January 31, 2011

No service attached @ No Strings Attached


Saturday was another blistery snowy freezing Arctic day, so in the afternoon we went to a movie. Looking for a fun escape from winter, our movie of choice was the Natalie Portman romantic comedy No Strings Attached at Cineplex North Edmonton, a nearby theatre we go to regularly.

The roads were bad. The parking sucked. Then the crapfest really began.

As the ticket line was endless, we used the machines. Or tried to. I have a Cineplex gift card, one of the 8 Hanukkah presents left under our Christmas tree, and the machines didn't take it the first time. Or the second. Or third. So now we have the option of getting in the line that is now even longer, or pay full price. Here comes Mr Visa! At $25.50 for the two of us, this better be damn good.

So we walk in, looking to grab some popcorn and coffee. The lines are longer than opening day at an Apple Store. Geez, they charge nine bucks for a medium soda and pay those kids behind the counter like twelve cents an hour, couldn't they have more of them there? Not standing in that damn line either.

Then into the theatre. Totally dark. Pitch black dark. Slasher film dark. Had to walk like blind people with our hands outstretched to find our seats dark.

So we are sitting there unhappy with the ticket process, and the concession bar, in the scary dark unable to read the freebie movie magazine they give out. We should tell them about this. Hey, there's an app for that! I have the Cineplex app on my iPhone, so I tap "contact us" and send an email listing everything gone wrong.

By the end of the movie, my email has been answered, with a very polite "don't contact us, talk to the theatre manager". Um, no, I was afraid of being stabbed by the horde of noisy teenagers behind us in the scary dark, and I couldn't find a staff person if I tried.

So I answer back with my contact information, the movie we saw, blah, blah, blah, and get back: Thank you for your response. Please be advised that your feedback regarding the automated ticket machines, concession line ups and the theatre being dark is the theatre's responsibility. We will forward your feedback to the management team for further review.

Uh, so why have the Contact us tab on your app if you don't want me to contact you? Why not have a Contact someone else tab or an It's not my department tab or a Just give us your money and shut up tab?

And have I heard back from them? What do you think?

Oh, and the movie? Liked it. Totally predictable and totally fun. But we can watch a recent movie for five bucks on a really big TV, without the driving hassles, a gaggle of annoying chatty giggly teenage girls behind us, and all the popcorn I damn well want.

25 comments:

Clare and Gary said...

I think I'll have to wait for my next flight for this one... hubbie will definitely not go!!
I'd stay home next time and re-rent something fun... especially as it was so cold!

Kage said...

yeah, that's the problem with public movie theatres.

the goddamn public ;)

Annie (Lady M) x said...

RANT ALERT! I reckon that cinemas have totally lost the plot when it comes to customer-service. I mean, you could have bought the DVD outright for what it cost you both to get in. And if you watch it at home you don't have to put up with some little shit kicking the back of your chair the whole way through.

Let's form a splinter group that boycotts the cinema!

Jim said...

Haven't been to a 'real' movie theatre for ages but planning to this week. I will be thinking of you both if we have similar problems.....I guess best thing is to complain to a 'live' person.

injaynesworld said...

I love our little rural community. Never any lines at the theatre, popcorn is $2.50 and, because I'm an old fart, I only pay $5.50

BeckEye said...

No such thing as customer service anymore.

Lauren said...

Two words where Cineplex is concerned: CHEAP NIGHT. As in, I will not go unless it is cheap night because over ten dollars for me to get in before buying food? I think not. Not that I ever buy food because I was a concession stand person. God that job was awful. I got paid more then 12 cents though. Still wasn't enough to deal with hockey parents.

Brahm (alfred lives here) said...

@ Clare - agreed, should have stayed home, though we can get cabin fever when stay home too much in winter.

@Kage - LOL!

@Annie -- ooh, right you are, could have bought a dvd and popcorn and more for that. Yikes!

@Jim -- I guess could talk to a live person, didnt want to fight the crowds to find one. They put the app out, they should act on it, no?

@Jayne -- 5.50, wowza! Bargoon!

@Beckeye -- you said it!

@Lauren -- Tuesday cheap nights are crazy crowded here. And hockey parents, ouch that visual is painful!

Kelly~ Wave of Life Surf Studio said...

So true~ those issues are why I rarely go to the movies anymore.. thank goodness for Netflix!! Hi~ I am your newest follower from the blog hop & would love it if you stopped by and followed me back :)

http://waveoflifesurfstudio.blogspot.com/

squatlo said...

I've only been to a movie theater twice in the past five years, and you've just detailed why.

