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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Jul 29, 2016 4:11:58 GMT
So I take the girls to Cracker Barrel ( their choice, the love their grilled chicken).
We stand at the hostess station and a CB employee comes up and asks me something I cannot quite understand ( she was mumbling) I saw "we have 3", she states that " she is not the hostess" and walks off, while I'm saying "oh, sorry".
We stand there another 3-4 minutes before a hostess comes up and says "I'll be right with you". She comes back 2-3 minutes later and takes us to our seats, stating that "it's been one of those nights." ( there are others behind us, 3 groups of 2-4 people) we are seated with menus. The restaurant is 1/4 full.
It takes another 20 minutes for a server to come to the take to say, "I'm not your server but I'll get your drinks". I ask if we can give our order, we thought we had been forgotten, and she says sure. I say thank you and She takes our order and walks off.
It takes 10 more minutes before we have beverages delivered by same waitress. We say thank you.
People who came in behind us have drinks and food.
Another 30 minutes goes by and food us brought to table by our "real" server (not who took our order) Both the girls orders were wrong. I calmly state that their orders are wrong, so she puts all the food on the table behind us, pulls the order and says " well this is what you told the other server". I calmly said "no, DD1 ordered this, this, with this" and DD2 ordered "that, that, with that". Two totally different food stuffs. My dinner was correct. So she is clearly pissed and takes all the food from the table behind us and huffs off saying "I'll put it back in to correct it".
She comes out 10 minutes later with the same plate for my dinner (it's luke warm) and scraped off one thing off DD1's plate and puts the right thing there, and nothing for DD2. She states "sorry for the mix up, it's been a night".
She asks DD2 what she's drinking and says she'll bring another drink. She does but it's what DD1 is drinking (DD1 had lemonade, DD2 was drinking tea), she sees her mistake and says she'll get her another. It takes over 15 minutes to bring her another. As a side note, my glass had been empty before my dinner and never refilled at all. DD1 had 4 glasses in front of her, from refills!!!
So, 5-8 minutes later, the manager brings out DD2's food. (He's acting like it was this complicated special order, when in reality it was exactly off the menu.).
Waitress brings check to my side.
We are done, while DD2 is not even 1/2 through her dinner and decides to take the rest home.
I ask for a box. We sit there for more than 15 minutes waiting for a box---I had asked our server when she brought the check. I cannot get anyone's attention to get a box, our waitress is bussing tables on the other side of the restaurant.
I tell DD2 that I'll get her food at home if she's still hungry. I said I was about to carry her plate to the register to ask for a to go box, but DD's were horrified that I would do that!
I get to the register, the cashier is joking with the people in front of me paying and teasing them, and I'm hoping she doesn't do it with me! DD's went to the car.
Cashier compliments my shirt. I say thank you. She asks how it was, I stated calmly that the service was terrible all the way around, and that both the servers and manager knew it. I stated we left DD2's food on the table as we requested a box and 15 minutes later no box. She starts speaking into her apron "Code Red at Cashier, Code Red at Cashier" (lol). She's apologizing. I state that I just want to pay and get out of there, that I don't know what a Code Red means. She states she's calling her manager. Well, manager comes back on her microphone thing asking what she wants, and she again states "Code Red". She hands me my receipt, and says her manager can come out. I stated that he didn't care when we were being served, the servers knew they were messing up and kept messing up and that to trust me when I say that the manger would want to be in front of me now, and I turned and left. I hear her saying "Code Red is going out the door, Code Red is out the door!!" (I figured I was going to be apprehended, lol!!)
I was pissed that they knew they had crappy service, just apologized (yet making errors).
My sister thinks I should still call them tomorrow. Or call corporate. (She's a server at an upscale restaurant.
My girls thought I should not be upset because they said they were having a bad day (apparently everyone who worked there)
Would you have tipped? If so, what? (Bill was $40)
What would you have done?
Would you have expected them to offer a discount or one of DD's meals free?
Should I call?
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Post by secondlife on Jul 29, 2016 4:15:40 GMT
I would call corporate. I've never had service like that at CB (my kid loves the popcorn shrimp so it's our go to place when we pass one).
I would hope for the meal to be comped at that point, or something akin to it. That's beyond egregious.
I wouldn't have tipped a red cent. And I am a super generous tipper.
