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Post by artisans on Oct 17, 2010 20:48:47 GMT 2
Most of us try to promote the things we like about Roda, but there is no reason not to discuss the aspects that have disappointed. The forum administrators do not censor opinions unless they become rude, abusive or personal. We are also entitled to our own opinions and these are freely expressed. I tend to agree with Johno in that, wherever you may be, market forces will root out the poor service and support best value. Those who choose to offer a less than adequate service will not be supported in the long term. People will go only once and vote, with their hard earned euros, not to return. I have done this myself in the village at places other people praise regularly. Each to his own - there is plenty of choice.
Steve
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Post by kernowman on Oct 18, 2010 12:57:50 GMT 2
Too many people take the easy option and vote with their feet and the supplier of goods and services is left to wonder why someone never comes back. I much prefer to deal with the matter head on and then the person giving dodgy or bad service knows what has caused offence and can take appropriate action or not as the case may be. We support many of the businesses in Roda when we are on holiday and this is the only occasion where we have had cuase to complain about the way we have been treated and the person at fault is not a Greek but from U.K
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Post by sthelenssaint on Oct 18, 2010 13:07:58 GMT 2
i was going to mention the nationality of the person concerned, but being diplomatic i held back, if nicos was made aware. i dont think he would be very happy.
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Post by artisans on Oct 18, 2010 17:30:16 GMT 2
Of course, complaining on the spot is by far the best option but many prefer to leave quietly and without fuss. One of the advantages in Greek villages is that you are usually dealing directly with the owner and most will want to know if you dissatisfied with the meal, the service or the bill. A sympathetic restaurant owner is the only person who can defuse such a situation and make sure that all reasonable complaints are dealt with quickly & efficiently. In my experience, you can speak very plainly to Greek people without them taking offence and, dealt with properly, the client will usually return because the owner has earned his respect.
Steve
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Post by johnofish on Oct 18, 2010 20:41:29 GMT 2
Ah, that golden word 'Respect'. Wouild you try to 'short change', 'fiddle', or 'con' someone you Respect ? I think not !! To do so to a perfect stranger who has come into your taverna/restaurant is surely a sign of total Disrespect. Capital Punishment for a first offence may be a bit OTT, for a second or subsequent offence........ I leave that to you !!!
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Post by sthelenssaint on Oct 19, 2010 10:10:09 GMT 2
bang on johnofish
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Post by sthelenssaint on Oct 19, 2010 10:25:41 GMT 2
when you have had a bad meal or been conned [ good choice of word johnofish .]the last thing you want to do is argue /discuss it with the owner , in this case nicos, who i have known 25 yrs . i raised an issue with a bar owner over a decade ago, he has blanked me ever since not a problem, just one bar i now dont frequent.
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Post by johnofish on Oct 20, 2010 16:31:19 GMT 2
Their loss Saint, not yours !! There is always somewhere else to exchange your 'beer tickets' and wet your whistle. One or two bad posts about a particular bar/taverna won't stop me from going in there but it will put me 'on my guard'. If it then happens to me ....... goodbye Vienna !!!
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Post by Bev on Oct 20, 2010 17:08:28 GMT 2
Having kept track of this thread I would like to add my tuppence. Our 1st year in Roda we tried quite a few different tavernas as it was our first visit. Dolphin was one, we enjoyed so dined there quite a few times the 1st and 2nd year. On our return the 2nd year we asked where the delightful waitress from Sth Africa was. We were told she had been sacked as she had been diddling the customers. We thought oh good. Not that she had diddled us, I always checked our bill. We stopped going to the Dolphin when we discovered our promised fresh fish platters were actually frozen fish and old frozen fish at that. One taverna, we have never returned to and seems to be a favourite with regulars, offers dodgy service but excellent food. Well we disagreed totally, dodgy service, awful food and it is where I soon cottoned onto, if they ask if you would like bread, they will charge. If they bring without asking, no charge. I will agree with the comment by sthelensaint, if you disagree or complain, you soon find you are persona non grata. One exception, where I have complained twice about food over our 5 years (and still our favourite taverna) we are still welcome. I work in the restaurant trade and was told a very valuable lesson, 1 recommendation will bring in 10 customers, 1 complaint you will deter 100. Lesson is, no complaints, make sure your customer is happy in all aspects. :)Is it true the Newport is closed for good? Not that we ever ate there as we didn't like being hassled to go in.
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Post by kathwebber on Oct 20, 2010 17:30:04 GMT 2
wow! it must be a saving of at least 60p if you get 'free' bread at the place with "dodgy service" !! My general rule of thumb is simple - if I am disatisfied about any aspect of service / food I will not go back again. You only get one chance to make a first impression. I would also never compare tavernas in Roda with anything we find in the UK as the whole 'experience' is different.
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Post by Bev on Oct 20, 2010 17:38:38 GMT 2
I think Kath you took my remark wrong. It wasn't the issue of bread, it was the whole meal we disliked and that is why we have never gone back. My working in the restaurant trade started in Australia, my son has worked in USA and that lesson is taught the world over.
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Post by kathwebber on Oct 20, 2010 17:44:03 GMT 2
On the contrary, I agreed with you - if I dont like any aspect of food/service I would never go back to the establishment in question. This would apply wherever I was - Corfu or the UK but I would never compare the "experience" of eating in a taverna in Roda with anything I have experienced in the UK or elsewhere in the world for that matter.
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Post by Bev on Oct 20, 2010 17:54:31 GMT 2
:)Sorry Kath. I will agree the experience is a key feature. I will never forget some of our memorable eating experiences in Corfu. Can I also say I had the most amazing breakfast in a restaurant in Bali? Eating in different countries opens your eyes to all different enjoyances.
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Post by janiemou on Oct 20, 2010 18:01:07 GMT 2
Was surprised to hear that the Newport could be closing for good. I have not had a bad meal there, and the times I have eaten there, though not in last year, I enjoyed the meal. It was a place I recommended to new visitors. Have good memories of many years ago of the waiter who wore the captains hat. He entranced me and my children with writing the bill on the paper table cover. The hassling seemed no worse than Smilies any way.
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Post by artisans on Oct 20, 2010 19:20:53 GMT 2
I think many of the guidebooks for Corfu, in their 'dining out' sections, will tell you that most restaurants will provide bread to start, and they will make a nominal charge. I am sure I have read this many times. To find one that doesn't charge seems to be the exception. Anyway, it's nice bread.
Steve
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