Let's be honest, Taco Bell is not hiring the best and the brightest to work at their restaurants…read more But by no means does that suggest they should hire troglodytes incapable of the most basic competencies or lack the bare minimum of social skills to work in the food service industry. The negligible idiots at this Taco Bell location though should not be in a consumer facing industry. I have nearly 3 hours left to drive on my trip north to Indianapolis, so I stopped by to grab a burrito and some potato wedges. After making payment, they told me to pull around to the front of the store and my food will be brought out to me shortly. All I ordered was two cheesy bean and rice burritos with no cheese and a box of potato wedges, so why did I sit there for 15 minutes? There was no one else in the drive-through, the parking lot was relatively empty, and I saw what looked to be a full crew on duty inside the restaurant. what would your reason for that to take so long at a fast food restaurant?
So after 15 minutes of peering out my window to see if someone was coming with my food and having seen no one else come through the drive-through, I drove back through the drive-through, skipping the PA and driving straight to the window, where I sat for another minute because no one noticed me sitting there. I finally had to beep my horn to get someone to notice me, it took two beeps to do so. When the teenager did notice me, she didn't approach the window. She just stood there and stared at me, I assume trying to sort out in her brain why I was there or how I got there? I waved her over and eventually she came and opened the window. I told her I wanted my money back. She the window to ask one of her colleagues coworkers what to do, as if they were debating what the proper procedure was. I'm unhappy, give me my money back and I'll be on my way.
The lady who originally took my order and told me to wait in front of the doors or to arrive, comes to the window and asks what I ordered. No one else has come through line, lady! How do you not know what my order is?! Another woman mentioned that they were waiting on the wedges, they had to start a fresh batch when I ordered them, but on what planet does it take 15 minutes to fry potato wedges? I repeated, "Look, I don't want the food. I just want my money back and I'll be on my way." The second woman, who I assume is the manager(?) refused to give me the money back. So not only do you take 15 minutes for a simple Taco Bell order with only three items, you now refuse to give me the money back when you failed to deliver the items in a timely and equitable manner? When I pointed out that it shouldn't take 15 minutes to receive my order and that "You're not doing a very good job," I could see the apathy ooze out of every crevice and pore in her rosacea-filled face. She could literally not care less. And I understand, fast food service is a rather thankless job, and she is likely not making enough money to care about the customers. It was clear this woman had not a shred of empathy or understanding and could only mumble a limp washcloth of "Sorry."
It's not like I had a complicated order or a tom of items, or even that I was being belligerent or too demanding. She simply isn't paid enough to care and let me know that by her statements and actions. So I told her not to apologize because it doesn't mean anything. She's not trying to improve the situation or make it better so her "sorry" is worthless. She reiterated that if I wanted to receive a refund, I would have to consult the receipt. I've never had to do that. Hell, about a month ago I had a similar situation at White Castle, and they immediately made it right by refunding my purchase. But yet, Taco Bell/KFC can't afford the same courtesy as White Castle? Pathetic.
I'm still out the $10 on my order as the only information on the receipt is to go to tacobell.com and fill out a complaint. When I called Taco Bell's Hotline, it was closed, so I guess I'm not getting that $10 back anytime soon. Rest assured I will be calling on Tuesday in full Karen mode to address this issue with the manager on duty then.
Ask for anyone else reading this, avoid this Taco Bell at all cost. They don't deserve your business.
