For many years, I had the pleasure of dining at Pat & Oscar's Restaurant chain in the San Diego area. The food was always a cut above, the service excellent, and it was just a fun place to go.
In the beginning, it was just Oscar's, before Oscar added his wife Pat to the name. And for all those years, it was a gathering spot for myself and my employees for luncheons, catered meetings, informal business dinners, carry-out meals and family meals. I brought clients to "P&O's" as I came to call them, because they were a great place to go. A highly responsive organization and great food.
But something changed. A recent experience soured my last perhaps fifteen or more years experience with this chain. Following what I considered a very poor take-out order, I contacted them twice via their site, and they never responded. I attempted to contact them via their office phone, which was not answered; it simply invites you to leave a message.
In short, all those years of business has come to a halt. Although they are close by, we'll no longer do business. There are way too many fast food places available to simply be ignored by a company when you have a valid complaint about an order. And, it's the first complaint in all those years.
It's not that I was unwilling to "give it another try." It's that I feel as if the company doesn't care about their customers. Nobody can tell me they don't get nor read their e-mails that originate on their own site. It doesn't go to spam. It simply tells me they just don't want to be bothered with consumer issues.
And they wonder why you don't come back? The restaurant business has long been one with a difficult survival path, with about 30% failing in the first year. Pat & Oscar's has had a remarkably successful run, and I sure wish them continued success. But I won't be one of their customers anymore.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
California's Bureaucracy is Way More Than Sacramento!
Whew. Over the past year or so, I found out just how screwed up the State of California really is. I mean so screwed up that it makes you want to vomit explosively. Especially when you realize that the lackadaisical attitude of the elected officials spreads all the way to the offices throughout the state. Yes, the same people who whine and cry that it's the "big politicians in Sacramento" who are at fault for this mess we're in." Sorry to use an expletive, but bullshit!
I have found that State offices pass the buck for not doing things that need to be done by saying they are too busy, don't have the manpower, it isn't their job, call someone else and then have phone systems that just don't allow you to make any choices at all, not even leave a message.
Example. A contractor is working with a suspended license. The State Contractors License Board enforcement unit in Norwalk indicates they actually need to physically see the contractor doing work, but won't have anyone available for three weeks to send to check the contractor out. Will he still be doing work in three weeks? WTF? The guy is doing work NOW! Get your ass out and see, and levy the fines that will fill the state coffers, protect the public against an unlicensed contractor and do your damned job. But no, nothing ever happens.
Illegal activity 1 State 0 Consumers -1
Example. Contractor is working without Workers Compensation insurance for his employees. While he states he has no employees and doesn't need to provide the State proof of a policy, he shows up for work each day with four or more workers for the job. Probably day laborers but still employees. State Division of Workers Compensation wants nothing to do with it. They only regulate insurance companies, and handle complaints against insurance companies by insured people. If this guy is uninsured, you need to go to the Labor Commission, part of the Department of Industrial Relations and let them know. We don't do that here.
Illegal activity 2 State 0 Consumers -2
Labor Commission phone system is a recording that plainly states it's not equipped to take messages. It provides you with a street address and tells you the business hours and that a Deputy Labor Commissioner is on duty. Also that you can call back and then you are done. No other options. Nobody to talk to, nobody to register your concerns with, nothing. Do they expect you to drive to the office and hope someone will actually be there to talk to you. Or, would you think that somehow, like a miracle, they might take action during this millennium? Oh, wait, the recording did say that they are not open certain days anymore since the State furlowed employees due to the budget crunch.
Illegal activity 3 State 0 Consumers -3
So, this teaches us several lessons. First is what a crap job the State is doing in many areas when you have to deal with them. Secondly, it reinforces most citizens "don't give a rat's ass" attitude about what goes on illegally since you can do all in your power and nothing gets resolved. Frankly, you're better off calling Channel 10 News investigations and asking them why these things go on like they do, and let them do the legwork if they care to.
Then we have the office that says we'll actually go out and check this situation out. It's just to appease you and they allegedly take down the information. They never do go out and when you contact them again to determine the results of their "action", they give you the cold shoulder or hang up on you. I believe that's because they think if they ignore you enough you'll simply go away. Oh, and while they have you on the phone, should you dare criticize their actions, they'll tell you what a wonderful job they are doing given the current budget constraints!
Honestly, the attitude of the State workers and the politicians here is why, in my opinion, Obama and the bunch of imbeciles in Washington got elected and some re-elected. People who can't do what is necessary to serve the people, and just let everything slide. Waiting for change.
