Complaint Review: International House Of Pancakes - Elyria Ohio

Having waitresses for years, I have enjoyed serving customers in several states, different religions, nationalities, ages, from all walks of life. I have seldom found a customer who couldn't be made happy. I have the work attitude or ethics, that a manager in this particular business desribed as positive and one of the best he has ever experienced. I have been asked by customers, "Why are you wasting your time at IHOP?"

Well, fact is I am no longer wasting my time there. It is to the customers that I have served, who have become regulars that I send out a buyers beware, and to people who plan to be employeed with IHOP-be prepared to lower your standards.

1. This store changes the expire dates on food regularily. Items out dated, like pancake batter and pot roast have sticker dates that are changed to reflect a fresher date.

2. Our store frequently is dirty. Having served as a professional server, I first had to clean my station on a daily business before I could start serving.

3. Smoker's smoke and dash, cell phones are answered while waiting tables (actualy witnessed a waitress tell a customer, "Just a second", while she answered her phone at the table.

4. Lewd comments are made at women in the restaurant by cook staff. When I complained, the manager, Janet --- approached the issue with the typical "throw you under the bus" attitude. She allowed one of the cooks to by process of elimination approach each of us on the floor, in front of customers.

5. Sexual comments are made frequently between employees, as are their party plans, loud enough for customers to listen. And when the customer complains, and one approaches the manager, the kitchen is told exactly what server is complaining.

6. It is not at uncommon to remove drinking glasses from work stations. A perfect example is the picture in the newspaper about Pancake Day. It shows three people on the line, with someone's drinking glass sitting on the shelf above the fryer area.

7. Employees insist that they are carriers of Strep Throat, and supposedly can't be treated. I asked our family doc, if this is possible, the second time in a year that I have come down with it, but my children haven't. He said the employee is just to cheap or ignorant to be treated. If someone's body can not over come Strep Throat, then there are more health issues at hand, and they should not be working with the public. As it is easily transferred.

8. Employee's big gripe at a meeting was sick employees not being sent home. Injured employees are made to stay.

9. Employee's would rather run the risk of getting caught drinking from a styrofoam cup than drink from the house glasses. Any customer should have the common sense to wonder when they see employees driking on the lines from styrofoam, and giving plastic silverware to their families when they come in to eat.

10. Management frequently complains to employees about not getting their bonuses for over a year. One says she's only doing what she has to since they haven't forked out her bonus. Nothing makes an hourly employee more nervous, than know the boss isn't getting paid.

11. In the power struggle between bosses there is no consistant policy on anything. They are too busy back stabbing each other to operate the store. They spend too much time on he said, she said, that the customer suffers. Employees are left on their own to address issues.

12. If a customer walks out without paying the bill, the server is held responsible. While they have to walk past the cashier or the manager taking cash to get out the door. We have no security, but aren't allowed to take cash. Let them tackle 'em.

To my regular customers and friends, I bid you farewell. I am glad we are keeping in touch by e-mail, and hope to serve you again, soon.

S.

Lorain, Ohio
U.S.A.