Monday, September 29, 2008
ARAMark Stinks (at SWIC) --
I'm writing because I'm frustrated, and I'm going to try to keep track of all the ineptitude occuring at SWIC's cafeteria, which is run by ARAMark.
First of all, ARAMark has a monopoly -- they have zero competition for beverage and food service on campus, unless, of course, you consider vending machines compeition, which I do not.
So, just for starters, the cafeteria has been out of Pepsi for a week. There's been an out-of-order sign on the Pepsi since last Monday when I came to school, and it has remained. Last week, there were at least 2 other soda flavors "out of order" last week. The other two were "fixed," although Pepsi has remained out of order. I'm pretty sure the "fix" here has to do with needed supplies, not a physical/mechanical issue, and even if it is a mechanical malfunction focused on the Pepsi spout, why didn't they fix it when they fixed the other two flavors' spouts.
Not only that, but I tried to order a ham and cheese sandwich this afternoon, but they are out of ham. This isn't the first time this semester, which is now 5 weeks old, that they have been out of something. Also, this semester, they have been out of Philly Cheesesteak, green peppers for said sandwich, and hoagie buns for that sandwich.
Plus, today, nobody is at the register. A worker was filling the soda frig, not 10 steps from the register where a young lady and I waited, and it wasn't until I walked over and asked her if there was someone running the register did she came over and checked us out.
I don't want anyone reading this to think I'm just a whiner; I'm not. I do expect decent service in this service economy, and generally, off-campus, service is really good, from the local McDonald's to franchises like Applebee's, as well as local joints like Margarita's or The Acropolis. If they don't provide decent service, they go out of business, because, in the real world, there is competition. Not here, and this is a problem.
I'm writing because I'm frustrated, and I'm going to try to keep track of all the ineptitude occuring at SWIC's cafeteria, which is run by ARAMark.
First of all, ARAMark has a monopoly -- they have zero competition for beverage and food service on campus, unless, of course, you consider vending machines compeition, which I do not.
So, just for starters, the cafeteria has been out of Pepsi for a week. There's been an out-of-order sign on the Pepsi since last Monday when I came to school, and it has remained. Last week, there were at least 2 other soda flavors "out of order" last week. The other two were "fixed," although Pepsi has remained out of order. I'm pretty sure the "fix" here has to do with needed supplies, not a physical/mechanical issue, and even if it is a mechanical malfunction focused on the Pepsi spout, why didn't they fix it when they fixed the other two flavors' spouts.
Not only that, but I tried to order a ham and cheese sandwich this afternoon, but they are out of ham. This isn't the first time this semester, which is now 5 weeks old, that they have been out of something. Also, this semester, they have been out of Philly Cheesesteak, green peppers for said sandwich, and hoagie buns for that sandwich.
Plus, today, nobody is at the register. A worker was filling the soda frig, not 10 steps from the register where a young lady and I waited, and it wasn't until I walked over and asked her if there was someone running the register did she came over and checked us out.
I don't want anyone reading this to think I'm just a whiner; I'm not. I do expect decent service in this service economy, and generally, off-campus, service is really good, from the local McDonald's to franchises like Applebee's, as well as local joints like Margarita's or The Acropolis. If they don't provide decent service, they go out of business, because, in the real world, there is competition. Not here, and this is a problem.
