Woman complaining about movie experience is told to "f- yourself"

The moviegoer wrote in her e-mail to theater management: "I did not pay $18.00 to have a distracted experience.' Steve Payne, a vice president, told the unhappy customer to go f-- herself. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Comments

[Krash]

Well done Steve Payne!
Got your Resume' ready for the job hunt?

What an Ass. You definitely don't know
$H#t about management, dude.
Apply to GM they'll probably hire you.

[Cannon]

Go F yourself

[NitroPress]

What a worthless article. We aren't told anything about the woman's email, experience, reason for sending a complaint, anything. The theater VP was clearly out of line but it seems there must have been some contributing factor here for him to get so enraged.

[BernieB]

Well that's really f-'d up!

[NitroPress]

Retract above - JR, the link is faulty and takes you to the second page of the article, which isn't clear unless you look carefully at the page.

[Krash]

Boom-Boom, Freddy....try it yourself.

[k]

Here:
"My husband and I just went to your theater to see Shutter Island. First off, the year is 2010 and your establishment does not accept cash cards or credit cards. We did not have enough cash on us and neither did your ATM. If you run out of cash by Saturday evening you should have a higher allotment of cash. Since most people expect to use their cash card, the ATM, I'm sure, is utilized frequently. Frankly, get with the time. I know you are charged for transactions on a card machine but frankly your customers would be better served. How many customers do you lose because they don't have cash or check (since 90% of establishments don't accept checks anymore).Thankfully, we had friends who had 1 check on them. We would have had to go to the bank to get cash to see a movie. Should we charge you for time and gas? Secondly, after the first 10 minutes a staff member came in and announced that there were 8 people who should not be in that movie. She proceded to check tickets of paying customers trying to enjoy a movie. She also brought in the ticket clerk to see if she would recognize the 4 remaining people who did not leave after the announcement. This ruined the first 30 minutes of the movie. Frankly, we lost the first part of the plot and new characters. I did not pay 18.00 to have a distracted experience. Are 8 people worth a theater full of refunds? Why not wait until the movie is over and check people leaving? Why not pause the movie? I expect a refund, but only by check card. Oh wait, sorry, we are all out of check cards. Get the point yet? I would rather drive to White Bear Lake, where they obviously know how to run a theater than have this experience again.

Sarah"

[stopeatingmysesamecake]

Certainly not deserving of go F yourself. And if that place is that worried about 8 people stiffing them on a showing, then its not going to be around much longer.

[mybrainhurts]

Dear Vice Prez Steven,

Go f yourself. If you don't have the self-control to respond to a dissatisfied customer with grace and civility, get a different job, and don't expect to be allowed to contact customers again. You can also shove your attitude and self-righteousness up your f'ing ass. Also, find better things to do with your time. Your response was an absolute joke. We don't care to have you offer your worthless opinions again. Let me know if you need directions to Sarah's @ss, so that you can kiss it.

mybrainhurts

P.S., Ok, a grudging thanks for providing the inspiration for this post. Really, I couldn't have done it without you.

[Phranqlin]

Through the magic of social networking, everyone on the Internet now knows that this theater is badly run and its VP is a potty-mouthed asshat. You just can't buy that kind of publicity!

[penandra]

The link in this article takes readers to the second page of the article. To read the first page go to www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/85280202.html?elr=KArksc8P:Pc:UHDaaDyiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

[Pop]

It's interesting that he thinks people should be carrying cash. That's so '70s.

[RockyMtnMac]

Not excusing the managers behavior or language, but I wonder what the other side of this story is.
This must have been her first trip to that theatre, or she would have been familiar with their policies. Also, she is obviously fond of the theatre in the other town, so why didn't they go there instead?
Nothing excuses the interruption of the movie in order to locate the wayward ticket holders. That is just wrong.
That being said, if in fact this lady turns out to be one of those chronic gripers, I must concur with the "Go F*** yourself" from the email.

[Saxo_Grammaticus]

Gee, I guess this isn't Garrison Keillor's Minnesota...

[stopeatingmysesamecake]

She may be a chronic griper, but this was the first time she went there - she didn't send multiple letters. So the manager gets a high dickometer reading.

