re: Sammich Owner Responds to Reviews

I have never read a thing on Yelp. Is this something that is really persuading foodies to go elsewhere? Do yall take this stuff seriously when considering a place to eat?

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Apparently, someone from here posted to him on Facebook and he responded. Much nicer post than his others, but it doesn't excuse his previous behavior. He gives he reason for it, which is valid as far as frustration regarding Yelp posts, but which in no way validates his responses.

This guy doesn't get it. He just really doesn't. He has to accept that people are going to write on social media rather than coming to him in person most of the time, if they're going to bring it to someone's attention, and deal with that accordingly or not at all. Apparently, the critiques to which he responds have no validity. Like I said, this guy is a fascinating study in how not to handle bad reviews.

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Ok, so what do we do now? String him up?

I don't get the outrage.
Is the guy internet savy? No.
Will this hurt his business? Probably.

I just don't see how this would bother a non-involved party.

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I think the problem is restaurant owners get very mad when people dine at their restaurant and dont point out issues. And I know very few people actually complain in person.

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I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND that. In fact I had planned to go back and talk with him personally...BUT, when I mentioned my visit to a friend, she said..."You should see how he responded to my friend on Yelp when she complained." This made me go on Yelp and review his responses to reviewers. Once I saw that, I decided that I would not go talk to him in person. It was evident to me that he couldn't care less.

And yes, Yelp an suck sometimes, but there is ZERO reason EVER for a business owner to act the way that he did when getting honest feedback.

How many people in person (or otherwise) need to tell him that his prices are too high?

He doesn't care.

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But I am willing to bet most of us would rather be scolded in private than in public.

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Sorry, but you don't always get this luxury as a business owner. Suck it up.

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I listen even better when concerns are brought to my attention in person so I can at least try to remedy the situation. NONE of the Yelpers brought their issues to our attention while in the Sammich and that is where my problem with Yelp and negative reviews reside.

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So he's upset that he didn't get the chance to bullshite them to their face and explain away their honest dissatisfaction? The person who wrote the negative review probably won't be coming back anyways, so why not get a parting shot at them to make yourself feel better, eh Mike?

Give me a break. He's clearly prone to throwing a childish conniption fit on social media when anything is posted that not's a glowing review. All he does is 100% lose that person as a potential repeat customer, alienate future customers, and make himself look like an a-hole business owner.

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never use Yelp locally, except to find basic info for restaurants without websites. I do use it a tiny bit when traveling, usually to see photos posted by diners who've eaten at restaurants recommended by people I know IRL.

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That's pretty much the extent of my use of Yelp and Urbanspoon and I can't recall the last time I looked at either. I usually look at US, if I'm looking. I probably haven't been to Yelp 5 times, total.

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When there is validity to a critique on Yelp, I actually do listen.

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So the underside of the table ruining clothing isn't a valid critique. He didn't care at all about that.

And I work my arse off, and when I have a couple of hours to go grab some beers and food after work, I don't want to spend it lecturing a business owner about his unsanded tables. And like I said, I had every intention of addressing it with him not on Yelp until I saw his unprofessional responses to other reviewers.

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The person who wrote the negative review probably won't be coming back anyways, so why not get a parting shot at them to make yourself feel better, eh Mike?

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I actually put in my review that I would go back for appetizers and drinks because they do those well, and it was a good value. Oh well.

That's who I was thinking of, Amy's husband.

Consumers are just cowardly these days. They run and hide behind Yelp, this board, call Tom Fitzmorris etc.

Yes, the guy handled it poorly, but I dont see how people cannot just ask for the manager while at the place of business to give them a chance to make something right. That's what they are there for. If they are an arse and dont remedy your problem, then take to Yelp or wherever and blast them.

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Consumers are just cowardly these days. They run and hide behind Yelp, this board, call Tom Fitzmorris etc.

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Don't most people who write reviews and criticize things do so on their personal Facebook, Yelp, Instagram, etc. that shows their real name? Not exactly "hiding." Unless you want to amend your statement to just cover message boards like this one.

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Yes, the guy handled it poorly, but I dont see how people cannot just ask for the manager while at the place of business to give them a chance to make something right. That's what they are there for. If they are an arse and dont remedy your problem, then take to Yelp or wherever and blast them.

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Where is anyone "blasting" this place? Did you read the OP's review. It was pretty level-headed and honest I thought.

Here's another disapproving customer's review from Yelp:

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I went to Sammich hoping for much more. Upon reviewing the menu, everything sounded delish. The restaurant is open and airy and the staff is very nice. We had the duck fat fries which tasted like regular fries and the flash fried escargot had a sweet taste to them. Both the lobster and Korean bbq sandwiches had an exceedingly sweet taste to them. It was also rather pricey. The menu sounded delicious, the execution was lass than tasty.

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To that the owner in turn responded: "YOU ARE AN IDIOT!!! "

Now, who's doing the "blasting" again?