And a tiny dolls head I spotted in the service yard...
(you can view this picture bigger here)
Wednesday 29 August 2007
Monday 27 August 2007
Hello again
Well I have been off work again, not ill or going on holiday just had some time off. Therefore there is a lack of moronic customer postings.
I can post about my visits to two other stores though. Mainly they were unexciting and uneventful though.
The first, was pretty....old. I think blaming the fact it smelt rancid and had the most disgusting looking floor I've seen for a while on being old is the best way of dealing with it. The managers there must have been idiots. They just seemed lazy...they left the floor dirty from the night before then got someone to clean it in the morning. The same with the bins, left them unemptied overnight then did it in the morning. Then someone we saw on the street waiting outside, who we thought was a tramp turned out to be a delivery driver, nice.
The other store was new. And the place was spotlessly clean like our own store. The people seemed nicer too.
That was about it really!
I can post about my visits to two other stores though. Mainly they were unexciting and uneventful though.
The first, was pretty....old. I think blaming the fact it smelt rancid and had the most disgusting looking floor I've seen for a while on being old is the best way of dealing with it. The managers there must have been idiots. They just seemed lazy...they left the floor dirty from the night before then got someone to clean it in the morning. The same with the bins, left them unemptied overnight then did it in the morning. Then someone we saw on the street waiting outside, who we thought was a tramp turned out to be a delivery driver, nice.
The other store was new. And the place was spotlessly clean like our own store. The people seemed nicer too.
That was about it really!
Thursday 16 August 2007
Obvious
I bring you through the magic of Microsoft Paint, a drawing which helps the following dialogue.
"Hiya you got any straws?"
"Yeah they are just there" with a slight nod of the head towards them
"Where?!"
"Just there..!" tapping them this time
"Oh yes, thanks".
Next one
In an accent I can't describe other than it being distorted...
"Can I have a pepperoni feast meal?"
"Yep..ok"
I heard her say something about veggie to the people she was with and she didn't seem all that sure
"Pepperoni is vegetarian isn't it?"
"No it is a beef and pork sausage"
"Oh I need the veggie one"
Duh. Who doesn't know pepperoni is meat!
Wednesday 15 August 2007
Since when...
...has it been acceptable to spit in public?
I hate people spitting in public it is dirty and serves no purpose other than making yourself look like a scab. So, where I have the opportunity and if you like, power, to stop it or at least make some punishment for spitting in public - I jump at it!
4 chavs all wearing Burberry caps came and bought 3 drinks and one ice cream. They seemed ok, they pissed about less than most other chavs with the drink and ice cream machines. They were blatently sharing the ice cream cup but that is only a small issue. Then all four of them came over and were watching the master chav making his ice cream (aww). Out of the blue, one of them then spat on the counter. I was literally 6 ft away and facing them when they did it - but they were oblivious to the fact they were being watched.
"Right, do you wanna get out of the store now?"
"Ehh?!! What we done yo man we ain't don nuffin!" etc
"One of you just spat on the counter so you're all leaving now"
"No we dint n anyway PAID FOR REFILLABLE ice cream"
"I don't care, you can all get out because you spat"
"So!"
"Eh...you don't come in here and spit on the counter - simple."
3 of them walked off but one, the master chav acted big and stood there next to the coffee machine. It appeared as though he was planning some sort of retaliation move involving hot drinks. Quite unlucky for him we have a switch for it in the back and I shouted for it to be turned off just as he thought of it. So he had three options, ice cream, cold drinks or condiments. He must have realised that he was an idiot, because we have staff (some with not so good customer service skills) that out number them, security staff that can get to us in about 30 seconds and a hell of a lot of hot or sharp equipment in the kitchen. He rejoined his gang and walked off. A manager called security and gave their descriptions. They found them on CCTV as the manager was on the phone and were removed from the site for "anti-social behaviour". I call that a result!
I hate people spitting in public it is dirty and serves no purpose other than making yourself look like a scab. So, where I have the opportunity and if you like, power, to stop it or at least make some punishment for spitting in public - I jump at it!
