Not good service at local cafe?

[krisandkev]

I know, this is not camper trailer related, but.   
Maybe I am getting a bit sensitive as I get older.    The other day my wife and I went to a local cafe for lunch. It is the first time we have been to this cafe but have heard good reports.  The cafe was moderately busy with a large group towards the back and a very nice vacant table near the open front.  The table was for 4, but at that time it only had 3 chairs.  My wife went to the counter and placed our order and paid.  The girl then politely asked us to move tables as that table is for 4 and seeing as it is just the 2 of us please sit at a 2 person table.  The only such table free was up against a wall, beside a large group.  We should have just got our money back and left, but we were in a state of shock.  The coffee and food were very good, but it just left us with a bad feeling.
I sent an email to the cafe with my complaint and the owner replied very quickly and said that it is his policy. He said they get very busy and we have to seat people at appropriate table spaces.  Part of his reply was, ‘Maybe when your next visiting our or another cafe, if there is only 2 of you, you may consider choosing an appropriate size table, I am sure that where ever you go they will appreciate your thoughtfulness.’
We do consider ourselves very thoughtful people, that is why we try and support local businesses. While I can understand where he is coming from, I thought most businesses would put more value on customer service and making you feel welcomed and important.  I doubt we will be back to that store.  And I hate to think what visitors to our town would think if this happened to them.  And it is different to a restaurant where you book a table etc, this is a cafe!
I know, get over it, if that is the worst thing that happens etc etc.  But what do you guys think. 
Kevin

[dazzler]

The girl then politely asked us to move tables as that table is for 4 and seeing as it is just the 2 of us please sit at a 2 person table.  The only such table free was up against a wall, beside a large group.  We should have just got our money back and left, but we were in a state of shock.  The coffee and food were very good, but it just left us with a bad feeling.

I love ya kev but I think you must have had a bad day.

She asked politely, you agreed, end of story.

You could have declined politely.   

[HKB Electronics]

Hi Kevin,

I'm with you, if you had entered the cafe to find all the two seat tables in use I'm
sure they would have been happy to sit you at a four seat table to get your trade.

If they didn't provide the service to seat you then there bad luck, what happened
to the customer is always right?

Their main issue would have been if the table was set four they have to
reset four places andthis causes them more work, bad luck for them.

[fuji]

Hi Kevin,

I'm with you, if you had entered the cafe to find all the two seat tables in use I'm
sure they would have been happy to sit you at a four seat table to get your trade.

If they didn't provide the service to seat you then there bad luck, what happened
to the customer is always right?

Their main problem issue would have been if the table was set four four they have
reset and causes them more work, bad luck for them.

That is absolute crapola. How dare they suggest you move. I would have asked for my money back and tell all your friends and boycott the place.
Wayne

[Kit_e_kat9]

I guess "since it's store policy" you could do what ever the hell you liked being that you are the reason he's still in business.  If it was store policy that you spent $50+ ... do you really have to ... No Way.  He might ask his staff to follow this "policy" but you are a customer and it's his responsibility (being an owner operator) to ensure YOUR (precious customer) time in his establishment is enjoyable. 

I'd have told the staff member ... NO!  I'll sit where I like and I like there (pointing).  If they still insist ... get them to move the table over for you ...    (I'm such a Biarch!  )

Kit_e

[ozbogwam]

Of course it's fine for them to ask you politely to move. It's a business that relies on bums on seats so having 2 people sitting at a table for 4 is silly. Don't see what the problem is or where the poor service is

[Paul (SA)]

If they don't greet you and show you to a table and don't offer table service then I reckon you are in your right mind to sit wherever you like. If they are that precious about where you sit then provide decent maitre d service.

Often when dining as a couple you get the small table cramped in the corner or near the toilet door and the better tables are for groups of four or more.

[Sixtys Guy]

She asked politely, you agreed, end of story.

You could have declined politely.   

I agree. Maybe the reply from the business owner could have been slightly better, but to be frank the compaint seems kind of trivial, especially seeing as though it wasn't bought to attention at the time.

