A couple of days ago our family decided to visit a new establishment, North County Tavern Bowl. Due to the inclement weather and the distance needed to travel the question was asked on the phone multiple times to the on duty manager, Ashley Kinnison regarding the wait time. It didnt make sense to make the long trip in a down pouring rainstorm with young children if the wait time was long. Multiple times she stated that it would not be a problem. We immediately left our house and arrived at North County Tavern Bowl and to our surprise was told that the wait was approximately two and a half hours! We of course asked to speak to manager Ashley Kinnison. She immediately took a defensive stance regarding our situation and basically told us that it was not her fault that the wait time swelled to close to 2.5 hours and that we should have been aware of that. So basically we should not have trusted her suggestion and advice. I guess one could agree with her. What put us over the edge was two greeters told us that Ashley should not have told us that there was no wait time.in fact there was a substantial one. As the floor workers stated, Ashley is usually back in the office and does not really have an idea of on how many customers are actually waiting to be served! I come to realize Ashley Kinnisons ploy or should I say North County Tavern Bowls ploy. Get the customer to come in regardless of the wait time then have them spend money while they wait even if the wait goes into multiple hours. I understand restaurants having customers wait at the bar before being seated to sell a few drinks before dinner but to tell a family over the phone (who had to drive a substantial distance in horrid weather) with young kids that there is no wait and then spring a 2.5-hour wait is unscrupulous! Before leaving Tavern Bowl I got the name of the District Manager, Steve Blasingham, and immediately called his cell phone and left two voicemails. Over the next few days I also sent multiple emails. As of this post Steve Blasingham has yet to contact me personally. It seems as if he manages from an Ivory Tower and does not feel that it is necessary to personally address customer issues. Its ironic that Steve Blasinghams title on his business card reads, BIG SHOT | SAN DIEGO DISTRICT MANAGER. I guess if you are a BIG SHOT at North County Tavern Bowl it is not in the job description to make the time to deal with customers on a one to one basis. What a poor example of leadership. I believe that one of the responsibilities required of leaders is to actually lead. It is no wonder why Ashley Kinnison treats customers the way she does.instead of buyer beware, as it relates to North County Tavern Bowl think, customer beware for their marketing tactics should not be acceptable to consumers who want to be treated honestly and with respect.
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