Comments on: Gourmet Food Store Lets Rip At Client Via Email

By: Liz earle

Liz earle — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 22:37:04 +0000

I am a proffesional event manager. You do gate things come up at last moment and you need great companies to help pull it off for you. In this case I would suggest that it is a bit late requesting a quote for catering over Xmas _ HOWEVER she is not putting in an order, She has mearly requested a quote. This doesnt constitute that you want this woman to cater the event.
If this woman needed to know if she was needed a polite “may I ask if my quote was acceptable” email would suffice. If no responce then I suggest NOT. I really dont know what is so hard to understand here?

By: 'postrophe

'postrophe — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:10:50 +0000

Still raising a laugh, way on into May! How come the silly woman’s ghastly website is still touting for Xmas business?

By: Bertha K.

Bertha K. — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:49:13 +0000

The ‘Rude’ saga finally makes it to Kenya! Good laugh!

By: Naomi

Naomi — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:22:06 +0000

Margaret…you go girl!

By: Trishytroo

Trishytroo — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 00:46:11 +0000

Is this thread still going?
Happy New Year to all!
I have decided to contact Ray White Realty and offer my Event Planning services to them even though I am a woman of a ‘certain age’ LOL

By: Trevor

Trevor — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:38:30 +0000

The legal fraternity should be having a field day with this especially Ray Whites legal division. Sue MM for Defamation of Character!!

Looks like MM’s quoting policies could do with an upgrade. She could simply put that orders need to be confirmed within 24/48hrs before the function.

By: Rose

Rose — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:21:34 +0000

Toothpick,
I’m a Kiwi woman in my forties myself, and I agree with you about certain Kiwi women in their fifties. I think it is associated with menopause. Some women that age are very nasty, particularly to younger women as Hayley probably is. I call it Ovulation Envy. When I was in my childbearing years (late twenties to mid thirties) and visibly pregnant and/or with babies or toddlers with me, most people of both sexes were very nice to me but a few women in their fifties went out of their way to be nasty to me. Woman busdrivers dropping the clutch every time I was walking down the aisle, woman shopkeepers and hairdressers pointedly ignoring me while I wated to be served, even one old bat in ChCh who looked at my three young children, looked at my pregnant belly and then gave me a Hate Stare. These old cows need Hormone Replacement Therapy to adjust their personalities.

By: Zebb

Zebb — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:30:00 +0000

Hey guys, I’m a caterer and I have to say its amazing that a caterer with such bad client skills is still in business, I cheaked out the second message as well, its kind of cringe material. We are flat out at Christmas time but you always make room for your clients and if they havn’t gotten back to you, then you call them!!Its about fixing a mistake before it happens. I’m sure Margaret is full of regret but still following her “Not my falt attitude” Silly lady.

By: Trishytroo

Trishytroo — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 19:19:25 +0000

The thing is that she could have turned down the last minute order. She could have done it very pleasantly and Hayley would simply have had to get organized and find another caterer.
However, that being said, just think how much fun we all would have missed!!
Business is Business – some customers you need to stroke, some you don’t need. Its knowing the difference and handling it in a professional manner.

By: Trishytroo

Trishytroo — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 06:00:20 +0000

Toothpick – yes! you are right! Men of that age can be very rude!

If nothing else, this blog has made me revist my dealings with people to ensure I do not come across in the same way as the unfortunate subject of this thread!!

By: kizzy

kizzy — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:09:20 +0000

I not only can’t believe that she is this nasty but her latest response that is in todays newspaper is that she is getting lots of hate emails and is hunting every one of them down to get them in trouble with their jobs. My question is this. If she has the time to do that then WHY didn’t she have to time to answer all the questions that were asked of her to begin with. She is a nasty woman that needs to be brought down a peg. ALSO I have to agree with so many on here. The blinking on that website not only hurt my eyes but made me feel sick. SHAME ON HER…if she can’t handle the heat then she needs to get out of the kitchen

By: toothpick

toothpick — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:11:50 +0000

Sorry, Trishytroo, generalisations are always unfair, and I can see you’re not one of those I’m referring to. None the less I still can’t work out why so many of those women do exist.
(I’d also add another sweeping generalisation about the arrogant rudeness of NZ men in their 60s-70s, but in aggregate that may make me seem just plain ageist, rather than my current crime of being sexist!)

By: Trishytroo

Trishytroo — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 15:36:05 +0000

Toothpick…being just out of the age bracket you mention I am appalled to think I may be classified alongside this maven of bad taste and terrible manners. Not all women ‘of a certain age’ are aggressive. I do confess to arrogance from time to time but when I work with clients I work to ensure I meet their needs above and beyond. It does not hurt to write a pleasant email.
“Dear Hayley,
Thank you for your order. I would be delighted to cater your function on ….. Please be mindful, however, that due to the short notice I may not be able to provide everything on your menu nor confirm costs until Monday. It will be necessary for you to confirm numbers to me no later than…
Would you please let me know as soon as possible if this is satisfactory?
I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible, so that I can provide you with the best possible service.

Have a great day!

By: toothpick

toothpick — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:58:29 +0000

I hate to generalise, but there’s something about certain NZ women in their 50s, which is exemplified by this catering exchange, and also your coffee shop story here http://www.nzherald.co.nz/column/story.cfm?c_id=702&objectid=10483590

Why does this age bracket sometimes cause such aggression, a move to a completely black wardrobe, and also the choice between over-the-top luvviness or a spiky-dikey hair-do?
None of which is necessarily bad (even the aggro, sometimes) but all of which is rather perplexing.

By: D

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:32:00 +0000

Y’know just out of curiousity, I checked their web site after reading all the comments, and I have to say, even without this lady’s e-mail, I would *never* use this company.
Right on the front page it says “Menu items subject to change without notice” , then a little further down, “Prices subject to change at Management’s discretion and without notice…”.
So, essentially, hire us and we’ll serve you what we feel like and charge you what we want to, no matter what you’ve agreed to or ordered.
.
Not for my money, thanks.