Before this pandemic, I went into the office for work in Mississauga. On my way home from work, dropping by an eatery around Highway 27 and Finch was not uncommon. One of my usual stops was this Harvey's, specifically through the drive-thru.
Customer service from January to March 2020 was great. I knew all staff after work at around 6 pm. Sadly, things have changed for the worst.
Roughly two weeks ago, I received an offer in my inbox for a free pie in honour of my birthday. Sweet! I have never redeemed a free pie at Harvey's in my life.
Last Saturday, I was in the area. I decided to park and head into the eatery because my perk had a barcode and I thought that it would be easier for staff to scan it.
There has always been plenty of parking here. I had no problem finding a spot and walking in.
I should have headed out the door when I took a whiff inside. It was as if garbage for days had been housed there. It was unpleasant. Wearing a mask didn't help. I needed oxygen and fresh air!
I walked up to the counter. I let the woman know that I was redeeming a free pie for my birthday. I asked what flavours she had besides apple pie. Desserts weren't shown on the main menu. Instead, there was a little sign mentioning the strawberry and cream pie.
For some reason, she thought that I wanted two pies. Huh? The offer said one. I said one.
She asked me to scan the code. I did. There seemed to be a problem and she needed help from her colleague who was handling orders at the drive-thru. I waited patiently.
The first woman relayed to her colleague that I wanted two pies. I didn't. It confused her colleague, who asked if I wanted two of them. Nope, I showed my barcode offer again that said to claim a pie. Singular.
I was asked to scan the barcode again. I did. According to the system, it had been used. I said that I have not stepped foot in a Harvey's since December 2020 in Whitchurch-Stouffville. There was no way that I had redeemed this code. Redeeming it here was my first and only time.
My word was not good enough. She was adamant that I had used said code already. I didn't appreciate the look that she had, as if I were taking advantage of the system by asking to still get my free pie because it was a birthday perk. Nope, no flexibility or compassion. Instead, it felt like a court room where she read off the same code number that was in my e-mail message, and then printed off a receipt that allegedly proved that I had used the code.
The code may have been used, but it wasn't by me. Can you prove that it was me? Do you have a digital photo, signature, or my mugshot that I did? I check into Yelp regularly. No Yelp check-ins at Harvey's this year, except for Saturday. I am sane. I don't need a psychologist-wannabe to give me a look that I have lost it. I have not visited a Harvey's since December 2020. I should have extended this streak after having put up with her nonsense.
Gone are the days when staff want to make customers happy. I am so glad that I didn't drop by to claim this perk on my actual birthday. It would have spoiled my day.
I told the woman to drop being argumentative and defensive, and to show compassion for a change. Compassion is definitely lacking here.
I decided to get into my car and call Harvey's guest experience. I spoke to Sharon and shared my experience. I asked if I could get a new code. I appreciated her listening to me. She created a request and forwarded it to her manager for approval. When I got home, I received a new code with a new expiration date.
I said to Sharon that I was debating whether it was worth fighting for a better customer experience. It was. I don't like being treated as if I were convicted for abusing the system over a small pie out of all things. I have been here as a customer for years. I earned it. She was sympathetic and a good listener, unlike the women at this eatery. She and her manager made things better. I just hope that the code works when I try it this week.
In the meantime, customer service has deteriorated here. Making the customer feel horrible isn't ideal. There apparently is no such thing as delighting the customer anymore. You are proven guilty for allegedly robbing the pie stash. Sure, call me the pie burglar, why don't you? I would recommend better customer service training for the two women staffed when I was there.
I miss the staff when I was here in early 2020. I hope that that level of service returns. In the meantime, I am avoiding this place and its unpleasant stench.
(279) read more