Tingting Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 I like the place overall. The drinks are good and the atmosphere is cheerful, but there staff really don´t have a clue when it comes to customer service. I´ve gone there many times and it´s always the same. You practically have to jump up and down for them to even notice you...and that´s only when they decide to interrupt the current gossip session. When they finally do, it takes a long time for them to get your drink. It doesn´t matter if you´re the only person in the building, it seems to take twice as long as it should just to get one drink. Today I walked in and walked out. Why? Because I was the only one at the counter and no one wanted to acknowledge me. There was some young kid on the cash register immediately in front of me, but he never once looked up at me. He really gave the appearance that he didn´t want to be bothered or else he was too fascinated with the register keys. The manager was to my right and was giving instructions to another worker. Again, no one acknowledged me. It would have taken nothing for one of them to look up and say, in English or Spanish, "I´ll be right with you." Instead, they lost a sale. I like the frozen drinks, so I´ll give them one last chance, but I´m not holding my breath that anything´s going to improve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ichbinsaege Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 I have never had a problem there. They are always attentive and polite. Why not just go up to the counter and tell them what you would like? Do they have to acknowledge you first? When I walk into a store here, I always say "buenos dias" or "buenas tardes" and have never had the employees not greet me back. You have to remember that service is different than it is NOB. In most stores, they won't bother you until you ask them for help. Instead of walking out, or being rude -- which I see a lot from expats -- why not try being the first to greet them. Tell them what you want. But, do it without the hint of rudeness I so often hear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PULELEHUA Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 Saege007: Thank you! Indeed,failing to announce your entry to a shop with a "buenas ..." or "hola" in this culture is considered either an indication you are not ready to be approached or just plain rude gringo behavior, or both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tingting Posted April 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 You´re assuming I didn´t say anything. I DID. And this happens every time. I´m also polite. I don´t get ugly, etc, etc., but when I´m standing RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE STAFF and they neither respond nor acknowledge I´m there, then they have a problem. I´m the customer. When I walk in, say Good morning (or whatever) and am made to feel that I´m interrupting a good gossip session or that waiting on me is too much work, then the customer service is lacking. It´s still early days, so I hope they get their ducks in a row. FWIW, I´m not some rube who´s fresh from the farm. I understand to say something when I walk in (and yes, I do speak Spanish). So, just because you´ve had a good experience doesn´t mean that my bad experience is due to a lack on my part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginger Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 I really think you've had the bad luck to get different shifts than I have. I've always had good, smiley service when I'm there but I suspect they have part-timers there & the ones I've had have been great. I hope they iron out the wrinkles & have good staff all the time but I'm hooked on the chai smoothies/frappes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlas Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 I've had both good and poor experiences there. In general there are too many employees doing nothing or just fiddling around. However the last time I was there I simply walked to the register and ordered. My espresso was made promtly and I was pleased! IMHO they have the best espresso around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artsnob Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 I use Black Coffee, whenever I see them, and I have been satified, I like their coffee better than the Star brand as it cools down it does not get bitter, also the local staff has been in training and are now more efficient..and I still go to the 2 Coffee places in my neighborhood too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ichbinsaege Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 You´re assuming I didn´t say anything. I DID. And this happens every time. I´m also polite. I don´t get ugly, etc, etc., but when I´m standing RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE STAFF and they neither respond nor acknowledge I´m there, then they have a problem. I´m the customer. When I walk in, say Good morning (or whatever) and am made to feel that I´m interrupting a good gossip session or that waiting on me is too much work, then the customer service is lacking. It´s still early days, so I hope they get their ducks in a row. FWIW, I´m not some rube who´s fresh from the farm. I understand to say something when I walk in (and yes, I do speak Spanish). So, just because you´ve had a good experience doesn´t mean that my bad experience is due to a lack on my part. I really didn't mean to assume, but your original post mentioned nothing at all about your engaging them in any way other than standing at/near the counter. I just see so many people down here complaining that don't make any effort at all (not saying that you don't, I didn't mean for it to come off that way in my first response). And they are a new store. It will take awhile for the crews to learn to work well together and smoothly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RevImmigrant Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 Yes, I like the coffee too at Black Coffee Gallery much better than Starbucks, which is way too strong for my tastes. I've never had problems being served at any of them I've been to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sm1mex Posted April 4, 2012 Report Share Posted April 4, 2012 Last few times I have driven by there, there havs been only 2 or 4 people in the whole place. Perhaps the new rush is over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artsnob Posted April 4, 2012 Report Share Posted April 4, 2012 Oh no!!! I guess I will go now with my Gang for lunch.