Thinking It's Time to Say Goodbye to My Local Takeaway

Been going to my local takeaway joint for years. Food was always good, reasonable prices and I always like to support local.

Over time, prices have gone up, quality on some things have dropped. Not only can wait times be long but they'll regularly tell me food will be ready in say 15 minutes but will usually be double that. Or I'll arrange to pickup at a certain time and as I walk into the shop they tell me my food is coming up now. But then I'll end up sitting around for another 10-15 mins as the food actually isn't ready. Other times I'll go into the shop to order something and there will be no one in the shop. Someone will be out the back or outside somewhere having a ciggie. End up standing around the counter for them to eventually come back in. Other times you'll go in and they'll be in a mood or arguing with each other and won't have a sense of customer service because I know them and they'll only be polite to tourists. Also there's times where they'll put a group of tourists orders ahead of mine even if order before them. They have a 'He knows us, he won't mind' attitude and it's more important to priorities people who will probably never be back instead of regular locals.

Other day went in there to book some food to take home (which they had in stock) arranged to come back at a certain time. Come back at the set time, go to the counter and the owner gives me a Whoopsie look and tells me that they sold my order. Despite having it in stock when I came in and me giving them a clear time for pickup, they never bother to write a ticket and just forget it. Told me to come back in and hour or two and they'll have it back in stock.

Despite being a regular customer and on pretty good terms with the owners, feel like it's worth less and less supporting this place. Prices are up, vague waiting times, stuffing up orders. A few places around here slip into a She'll be Right attitude and focus on tourist trade but will also complain about how hard they have it. Even though I've tried to support this place, I don't see the point giving them my money any more.

Comments

  • +2

    It's pretty easy, no one is entitled to your money and/or time. If you feel they are not providing value. Move on you don't owe them anything nor do they owe you anything. let the free market decide thier fate, no you.

  • +2

    Quite simple. Vote with your feet. I never complain to food places as they might taint the food. Lower your patronage to just every so often. Maybe pick a day with the better workers. Shame them by switching to the next best shop at the original visitation rate. Make sure you walk past their window with the food every time.

    Last resort: try phone ordering 15 mins ahead each time.

    • Use to the do the ordering ahead but there's a lot of times where the phone doesn't get answered or the owner sounds generally annoyed sometimes if you call to order a burger.

      • I think you're answering your own question with all of this. Find the next best competitor. Cheers

      • can you order on thier website? or through menulog/doordash as a pickup? menulog have pickup discounts.

  • Yeah, time to find a new local.

    It seems like you’ve given them enough chances.

    Hopefully you’ll find another place that appreciates your patronage. It seems like they are busy enough not to miss you.

  • -1

    Well, this is what happens when Governments quadruple the total money supply in a couple of years, and only let their big banking mates get at it first.

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