Attitude and Local Businesses

[Parvo Pup]

Can anyone explain to me the seeming prevalance of snotty attitudes towards customers that appears to be the norm for many retail and food service businesses in the Oakhurst area?

Maybe I'm wrong - but after reading the various posts about different businesses - it would seem that more often than not, having a pleasant shopping or dining experience is a rarity.

Obviously, I'm not saying that ALL local businesses have a crappy opinion of their customer - I have had quite enjoyble experiences at a number of local establishments myself. However, in reading through the many posts in this forum - it just seems that a welcoming reception and basic good customer service is rare.

Am I reading it wrong - or is there some underlying reason for the general snottiness of many local businesses?

I could understand being sick and tired of customers right after the summer tourist rush has ended - anyone would need a break by then.

But I would think that during the rest of year when your doors stay open because of locals' business - that the store or restaurant would treat the homeboys with more courtesy than it would appear they do.

Just curious.

[rimalicious]

I think people are much more likely to post about an unpleasant experience then about a pleasant one.

[Kim]

Originally posted by rimalicious:
I think people are much more likely to post about an unpleasant experience then about a pleasant one.
Absolutely. When I go out to spend my money, I expect the experience to be pleasant. When people are rude, I don't spend my money there and I warn others.

[Summer]

But I would think that during the rest of year when your doors stay open because of locals' business - that the store or restaurant would treat the homeboys with more courtesy than it would appear they do.

Just curious.
Yeah, you would logically think this would be the case. But its not. As for the previous thread regarding the 19th Hole - they treat the tourists as shabby (or even shabbier) than the locals! Go figure. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/confused.gif

[Michelle]

You know alot of people post when they are not happy with the service they get be it store, food place, schools, whatever.
I have alot of places I love to go to..but going all the time you tend to try and give another place a chance. well like in my other thread (19th hole) some places are rude and disrespectful.

I don't know why so many local places have to be so damn rude. I work at the Best Western and we get all the tourist and I am paid (not a lot) but paid to be nice and make sure those people are happy with there rooms. Yep I get some rude, demanding and aweful people who are slobs and don't care but I KEEP A SMILE ON MY FACE and I am nice. why because I am the employee and they are the CUSTOMER I am the one who gets paid to do my job. I don't want people to think I am rude (which i can be trust me) but not when it is my job. I wish other people who work around this small town would think the same.. and when I am not happy with service Yep I complain. always make a point to say thank you to the good service people and ***** to the manager about the bad ones....

[oakhurstleaf]

I think the labor pool is relatively small, and well, it's not easy finding good help. Anyone can hire bodies...but finding outstanding people isn't always easy. I also think that some business owners don't have great personalities to begin with so they don't exactly make good role models or hire well...if they don't have it, they won't get it. Some business onwers run their businesses from remote control and don't even know how bad their help is.

We've hired a dud or two...but they're not with us anymore. Can't say it's luck, because I don't think we hire just anybody lookin' for work. They need to be stand-outs...I'd like to think our front-house staff is pretty outstanding. They've gotta have 'it', or they aren't gonna workout for us.

But I agree too...when any given OF member has a bad customer service experience they'll run here and write about it...but they may go to many businesses many times and everythings perfectly great and you won't ever hear about it.

[Kahlua Kid]

Totally agree more people will complain that put out compliments.

But it is interesting that service businesses here in the mountains don't always have that superior service, smiles on their faces, pleasantness you expect... maybe we expect to much because we live in paradise and expect it all to just go smoothly!

Businesses I've noticed that always seem to have the "spring" in their step:

Mountain House
Katie's Country Kitchen
Todd's BBQ
Branding Iron
Narrow Gauge Inn
Sears
American Home Warranty Service
Diane Jines, Golden Chain Realty - Century 21
Crystal Palace Window Cleaning

Hey - gonna start a positive thread on this!