I was told by Mari that she needed to hear the story of my recent trip to a world wide fast food restaurant, which I won't name, but the Arch in St. Louis reminds me of it (hint, hint), so I thought I would blog the story.
It started on a cloudy Thursday morning this past week. My wonderful son was scheduled to have his braces taken off, so I told him we would celebrate with a chocolate shake at said restaurant.
We drove up the the drive through, and ordered 1 large iced coffee, and 1 small chocolate shake. I got the the window and handed the girl my debit card. She ran the card, then opened the window and apologized for not telling me that their shake machine is not working. "Would I like another coffee drink instead or any of other drink". "No" I said, "it is for a 13 year old boy, and all your other drinks are $1.00 and I spent almost $2.50 on the shake, please credit my card, and while your at it, just take the iced coffee off as well, and we will travel down the street to another said restaurant of the same name".
I then received a strange look as the window closed. My son at this point is looking out the window away from me. I think he was embarrassed for the people, he couldn't have been embarrassed because of me right? I mean I was in the right, right? So while I am asking my son "Why aren't you looking at me? This isn't my issue, it's theirs!" 3 other people join said girl. A man approaches the window it opens and he says "Mame I am sorry for the inconvenience, if you would like to order a frappe you can have one of those". Again I told him the drink was for a 13 year old. How about just giving me a gift certificate for the amount and we will be good". He hands me a card good for an extra value meal. I told him "I don't want an extra value meal, I want my card credited".
He then gave in and credited my card for the shake. Not the shake and the iced coffee as I asked but the shake. He told me I could pick up my iced coffee at the next window. Like Franky from The Middle on ABC, I just didn't see the point in fighting anymore, so off to get my iced coffee I went (after retaining the refund receipt of course). When I reached the window, the girl had a bag and cup of brewed coffee for me. I told her I didn't order that but an iced coffee. She said "They told me you didn't want the iced coffee". I told her "Well since I paid for it I want it now".
As I pulled away on my way to the other fast food restaurant across the street that is fit for a King, I asked my boy if he thought I was wrong in expecting good customer service. He agreed with me quickly (I don't think he was afraid). I had him call his father though and he told his dad "Mom had a hissy fit at @c**n%#*s. I said "I did not have a hissy fit. I felt I was very controlled, but firm."
We reach the other restaurant. I pull up to the drive through, ask if they have chocolate shakes, ask if their shake machine is working, and finally get my son the shake he ssssoooooo wanted! He said it was the best he ever tasted! GOOD ANSWER!
6 comments:
That's pretty crummy service! Why don't they understand that if you treat people that way, they won't want to come back. (And they will tell their friends!) And - although they couldn't help the broken machine, they should know how to handle the repercussions of not being able to provide something on their menu!
I think you handled it just fine. I would have been pretty ticked if it happened to me too. I guess we just aren't as wonderful as Patti! :)
I totally agree with you. I would have done the same thing.
I find the older I get the more I'm willing to say something if it's not right.
Don't know if that's good or bad but I feel like- if you're going to do your job then do it right!
Chuckling... and what a surprise to click over here and find a post! Yay!
I guess communication is a challenge for people at that unnamed restaurant.
(I tried their caramel frappe yesterday, and it was pretty good!)
After Mari's comment I really want to know what Patti said.
I would have done the same thing and I am shocked that they wouldn't just refund the entire order. That was lousy customer service.
I don't really know what I would have done. They should have told you about the broken shake thing when you ordered one not after they had it figured in the price.
But on the other hand, a broken machine isn't anyones fault so I would probably just have felt sorry for the person and made adjustments. Hard call.
Sometime it is the manner of how we ask or demand that makes the difference. I'm not saying you were not kind, but you know what I mean. Life is not always easy for anyone!
This story cracks me up Kim!!! I love the way you explain it. Good for you for sticking to your guns with what needed to be done.
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