NWFlyer 2 #1 March 22, 2006 So I was asking the front desk at my hotel to remove an errant mini-bar charge that showed up on my bill for last week, and he asked how my stay was otherwise. I said "Loud." Which it is, it's been varying degrees of loud in each of the three weeks that I've been staying here, and this is a nice hotel... it's just old and everything (elevators, doors, room service carts, people) echoes like crazy all night. I also mentioned that while it's a charming old hotel, it can be difficult to postwhore work when I have to crawl behind the TV to plug in my computer. Unprompted, he upgraded me to a suite next week. Generally, I'm not a high-maintenance customer, but I will let businesses know if I'm unhappy about a service or product, particularly if I'm a regular customer. I'd discussed the loudness issue with the front desk last week and they did move me to a different part of the hotel this week where it's somewhat quieter. Businesses that do good service recovery are likely to keep getting my business. What's the best "make-good" offer you've gotten from a business?"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegreekone 0 #2 March 22, 2006 you rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #3 March 22, 2006 Quoteyou rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We know this, Jack. But answer the question, willya? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #4 March 22, 2006 Hopefully you thanked them and mentioned that you are please with their serviceYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #5 March 22, 2006 QuoteHopefully you thanked them and mentioned that you are please with their service Absolutely. The service at this place is great, and every time I do talk to folks at the front desk, room service, or concierge, they're helpful and always ask how my stay is going. If I'm less than wildly enthusiastic, they see what they can do to make it better. Generally, though I love the old charmers, I've gotten spoiled by newer boutique hotels. But this one is exactly a block from my client and they do take good care of guests, so it has definite advantages. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #6 March 22, 2006 QuoteWhat's the best "make-good" offer you've gotten from a business? Funny you mention this. My wife and I went out to dinner at Carrabbas' Italian restaurant last night. It was a 30 minute wait to get seated, then we were told by our waitress that she was busy and her "assistants" would be helping us as well. We got our drinks, appetizer, and salad quickly enough, but our entrees didn't show up until 30 minutes after the salad. Also, our waitress was gone and we had another guy, who didn't quite seem to know what to do with us. My wife's food came out fine, but apparently my food waited on hers because my pasta was dry, and the seafood was barely warm. We waited 10 mins for the waiter to show back up but he didn't. I got up and grabbed the manager who grabbed the original waitress and seemed quite peeved with her. She sent my plate back, but by that time, we decided to go. The manager had given me a to-go box for my wife's meal. The 2nd waiter came back to check on us and didn't even notice that my wife had a to-go box and there wasn't even a plate in front of me. The manager came back and she not only credited me my meal, but she gave me a gift certificate for $45. This was a rather special night for Dagny and me, and we wish it would have gone better, rather than end with a gift cert, but the manager went above & beyond we thought. Honestly, we love the restaurant, and of several visits, this is the first time we were disappointed.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Girlfalldown 0 #7 March 22, 2006 One time I got a free refill on my iced tea. -------------- (Do not, I repeat DO NOT, take my posts seriously.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grue 1 #8 March 22, 2006 I've had a few choice hookups, but there's no competition for the all-time best: There was one time I was checking in for a trip from OMA->DEN->LAX->SYD->MEL, and the lady had just been screamed at by the guy ahead of me for about 25 minutes for something that wasn't her fault. I had all my stuff ready to go, smiled when I handed over my documents, and promised to be a low maint customer since she'd certainly had her asshole quota for the day. She laughed and asked if there was anything else I needed, I asked if I could get an exit row seat (i'm a pretty sizeable guy). She said "I'll do one better", and upgraded me to first class within the US, and business class internationally. I actually sent her a christmas card and a $50 Outback Steakhouse gift cert when I got back, and sent a letter of commendation to her boss cavete terrae. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mcneill79 0 #9 March 22, 2006 QuoteMy wife and I went out to dinner at Carrabbas' Italian restaurant last night.I just want to say that on the way back to ATL from Dublin, we stopped at a Carrabbas and after the service we received I never want to go back to one again. I would like to pose the question, what compensation would you expect if you found a bug in a salad? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Girlfalldown 0 #10 March 22, 2006 Quote I would like to pose the question, what compensation would you expect if you found a bug in a salad? I'd expect at least some salt or maybe some Crystal hot sauce. -------------- (Do not, I repeat DO NOT, take my posts seriously.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mcneill79 0 #11 March 22, 2006 QuoteQuote I would like to pose the question, what compensation would you expect if you found a bug in a salad? I'd expect at least some salt or maybe some Crystal hot sauce.I was actually hoping for some chocolate sauce. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #12 March 22, 2006 The Four Seasons in Las Vegas took off $350 for one night because we had so many issues with our room...cold water in the shower, then the fire alarm battery chirped for hours, then the thermostat went out... this is the dang Four Seasons...crikeys we got $350 per night at discount, you'd think the shit would work. $350 off and an upgrade to a suite overlooking the strip on our next stay. Nice. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vpozzoli 0 #13 March 22, 2006 QuoteWhat's the best "make-good" offer you've gotten from a business? The best: a full refund. The worst: a service period extension on a service that sucks thoroughly. Where's the compensation in making you suffer longer? ciao Vale Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #14 March 22, 2006 Well - this story is the opposite of what you've written about, but it's pretty funny. I was a regular at a restaurant called "Pat and Mike's". It was near my office and I went there a couple of times a week. My cousin was in from out of town and I insisted that she meet me there for one of their awesome grilled chicken salads. When we arrived, everyone greeted me by name. We ordered and we are eating our lunch and she is telling me that the salad is absolutely the best ever. I put my fork in my salad and then up to my mouth. But, I discover there is a glove hanging from the end of it. Not a light weight little tiny plastic glove - a heavy plastic glove (like the weight of a freezer bag). I told her that normally the salad came without a glove and she shouldn't feel short changed. OMG...we were cracking up about it. When the waiter came by to see if everything was ok, I told him that there was a glove in my salad. He looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language. Then, he looked at the salad and quickly took it away and brought me another one. When the check came, there was no adjustment - no offer of free dessert - nothing. The restaurant closed about a six months later. Hmmm...I wonder how many other patrons received a complimentary glove with their salad?Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #15 March 22, 2006 Quotewhat compensation would you expect if you found a bug in a salad? If the menu said Bug Salad, I would have expected more then just A big. Damm cheap fancy restaurants. When I order the salad at Joe's Hole In The Wall dinner, I get at least 1/2 a dozen! Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #16 March 22, 2006 The San Jose Cafe springs to mind... Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #17 March 22, 2006 QuoteThe San Jose Cafe springs to mind... Shit, yeah ... that one's definitely up there! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GiaKrembs 0 #18 March 22, 2006 Quotewould you expect if you found a bug in a salad? I was at least hoping the hot lil manager would have given me a lil somtin somtim since I didn't get my meal for free!! Silly bugs g Raddest ho this side of Jersey #1 - rest in peace brother Beth lost her cherry and I missed it .... you want access to it, but you don't want to break it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mcneill79 0 #19 March 22, 2006 QuoteQuotewould you expect if you found a bug in a salad? I was at least hoping the hot lil manager would have given me a lil somtin somtim since I didn't get my meal for free!! Didn't he say he would give you "anything" you wanted. Too bad we had to run out of there so quickly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Girlfalldown 0 #20 March 22, 2006 QuoteQuoteQuote I would like to pose the question, what compensation would you expect if you found a bug in a salad? I'd expect at least some salt or maybe some Crystal hot sauce.I was actually hoping for some chocolate sauce. We were in Sonoma many years ago and we went to this restaurant everyone was touting in the square. The waiter told us about this very special salad we should all have. Well we all got it before our meal and after my friend ate about half of it her and I happen to look at her plate at the same time...and...the salad moved. She immediately ran to the bathroom and threw up but I of course picked through it to find a nice big fat maggot crawling around. The waiter just happened to be right next to us at that exact moment telling these two women about this wonderful salad they should get. One of the guys we were with yells "Whoah, wait a minute there dude!" The waiter turns and my friend says very loudly so the women can hear, "You didn't tell us that salad came with a bit of live protein. There's maggots in this salad!" We'd all eaten most of our salads by this time so it was pretty gross to all of us. The waiter comes over, takes them away quietly and then comes back and says "I'm so sorry. I'm going to comp you for the salad" Then he comps us for the 1 salad that my friend saw the maggot in. That's it. Not the rest of them. Just that 1 salad. We were so pissed that we just walked out and told everyone that was waiting to get in what happened. I know we should have talked to the manager but at the time we were all just so disgusted we wanted to get as far away from there as possible. -------------- (Do not, I repeat DO NOT, take my posts seriously.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
prepheckt 0 #21 March 22, 2006 During the Spring Break of 2001, I went home to Eloy to jump (of course), via America West airlines. On the day I had to return, I was told that I had been bumped off involuntarily and would be rescheduled for a flight the next day. Well, I didn't take too that to well, and told them I was miltary and I had orders that I had to return to the Academy today, not tomorrow. I had class the next day. So, they tried but couldn't get me on a flight, so I had to take a flight the next day. In order to make amends, they paid me $400 and upgraded me to first class on my flight the next day, plus I got an extra day of vacation. "Dancing Argentine Tango is like doing calculus with your feet." -9 toes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #22 March 22, 2006 QuoteGenerally, I'm not a high-maintenance customer, There's a difference, imo, between high-maintenance and what you told the hotel front desk. I am polite, but frank about my experiences and have often been giving free this or that or upgraded to this or that b/c they WANT to hear these things and so often people don't tell them...or the only people who tell them are the "high-maintenance type" that they will write off b/c they already know that person is such. Anywho...enjoy your stay!Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #23 March 27, 2006 I am livin' SO large this week. That is all. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #24 March 27, 2006 QuoteI am livin' SO large this week. That is all. That's awesome... why don't you rub it in some more... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #25 March 27, 2006 QuoteQuoteI am livin' SO large this week. That is all. That's awesome... why don't you rub it in some more... My suite is really really big. And it has two (count 'em, TWO) bathrooms. And two (count 'em, TWO) TVs. Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah. But I'm still away from home. And that sucks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