4 chavs all wearing Burberry caps came and bought 3 drinks and one ice cream. They seemed ok, they pissed about less than most other chavs with the drink and ice cream machines. They were blatently sharing the ice cream cup but that is only a small issue. Then all four of them came over and were watching the master chav making his ice cream (aww). Out of the blue, one of them then spat on the counter. I was literally 6 ft away and facing them when they did it - but they were oblivious to the fact they were being watched.
"Right, do you wanna get out of the store now?"
"Ehh?!! What we done yo man we ain't don nuffin!" etc
"One of you just spat on the counter so you're all leaving now"
"No we dint n anyway PAID FOR REFILLABLE ice cream"
"I don't care, you can all get out because you spat"
"So!"
"Eh...you don't come in here and spit on the counter - simple."
3 of them walked off but one, the master chav acted big and stood there next to the coffee machine. It appeared as though he was planning some sort of retaliation move involving hot drinks. Quite unlucky for him we have a switch for it in the back and I shouted for it to be turned off just as he thought of it. So he had three options, ice cream, cold drinks or condiments. He must have realised that he was an idiot, because we have staff (some with not so good customer service skills) that out number them, security staff that can get to us in about 30 seconds and a hell of a lot of hot or sharp equipment in the kitchen. He rejoined his gang and walked off. A manager called security and gave their descriptions. They found them on CCTV as the manager was on the phone and were removed from the site for "anti-social behaviour". I call that a result!
Sunday 12 August 2007
Want to be a mystery shopper? (with burn update)
Pizza Hut and other companies such as KFC, McDonalds, Spar, Post Office, Carphone Warehouse, Shell and Ladbrokes all use a company called Gapbuster.
You can sign up for free and if accepted you can search for mystery shopping opportunities local to you. You basically get to eat for free and have to submit a report online.
Burn Update:
It has now almost completely healed, just the skin is slightly more pink, but it doesn't hurt anymore. Hooray!
You can sign up for free and if accepted you can search for mystery shopping opportunities local to you. You basically get to eat for free and have to submit a report online.
Burn Update:
It has now almost completely healed, just the skin is slightly more pink, but it doesn't hurt anymore. Hooray!
Saturday 11 August 2007
Meatballs, a weirdo and THE most stupid question ever
In November/December Pizza Hut in the UK are going to launch a pizza called 'Mama's Meatballs'! Subway have done meatballs, and so have McDonalds. So we'll be tagging onto their success and it will probably be a miserable failure. Who wants meatballs on pizza? I'd love to know if or who they actually survey to decide if a product is worth it. They aren't doing trials in any of their nearly 700 stores, they're just launching it. A bit like, the cheesecake which we sell about one piece of a week but have to defrost 24 pieces a week just to use it.
Support manager to area manager:
"Could we defrost say 5 pieces of cheesecake a week rather than 24 because it just doesn't sell?"
"No! Once you open the box you need to defrost it ALL"
I don't know why I care really, it isn't my money and after all we are owned by the "world's largest restaurant company in terms of system restaurants with over 34,000 restaurants in over 100 countries. " so if they want to waste it - fine!
Oh and the weirdo, a woman constantly grinning and waving at me. WEIRD PEOPLE OUT THERE!
Finally, THE most stupid question I have ever been asked. The shutter about half way down. A man ducks down and comes in "Are you throwing those cups away?", pointing at the new, unused drink cups on the side. Maybe I've misheard him I thought..."Do you mean you need an extra cup?" "No, if you are throwing those cups away could we have them?" Ok, this guy must be simple or having a laugh "No we...err...keep the cups and use them in the morning..?" "Oh right ok. Seeya!"
Support manager to area manager:
"Could we defrost say 5 pieces of cheesecake a week rather than 24 because it just doesn't sell?"
"No! Once you open the box you need to defrost it ALL"
I don't know why I care really, it isn't my money and after all we are owned by the "world's largest restaurant company in terms of system restaurants with over 34,000 restaurants in over 100 countries. " so if they want to waste it - fine!
Oh and the weirdo, a woman constantly grinning and waving at me. WEIRD PEOPLE OUT THERE!
