I am a regular customer at this establishment and love the gelato and the baristas are normally super friendly. I had a bad experience with them the other day.=( I had made my normal stop at Centeral Market before ending a nice saturday sipping coffee and reading a good book at Spotted Cow. On our way out of the parking lot, My kids saw Cold Stone and wanted to stop and get some instead of our usual gelato. I agreed. So, we got our ice cream and headed over to Spotted Cow.
Before i could even get my kids ice cream open, the female that was working walked up to me and informed me that I HAD TO LEAVE BECAUSE I CANT HAVE MY ICE CREAM IN THERE AND THAT I WAS JUST WRONG!!! She did not do say this to me in a nice/quiet professional way. INFACT, She said it to me loud, and in front of about 20 plus other customers in the shop. I WAS TOTALLY UPSET AND HUMILIATED!!!!! There is a way that you talk to people/customers and address issues. This wasn't the way!!
I understand where she was coming from as far as bringing the ice cream in but i was going to order coffee and a sandwich for my kids as well. It was an honest mistake and i appologized. Either way, I didnt make a scene. I just picked up my stuff and got my kids together and left.
When I got home, i was still bothered by what had just happened. So, i called Spotted Cow and expressed my feelings to her and asked her for the managers/owners number. She appologized and said that the manager would have handled this situation in the same manner.(Really??) She also said, she would take into consideration next time this happened and try not to be so agressive/ RUDE. She informed me that it was a problem and that they kick people out if they bring any other coffee in as well, starbuck, tullys... etc.
A few days later, I got a phone call from the manager. I wanted to bring attention to the treatment i had at his establishment. Thinking, i would get a appology of some sort (as i recognized AND APPOLOGIZED for not seeing the "No outside Food or Beverage" sign on the window). All i got was a SNOOTY and rude vibe/ responses from him. Saying i indirectly insulted him and his shop and how HE WANTS HIS BARISTAS AND STAFF TO, BASICALLY BE RUDE AND AGRESSIVE TO ANYONE WHO BRINGS OUTSIDE FOOD INTO HIS PLACE. Is that any way to treat people? I dont think so. Please be ware of this establishment.
Don't you think your hindering business rather than bettering it in this economy? ( like i said before... totally get it! No competitions food in his store) But, dont be rude. People make honest mistakes and you shouldnt go about it in the way he wants his staff to)
I am pretty bummed because I loved coming in there. Im sorry this wasn't resolved.
*** FOR EVERY GOOD EXPERIENCE, PEOPLE TELL 3-5 OTHERS***
**** FORE EVERY BAD EXPERIENCE, PEOPLE TELL 10-20 OTHERS***
Just a little Food for thought.
Pros: Decent Gelato and Coffee
Cons: CUSTOMER SERVICE
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