They pooched it and they knew it. "A day" is you spilled someone's tea or the wait was an hour to get a table. What you've described is just not having your crap together at all.
What I would have wanted to demonstrate to my kid is how you handle bad service without losing your cool. Good lesson.
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Post by zztop11 on Jul 29, 2016 4:16:37 GMT
I would call tomorrow and speak with the manager. If he's any good, he'll give you a coupon for a free meal.
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Nink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,947 
Location: North Idaho
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Post by Nink on Jul 29, 2016 4:17:13 GMT
I still would have tipped, but I used to wait tables. Maybe some people called in and left them short handed. I've been in their shoes. It sucks! It seemed like the harder I tried the more shit I did wrong. I'll give a place a second chance, if it's still crappy then I'll complain.
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 29, 2016 4:17:20 GMT
For being a shy introvert that doesn't like to talk to people, I don't tolerate that bad of service.
There are plenty of things i would have done different, but not that you are at home I would absolutely call tomorrow on a different shift if possible and talk to the manager.
If it is a franchise, I'd contact the owner. If it isn't, I'd email coorporate.
Typically they will offer free food or something which I usually decline because I won't be going back to that restaurant.
Since it is a chain, if you have another one in the area and like it, I'd ask for the credit to be given there.
If you know the participants names, use them. Otherwise you can describe them if the company wants.
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 29, 2016 4:18:35 GMT
I would not have tipped a penny in that situation and I have been known to add to tips if the service was bad or we had to wait, but it looks like the server is trying.
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Post by mom on Jul 29, 2016 4:20:43 GMT
I would contact the manager tomorrow. If he doesnt seem to care, I would then call corporate.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Jul 29, 2016 4:24:16 GMT
I tipped $1
That is what my sister said she does for crappy service (I didn't know that before I tipped).
When I told my sister this, and about them stating that it had been " one of those days" she said "that's not your problem !!"
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Post by pierkiss on Jul 29, 2016 4:25:26 GMT
Hell no I wouldn't have tipped! That level of crappy service warrants a big ol zero in the top spot followed by an arrow at the bottom of the ticket indicating to turn it over. On the back would be a detailed note on why there was no tip, and an account of the shitty service by both the waitresses and the manager.
I would call corporate over this. Your treatment by the manager is bullshit!
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Post by chaosisapony on Jul 29, 2016 4:42:33 GMT
I had a strikingly similar experience at Applebees recently. It had been years since I'd been in and it will likely be years before I try it again. In my situation I tipped $2 and just got out of there as quickly as possible. I didn't bother complaining, it wouldn't have done any good since the manager was well aware of the problems. I have no use for free food from a restaurant I don't want to go back to so I did not email or call them the next day.
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Post by lumo on Jul 29, 2016 4:57:32 GMT
I tipped $1 That is what my sister said she does for crappy service (I didn't know that before I tipped). When I told my sister this, and about them stating that it had been " one of those days" she said "that's not your problem !!" DH and I will say that when a server starts making excuses, like how they just got double seated or a big party right before we say down. Not. My. Problem. Anyway. I would have made a stink. I don't make one very often, but when I do, it's well-deserved. This would have been one of thoses times. Honestly, I'd have wanted the whole meal comped. That's an insane amount of time to be in a restaurant that's basically designed for travelers to be able to get a quick meal while they're on the road. That plus the rudeness = me not paying. And although DH will not leave without leaving a tip, I would strongly dissuade him in this case. |
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Post by 950nancy on Jul 29, 2016 4:58:01 GMT
The only bad service that I can rationalize is a very busy restaurant with few servers. Other than that, get your poop in a group. I worked at a restaurant for my first job and waiting that long for anything repeatedly is not okay.
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NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,856
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Jul 29, 2016 5:04:15 GMT
1. I'm sorry you had such a awful dinner.
2. The code red parts had me in tears from laughing. I mean I can imagine lights and sirens here at that point lol.
We had a very similar experience at our local CB few months back. Only difference was when the manager came out (we didn't ask for him I think he could just tell we were pissed and walked over) he insisted he take care of our bill. I did tip the waitress $15 on our $22 bill because I could tell it was one of them days for her and I felt bad. Plus she wasn't rude durning the whole thing.
