While visiting Ocean City, I was very happy to learn that McDonald's offered reliable wifi for a very affordable cost. I am enrolled in an online class, so it was critical that I found a place in which I could get online and participate. The prior Sat. night, I stopped into the McDonald's and the manager assured me that the restaurant was open until 1 am. My class was from 10-11 PM, so this was perfect.
I returned on Aug. 8, bought a Diet Coke, and asked the cashier until what time the restaurant was open, just to verify before I paid for my wifi. She said she was not sure, which surprised me. How can an employee not know the store's hours? I prodded, and asked if it would be open until 11.
"Yes, 11, at least," she replied.
I sat down and paid for my wifi. At 10:20ish, a very surly woman yelled at me and my friends.
"You have to get out of here in 15 minutes," she snarled.
I was confused. I told her that I had been told that the restaurant was open until 11 pm at least.
"Well, I am the night shift manager," she snarled, "and I decide what time we close. And I decided that we close in 15 minutes."
I tried pointing out that I paid for my wifi and needed to be online for a class. She told me that she didn't care and that I now needed to be out of there in five minutes. I asked if this was standard procedure to randomly close the restaurant and she said that it was when she decided it was.
Needless to say, I was outraged by the lack of standards that this McDonald's has. Not only was this woman incredibly nasty to me and my friends, but she also treated the other employees poorly, yelling in their faces for what appeared to be minor infractions. Worse, the restaurant itself was disgusting. The floors were greasy, as if mopped with leftover from the fryer and smelled like ketchup. I stayed far away from McDonald's for the rest of my time in Ocean City, and hope that this is not a reflection of how McDonald's operates in other areas.
I'll share the response, if I get any.
I have to say I really enjoyed reading your complaint. I like your use of "snarled". I should have just out right asked for coupons. I have her number on my cell phone...
ReplyDeleteThat's a very dignified letter. If the dunderheads at Corporate Mickey D's don't do something (and I mean more than coupons!) I will boycott them. Sure, I haven't eaten there in at least 10 years because I'm a vegetarian and all of their food is disgusting, but now I'll have a political purpose, dammit.
ReplyDeleteRanting bloggers unite!
ReplyDeleteI know it will not bring back the end of your online class, but does it make you feel better to know that, many years ago, I vandalized the McDonalds Corporate HQ in Oakbrook Il? The more amusing part is that the street sign we stole is still outside my neighbor's house a few towns away - we gave it to him as a gift.
ReplyDeletei hope you do get a response. i never did from papa johns when i waited 2 hours for my pizza to be delivered. i actually called them 3 times, including my initial order. the 2nd time it was over an hour into my wait and i called to make sure they had my address correct. the person there assured me that the delivery guy was out & should be there soon
ReplyDeleteoops! when i called the 3rd time they said they didn't even have an order for me. then after searching the store, they told me oh, it's here on the counter. we can get it to you in ten minutes. who wants cold pizza? it had been 2 hours at that point. i said nevermind and sent in a complaint through the website where i was assured that a regional manager would call me within 2-3 days. 2 weeks later, i sent another complaint. nothing. all i wanted was an apology. no even said they were sorry about the mixup. grrrr...
ReplyDeleteYou should at least be given refund for the unused WiFi and an apology for the employees rudeness.
ReplyDeleteIt seems odd to me that they can randomly determine closing time, in the absence of a blizzard or hurricane or some other crazy and understandable event.