Crapplebee’s Redeemed?
Applebee’s finally got a hold of me in relation to my complaint.
They actually left me a voicemail a few days ago. I returned the call yesterday. The phone was answered by the assistant manager who took a message. He then called back about 2 minutes later, apologizing profusely.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize who you were. I knew I recognized your name. After I hung up, I remembered talking to you about your letter…”
“Wait,” I interrupted, “you remembered talking to me?”
“Yes, didn’t we speak the other day about your experience here at our establishment?”
“Um, no… I haven’t heard from anyone at Applebee’s aside from the voicemail I received yesterday.”
“Oh! I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I had you mistaken with someone else…”
Needless to say, that wasn’t the best way to start a conversation regarding redemption for a night of crappy service and terrible food.
We proceeded to chat for a good 15 to 20 minutes. As I related to the manager what transpired that night, I was bombarded with numerous random interjections of, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” and “I’m apologize for that. I’m sorry.”
Obviously the guy felt bad.
Ironically, as I told him about the infamous Key Lime Pie Poop, he anxiously announced to me that he also hates it, and refuses to put it into his mouth. I just laughed. That stuff should seriously be served with a disclaimer. *Caution: May Cause Taste Buds to Commit Suicide*
As we winded down the conversation, the manager invited me back to the establishment where he would allow me to pick out some baseball tickets for the local baseball team for a game of my choice, and give me a voucher for a free meal.
In a nutshell, he gave me the tickets he should have given me in the first place and offered to feed me more crappy food. Thanks Applebee’s.
Here’s the kicker though. When we entered the restaurant last night to pick up the tickets and meal voucher (I went with my roommate who was a participant in the Crapplebee’s dinner), we were approached by multiple servers, one of which hollered at a significant distance, “Oh, are you guys here to use us for our baseball tickets?!”
“No,” was my simple response.
“Awww, come on. Admit it, you just want free crap.”
As my roommate and I left the building, he turned to me and pointed out that everyone in that restaurant probably thought the very same thing as that server… that we’re just a bunch of college punks making up complaints so we can get free stuff. Ironically, if I were 10 years older, nobody would have thought twice about my complaint or demand for better service.
Just because I’m young doesn’t mean you can treat me like crap, world! And these crappy baseball tickets and the free meal voucher are proof. Stick it stupid server. Stick it crazy manager. Stick it Applebee’s. Stick it world!
July 12th, 2008 at 10:17 am
That wasn’t a very nice last paragraph. It isn’t very classy to say “up yours” to anyone.
July 12th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Better?
July 13th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I was reading this post and thinking – man the bags is being a bit harsh on these guys. Then you got to the part where the servers were completely rude to you when you came in to get the tickets. Yea Applebee’s sucks. I hate chain restaurants.
June 16th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
I think you did and said the right thing. I despise Applebee’s and all those others like it. That is why I stay local and give the locals my business. They work a hell of a lot harder for their customers than the chains do.
Being a business owner myself I am a tough contestant in the food industry. I complain, and make sure that the little guy knows exactly where I stand. If you don’t put people in their place than of course they are going to do it to the next person.