It can be very tempting when an evening out for a nice meal or a few drinks goes a bit wrong to let it all out on a review site like TripAdvisor. While we might feel a bit guilty, there are some reviewers that really go for it.
Businesses can answer the criticism online and some can get a little bit heated when it comes to their responses. Although most places encourage customers to get in touch or offer a free meal, other responses can be hilarious or give as good as they get.
Here are some of the best responses to bad reviews from Nottingham businesses
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1 - Pudding Pantry
The Pudding Pantry is a Nottingham gem with branches all over the city offering good coffee and sweet treats. However, it seems they are not immune to the odd difficult review.
One reviewer wrote: "Terrible customer services terrible tray bakes. Overpriced, don’t waste your money. £150 for 4 trays for a party. Very disappointed."
The response from Pudding Pantry was detailed to the point of perfection and drew attention to the savings that the shopper had enjoyed during their visit.
"It's disappointing you are now not being accurate about your experience so I just wanted to clarify. You ordered a £50 chocolate orange celebration cake as advertised on our website, 40 brownies normally priced at £3 each, a bespoke topper, £10, and delivery to your workplace which cost £13 that I've just checked on the invoice from DG taxis as it was being delivered from Sherwood where we make all of our beautiful cakes. In total this would have been £193 but we gave you a bulk discount to £150," they wrote.
"As discussed over the email it's appalling you then threaten to get the entire teaching team to leave us negative reviews based on your mistake."
2 - Masala Junction
Masala Junction is one of Nottingham's favourite curry restaurants and one of the most well-known in the city. As well as a hot curry, it seems they are very good at responding to a spicy review or two.
One reviewer wrote: "Nicely presented tables, however tasteless overpriced food, dressed up to look like something. The staff are rude, unprofessional and lack basic food and hygiene skills. Toilets are located up extremely steep stairs, not suitable for people who have mobility issues. Totally unacceptable response from a manager if you complain."
They responded: "It's regrettable that you didn’t enjoy your visit to our restaurant. However, I respectfully disagree with your opinions. Our staff are family members and never rude, they like me are respectful, attentive and courteous. They have to be, it’s their business and their livelihood depends on it."
They added: "Our stairs are not steep, they comply with building regulations for restaurant premises. If you had bothered to observe the signs then you would have noticed that there are disabled toilets in the ground floor for those that can’t or won’t climb the stairs.
"I’m the manager and owner and I’m on the floor. I certainly would’ve responded had you actually approached me and complained. I’m responding to you now and would have responded to you then - it’s my job. We are human and do make a mistake once in a while and are willing to learn from them. But In view of the above and unless you can be more specific, I’m afraid I can’t take your criticism seriously."
3 - The Bread and Bitter
The Bread and Bitter in Beeston are known for their hearty pub classic favourites. However, it's not the only thing they are great at cooking up, as it seems they are also a dab hand at review responses.
One reviewer wrote: "Staff are generally rude and order customers around in a militant fashion. They seem to resent having to serve their customers with many locals having already abandoned this pub. The current manager is rude, obnoxious, and doesn’t engage with customers unless it’s to order them around or speak about himself and his extensive experience as a traveller.
"I recently overheard a customer asking one of the staff if they could add some heat/spice to a beef chilli, to which the staff member replied hand on hips “it is what it is”. I hope and pray Castle Rock sends an anonymous staff to experience the environment first-hand and take action before the pub runs out of customers and is forced to close."
The pub wrote back: "Hi, the staff are not rude and do not order people around in a militant fashion. We are all currently having to operate and run the pub in difficult, stressful times in which some customers can't abide by the law so we have to be strict to make sure we ARE abiding by the law."
They added: "I don't have extensive travel experience? So I'm not sure what you're talking about? But I love all my staff and for how hard they've worked during the most difficult time the pub has ever been through. I can't sing their praises high enough. Have a good day."
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