- Report: #79744
Complaint Review: Red Lobster - Duluth Minnesota
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Red Lobster
Duluth, 55806 Minnesota, U.S.A.
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Red Lobster Ripoff Accused of lying very rude staff Duluth Minnesota
This is what happened one evening when I was going out to eat with a friend. I called ahead to Red Lobster to see if there was a wait and if so to get my name on the wait list. I spoke to a woman who said that the wait would be approximately 20 min so I asked that she put my name on the wait list because I was on my way. She agreed and asked that I spell out my name. I did so and concluded the call. I arrived 15 min later and the lobby was packed. I was greeted by a kid named Trevor and he informed me that there would be a 45 min wait.
I explained that I had called ahead and had my name put on the list so that I wouldn't have to wait. He said, "we do not do that here". I ensured him that someone had taken my name and had even asked me to spell it for her. The person who was with me verified this as well as she had overheard my side of the conversation. He rudely said, "that is impossible" and asked for my name so he could put it on the wait list. I asked to speak to a manager so he proceeded to get a woman named Carrie Willett(sp?) who came and asked me what the problem was. I re-explained the situation and she also said that was impossible because she didn't have any women answering the phone during the past few hours. I took out my cell phone and verified the phone number with her to ensure that I had called the right place. She agreed that I had called the correct number and the said, "Well that obviously shows that you are lying. I am not going to give you a table right away just because you can dial our number while sitting out in the parking lot to make it look like we made a mistake." I became absolutely irate at that point and left immediately. I enjoy dining out regularly on Friday evenings furthermore, Red Lobster was always one of my favorite places to eat as I enjoy seafood and there is a rather limited variety of resturants in my area. Since this experience I have not returned and even the mention of Red Lobster infuriates me.
Gabe
Proctor, Minnesota
U.S.A.
I explained that I had called ahead and had my name put on the list so that I wouldn't have to wait. He said, "we do not do that here". I ensured him that someone had taken my name and had even asked me to spell it for her. The person who was with me verified this as well as she had overheard my side of the conversation. He rudely said, "that is impossible" and asked for my name so he could put it on the wait list. I asked to speak to a manager so he proceeded to get a woman named Carrie Willett(sp?) who came and asked me what the problem was. I re-explained the situation and she also said that was impossible because she didn't have any women answering the phone during the past few hours. I took out my cell phone and verified the phone number with her to ensure that I had called the right place. She agreed that I had called the correct number and the said, "Well that obviously shows that you are lying. I am not going to give you a table right away just because you can dial our number while sitting out in the parking lot to make it look like we made a mistake." I became absolutely irate at that point and left immediately. I enjoy dining out regularly on Friday evenings furthermore, Red Lobster was always one of my favorite places to eat as I enjoy seafood and there is a rather limited variety of resturants in my area. Since this experience I have not returned and even the mention of Red Lobster infuriates me.
Gabe
Proctor, Minnesota
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Lucrecia
Bowie,Maryland,
U.S.A.
first come first serve seating
#2UPDATE Employee
Tue, February 06, 2007
I am a three year employee of Darden Restaurants- the people who own the red lobster brand. I can tell you with great certainty that Darden's policy is basically "first come first serve". They do not accept call ahead seating of any kind for any sized party- especially on the weekend. Hostesses will not/ are trained not to / should not accept your name in advance on the phone for any reason. I'm sorry if someone took your name and made you feel as though they were putting you on the waiting list- as that is not their policy... but in defense of the restaurant, this is a common scam people try to pull in the hopes of getting their name pushed to the front of the list. I'm not saying you are right or they are right or that it didn't happen. I'm simply stating policy and what I see as a restaurant employee.
Charity
Private,Minnesota,
U.S.A.
Sounds like Manager needs some customer service training
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, June 13, 2006
Sounds like this "manager" needs some customer service training along with her employees. If I had been waiting in the lobby to get a table, I would have left and went elsewhere. I would email corporate office it I was you. They don't like unhappy customers. Just a suggestion.
