|
This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2
|
Author
|
Topic: Complain to Who????
|
Don Anderson
Master Film Handler
Posts: 312
From: West Bend, WI, USA
Registered: Mar 2000
|
posted 10-14-2003 05:54 PM
I've had a handful of people come up to me and complain about the quality of the movies showing at our local competition. Some of them claim they will never patronize that theatre again, others have asked where to write or email, or even call to lodge an offical complaint. My comment was to write to the theatre manager or management company and sound off. But, one guy told me he did that and got a re-admit pass, and doesn't want to see anything there again. Don't the studios notice that some theatres absolutely butcher the product?? I know that if I received a scratched print, I'd be on the phone in a heartbeat to get it replaced. And what about the next theatre in line to get this damaged print?? I've seen a butchered print of SeaBuscuit, and School of Rock at the theatre in question, usually on opening weekends. I really can't complain, because I see them for free. But, I can certainly see a movie goer who has shelled out $$$$ being more than upset. I just wish that the customer would vent there anger elsewhere, as I don't work for the guys down the street. I'm happy to say, that at least 99.9% of all movies I project will leave in the same condition received. Any idea who someone should sound off to?
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
Mark Lensenmayer
Phenomenal Film Handler
![](http://www.film-tech.com/ubbmembers/134a.jpg)
Posts: 1605
From: Upper Arlington, OH
Registered: Sep 1999
|
posted 10-14-2003 06:09 PM
I'm a patron, not a professional.
I used to complain, but it never did any good, unless it was a very small chain and I could get right to the owner. Now, they send passes that I just don't want to use, and they are never any good for the films I want to see when I want to see them.
I just refuse to patronize the theatres that do a poor job of presentation. Fortunately, things are much MUCH better than the older days when almost everything was poorly presented. I think most operators I patronize do a very good job. The I will never again go the any of the local Cinemark theatres or the local Regal theater. The Regal had the dimmest picture I've ever seen, and the nearest Cinemark butchered one presentation so badly I will never pay money for a film there again.
I do try to acknowledge good presentation by commenting on web pages or mentioning it to the manager on the way out of the theatre. They are usually surprised anyone noticed.
As for complaining to the newspaper, as long as the theatres are buying paid ads, I have found the papers won't make any mention of presentation, no matter how bad. They want to keep the dollars flowing.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Mark Lensenmayer
Phenomenal Film Handler
![](http://www.film-tech.com/ubbmembers/134a.jpg)
Posts: 1605
From: Upper Arlington, OH
Registered: Sep 1999
|
posted 10-15-2003 06:35 AM
Darryl,
My apologies, I was not clear. I did not mean to imply that all Cinemarks are bad. I know of some outside of this area that are very well run. The son of one of my co-workers is a Cinemark manager, and a very very good one. At one time, they were the finest theatres in the area, and the only place I would go see a film. This was during the early-mid '90's. The one I have referred to had 2 very well set-up THX houses, and was the first in the area to install DTS. And I miss Front-Row Joe.
But, now they are some of those not-really-Cinemark theaters, that look like Cinemarks, but don't have that name anywhere. Only a few of the rooms have digital sound, and when last I was there, it looked very run-down. I don't know how well it is doing, but there are always lots of spaces in the parking lot.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Bobby Henderson
"Ask me about Trajan."
![](/ubbmembers/840f.jpg)
Posts: 10973
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Registered: Apr 2001
|
posted 10-15-2003 05:14 PM
Complaining to newspapers will get you nowhere. Most are not ever going to say anything bad to a theater operator at all, especially when he is paying his advertising contract on a timely basis.
To be fair, the theater manager should be the first recipient of a complaint. If he is fair about the issue and tries to do something to fix the problem, then there is no need getting his bosses or other parties involved.
If that fails, take it up with the theater company's district manager. Then take it to the division manager or write directly to the home office of that circuit.
