Post by: The Hose on April 13, 2004, 08:02:12 AM
Say you pay 9 dollars linage for league and you bowl 3 leagues in that house. That is 972.00 a season that you pay to the bowl. Now add up all of the beer and food you eat there and you're talking a pretty good chunk of change.
These guys sit behind the counter, watch TV, or act like you are really putting them out if you ask for a pair to practice on.
Most of them dress like bums and wear ballcaps backwards. They don't go out of their way to help open bowlers who don't know how to use the scoring system and watch them, knowing that the poor people don't know what to do. Only after someone asked are they willing to show them. They don't greet people with a smile and they sure don't make you feel welcomed.
Some of them don't even show up to work when they are scheduled and therefore, the lanes don't get run. No bid deal to them nor does the owner seem to care.
I'm in the travel business and I can assure you that if I asked that way to my clients, I wouldn't be in business very long.
I would like to manage that center for one month. I'd make every employee wear a nice shirt with the name of the center on it, No caps allowed. No sitting on their rear watching TV. They would be required to great each person who walks in the door and ask if they can help in any way. If time permits, they would be required to show the people how to enter they're names and a offer a little help if they need it. They would not be allowed to eat at the front desk or allow anyone behind the counter. No girlfriends hanging around and limited time for personal calls. Business first!
Our snack bar used to serve the best burgers in town and many people who didn't bowl would come have lunch at the center because the staff was friendly, clean, and had a nice attitude. Now you have old ladies who will wipe their noses, handle dirty money and touch everything of yours with their nasty hands.
Is this just my center or does your funtion in the same way?
Maybe it's because we only have one center in town and there isn't any compition, but I'm sick and tired of it.
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I can't help it, Hot Chicks Dig the Hose
Post by: TheSpot on April 13, 2004, 11:42:14 PM
Post by: Cbjdc on April 14, 2004, 12:09:16 AM
We have a great staff many of whom would go out of there way to assit you in anyway. But you also have to understand the circumstances when you have bowlers who come in and ONE complain about prices in the snack bar. Two get mad b/c they cant have a pair of lanes during the busiest night of the week. And three expecting all the lane courtesy in the world from open bowlers. While two out of the three cant be helped by the person at the desk you have to understand that the person working there is only the employee if you dont like that they cant give you a pair or about price(I am not saying you at all) then talk with the owners or management they would be more then happy to help you
I think honestly its sometimes just the wrong person in the position. But with our center for example everyone must be clean shaved where apporiate attire dress pants and polo shirts. We have to be on time every week. But also the one thing that we do diffrently than most centers is the person working the desk is in charge of the bowling center. You cant just let everyone do what they please. Sometimes you do have to say no and sometimes you have to be a bit flexiable. As far as the attitude I think sometimes working the counter alone during a busy spell is rough on anyone who hasnt been through it before. But you just cant take it personally sometimes people are totally diffrent when they are away from that desk. If you get into a work mode where you have your mind somewhere else and doing other things when someone asks you a question or for something do you have the same response as they what do you want look? Its just one of those things. Granted they need to be a bit more nicer but its just boils down the the indvidual person.
Post by: Cbjdc on April 14, 2004, 12:13:54 AM
Post by: Brickguy221 on April 14, 2004, 01:29:56 AM
PS: The only drawback here is I'm not sure if there are as many CPL's as you have or not. Then again, at 67 years old, I don't notice any more.
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Lane 1 - The Bowlers Company
Nothing hits as hard as an Uranium
Post by: Rev_O on April 14, 2004, 02:40:35 AM
watch out for the hose, he bites.
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Rev-O
"I only have 3 boards to work with, and they all have arrows on them!!"
Post by: Sir_rev-a-lot on April 14, 2004, 06:52:28 AM
1) The staff members are bowlers themself who enjoy the job, and love being around the bowlers.
or
2) They pay respectively well
I have been with Brunswick for over 2 years and worked at AMF for approx. 3, and the biggest problem I see is the lack of training. Without proper training, you give an employees and easy cop out of not doing there job, and with the current generation of kids unfortunately, they don't have a solid work ethic and personal pride installed in them. I'm only 22, but fortunately my dad drove this into me to work as hard as you want to be paid. Think about the abuse a counter person will take on an average Saturday night, especially once these people get drunk. A majority of these people make 6-8 dollars an hour. The benefits of working would be free bowling, but now at AMF employees have an employee rate, and Brunswick has a limit on the number of games, so unless you get in with a generous manager, the benefits aren't appeasing.