November 2010 showed that change came. Not enough change perhaps, but some change nonetheless. Lots more is needed to dump these politicians and slackers on their butts. People are still screaming for change, and if you read the blogs, California State workers, they're screaming for YOU to get your butts booted out of your jobs, and replaced by people who will work for less money and do a better job. Most believe we could employ twice as many people for less money, reduce the ridiculously rich benefits packages, and save the State hundreds of millions to boot. Don't take my word for it, just read the blogs about the State financial conditions. Those are taxpayers' comments and those people pay your salary!
Maybe more State workers should look at and take lessons from the true public servants and quality professionals of our state and communities, our Emergency Service personnel, Highway Patrol, Cal-Fire, sheriff, police, fire, EMS, and those who lay it all on the line for the community every day, many making much less than the almost useless paper pushers who do so little to make this a better place to live. When you need our public safety professionals, they just respond. No bunch of buck passing...they just do their job. What the hell is wrong with the rest of you?
It's sad, but combined with those who want everything and contribute nothing to the system, there's is little to wonder about why we're in this financial condition.
I have found that State offices pass the buck for not doing things that need to be done by saying they are too busy, don't have the manpower, it isn't their job, call someone else and then have phone systems that just don't allow you to make any choices at all, not even leave a message.
Example. A contractor is working with a suspended license. The State Contractors License Board enforcement unit in Norwalk indicates they actually need to physically see the contractor doing work, but won't have anyone available for three weeks to send to check the contractor out. Will he still be doing work in three weeks? WTF? The guy is doing work NOW! Get your ass out and see, and levy the fines that will fill the state coffers, protect the public against an unlicensed contractor and do your damned job. But no, nothing ever happens.
Illegal activity 1 State 0 Consumers -1
Example. Contractor is working without Workers Compensation insurance for his employees. While he states he has no employees and doesn't need to provide the State proof of a policy, he shows up for work each day with four or more workers for the job. Probably day laborers but still employees. State Division of Workers Compensation wants nothing to do with it. They only regulate insurance companies, and handle complaints against insurance companies by insured people. If this guy is uninsured, you need to go to the Labor Commission, part of the Department of Industrial Relations and let them know. We don't do that here.
Illegal activity 2 State 0 Consumers -2
Labor Commission phone system is a recording that plainly states it's not equipped to take messages. It provides you with a street address and tells you the business hours and that a Deputy Labor Commissioner is on duty. Also that you can call back and then you are done. No other options. Nobody to talk to, nobody to register your concerns with, nothing. Do they expect you to drive to the office and hope someone will actually be there to talk to you. Or, would you think that somehow, like a miracle, they might take action during this millennium? Oh, wait, the recording did say that they are not open certain days anymore since the State furlowed employees due to the budget crunch.
Illegal activity 3 State 0 Consumers -3
So, this teaches us several lessons. First is what a crap job the State is doing in many areas when you have to deal with them. Secondly, it reinforces most citizens "don't give a rat's ass" attitude about what goes on illegally since you can do all in your power and nothing gets resolved. Frankly, you're better off calling Channel 10 News investigations and asking them why these things go on like they do, and let them do the legwork if they care to.
Then we have the office that says we'll actually go out and check this situation out. It's just to appease you and they allegedly take down the information. They never do go out and when you contact them again to determine the results of their "action", they give you the cold shoulder or hang up on you. I believe that's because they think if they ignore you enough you'll simply go away. Oh, and while they have you on the phone, should you dare criticize their actions, they'll tell you what a wonderful job they are doing given the current budget constraints!
Honestly, the attitude of the State workers and the politicians here is why, in my opinion, Obama and the bunch of imbeciles in Washington got elected and some re-elected. People who can't do what is necessary to serve the people, and just let everything slide. Waiting for change.
November 2010 showed that change came. Not enough change perhaps, but some change nonetheless. Lots more is needed to dump these politicians and slackers on their butts. People are still screaming for change, and if you read the blogs, California State workers, they're screaming for YOU to get your butts booted out of your jobs, and replaced by people who will work for less money and do a better job. Most believe we could employ twice as many people for less money, reduce the ridiculously rich benefits packages, and save the State hundreds of millions to boot. Don't take my word for it, just read the blogs about the State financial conditions. Those are taxpayers' comments and those people pay your salary!
Maybe more State workers should look at and take lessons from the true public servants and quality professionals of our state and communities, our Emergency Service personnel, Highway Patrol, Cal-Fire, sheriff, police, fire, EMS, and those who lay it all on the line for the community every day, many making much less than the almost useless paper pushers who do so little to make this a better place to live. When you need our public safety professionals, they just respond. No bunch of buck passing...they just do their job. What the hell is wrong with the rest of you?
It's sad, but combined with those who want everything and contribute nothing to the system, there's is little to wonder about why we're in this financial condition.
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