Word of Advice on a resturant

I am not a happy camper right now, so I will try not to sound to tee'd off. But I need to let you know about this because it effects us all. It is descrimination and very poor customer service. Here is my letter I sent to them. To whom it may concern, On the evening of September 20, 2005 my family and I came to your store Springfield Golden Corral 1740 Bechtel Ave.to enjoy and nice evening meal. The lady at the service counter was very friendly and helpful when taking our drink orders. When I presented a card that stated that I have had a surgical procedure called a Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass (other wise known as a stomach bypass), she informed me that I could not get my meal for the children's plate cost nor could I get a by-the-weight container (to go container). She told me that I could speak to her manager, James Accord. She paged him to the front counter/register area. When I tried to show him my card he asked me where I had my surgery and if it was local. He did not look at my card. When I explained what procedure I had, he said he understood that several of his wait staff had the same thing done. He said that he received an e-mail today that said the corporation could not except nor give a discount to anyone who has had this surgery. I find this very hard to believe since I was in your Beavercreek store a month ago and they allowed me to get a to-go container. I was in your Rochester, MN store and they allowed me to get a meal at children's plate cost. I can only eat 1/2 cup of food. Because of our family's cir****tances I chose for us to continue to eat in your Springfield store. We paid 8.89 for my 1/2 cup of food. I found that your manager was very lacking in customer service (to which I have 15 year of service in myself), and had a very bad attitude. My wait staff Rae Jean was very helpful and very courteous. She was very empathic to my aggravation. She did her very best to try and ensure that we could come back to your Springfield store. However, I can not pay almost $9.00 for a 1/2 cup of food in the future. I will recommend to my friends those who have had the surgery and those who have not of my ordeal there. I feel I shouldn't have to do this. You are in the business to make customers happy and to make money. The other stores I have mentioned in this letter see to my happiness and I will continue my business with them. Sincerely, Heather A. Powell I hope you have recieved better service at other places of business. I usually do. I usually have had no problem and business are understanding. I have sent this letter in triplect (sp) to Golden Corral. Good Luck and THANK YOU for letting me share this and to vent some! I feel better already Take care!! Heather Powell

Heather Good for you!! Some restaurants are just not understanding. The owners of these restaurants are probably the "bullies" that teased us in school, but if we can put out the word to people to boycot them we will make a difference eventually. I think that prices at most of the fast food joints are way overboard anyways. JUST BOYCOT THEM!!! Josie

I live in Enon 10 minutes away from there. I have ate there before. I never will again. That made me very angry. That is wrong and rude. Thank you for sharing Barb

Good to know. I love golden corral and heard here in Beaver Creek they did accecpt the card. I guess if i go and they do not i will turn around and walk away thats 3 people they are missing out on making a profit with if enough do that maybe they will change there minds. I am anxious to hear if you get a response from them. Tammy

sorry about your problem. And the jerk of a manager there. However NO restaurant is required to sell us food at the children's rate or a discounted price. They didn't charge us more when we ate enough for 3 or 4 people did they? I don't even ask most the time, I don't eat out very often though. I did complain about the food and service at one restaurant and they did send me $5 off of two meals..but can't use them both at once.. um bullticky on that, I won't go there 2 more times period. Only buffet I've been to since surgery was Ryans, and I showed them my card [my son and his GF, both 19- took both moms and G'ma's to dinner] Ryan's charged them only for a kids meal for me.. not a word was said regarding it. If they would have said no, I would have just eaten from my sons' plate, which buffets frown on.

I go to Golden Corral quite often, and I have not had surgery yet. I am a large eater, so does that mean that I should be charged extra? Come On, we don't want to be judged by our size when we are large, so why should we demand extra attention when we are losing weight. I have been on Adkins before, and I wouldn't think of asking for a reduced price at pizza hut because I don't eat the crust. Just my opinion, not looking for a fight, but YOU chose to have your stomach size reduced to 1/2 a cup--Golden Corral didn't chose it for you.

I've gone to GC a few times since my surgery. Lunch or dinner with my niece or sister and I dont' bother asking them for the reduced rate. Those cards can be very easily printed by anyone and what are you going to do, show them your scars as proof of surgery? There are lots of other places that will allow you to order from the children's menu. I don't think GC is unreasonable anymore. They can'****ch everyone that they serve. I don't agree that the manager should have been rude, but then again, when you go in, you know that its a buffet style place and what the posted prices are. I don't eat much either, but the time that I get to spend with my family there more then makes up for the money that I paid. I'm not looking for a fight on this either, just my opinion that the world doesn't owe us for choosing to have this surgery. Cathy -175

Heather, I do understand to a point but I also like to remind the restaurants that they offer senior citizens a better price and smaller portions and they offer kids special prices and smaller portions. You accomidate wheel chairs, high chairs, etc. Please accomidate us. If they give me a hard time, I order a ice tea and no meal or just a cup of coffee. My family still eats. They watch you like a hawk but oh well...I do order senior meals at some places, like Frisches. Bob Evans will let you order kids menu and $1.00 upcharge on it. Ponderosa lets me eat for $3.99. Golden Corral always says no. Ryans won't let you either so I don't go there unless my family wants to and I order a drink. We need to educate them all. I don't expect they will change any time soon. Be thankful for the few restaurants who are good to us. I also find places like Texas Roadhouse, Lonestar SteakHouse, Outback, will allow you order single items or kids menu and even let you plate share. The one gal that responded obviuosly has not had surgery yet. I think she will change her mind after surgery.

The Golden Corral in Gallipolis accepts the fact we've had WLS and can't eat as much. So much so they have it already in their register....The WLS buffet price was only $3.99 vs the almost $7. for everyone else. All I did was show my DS card the Doc gave me and that was enough. The manager said he was under the impression that it was in affect at ALL of their restaurants. It was wonderful!!!! Also Cracker Barrel lets you order from the kids menu for no add'l charge (Bob Evans here in Athens will let you order from the kids, but charges you an adult price....defeats the purpose)... Tonya

Dear Tonya, I think the Golden Corral in Gallipolis honors our cards because Holzer Medical Center does the RNY Open Gastric Bypass Surgery. I had someone who had the surgery try to go to the Golden Corral in Chillicothe and get a discount and they would not give her one. On another note, I would like to meet you and your cousin or aunt sometime, I live in Nelsonville. Take Care, Tami