[IronOre]

I don't know, the world might be a better place if more managers told whiney customers to go screw themselves.

[Tom]

C'mon. From her e-mail that sounds like a pretty jacked up theater. Steven fits in PERFECTLY!

I'm surprised she did not mention the strip search to check for contraband candy.

[thomas]

Haven't been to a movie theatre in over a decade.
Much prefer my small living room, PJs, fridge with beer,
the pause factor, scratching at will, homemade worchestershire garlic popcorn, yelling at the screen, and even guests who share pot luck. It's worth more waiting for general release than to share with a crowd of coughing, talking, groping strangers who feel entitled to leave their manners at home. So what if you didn't see it first? You receive no benefit for contributing to stats of first run movies! Hit 'em in the wallet!

Could Steve be somehow tied in with Route 60 Hyundai?
They SUCK!

[lynn]

hear hear thomas!! --- and the sound of screeching braking feet==worchestershire garlic popcorn??? mmmmmm, that sounds really good. with an ice cold beer or 4:)

and a scary (yet insanely ridiculous) zombie movie.

can i wear my pjs too?

[Jim Romenesko]

URL is fixed to take you to the first page. Sorry.

[Krash]

Seriously, the Customer has relatively modest
expectations and a reasonable letter of complaint.
Sure its a bit sharp, but she's stressing her
disappointment. This IS an 8 screen Multiplex, folks,
not a little tiny holdover from the Main St. Cinema
days. I can't imagine ever having those issues
or that response from the Local AMC theatres around here.
One of the Local reader's comments in the website
noted that Little Stevie is the Owner's son...so
I guess that was bound to happen. The $h#thead
probably made life miserable for the employees, too.
Say "Goodnight, Stevie".

[Reno]

lynn, for a thorough analysis of zombie movies and which to see next, check this out:

http://apocalypsepreparedness.blogspot.com/

[kestrelmas]

Damnit Thomas you BEAT me to it! :P

I got nothing... you guys all said everything I would've. ::hugs::

[jj2]

Um, Thomas, can you share the recipe for Worcestershire garlic popcorn? That sounds awesome.

[Reno]

Hey, maybe if she did go fuk herself she wouldn't care so much about the damn movie. A fist full of batteries are cheaper than $18.00 anyway.

[arthurtwoshedsjackson]

Wow. Even though one could describe her email as snooty, condescending, picky, bitchy, or whatever - to some F yourself is therefore an acceptable response? Really?

I wrote a smart ass (more like funny) complaint to Rocky Rococo's last week. This week - cerificates for two meals.

[Dave]

Frankly, she sounds like a cunt who likes to complain. And, frankly, she says frankly a lot; so much so, in fact, that frankly reading her e-mail was a frankly "distracted" experience for me. Should I compose a letter of complaint and post it on the internets?

[RockyMtnMac]

Well, there ya go, Dave.
He should have responded "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" instead of "Go F*** yourself".
And quite frankly, I too noticed the overuse of 'frankly'.

[LimeGreenLizard]

And he didn't give a hill of beans about her franks.

[thomas]

jj2;
Always start with good quality popcorn, and cook it up as you usually do.
I don't use straight butter anymore. Now it's half butter and olive oil for the dressing. Quantity is up to you.
In a small sauce pan heat your mix on medium heat, add garlic pressed through a crusher, or very finely chopped, and when it's clear or fills the room with aroma, add a tablespoon or so of worshestershire sauce to the pot, cover and turn off. Drizzle over the popcorn, flipping for evenness as you go, and sprinkle with fine salt the same way so it adheres to the butter.
Add cold beer to the table.
I try never to make this snack the same way, though this is my favorite. Pressed ginger works well also.
Watch a funny zombie movie.
Thank you for asking.

[Emperor Norton the 1st]

I think our beloved webmaster must really dislike Charles Bukowski because he keeps blocking a (relevant) quote I made in this comment section.

[thomas]

And he didn't give a hill of beans about her franks.

Posted by: LimeGreenLizard | Feb 25, 2010 1:51:44 PM

THAT got MY attention!
Coincidence,,,,right?
LOL!

