Due to our work schedules, my fiance and I don't get to go out often. We only got around to going out to lunch for my birthday today. It was a great afternoon... Until we got back to where we'd parked, and couldn't find my car. At first, I thought it had been stolen, which scared me to death, but we soon learned that it had in fact been towed-- and only minutes after we'd parked, no less! Sure didn't take them long...
Anyway, we had to walk all the way to the towing company, and as if the day hadn't already taken enough of a downturn, the person at the front desk was *extremely* rude.
My fiance gallantly offered to cover the towing charge, but as soon as he got his credit card out, the front desk lady informed me that the card she charged had to be in my name, or it might look as if the car had been stolen off the lot. When we tried to explain the situation, she immediately got very huffy and pulled the manager out to the front, acting as if I was nothing but a nuisance.
I relented and handed my card over, adding that she didn't need to have an attitude. She promptly flew off the handle, yelling at me that she had "...been very polite, and I do not have an attitude!!..."
I believe this is what's referred to as *irony.*
I attempted to cut her rant short by saying, "Look, I gave you my card." And she kept going! She kept yelling and carrying on, while the manager stood there and didn't do a thing to stop her. I've had jobs in customer service, the food industry, and retail, and if I'd behaved like that at any one of them, I would've been fired on the spot. How does this woman get away with being so out of control-- and right in front of her manager, at that?
I understand that it wasn't an ideal situation for anyone involved, but if a person is going to be in that line of work, then they should be prepared to *calmly* deal with people who are none too pleased to walk out after a lovely afternoon downtown only to find their car is basically being held for ransom.
I let her finish blowing off steam (not that there was any other option), and then I said, "Look, I gave you my card, it's right there, so I don't see any reason for you to continue yelling." Honestly-- I was cooperating, I'd given her what she'd asked for-- what else did she want?
She seemed to be gearing up for another tantrum, but this time, to the manager's credit, he actually stepped in and got her to just move on and do her job.
That was the only thing he did right, though. Beyond that, he wasn't terribly polite to me. Not as rude as the *loose cannon* sitting at the front desk, but still. He wasn't pleasant.
From what I've seen in other reviews at different sites, it would seem he's not very honest, either. I'd assumed the owner of the place I'd been towed from had had someone watching the lot, or a camera or something, but it sounds, from other reviews, like Ultimate actually employs someone to go sit and watch parking lots and call them to tow people.
I stated why we'd gone out-- to have lunch, as a belated birthday celebration-- and that all this had really ruined the day. Did either of them seem to care? Of course they didn't.
During the whole second half of this incident, I hadn't spoken another word to the woman. Out of the blue, just as she was finishing with my receipt, she handed it to my fiance (despite it being for *my* credit card she'd insisted upon), saying pointedly, "Here you are, sir, and thank you for being so polite. I'm glad I talked to *you* on the phone."
What *gall,* after how she'd acted towards me. I didn't even say anything because I was too *stunned.* I wish now that I'd told her how innappropriate and uncalled-for a remark that was. Frankly, I'm just not used to dealing with such tactless people. I didn't deserve that.
We went out and got my car, and as I was driving through the gate, the manager called out, *very* sarcastically, "Happy birthday."
I want Gainesville and all the world to know how snotty and sleazy these people are! I am disgusted and would give them *zero* stars if I could. read more