Finally, THE most stupid question I have ever been asked. The shutter about half way down. A man ducks down and comes in "Are you throwing those cups away?", pointing at the new, unused drink cups on the side. Maybe I've misheard him I thought..."Do you mean you need an extra cup?" "No, if you are throwing those cups away could we have them?" Ok, this guy must be simple or having a laugh "No we...err...keep the cups and use them in the morning..?" "Oh right ok. Seeya!"
Thursday 9 August 2007
Mothers, grandmothers and piss takers.
It's the summer holiday for loads of kids and students. So what do parents do with their toddlers. Take them shopping of course! Great, because the kids are always polite and most of all, willing to accept help.
The mothers though, I noticed today particularly, are moody, ignorant cows. I accept it is not all of them, but nearly every woman with kids I served today either; had a scowl on their face, wouldn't listen to me, snapped at me when I attempted an upsell, snapped at me when I said they could get a pizza and drink cheaper than just a pizza, didn't use any manners, tutted at me or were just plain rude. There were the nice ones, but you just don't remember them.
Then there was the grandmother who I watched used the ICF. She left the ICF running, but instead of walking off like most people, she screamed and started shouting "SOMEBODY HELP - I can't get this thing to turn off!" I walked over and lifted up the lever, saying "Just lift this up and it stops..." "Oh lovey - I thought it automatically shut off...." then she had a laughing fit and walked off. I made a comment about being an ice cream woman but she either ignored, or didn't hear me.
Ok, so we're shut, we shut on time because we all want to get out as early as possible but that doesn't mean we will compromise quality or service. Infact my customer service is probably better at ten minutes to closing because I'm getting chirpy about leaving.
So at the end of the night, we have left over food. Do we want it? No, we're all sick to death of the stuff. A few times a week cleaners and security will ask for it. No problem because we like you and it will be thrown away otherwise. Sometimes people from other stores will ask for it, no problem, take it - it's yours. But, the public "customers" asking for it is a bit of tricky subject. One reason is brand standards. The other, probably more important is a little thing called Food Safety Law.
Up until a few days ago I'd give them one or two pizzas. But I have noticed an increase in piss takers. I offered you one free pizza. You want two. Ok here's two. You want four. Now you can piss off. Leave the store. Get out I hate you.
Then there are the chavs, who you give one pizza to one chav, you get about 6 chavs appear, all wanting pizza. You can piss off as well!
Then you get the ones, who think it is their RIGHT to have the pizza.
"You're only going to chuck them away so give me them"
"Ok here's one"
"I'll take all of them"
"No sorry I can't do that"
"OH THIS IS DISGUSTING, you're going to throw them away anyway - give me them"
"No"
"WHY NOT?"
In the above case I walked off and put the shutter down. She wasn't a customer so had no cause for complaint, she just got free pizza. She soon got out when she saw the metal heading her way.
Then there were the ones who, I gave two pizzas to, then said they were calling their friends to see if they wanted any. No way are they. I went and put the shutter down. Then oh my god, they're banging on the shutter and shouting "How dare you close!".
So a few days ago, I decided I will not give free pizza to any member of the public after we have closed, no way ever again.
Then yesterday, one of the newer team members was getting agro from two women who wanted free pizza. Me and the manager were sitting in the back listening. Manager said to me "Tell 'em to piss off will you". Yes! Hehe I'm always up for an argument with non-customers.
I stomped out there...
[rant]
"Listen, you have already been told you're not going to get free pizza and the reason why. I'm only going to ask you once to leave, now, or we will have to call security and have you removed."
[/rant]
They walked out silent but heads shaking. TM went to me "Thank you". Manager went "Woah where did that come from!". Afterwards I thought maybe I'd gone over the top. But then thought, if they complained, I'd have two witnesses that they were both rude and we were reasonable and following procedure and eventually had to resort to a "customer asked to leave store" situation.
James, suggested I do some type of quiz with some Pizza Hut acronyms. To be honest I can't think of anything I haven't mentioned before on here!! I do however...when I get round to it, put some pictures of items we use on a daily basis to see if you can work out what they do. It'll probably be pretty easy...!
