I am boycotting Domino's Pizza from Today

I’ve been a regular unhappy customer of Domino's pizza. I have been fine with their pizzas, their non-spectacular taste, the fact that they don’t provide cutlery for the fact that they are somewhat cheaper on the pocket.

The thing that riled me (repeatedly) is their worst customer service. I have visited many outlets in Chennai and in Bangalore and have noticed that the best of their service is being indifferent.  

And of all the outlets, the Mylapore one in R.K Salai, takes the pizza (or the cake if you prefer).

First, If a customer enters to order, he or she is completely ignored. For how long – entirely depends on the whims and fancies of the staff.  For the most part they are busy arguing, joking, jesting among themselves or discussing some very useless matters. In fact, for the most part, the customer has to call to make himself visible to their presence and most of them do that after waiting for the decent amount of time.

Second, in 9 out of 10 times that I’ve had there, they have not had coins for change. Invariably you will be told that the change will be given along with the order and invariably it will be forgotten. The ploy here is to embarrass the customer to come back and ask for small change and if he does not, then pocket the same! What a way to earn your profits!

Third, you just have to wait out your order. I do not think the employees in this place understand that the are working in a place where customers are waiting for food. Again their attention is all on other things and invariably the customer has to come and ask for orders that would’ve been taken out of the oven and sitting on the shelves.

What broke the camels back (or my stomach) was that for the last two consecutive times they forgot to even put my order in the oven. The first time, it was plain forgotten and after I reminded them 20 mins after the order, the dough entered the oven and I got the pizza. The last time, my order was actually given to another person who ordered after me. The staff realized this and then without telling me anything put the dough on the oven. This is again 20 mins after I ordered. After all this, I again had to do step three above, i.e. ask them to pick the ready pizza from the shelf and give to me. It was 35 mins before I had my lunch on that hungry day.

The only person who works in this place are the 2 cleaners that I’ve seen over the last 6 month period. The others are a bunch of boorish, totally non-customer friendly crew.

And here is their CEO announcing his plans to open a 100 more stores in India.

I shudder at the thought of having 100 more stores and 1000 more customer unfriendly souls flooding our lives!

Hence my boycott of Domino's pizza until I hear that they take their customers and customer service seriously. I am sure it does not make one difference to them, but if you also feel and have the same experience, I would recommend and request you to add your comments and then boycott yourself. Hopefully it will give them some reason to change!

  

The Soup and Salad Cafe, Chennai – Soup in a coffee cup? Leaves you wishing for more!

At end of work day y’day had a feeling that many things have been accomplished (indeed a couple of my long postponed tasks were checked off from the list).
After a good days work, it is a right to feel famished. On a suggestion, went to “The Soup and Salad cafe” http://www.thesoupandsaladcafe.com/, http://www.sandscafe.com/ in T.T.K. Road, alwarpet.

I have been a frequent visitor of “Pure and Natural’ in Bangalore, as well as a fan of Jamba Juice from CA. Both are good and have sizable portions. Went with my tongue out for something similar.

The ambience is quite nice – Nice colors and setup
An Antique radio & nice/mild music
Very clean and nicely laid out tables & place mats
A touch of creativity and nicety all around
The best part is the smile and pleasant approach by everyone.

Since we felt famished, decided to order a soup (Zoupe?) as the menu suggested that it is quite filling. I ordered a Minestrone (too many confusing choices) & My cousin ordered a Spicy Chinese soup.

Our expectation was they are not just thin soups but will be filling.
The spicy Chinese soup was quite spicy (Of course!, what did I expect) and the minestrone was also slightly spicy (It is a diff kind of minestrone for me with thick broth, hints of pepper and a slightly tangy taste)
But the surprising part was the soup bowl (hmm..) Actually it was not a bowl but a coffee cup, the sizes of those in café coffee day etc.
Obviously, the soups did not service our appetite well enough and so we decided to order a sandwich(Zondich) – Calcutta karukkumurkku zondich and share it.
The sandwich came in a grilled pocket bread (much like a pita bread).
A) It was a tad difficult to share with the odd shape and what not.
B) The portion is much less compared to what could have been for the price.

