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Joe Karl

it's all about service

By Joe Karl
jkarl@theheraldnewspapers.com

published: July 24 2007 02:30 PM updated:: July 24 2007 03:26 PM

With so many eating places in Seymour, you'd think there would be great service at all of them.

Not so.

We went to a restaurant Sunday where you would have thought it was a major crime to have the toast buttered.

The first irritation was the wheat toast that was ordered was not wheat. On top of that, there was no butter on it.

Insult to injury, when the correct toast came was brought to the table, it had a splat of butter in the very center of some of the pieces and none on others.

When it was shown to the brand new waitress, this was her first day, she conveyed the information to the cook who in turn came out in a huff with a huge attitude like why are we bothering her.

After she gave us a piece of her mind, she stormed off back to her kitchen.

On our way out, we showed a piece of toast to the cashier, who's remark was, "I don't know how you like your toast buttered."

I know the owner. She's very nice. She just has a few really bad apples that work for her.

One of the reasons we went there was to support her business because we know that it's down.

Now I know why.

Is your business sticking to basics?

Does your staff treat your customers like they are bothering them?

You might ask a good friend that doesn't live in the area to shop your business to get a real feel for how your staff is doing.

Just because your help is nice to you doesn't mean they are that way to your customers.

It's no secret that customer service has taken a back seat to the bottom line.

But don't forget, the bottom line is dependent upon your customers and customer service.

Would you go back to a place that couldn't even take the time to spread butter on your toast?

It would have been smarter for that restaurant to provide the butter and let the customer spread his own butter.

If your staff doesn't butter the toast, at least provide the butter.

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User Comments

#1 John Taxpayer commented, on July 24, 2007 at 11:03 p.m.:

Customer Service is now officially an oxymoron in Sevier County.

I entered into my favorite eatery and asked the waitress for 2 eggs and bacon. I told her I wanted one egg runny and slimy and under cooked. I wanted the other one burned on the edges and the yoke broken. I also told her I wanted one strip of bacon only half cooked and fatty and the other burned to a crumbly crisp. I told her I wanted my toast cold and the butter so hard that it would crumble the toast when I tried to butter it.

She looked at me and said" Wow that's a tall order. I answered. "You didn't have any problems with it yesterday!

Ah yes! Customer Diservice!

#2 Annoyed in Sevier commented, on July 25, 2007 at 8:13 a.m.:

It is a shame that customer service in Sevier County is so atrocious. In a country where "we" don't make anything anymore, service is all we have to offer.

It is ashamed that service is so poor.

I recommend a book: "Your Call Is Important To Us. The history of BS." A very worthwhile read!

#3 Ironical commented, on July 25, 2007 at 8:49 a.m.:

Good post John. I bet you think you're easy to please don't you? If you're going to be that damn picky, stay at home and fix it yourself.

#4 Better Pay commented, on July 25, 2007 at 6:52 p.m.:

When the pay improves, the quality of service workers will improve. If you raise your price, you can expect fewer customers. Sevier County must decide, do we want 1,000 people spending $100.00 a day, or 100 people spending $1,000.00 a day. In years past Gatlinburg was once the most expensive place to visit, therefore only high spenders could afford the stay.

#5 John Taxpayer commented, on July 25, 2007 at 7 p.m.:

The solution is Labor Unions!

#6 To Better Pay commented, on July 26, 2007 at 1:05 p.m.:

So what the workers are giving bad service now and then by the miracle of the dollar they will start giving good service? Doubt it. And if we get 1000 people spending $100, or 100 spending $1000 still even. Try to sober up, quit saluting your picture of Che and tighten your argument.

#7 To John Taxpayer commented, on July 26, 2007 at 1:06 p.m.:

Ahh yes labor unions, they made the rust belt what it is today....empty. Go home moron.

#8 John Taxpayer commented, on July 26, 2007 at 10:11 p.m.:

If you got a better idea, let's hear it. Sarcasim won't work and I am home. I was taught to love thy neighbor not screw thy neighbor. We must be from differnt neighborhoods

#9 I Like Irony commented, on July 27, 2007 at 7:45 a.m.:

So John, maybe he loves you the way you love Larry Walters and Phil King. Isn't that possible?!

#10 Better Pay commented, on July 27, 2007 at 11:50 a.m.:

I said nothing about labor unions. Fire the lazy servers and replace them with someone who will do the job. Tonight were dining out in downtown Knoxville. The restaurant we chose is one of our favorites, and the food and service is great. The servers are well educated and speak fluent english. The cost is a little higher, but worth every penny. Yes, you server was a bum, but the price was great. I cross the county line to Blount, Knox, and Jefferson every week for good service and food, at a little higher price.

