I don't think they got it...

[Deleted]

Last month we were coming home from a family outing and stopped at a fast food drive thru. All 6 of us, so the food comes in a shopping bag. We usually verify before driving away, but they had a line and we had a huge bag of food. So we went on home, where we found we were short a sandwich. Mine. No one wants to go back and I don't want anyone to go back. Everyone is tired and hungry and just starting to thaw out.

Not the first time this has happened (which is why we usually check), so I go online to take the survey they've invited me to take on the back of the receipt. I check that it's a complaint, explain why I'm complaining, and leave my e-mail address where it says 'leave e-mail address or phone number for response'.

A week later, no response. So I bypass the survey and go straight to the 'contact us' button. I get an e-mail from District Manager in a couple of days; she requests a phone number so we can 'talk about it'. All I ever wanted was a 'Sorry, we'll be more careful'. If they had been led to send a coupon since we didn't go back for the food or the money, that would have been nice. I'm tempted to drop it, but I've gone this far so I give the phone number.

I'm cleaning out my e-mails the other day, and realize she never called. Seriously? It's been 3 weeks. NOW it's the principle. So I write her a note and tell her the company's lack of concern for customer complaints is pretty much unparalleled to anything I've ever seen, and don't call me. If anyone ever actually wants to apologize, they can write to me. I add my address under my name.

The next day, I get a Priority Express mail envelope with a gift card from the company and a letter of apology. The mailer has the DMs name and the return address of the store in question, but I'm pretty sure her office isn't in that store. So I'm guessing she called to relate the problem to the manager (if he/she hadn't already been made aware through the online complaint form) and had him or her send me the certificate from the store.

This was yesterday. In the afternoon there were 3 of us home, so the boys decide to go to the same drive thru and pick us up some lunch.

They came home laughing because apparently the girl at the counter had to chase them down as they were pulling away from the window because she had left out a sandwich. Mine. I don't think they understood what the problem was.

   

[Pantlandia]

I have stopped going to the McDonald's that is closest to my place for this very reason. They ALWAYS screw up our order...ever single time. It doesn't matter what we order, it's always either missing something or it's made wrong (I have to order Isabella's cheeseburger with ketchup only - it always comes with everything on it).

When I was going to school, I stopped by a Taco Time. They had a 2 for $4.00 thing going, so I ordered that. I get to the window and hand them my card and they told me that they only accept cards for purchases of $5.00 or more. I asked them where it says that? There are no signs, no notice, nothing stating this and I DO NOT HAVE CASH. They argued, I was hungry, I ordered something else and it came to $6.00. No biggie, but I was angry. I handed them my card (a Bluebird by American Express) and they had the nerve to ask me if I had a different card because the fees on Amex are too high for a $6.00 order!

I asked them if they took Amex they said yes, they did. I told them that I was an accounting major and the fees are called the cost of doing business, so they had better take my card and be happy about it. I also told them that they need to put up a notice about their "minimum order" so this doesn't happen again.

I contacted the corporate office and they told me that even tho they are franchises, they absolutely CANNOT put a minimum order stipulation AND have to gladly accept ANY form of payment. They said they would be contacting the store owners and making sure they are aware that they are not doing things correctly.

I don't know if it ever happened. I have never gone back there.

[Deleted]

A while back, a friend was picking up an order from Arby's for our group. Normally he would wait until he got back to the office to open the bag, but he was hungry and decided to eat a couple of fries. He found that the whole pkg was just dried ends.

He parked and walked in to get a new order. As he walked in with the bag, he heard an employee say " I told you he wouldn't eat those"

Someone thought that a drive through customer wouldn't realize until too late.

[Deleted]

That's what happens when you pay next to nothing and let teens/immature adults run your business.

My worst experience was I went into a Blimpie hours before closing. The only employee (or person dressed like and employee) was sitting at a table with either her boyfriend or someone she was flirting with. The guy was eating a sandwich. She got up and told me "sorry we're closed." I pointed out the store sign said open and there was another customer eating in the restaurant. She then went on to tell me a long dragged out story how her manager told her to close an hour ago and she had put all the food away and couldn't get it out again because it would just go bad. She absolutely refused to make me food.

I left, got a sandwich at subway and emailed the local corporate headquarters when I got home. The next day the manager called me and was pizzed. She apologized and said she would have a talk with the employee. I said fine but I didn't really have any desire to return to a place so poorly run. Not a month later the restaurant closed. Anyone want to guess WHY that location had no business?

[Deleted]

I told the kids maybe I can do a diet plan with them like Jared did with Subway. I order what I want and they give me half of that.

It was nice of them to send the gift card. It probably comes close to covering the amount we've spent on food we've been shorted there in the last year. But the card doesn't mean anything if they're not really listening to the complaints and trying to do something about it. We'll definitely be using my card at a different location.

[57roses]

Our local Sonic ice cream machine used to 'break down' every night about an hour before closing.
Couldn't be fixed until the next day.

[jandsknight]

We eat at fast food places only when we're traveling and there is absolutely nothing else available. One of the reasons is that my students, when I taught in high school told me about the stunts kids pull while preparing orders.

