topic Re: What would you do in Community Chat

What would you do

skatting44 — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 23:38:25 GMT

Was at Panera today around 2pm While waiting on my order to be called , a lady customer came up to the counter where you pick up your food and grabbed a bag full of food . None of the food service staff were facing the counter where they place the finished food orders. None of the staff had announced a food order while I was standing there waiting on my order . This other customer started rummaging through the bag they grabbed and then put it back on the shelf as it apparently was not her order . I was appalled . I said to her that I hadn't heard them call any of the order numbers. She ignored me .She then grabbed another bag when they put it on the counter and rummaged through the bag rhen walked out. I asked the Panera employee abt my order # and he pointed to the bag that other lady rummaged her hand all in the bag over everything . I told the Panera staff abt what the lady did and he said he needed to make me a new one as no other customer is supposed to handle someone elses food.

Re: What would you do

Desertdi — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 23:40:49 GMT

I'd probably say, "Forget it", and LEAVE

Re: What would you do

suzyQ3 — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 23:45:09 GMT

That is so bizarre.

Re: What would you do

GenXmuse — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 23:52:09 GMT

I asked them to refund my money. That is so nasty! I'm sorry, that must have been quite appalling.

Re: What would you do

Kachina624 — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 23:52:38 GMT

@skatting44 You did the only thing you could do. It would have been unwise to have further confronted the nut case. You might have called out to one of the employees and pointed out what was going on.

Re: What would you do

Jeffnick — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 00:23:06 GMT

I probably would have done the same as you, if not asked for a full refund and talked to a manager. That sounds disgusting and I would be very angry if that happened to my order. It's an unfortunate issue since the staff isn't really at fault, just one idiotic customer.

Re: What would you do

Cakers3 — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 00:31:54 GMT

@skatting44 wrote:
Was at Panera today around 2pm While waiting on my order to be called , a lady customer came up to the counter where you pick up your food and grabbed a bag full of food . None of the food service staff were facing the counter where they place the finished food orders. None of the staff had announced a food order while I was standing there waiting on my order . This other customer started rummaging through the bag they grabbed and then put it back on the shelf as it apparently was not her order . I was appalled . I said to her that I hadn't heard them call any of the order numbers. She ignored me .She then grabbed another bag when they put it on the counter and rummaged through the bag rhen walked out. I asked the Panera employee abt my order # and he pointed to the bag that other lady rummaged her hand all in the bag over everything . I told the Panera staff abt what the lady did and he said he needed to make me a new one as no other customer is supposed to handle someone elses food.

@skatting44 I would have left asking for my $ back if I had paid.

This would have skeeved me out so bad even with a replacement my appetite would be gone.

We saw this at a restaurant waiting for gyro sandwiches and a woman went up and was lifting the aluminum foil to see which sandwich was hers.

Thankfully ours was still being made.

Ick ick and triple ick.

Re: What would you do

SeaMaiden — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 00:33:13 GMT

It should all be on film...most businesses video everything now.

Re: What would you do

Cakers3 — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 00:38:41 GMT

This doesn't sound like a customer looking for her order, though.

She walked out with nothing.

Re: What would you do

DottieBlue — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 00:54:32 GMT

@Cakers3 wrote:
This doesn't sound like a customer looking for her order, though.

She walked out with nothing.

I agree. Hard telling what she was doing.

I hope the customers whose orders those were that she touched were notified of the fact and had their order replaced. YUCK!

This is making me re-think restaurant food delivery!

Re: What would you do

bonnielu — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 01:01:47 GMT

I would have done exactly what you did. In these times I do think Panera should have a better way to dispense food orders. I noticed in all the Paneras in our area and beyond the bags are left out on a shelf with names of who they belong to. People call in and the order is awaiting them. Seems it creates problems. Everything should be behind the counter. Some of us would never know who else touched it.

I would call management and find out the policy and express my concerns.

Re: What would you do

Tinkrbl44 — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 01:07:02 GMT

@skatting44

Two things come to mind .... do you know the store manager there? Call the store and speak to him/her and report the incident. However, that only helps one location.

Better yet, go to the Panera website and go to Contact Us and report the incident.

It's very possible this should be escalated to management ... and they may want to re-think their Covid protocols in ALL their stores.

It was definitely strange .... and I hope you take the time to report it.

Re: What would you do

Annabellethecat66 — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 01:11:58 GMT

I’ve complained often about the man that works for Panera standing in front of the counter breathing on my food. I did this even before Covid!

I also contacted corporate and never heard back.

The manager where I go suggested I get the food ‘to go’. That’s what I do now, so does my friend even though we eat inside.

I cannot for the life of me understand why some people are rude and think the world revolves around them!

I think the OP handled it right. I’m a person that says something. I’d want someone looking out for me and my food.

It is because people are so timid and don’t want to get involved that people like this woman get away with things like that.

I’ve said things before. I mentioned here about the woman who parked in the wheelchair parking space when there were other spaces right in the front!

I’m fully aware that people are nuts today and might pull out a knife or gun. I don’t know where it would be hidden ( in her underwear).

I refuse to let these idiots run the world. Ignoring them lets them get away with it.

The least ads that could be done would be to go to the manager and tell him what happened. That way it’s in his wheel house to tell the people who prepare the food to make another meal.

Re: What would you do

happycat — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 01:15:22 GMT

It concerns me that a worker didn't notice this woman rifling thru this food that was bagged up and waiting.

You handled it correctly, no way I'd have taken that food, even pre covid.

Re: What would you do

jannabelle1 — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 01:40:33 GMT

I've never been a fan of this restaurant, even though it originated in my home town. They need to make some changes on how they handle orders that are ready to be picked up, but then a lot of fast food places need to do that as well. Bags or trays of food shouldn't be left to the honor system for pick up.

Re: What would you do

skatting44 — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 02:01:54 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@skatting44

Two things come to mind .... do you know the store manager there? Call the store and speak to him/her and report the incident. However, that only helps one location.

Better yet, go to the Panera website and go to Contact Us and report the incident.

It's very possible this should be escalated to management ... and they may want to re-think their Covid protocols in ALL their stores.

It was definitely strange .... and I hope you take the time to report it.

Yes, I sent an email to the corporate office and plan to contact them by phone .

This does it for me . If I ever go to Panera again , I am gong to stand there in front of the counter to make sure my food is not picked over by another customer .

bags of food should be sealed--well sealedRe: What would you do

KarenQVC — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 02:04:09 GMT

All bags of food should be sealed--well sealed.

Re: What would you do

Twins Mom — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 02:06:28 GMT

I have always enjoyed Panera but have never liked it when people walk up and up close and personal look at food orders. The pandemic has further shown flaw in this food disbursement procedure. in addition as people wait in line for food they remove their masks as they drink their beverage. I guess curbside ideal. I like their food.

Re: What would you do

Isobel Archer — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 02:35:03 GMT

I wonder if she was homeless or hungry - and possibly mentally ill.

I would have accepted the new order and let it go.

Actually, the kind thing to do (and I'm not saying I would have done it either) would have been to follow her out and ask if she'd let me buy her lunch.

Re: What would you do

phoenixbrd — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 04:30:40 GMT

@skatting44 I think your response was appropriate.