SoCal78 said:
Yes, dealing with angry customers is not fun. I'll never forget the time I was threatened with assault because I couldn't sell a (very large) grown man a Beanie Baby. At least you didn't threaten them with bodily injury if they couldn't produce a chicken thigh. LOL! That was a cute story. You should write up that comment regarding Molina and send it to boss / company.
You know, I am not one to ever use coupons or take up on any of those type of promotions. Blame it on my wife. She got me started and I got addicted to using coupons. Haha!
So here's the actual incident. After a 2 hours walk (don't ask), I was really hungry. I drove up to the El Pollo Loco intercom. There was a car in front and a car in the back. I thought to myself, "Oh, great. People will hear me asking for a freebie." I started to get nervous. I mean a grown man in a fairly expensive car asking for a free chicken leg and thigh. I proceeded with
whispering into the intercom, "Excuse, me. Are you offering that free leg and thigh deal?" The E.P.L. order taker said, "Huh? What?!" I then
whispered louder, "Are you giving away the free leg and thigh?" The gal retorted, "Sir, please speak louder!" I go, "ARgh, can I get 2 taco el carbon and a leg and thigh?" Then I heard, "That will be $5.10, please drive up to the window." And all I can think about was 'here I am thinking it would be
free. And now I have to pay." =)
This is alittle excerpt of my voicemail message to the E.P.L. marketing dept.: "Look I know you are in competition with KFC. It's all over the news. I have always liked your chicken. But I have a
bone to pick with you guys. If you're going to have a promotion, please relay it to your franchisees. I felt so humiliated at your restaurant location asking for a free leg/thigh and being said "NO" to. Especially in front of other customers. Thus far, I can tell you now. You guys are losing in this competition. Yesterday, I went into KFC and asked for the free grilled chicken breast. They didn't even ask for a coupon. All they said was, "Yes, would you like a leg, thigh or breast." Listen!
You guys are making me running around town like a chicken asking for free chickens. And I don't appreciate it. Please call me back and explain yourself." Keep in mind I was so wrapped up in this minor anger that I didn't know what I was saying. My wife, of course, was laughing. And I turned to her and said, "Honey, this is serious. Why are you laughing? It's not funny." Now remembering what I'd said. It was kind of funny. But not at that moment.
I was shock that E.P.L marketing lady, Susan; actually, called me back. I was so apologetic to her. Explaining I read an outdated news article re: an old promotion. And that it was all my mistake. Yikes!....Gosh, she was so kind. She didn't care that it was my fault. She just wanted me to feel welcome at the restaurant. Hence, she will be sending me some coupons. Great establishment, I tell you.