I think this is a fab idea for diners, as a mystery shopper I have had to dine in many restaurants and review service, on occasion my remit has been to see how staff handle a complaint.
Its even tricky for me,it makes me feel really uncomfortable, but a requirement of my reporting occasionally.
For thousands of customers in shops and diners most will grumble after they have left and only to friends.
It can be hard being assertive when something is wrong with the food and though its better to mention it, for many people its not something they are comfortable doing.
After all if you only went out to have a relaxing meal or to celebrate an birthday, putting yourself through the stress of a complaint defeats the purpose of the meal
A friend who sometimes dines out with me when I am working won't even come on a job where I have to complain about service, waiting time or even a refund in a shop. She cringes she said, feels awful and said would never say anything and would rather just not go there again than make a fuss.
So if you want to go somewhere to eat, have a great experience minus any fuss, knowing when you get there its already been checked out by others there is something you can do.
Where's Good To eat have created an interactive website, sorting out the bad from the good just by you and others posting your reviews and comments.
That way if you just want a good evening without risk of cold soup, rude waiters or dirty cutlery, then here is the place to check.
No registration, just search your chosen restaurant or location and read the comments.
Saves worrying beforehand if the night will be pleasant and stress free.
Plus you can be a voice for your restaurants and cafés and as Where's Good to Eat say:
"You are helping to create a powerful independent voice that will change the standard of British Dining - for the better!"
A recent survey undertaken by eating out review website http://www.wheresgoodtoeat.com/ has shown that up to two thirds (66%) of us have been served a substandard meal, 50% of which go unchallenged.
Diners in the south east are the most reluctant to complain and whilst those in the West Midlands, Scotland and Northern Ireland are more vocal, we still pay for a quarter of all poor meals.
The survey of 1,000 respondents designed to establish how often diners have cause to complain saw poor service coming in second to an overwhelming dissatisfaction with the temperature of the main courses which are often served cold.
Managing Director of http://www.wheresgoodtoeat.com/ Gordon Lloyd West commented. “The survey has confirmed that as a nation we still don’t like to make a fuss but the only way standards will go up is if restaurants and cafes have customer feedback. www.wheresgoodtoeat.com gives diners the chance to share their experience when they eat out and also for restaurant owners to monitor their own performance and respond if things are not up to scratch.
The success of http://www.wheresgoodtoeat.com/ demonstrates clearly the appetite of customers to review their meals with praise as well as complaint and to share exciting new discoveries with fellow diners. The site takes the risk out of special occasion or spur of the moment dining and you can even search for child friendly eateries or pubs and cafes with a bowl outside for your dog’.
In the Isle of Man where the site was launched 17% of the entire population now use http://www.wheresgoodtoeat.com/ to report on meals out, search for restaurant openings or even to just share food news.
Gordon Lloyd West continues ‘This is about enjoying and sharing the whole business of eating out. If in the process we can help restaurants to improve standards then it can only benefit not only customers’ experiences but also the business.”
www.wheresgoodtoeat.com launches nationally on October 4th 2010.
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