August 16, 2010

Eat, Pray, Love, Get Crappy Service In A Crappy Theatre...


I worked all day yesterday, and K worked at home accomplishing a ton of stuff pre-move --- I am, uh, a smidge behind on my contribution there --- so we decided to head out last night.

So we saw Eat Pray Love at our local theatre, the place closest to us in Westmount Centre, a nearby mall. This was the 7.20 show on a Sunday, so not busy, when most people are home with their families watching Jersey Shore or whatever crap is on TV.

My beef? This cost us 42 bucks. So $12 each for the flick, then as my turnaround post-work was quick we also got food - one of those meal deals with a big popcorn, two sodas, a candy bar. Okay, technically speaking not a meal. Whatever.

That would be ok, as all our choice so far, until you get to the lame-o idea at this theatre to sell tickets at the snack bar. So if you are buying tickets, and or food, you stand in the same snake-like disorganized line, waiting, and waiting. No quick entry if you just want tickets.

Then they put one girl - ONE - to handle everyone. I felt bad for her, she looked about 16 and overwhelmed. Sweet, trying, set up to fail by her employer. The morons.

We waited while the dithering group of women in front of us each paid for their own ticket, each choosing their own candy and drink, sloooowly. I grew older waiting. The poor couple behind us just wanted tickets to their flick and waited patiently, forever, as did the folks behind them.

Who thinks up this crap system to annoy their clients? I am paying 42 bucks here, hire more people. My guess is you are paying them minimum wage anyway. Popcorn has some profit doesn't it? Costs me twelve cents at home, eight bucks here.

Plus the men's room was gross. Ick. Barf. I did get on my receipt a blurb and link to their customer service survey website. And yes I filled it out. You betcha. Think I will hear back from them?

As for the flick? I liked it, though not as much as loved the book. K wasn't crazy about it, he had liked though not loved the book. Worth seeing for the breathtakingly beautiful places and the terrific music. And Julia Roberts. And the food porn. Ooh, the food porn... go to a different theater though...

20 comments:

Elly Lou said...

Mmm porn. Wait, was that out loud?

I liked the book. Mostly. Yet I can't quite talk myself into seeing the movie yet. Though I'd love to have Julia Roberts play me in a movie. Hells to the yes.

madtexter (corey james) said...

Good grief! I'm a patient person, but I don't think I would stand for any of that bad service. Hubz, on the other hand, would've lash out at that poor girl and put her in tears. And having to wait in the food line for a ticket even if you don't want food. That's ridiculous! You got me wanting to fill out a survey and I've never even been to that theatre!

Salt said...

I haven't read the book or seen the movie yet, so which would you recommend first?

Chances are I will just wait for it to come out on DVD anyway because I can't stand the movie theater. Always so expensive and for what? So I can evil eye the twit text messaging on her cell phone ever 30 seconds throughout the entire movie? No thanks. :)

(Seriously this exact thing has happened nearly every time I've gone out for a movie in the past year!)

Brahm (alfred lives here) said...

Yep, totally get what you say. I too am getting less and less impressed with the movie experiecen - I used to go all the time, now is fairly rare - between the time and effort and $, should be a treat of an experience. Clearly not.

As for Eat Pray Love, I would totally reccomend the book, is smart and funny and insightful. The movie can easily wait for dvd, is enjoyable, without the smarts or self-deprecating humour of the book. I also liked her follow-up book, Committed.

Penny Lane said...

This sounds exactly like our theatre here in Moose Jaw. Yep, theatre. As in one. So no matter how terrible the service is, they have us because there are no other options. I have nearly stroked out more than once waiting in line there. And because we have four kids? And if we take all of them and ourselves to a show? We are spending considerably more than $42 for the same crap-tacular service. Now though I will be looking for a customer service link on my receipt.

Wonder Man said...

I'm passing on this flick

Annie (Lady M) x said...

Bloody hell, the same thing is happening here in the UK .... that whole serving food and tickets in the same queue. It totally pisses me off. Like you say, they might be able to get away with it if it wasn't so bloody expensive.

Ray's Cowboy said...

I would love to see the movie. Price of tickets and everyone are out of the roof. I normally take my own candy in. Yes I smuggle the candy in.
Ray

Keely said...

I haven't read that book yet so I think I'll pass on the movie. The whole movie experience is pretty streamlined here, because there is nothing better to do than go to movies, so it's kind of the main form of entertainment. Also, probably people around here like to bitch a lot.

WannabeVirginia W. said...

Loved the book. Don't want to see it cause it will annoy me. In as much as I did love the book, I had issues with it.

Gigi said...

Haven't read it or seen it. And have truly had no desire - should I change my mind?

Movies are ridiculous here as well. But luckily, we haven't run into the food/ticket line yet. If we ever do I'm sure it'll be the last time. Does that theater offer the option of buying tickets online?

Mrsblogalot said...

Haaa!! I'm all for food porn! I just don't like to pay for it.

I have no idea what that means.

Bucko (a.k.a., Ken) said...

Customer service is not what it used to be. Having said that, there is nothing better than theater popcorn :o)

bmat10 said...

12 dollars for a movie? Holy crap! We pay 7 and I am outraged, some of the theaters are small enough that I can simply invite the audience to my house and watch something on our 42 inch screen. 12 dollars? incredible.

I have a huge problem with the price of food at the movies, I can get the exact same candy at walmart for a dollar, or pay the 3 dollars at theatre. I'd love to buy it at the theatre but I refuse to be ripped off in that manner, so I sneak it in from walmart.

12 dollars, my butt.

Brahm (alfred lives here) said...

So as a follow-up to my polite subtle shy feedback on the survey, I got a call from one of the managers of the theatre.

Brief call, friendly enough, lots of reasons why: they cannot check the washrooms constantly, the escalator is not out of order as often as I think it is, and they are usually quiet on Sundays so they schedule few staff, and yes was busier yesterday than usual.

So basically the experience is what it is, screw you.

He assured me that the survey feedback is read by lots of people, and yes I think there was a quick apology in there somewhere, though much to my surprise not even offered a free movie or whatever. Really, this experience merits $42 in your eyes? And you think I am coming back?

Clearly calling the unhappy client is a task on a head office list. So, your task is done, you can check calling me off your task list.

Lauren said...

Tehehe food porn. Love that term! I used to work in a hockey arena in the concession stand, often alone. My city was named Kraft Hockeyville a few years ago. You do the math. I'm getting curious about this book/movie! Might check that out tomorrow while I'm out and about. In the meantime I think I'm going to start a minimum wage abuse support group.

Midwestern Mama Holly said...

Nonpareil chocolate. Its what keeps me going to theaters. It just doesn't taste the same at home.

Nancy@ifevolutionworks said...

In the middle of reading the book now...can't wait to see the movie. Nonpareils....love em.

Brahm (alfred lives here) said...

I did love the book.

Oooh, and nonpareils - havent thought of them in ages - those are damn good...

Tricia McWhorter said...

Looking forward to seeing this flick. Glad for the warning. Guess I better eat BEFORE I go or I'll just want to pig out after seeing all that glorious food.

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