[Deleted]

One summer we got into the habit of taking an after dinner bike ride by McDonald's and stopping for dollar cones a couple of times a week. I noticed if we got there after a certain time that the machine was always 'down'. Uh-huh.

[Deleted]

We probably eat fast food 2-3 times a month, but I don't include just restaurants with a drive up. If they don't have dine in, I call it fast food. If we're traveling, especially if we're on a schedule, I'll consent to one fast food meal a day. But at a place where I can get either grilled chicken, baked potato or a decent salad. I like Chik-fil-a because I can get soup. So given how often we eat fast food, I don't want to know what goes on behind the scenes.

Probably not much different than what goes on in other restaurant kitchens, some of which I know about, but choose not to think about.

[Deleted]

Don't go through a lot of fast food drive thru windows because of the following. My DH absolutely, with a passion, HATES mayo. Went thru the Krystal drive thru and ordered the little chicken sandwiches without mayo. (They only come with breaded chicken, mayo and a pickle slice.) Got going down the road, without checking the order. DH takes a bite of his sandwich and spits his food into a napkin. Pulls over. They had taken the pre-made sandwiches and just sorta wiped the mayo off, but you could still see and taste the mayo that had been there. I also took the survey. Nothing ever came of it.

[Deleted]

Thankfully we have Wawa. Haven't had fast food in eons (most aren't veggie friendly anyway). I do miss Chic-Fil-A sandwiches though.

[somany]

Way back when I was going to evening college, I stopped at a Wendy's to get a hamburger on the way to school. I was running late, as usual, so when I bit into my sandwich and it had no hamburger patty, I was not happy. How do you forget the hamburger patty on a hamburger??

[Deleted]

This was my first time taking a survey after any purchase. I wouldn't have expected a reply if I they hadn't promised one if I provided an e-mail address or phone number. After no follow up on the survey and no phone call after the DM requested my number, it became about more than poor service at the drive thru. Don't ask for my e-mail address AND my phone number if you're just going to blow me off. I don't give that info out to everyone.

[Dawn R]

I went to Atlanta Bread Company and ordered a salad and drink. The soda machine was one of those with like 40 different choices, except none of the sugar-free options were available. I waited 20 mins for a salad only to receive a bowl of lettuce with about a table spoon of crumbled blue cheese, tablespoon of crushed nuts, a tablespoon of cranberries, and four paperthin slices of pears. The salad was almost $9. I really wish I had taken a picture.

I did complain and got the "we are understaffed" and "that is how we make that salad." Employees were polite. I kept the receipt and intend to give a review.

[Deleted]

Mar 6, 2015 19:48:43 GMT @gracefulthingz said:

That's what happens when you pay next to nothing and let teens/immature adults run your business.

Poor management.  Has nothing to do with the fact that there are teens working there for minimum wage.  There are particular stores of chain fast food places in my area that consistently provide poor service, while many are great.   There is/was a Wendy's and an Arby's nearly next to each other.  The Wendy's has been fabulous since the day it opened probably 8-10 years ago.  The Arby's was hit or miss as far as quality and service.  It closed down after just a few years.  They both paid the same wage and had the same employee pool from which to draw.

[Emerald_Door]

I had an interesting experience with Chick-Fil-A. They always have good service. One time I bought food for the family and took it home. When we unpacked everything, we discovered that they had forgotten the fries. I called the store and told them, but I really didn't feel like driving back there, 4-5 miles each way. To my surprise, they asked for my address and delivered the fries! Yes, a manager delivered the fries to my home.

[Deleted]

Wow! That really is service above and beyond.

[Deleted]

We went to KFC close to our home a few years back. They were out of chicken. I still laugh about that. Just recently the bf wanted some wings so we went to the same place, store was shut down. We went to one a bit further and received excellent service. They had just put a batch in the fryer so there was a bit of a wait. Because we had to wait 5 min, they gave extra wings and free drinks.

[Deleted]

I'm having a bad streak of luck. It was a nice day yesterday so I walked to 7-Eleven with a gift card I got in my Christmas stocking. Got my coffee, pulled out my card and it wouldn't swipe. Tried it twice while the cashier watched me. Finally she says the system is down.

I had my card and a coin purse with about $1.50 worth of coin in it. I didn't have enough to pay for the coffee. That was embarrassing. But then the cashier makes the mistake of saying 'you need another way to pay, a card or cash.'. Ummm, no. I don't. I have your own gift card with plenty of balance left on it. It's a legitimate payment method that you accept. It's not my fault that the system is down.

The woman behind me offered to pay for it, but I wouldn't let her. The cashier never said she was sorry for the inconvenience to ME, she was only concerned with the inconvenience to her - as I assume she had to void the sale and throw out the coffee.