The mothers though, I noticed today particularly, are moody, ignorant cows. I accept it is not all of them, but nearly every woman with kids I served today either; had a scowl on their face, wouldn't listen to me, snapped at me when I attempted an upsell, snapped at me when I said they could get a pizza and drink cheaper than just a pizza, didn't use any manners, tutted at me or were just plain rude. There were the nice ones, but you just don't remember them.
Then there was the grandmother who I watched used the ICF. She left the ICF running, but instead of walking off like most people, she screamed and started shouting "SOMEBODY HELP - I can't get this thing to turn off!" I walked over and lifted up the lever, saying "Just lift this up and it stops..." "Oh lovey - I thought it automatically shut off...." then she had a laughing fit and walked off. I made a comment about being an ice cream woman but she either ignored, or didn't hear me.
Ok, so we're shut, we shut on time because we all want to get out as early as possible but that doesn't mean we will compromise quality or service. Infact my customer service is probably better at ten minutes to closing because I'm getting chirpy about leaving.
So at the end of the night, we have left over food. Do we want it? No, we're all sick to death of the stuff. A few times a week cleaners and security will ask for it. No problem because we like you and it will be thrown away otherwise. Sometimes people from other stores will ask for it, no problem, take it - it's yours. But, the public "customers" asking for it is a bit of tricky subject. One reason is brand standards. The other, probably more important is a little thing called Food Safety Law.
Up until a few days ago I'd give them one or two pizzas. But I have noticed an increase in piss takers. I offered you one free pizza. You want two. Ok here's two. You want four. Now you can piss off. Leave the store. Get out I hate you.
Then there are the chavs, who you give one pizza to one chav, you get about 6 chavs appear, all wanting pizza. You can piss off as well!
Then you get the ones, who think it is their RIGHT to have the pizza.
"You're only going to chuck them away so give me them"
"Ok here's one"
"I'll take all of them"
"No sorry I can't do that"
"OH THIS IS DISGUSTING, you're going to throw them away anyway - give me them"
"No"
"WHY NOT?"
In the above case I walked off and put the shutter down. She wasn't a customer so had no cause for complaint, she just got free pizza. She soon got out when she saw the metal heading her way.
Then there were the ones who, I gave two pizzas to, then said they were calling their friends to see if they wanted any. No way are they. I went and put the shutter down. Then oh my god, they're banging on the shutter and shouting "How dare you close!".
So a few days ago, I decided I will not give free pizza to any member of the public after we have closed, no way ever again.
Then yesterday, one of the newer team members was getting agro from two women who wanted free pizza. Me and the manager were sitting in the back listening. Manager said to me "Tell 'em to piss off will you". Yes! Hehe I'm always up for an argument with non-customers.
I stomped out there...
[rant]
"Listen, you have already been told you're not going to get free pizza and the reason why. I'm only going to ask you once to leave, now, or we will have to call security and have you removed."
[/rant]
They walked out silent but heads shaking. TM went to me "Thank you". Manager went "Woah where did that come from!". Afterwards I thought maybe I'd gone over the top. But then thought, if they complained, I'd have two witnesses that they were both rude and we were reasonable and following procedure and eventually had to resort to a "customer asked to leave store" situation.
James, suggested I do some type of quiz with some Pizza Hut acronyms. To be honest I can't think of anything I haven't mentioned before on here!! I do however...when I get round to it, put some pictures of items we use on a daily basis to see if you can work out what they do. It'll probably be pretty easy...!
Monday 6 August 2007
Bloody burnt
All day yesterday I had a slight pain on the palm of my right hand. When I look at it I saw a cut, not bleeding so thought that was it.
Then when I got home I realised, I'd actually burnt it and it was reaching quite a high level of pain. I woke up this morning and I have a round red patch about the size of a 2 pence coin. It is slap bang in the middle of my palm so whenever I move my hand it hurts - and it doesn't help that I'm right handed. Anyway enough of that sob story.
