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Name:   libertybell - Email Member
Subject:   Christophers-BAD NEWS!
Date:   8/21/2009 5:42:21 PM

Just got off the phone with Brandon at Christophers... asked for
reservations for 4 at 7:00 pm .. was told they only took reservations for 8 or more. I responded with "sure would be nice for locals to be assured of a table similar to other resturants.

The response was ... " it is our policy and I can't give you a
reservation. local or not!"

I said... " lets see what happens in December..January and
February...

Response... "Your an a-- H---!

Sorry they can't figure out what happens when you treat customers
like that... Same thing happend in Opelika.... and the rent
there and here go's on........



Name:   Kizma Anuice - Email Member
Subject:   how it works
Date:   8/21/2009 6:32:06 PM

when refused reservations, I call back and make reservasations for the number they require. I might just show up with a twosome. What are they going to do.

If everyone did that then it would cure the problem.



Name:   alahusker - Email Member
Subject:   Might cure your
Date:   8/21/2009 7:03:26 PM

reservation for your evening.. But certainly does not cure the problem..



Name:   Feb - Email Member
Subject:   Exactly
Date:   8/21/2009 7:13:11 PM

I like the place, and I want to see it survive for the long run.



Name:   Mack - Email Member
Subject:   They are Your $$$$
Date:   8/21/2009 7:41:32 PM

and your choice to go or not. Maybe Brandon was having a bad hair day?? Who knows?
From prior reviews, I suggest you give it another try.

But, just like WalMart shopping**** If you want to tolerate the attitude of the personnel there to save a few bucks a year, then buy WalMart. Otherwise, spend your money where it is appreciated.



Name:   GoneFishin - Email Member
Subject:   Well Not Exactly
Date:   8/21/2009 7:44:53 PM

I think everyone would like them to survive. You just don't talk to a potential customer that way. Brandon should be walking the street looking for a job.

All he had to say was I understand and I am sorry. It is something that we are going to discuss for next season. What time and date are you planning to arrive and I can give you an idea of typical waiting time.

Use you brain when you are in busines.



Name:   rude evin - Email Member
Subject:   Libertybell...........
Date:   8/21/2009 7:57:58 PM

Do the manager a favor..........call him/her back and relate the conversation with Brandon.........they will understand you are trying to help them.........



Name:   CAT BOAT - Email Member
Subject:   HHHmmmmm.....
Date:   8/21/2009 8:06:36 PM

What is the number. I will call now and ask about reservations. I can't believe this happened. Response please! WIll post results. Cat is waiting on info. Number please?....



Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   Christophers-BAD NEWS!
Date:   8/21/2009 8:19:44 PM

I knew their reservation policy. He told me that at the time I wanted, I should not have a problem. One option you had is to ask him if you called 15 minutes before you arrived and there was a wait, would he put you on the waiting list to reduce your wait time. A lot of restaurants that don't take reservations are willing to accomodate their guests in that way.

Reservations are a problem for restaurants because people make reservations and then don't show up. So they lose business. Now maybe you never do that, but a lot of folks do. So that causes a lot of restaurants to not take reservations and just do business on a first come/first serve basis.

I wonder if you have considered that he thought your comments about "let's see what happens in December, January, February" to be a little snarky. Just because you are a customer doesn't give you the right to say whatever you want, just because you are not getting your way. It looks like he decided that he didn't need your business.



Name:   CAT BOAT - Email Member
Subject:   Well....
Date:   8/21/2009 8:38:35 PM

I gotta think about this. I called, told them it was two couples and wanted reservations. I was indeed told only reserv. for 8 or more were excepted! I explained that we would be driving from Prattville, but that mattered none. I guess maybe they are planning ahead for a big 8 or more party. Never been there, but it may not be a wait for smaller groups. I am not in the rest. business, but it may be hard to plan for a larger group, than simply have a small group wait for a reasonable amount of time, say 10-15 minutes for a table. My. .02 worth. I just had a few minutes to see what yall were talkin' about. CATS take>> I don't know the business, but sounds somewhat reasonable according to circumstance. (And to think, I am told constantly to stay out of political stuff).

