Order disaster

<p>Good day</p> <p> </p> <p>We ordered and paid in full for 2 platters a week in advance for our twins birthday party from the Greendale Spar in Howick. We called in the day before collection to confirm delivery for 9am. When we arrived on the day to collect them I asked the lady behind the counter if they were ready. She first of all looked at me as if she had never heard of the word platter and called another lady who proceeded to tell me that they had not finished them. I called the manager who confirmed this was the case and we would have to wait another 15min. We had a bus full of children waiting in the car and we still had to stop at Milky Lane in PMB to pick up an ice cream cake who by the way had everything ready in a professional manner. Eventually 1 of the platters was carried out by the manager and we still had to wait for the sandwich platter to come out. We had also pre ordered 48 hot dog rolls so they would be fresh for the kids birthday party. I wondered why the rolls were not coming out so I went back into the shop only to be told by the manager that the rolls had not arrived from their branch in Merrivale and it would be another 10min before they arrive. All this time I had 15 kids in a bus itching to get to the party in Cato Ridge. I could not wait any longer and decided to take rolls from the previous day off the shelf instead of the fresh one’s I had pre ordered. I said to the manager perhaps he should give me the rolls on the house considering the inconvenience caused he ignored this request. We moved down from JHB about 2 years ago and we used the Super Spar at Broadacres which is probably the best Spar in the country. Their service level is second to none and they go out of their way to help their customers. I think Greendale could learn something from them I honestly do. The area manager for Spar Howick called to say we could get a refund for the rolls which I will do. The point here is that if you can’t provide a good efficient service then don’t offer it at all. I own and run my own successful business and If I ran my affairs this in this manner I would not be in business. Janeen Johanston ( Complaints devision ) I would appreciate some feedback on what action was taken.</p> <p> </p>