Austin Eatery Manager Goes Full Ag...

[Lord Vader]

Via Heath Till, Austin, TX: We just had literally the worst experience with RED's Fresh Food on 620 out by the lake. Around 130-ish today, we ordered some food for pick up. On the way to pick up the food, my wife was in an auto accident. (She's safe, thank God.)

However, while I was on the phone with insurance/tow trucks/rental car agenices/etc, I received no less than 3 calls from the folks at Red's inquiring about when we would pick up our order. I told them my wife was in an accident on the way to pick up the order, and we currently had more pressing issues. After hanging up on the final call, I was immediately contacted by the "manager" of Red's, who requested payment for the meal we had not picked up. To be honest, I was baffled. I less-than-politely reaffirmed to him that my wife had just been in a car accident, and I was unconcerned about the order. I hung up and considered the matter closed.

Fast forward to 30 minutes ago: My wife is home, safe and recovering, and we get a knock at the door. It was the manager of Red's, with a bag of now-three-hour-old food, demanding payment. I DID NOT GIVE THIS RESTAURANT MY ADDRESS. REPEAT: I DID NOT GIVE THEM MY ADDRESS. This guy looked up my address based on my phone number and came here, expecting what, I don't know.

I step outside to speak with him. He attempts to hand me the bag, which I do not take. He says "30 dollars". I tell him I'm not going to take delivery of this food, and he can get off my property or things will get ugly, quick. He begins mentioning something about us placing the order. I reiterated that my wife had gotten into a car accident on the way to get the food, and his response was "I don't care." So, he was then advised in no uncertain terms to vacate my property immediately, which he did. He then stood on the street at the top of the driveway attempting to take photos, until I emerged outside again. He then drove off, mentioning that if he didn't receive payment by Monday, he would "call the police". Getting a good laugh out of this last bit, I invited him to do so and offered to call them for him myself.

Needless to say, this shook the wife pretty good. Long story short, as an avid, active Austin foodie I recommend you avoid Red's like you owe it child support. Photos of the vehicle post-accident below. I would also request that if you find this as appalling as we did, please share this story and spread the word. Thank you!

Maybe The KVUE Insider, Austin Chronicle, KXAN Austin News, KTBC or other news outlets are having a slow news day and want an interesting human interest story.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

I would have offered to pay for the food if he agreed to stand there and let me throw it at him.

The smart business owner would have called back, offered the food for free if the situation allowed, and kindly invited them back when everything returned to normal and then wished his wife well. His business might have multiplied instead of subtracted.

 

[monarch]

...johnny, how completely insensitive. not to mention shockingly provocative. please relay to your wife a "god's speed" as per our behalf. and please keep your head up my friend...

 

[tshirtfan12]

So let me get this straight. You ordered a product from a local business. The business procured the raw materials and labor to manufacture your order. The order was made as designed and ordered. You are now deciding to reneg on the small business because of your personal issues and want to chastise the business on the internet and the media. You sir are a tool.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

So let me get this straight. You ordered a product from a local business. The business procured the raw materials and labor to manufacture your order. The order was made as designed and ordered. You are now deciding to reneg on the small business because of your personal issues and want to chastise the business on the internet and the media. You sir are a tool.

He placed an order with a business that apparently practices stalking tactics. They do that to the wrong guy and it's going to be too bad. And there won't be a thing legally he can do about it.

Things happen. But stalking someone over $30 is just commode-hugging stupid.

 

[tshirtfan12]

He placed an order with a business that apparently practices stalking tactics. They do that to the wrong guy and it's going to be too bad. And there won't be a thing legally he can do about it.

So I place an order for you to sod my yard, we agree to the price and schedule. You schedule your crew and complete the job. My house has a leak and I have to spend money on that. You present your invoice to me and I tell you my house has had a leak and I cannot pay you. You are ok with that?

 

[Sirhornsalot]

So I place an order for you to sod my yard, we agree to the price and schedule. You schedule your crew and complete the job. My house has a leak and I have to spend money on that. You present your invoice to me and I tell you my house has had a leak and I cannot pay you. You are ok with that?

No, I'm not. But I will understand the situation and find out right then what you are capable of doing as far as making payment arrangements. I try to work with the customer.

I can say with certainty what I would and would not do. The situation you described has actually happened (or similar) a few times. And once or twice by posters (Longhorns). These folks got me paid in the end. And they did business with me again down the road.

Yes, I have been burned. No, I don't like it. But sometimes you take a loss. Life isn't always fair and the next car accident might be the one my wife is in. I try to consider these things.

 

[aowells]

So I place an order for you to sod my yard, we agree to the price and schedule. You schedule your crew and complete the job. My house has a leak and I have to spend money on that. You present your invoice to me and I tell you my house has had a leak and I cannot pay you. You are ok with that?

Not at all comparable. The op isn't unable to pay, he's refusing to pay because the guy was an a$$hole who chased him down at home when his family was in crisis. It's not a contract issue, it's a human decency issue.

Also, landscaping is a high variable cost business where most costs are directly related to serving a specific customer. Restaurants have huge fixed costs with minimal variable costs for direct inputs. Only a small portion of what you're paying is for direct food costs, the overwhelming majority is for service. This is why restaurants typically discount or comp anything that isn't satisfactory. They make money by ensuring the place is full (best use of their high fixed costs) , not by trying to maximize profit on every transaction to the detriment of customer satisfaction.

