Stupid rules & jobsworths

[Kendhni]

We are regular cinema goers (at least weekly and sometimes 2-3 timers a week). Every time we go it is the same request for the "share combo" which consists of large salted popcorn, coke and diet coke ... however I usually ask for a small empty popcorn container to split the large rather than continually stretching over Julie to get popcorn.

The manageress introduced a new rule a while back that meant the staff were told they could not give customers an extra empty popcorn box ... I had a word with the manageress and told her that if they enforced it then I would not be buying her high profit items again ... but she was adamant that the rule applied. However we are both well known in the cinema which has meant the staff has had our order of popcorn and cokes ready by the time we get to the counter ... I ask if I am allowed an empty container and, they rightly give me the management line, so I decline ... they can return the popcorn to the container the coke generally is dumped down the sink.

Yesterday it was the manager herself that served me, she had my order ready and again I asked if I could have an empty carton (expecting to see the coke being dumped again) ... she immediately said no problem and passed one over ... however I wonder what will happen next time?

[Silver_Shiney]

do keep us informed!

[Gill W]

Why not take a small container with you, then it's sorted with no further hassle, and you haven't got to worry whether or not you'll be given a carton

[Kendhni]

Good idea Gill .. and we have thought of that ... unfortunately we usually remember about it just as we walk through the doors of the cinema

[Boris+]

In my opinion if you are a regular customer and ask for the spare carton then good solid customer service practice will be to provide you with what you have asked for.

I do hope it all turns out nicely on a permanent basis. Come to think of it though, if you are an infrequent customer then providing you with that little extra customer service could lead to return visits - so I think they should still provide the extra container.

Em