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conchita
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,141
Jul 1, 2014 11:25:58 GMT
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Post by conchita on Jul 29, 2016 5:11:09 GMT
20 minutes to take your drink order? I would have walked out and gone to eat elsewhere. I say this because it's actually what I do. I've learned the hard way and tried to stick it out at the restaurant and the service and food just kept getting worse. So at the first sign that the wait staff is overwhelmed, nope, I'm going elsewhere.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,363
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Jul 29, 2016 5:22:29 GMT
I tipped $1 That is what my sister said she does for crappy service (I didn't know that before I tipped). When I told my sister this, and about them stating that it had been " one of those days" she said "that's not your problem !!" I would have tipped similarly. Maybe even a quarter or two. It sends a message more so than not leaving a tip. If you don't leave anything at all, it's possible the server might think you'd just forgotten. I am typically a generous tipper, for what it's worth. We had a similar situation to what you've described on only one occasion that I can remember, at a Red Robin, and that's my only experience with being a cheap tipper. Typically I'm very understanding of little mistakes, longer wait times, etc. I get that restaurant staff is human and that service is not usually perfect. That's ok. What you described is way over my limits of understanding. |
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Post by anniefb on Jul 29, 2016 5:56:48 GMT
I would contact the manager tomorrow. If he doesnt seem to care, I would then call corporate. That ^^ And I would not tip in that kind of situation. SaveSave |
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Post by darkchami on Jul 29, 2016 6:12:47 GMT
20 minutes to take your drink order? I would have walked out and gone to eat elsewhere. I say this because it's actually what I do. I've learned the hard way and tried to stick it out at the restaurant and the service and food just kept getting worse. So at the first sign that the wait staff is overwhelmed, nope, I'm going elsewhere. This is what I have done. I'm not confrontational unless smoke is rolling out my ears. However, I have walked out if I didn't get waited on in a reasonable amount of time. I remember I was once seated at Denny's and waited 15 minutes after being seated. No menus or drinks were offered. There was one other table with 2 people eating. No wait staff were visible. That didn't bode well, so we left. OP, they should have offered you something for your trouble. |
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Post by calgaryscrapper on Jul 29, 2016 6:45:17 GMT
It sounds like the Manager there wasn't interested in keeping customers happy.I would either call or e-mail head office. Mention what time you arrived and what time you left. Their site says Homestyle cooking etc. Go over their site and see what other promises they make and then say their level of service at this location did not meet my expectaions....etc. Include the gals name or number off your receipt.Also, include how clean it was.If you remember any names include them.I did this and received a 100 dollar gift card for a restaurant. Some companies pay money to have mystery shoppers visit their stores etc and often you can tell by walking in the door that they are mystery shopped.On their site you can enter your guest experience but I would also call corporate headquarters.
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Post by calgaryscrapper on Jul 29, 2016 6:50:41 GMT
I once shopped at a department store and the ladies restroom was deplorable. I mentioned it to s staff member and was told that the Manager of the store was a male and figured that they only need to worry about the sales floor. Yes, I took my complaint all the way to the head office and quoted some things from their web site and I received a 100 dollar gift card. I gave them six weeks and shopped there again. All of the walls in the ladies washroom were painted, all of the doors fixed, floor was clean and everything was stocked. Positive change can happen  |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jul 29, 2016 10:50:43 GMT
I once shopped at a department store and the ladies restroom was deplorable. I mentioned it to s staff member and was told that the Manager of the store was a male and figured that they only need to worry about the sales floor. Yes, I took my complaint all the way to the head office and quoted some things from their web site and I received a 100 dollar gift card. I gave them six weeks and shopped there again. All of the walls in the ladies washroom were painted, all of the doors fixed, floor was clean and everything was stocked. Positive change can happen At a local department store, the carpet in the ladies changing room was old, ratty, dirty, and disgusting. There's no way I would slip my shoes off to change in there. I ran into the manager as I was shopping and he asked, "Finding everything you are looking for?" I told him about the carpet. He genuinely seemed shocked and thanked me. I was back in there a few weeks later and he walked over to me and proudly announced they had new Pergo flooring in the dressing rooms. He was profusely thankful as he said he obviously never goes into the women's dressing rooms and no one had ever told him. I agree with calgaryscrapper that complaints can yield positive results. |
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Post by salem on Jul 29, 2016 11:26:25 GMT
