This was the original Seminole Heights blog with commentary about life in and around the urban neighborhood of Seminole Heights in Tampa, Florida. Musings about other topics as my mood permits. The blog is essentially inactive since I moved to Lutz. Go to The Official Unofficial Seminole Heights Blog - www.seminoleheightsblog.com for active content.
Wifey poo here. I was down right ANGRY with our (SH) pizza businesses last night. Customer service is all but lost in this country today. I would have liked to smack that little brat on the phone at Cappy's. Imagine a whiny voice "Can't you just search for it on My Space...I don't knowwwwww. Ya know, we've got all the usual stuff, you don't need a menu, can't you just order?" I've never had Cappy's pizza and was looking forward to trying it. I never will now and Stephanno's, forget it, it seems like their never open. It's a shame too, I've had their pizza (at a freinds house) and it was good. It was delivered 1 1/2 later and cold but it was good. Are we alone in this???? Is it just us who falls victim to the endless rudeness? Are we (Mal Carne and I) marked for assertive sales people and cashiers?
We went out the neighborhood last night to a chain and we experienced a sea of problems as well.
Sometimes regardless of what you do you’re doomed for a bad experience. Yesterday must have been one of those days as everyone around me was complaining about the endless stream of annoyances that kept arising.
Occasionally you just have to surrender and go to plan B.
Customer service has become a thing of the past. Years ago (many) in business, it was all about service, product and price (in that order). Over time it has changed to price, product and service (again, in that order). Perhaps if people get angry enough, service will once again become a priorty with a majority of businesses. As far as pizza goes, I have resigned myself to driving for it, and while not the best pizza I have ever had, I like ABC the best of the nearby choices.
Customer service has become a thing of the past. Years ago (many) in business, it was all about service, product and price (in that order). Over time it has changed to price, product and service (again, in that order). Perhaps if people get angry enough, service will once again become a priorty with a majority of businesses. As far as pizza goes, I have resigned myself to driving for it, and while not the best pizza I have ever had, I like ABC the best of the nearby choices.
I agree that Ybor PIzza is the best by far ( I wouldn't know about Cappy's...and I never will), and I'll have to dig though every desk draw in my house to find my checkbook, but GOOD TO KNOW!!! I forgot about those little things called checks. How primitive!!! A paper voucher that may be used for purchases??? he he Ya know, I am one of those people that if you give me attitude, then you better be prepared to get it back, but when it comes to people working, I try to give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they have had a bad day, a long day, a personal struggle, but I think I have had it. I would never tell a manager about a bad employee, but I feel I have reached my limit. That's why the employees keep doing it, because no one tells them it is wrong. They GET AWAY with it!!! Stand up people! Don't take it anymore! When that little old lady at Publix gives you the stag eye, SPIT ON HER!!! Smack her around a bit! Tell her "Silence Wench!!!" ......ewwww. I feel a little better.
In 20 years in the restaurant business, I learned two keys to keeping customers happy and coming back. At the risk of pontificating, I'll share them. They apply in almost all business cases. Treat your customers with common courtesy. You don't have to go over the top, just treat them decently and they'll be pretty happy. Why is it that the "common" part isn't all that common anymore? Be consistent. The first and last customers of the day should get exactly the same type of experience that the customers get during peak hours. Both pretty simple, really.
Well, I also spent about 15 years in F& B and I will add to you two very true statements. Actually it expands on the be consistent thing.If you have operating hours, be there. Don't care if no one there, be there. Because people come and you are not open when your sign says you should be,,,,,,,they don't come back.
And give a value. Not saying has to be cheap. But what ever you charge you should receive that value in return. You never want your customer leaving thinking, what a jip!
Wifey poo here. I was down right ANGRY with our (SH) pizza businesses last night. Customer service is all but lost in this country today. I would have liked to smack that little brat on the phone at Cappy's. Imagine a whiny voice "Can't you just search for it on My Space...I don't knowwwwww. Ya know, we've got all the usual stuff, you don't need a menu, can't you just order?" I've never had Cappy's pizza and was looking forward to trying it. I never will now and Stephanno's, forget it, it seems like their never open. It's a shame too, I've had their pizza (at a freinds house) and it was good. It was delivered 1 1/2 later and cold but it was good.
ReplyDeleteAre we alone in this???? Is it just us who falls victim to the endless rudeness? Are we (Mal Carne and I) marked for assertive sales people and cashiers?
We went out the neighborhood last night to a chain and we experienced a sea of problems as well.
ReplyDeleteSometimes regardless of what you do you’re doomed for a bad experience. Yesterday must have been one of those days as everyone around me was complaining about the endless stream of annoyances that kept arising.
Occasionally you just have to surrender and go to plan B.
Customer service has become a thing of the past. Years ago (many) in business, it was all about service, product and price (in that order). Over time it has changed to price, product and service (again, in that order). Perhaps if people get angry enough, service will once again become a priorty with a majority of businesses. As far as pizza goes, I have resigned myself to driving for it, and while not the best pizza I have ever had, I like ABC the best of the nearby choices.
ReplyDeleteCustomer service has become a thing of the past. Years ago (many) in business, it was all about service, product and price (in that order). Over time it has changed to price, product and service (again, in that order). Perhaps if people get angry enough, service will once again become a priorty with a majority of businesses. As far as pizza goes, I have resigned myself to driving for it, and while not the best pizza I have ever had, I like ABC the best of the nearby choices.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Ybor PIzza is the best by far ( I wouldn't know about Cappy's...and I never will), and I'll have to dig though every desk draw in my house to find my checkbook, but GOOD TO KNOW!!! I forgot about those little things called checks. How primitive!!! A paper voucher that may be used for purchases??? he he
ReplyDeleteYa know, I am one of those people that if you give me attitude, then you better be prepared to get it back, but when it comes to people working, I try to give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they have had a bad day, a long day, a personal struggle, but I think I have had it. I would never tell a manager about a bad employee, but I feel I have reached my limit. That's why the employees keep doing it, because no one tells them it is wrong. They GET AWAY with it!!! Stand up people! Don't take it anymore! When that little old lady at Publix gives you the stag eye, SPIT ON HER!!! Smack her around a bit! Tell her "Silence Wench!!!"
......ewwww. I feel a little better.
Michelle, you're right. Letting the manager or owner know of a rude employee is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteAs a business owner, I appreciate knowing if there's a customer service or an attitude problem with my employee(s). Otherwise I'd never know.
In 20 years in the restaurant business, I learned two keys to keeping customers happy and coming back. At the risk of pontificating, I'll share them. They apply in almost all business cases.
ReplyDeleteTreat your customers with common courtesy. You don't have to go over the top, just treat them decently and they'll be pretty happy. Why is it that the "common" part isn't all that common anymore?
Be consistent. The first and last customers of the day should get exactly the same type of experience that the customers get during peak hours.
Both pretty simple, really.
Well, I also spent about 15 years in F& B and I will add to you two very true statements. Actually it expands on the be consistent thing.If you have operating hours, be there. Don't care if no one there, be there. Because people come and you are not open when your sign says you should be,,,,,,,they don't come back.
ReplyDeleteAnd give a value. Not saying has to be cheap. But what ever you charge you should receive that value in return. You never want your customer leaving thinking, what a jip!