#11 Ray Davis commented, on July 28, 2007 at 11:37 a.m.:

I think this opinion section is a good thing. Everyone should be aloud to voice their opinion. The only thing wrong is everyone seems to be afraid to put their name to their opinion. Keep giving your opinion if you can stand behind it. If you can’t stand behind it move back to Michigan or where ever it is your from. We here in Sevier County stand behind our word and are not afraid to let people know it.

#12 John Taxpayer commented, on July 29, 2007 at 12:14 a.m.:

WE KNOW!

This first picture is believed to be of a group that includes many of the members of a gang called the Blue Bills. This picture was taken at Henderson Springs Hotel located near Pigeon Forge Tennessee. We believe the picture was taken after the funeral of a young woman (picture near buggy wheel). The time this picture was taken was between (1887-1893). Books have been published about what went on in Sevier County Tennessee in the late 1800's. One book entitled "White Caps" was written by Ethelred W. Crozier, published in 1899 by Bean, Warters & Gaul Printers and Binders, Knoxville, TN pp. 1-217.

The story tells of a group or gang of well-meaning people of Sevier County TN who decided to take the law into their own hands and punish people who this gang thought were un-fit citizens. The gang called themselves the White Caps. They wore white caps that covered their faces while they carried out the punishment they decided need to be given. Many people knew who these men were, many being well-known businessmen of Sevier County. At first many people approved of this gang. But as time passed the gang started beating people who had done nothing wrong. Even so most of the non-gang members didn't like what was going on, they were afraid to speak up against the activities of the White Caps.

William and Laura Whaley were killed by the White Caps in the presence of their young child. The picture by the buggy wheel could be a picture of Laura Whaley or perhaps a member of the Henderson family who died about this same time, perhaps un-related to the activities of the White Caps. Never-the-less as things the White Caps did, like killing people, intensified, James Arron Henderson a young doctor living in Sevierville organized a gang to oppose the White Caps. This gang was called the Blue Bills. This name came from the caps worn by this gang that was blue in color, not covering their faces.

Many battles took place in Sevier County between these two groups and several of the Hendersons were mentioned in this book. In 1894 someone shot and killed James Arron Henderson as he sat in his living room reading a paper. A unknown person shot him through a living room window. No one was ever convicted of this killing. James Arron Henderson was accredited with being brave and fearless and for bringing terror to the White Caps and bringing about an ending to the activities of the White Caps. Some members of the White Caps gang were convicted sentenced and hanged for crimes committed by members of the White Caps.

This picture was taken to Kansas in the late 1890's by members of the Henderson family who lived in Sevier County and kept in an old trunk until discovered about 100 years later. Upon close examination of this picture, you can see that most men in the picture are holding either rifles or pistols. One person, who might have been James Arron Henderson is standing in front and has two guns, a rifle and a pistol, he is wearing a necktie.

#13 John Txpayer commented, on July 29, 2007 at 12:15 a.m.:

DO WE EVER KNOW!

http://www.lib.utk.edu/spcoll/manuscript...

http://tnhendersons.rootsweb.com/ms-phot...

http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?...

#14 Uhhhh commented, on August 2, 2007 at 1:45 p.m.:

Hey John what the crap does this have to do with service in the county?

#15 BIG_K commented, on August 2, 2007 at 3:14 p.m.:

I loved that remark about old mikey boy treating Larry Waters & Phil King the way he wants to be treated. hee hee hee
His name is not John, it is Mikey boy Mgrdichian.
He is still on that white caps rant. He will dwell on that until he forgets he even started on it, and he will start all over. Old Mikey boy aint right. I'm still waiting on those feds Mikey boy, now get with it or I am just going to have to draw you a map. Stupid Moron!

#16 cyn commented, on August 2, 2007 at 11:14 p.m.:

I always thought Cas Walker would of made a good White Cap if time were different.

#17 BIG_K commented, on August 3, 2007 at 10:27 a.m.:

Mikey's blog

http://sads.myspace.com/Modules/Search/P...

#18 Ray D. commented, on August 3, 2007 at 3:22 p.m.:

Hey Big K, Are you sue about Mike? I know him. He used to be one of those holster sniffing wannabe cops. Then his wife ran off with a real cop and he lost his mind. He then went to prison for doing things to farm animals that was not natural. I guess he is out of prison now. I bet they didn’t have any of them goats he liked in there. If that is really him someone should have animal control go by and check to make sure he doesn’t have any animals tied up to a bed post.

