I experienced one of the worst customer service moments I have ever encountered with any business or establishment. It was so bad that I decided I needed to write a blog about it… Smh!!
I was asked to call a hotel/resort to get a group rate for an upcoming trip to Florida. I read the reviews and although I wasn’t thrilled with the reviews of recent travelers it was the family member’s request to stay at this hotel.
After emailing back and forth with the reservation manager we established a group rate that was sufficient. It seemed like everything was going well. A few weeks later I called to reserve my individual room and the receptionist asked for a deposit for the 15 rooms reserved…. UMM NOOOO…. I told her I was not paying a deposit on the rooms, because when conversing with the manager it was never mentioned. She said okay and proceeded to book me for the weekend. A couple of hours later I get a call from the hotel saying if we booked the hotel for 155 days. I was in shock and told her absolutely not there must have been some mistake. She then said she thought she was being Punked!!
Why I continued with the reservation I do not know. I should have pulled away and said no thank you and moved to a different hotel, but I didn’t.
We spoke with family and found out that they were not happy with the reviews and they requested to change the hotel. Of course I obliged them because I didn’t want to stay there regardless. I called to cancel my reservation and the lady on the phone said she didn’t have a reservation for me listed…. I was like this can’t be happening. She never found me in the system and I am praying that I don’t get charged. She was very disrespectful and spoke in a condescending tone.
Needless, to say we never got to stay at this place and I have to truly admit it was the best decision ever.
Truthfully, I feel that this establishment will not be around much longer, because of the way they speak to their customers. The reviews are horrendous and it doesn’t look like they are doing anything to improve it.
Here is my overall point…. be kind to those who you would want repeat business with. It doesn’t take much to speak a kind word or two. In today’s world being arrogant and disrespectful will get you absolutely nowhere.
Employers please be careful who you hire to work and speak on behalf of your business. I just find it extremely sad when an establishment hires the worst people they can find to streamline their business.
If in the future I was to hire an employee for my business I would hope this person is well mannered and shows great etiquette.
We should be building our businesses up and showing signs of progression… not signs of digression. The reviews speak for itself…..
Look for the review from PerfectBreeze: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34227-d88535-Reviews-All_Inclusive_Inverrary_Vacation_Resort-Fort_Lauderdale_Florida.html
To my fellow entrepreneurs please take heed that in order to run a business you must always place your best foot forward. There are avenues everywhere for people to discredit you. Don’t leave it to chance.
That is all!! Sorry for the seriousnes of this blog. It is just that I am highly disappointed with the way this hotel handles their guests.