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Okay, perhaps not sucky, but clearly clueless, disinterested, and/or trapped in a corporate culture of going over the top to please their customers, even if they don't actually do what was requested.
A beer festival is coming up this weekend, and part of that beer festival are a couple of beer dinners. One is for Thursday night, which I probably couldn't make because of work, and which is sold out. The other one is Sunday night.
So I sent three questions to the festival's email address. My email read as follows:
In short order, I got back the following reply:
Okay, I had three measly questions. To answer those questions, this woman provided tons of addresses and phone numbers and business names I didn't need or want...but I suppose that is part of her email signature, so I'll excuse that as her having no choice.
Fine.
But let's look at what she wrote.
First, did she answer me 3 questions?
Question 1, she answered vaguely. She said that tix were available through her and at the event, but did not say if those were the only options.
Question 2, she did not answer at all. Amusingly, this was the question I was most curious about. Not once did she say whether there would be a beer accompaniment with each course of the beer dinner, or if beer would be more, or even that she did not know. She just did not address that question at all.
Question 3, she actually did answer.
She also answered questions I did not ask.
She provided the schedule to the festival. Which I clearly knew, as I was asking specific questions about specific events.
She told me all about the tasting event, which I did not ask her about, other than to ask her where I could buy tickets.
She also told me about another event I did not even ask about, that being the other beer dinner. Which, if you're paying more attention than she apparently is, you would know is something I probably can't make because of a conflict with my work schedule, and which is sold out. I know this because it said so right on the festival's own web page, which is where I got this woman's number in the first place.
Please, for the love of all things holy (especially beer), if someone asks you three simple, direct, specific questions, just answer those questions. I would much prefer a blunt and abrupt email answering my questions than a lovely, friendly, rah rah one promoting their event that, in the end, doesn't even answer my questions.
In case you're wondering, I still have no idea if the Sunday beer dinner will have a beer accompaniment. I guess I'm supposed to read minds or something.
(On the plus side, I purchased tickets for the tasting for myself and three friends today, so not only do I have tix, I know I'll be there with friends. Yay!)
A beer festival is coming up this weekend, and part of that beer festival are a couple of beer dinners. One is for Thursday night, which I probably couldn't make because of work, and which is sold out. The other one is Sunday night.
So I sent three questions to the festival's email address. My email read as follows:
I have a couple of questions about the Brewfest.
1. Are tickets only available at the [Sponsoring Hotel]? And if so, what hours are they available for purchase?
2. Will there be beer accompaniment with the Sunday beer dinner?
3. How much is the Sunday beer dinner?
Thank you for your time.
Jester
1. Are tickets only available at the [Sponsoring Hotel]? And if so, what hours are they available for purchase?
2. Will there be beer accompaniment with the Sunday beer dinner?
3. How much is the Sunday beer dinner?
Thank you for your time.
Jester
Good afternoon Jester,
I have attached the schedule of events for Key West Brewfest 2011.
Tickets are available for the tasting on Saturday, September 3rd and the Samuel Adams Beer Dinner on Sunday, September 4th and can be pre-purchased through me or can be purchased at the door. Keep in mind these events did sell out last year. The tasting tickets are $25 per person in advance and $30 per person at the door, and the dinner cost is $100.00 per person.
Tickets for the Brewfest signature tasting event on Saturday, September 3rd are inclusive of your tasting glass and samplings of over 140 micro-brew and craft beers from various national and international beers.
As for the additional events, like the Local Irish Pub Beer Dinner, the best option is to contact the establishment directly for information on ticket purchase for their event.
Thank you for your interest in Brewfest!
Flunky O'Connor
Executive Administrative Assistant & Sales Assistant
Corporate Hotel Collection
Sponsoring Hotel on the Strip
Sponsor at the Beach
Other Hotel and Some Guest House
Sponsoring Café
1234 Main Street
Key West, FL 33040
305.555.1234 ext. 6969 (ph)
305.555.4321 (fax)
I have attached the schedule of events for Key West Brewfest 2011.
Tickets are available for the tasting on Saturday, September 3rd and the Samuel Adams Beer Dinner on Sunday, September 4th and can be pre-purchased through me or can be purchased at the door. Keep in mind these events did sell out last year. The tasting tickets are $25 per person in advance and $30 per person at the door, and the dinner cost is $100.00 per person.
Tickets for the Brewfest signature tasting event on Saturday, September 3rd are inclusive of your tasting glass and samplings of over 140 micro-brew and craft beers from various national and international beers.
As for the additional events, like the Local Irish Pub Beer Dinner, the best option is to contact the establishment directly for information on ticket purchase for their event.
Thank you for your interest in Brewfest!
Flunky O'Connor
Executive Administrative Assistant & Sales Assistant
Corporate Hotel Collection
Sponsoring Hotel on the Strip
Sponsor at the Beach
Other Hotel and Some Guest House
Sponsoring Café
1234 Main Street
Key West, FL 33040
305.555.1234 ext. 6969 (ph)
305.555.4321 (fax)
Okay, I had three measly questions. To answer those questions, this woman provided tons of addresses and phone numbers and business names I didn't need or want...but I suppose that is part of her email signature, so I'll excuse that as her having no choice.
Fine.
But let's look at what she wrote.
First, did she answer me 3 questions?
Question 1, she answered vaguely. She said that tix were available through her and at the event, but did not say if those were the only options.
Question 2, she did not answer at all. Amusingly, this was the question I was most curious about. Not once did she say whether there would be a beer accompaniment with each course of the beer dinner, or if beer would be more, or even that she did not know. She just did not address that question at all.
Question 3, she actually did answer.
She also answered questions I did not ask.
She provided the schedule to the festival. Which I clearly knew, as I was asking specific questions about specific events.
She told me all about the tasting event, which I did not ask her about, other than to ask her where I could buy tickets.
She also told me about another event I did not even ask about, that being the other beer dinner. Which, if you're paying more attention than she apparently is, you would know is something I probably can't make because of a conflict with my work schedule, and which is sold out. I know this because it said so right on the festival's own web page, which is where I got this woman's number in the first place.
Please, for the love of all things holy (especially beer), if someone asks you three simple, direct, specific questions, just answer those questions. I would much prefer a blunt and abrupt email answering my questions than a lovely, friendly, rah rah one promoting their event that, in the end, doesn't even answer my questions.
In case you're wondering, I still have no idea if the Sunday beer dinner will have a beer accompaniment. I guess I'm supposed to read minds or something.
(On the plus side, I purchased tickets for the tasting for myself and three friends today, so not only do I have tix, I know I'll be there with friends. Yay!)
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