The Ferryboat Inn, Whitchurch on Thames

I entered thesepremises at about 7.15 pm on Tuesday 14 April 2009 and was handed a menu. After 10 minutes a young man of Asian appearance came to take my food order. I started to tell him what I wanted when he turned, without any excuse-me to answer a telephone. He then disappeared. After waiting 5 minutes I left and went to the pub up the road to a polite and professional welcome. I emailed the pub and got this reply <I am the Asian Man in Question and the owner of the Ferryboat. If you remember you were not quite ready to order and the phone rang as it is my phone I decided to answer it, thinking I had time to take a booking or take away order. When I had finished you had gone. Sorry for this but phone calls are a very important part of my business.
If there is a next time I will give you my all my attention.>

I replied as follows <You are in error. I was quite clear about my order but had no chance to complete it. You made it obvious that your phone call was more important
than the customer standing in front of you. At the very least,why could you not say "please excuse me while I take this call" ? You are a rude and arrogant man and a disgrace to the trade. I expect that you will not in business for much longer>

17 Apr 2009 16:59