My lungs are acting up again. Thankfully, after 25 years of dealing w/ them, I can tell this time isn't serious. Just annoying--as soon as I bring it up in the toilet (too big to just use a tissue) my bronchi fill up again & I'm back at the toilet. AGH! So today I wasn't in the mood for difficult people & I just wanted to accomplish the mandatory and go home. I went to our impt. mtg. at Panera Bread. [Sidenote: we were probably Panera's biggest client today as our bill included snacks, beverages and lunch for 10 people over a span of 4 hours!] Mid-meeting, a Panera Bread associate came to our section to clear our trays. It was then that pitiful-hacking me asked the assoc. if he could refill my coffee. In front of everyone, he informed me that they don't do that and that I could help myself to the coffee. Whatever. A little later, I walked up to their cashier counter and asked (ironically) the same associate if he could please give me a cup of water. He informed me that I could help myself to water at their soda station. Maybe this guy was a punk. Maybe I'm just sick and being a baby. Maybe you could help me decipher.
Monday, April 28
Panera Bread Ramblings
My lungs are acting up again. Thankfully, after 25 years of dealing w/ them, I can tell this time isn't serious. Just annoying--as soon as I bring it up in the toilet (too big to just use a tissue) my bronchi fill up again & I'm back at the toilet. AGH! So today I wasn't in the mood for difficult people & I just wanted to accomplish the mandatory and go home. I went to our impt. mtg. at Panera Bread. [Sidenote: we were probably Panera's biggest client today as our bill included snacks, beverages and lunch for 10 people over a span of 4 hours!] Mid-meeting, a Panera Bread associate came to our section to clear our trays. It was then that pitiful-hacking me asked the assoc. if he could refill my coffee. In front of everyone, he informed me that they don't do that and that I could help myself to the coffee. Whatever. A little later, I walked up to their cashier counter and asked (ironically) the same associate if he could please give me a cup of water. He informed me that I could help myself to water at their soda station. Maybe this guy was a punk. Maybe I'm just sick and being a baby. Maybe you could help me decipher.
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6 COMMENTS HERE:
Well, Panera Bread has never impressed me with their customer service. But then again, being a natural saleswoman, I am ALL about the client.
Given the fact that you were not feeling so good, the "help yourself" might of sound too harsh. I am sure on a normal day, you would have thought how little they get paid, or maybe wonder if there was a horrible customer before you. :)
Feel better! I'd serve you water any time. I'll even pay for your cafe!
Maybe they wanted their spacious corner back since we were taking up 7 tables, 12 chairs and the whole back corner during their lunch rush. Not sure they appreciated the dough we spent 4 hours earlier-how quickly they forget!! You sounded like you were really struggling in the lungs-please take care of yourself so you won't be dining in the hospital this weekend!
Mel N
May be the leadership of Panera Bread is short of vision and they don't share with their team how important is customer SERVICE. Sadly today we have less places who offers a quality customer service... and customers will always look for places with good service... read my latest post on the opposite side of the coin...
ooohhhh!!! I got so focused on panera, that I almost forgot to tell you... I hope you get better soon... we'll be praying for you and your lungs
Have a great day!
Your experience is the definition of LAZY; I find it rampant these days, such that when I come into contact with someone who likes their job, I'm super pleased!
BTW, I'm sorry to learn that you're having a difficult time with people AND lungs!
Danisa-True, didn't think of that...they prob. are underpaid.Good perspective!
Mel - ah-ha, again, another good perspective...we were occupying alot of seats that other patrons could not have.
Arturo - You KNOW i'll read your post! And thanks for praying.
Sally - so true! the other day, i recieved ultimate customer care at a barnes and noble. so pleased, i took her picture!
Maybe they don't understand that Panera needs you as a customer, not the other way around.
Reminds me of a Seth Godin post I read a while back:
"Arguing with a customer who takes the time to write to you does two things: it keeps them from ever writing again and it costs you (at least) one customer. Perhaps that’s your goal. Just take a moment before you launch an unhappy former customer into the world."
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