Onto another. Out of no where, I had blood pouring (well it looked a lot!) from the my right index finger. I put a plaster on it. But blue plasters are so unhelpful. They are actually designed to be crap:
Then when I got home I realised, I'd actually burnt it and it was reaching quite a high level of pain. I woke up this morning and I have a round red patch about the size of a 2 pence coin. It is slap bang in the middle of my palm so whenever I move my hand it hurts - and it doesn't help that I'm right handed. Anyway enough of that sob story.
Onto another. Out of no where, I had blood pouring (well it looked a lot!) from the my right index finger. I put a plaster on it. But blue plasters are so unhelpful. They are actually designed to be crap:
- They're blue, so if they get dropped in food you can spot them - but you just look like an idiot.
- They come in sealed packets to keep them sanitary. The result is that you have mangle up about 3 before you get one that doesn't stick to itself.
- They're not waterproof, because you are meant to change them every 20 minutes for hygiene. After going back to the first aid box 4 times in 30 minutes I grabbed a wad of them and put them in pocket because I had to change them so often.
There is one other sob story. This one a bit more personal...I sat on top of the oven (cleaning!) for about an hour on probably the hottest day this year. You can read more about what happens here. Sorry about that.
Sunday 5 August 2007
I'm Authorised!
I got really excited when I noticed that the shopping centre put up some new signs, for a plant room. Not many people are allowed in, but I am infact "authorised personnel". Excellent!
Sorry the picture is blurred, D10 got through my trousers and onto my phones camera lense.
Friday 3 August 2007
Canadians and the naughty broom
I have a few different topics from this week:
Canadians
Well, we had an invasion of the centre with about 40 sports kids (don't know what sport..) all dressed in bright orange. We couldn't work out if they were Australian or American so we decided on Canadian. It was funny to look around and see people all in orange. They were generally very civil but lacking in manners when they didn't understand you - everyone of them went "WHAT?!!" instead of "Pardon" or "Excuse me". They were complimentary though with comments such as "Dude you guys are quick at serving!" and "Wow it's ready now?". That was nice. They about cleared out the already cooked pizza because on a normal Monday...it is just people on their lunch hour. They had about 20 meals in total. On my break later on I saw their coach struggling round the car park, bumping up over kerbs and revving like mad. The driver must have completely missed the signs saying "NO HGVS OR LARGE VEHICLES BEYOND THIS POINT"
Discounts
A guy from M&S came for a meal and asked for discount. I explained that we stopped doing it. "Well that isn't very good is it!" The advantage of serving other stores employees, is that you know they won't complain (well not very often) or are CHAMPS. "Well do you give us a discount?" I asked. "Umm no." "Thats' the exact reason why we stopped it."
Sauce
"Do you want any sauce, we do tomato, BBQ or mayo?"
"Sauce - yes"
"Tomato, BBQ or mayo?"
"Yes - do you have SAUCE?"
"YEAH, we have TOMATO, BBQ or MAYO?"
Long pause
"Sauce."
"Ok I'll just give one of each"
Ungratefulness
I was standing at the counter, looking down as I was stamping loyalty cards ready to be given out. I see a figure in the corner of my eye, so I decide to finish the last card I'm on and then look up to serve the customer (if there is one). Before I could do this though, I hear "ONE SIDE SALAD". Bloody impatient git. I press the Salad button on the till and get the salad out of the fridge. I ask which dressing she would like. "I don't need one - my other salad fell on the floor so I have still have the pot of dressing". She is fiddling with coins preparing to pay. I don't know the company policy on replacing dropped food, but whenever I see it happen I'll always replace it for free, because I'm kind like that. Most people are appreciative of this, not today though as when I said "Oh right, it's ok then you don't need to pay for another. Here you go" handing her the salad I got a grumpy "Fine - whatever" and she walked back to her table.
The naughty broom
This morning I was waiting for the dough to be done (in the ADPR...Automatic Defroster, Proofer, Retarder) and thought while the walk in fridge is nearly empty I'll sweep and mop it. I'd finished sweeping so pulled the mop and bucket in, and chucked the broom out of the fridge. I watched in, as if in some kind of slow motion film, I broom fall slowly from me to the fire alarm call point. It is the type without glass, and bugger, the top of the handle pushed the button. Because the system thinks "Oh my god, someone has seen a fire and set the alarm off...this must be real!" it went straight to evacuate with the deep bellowing voice I mentioned before. I (well actually the broom) was going to be responsible for 100s of people leaving their shopping and possibly £1000s in lost sales. Luckily this happened at about 8am so there were no customers and we got it turned off within about 30 seconds. Phew.