It is a crapshoot writing a film distributor, particularly if you send the letter to a Los Angeles or New York office. If a customer is going to take up the problem with the distributor, he is more likely to get real results by writing the branch office which oversees regional distribution. In my case, if I have a gripe I am more than likely writing to an office in Dallas, not Los Angeles.
For more immediate results, sending a fax might work. I did that when complaining to the Fox branch office in Dallas they were fixing to jip the Carmike 8 here out of "Independence Day" in spite of the allocation process that stated the Carmike was supposed to get the film. I also simultaneously fired off letters to Carmike's district manager and home office as well. It turned out some books were not updated and Lawton was still listed as only having the "Video Triple" 3-plex as Carmike's location.
To make that long point short, if a customer is not satisfied he needs to let someone know about it. But do it in a respectful manner and give at least 1 attempt of going through the chain of command.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
Gerard S. Cohen
Jedi Master Film Handler
![](http://www.film-tech.com/ubbmembers/994.jpg)
Posts: 975
From: Forest Hills, NY, USA
Registered: Sep 2001
|
posted 10-17-2003 07:06 PM
Though it would not have a short-term advantage, I wish patrons not getting their money's worth because of poor presentation or service, would complain to the Better Business Bureau and their local Chamber of Commerce.
The BBB service is free, and they keep a record of complaints, so if people would use it, you could call them and get their history of complaints about theatre X before you shell out for tickets. (The BBB does charge a small fee if you request a written report, but I found telephone inquiry to be free.)
Once I shipped a car from New York to Texas, and was promised delivery in five days. When the days multiplied without explanation, and the shippers replied with obscenities, I complained to the BBB, the District Attorney's Fraud Bureau, and NY State and Federal transportation authorities. I learned the BBB had received 16 complaints in the last six months, and that the authorities were monitoring the shippers and investigating them for multiple violations of regulations.
The car was delivered over a month late, but I had the satisfaction of knowing that I may have helped prevent others from being given such irresponsible treatment. (Still, I wish I had investigated the shipper's reputation ahead of time.)
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
William Hooper
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1879
From: Mobile, AL USA
Registered: Jun 99
|
posted 10-20-2003 01:45 AM
quote: Once I shipped a car from New York to Texas
You're lucky the car got there in one piece. Car haulers are notorious skranks & fly-by nighters. Usually, they're just companies that advertise the service, promise a customer a date that will sound good, then just shop truckers driving point to point to pick it up, drop it off, wait for the next truck going in the right direction, they'll load it up, take it a few miles, etc. Calls to inquire where the car is, why it's late, etc. are usually answered with outright lies. Cars will take months, arrive slightly damaged to completely destroyed, or disappear.
Here's just one: http://www.epinions.com/content_112664743556
There was another co. in Texas that was just notorious. Lawsuits, etc., doesn't matter, folks just responded to the ad & price. The company would collect the insurance on destroyed cars, & delay payment or make partial payment to the owner.
Haul it yourself on a rental trailer, or pay for one of the good guys.
| IP: Logged
|
|
Gerard S. Cohen
Jedi Master Film Handler
![](http://www.film-tech.com/ubbmembers/994.jpg)
Posts: 975
From: Forest Hills, NY, USA
Registered: Sep 2001
|
posted 10-20-2003 11:05 AM
William, You describe the vehicle shippers exactly! But what do you mean by the "Good guys?" Are there any? If so, how do you find them?
Once, when young, a Swiss friend from Zurich was going around the world and wanted me to travel from NY to CA. I called a car transport company from the Yellow Pages, and we drove a 350hp Thunderbird from NY for delivery in San Francisco. We didn't receive pay and the gas cost us $98, but we delivered the car unscratched,(though we blew a tire outside Joliet Prison and replaced the spare with a $3 used one), within the 10 day period allowed us.
So I figured the car I shipped would be driven by a student or other traveler. My mistake!
I had asked mechanics and friends for the name of a reputable shipper but none could suggest anyone. Do you know any?
Gerard
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
All times are Central (GMT -6:00)
|
This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2
|
Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classicTM
6.3.1.2
The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion
and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.
|