I tipped $1 That is what my sister said she does for crappy service (I didn't know that before I tipped). When I told my sister this, and about them stating that it had been " one of those days" she said "that's not your problem !!" I would have tipped similarly. Maybe even a quarter or two. It sends a message more so than not leaving a tip. If you don't leave anything at all, it's possible the server might think you'd just forgotten. I am typically a generous tipper, for what it's worth. We had a similar situation to what you've described on only one occasion that I can remember, at a Red Robin, and that's my only experience with being a cheap tipper. Typically I'm very understanding of little mistakes, longer wait times, etc. I get that restaurant staff is human and that service is not usually perfect. That's ok. What you described is way over my limits of understanding. Ha! The whole time I was reading along in this thread, I was thinking about our last terrible experience at Red Robin. No refills, wrong food, forgotten food. It was terrible, and what ticks me off more, is they have those little machines on the table with the games and where you can pay the bill. So, what we got was basically, here's your food (finally) and you can just check out when you're done, never to see your waitstaff again. NO. We ate some of the lousy food, because it just sucked that day, and I got up, found the manager and told them how crappy our experience was. Didn't really get a reaction, so we don't go there anymore. There was no tip left that day and they knew why. It wasn't the first time we had sub par service there, but the kids like it, so we gave them several chances. No more and I don't hesitate to tell people if they ask. Everyone has a bad day, but if the waitstaff is struggling, it's the Manager's job to get in there and keep a customer and for the length of time it took for the OP's visit to Cracker Barrel, they should've noticed at some point, the dinner wasn't going well, and done something about it. |
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Post by brina on Jul 29, 2016 11:37:09 GMT
Write them (either snail mail or email), don't call. Complaints in writing always get more attention than phone calls do.
oh, and there is no way I would tip. Or I would tip in a way that sent a message. My kids love to tell the story of the day I left a pile of pennies and told the manager just how bad our service had been. I wanted to make sure somebody knew the truth and the waitress wasn't going to talk about the lousy tipper she had.
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Post by Really Red on Jul 29, 2016 11:54:28 GMT
I never tip poorly without having talked with the manager.
I think that probably you should have asked for a manager early on. When the manager finally came to your table, you should have explained what happened.
I would not have paid for the meal. And I don't think in my whole life of going out that I have ever thought that. You had spectacularly bad service and no excuse. That is their JOB. In fact, that is their SOLE job!
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Post by ~Sherri~ on Jul 29, 2016 11:56:01 GMT
We had a similar experience at IHOP. Not only did we speak to the manager (who could have cared less) but I called the 800 number for IHOP right from our table. We were sent a coupon for 4 free meals. We gave it to our DD as DH refused to ever eat there again.
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Post by ~Sherri~ on Jul 29, 2016 11:58:14 GMT
And we did not leave a tip. Nor did the family in the booth behind us. They also got crappy service.
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SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,618
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Jul 29, 2016 12:10:10 GMT
No. I would not have left a tip. But I also wouldn't have waited if it took them 20 min to take my drink order.
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Post by gritzi on Jul 29, 2016 12:41:45 GMT
There's no way that I would have tipped. Why tip for poor service? Isn't that just rewarding for poor management, poor behavior, lack of service?
There are very few times that I've contacted corporate. This would be one time that I would let my dissatisfaction be known.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Jul 29, 2016 12:43:35 GMT
I so wanted to walk out when they were taking so long to even come to get a drink order--my DD's asked to stay. if it would have been me and DH, we would have been out of there! I'm going to write today, I really wouldn't want to go back anytime soon, but if they did give a gift card, I could give it to someone I know who travels often and frequents QB. |
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,338
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Post by amom23 on Jul 29, 2016 12:45:19 GMT
20 minutes to take your drink order? I would have walked out and gone to eat elsewhere. I say this because it's actually what I do. I've learned the hard way and tried to stick it out at the restaurant and the service and food just kept getting worse. So at the first sign that the wait staff is overwhelmed, nope, I'm going elsewhere. I would have left at that point too. |
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Post by kkooch on Jul 29, 2016 12:49:15 GMT
Years ago we went to a CB and waited forever to get seated. The hostess made a snotty comment about how long we waited and basically said "oh well". So we were driving back from vacation so we said screw it and left. The hostess was following us out to our car apologizing that she didn't mean it. It's like really then why did you say it! My kids comment on CB and their father whenever we drive by one.
We did leave. I wrote corporate and so did my daughter. We both ended up with a gift card and a written apology. Ahh family memories.
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