Bogie's in Defuniak Springs appalling (merged owner's reply)

[Rudyjohn]

you can give it a rest now.

 

[Beach House 25]

you can give it a rest now.

Oh my! and you are?:rofl:

 

[Indigo Jill]

Kinda reminds me of watching an old cop with hostages movie, The Hostages eventually feel sorry for their capture and begin to help him with his crime..LOL...So because he was wrong and "Everyone" jumped on him he becomes the underdog, Even though it is he who could have prevented this thread! Please gimmie freaking break, when the wreck is up ahead how many of us turn around and go the other way? Yeah right we can't wait to see if there is any blood on the ground ! Oh how easy it is to look so "Cavalier" behind a computer, Please continue with the awe he ran over the person but hey you have to feel sorry for him because he is suffering too? OMG I guess I am hitting hard. But ya know what.. Its how I honestly feel, and whats so wrong with that on a thread on the INTERNET? PaaaLezzzz..

For someone who wasn't directly affected, your sophomoric rants make little sense about the issue at hand ("blood on the ground", "..to look so "Cavalier" behind a computer".) Why are you so upset? You need to take a deeeep breath - step away from the computer Beach House 25.;-)

 

[Beach House 25]

For someone who wasn't directly affected, your sophomoric rants make little sense about the issue at hand ("blood on the ground", "..to look so "Cavalier" behind a computer".) Why are you so upset? You need to take a deeeep breath - step away from the computer Beach House 25.;-)

Oh Paaaalizzzzzzzzzzz

Oh and may I refer you back to post #66? Have a wonderful day!

 

[Lollerwaffle]

I am disappointed by how uneducated many of the inhabitats of my own county sound.

 

[elgordoboy]

I am disappointed by how uneducated many of the inhabitats of my own county sound.

You will have to be a little clearer than the above. At this point it is like a "fart in your general direction".

 

[Cork On the Ocean]

OMG! I never thought this post would take on it's own life or as John R puts it - become an Instant SoWal Classic . It certainly wasn't my intent but I think it's my first Classic.

I've been enjoying every remaining second with my family and we have moved past this bad experience and had a great holiday, of course. It wasn't until OOTB told me about it that I had to come on and check it out. Reading the boards posts brought tears to my eyes for so many reasons. The unconditional support from those that know me in Sowal is one of the things that keep me on my path - I would never want to discredit their faith in me or let them down. Thank you.

I was surprised by the support from so many sowallers that have never met me and do believe that Mr. Harding's response speaks for itself which was a mistake on his part. The postitive side of this ...... Once again we see the spirit of Sowal. Also as painful as this must be for Mr. Harding, it has given him the opportunity to learn from the experience and what he does with it is his path.

I need to let you guys know that I have been waiting for a personal email from Mr. Harding which I have never received which again demonstrates the mindset. He posted on a public forum and if I had not logged back on, I never would even have his response so it wasn't me (the ONE customer) that he cared about.

If Mr. Harding had merely sent me an email with a sincere apology, I would have immediately come on board and posted that he had resolved the situation in a professional manner. I also would have gone on the other forums and redacted or mitigated the posts. That would have been the end of the situation.

If he had offered to have us come back and make things right, I may or may not have driven back up there but if I did and the service was better with good food, I would have come on board and posted a GLOWING review and that he's a wonderful and hardworking man that cares about his customers.

The next day she called back again and said she had spoken to Chef Folse and he was equally unhappy at the turn of events. It turns out the folks that boiled the crawfish were not Folse’s people but a subcontractor. She said the Chef wanted to make things right. She asked if I could round up about 100-150 of my people, pick a night, and be the guests of Chef Folse at the Plantation for dinner. We picked an evening and lined up the guests. When we arrived at the plantation we found that Chef Folse had put on a spectacular Cajun Louisiana buffet. Jambalaya, etoufees, gumbo, sausages, duck, dirty rice, etc. It was a night to remember and my respect for Chef Folse really went up to the top of the scale. This went far beyond anything I had any right to expect, but it has made me a lifelong customer of his services and products.