I'll be cookin' for yall soon at the party.

CAT, "hanin' out at the Cathouse Lounge tonight".



Name:   CAT BOAT - Email Member
Subject:   Well....
Date:   8/21/2009 8:39:54 PM

Bling it on......



Name:   famfun - Email Member
Subject:   Christophers-BAD NEWS!
Date:   8/21/2009 9:38:41 PM

Maybe it is just there policy during the busy season then change it during the off season. It seems reasonable to me but without the attitude.



Name:   Feb - Email Member
Subject:   Actually,
Date:   8/21/2009 9:59:56 PM

I think alahusker and I were responding to the post by Kizma. Although his approach might work, it is not fair to other custormers or the establiahment.

If someone makes a reservation for a larger group and only intends to come with a party of two, then it might prohibit someone with a legit larger group from getting a reservation. They then make reservations somewhere else. Christophers, as an example, then looses numerous customers for the evening and only serves a party of two.

I agree, a business owner should not act nasty with potential customers. I have been to Christophers three time, and I was treated nicely by everyone each and everytime. The last time we were there, the owner actually came to our table. He seemed to be very cordial and a nice person.

I do not know what transpired with libertybell, and I am certainly not judging either party. There may or may not be more to it than was posted. There is a point where any of us just might loose our cool based upon how nasty someone treats us. Brandon may very well of made the right call. I do not know.

Remember, believe nothing you hear, nothing you read and only half of what you see.



Name:   Maverick - Email Member
Subject:   I Can Solve This Issue
Date:   8/21/2009 10:49:30 PM

Take reservations for smaller groups and obtain the customers credit card number, etc. and inform them if they do not show or less folks show the the reservation is for they will be charged $25.00 for each no show.

Then all issue solved !!!!

Have been told this as several higher end restaurants and never had an issue with it as could cancel within 24 hours and would not be charged the no show fee.




Name:   libertybell - Email Member
Subject:   Christophers-BAD NEWS!
Date:   8/21/2009 10:54:34 PM

OK.... I took the challenge.... went anyway! Good service..
Food was good... Tubberville in attnedance with friends..


We went for the last time... as a test for the FORUM...

NO ONE WILL EVER REFER TO ME IN SUCH A WAY AND HAVE ME
SUPPORT THEIR BUSINESS... NO ONE.. Y'all enjoy!

I will make sure everyone who ask me about Christophers
knows about this experiece.. until I hear from
Chris Paulk...

I understand the zeal of youthful exuberance... I too have
stubbed my toe a time or two.. but calling a customer who
is trying to make a reservation ( as a consideration to the
resturant) an A.. Hole is outside of my ability to
reconcile...

Again, Food was good....price in dollars was fair...the
price of "eggs" wasn't worth the strain on the hen!



Name:   DSCR - Email Member
Subject:   LOL.....
Date:   8/21/2009 11:05:43 PM

Eggs......Hen.....Excellent One!



Name:   GoneFishin - Email Member
Subject:   LibertyBell
Date:   8/21/2009 11:19:46 PM

How long was the wait? Did you ask to speak to Brandon and tell him how you feel? Did you ask to speak to Paulk and tell him?????

I would have used the opportuntiy to call them aside and just have a non confortational discussion. Or, you could have asked to speak to Brandon, extend your hand to shake his, and say:

"Brandon, I just wanted to say hi. I'm that ah who called for reservations for 4."

Need to address these issues head on. You made Brandon angry and at that point you were controling him and he called you an ah. Then, you were the angry one and posted your anger. He was, at that point, controling you. He is still in control cause you want to hear from Paulk. Why not call him and calmly relay to him what you have told us. Then you can post the results of the converstion and put it to bed. It is good to remember that whenever someone can anger you they have taken control....Up to point of anger you were in control of your emotions. Barney Frank is a great example. He can discuss an issue but when he becomes angry he losses his cool, shouts, and threatens to leave.

And, maybe, you'll get a free dessert.



