I booked the Merrimack Room in August 2017 for a surprise 75th birthday party for my sister. I spoke with Bonnie who was very nice and accommodating, and she gave me all the details and pricing for the January event. I spoke with her several times via phone to make sure there were tables for flowers and gift cards & guest book. We went over the final price and we agreed to the amount. I gave her the number of people attending which would be 48 & she told me that it was very close to the 50 amount that I needed and not to worry about being charged for the bartender which was a $75.00 fee. She had also mentioned to me when I met her in August that if I didn't have the exact 50 amount but was close to it, I wouldn't have to pay the Bartender fee. The night of the party, when we pulled up to the building, all the shades were pulled up and we could see right into the room which gave away the surprise to my sister, as she could see people she knew sitting at the tables! The shades should have been closed. The room was right next to the parking lot.
I felt at that point, the surprise had been blown, but I was hoping the rest of the evening went better. When we walked into the room, my close friend had decorated it beautifully with balloons, and birthday favors and it looked really nice. People were eating their appetizers that came with the buffet. The Head Waitress Denise was very nice and she kept coming over to me to ask if anything else was needed. Then they started bringing out the food for the buffet which everyone seemed to enjoy and the DJ was great playing music from the 50's//60's and everyone was having a great time dancing.
Then it was time to leave, and everyone seemed to have a good time. We started to bring out the gifts and flowers and balloons to the car, and the Co-Owner Sandy at the front desk stopped me to ask me if I was going to pay the bill. I was confused at that point because I had already given Bonnie my credit card over the phone 2 weeks prior to the party with the final count of attendees. Bonnie had told me that that was a requirement and I stuck to it. I told them at the front desk that as soon as I finished bringing the stuff to the car, that I would be back in. When I returned to the front desk I asked them about the bill. Sandy said that she added the $75.00 back onto the bill because I didn't have 50 people, I was minus 2. I told her that Bonnie told me twice that I didn't have to pay the $75 bartender fee because I was close to the 50 count of attendees. She rambled off that the Bartenders only earn a minimum wage and that the $75 is given to them if the count is under 50 people. I told her that I noticed a lot of people going to the bar buying mixed drinks and she said they barely bought $200 in mixed drinks and because I bought mostly wine to go with the appetizers.
Sandy's voice was very loud and people in the back room kept coming out to see what was going on. She literally embarrassed me! She then proceeded to tell me she would deduct the $75 reluctantly, as this fee always gets charged when there is a bartender. Denise the head waitress was sitting right there and she didn't say anything. Then Sandy told me I needed to pay for the party, I told her I gave Bonnie my credit card over the phone and said to her are you not supposed to pay for the function 10 days prior to event date?, she said yes but she saw no evidence that I had already paid in full. She then saw my credit card number and said she'd have to check with Bonnie on this. At that point, I was so upset that she really ruined my entire night which was supped to be a lovely surprise and fun event for my sister! I then took the paper she gave me with the total amount on it and walked away without saying another word, as my sister was in the car waiting for me.
When I got to the car, my sister asked me if there was a problem, I told her no, everything was all set. As far as I'm concerned, Co-Owner Sandy has NO IDEA as to how to deal with people! She will definitely lose business for Lenzi's. Due to the way she spoke with me, I will never use Lenzi's ever again for anything and I plan to inform my family and friends of this. Such a shame because Bonnie, the Head Chef, Christine & Denise were fabulous to me. read more