[thomas]

Kestrelmas;
I propose a movie night on LGL's island.
Cozy couches, beverages galore, I'll make the popcorn, flannel jammies (buttoned bottoms), and a huge choice of films.
Any suggestions??

[RockyMtnMac]

Gosh Emperor Norton the Worst, maybe it was edited for content insted of bias. In other words, maybe you are not as relevant as you wish you were.

[David]

The VP is just an idiot. Her complaints were valid, and should have been addressed in a professional manner.

[LimeGreenLizard]

Okay, movie night it is. But it being a bit too warm and humid for flannel PJs, I propose silks or clothing optional.

[Lambiepie]

$36 in cash - they didn't have it? just the $100 for popcorn and sodas?
she and her husband need bigger allowances

[outofsalt]

Wow, the owner's son. Who'd have thought? (Provided it's true as alleged.)

I could understand someone losing it in the heat of the moment if a customer/client came up to him and started shouting at him. Totally not the right way to conduct business, but still somewhat understandable. But to throw a snit fit by email (!) in response to a customer's email? Unbelievable. If he treats customers this way, I can only imagine how well he treats the employees.

I wonder how this boycott will pan out, and what the boycotters hope to accomplish. If that sites loses enough business -- and if the owner is feeling sufficiently vindictive regarding his son's name being dragged through the mud, no matter how justified -- wouldn't the management company be more inclined to just close that site instead of implementing the amenities originally requested?

[outofsalt]

@RMM: That "Frankly my dear" quote was a hoot! Thanks for the chuckle.

[lynn]

i caught what LGL said, thomas :)

@ Reno. you got my laugh for the batteries!! and thanks for the movie info--if i get my new tv this weekend, i can get some movies.(sheesh, i sound lame,eh?)

LGL's island movie night. cold beer, thomas popcorn and scary movies!!!

[ambeckham]

With the small town mentality there I wouldn't be surprised if these two had history. Living in a town just a mile from the theater and not knowing the cash only policy? I don't buy that. Also why would one threaten to drive 60 miles roundtrip to another theater and in the same email ask if she should charge them for time and fuel? I see the VP's point if you don't like it, then go ahead and drive the 60 miles, and pay the extra $0.25 to use your credit card, and see the same movie at my competitors theater. Of course go f yourself is a bit harsh. Not apologizing for the poor CS of the ticket taker and failure to pause the movie and turn on house lights to find the 8 scofflaws is unacceptable as well. Doing the math and offering them a discount for the portion of the movie that was disturbed might be an acceptable first step but I would suggest popcorn and sodas for four next visit would be a reasonable offer.

What the $9.00 to see a movie? When was I at a theater last.

Thomas please advise of the first official OS&RR popcorn recipe: Worcestershire Garlic Popcorn

The thought has my bloodymary stirring itself.

[dry heat]

32 facebook followers for the VP. Anybody wanna guess how many people the cinema employs?

[BernieB]

32 facebook followers for the VP. Anybody wanna guess how many people the cinema employs?

Probably about 20, the rest are his relatives.

[Emperor Norton the 1st]

Ah, LGL. I was playin' all nice yesterday. Hold your attack until I signal it.

[kestrelmas]

I do like zombie movies and disaster flicks... :)

And the company would be epic. I'll bring the taco dip!

[jj2]

Thanks for the recipe, Thomas. I'll try it this weekend while watching the closing ceremonies of the Olympics. I got a Westbend Stir Crazy, which makes marvelous popcorn, but this could actually take it up a notch.

[johnjohn]

LOL, well, if they are so backwards at this cinema that they do not take plastic payment, then we know they are not familiar with the Streisand Effect. Good luck with all the flak you are receiving there Assistant Manager Stevie!

RMM, you make my heart sing, you make, everything....groovy.

[RockyMtnMac]

Aw shucks - Thanks, johnjohn...
*love that version by the Troggs.

[oh dude]

If any of the theatre's non-VP, non-owner's son employees had said the same to a customer I am willing to bet that they would have been terminated, possibly by the VP himself.