom I have known for some years. Over the years I have stayed at  a variety of hotels, including five star, however at most of those have felt that I was a "number" or statistic on someone's career path as I was "processed", paying an exorbitant fee for the "privilege". Coupled with some inside knowledge* of the behind the scenes practices of some of these "top hotels" I now have a policy of staying at more personable, smaller family run establishments which genuinely care about their customers. (*I am an experienced, street wise Private Investigator).