My wife and I went to see the Coen Bros True Grit two weeks ago (excellent film!) BUT had to pay $15 to get in, then had a teenager at the concession stand explain to me that for the same price as a "small" drink I could instead carry a gallon of sloshing corn syrup to my seat. I was pleasantly surprised that no cell phones rang during the movie, and the people around us didn't illuminate the theater texting management (cough cough... ahem!...)
The sound volume was predictably set at the threshold of pain, and the film scheduled to begin at 1:15 actually started at 1:30 when the commercials and previews and concession ads and fire escape warnings finally petered out. By the time they started the movie my gallon of corn syrup had moved to my bladder, and instead of hitting "pause" on the remote, I had to squirm for another hour and a half to avoid missing any of the movie.
We could have purchased the DVD, bought a twelve pack of Killians, and a six pack of movie microwave popcorn for what it cost... and avoided the drive, crowd, and sticky floor.
Why do we go to movies again?

Bodaciousboomer said...

You postulated a number of great reasons for not paying $12.50 to see a movie in theater. Let me add a couple more- bedbugs and flu.

I think we've only been to the movies 3 times in the last 2 years. For the most part they're overpriced, dirty and just not worth it. I can wait a month and see it on cable or Netflix; and if I want to make out or more I can do it on my own couch.

400 Wakeups said...

I have spent a lot of money on our home entertainment center just so I don't have to go to the theaters anymore. Remember when the cinema (and flying) used to be glamorous? I mean, not anytime during my life, but I hear this was true once. So, I got my Roku and my Hulu and wine-u and I pay my $5 on Amazon on Demand to watch whatever I want in my underwear. It's glorious and I highly recommend it.

On a totally unrelated note, thanks for stopping by M&M and popping over to 400 Wake-ups. I am getting quite the Canadian following and I just love all of you all! And congrats on your marriage. I hope it's working out better than my mom and her partner's attempt to get KY to recognize their union. Their is a special place in Hell for Mitch McConnell...just sayin'. xoxo

400 Wakeups said...

Or "there" is a special place...my English teacher would be appalled.

Mike said...

Oh my...like a lot of others here, you've outlined the very reason we very rarely go to the theater anymore. We have a nice big screen TV and a netflix account. What's not to love?

PS: Must be customer service hell week. About 1/2 hour ago, i posted my own sob story. Check it out at:
http://mikesshortattentionspantheater.blogspot.com/

Brahm (alfred lives here) said...

@400 -- yep, there is a special place for people like that, and thanks for stopping by!

@Mike -- checking out your post now!

Helen said...

I agree that they should be way more accommodating. What do they THINK you are going to contact them about, their political opinions? Goodness gracious!

Brahm (alfred lives here) said...

@Helen -- exactamundo! They said I would hear back within 5 days, it is now six, and havent heard a thing. Why am I not surprised?

mandersblue said...

grr! that app sounds infuriating! like any time i've sent error reports or comments to the facebook people, i just get an automated 'thanks for your feedback, we'll look into it' blah blah blah. really it might as well say 'no one checks these messages. mark zuckerberg is a kazillionaire, he doesn't care what YOU think'

p.s i get my channukah gifts by the xmas tree too!

Duane Scott said...

I've added that movie to netflix... :) Thanks!

Jeremy from We Took The Bait said...

$25.50? For two tickets?

For that price, they should throw in a popcorn... and a couple of Porterhouse steaks.

Possibly a Rolex.

Jules said...

Really? This film was good? Hmmm......

Chelle said...

I am unconvinced of the goodness of anything starring Ashton Kutcher. But hey, I don't judge, except sometimes.

Buy your tix online before going to the theatre. No lines! Yay!

Widow_Lady302 said...

Darling man...Cinemas are the new hookers, you pay a premium for small effort, unsatisfying results, and scary sticky floors. Adore you!

Brahm (alfred lives here) said...

@Jeremy -- While I dont expect the Rolex, I would expect amazing service at those prices, not indifference. Not that I would refuse the Rolex...

@Jules -- yep, surprisingly good, esp Portman. Not great, not worth 25 bucks and a hassle.

@Chelle -- we do usually buy tickets online beforehand, this time had a gift card to use, so thought would do it the old-fashioned way.

@Widow-Lady -- love the hooker comparison! Adore you too!

Brahm (alfred lives here) said...

So we finally did hear back from the movie theatre, yesterday. Yes was nine days later, and yes I did maybe stalk them a little with follow-up emails. I call it "efficiency".

To their credit, got apology note and guest passes for us to see another movie, which is what I have asked for. So we are going to give them another shot, maybe this weekend if we can find a movie we want to see...

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