Personal observations.


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Clueless Customer Service -- This is NOT one of those nightmare stories that ends in stomping off without making a purchase. This is just a clueless moment. When traveling late in the evening between Tulsa and OKC I often get sleepy and stop at the midway McDonald's to move about and get a snack. Snacking seems to supplement the usual coffee (which, oddly enough often makes me sleepy).

Tonight I found the McDonald's unusually bare of customers. I approached the counter, saw no food up front and could see only a few fries in the heated tray. In the grill area a man sprayed cleaner and somewhat mindlessly wiped down the hood area. Several younger employees chatted in a group to the side and further back. I was in a hurry to get back on the highway but I was in a moment of decision. Would those fries be edible? How long had they sat around? Finally, I heard someone from the group of young people call my presence to the attention of a young man with them. He hurried forward and apologized for my wait.

Good enough, I thought. At least he understands he's violated one of McDonald's firm rules concerning greeting customers at the counter. I ordered the fries because he could tell me they had only sat there seven minutes (yes, I believed him because he strained to read the timer). Then he noticed the rest of his buddies were making their ways forward though not engaged in any particular activity. He joked to them that he needed a large fry in a hurry.

To my amazement they jokingly told him it was his job. I say they said this jokingly, but then they ignored his request. He actually had to take my money, give me change and then walk over and between them to fill my order. Even more amazing, he kept up his conversation with them, slowing his responses and even stopping him at one point with my fries sitting in the sack in his hand while he finished a short exchange with one of his co-workers.

Does he think his market isn't networked? Does he think this story won't get around to his boss? Worse, who trained these folks and does he or she really think people will put up with such careless service?
posted by Unknown at 12:03 AM