Positives:

• Excellent and pleasant service – Its been quite a while seeing smiles on service people in Chennai.
• Quiet ambience
• Nice colors
• Genuine – Menu mentions bottled water at MRP and bill conforms to it!

Guys, If your costing permits, please increase the portion sizes.

Many a famished stomach will patronize you! & help our philosophy of making this a way of life.

Southern fast Packers & Movers - Good option for Bangalore, Chennai

While I was moving from Bangalore to Chennai, I was looking for a good packer/mover. The ones I used earlier to move within Bangalore were charging exorbitant rate to move between cities.
Got the reference of “Southern Fast Packers & Movers” from a known source. They had moved one single item (a Windows AC) and it was packed, moved and delivered well.

I spoke to Mr. Perumal – who is in charge, and he came for an estimate. The estimate was much less than others and he spoke sense and straight fwd, not vaguely.
The packing started on time and they had come with 4 extra boxes. But at the end, they ended up needing 10 more extra boxes.
We negotiated a decent rate there itself with Perumal.
The next day morning 8.00 a.m. the truck was at my place in Chennai and the 2 guys unpacked things nicely and did not even wait for any extra money (that has been my experience in earlier moves).

It was a nice experience. I'll use them again if required.
Southern fast packers & Movers - 216/3 3rd Cross 4th Main, Chamarajpet, Bangalore 560018. India. , Tel:26508966. Contact Mr. Perumal.

Tata indicom, Koramangala - Sleepy Customer Service - Please wake up!

I have been a happy user of Tata walky services for the past 6 years and since I am moving out of the city, wanted to disconnect my connect my connection. After some search/calls found out the info to disconnect etc and send an email to the customer service customer.care5@tatatel.co.in which was replied promptly.

Y'day, went to the Tata indicom office in Hosur road (opp Forum mall) to return the instrument.

The first "Customer Service" representative looked us indifferently, no smiles, spoke with a accent and volume that we cannot hear and directed to the "sales" counters (we had come to return an instrument!)
After talking to one more Rep, found that we had to wait in Counter no.5 (For how long? IT is anybody's guess). After asking again a couple of times, we were told that the rep will be present in 5 mins and for sure he was there and was there with another in tow.
After taking our request (again as indifferently as humanly possible), he was constantly interrupted by his company and from the guy in next counter!. After we voiced our complaint, things worked like a charm - Efficient and even a smile at the end.

What is with these Folks? We have been a happy TATA customer for 6 years. The whole office was like zombies - Mainly the Customer service counters. They don't look at the customer in the eye, they don't smile, and they don't set expectations about the time.

When it comes to products from different companies, I have a preference on TATA products as I consider them value for money.

I Wish the Customer service experience was better and more friendly.

Have you had any such experience with the Koramangala Tata indicom office?

Update on 01 Jun 2010: In a swift move, a senior person (Ms SaiPriya) from Tata Indicom retali support called (after seeing this blog and tracing us) and spoke to us. She has promised to fix this problem for future customers. Really glad to see that they take a single persons' complaint seriously.
Would be great to see a Customer service that understands the importance of their work towards the Customer and towards the Company's image. Good luck.

Jet Airways proves senior friendly

Had a pleasant surprise last week, when I had to fly a few seniors in Jet Airways from Chennai – Mumbai and Back.

On the onward journey I had my 85 year old grandma and I had mentioned a wheel chair request while ticketing. While alighting from the flight in Mumbai, a jet airways employee was waiting at the end of the steps with a wheel chair.

On the return journey I had four seniors – two over 70 and two over 60 returning all by themselves. They had good feedback about Jet personnel helping them with the luggage etc. Seems in Mumbai they had requested for help and an airhostess carried all their luggage and placed it in the overhead bins. While alighting, the same person carried all the luggage till close to the exit and placed it in a trolley for them.

