Valpark Chinese Restaurant

On Thursday 28th April I placed and order to pick up at Valpark Chinese Restaurant. I went into the restaurant and there was no, "Can I help you?" or "Are you getting through?" So I sucked it up and just told one of the waitresses what I was there for. She checked a bag that I suppose had my order and told me there were still a few items being prepared so I had to wait about 15 minutes. I said fine and went to browse around downstairs.

Upon my return to the restaurant I was promptly ignored. No one even made eye contact. And I was at the counter. A woman who I would assume is a manager because she was not in uniform but in business wear was busy chatting away and laughing with a customer about her children, another waitress was writing something, the one who I previously spoke with was just walking around totally oblivious. I. was. livid. Then my husband joined me upstairs, took one look at my face, and knew I was upset. Finally, the cashier looked up at me and asked if I was getting through to which I sternly replied, "No."

Needless to say I was eventually taken care of, I shook my head in frustration, grudgingly paid my bill, took my food and left vowing that was the end of that relationship for me.

Courts Megastore, San Juan

Courts Megastore, San Juan is the perfect example of people looking rather busy and doing absolutely nothing. They walk hurriedly, with purpose and determination but you never actually see them doing anything while poor, helpless customers like myself walk around aimlessly.

When you look around to find the nearest salesperson - they look so taken up in something or hurrying somewhere and you're left lost in a sea of furniture.

I don't know how long it took before my mother finally managed to catch the attention of a salesperson and we were dealt with well enough.

But please, we customers don't bite (but we will bark if aggravated), so don't be afraid to interact with us. We are here to give you our money- at least act remotely interested...

Passport Office, Chaguanas

So I was going to again write about my disappointment at the service given at the Passport Office in Chaguanas, how it's slipped since I last went (because the last time I dealt with them they were quite friendly and efficient.)

I was going to talk about how I could see the officer in booth 3 on her cell phone probably texting away and getting me more and more irritated because I was there to apply for a passport for my 8 month old son who at that hour was becoming cranky and sleepy and there was this officer. on her cell phone. taking forever....

But then something happened that totally made the experience better. My little darling had to sit on my knee, face the camera and hold still for 3 seconds to take a photograph. Now, for those of you who've had or have babies- this isn't a very easy task, it's even more difficult when they're cranky and sleepy and just want to be held. I must give credit to the same woman I was quick to get mad at- she took his rattle and tried to distract him, was cooing at him and being so patient and trying everything to get a good shot. I can't tell you how many times she took his photo. He even went over the counter to her and she held him to calm him down! Eventually two guys from the booths next to her came over and started making faces at him and calling him and thank goodness he finally got a good shot.

So I must end by saying that all credit must be given to the lady from booth #3 for being such a sport with my baby boy and for making me think twice about the service at your offices.

Subway, Price Plaza

In the customer service abyss that is becoming the majority of businesses in T&T, there are a few gems among the rocks. One of them is Subway, Price Plaza.

The reason I list this branch is because of a petite lady who looks homely and sweet enough to be anyone's grandmother and she has the calmest, most polite and friendliest disposition of any frontline service person I've come across in recent years.

If only more CSRs could be like her we'd all be less cynical and wary of sales assistants and clerks. To the managers at Subway, you cannot pay this woman enough for the invaluable service of just being NICE and SMILING at you when she attends to you.

Westport

If I were a store owner I would ensure to create an environment in which potential customers and buyers would feel welcome and comfortable to browse leisurely and enjoyably.

Now, the last few times I've walked into a Westport I have, after about 2 minutes, walked right out and I haven't been back in there for sometime. I'll tell you why.

Why...why, why, why do you feel the need to pound a heavy bass in my head to the point where I could practically feel my brain rattling around in my head, and I can't think straight much less think about what I could possibly purchase in your store? And forget about even trying to talk to a sales assistant....if I can't hear myself- then they probably can't hear me and I should NOT have to shout.

I think I mentioned it as loudly as I could (but I'm sure no one could hear me if I could barely hear myself think) that they obviously don't want people sticking around with all of this noise!

Maybe you all have fixed this by now- but if you haven't turn down the volume nah!

Receptionist Pool at Medical Associates

I know it's not only the customers/patients that have an issue with these ladies. It's also the doctors. I've had many a friend discontinue visiting certain wonderful doctors because they couldn't handle the manner in which they were dealt with by these young ladies.

I have called this institutions on several occasions and each time I was received in a most unwelcoming manner as though I were intruding on their precious time by asking for things like APPOINTMENTS and dates when the doctor would be in.

And forget about having them call you back when they say they would. I cannot tell you how many times I've given them my home number and my cell number and they never called back. The one time they did manage to call I wasn't at home- and they never called my cell number and guess what? They blamed me for not being home to take their call. I. was. livid.

I really really like my doctor and I must say for the most part I was very well taken care of by the nurses when I had my baby there. It's just these little annoyances that can really ruin someone's first impression need to be weeded out.

Anyone else have similar experiences with this core of ladies?

KFC Chaguanas

Can I just say that most KFC delivery systems are the pits? They are in a hurry to take your order, reach over an hour late (if they reach at all as in this instance) and then forget something that you ordered and paid for.

In this particular instance- here's what happened. I even wrote a letter to Prestiege Holdings because I was (and still am) so fed up with KFC's delivery system:

I am writing to inform you about the poor handling of a situation that unfolded on the evening of May 12th 2010 from the supervisor and other staff at KFC Chaguanas.

I placed an order for delivery at said establishment at around 7:15pm and was informed as usual that my order would arrive between forty-five minutes to an hour. At 8:00pm a driver called and was given directions by my husband. Half-hour later at 8:30pm another driver called and asked again for directions. My husband said he barely finished giving directions and the driver said he knew where he was going. My husband asked the driver if he needed any further clarification to which the response was no.

At 8:45pm there was still no delivery made so I called Chaguanas branch to be told the driver had left already and to give him a few more minutes. My husband called the driver at 9:00pm (he got the number from our Caller ID) and the driver assured him he was on his way. We gave him fifteen minutes more and still no delivery. At 9:15pm I called the branch again and this time asked to speak to a supervisor. I informed her of the situation and then overheard her asking said driver why our order came back to the branch to which I heard him respond that the directions were difficult to follow and he could not find our house.

At this point I asked her what my options were and she responded she could resend the same driver, or I would have to wait till another driver became available. I asked her if I would still have to pay after having to wait 2 hours for my dinner and her response was and I quote, “Um…yeah.” I proceeded to tell her cancel the order because at this point both my husband and myself were extremely frustrated. I also went on to inform her that my husband called the driver who told him he was on his way and at that point if said driver was still unclear as to where he was going he could’ve asked to be guided.

Three points I must highlight:

· The supervisor tried to defend the driver saying he was new, but this is not an excuse for him to obviously lie to both my husband and his supervisor since he clearly had no intention of making our delivery.

· It is clear to me that the supervisor on this particular shift has no clue about customer service as I had to ask for an apology for the whole mishap.

· At this point I am truly of the opinion I should not have to pay for two hours wasted and all I received at the end of it was a lack of interest and effort in ensuring my (the customer’s) needs were met.

I do hope you take this matter seriously and take the necessary measures to ensure that no other customer has to suffer through this degree of negligence and incompetence from any of your other branches and institutions.

I'm sure there are more of you out there who've had similar experiences with these people.