Coffee World needs to be boycotted

Badri - one of my few close friends in sothabama college - had come over this evening to invite us, formally, for his wedding on the 5th of this month.

We then got in touch with Shankar - another close friend in that same college - and met at Shankar's house. We then decided to just catch up on neutral territory and so left Shankar's place.

After a little deliberation, we decided to go to Coffee World on C.P.Ramaswamy Road. We sat down and got down to the business of ordering. 3 sandwiches and 2 cold drinks were ordered.

While we were reminiscing, the sandwiches were served and we then put our respective mouths to a different task.

After the sandwiches were harbored in some part of our food canal, we continued chatting. The waiters even cleared our plates after some 10 minutes. Then Badri, who hadn't ordered a drink in the first round, called for the menu and chose something.

In case the fact has missed your keen eye, let me point out that there were 2 cold drinks we had ordered earlier and these were not served yet.

Badri then placed his order for some juice and after 10 minutes that was served. But no signs of our Cookie Cruch Frappe and Choco Frappe. We reminded the chap who served the juice about it. He checked the order slip and said he would get the stuff.

But even after 10 minutes, nothing came up to our table. In the meantime, a supervisory looking guy had also taken a look at the order slip (in case you ain't familiar with Coffee World's working style, the order slip is placed on a holder laid out on the table itself).

Still, no signs of the Frappe. I called up another dude and told him about the situation. He too went back promising to deliver the goods. But history repeated itself. Once again, no sign of the drink even after another 10 minutes.

I called up the first guy and asked him about it. He apologised and went back to the preparation area. Some 5 minutes later, the Choco Frappe was served. But my order was still pending.

Even after 2-3 minutes, I didn't see any of the servers (that's what I am gonna call them) carrying any tray with my drink on it.

I called up the first dude and told him clearly that I was totally upset with the service. That it was ridiculous to take so much time to serve this drink. He responded saying that they were understaffed and there were many orders. I asked him if that were the case, then how come people who came after us have had their orders completed and have even left the premises. He was like blinking nervously.

I asked to speak to his manager and he said that guy was not there. Then another server came in with the Frappe. I actually blew my fuse at that point and asked him to take back the drink and cancel my order. Both were like a li'l shocked and I pushed my foot down even heavily and told him categorically that they can take back that Frappe and cancel my order. I also said that I am sorry to use these words, but your service is shitty. Yes, I said shitty to them.

I then insisted that I speak to the guy in charge of the store right away. He then went and sent someone else. That guy he was the store in-charge. Ironically, he was one of the guys to whom I'd given the reminder. So I told him that I needed to speak to someone else senior. I'd seen a guy in a yellow t-shirt and he had a bossy look to him. I asked for him. I got a very blunt remark that the Area Manager is not around and I'd have to wait to speak to him. This bugger then simply walked away.

Obviously, by this time I was quite furious. And I decided to play hard too.

A couple of minutes later, the Area Manager walked in. I think he was already informed about the situation and so he went to this rude chap who had just spoken to me. He spoke with that dude for a minute or so and came to our table.

I offered him the spare seat that was available. And told him in very clear words that I was totally upset. That I'd never experienced such pathetic service anywhere. I also added that I was meeting my friend after 9 years (technically it was only 7) and now this service and experience has ruined the evening. He apologised for the behavior and asked me to have the drink.

I told him that I was not going to take it. And that whatever he does or offers or however much he apologises, I was going to do only 2 things: One, I was not going to have that Frappe and Two, I would never ever set foot in this shop again.

I guess he was mildly shocked at what I said. He apologised more profusely and once again requested that I take the order and also that I come back to this shop and also offer my patronage to their new shop at Adyar. But I was in no mood for all that and said that I accept his apology, but reiterated that nothing he could offer me would make me budge from my stand of not taking that Frappe and not returning to that shop.

We talked back and forth like this for a couple of minutes and he then left assuring that he would look into the matter seriously.

We then asked for the bill and then paid the money and didn't leave even one ruppee as a tip. There was even a feedback form and I once again filled all this in it.

Anyways, the net result is that I will not go back to that store.