Comments on: Your Favorite Takeout Food Around Decatur?

By: Katy - Savvy in the City

Katy - Savvy in the City — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 13:30:37 +0000

- Java Monkey – just did a takeout post about them on my blog – http://www.savvyinthecity.com
– Las Brasas (ditto)
– Sammiches N Stuff (lunch)
– Pita Pit!!!!! brings back college memories – yum

By: J_T

J_T — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 13:52:05 +0000

I’m sorry Lynn, but your approach now of smearing the name of one of the regular and respected posters here leaves me even more bitter and less likely to ever try your store again. You flat out called Lump a liar by saying you never complained about “those Scoutmob” people. Sorry, but I believe him, and I base that on the (lack of) customer service I’ve received there. From what I understand, kiwi’s experience is not isolated either. And if what they’ve related is accurate, I don’t blame them one bit for feeling uncomfortable addressing you directly about it.

Maybe you don’t realize how your attitude is off-putting to folks but it clearly is and they have every right to express their opinions about it. As cubalibre suggested, try to take this as constructive criticism, own up to your mistakes and improve your customer service. If you don’t, I can guarantee that the word of mouth negativity will continue. You should be GRATEFUL that Lump put his experience out there for you to hear about on this board and to see the similar experiences others have had. Despite what you may think, they have absolutely no obligation whatsoever to direct any comments at you personally, especially when you made them feel so uncomfortable in the first place. Engaging in such a tacky and adversarial tit-for-tat in this public forum is not helping you. There certainly is such a thing as bad publicity and you are making the bad even worse with your comments.

As I said above, I am not very likely to patronize your establishment again. But I’m kind of a spiteful and stubborn ass. Hopefully your attitude changes before many others follow suit.

By: UDog

UDog — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:47:35 +0000

I don’t usually get into these long responses but I have a special interest in this one as a small business owner myself. From Wikipedia, ” …Sometimes smear is used more generally to include any reputation-damaging activity.…” I believe it is smearing or bad intent or what ever word you choose. What other purpose can it be, intentional or not. Do you think those post will increase her business? Nelliebelle, you said you probably won’t go back based on his comments. Others said similar things.
Sawicki’s is a small locally owned business, the kind we want to encourage in Decatur, as often expressed on this blog. She’s struggling to make it and provides a value to the community. What good can come out of those types of comments about a personal experience. Well, maybe there are people in Decatur who will go in to see if she does have horns and a tail. Maybe the customer was rude or had some attitude. Maybe Lynne’s dog was run over. I don’t know but I do think it hurts her business to put it out over this forum. We are not talking about Dollar General, the CSD administration, Amazon reviews, etc. Their incomes won’t be affected by negative posts. We are talking about one person’s livelihood. After thinking about my reply to Keith F, I’ll modify it and say I do think it was handled wrong even though that wasn’t my point. If you had a bad experience there then don’t go back. Talk to her personally like she asked. Maybe you’ll work it out and live happily ever after. Let everyone else decide without prejudice. If most have similar experiences, she’ll go out of business. If you had a great experience, blog away.

By: Keith F

Keith F — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:46:34 +0000

Sorry. When I read, “Take it up in person. Not on a public blog” I interpreted it as you believing is was handled in the wrong way.

By: cubalibre

cubalibre — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:30:28 +0000

Well put, Karrass– but then, your statements always are!