Today I went to a Panera Bread location accross the street from Perimeter Mall here in Dunwoody Georgia. I simply ordered a small bread bowl of french onion soup and I was told that the bread for the bowls was not ready and if I wouldn't mind waiting. After ten minutes I walked up to the counter where I was asked if I could wait and my soup was still sitting there! For those that know me I AM A GERMAPHOBE!!!!!!" I could just imagine people walking by and breathing on my food and anyone that knows food service all food should be served at 150 degrees! They let my soup just sit there!!!!
When I expressed my concerns to one of the people working there he shrugged his shoulders and then asked if I would like the soup warmed up? I said "I can look at it and it's cold, I want new soup." He immediatly threw it away obviously in disgust that I will not settle for cold soup. After the bread was out, the store manager brought my soup to my table and it still was not in a bread bowl! I began to fish the croutons out of the soup and then I over heard the young man ( who couldn't have been more than 19 years old) talk to the manager about how I asked for new soup and then mimicked me talking about how I didn't want soup that had been sitting.
I walked up to the front counter with the soup and I told the manager "I asked for soup in a bread bowl, not for what I was given to me in a cup. I also did not ask the opinion of your coworker talking mess about how I asked for fresh soup in a bread bowl! If he has the right to talk crap about me after I've paid my money then I deserve to ask for my money back!"
The manager was very nice and handed me my money right back while another Panera Bread employee tried to offer me a pastry and I would not accept anything else. I said " I should demand an apology but I will go and spend my money somewhere else!" And then I left with a forced smile.
I work in retail. I know how irritable standing on your feet all day can make a person. When people ask me a millions question after I've provided an accurate answer and still don't buy anything, I would never want a customer to tell me "they would rather spend their money somewhere else!" Because they can and I'm sure they have but not because I gave them an attitude or wouldn't do something that is apart of my job just because I didn't feel like it!
So I went to Five Guys a little ways down the shopping center complex. I could have gone to some of the other places around but all the sudden I wanted a good burger! I walked in the door and got a very warm hello with a smile. I grabbed a few peanuts which I thought was a really good idea to give customers a little something to munch on while they wait. By the time I sat down my order was ready and was exactly what I ordered! It was so good and I was in and out in ten minutes!
Good customer service isn't hard to find. It finds those who really want money and want people to come to them over and over again! What's the secret weapon? Great and outstanding customer service! Every business should take note!!!
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