a strange practice and example of poor customer relationsAfter eating dinner on 6/7/02 we received our checks and attempted to pay with credit cards. The waitress asked us for our drivers' licenses, saying she would make a copy and return the cards and licenses. We had been 3 couples at dinner, each from out of town. The couple from Boston said `My driver's license is like my social security # in MA. Just run my card. You can look at my license but you can't copy down the number.`
The waitress went to get the manager. The manager insisted this was their new practice. The customer insisted that this practice was `not necessary. you don't have to be such a hard a--.` He had been to this restaurant before and they had never requested this. He had been to several restaurants in Miami and no one else had this practice. The customer said he would not allow the restaurant to copy down his driver's license number and asked what would the manager do. The manager said the restaurant had the right to refuse to take the customer's credit card (is this true?). Somehow the point that the manager could call the police to verify the man's identity came about. The customer agreed to this.
The manager got angry and said `you don't have to pay.` Then he got 2 bouncers and said `take this ---man and is sorry-excuse-for a-wife out.`
I was shocked at the manager's attitude and decisions. The customer was a CEO, not someone you should alienate. And all of us at dinner were tourists. The manager's decision to not take the credit card and to insult and humilate the customer (by calling the bouncers) appalled me.
An evening with impressive food and decor was ruined by the manager's lack of experience serving customers and tourists. Ego seemed to prevail over sense.
(Nowhere on the the menu, when we called for reservations, etc were we given notice of this practice ahead of the check.)
- Is follow up to post by suttonaz ...
My experience with the restaurant was superb. The food was wonderful and the atmosphere new and different, plus comfortable to chill and eat on beds instead of in chairs. Keep in mind however, that it turns into a lounge/dance club when most are finished dining. -- 3/15/2002 10:42:22 PM