[Jeepers Creepers]

I love ya kev but I think you must have had a bad day.

She asked politely, you agreed, end of story.

You could have declined politely.   

Gotta agree here, you were asked the question and you accepted the idea to move.

But hey, look on the bright side, if this turns out to be your biggest issue in life, ya doing pretty good. lol 

[jwb]

I love ya kev but I think you must have had a bad day.

She asked politely, you agreed, end of story.

You could have declined politely.   

you also could have said you were expecting another person
:-)

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Tapatalk 2

[achjimmy]

Iam paying I wanna sit where I want, I would never sit at a 6 person table etc but a 4 setting especially with one chair gone is reasonable for two. I would have walked. It's there right to have that policy and my right to refuse to accept, no issue.

[dazzler]

I think Newman sums this up at the end .....

http://youtu.be/kEpLncBG_Nw
	Small | Large

 

[Mrs smith]

You walk into the cafe again, yourselves and another couple and are looking for a suitable
table for 4 and the only suitable table is taken by a couple. Wondering what your
thoughts of the couple, cafe or management would be then ?
Have you stopped to think how uncomfortable making the request is for the employee.
Sometimes it's easy to feel hard done by unsatisfied but it looks different from the other side
too.
MHO
Bigger bridge's to cross in this sort life an this one.
 

[krisandkev]

Thanks guys, all good responses.  I guess it was one of those weeks.  My wife had lunch with friends at another cafe a few days before and she was very disappointed with the food and the cost.  After that we were saying how people generally do not say anything when asked.  The food and or service may be bad, but when an employee comes up and asks how things were, we usually just smile and say great thanks.   That is why I contacted the cafe on this occasion; I thought I should tell them what I think.  Now I have gotten over it and have moved on. 

 It must have also been the month for it as I also sent an email to our local state member after I was pi**ed off with her over a local hospital staff cutting matter.  That also was a first for me.  I know it will not do any good, but I felt better.   And you never know.  One day a politician might actually take notice of what people say.  One day. 
Kevin

P.S.  While I am at it, I think I will send a complaint to Lotto.  I still have not won first division.   

[krisandkev]

Wow, here I am hacking Kevs website.  Didn't realize he was so pissed off with being asked to shift seats.  The waitress was lovely and polite when she asked us to move, though I admit I was a little taken back.  We were then squished against a wall, and against a big group , while our original table remained vacant.
  Hmmmmm.....maybe he has too much time on his hands with retirement.  Me on the other hand am looking forward to a 12hr night shift in emergency, after a 12 hr last night, and a double (16hrs) the night before (due to sick leave).  I only have drunks, verbal abuse, aggressive impatient people (not sick enough to be there), fecal and urinary incontinence ( not mine) as well as the usual anxiety of 'what may happen next, and can we cope with it'  to look forward to.

Like Kev said himself, time to move on.

Kris (Kevs' very appreciative and loving wife- he is a great house husband:)

[Squalo]

I've learned to say something the moment I feel aggrieved about something when dining (regardless of whether it's a cafe or a restaurant). Put it forward politely and explain why you're unhappy, and usually you get an entirely satisfactory outcome.

What annoys me lately is when I decide to eat in for brekkie, and order toast with vegemite (for example), and the toast comes out unbuttered with little bowls of butter and vegemite... I thought I was paying someone to do that for me? So now I ask that question before I order - do I have to pay you and make it myself, or will you do that?

[Kit_e_kat9]

the toast comes out unbuttered with little bowls of butter and vegemite

Oh Squalo ... everyone knows that vegemite is a learned taste ... some people like a lot (you and me I guess) and some people like to wave the jar over the toast.  I'll bet you like your toast with a toasty colour on it as well and not just walked through a warm room to make the outside hard!

 

Coming from a "food service" background, you tend to find that SOME people are very specific with their requirements when it comes to "how" things get done.  I'd suggest that the DIY approach keeps those particular ones happy.

Kit_e

P.S.  I find those little "convenience" containers they give you never actually contain enough product for one slice ... let alone two!!!