Wow! Excellent example drsvelte and I feel the same. That was WAY beyond the call of duty for Chef Folse but I'm sure feeding those 100-150 people has paid for itself over and over again and that's smart business. In fact, it just paid for itself again because me and probably many others will go to his place next time we're in NOLA

No one at your table had touched anything on their plates, so the determination that the entire party’s meals were cold is false in my estimation since no one actually tried thier food.

I won't respond to much of your email because so many others have but I can tell you that when my mom said her's was cold, I asked the other's. My dad replied that his was. The determining factor in my mind was OOTB's husband (my brother-in-law) who is an extremely quiet man who I've never seen send anything back even when he should have. He replied that his was cold as well. My baked potato was NOT cold. By this time, we were so tired and it had taken so long to get the dinners the first time that we were afraid that it would be another hour before we got redos so we paid our drink and my cesar salad check. NONE of that was the problem, Brad. As you said, it happens in the finest of restaurants. It was the total arrogance and inappropriate behavior by the manager/bartender that motivated my posting. That is the difference between Bogey's and the finest of restaurants. Your food looked absolutely delish but a dining experience is much more than the food. It's the atmosphere which is nice at your place and it's the SERVICE that will make or break it.

There is nothing more to say to a guest who is “Pissed off” (is “Pissed” really profanity?) because they won’t listen. I don’t know if this was the case with you,

Thank you for the benefit of the doubt because I definitely would have listened and I would have also been sympathetic had she just said, "I'm sorry, how can I make it better?". But how can I be sympathetic to your problems when you have no sympathy for the fact that it cost me money for this bad experience that only got worse when I tried to communicate it to your manager? Pissed Off is not appropriate language in a fine restaurant unless you personally know the patron.

Another irony: Corky’s waitress that evening that she obviously did not care for, she even stated that she should be fired, has been with us since we opened, and was the one who waited on Tim Creehan.

I NEVER said that I didn't like the waitress, that she was rude or that she didn't do a good job and CERTAINLY NEVER said that the waitress should be fired. I believe someone else said that the BARTENDER should be fired. I may have also said this but don't think so. That is your business and I don't know the situation She could be a fabulous bartender on a different night.

My post stated that we were seated promptly and the waitress brought our drinks and took our order promptly. Not to belabor any of this but since you haven't tried to communicate with me directly, you should know the facts. It was only after it took so long for the bread and salads that the table service got PROGRESSIVELY worse. At first the coffee refills were flowing and as time went on it appeared that we were almost being avoided and it was our thoughts that the waitress and the hostess were just plain embarrassed that they couldn't get the food out quicker and just didn't know what to do. Again, this was not the proverbial straw that broke the camels back and I felt bad for the waitress. She may have left the food sit too long. I don't know but since my potato was steaming hot, my guess would be that the problem was in the busy kitchen.

I invite all of you to come give us a try for yourselves, that includes you Corky, for had you stayed that night and actually ate your meals, my guess is is that we wouldn’t be having this discussion right now.

I stated above how this discussion could have been avoided and I'm sorry but at this point, I certainly wouldn't come back with the way you handled the situation. I had hoped for better from the owner

Maybe Chef Brad might add to that, "Attitude will be extra should you have any problems"

I want to go try the food, but Brad's response to Cork can be condensed down to 'We were too busy dealing with customers to deal with YOU'. If the gal at the bar would have displayed an ounce of customer service skill Cork probably would have left the place feeling better about it and not feeling the need to blast the establishment with both barrels. Ugly situation.

You're so right Skunky. I'm generally the diplomat in my Italian family and when I get that upset, there's generally a reason.

Dear Mr. Harding,

I work hard for my money and I choose where to spend it and I assure you it will never been in your establishment.

My decision was made entirely by your response to the complaint.

Good luck.

I hope he understands this which is exactly what happened with me.

COTO, these must be your reviews that you've posted, on the Internet. Good for you!Note to Mr. Harding, when anyone Googles your restaurant, this is what they'll find! http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=HOTEL+DEFUNIAK+BOGIES&btnG=Google+Search I would also consider, The Better Business Bureau. Maybe they should keep these posts, on file!

Yes, I did post them and copied Mr Harding on them in hopes that he would realize that in today's world, the customer has more power than they did before the internet when they are treated poorly.