So really, not only is the guy an a$$hole, but he's an idiot too.

Given that the price is primarily for service, and the customer service experience was basically harassment, I wouldn't feel bad about stiffing him either.

 

[JimR]

You posted this on OB too?

 

[MikeV73]

I didn't realize thirst fan was the manager at REDs

 

[alonghorn72]

Wow. I can't believe anyone would actually try and defend this manager/owner. Do you think he would have been so diligent in trying to deliver the food if he had already been paid for the food? The guy is a certified psycho and his business will suffer, if not go under, because of a $30 order. According to all the FB posts, there are a lot of people that are calling in orders and will not be picking them up. Reds created an internet monster and they deserve it 100%.

 

[JimsTexas]

Whisenant I agree that this could of been handled in a better manner buy the manager of Red's. Coming to your home with 3 hour old fish order is not the answer. I guess if your wife was in the hospital he would have come to her room demanding payment. It sad that this business profit hangs on this 30 dollars. I know that a business owner has to get paid but sometimes shit happens. In the long run Red's would get more business from you had he said "I am sorry and I hope your wife gets better". This kind of business has protection from this kind of thing happening and Red's might use it when he invites his friends to eat a free meal on him. That is a heck of a lot more than the 30 dollars he wanted you to pay. Just the way I feel and I know that a small business owner don't feel the same way and I understand that. My friend I hope your wife is doing better.

 

[BevoSaban]

A very simple resolution to the whole matter moving forward is for the restaurant to require pre-payment for call in orders. If you dont show up to pick up your food, the owner could care less. I suspect if this would have been standard procedure the op would have found a way to get that food refrigerated for consumption later.

 

[beevomav]

The manager should be fired. While I understand he was probably skeptical of a car wreck as the reason for not picking up an order, he should have chalked it up and moved on. Instead, he got reverse advertising, and from a fan. If you had not liked the restaurants food, you would never have ordered in the first place. Just dumb on so many levels.

I would have offered to pay for the food that I ordered, but that's me.

 

[UTK66]

The manager sounds like a complete and total asshole. A $30.00 order wasn't worth all the trouble he went to and caused.

Hell, he probably spent another $30.00 in gas driving to the guys house and back. It'd be a cold day in hell before I ever contacted that place again.

 

[Topstarr]

The Manager of Reds had a lesson in Economics and Business Ed due to the fact that the Red idiot (knows about the accident the wife had) spent extra time and money for gas and cost of added miles on his car to prove a stupid point. To run off business for the future instead of hearing the situation and seizing the moment for fresh free fish dinner to be delivered to your house and making sure all are ok. Now you would get lifetime business and more.

 

[Juan]

Force majeure.

 

[HookemDTX]

This was from Heath Till, not Johnny Whisenant.

 

[Topstarr]

Via Heath Till, Austin, TX: We just had literally the worst experience with RED's Fresh Food on 620 out by the lake. Around 130-ish today, we ordered some food for pick up. On the way to pick up the food, my wife was in an auto accident. (She's safe, thank God.)
However, while I was on the phone with insurance/tow trucks/rental car agenices/etc, I received no less than 3 calls from the folks at Red's inquiring about when we would pick up our order. I told them my wife was in an accident on the way to pick up the order, and we currently had more pressing issues. After hanging up on the final call, I was immediately contacted by the "manager" of Red's, who requested payment for the meal we had not picked up. To be honest, I was baffled. I less-than-politely reaffirmed to him that my wife had just been in a car accident, and I was unconcerned about the order. I hung up and considered the matter closed.

Fast forward to 30 minutes ago: My wife is home, safe and recovering, and we get a knock at the door. It was the manager of Red's, with a bag of now-three-hour-old food, demanding payment. I DID NOT GIVE THIS RESTAURANT MY ADDRESS. REPEAT: I DID NOT GIVE THEM MY ADDRESS. This guy looked up my address based on my phone number and came here, expecting what, I don't know.

I step outside to speak with him. He attempts to hand me the bag, which I do not take. He says "30 dollars". I tell him I'm not going to take delivery of this food, and he can get off my property or things will get ugly, quick. He begins mentioning something about us placing the order. I reiterated that my wife had gotten into a car accident on the way to get the food, and his response was "I don't care." So, he was then advised in no uncertain terms to vacate my property immediately, which he did. He then stood on the street at the top of the driveway attempting to take photos, until I emerged outside again. He then drove off, mentioning that if he didn't receive payment by Monday, he would "call the police". Getting a good laugh out of this last bit, I invited him to do so and offered to call them for him myself.

Needless to say, this shook the wife pretty good. Long story short, as an avid, active Austin foodie I recommend you avoid Red's like you owe it child support. Photos of the vehicle post-accident below. I would also request that if you find this as appalling as we did, please share this story and spread the word. Thank you!

Maybe The KVUE Insider, Austin Chronicle, KXAN Austin News, KTBC or other news outlets are having a slow news day and want an interesting human interest story.

Hope your wife is doing Ok and the rest of the family