Of course, this low level of service is not limited to the youth of today.
About a month ago (while travelling out West), I encountered one of the rudest service employees ever. She was an older woman (middle-aged, probably in her 50s) at a regional chain. (One of those combo places that have multiple restaurants/menus under one roof, with one counter/ordering point.)
Anyway, they were in the middle of lunch rush. You placed your order, and it would (eventually) be brought out to you. However, the young man who was running orders seemed to be having some difficulties, so an older woman took over.
Unfortunately, the cashier who took my order didn't note a request I made, so when my order was delivered, it was missing an item. The older woman was a little exasperated/frustrated and walked off to get the missing item. However, when she came back with it, she brought the wrong thing. When I made her aware of it, she copped an attitude with me, saying something to the effect of "I'm doing the best that I can" in a snotty tone.
I called her on it, and she got even more defensive, telling me that I was the one who had been rude with her. She left, returned with the missing (correct) item, slammed it on the table, and walked off in a huff.
Hmmm. Time to talk to the manager.
I walked up to the counter to ask for the manager, but guess who was the only person up there? (Yep, you're right.) Since I didn't feel like getting into another confrontation with her, I decided to let my fingers do the walking, and called the number on the receipt. Well, guess who answered the phone? (Yep, right again.) So I sweetly asked to speak to the manager, and guess what -- SHE'S the manager.
Well, I gave her a piece of my mind. However, I should have known that this was one of those no-win situations. To make matters worse, she made a rude comment to me, digging her hole even deeper.
Her choice of victim was not in her favor, since I have spent several years doing quality assurance and customer service checks for the hospitality industry.
I ended up contacting the corporate offices for both chains. I got apologies, and an invitation to return. (Much good that does me, 1000+ miles away.)
Not like I'd step foot in that particular location again.
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When a business pays minimum wage, which in most communities is not a living wage, what can you really expect? As the old cliche goes "You get what you pay for". When a business pays their manager about 8.50 to 9.00 an hour, what do you really expect? Yes, the corporate office may have played nice with you, but the money they save having low quality staff is more then they lose by you being dissatisfied. As you implied in your Rant, you won't be going back to THAT location, but corporate knows you'll be back. Just to another location. The money keeps flowing in regardless, and if they lose one customer over it, they saved a lot more then that by keeping workers at wages that don't sustain them.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWhat has happened to you?
How is life treating you?
Miss you and our sparring :)
I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON! I see you have not blogged here either since. I did not know of any other way to try and contact you.
Hello, old friend!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you, too! Please extend my greetings to all my old pals!
Has it really been this long since we've talked??? Oh my goodness!!! I miss our sparring, as well. ;)
I was just thinking about this blog the other day, wondering if I should post anything (and what) or if I should just close it. I mainly use Facebook to keep in touch with family and friends, but I don't visit there as often as I used to.
As for what's happening with me, not much. Work and general foolishness (sometimes inter-related). I've had some health issues that will eventually need to be addressed via surgery, but they haven't reached that point yet.
How about you? How have you been? What have you been up to?