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaChula Posted April 8, 2012 Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 I like the place overall. The drinks are good and the atmosphere is cheerful, but there staff really don´t have a clue when it comes to customer service. I´ve gone there many times and it´s always the same. You practically have to jump up and down for them to even notice you...and that´s only when they decide to interrupt the current gossip session. When they finally do, it takes a long time for them to get your drink. It doesn´t matter if you´re the only person in the building, it seems to take twice as long as it should just to get one drink. Today I walked in and walked out. Why? Because I was the only one at the counter and no one wanted to acknowledge me. There was some young kid on the cash register immediately in front of me, but he never once looked up at me. He really gave the appearance that he didn´t want to be bothered or else he was too fascinated with the register keys. The manager was to my right and was giving instructions to another worker. Again, no one acknowledged me. It would have taken nothing for one of them to look up and say, in English or Spanish, "I´ll be right with you." Instead, they lost a sale. I like the frozen drinks, so I´ll give them one last chance, but I´m not holding my breath that anything´s going to improve. Maybe because it's a chain as opposed to a locally owned and operated cafe, like Grano, Miky's, the new one in the Ajijic plaza, David's, etc. I'd rather spend my pesos in one of those places than sending them to Guadalajara or wherever those chain stores come from. JMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlas Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 I think Black Coffee has a total of 3 stores. Not exactly a "chain." Pacifico Seafood has 3 stores too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ichbinsaege Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 I think Black Coffee has a total of 3 stores. Not exactly a "chain." Pacifico Seafood has 3 stores too. Black Coffee Gallery has 12 locations in Jalisco, 1 in Puebla, and 1 in Oaxaca. http://blackcoffeegallery.com.mx/bcg/ I have been to at least 5 of them in Jalisco. Definitely a chain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlas Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 Thanks for the info! I like them. I also like The Italian Coffee Company. I've been to ICC in Guadalajara, Lagos de Moreno, and Morelia. Excellent coffee and great paninis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhioDan Posted April 11, 2012 Report Share Posted April 11, 2012 Over priced and not worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinner Posted April 16, 2012 Report Share Posted April 16, 2012 B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RevImmigrant Posted April 16, 2012 Report Share Posted April 16, 2012 I don't think the coffee at this one's as good as the one on Prol. Lopez Mateos. I had some coffee there the other day that was incredibly strong. I had to ask for some water to make it where I could drink it. I don't know why these places make such strong coffee. What happened to good clear coffee like I made and my mother made? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohjoni2 Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 I don't think the coffee at this one's as good as the one on Prol. Lopez Mateos. I had some coffee there the other day that was incredibly strong. I had to ask for some water to make it where I could drink it. I don't know why these places make such strong coffee. What happened to good clear coffee like I made and my mother made?Just like art & music, coffee is a personal choice. We are from Seattle, Starbucks land. Nothing better than a VERY strong cup of coffee in the morning. IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlas Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 Likewise, I want my coffee strong. We use the French roast from Cafe Grano, either Chiapas or Oaxaca, both excellent. Black Coffee has the best Espresso around. it's the most expensive @ 22 Pesos but worth it to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RevImmigrant Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 I grew up on good clear Norwegian coffee. This is what my mother made and I make at home. This is what I like, not very strong coffee. By the way, I've been to Norway twice and never had a bad cup of coffee there. However, the coffee in Germany tends to be much stronger than I like and the coffee in Poland is a disaster - they don't filter the grinds. And I don't even want to think about Turkish coffee and expresso. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 It really is a personal taste issue. RevImmigrant's "Good clear Norwegian coffee" sounds like something I wouldn't even want to look at, much less drink. An oxymoron. FWIW, the fellow who owns/runs "El Faraon" in Riberas does an interesting little shot of espresso that he calls, I think, Egyptian coffee. Tasty. At home, it's Chiapas Tueste Frances from Cafe Grano for me. Haven't yet tried Black Coffee Gallery, but looked at the pretty space. It all feels a bit too formula for me, but I'm glad others enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlas Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 I ordered a double Espresso at a new Starbucks in my town NOB. The Barista was new and looked me with a puzzled expression, "you want just a double shot?" she exclaimed. I said, "Yes. By the way, do you what thats called in Europe?" She shook her head no. "Coffee," I said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tingting Posted April 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Update: since my original posting, I´ve been back twice. Both times the customer service was excellent. I was immediately acknowledged with ¨Good morning¨ and a smile. My drinks were made promptly and the gossip sessions were gone. I´m really pleased to see that the complaints were taken seriously. I´ll definitely be back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlas Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 I was there yesterday and had a smiliar experience. Bravo! The great taste of their espresso pulled me back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.