I have stayed where I am at because I work with not only one of the best mechanics in the company, but also because I enjoy working for him. If he wasn't there, I probably wouldn't be either, since I don't think highly of my manager. Our backend staff feels like one big family, and thus I arrive early for work, even help out before I clock in, because I enjoy it. UNfortunately, with alot of micromanagement, or independent owners who look to cut corners on cost, salaries and benefits, you don't develop environment.
You hire kids, you get kids. Pay like garbage, you get garbage. IF your fortunate, you can find a few people who just loves the bowling environment, then you got a making of a good staff.
Post by: sheppy335 on April 14, 2004, 08:22:27 AM
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Oil is served Best with fingers!
Why does the 8 Pin laugh at me!
Sheppy
Post by: dicnic on April 14, 2004, 09:52:23 AM
However, the overall attitude is dictated by the local management and company policies. If they don't care, then the employees don't care either. And ...... customers can be a huge pain!
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What's with the Braille on a drive-up-ATM?
Never under any circumstances take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
Post by: dogman666 on April 14, 2004, 10:14:39 AM
Post by: card79 on April 14, 2004, 10:17:39 AM
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I don't really play cards and I am not 79, but it fits together somehow.
Post by: LuckyLefty on April 14, 2004, 10:20:52 AM
Now since you are married, you can't do this but those young ladies at your center are basically out to lunch unless you are asking them out to dinner!
Then there ears pick up.
My observation as that in general young woman at a bwoling center are usually not there the same as young guys.
They are very much focused on their date that night. Next weeks party, whether there mother will watch there 10 month old child tonight so they can go smoke some weed.
Usually as you know your desire to have your pins respotted is an interruption of those important mental processes. For $6 dollars an hour that's about all you get today. A body and not much else!
REgards,
Luckylefty
PS I remember a couple of years ago I went to get gas. I take premium have a large tank, was travelling. Probably total purchase $35.
There were five people at the gas station behind the counter. As I went up to pay they were quite distracted and harried. You see it was shift change.
5 or 6 other people were at the counter waiting too. I finally inquired if I could pay for my gas(pumps did not take American Express). They explained to me that they were involved in something very important(shift change) and I could just damn wait! As a business owner, I often think"Would your boss be happy with you if he could overhear our conversation?". Being moderately aggressive I sometimes ask it! Then I sometimes let them know he is gonna hear it as I want his number right then and I'll call them and share this insight about there employee and have the employee explain themselves. It never goes as well as the employee thinks.
This time I didn't as I knew the woman being in her 50s would never get it!
This was as good as it was ever going to get, working the cashier at Mobil, 12 - 7 everyday.
The fact of the matter is some one owns that shop and maybe started at the bottom. The customer always came first and he did the shift change five minutes later after everyone in their cars left. The person who keeps this type of job forever never GETS it!
Post by: Brickguy221 on April 14, 2004, 10:25:02 AM
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Lane 1 - The Bowlers Company
Nothing hits as hard as an Uranium
Post by: jimensminger on April 14, 2004, 10:41:35 AM
1. My center would be run "for members only", you would have to buy a membership. Several plans would be available,..monthly,yearly, family etc. This would include free practice and lockers and a paddock.
2. There would be no "snack bar" they're nothing but a pain in the ass,..if you want to eat,..eat before or after you bowl. Snack and drink machines only. No booze.
3. I would have a full service pro shop.
4. I would have a professional bowler/coach on staff.
5. A "manager" would be on duty at all times.
6. employees would have a dress code.
I would like to try and run a bowling center like a Bowling Club. With memberships, club tournaments, in a environment that people could enjoy.
Provide teaching, training, and personal contact with the members. A place where young bowlers could learn to bowl,..and members would look forward to going.
I think a 12 lane center, run professionally, would be a place that people would be lined up to join...maybe just a dream. But I'd like to be a member at a place like that.