Canadians
Well, we had an invasion of the centre with about 40 sports kids (don't know what sport..) all dressed in bright orange. We couldn't work out if they were Australian or American so we decided on Canadian. It was funny to look around and see people all in orange. They were generally very civil but lacking in manners when they didn't understand you - everyone of them went "WHAT?!!" instead of "Pardon" or "Excuse me". They were complimentary though with comments such as "Dude you guys are quick at serving!" and "Wow it's ready now?". That was nice. They about cleared out the already cooked pizza because on a normal Monday...it is just people on their lunch hour. They had about 20 meals in total. On my break later on I saw their coach struggling round the car park, bumping up over kerbs and revving like mad. The driver must have completely missed the signs saying "NO HGVS OR LARGE VEHICLES BEYOND THIS POINT"
Discounts
A guy from M&S came for a meal and asked for discount. I explained that we stopped doing it. "Well that isn't very good is it!" The advantage of serving other stores employees, is that you know they won't complain (well not very often) or are CHAMPS. "Well do you give us a discount?" I asked. "Umm no." "Thats' the exact reason why we stopped it."
Sauce
"Do you want any sauce, we do tomato, BBQ or mayo?"
"Sauce - yes"
"Tomato, BBQ or mayo?"
"Yes - do you have SAUCE?"
"YEAH, we have TOMATO, BBQ or MAYO?"
Long pause
"Sauce."
"Ok I'll just give one of each"
Ungratefulness
I was standing at the counter, looking down as I was stamping loyalty cards ready to be given out. I see a figure in the corner of my eye, so I decide to finish the last card I'm on and then look up to serve the customer (if there is one). Before I could do this though, I hear "ONE SIDE SALAD". Bloody impatient git. I press the Salad button on the till and get the salad out of the fridge. I ask which dressing she would like. "I don't need one - my other salad fell on the floor so I have still have the pot of dressing". She is fiddling with coins preparing to pay. I don't know the company policy on replacing dropped food, but whenever I see it happen I'll always replace it for free, because I'm kind like that. Most people are appreciative of this, not today though as when I said "Oh right, it's ok then you don't need to pay for another. Here you go" handing her the salad I got a grumpy "Fine - whatever" and she walked back to her table.
The naughty broom
This morning I was waiting for the dough to be done (in the ADPR...Automatic Defroster, Proofer, Retarder) and thought while the walk in fridge is nearly empty I'll sweep and mop it. I'd finished sweeping so pulled the mop and bucket in, and chucked the broom out of the fridge. I watched in, as if in some kind of slow motion film, I broom fall slowly from me to the fire alarm call point. It is the type without glass, and bugger, the top of the handle pushed the button. Because the system thinks "Oh my god, someone has seen a fire and set the alarm off...this must be real!" it went straight to evacuate with the deep bellowing voice I mentioned before. I (well actually the broom) was going to be responsible for 100s of people leaving their shopping and possibly £1000s in lost sales. Luckily this happened at about 8am so there were no customers and we got it turned off within about 30 seconds. Phew.
Wednesday 1 August 2007
Good news...
July's Gapbuster (the agency used) CHAMPS came in, and it was one of the new recruits as the server! One I'd trained, and they got everything right = 96%. We lost 4% because apparently they weren't wearing correct uniform. That's not right so hopefully it will get changed.
I think I might have had a CHAMPS (we have 2 wildcards a year - ie. 2 mystery shoppers in a month) as well this month, because a woman decided to get her own receipt from the printer...I do hope not, as at the time I was distracted by a barking man giving the above new guy grief.
I think I might have had a CHAMPS (we have 2 wildcards a year - ie. 2 mystery shoppers in a month) as well this month, because a woman decided to get her own receipt from the printer...I do hope not, as at the time I was distracted by a barking man giving the above new guy grief.
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