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there's a coffee shop I sometimes go to but they're crap. their coffee is crap, the shop is dirty and they insist on microwaving every food item unless you jump across the counter and wrestle it out of their hands. they have no idea why anyone WOULDN'T want a croissant that's been nuked for a minute and turned into a hot soggy mush. bastards. they're the only cafe near the station I have to use.
unfortunately I'm always in a seething rage when it happens, so I'm never in control enough to politely suggest they don't microwave anything and invest in a bottle of Windex. that's a bad outcome for both of us: they dot get the insight into what (some of?) their customers might be thinking and I don't get what I'd like. they don't get as much money as they could out of me and I end up skipping breakfast when I have to go to that station.
so do any of you bother telling local businesses when they're crap? (obviously there is no point when they are a massive MegaCorp because the guy behind the counter can't change anything). or do you sit and seethe?
(obviously the idea of me growing up and controlling my temper is not an option).
leave a note on the table when you leave? Slip one under the door?
I dont think posting a turd will help tbh andy
😆
Have a word with them, if you want to be known as the grumpy customer who everybody hates, and whose coffee everyone gobs in. Otherwise do the sensible thing and don't bother going there anymore.
They are unlikely to change their business model just to suit one customer.
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BTW I reckon 'MegaCorp' can be very responsive to customer complaints. Obviously not necessarily with regards to the guy behind the counter but if you complain to customer services/head office.
They won't change. They don't need to change. As you said, they're the only cafe near the station.
Off topic, but you've just reminded me...what happened to chap who started his own cafe a couple of years ago?
Yep, I have absolutely no bother in pointing out flaws or shortcomings when I have to spend my meagre wages (£7/hr) in a commercial setting, to the point that I have refused to pay for meals when out as they were **** disgusting or obviously reheated in a microwave or suchlike, some establishments welcome criticism or advice as long as you give it with due concern for the shortcomings rather than going on a rant but then again some establishments take incredible offence when you point out the obvious.
I have refused to pay for meals when out as they were **** disgusting
But did you intend returning ?
I don't think konabunny refusing to pay for his crap coffee and soggy croissant is likely to result in what he wants to achieve. It will more than likely just result in them refusing to serve him again.
What you are describing seems to be a fundamental lack of empathy with their customers, rather than a lack of feedback. Somebody that obviously values customers so little is unlikely to listen to your feedback anyway IMO.
I just wouldn't go there any more.
Back in August I refused to pay in a cafe in my very small town in Galloway that relies on the summer tourist trade for the majority of its business, I thought I was doing them a favour pointing out the obvious, I asked for a toasted panini with mozzarella, pesto/salad and roasted veg @£6.95 (rip-off prices) , I got a microwaved panini with cheddar and raw peppers and a brown heart from an iceberg lettuce, I told them it was not acceptable but they took the huff so I walked out without paying so **** them, places like that deserve to go out of business imho
BTW I reckon 'MegaCorp' can be very responsive to customer complaints. Obviously not necessarily with regards to the guy behind the counter but if you complain to customer services/head office.
Completely the opposite IMO. I had course to complain about my local Subway regarding their practices, and the response I got was along the lines of "sorry sir, all our restaurants are franchises, and we cannot be held responsible for any of the practices that go on in any of them." In other words, completely washing their hands of it.
You can bet your life that if I'd written in to thank them, they would bang on about the brand and its values and take all the credits, and completely gloss over the fact that each restaurant is a franchise!
I dont think posting a turd will help tbh andy
they'd only microwave it, anyway
yeah, Subway are franchises (as are Burger Kings I think?) head office just provide them with branded napkins.
Re: Megacorps. I complained about Starbucks once, I got a call from the regional manager the next day and 50 quids worth of vouchers. He also offered to have the branch manager phone me and apologise personally. I wasn't THAT annoyed, the branch in Marlow was just bloody filthy.
On the flip side - I love the embarrassed expressions on people's faces when I tell them what a great job they did - apart from tipping, which is the usual experession of appreciation in the US, I just told my waiter what great service he gave - not pushy and fake but that he made me feel welcome and made the meal a pleasure and I swear he was lost for words.
Just hope there is something in this karma lark.
they'd only microwave it, anyway
To be fair that would be the correct procedure. A turd should be steaming hot, not crisp.
Or bowel in the bag.
Gf and I have this debate a lot.
I think it's a waste of time telling business they are rubbish; she believes in letting them know.
My solution is to just go somewhere else instead. Likelihood is that said business if bad doesn't really want to know they're rubbish and will not be constructive about an outcome. Nobody likes having their faults pointed out.
I win most of the time.
I dont complain, I dont get even, I just dont go back. Word gets around fairly quickly anyhow.
Yeah I always point it out. I'll be pointing it out to planet x this week when my order comes. If it comes.
[i]toasted panini with mozzarella, pesto/salad and roasted veg @£6.95 (rip-off prices)[/i]
OK, as it was clearly not what you got, it was a rip off, but on face value that price for that food (given the costs of running a restaurant), doesn't seem that bad to me.
I do complain, British Gas took over an hour (on the phone) to set me up as a customer despite knowing me (existing customer moving) the number and reading of the meter where I was moving to, it was agonisingly tedious and slow designed to suit them rather than their customers. When I pointed out that Thames Water managed it without even needing to talk to me, and even BT had managed to organise themselves in about 15 mins, they gave me a massive £10.00 credit.
gracious. (what I didn't say)
The original post simply supports my theory about British cafés/teashops; 85% of them are crap.
Have breakfast at home. Sort out anger/lack of emotional control issues.
Job done.
Vote with your feet, if you don't like it then don't go. If they have no customers, they will work it out or go under.
I cant see anybody taking criticism well, however well meaning.
Don't go back, allow 10 minutes extra for filling one of these.[img] 
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There's a cute little cafe in my town..
The food there is excellent and everything about the place has been done with love and attention to detail.. The menu is innovative and the management and staff are really passionate and very clued up about good food and good service..
I know this as I am on naked terms with the assistant manager/chef
Yet you look on trip advisor and nestled in amongst the hundreds of glowing comments are one or two really spiteful and malicious reviews..
Clearly the OP has a genuine complaint, but it struck me that some people are just ****s
there's a coffee shop I sometimes go to but they're crap. their coffee is crap, the shop is dirty and they insist on microwaving every food item unless you jump across the counter and wrestle it out of their hands.
What's wrong with this picture? Can you guess?
a bit of constructive criticism whilst letting them know of anything they're doing right at the same time (if anything) would be my approach - also could get you in the good books for extra discount/free upgrades
no point of trying to cut off business. unless its a gold mine location better a shit cafe than no cafe imo
What's wrong with this picture? Can you guess?
No, I think that's why I posted. If I had the self-awareness, I would have fixed it by now.
andyrm - Member
Have breakfast at home. Sort out anger/lack of emotional control issues.Job done.
POSTED 2 HOURS AGO # REPORT-POST
It's one or the other! 😡 ... 😡