when you don't get what you paid for...

AnneMarie,
I like the way you think!

Great point Annemarie. I'm wouldn't hesitate to politely point out a mishap at a restaurant, but your stories about automotive service have left me terrified. (Especially considering the fact that your own dealership is the one who tried to cheat you.) I honestly would never have thought that such egregious deception was common.

$85 for an oil change?!?!? That's just crazy talk to begin with!

This doesn't relate so much to just this thread, but to many that show up on the forum. What's the hang-up with comps and free stuff? I just don't get it. One has a meal or dish that isn't good, and all is well by getting more food from the same purveyor that you decided just fed you one bad dish/meal? I think it's the desire in most all people to get something free, no matter whether they really want/need it or not. IMHO, it takes more than a comped desert to make up for a lousy evening - more, as in constant improvement over multiple visits. OK, end of rant.

This doesn't relate so much to just this thread, but to many that show up on the forum. What's the hang-up with comps and free stuff? I just don't get it. One has a meal or dish that isn't good, and all is well by getting more food from the same purveyor that you decided just fed you one bad dish/meal? I think it's the desire in most all people to get something free, no matter whether they really want/need it or not. IMHO, it takes more than a comped desert to make up for a lousy evening - more, as in constant improvement over multiple visits. OK, end of rant.

TP,

I agree, when the comp is a return visit. If the experience is truly bad, comping me a return trip does not win me back as a customer- my time and enjoyment is worth much more than that and I'll probably not risk wasting my time again. But if the experience has one specific flaw ( say one dinner is cold and significantly delayed from the others), then a visit from management and a smaller comp makes me feel like I've been heard and appreciated, and raises my opinion of the place.

Two examples come to mind:
1) a visit to the now defunct Rocky's on Westport, with a reservation, and left to wait for over a hour with a cranky 2 year old. Despite repeated checking in, they had skipped over us. and only figured out when we pointed out yet again that people w/o reservations were passing us.They comped us a repeat visit ( nice touch) but it wasn't worth the risk for a return visit.
2) A number of years ago at CQ ( when John from Zeyphr Cove was the Chef), several at our table ordered a Sea Bass that sounded really wonderful based on the waiter's recommendation. The waiter returned later explaining they were all out of the Sea Bass, but explained that the chef apologized for not ordering enough, and gave each who ordered his business card with a comp for that entree at another time. Totally unnecessary and very classy, from a place I thought of at the time as a "burger place on the river" ( sorry, Alan!) Totally changed my perception of CQ and we left looking forward to another great experience. Never redeemed the comp ( that wasn't the point) but I'll always be impressed by the customer responsiveness.

Deb

My dad always marks the tires of his cars with colored chalk (on the inside) when getting tires rotated. Though I've never experienced it, he said this is a very common service that people get cheated on, and its happened to him numberous times in numerous cities.

Also, the comp for the return visit is often an issue, and unsatisfying, especially if a local restaurant has twice told you to email them for a comped return visit, and no response was ever received.

Marking the tires for a rotation is a very smart idea. I've gone to quick oil services, and had to remind them to even check my tires. My car tells me when tires are supposedly low, but who knows how accurate that is. I've also experienced places who don't understand balance AND rotate, and all they do is balance the tires (that's what they tell me, anyway), but I might get charged for both. Great advice, thanks!

I guess first of all, who eats at long horn? Secondly, your daughter really isn't a vegetarian if she eats salmon, and what is the deal with an 85.00 oil change. Quit eating at crappy places, and spend your money at local louisville restaurants that should be specializing in what you want to eat--like if one is really a vegetarian, then maybe eating at a vegetarian restaurant instead of a steakhouse??? Uhhh...And find a place you can grow a relationship with when it comes to your car instead of just driving to any place and EXPECTING them to do it how you like it. When you frequent places and develop good business and personal relationships there, then you will not have to be so demanding when they mess up something, because more than likely it will be exactly how you want it done in the first place! Good Luck!!

wow James, that's really very rude. You know, sometimes people go to restaurants with other people, and don't get to make the choice of where they're going.

I'm sure I could address my reply in one of many avenues: A) Do I really waste my time with one whom is so intent on explaining through louisvillehotbytes that people "are too shy to compain these days;" B) What exactly is a high horse? Isnt it really called a throne? C) Can anyone be a vegetarian, albeit, even if it is only to label oneself that, even though vegetarian means vegetables, not also salmon? If I am a red car, but I call myself a blue car, does that necessarily make it so? D) Or should I just blatantly say that the main reason this woman has to complain so much is that by frequenting the wrong places in Louisville (even though she totally has the right to do so), it feeds her "complaining" frenzy?
I very rarely complain, argue, or anything of the similar ilk, since I rarely put myself in those positions/situations. I also do not use such tense terms as "complain," "argue," "win," or "lose," either. I healthily confront. I look at the issues from all sides. But I also realize since you do look at all those terms in a black and white manner Mam, then there is no getting through to you, since your first repsonse to me was to address my newness to louisvillehotbytes, and to sarcastically address me as your "buddy." You are what is termed a justifier, Mam. You will win "arguments," where there was no winner needed. Continue your outlandish behavior, complaining to anyone who will listen, and I am sure you'll continue to be the big winning aggravator you always dreamed of becoming.
Until then, giddy'up.

My husband and I eat at Longhorn quite frequently. We like their steak. We also frequent many local places.

in reality if you can afford a mercedes, then you can afford the oil change.

I agreed with your post until this statement followed by the smiley face. Thus, in response, in reality if you can financially afford a mercedes and have class, you don't try belittling people with your assets.

Man o man o man o man. James, I think the issue is that your tone was offensive, regardless of how often you have posted to this forum. Annemarie is certainly entitled to voice her complaints here (and this is surely a more productive outlet than, say, one's spouse or co-workers), and if you found them displaced, I would suggest simply abstaining from posting rather than going on the attack.

To the flip side, I don't think she was trying to belittle anyone about her comments about the price of the oil chage, it's just that she was probably a little frustrated with that fact that multiple people commented on $85.00 being expensive. It is, but it does go with the territory of having a newer, high-end car serviced at a dealership. Personally, I take my 12 year old Nissan to a guy I know and trust, but if I had a $$$ car still under warranty, you can bet I would be using the dealership. Specifically mentioning "Jaguar" and "Mercedes" might have been in a little bad taste, but I don't think it warranted a personal attack.

Finally, I believe that while Annemarie referred to her family member as a "vegetarian," she likely meant "pescetarian" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pescetarianism). Many pescetarians (including a good friend of mine) refer to themselves as vegetarians because it's just easier.

I think everyone needs a drink.

Brad, you are so right. Mr. Cooper apparently is looking to start something, and I'm afraid he may have bit off more than he can chew with this one.

Mr. Cooper: for your edification: 1) http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/get+off+high+horse
2) http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ma'am And, finally, until you are in a position to know the costs of OEM filters and how many quarts of high grade synthetic oil is required in a Mercedes, I for one, would ask that you please keep your rude and uninformed comments to yourself.

[Robin Garr]

Man o man o man o man. James, I think the issue is that your tone was offensive, regardless of how often you have posted to this forum.

Beat me to it.

James, we want to welcome you to the forum, but take a moment to learn our culture first. Personal attacks are unwelcome here, even if you feel yourself justified. Please take a deep breath and think twice before you take on another forum member in that kind of tone again. There are more civil (and more effective) ways to make your argument.

I think everyone needs a drink.

Who's buyin'!?