Service Industry Meltdowns in St. John's, NL

Dominion @ QV Lake

2008-08-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

What is with the sullen and unhelpful staff at the Dominion on Quidi Vidi Lake? They can't be overworked because the place always seems empty. Are they just bored? Recently, Downrightcranky had to wait to get served at the bakery section for 15 minutes for someone to come back from their break. DRC will not even discuss the anger management issues over at the deli section. And does anyone actually work downstairs in the flower section? Try asking a random staffer where the horseradish is and you get an agitated glare and this response: "if it is not over on that aisle, I guess we don't carry it." Not only did City Council do us all a disservice by greenlighting a supermarket in the former Memorial Stadium but now we have to deal with a bunch of bitchy workers in one of the most tranquil and prettiest areas in town. Let's just say, DRC will no longer be picking up a sandwich after a pleasant walk around the lake.
In contrast, shopping at Sobeys @ Merrymeeting Road is a ray of sunshine. Staff always ask at the check -out if you found everything you were looking for. And if you point out that they don't sell a particular product, they will order it in within a week or two.

They like us! They really like us!

2008-08-14T07:22:00.000-07:00

Downrightcranky made the news today.
This makes us Downrighthappy.
Check out: http://thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=162136&sc=86
DRC would like to thank columnist and fellow blogger John Gushue (johngushue.typepad.com ) for the shout out in today's Telegram.
John, DRC will take your comments into consideration. After all, we are all about good service.

Tim Horton's@Torbay Road

2008-08-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Downrightcranky is the type to actually get out of the car and walk into Tim's to get coffee. A little exercise to work off that Timbit. No needless harmful gas emissions from the car idling. And you would think, with the line up of cars out onto Torbay Road, it would be quicker. Uh, uh. It seems all staff is dedicated to working the drive- thru while counter patrons must stand and wait and wait and wait. In fact, Downrightcranky had to ask if there was anyone actually working at the counter and was greeted with an eye roll (from one of four people on the drive-thru window). So Tim Hortons please note: not only is your staff rude but you are polluting our air for no good reason with all those exhaust fumes.

staff shortage@Auntie Crae's

2008-07-23T06:09:00.000-07:00

So, check out this article in today's Telegram:

Help wanted - badly
Business is booming, but a staff shortage forces shop to close two days a week

http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=155411&sc=79

Subway Restaurant@Stavanger Drive: a frightening experience

2008-07-20T18:47:00.000-07:00

Downrightcranky has long been a fan of the Subway Restaurant chain. The sandwich purveyor provides a healthy alternative to McyD’s not to mention Jared’s fat pants are a great weight loss motivator.

So it is with great dismay that DRC is forced to report that grabbing a sandwich to go has become a less than pleasant experience – scary, almost - at the busy Stavanger Drive location in St. John’s, NL. Over the past two weeks, DRC has dropped by several times to pick up lunch. It is beyond obvious that the staff dislike each other and operate under a cloud of seething resentment. Service is slow and generally unfriendly. Now, DRC understands that working in the service industry is difficult and mostly unrewarding. Furthermore, making sandwiches for eight hours a day can’t be fun. But c’mon people. Bitching in front of customers is a little much. In the last three visits, DRC witnessed:

Staff on the sandwich line not speaking to each other, except to bark out orders and to slam utensils on countertops.

Staff yelling at each other in front of about 10 customers

One staffer in charge of ‘veggies and sauces’ go into the backroom to get a mayo refill and reappear 10 minutes later. This happened during the lunch hour rush and the other staffers just stood by while customers got visibly agitated.

A staffer rolling her eyes when someone requested extra veggies.

A male staffer throwing his cap across the room in anger.

Lots of confusion about orders, particularly about toasted vs. untoasted bread orders.

One staffer valiantly working hard to make sandwiches alone (and not cry) while two other staffers had it out around the corner. "Can someone please, please help me,” she finally yelled.

When the ‘veggies’ person disappeared yet again, another staffer jumped in only to be told curtly by some sort of supervisor/manager “you are on meats so move it.” When the staffer explained there was a backlog of sandwiches waiting for veggies, the supervisor snapped: "didn’t you hear me!"

Customers commiserating and ultimately laughing in disbelief about the general lack of decorum and civility in the joint.