DO you think the restaurants read this?
 

We all have complaints about quite a few restaurants in The Villages. I was wondering how many of the Restaurants actually read these reviews about them. Also, if you have a complaint, do you make it known to the restaurant? Maybe we should tell them about talk of the villages...

Be my guest ---- Go for It

I think it would be best to address your complaint with the manager of the restaurant and allow them the opportunity rectify the situation. I would much rather read on this forum positive remarks than complaints.

If you've got an issue with any business, the best route to an effective resolution is always going to be to take it to them directly at that point in time. Posting it here without giving the business the opportunity to address it first has never made sense to me.

Bill :)

I whole heartily agree. Restaurant management can't know there's problems unless customers complaln or compliment the establihment. We always give feedback when we go out to eat.

My experience with local vendors is that they are aware of TOTV and, from discussions I have had with some of them, do monitor what is said about their businesses. I would if I owned a local business, just to keep in touch with my customers.

There's probably a few thousand of us on TOTV. I don't think we all have restaurant complaints.

Margarita Republic
 

Ron and Sandy of Margarita Republic could care less. He was quoted as saying "What do the critics know about running a good restaurant!"

Just think about that statement for a while.

Skip

Critics are one thing, customers a whole different thing. Surely an owner would care about them.

Yes, if you share your concern with the owner, rather than post on a public blog.
BTW, a Google search will bring up postings on TOTV...........you are posting for the world to see.

Red Sauce
 

Ate at Red Sauce on 3/25. Asked for "House cabernet". We weren't told that the only house, happy hour, red was merlot, so got a glass of wine which cost twice as much. We ordered Red Snapper. It could not be cut with a fork. We told the server. She asked if we wanted to talk to the manager; we said no (thinking that was her job). Was not removed from the bill although we did not eat it. Then I went to the website and sent an email to the manager: no response. Not the way to run a restaurant!!

So, the server offered to get the manager for you. You told her no, and now you are complaining nothing was done???

Boy Howdy and oh for pete's sake.
 

I am not a gourmet and I don't hail from "the city" so I am NOT an expert on food. I am a girl from Ohio who knows how to cook fairly well and I say this in defense of most of the restaurants here in TV. It is mostly decent food at decent prices and mostly incredibly good service from mostly seasoned staff who must have to bite holes in their tongues some days.

And thank heavens we have the money to pay for it in the company of friendly folks in lovely surroundings.

AND we can still enjoy the pleasures of the table.AND we don't go hungry.

If it is under par, speak to the manager. That is very good advice, Bill.

Sounds like the server followed your direction exactly as you presented it to her.
In any restaurant that has a happy hour, the selection will be limited. Otherwise people will be asking for things like Dom Perignon. Using the word 'house' is no indicator that you mean happy hour. Sorry.

Wherever you go next, it might be helpful to ask if Cabernet (or whatever) is included in the happy hour selections. Most often it isn't.

Sorry you didn't like the fish. But after complaining, then turning down the offer of assistance, leaving it on your plate is no indicator that you expected it to be removed from your bill. Not in ANY restaurant.

I did go onto their website.... found a way to post a rating, but didn't find any email address for the manager.

Also not the way to deal with a complaint!

No I do not think restaurant read "TOTV",why should they.

Actually, I make it a point to talk to the manager of new restaurants to tell them about TOTV...It is always a good thing to watch your back for both the good things and the negative things that are posted.

If they are part of a chain they most probably do. Corporations have whole armies of people who scan social media and then post on various sites like FarceBook, Twitter, Timblr, You-Tube and so on. It has become a major arm of their marketing.

Now comes the next part, and I guarantee that you won't like it. And don't get all crazy and shoot the messenger, but I speak the truth..

Since you are in what is commonly reffered to in the advertising business as the "50 To Dead" demo Y-O-U don't count. What you think..what you want absolutely DOES NOT MATTER to these big chains. They are looking for 25-45 and 25-54 demos. Emphasis on the lower numbers.

Those in the 50+ demo have the LARGEST AMOUNT OF DISPOSABLE income of any demo, and they don't care about you.

Media buyers and media researchers are pretty muched aged 21-38. They are the ones making the choices, the policy and who and what they care about. You don't fit into their marketing scheme.

I have spent nearly 40 years in radio and I know how hard it is to attract advertisers into this very lucrative demo. But you can't tell that to a 30-something. They think you are old, dull, boring & cheap. They cannot conceive of you being vital.

They are the ones reading the social media, they are the ones making the ad buys and setting policy. It's a losing battle.

So..the best way for you to make your concerns known is to do it LOCALLY. The local manager or franchisor is relying on YOUR dollars. it is the only way for you to get a good result from your concerns.

I generally make it known to the corporate office and let it trickle back down. Not that it happens very often. I think I've gone that route twice. There are definite differences in the way restaurants handle things. And basically if its something that can be resolved there do it or let the higher ups know so that the restaurant owner / manager ends up finding out and takes appropriate steps.

I have talked to a restaurant owner who definitely reads TOTV

When business is good, restaurants generally don't lose sleep over the one or two "oddball" complainers. Years ago The Wall Street Journal had a great article with the following heading: "Customers Go Out The Door When Success Goes To Your Head."

The article gave all the common stages of the restaurant business, from start-up to decline.

may be a good idea but do you think they will really read it? We could try I guess

Maybe we should just not go to them if we have a complaint. Leaves less waiting time for me to get a table.

I use TOTV for a guide of where to dine, and I thank folks for being honest about their experiences. You can usually read between the lines if people are the 2%'s by their posts and the following comments. I also use the State Health Dept link that a member posted, and no longer eat at one place after reading about all the cockroaches and other violations.