#19 BIG_K commented, on August 3, 2007 at 9:28 p.m.:

Yep Ray, we are talking about the same little shell of a man. I could tell he was an angry soul when I read his first post about Dollywood a year & a half ago.
I talked to Edna the other day. She told me a lot about him that I didn't know.

#20 Robert Gervais commented, on August 4, 2007 at 2:43 a.m.:

Those Poor goats. Someone must stop this man. Mike Leave the farm animals alone!

#21 Curious commented, on August 4, 2007 at 6:27 p.m.:

Who are you all talking about?

#22 Stay on Topic commented, on August 5, 2007 at 9:01 a.m.:

The topic is customer service in this area, not sex, goats, cops, or any other off the wall remark.

Ignorance grows by example.

#23 Melissa D. commented, on August 6, 2007 at 9:12 p.m.:

CRAZY Mike you are a white cap wannabe. Brian is a real taxpayer. I guess Joe pays you to get on here and show your stupidity.

#24 House Salad commented, on August 9, 2007 at 1:08 p.m.:

God grant me the senility to forget
the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones that I do,
and the eyesight to tell the difference.

Now that I'm "older"
(but refuse to grow up),
I'll share some things I've discovered:

I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it

My wild oats have turned into prunes and All Bran.

I finally got my head together;
now my body is falling apart.

Funny, I don't remember being absent minded. . .

All reports are in; life is now officially unfair.

If all is not lost, where is it?

It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.

Some days you're the dog;
some days you're the hydrant.

I wish the buck stopped here;
I sure could use a few . . .

Kids in the back seat cause accidents.

Accidents in the back seat cause...kids.

It's hard to make a comeback when
you haven't been anywhere.

The only time the world beats a path
to your door is when you're in the bathroom.

If God wanted me to touch my toes,
he would have put them on my knees.

When I'm finally holding all the cards,
why does everyone decide to play chess?

It's not hard to meet expenses. . .
they're everywhere.

The only difference between a rut
and a grave is the depth.

These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the
hereafter . . . I go somewhere to get something and
then wonder what I'm here after.

#25 Linda commented, on August 11, 2007 at 12:50 p.m.:

what makes Mike think it's the people at the rescue squad doing the posting? Do you have any proof Mike? I thought you knew who it was. You have named names for months, and that proves you know nothing. It also proves you never called the FBI. and that proves you are a liar.

#26 STAY ON TOPIC MIKE commented, on August 12, 2007 at 9:33 a.m.:

putting your little anecdotes on here is certainly not staying on topic.

#27 BIG_K commented, on August 13, 2007 at 8:42 a.m.:

number 12 has nothing to do with the topic either, and is obviously a copy and paste plaigiarism. It refers to pictures, and that proves it was copied.

#28 good news commented, on August 13, 2007 at 9:46 a.m.:

we are finally getting rid of Karl Rove

#29 John Taxpayer commented, on August 13, 2007 at 4:53 p.m.:

No, you are not gettin rid of Karl Rove by any means. He is just getting ready to get the next president elected, Fred Thompson!

#30 hahahaha commented, on August 13, 2007 at 7:25 p.m.:

I would give 20 to 1 odds on that one.

#31 John Taxpayer commented, on August 13, 2007 at 10:19 p.m.:

1. How much do you want to lose?

2. How do I collect my winnings?

#32 hahahaha commented, on August 14, 2007 at 1:18 a.m.:

there is no danger in me losing, just make it easy on yourself.

#33 BIG_K commented, on August 17, 2007 at 8:41 p.m.:

I doubt if you could find the butter mikey.
wow, you are really mad aint ya? hahaha

#34 Good Grief commented, on August 21, 2007 at 9:48 a.m.:

Can't you people stay on topic? The issue is customer service and we all know it is going downhill. Don't go to the places with bad service, and do patronize the places that offer good service. Money talks. For the rest of you, I get tired of your personal rants.

#35 Carl commented, on August 29, 2007 at 3:27 p.m.:

In my opinion, Dollywood is an excellent place to spend a day. It has something for the entire family.

#36 check this out Joe commented, on August 30, 2007 at 1:43 p.m.:

This was posted by Mike Mgrdichian
http://www.topix.net/forum/city/pigeon-f...