I've been a fan of comedy since I was old enough to smile, and I've been supporting comedy clubs like this one for over 20 years. I spend my hard-earned money here often, and customers like me help keep this business open, keep shows running, and help pay the staff. As the cost of everything keeps rising -- from ticket prices to surcharges to taxes -- we continue spending our dollars because we love the experience. Our money matters.
But this weekend was different. Illinois and Wisconsin both reported record-breaking snowfall. From Saturday through early Sunday morning, we had over 11 inches of snow in my area. Roads were dangerous, snowplows couldn't keep up, cars were crashing, and a weather safety advisory was issued telling us not to travel. I'm also handicapped, and my car was completely snowed in along with every local street.
Because of this, I reached out to the Improv management team for updates about the Corey Holcomb show nov 30 830pm show to be exact. Nothing was posted on the website, so I emailed explaining my concerns. No one responded. The day of the show, I called and asked to speak to the box office manager. The woman who answered -- a Caucasian manager who introduced herself as Christina -- was extremely rude. She talked over me, refused to hear my concerns, and initially didn't even want to get on the phone. When she finally did, she dismissed everything I said.
Despite us getting 11 inches of snow -- the worst since 1951 -- she told me, "We paid Corey to be here, so deal with it. It's winter." I was shocked. Corey has resources, drivers, and support. I don't. I was traveling two and a half hours away, and when I bought my tickets four months ago, nobody -- not me, not her, not Corey -- could have predicted this storm. Instead of empathy, she basically told me my situation was my problem.
What hurts most is knowing that I work hard just like everyone else, and these shows are recreational -- we don't have to support them. In an economy where prices are climbing, jobs are disappearing, and people are losing what they have, the bare minimum a business should offer is empathy and understanding. But this management team showed neither.
I spend on an average $150 on your watered-down drinks, your overcrowded seating, your uncomfortable arrangements, and food so basic you don't even offer cheese on your tacos. It takes 40 minutes just to get a napkin even on a half-packed night. Yet management acts like customers owe them something, instead of realizing we are the reason they have jobs at all.
Ma'am, you should be humble. Positions of authority can disappear in an hour. When you leave your job and spend your own money somewhere, I guarantee you expect to be treated with respect. That's exactly what I deserved when I reached out with a legitimate concern. Management is supposed to know service recovery, to handle issues with tact, professionalism, and care. You showed none of that. You weren't personable, friendly, or empathetic -- and you came across as prejudiced on top of it.
When I asked for corporate information, you refused to provide it. So I hope corporate sees this message, because I will make sure people know how their loyal patrons are being treated. A person with your attitude should not be representing this establishment -- you'd be better off packing boxes in a storage facility, somewhere far away from customers you clearly don't respect your brand or those who patronize it at best ! read more