Good job guys. Keep it up

Fast Track - Sudden increase in rates w/o announcement

Have been a regular user of Meru in Bangalore as their service is pretty good and decent. Found a similar service in Chennai "Fast Track" - http://www.fasttrackcalltaxi.in/
Booked a taxi from home to Airport on 20th Feb - The agent conveyed that rates are 100/- for first 5 km and 12.50/- for each extra km. and specifically mentioned to pay the meter rate only.
When we reached the airport the meter was at 170.
Had to travel to the airport again on 28th Feb (after the budget ). This time the agent did not say anything regarding rates.
After a few kms I saw that the meter was at 120 (instead of 100) and was running at 15/- km. When I reached the airport the meter stood at 205.
When I checked with the driver he gave some unclear reasons about night rate (infact this trip started later than the earlier trip) etc. After questioning that only a week ago I travelled at 15% lesser rate, he was okay with me paying the old rate itself.
Seems after the budget, Fast track has silently increased the rates or extended the night timings. Seems a unethical slight of hand to me..

ETWOW in Chennai - Very Good and short.

http://etwow.in/

Watched the show y'day. Very good show. 8 teams of artists from different coutries (russia, france, hungary etc) provided some tricky and dangerous entertainment.

• Started with two acrobats doing some major balancing act - A test of strength and balance. Some of them were too good. As a climax one artist balanced himself on one hand, which was placed on the head of the other - Amazing stuff
• The mono cyclist was a joy. He had a glee while doing his tricks, did some interesting ones including jumping from one Mono cycle to another and also doing some highjumps. How he is able to land perfectly on the pedals of a moving mono cycle is a mystery.
• The man on the german wheel was great. Skirted too close for comfort when he reached the edges of the stage.
• The hula guy was just too quick. The speed with which he was able to switch the hulas between his neck, waist, legs and hands was in flick of the eyes.
• The 2 skaters put on a sensual act (or tried to). The stuff was pretty dangerous with the lady's head inches off the trampoline bar. It was too fast, too quick and dangerous. The music for this piece was slightly jarring - with a kind of eerie feel.
• The 3 young girls from Russia were extremely flexible and strong. Nice music and nice work
• The statue show was from a person from France. The timing was very good and the fun element was nicely presented about the two statues coming to life and interactive with each other
• Finally was the laser show. The guy was able to bend light in many diff ways, did a great work in splitting, joining and making very diff shapes and the timing was perfect with the music
  Overall a mini and quick version of Cirque de soleil - http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/default.asp
  The only problem was the timing of the show. It was too short and in some cases the artists were there only for 7-8 mins. It seemed as though they were rushing out. I was expecting a break at 1 hrs and 15 mins. I did get a break of course, coz by that time the show itself was over.
  For sure, the could have timed it better to give a more wholesome and satisfying experience
  
  Music Academy seating is great,the view is just great as you can see the stage and artists very well even from far seats.
  
  Great artists. Great show. Slightly low on the value for money

The Extra terrestrials in Chennai - Don't know to pick up phone?

In the ET movie, the key part is played by a phone call (an inter galactic one if you prefer to see that way)

But the organizers of the ET show in Chennai (http://etwow.in/ticket.php) seem to have forgotten the trick of the trade.

The phone number - 9380514803 mentioned in the site just plays a "Reliance jingle" and shuts off

Kinda spoiling ET's reputation I say - What say you?

Sony Center in Anna salai - Do they need customers?

Went to the Sony center in Anna Salai (Near Shanthi theater) the other day as I needed a memory stick for my new Sony cybershot.
First, there is a guard in the front, who doesn't care to even open the door.
Once inside there were a cpl of people (none of them customers), talking to themselves as I walked all around the shop looking for the memory card.
I found it in a wall, unscrewed the holder and removed the card and went to the billing person who was busy watching T.V.
Had to disturb him in order to confirm whether the stick matches my camera and to bill for the same.

Sony Center - Anna Salai, Chennai

Don't think this sony needs customers as they are busy with themselves.

What do you think?