We have been patrons of Get Air Poway since they first opened. My kids have loved coming to jump and play dodge ball sometimes for an hour sometimes for two. We have always purchased the Groupon/Local Flavor deals of one kind or another and they have always allowed us to use a two hour jump pass for two kids/one hour or as they were written one kid/two hours. This was a great policy as sometimes you just can't stay for two hours.
This time we were told no in no uncertain terms and were not permitted to use them in this way. Fine. Businesses have the right to change their policies. HOWEVER, businesses who wish to keep happy customers should be able to convey this to the customer, in a way that makes the customer feel appreciated, and valued.
Get Air Poway, needs to train their staff better. The first employee told me no, they couldn't do that. When I said that I have always been able to do that, he just looked at me blankly and said no, they cannot do that. I then asked to see the manager. The first employee said, "well he's just going to say the same thing" Customer service 101, the answer here is "Sure, just one moment, I will get the manager for you."
Employee 1 goes over to the manager has a conversation, and the Manager, Jordan, comes over. I explain the situation and he proceeds to grill me on who was it that did this, when was it, I'm going to have to fire these people. Management 101, goes something more like "We are going to have to do more training with these employees." I'm immediately put off by the managers tone, attitude and ridiculous management style.
I explain that I only brought one of the Local Flavor coupons with me, since the beginning of time it was always honored, etc. Jordan was steadfast that he too would be fired if he, as the manager would dare to honor the coupon in the fashion to which I had been accustomed to. Even if he gave me warning me that it would never happen again. When I complained about the inconsistency, Jordan just shrugged and said that if he allowed me to use the coupon today, he would then be inconsistent. When I asked what am I supposed to do Jordan told me to read the fine print. I asked what I should do about having two kids and only one coupon. Jordan didn't know. When I asked which kid should be allowed to jump, is he really going to do that, Jordan said yes that was all he could do. I asked if I could pay with Tap, since all I had was my phone. Jordan said we don't have that technology here. I suggested that Jordan should be empowered to make a decision like allowing my 2 kids to jump for one hour using the one coupon. Jordan said no. Apparently Jordan has no authority or ability to be a good manager, or he really gets off making moms pissed and kids sad. Jordan might want to consider another career path)
Finally through my real anger at Jordan, he's not a great manager/people person, I thought to look up Local Flavor App to see if I could find the other 6 coupons I had printed out at home. One of the other employees, not sure who he was, but he was smart, suggested that they had a website. Bingo! my kids are now jumping.
Ultimately, here's the deal. I would have been much more understanding had any one of these things happened.
1. The first employee had said something similar to "oh, I'm sorry, I understand that we once honored them in that way, however the policy changed on X date and we are no longer allowed to do so"
2. The first employee had not been so snotty about the manager saying the same thing
3. The manager had said some thing like in 1.
4. The manager had not tried to make me help him figure out what employees he needed to fire.
5. The manager been less intent on winning the battle. (I'll admit, I just wanted to win the battle too, but it isn't my job to make Jordan feel good about his life. It is Jordan's job to make customers feel good about Get Air Poway)
Remember, you are in a customer service business. The customer is still always right, even when they are wrong, it is your job to make them feel right. read more