Harding's response was completely inappropriate. Remember how Johnny Earle responded to some complaints about Criolla that were made on this message board ? Johnny responded with class and was very gentlemanly and I might add, very generous. Arrogance is a luxury no one can afford, especially if you are in the hospitality industry !!

We've had several restaurant owners on the board that have found themselves in the same situation as Mr Harding. I remember one thread where the owner came on and actually asked people to post their complaints so that she could address them. She said, I'm having problems with my staff and I want to know your opinions. After that I started frequenting a restaurant that had complaints from NUMEROUS people ONLY because the owner was trying so hard to resolve them. :rofl:

Just wanted to archive this. It was removed from the chowhound site but it was still in Cache..


Hotel Defuniak Gone Down the Tubes

If this restaurant wants to keep the wonderful reputation that it's had, they better start appreciating the people who give their hard earned money to them. Defuniak now has several other choices in restaurants and the many people who visit this charming town won't put up with being treated like common trash when they don't accept cold food, ridiculous wait times for the food and low class bartenders with an attitude.

Permalink | Reply
goeurope Dec 27, 2007 01:31AM

Yes Beach House, I did try to redact them because after I read it, I felt that it was unkind to say that anybody was low class. That was definitely not right and my bad. You however, found them in the cache. The impact of the internet is phenomenol even when you try to take it back! I apologize to the bartender for that inappropriate remark about class.

Just a guess but the bleeding would probably stop if he would just come on here and say he was sorry. I think he has had more than enough time to respond;his essay was posted withing half a day of Cork's post. It speaks volumes that so much effort was put into composing a short story defending his establishment and burning bridges while none is being given to modest contrition.

And another thought...I wonder if Creehan would tolerate such hostile behavior from one of his managers? My guess is that they would be canned on the spot.

I can only tell you that Tim Creehan is a fabulous man. I don't even know him and called him about a Make-a-Wish family that I was assisting with their wish to see if he could help out. He treated them like gold and compted EVERYTHING for the ENTIRE family!!! I hope that Mr Harding gets that sometimes, a free drink or a dessert can be well worth the investment. I will praise Tim Creehan to everyone I know from his kind gesture to that unfortunate family.

Kinda reminds me of watching an old cop with hostages movie, The Hostages eventually feel sorry for their capture and begin to help him with his crime..LOL...So because he was wrong and "Everyone" jumped on him he becomes the underdog, Even though it is he who could have prevented this thread! .....Its how I honestly feel, and whats so wrong with that on a thread on the INTERNET? PaaaLezzzz.

We see this a lot on the board. People get upset and start slamming someone. Another sowaller comes on and makes them all feel bad and everyone starts backtracking and apologizing. You have expressed your feelings honestly BH and you do get it. None of us want to hurt Mr Harding but he did attract this lesson by his response and hopefully it has been a good learning experience for him. Sowallers don't hold grudges and at any time he can make it right.

Finally, we pray that if any of you has ever had a less-than-funn experience at Fired Up, that you'll simply let us know. We'll do whatever it takes to make it right for you.

We love ya'll!



Sincerely,

Jim & Stacy Radford, owners
Fired Up Paint-Your-Own Pottery
27 Quincy Circle * Downtown Seaside
850-231-3211

Yep, that's the difference.
We always have FUNN at FIRED UP! And...

We LOVE the owners of FIRED UP who do EVERYTHING they can to make sure of it!

He may feel much differently today. It is now between him and the opening poster - - not us.

Have never heard from him JR

How old are you GK? Wow, pretty profound thoughts from a kid your age! You're on your way to becoming a thoughtful and giving person.

This should be the lesson for the day for all of us!

Grayton Kid is wise beyond his years and it's a pleasure to know him The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?

OK guys, I feel like I've given birth! I'm planning on meeting some other sowallers at the Redbar about 6-7PM tonight and I NEED it after this

 

[Beach House 25]

Where is Redbar?

 

[scrltbegonya]

i like google more than i like redbar

 

[JB]

All I know is I'll never get the 20 minutes of my life back I just spent reading this most pathetic thread.

Get a job, people.