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je
Post by: Brickguy221 on April 14, 2004, 10:45:47 AM
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Lane 1 - The Bowlers Company
Nothing hits as hard as an Uranium
Post by: Cbjdc on April 14, 2004, 11:52:52 AM
Post by: jimensminger on April 14, 2004, 11:53:13 AM
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je
Post by: 9andaWiggle on April 14, 2004, 01:26:06 PM
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9~
* Clever signature quote removed so I can be Politically Correct and not offend those who were unfortunate enough to be born without a sense of humor.
Post by: StormStriker on April 14, 2004, 01:59:39 PM
HAbalahahamuahahahagahhhhhhhh! %*^% ^(^&* ~#*^%!
I hate all but one of the staff at my local alley. The manager changes every 3 weeks, they are all crap and all know f*** all about bowling at all. I had to tell our current manager what the oil is for and that it is needed. How frightningly pathetic is that? All of them have been profit orientated, they do not care about actually oiling the lane, nor cleaning up vomit behind the lanes and the crap clogged toilets or not telling us there are wet patches where they have mopped up beer. They sometimes do not even oil the lanes because that would cost money. There are no proper patterns used and the lanes are always inconsistent because all but one of the mechanics don't know that your supposed to Sweep>Strip>Buffer>Oil. So when they oil the lanes apart from when the one good guy Chris does it properly thay are all different with wierd patches. It's down right silly. They cover the holes in the plaster with posters and can't be bothered to spend some of their RIDICULOUS profit on repairing it. We prey that Chris has done the lanes that morning knowing that if he hasn't the rest of our days are gonna suck (although we did get him promoted to head mechanic). The manager makes mountains out of molehills with slight disagreements and it's extremely annoying. We are charged $7 a game and no discounts for being in leagues (in my case 2).
All of the other employees are also completely useless and incompetent, all blondes, all clueless, all know nothing about bowling (e.g. I told one there was a sweep down on lane 4 so a min or so later she comes over to lane 4 and asks for the broom back, there are countless other ocassions). They do not respond and take days to do anything, they can't even use the tanoy let a lone put the bumpers down. It's insulting. They get paid to stand there, take bookings, have a laugh with each other and talk about sex and their boyfriends. No thank you.
There is one competent and knowing employee in the whole centre. Great.
God Bless Hollywood Bowl UK. Retards...
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Ohhh Crap! You Are Supposed To Hit The Pins?!
Storm - So Good It Hurts
Edited on 4/14/2004 1:53 PM
Post by: 9andaWiggle on April 14, 2004, 02:11:48 PM
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9~
* Clever signature quote removed so I can be Politically Correct and not offend those who were unfortunate enough to be born without a sense of humor.
Post by: The Hose on April 14, 2004, 02:42:34 PM
How about you moving to Oklahoma and being my CPL.
I'll get you a job at the bowl and you can show them how to do your job with a little respect and pride.
Great job Babe
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I can't help it, Hot Chicks Dig the Hose
Post by: The Hose on April 14, 2004, 03:18:20 PM
I bowl almost every weekend and bowl in Dallas about once a month.
We may be a prefect match.....if you're really Hot
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I can't help it, Hot Chicks Dig the Hose
Post by: LuckyLefty on April 14, 2004, 03:21:59 PM
Maybe you got me wrong. There were two groups of workers at the bowling center that Dicnic and I were referring too! The just hired and thinking about their dates for the night.
And the old salts, who run it great, love it, and I respect and have a world of affection for. Some of them make good money(decent) and do it because they are very good with people, fair, firm and caring.
I'm sorry if you thought I was lumping ALL bowling center employees together, I was not!
You know the difference and so do I. Do I think it's easy to work at a bowling center, no way! I'd be ready to go over the counter within a couple of days and either someone would regret it or I would!
Could I work in retail. Sure!(just not a bowling center). Would I probably run the place in just a few years! Probably!
REgards,
Luckylefty
Post by: jimensminger on April 14, 2004, 03:24:06 PM
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je
Post by: Not done on April 14, 2004, 03:27:12 PM
quote:
What's up with these people?
Say you pay 9 dollars linage for league and you bowl 3 leagues in that house. That is 972.00 a season that you pay to the bowl. Now add up all of the beer and food you eat there and you're talking a pretty good chunk of change.
These guys sit behind the counter, watch TV, or act like you are really putting them out if you ask for a pair to practice on.
Most of them dress like bums and wear ballcaps backwards. They don't go out of their way to help open bowlers who don't know how to use the scoring system and watch them, knowing that the poor people don't know what to do. Only after someone asked are they willing to show them. They don't greet people with a smile and they sure don't make you feel welcomed.