[blissfullymiserable]

Saturday I placed an order for pick up at Peiwei. Got home and no eating utensils, no napkins and no sauce for the crab wontons. This thread inspired me to contact them via their website. Yesterday I got this email but I'm still waiting on the "Be Our Guest" card. Seriously, I never complain about stuff like this but I'm getting tired of it, I think I'll start doing it more often on company websites. Sooo, thanks Elly

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. Please accept my personal apology for the errors with your order. This is certainly not our standard of service, and I have spoken to the Managing Partner in the area. Please trust that we will address your feedback with our entire team and use it as a coaching opportunity. I hope you will be convinced to give us another chance. It would be my pleasure to mail you a "Be Our Guest" card to use on your next visit. If at any point in the future, your meal is incorrect, please do not hesitate to contact a Manager directly. We are thankful for the opportunity to correct any situation where we have gone wrong.

We appreciate your business and expect to earn it. I will follow up via USPS and I am hopeful that you will give us an opportunity to regain your confidence.

[blissfullymiserable]

Oh and McDonald's is really ticking me off, I'll have to take some actions soon. I like their iced vanilla coffee's, I always ask for extra cream and vanilla syrup and they charge me for it but 9 times out of 10 the jerks don't add the extra's I paid for. I can tell just looking at it when they hand it to me. UGH!

Same thing and Taco Bell, I like sour cream on my bean burrito. They charge for it, I'll get home and see there's NO sour cream on my burrito.

It's all carp food, I should save myself the frustration and stay way from these places.

[Deleted]

Wow, emerald, that Chick-Fil-A story is amazing! I remember hearing the stories about them during the Atlanta area weather event last winter where people were stuck on the roads for hours and hours. Some people ended up staying the night at a Chick-Fil-A and the restaurant gave them all free breakfast the next morning. There were also Chick-Fil-A employees walking along roads where traffic was stopped passing out free food to people as they waited in their cars.

elly, you certainly are having a run of bad service. I'm glad you didn't let the lady behind you pay for it. It's the principle of the thing.

[Deleted]

I have stopped going to the McDonald's that is closest to my place for this very reason. They ALWAYS screw up our order...ever single time. It doesn't matter what we order, it's always either missing something or it's made wrong (I have to order Isabella's cheeseburger with ketchup only - it always comes with everything on it).

This made me laugh. The McDonald's near my house is the same way. And I'm not the only one who has the same problem. Any time you mention that McDonald's to people around here they always say that their orders get screwed up. My theory is it has something to do with the fact that the workers barely understand English - even the guy taking the drive-thru orders.

I stopped there late one night during the summer to get a pineapple smoothie. It was around 10 at night and there were hardly any cars at the drive-thru so I decided to order there instead of going inside. Turns out the guy in front of me ordered French fries and they had run out. We all had to sit there in the drive-thru line a LOOOONG time while they made a new batch of fries. How does McDonald's run out of fries?

[val2525]

For some reason, two of the Wendy's here have decided that "sandwich only, not a combo" actually means "plain sandwich nothing on it". I've started explaining I want a 'fish sandwich with all the usual stuff on it", and when they ask if it's a combo, I say "no, just the sandwich, but with all the usual stuff on it". And even then, it's arrived plain. Stipped. Naked. I've started looking before I leave the window, I don't care how annoyed the driver behind me or the person at the window gets.

[Deleted]

Similar but different Val.  About once a month I go through McDonald's drive thru and get my dogs cheeseburgers.  I get lots of great mom points with them for $2 

Since onions are poisonous to dogs, and they don't need the other glop, I always ask for 2 plain cheeseburgers, nothing on them.  So one bright bulb asks me "do you want cheese on them?"  So now I ask for 2 plain cheeseburgers, nothing on them but cheese.  

[val2525]

LOL! That's like the guy at a local place here, at the drive up a few months back:


Me: I'd like two carne adovado burritos with extra cheese, please.

Him: Um, they don't come with cheese.

Me: Yes, I know. That's why I'd like extra cheese on them.

Him: But, they don't come with cheese. So I can't do extra cheese.

Me: (trying not to laugh at him): Can you add cheese to them?

Him (relieved): Yes! I can add cheese!

Me: Good, then please add cheese to both burritos and also give me a side order of cheese.

Him: (long silence) Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh - kay.


Fortunately he doesn't work the driveup window anymore.

[blissfullymiserable]

When I was a kid my mom had a little white poodle named "Jimbo", he was treated better than me but that's a whole nother story. Anyway, she would always go to the McDonald's on the corner and get him a "Canine burger". That's all she had to ask for and they knew exactly what to give her, they would put the plain cooked patty in between two plastic lids. I suppose the workers these days would look at you like you have 2 heads if you asked for such a thing.

[Deleted]

Mar 11, 2015 5:34:25 GMT blissfullymiserable said:

When I was a kid my mom had a little white poodle named "Jimbo", he was treated better than me but that's a whole nother story. Anyway, she would always go to the McDonald's on the corner and get him a "Canine burger". That's all she had to ask for and they knew exactly what to give her, they would put the plain cooked patty in between two plastic lids. I suppose the workers these days would look at you like you have 2 heads if you asked for such a thing.

Probably the first question would be "What's a canine?"  

[blissfullymiserable]

or we don't sell those... lol

[treetop]

I don't know why I thought of this Despair poster...