Name:   bulldogus - Email Member
Subject:   LibertyBell
Date:   8/22/2009 12:19:01 AM

I agree with previous post. You can vent to us all you want, but for you to get this completely off your chest, you need to speak with the owner. He needs to know about this incident. It's the right thing to do. If I were the owner, I sure as heck would want to know about such an incident with a prospective customer.



Name:   Motown - Email Member
Subject:   Christophers-BAD NEWS!
Date:   8/22/2009 7:46:30 AM

I agree with Brandon.



Name:   water_watcher - Email Member
Subject:   I Can Solve This Issue
Date:   8/22/2009 8:30:50 AM

That can help with no shows, but they are trying to maximize table turns and you can't with reservations since you have to assume a time frame for a duce vs a 4 top. Typically it is 1 hour 30 minutes for a duce and 2 hours for a 4 top. If diners are out in 45 minutes you can have a table vacant when it could have been revenue generating. If there is sufficient demand, the no reservation policy is fair for all. If you are trying to maximize the dinning experience then reservations are the best.

I feel if you are a regular they should know that and should make exceptions. This can be through reservations or recognizing you when you walk in and giving you a special treatment. There is nothing wrong with rewarding loyal customers that will be there in the peak and off season.



Name:   4thelake - Email Member
Subject:   Christophers-BAD NEWS!
Date:   8/22/2009 9:00:29 AM

Maybe he was right. You were an a--h----



Name:   water_watcher - Email Member
Subject:   Last sentence
Date:   8/22/2009 10:21:40 AM

Just beautiful ... and typical. :)




Name:   water_watcher - Email Member
Subject:   I think it will
Date:   8/22/2009 10:26:11 AM

be your loss more than theirs. I am not saying they were right, because if it happened as you said that was totally wrong. But you enjoyed everything after your visit, there are not that many options, so I think you lose by not going and digging in your heals.

As much as I hate to admit it ... I do agree with most of GF recommendation. Calm down and visit again and then tell Brandon or Chris how you feel, and point out that you are still there supporting them despite what happened.




Name:   roswellric - Email Member
Subject:   My Humble...
Date:   8/22/2009 10:49:12 AM

opinion is it sounds like there is a lot of pressure to get the maximum use out of the tables. That restaurant was not designed well and I'll bet it is a headache to try to serve. I ran a shopping center in Atl years ago and a well known restaurant from Texas came in and the architect got a little crazy with multiple levels and design and guess what? They went out of business. I hope that's not what's happening here...
Anyone know how many the restaurant seats?



Name:   roswellric - Email Member
Subject:   LibertyBell
Date:   8/22/2009 10:54:38 AM

All these posts about understanding and empathy are nice but I have to agree with LB on one point. I don't pay people to call me and A..H... Enough people do that for free :-)



Name:   green,ed - Email Member
Subject:   Christophers-BAD NEWS!
Date:   8/22/2009 11:40:45 AM

Can't blame LB at all.No excuse for Brandon's remark at all.If that's the norm probably won't matter anyway.



Name:   muddauber - Email Member
Subject:   Christophers-BAD NEWS!
Date:   8/22/2009 1:29:05 PM

I don't know Brandon. Not making any excuses.I suspect if he had it to do over, he'd not do the same again. I'll chalk this thread up to tow sides got upset, at least on went overboard, drop it from there.
Hope the principals get together and got over it. Life's too short, lake living too good, to harbor any ill feelings.



Name:   Pontoonfisher - Email Member
Subject:   Christophers-BAD NEWS!
Date:   8/22/2009 4:24:33 PM

I agree with you Hound. Liberty's comment about the winter months in my opionion did warrant a response. Just because someone is a busness ownwer doesn't mean they have to take crap from their customer's. I have never been there and this makes me want to go. That's the type person I am and I admire them for that. If someone gives you crap then give it right back to them.



Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   So Maybe
Date:   8/22/2009 5:04:58 PM

the shoe fits? :-)



Name:   roswellric - Email Member
Subject:   So Maybe
Date:   8/23/2009 9:59:48 AM

Sometimes my wife would agree with that :-O



Name:   Feb - Email Member
Subject:   So Maybe
Date:   8/23/2009 10:04:00 AM

I have paddled the same boat. LOL







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