Some of them don't even show up to work when they are scheduled and therefore, the lanes don't get run. No bid deal to them nor does the owner seem to care.
I'm in the travel business and I can assure you that if I asked that way to my clients, I wouldn't be in business very long.
I would like to manage that center for one month. I'd make every employee wear a nice shirt with the name of the center on it, No caps allowed. No sitting on their rear watching TV. They would be required to great each person who walks in the door and ask if they can help in any way. If time permits, they would be required to show the people how to enter they're names and a offer a little help if they need it. They would not be allowed to eat at the front desk or allow anyone behind the counter. No girlfriends hanging around and limited time for personal calls. Business first!
Our snack bar used to serve the best burgers in town and many people who didn't bowl would come have lunch at the center because the staff was friendly, clean, and had a nice attitude. Now you have old ladies who will wipe their noses, handle dirty money and touch everything of yours with their nasty hands.
Is this just my center or does your funtion in the same way?
Maybe it's because we only have one center in town and there isn't any compition, but I'm sick and tired of it.
--------------------
I can't help it, Hot Chicks Dig the Hose
I believe that is your house, not mine simply because every employee at my house (Marcin Bowl, Sarnia Ontario) are all very nice and helpful.... they can even bowl very well!
The only problem with the service is would have to be the pin setters getting stuck when a pin has slid out of range... its takes a while to get the lane back up and running.
But over all, all the people in my house are very nice and friendly.
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Easy slider...
Post by: The Hose on April 14, 2004, 03:55:50 PM
quote:
Hose,...are you still taking that prescription medicine,..did they ever find out what that was..??
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je
he he he, No, they thought I had something called Fluffitius. But It only happens when you reach the age of 50 and start bowling in SASBA events.
I'm too young and pretty for that
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I can't help it, Hot Chicks Dig the Hose
Edited on 4/14/2004 3:50 PM
Post by: sdbowler on April 14, 2004, 06:22:27 PM
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nothing fancy or catchy to say in my signature
Post by: CharlieBrown on April 14, 2004, 10:43:36 PM
I happen to work for the company that you are referring to, I’m the manager at one of the Bowls (not yours!)
If you are serious about your bowling, which I’m sure you are, then our company is not for you!! All the people at the head office care about are profit profit profit; my centre makes over £1.8million a year (US$ 3.22million), yet here we have a poor girl who works in the Bar, and she hasn’t had a pay rise in 2 years! I, as the manager, can do nothing. We just ain’t given any money to spend on staff. The good staff that we have, we work them way too hard……. The other night (typical night!), we had 7 people working at the bowl, and we must had over 500 people at the centre, that’s 1:70 staff to customer ratio. How are we supposed to provide good service???
The ‘blondes’ you mentioned, well blame the general U.K. society, blame MTV!!! All these kids want to do is to become famous, Pop Idol wannabes, …… Watch too much Jerry Springer and Big Brother!! Work Ethic??? They don’t understand such term.
I guess if you pay peanuts you get monkeys!
Also, our company tries to cut cost everywhere, for example, we put 10-13 ml of oil on each lane, a few weeks ago I went to Airport Bowl for the Nationals, I noticed that they put down 22-26 ml on each lane. Luckily, I used to work as a Lane mechanic, so (if I’m not too tired, and if I can be bothered) I can dress the Lanes to my liking when I practice.
Anyway the only reason that I’m working here, is that I love bowling, also this is my first proper job, and in order to have a good career, I need experience.
But hey StormStriker, I hear you, we ain’t the best company for serious bowlers. All my company cares about is open play, ( we charge them £4.20 a game for crying out loud! That’s US$7.52!!! )
Just out of interest, let me know which Bowl you go to!!! And BTW, at our centre we offer cheaper rate to league bowlers, £2 for the first two games, then £1.50 after that. And if they are nice people, sometimes we just charge them 50p a game (US$0.90) or even free!!!
P.S. Sdbowler, Sawbones and Cbjdc, Great post!!
The Hose, Great rant!!
Bullred and BowlingBabe, top bloke and top gal!! I feel your pain too!
Would love to go to U.S. one day, and bowl. Guess I’m the Big Lebowski!!!
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Homer Simpson is a better bowler than me!