Thumbs DOWN Tin Hut!!!!

[DougieNZ]

I had a bad experience at the Tin Hut last weekend. Was on an organised ride with 20-25 bikes. We arrived at Carterton about 1pm and the place was a zoo with Daffodil day going on etc. So we started looking at options for lunch. The Tin Hut was suggested by someone and I rang them (note – I rang them – this will become important later). I asked if they could provide lunch for 20-25 people. “No worries, come on down” was the response. We turned up there to find the place was absolutlely chokker. The bus outside should have been some indication. Only when I approached the bar was any effort made to accommodate us seating wise. Then the food took 90 minutes to arrive! Obviously, by this stage some people in our group were starting to get restless. One member of our group did go to the bar to complain (politely) about the slow service.

I have no problems waiting if you turn up somewhere unannounced. This is only to be expected. This, though, smacked of the publican trying to make a few extra bucks when he knew that the service would be very slow. Not good enough in my opinion. When I rang, he should have told us there would be over 1hr wait time - then we could have decided from there.

I do know that this is a popular stopping spot for Kiwibikers. Maybe this was a one off?

[nodrog:Me]

did they know a bus load of people were turning up? if not, what are they supposed to do, tell them to fuck off?

[DougieNZ]

Yep.. the bus load would have arrived WELL before I made my phone call...

[Sparky Bills]

Geez...
How dare he try to accomadate everyone whos wanting to dine with him.

[slimjim]

Gees.. yup anything for your dollar.. Pity .. but hard times.. but 90minutes..humm would have all walked out afterwards and waited by your bikes..til manager came a running awanting payments...discount please..

[wysper]

I think all Dougie is suggesting is that a little heads up would have been nice.
Like - Sure we can fit you guys it but we are pretty full on at the moment.

I don't think for a minute Dougie was meaning for the owner to turn away business or anything. Just would have been nice to be informed.

Sure - he might have chosen to go else where if he had been told that. But now the owner has the short term business of 20 odd bikers but possibly has those 20 odd bikers going round telling a bad story about his business.

[Sparky Bills]

Providing the owner knew the bus was coming that is...

Two ways to look at it I guess.
Oh well, Move on.