Please Don't Hang Up On Me!

BBQMAN · Posted: Jan 31 2012 Post subject: Please Don't Hang Up On Me!

Just when I thought I'd heard it all, along comes a new story! Razz

I was referred to a client from a local friend who is no longer in the business.

The client wanted someone "local" and balked at hiring us because we are one county north.

I assured the client that even our out of town clients appreciate us being willing to travel, and that we appreciate the business.

Evidently the "local" guys she contacted hung up after hearing the budget! Shocked

I assured her we didn't operate that way, and offered up a meal option that met the budget and would keep everyone happy.

This story comes to mind because one of the members here told a story (in the general section) about hanging up on a client that asked for vegan meals as part of the menu.

We do that too (offer vegan options, not hang up), and try our best not to turn away work.

Considering how poor the state of the economy has been I find it absolutely amazing that anyone would foster ill will towards a potential client.

Because even if they don't hire you that time, they WILL remember how they were treated and not call again.
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Smokin' Hoglegs · BBQ Pro Joined: 30 Nov 2008 Posts: 670 Location: Venice FL

Well said Mike!
On a side note, look for a call from me tomorrow morning. Busy around 8?
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Virginiasmoke · Posted: Mar 06 2012 Post subject:

That was me that told that story of the awful vegan I had the displeasure of dealing with.
I appreciate your advice and would, under better circumstances, abide by it but...
My frustration came to a head after bending over backward for this lady.
I tried to figure out why someone that wanted a majority vegan menu would call a BBQ caterer (with a pig in their logo no less).
As it turned out, there were a couple of normal people she was trying to feed out of 125 weirdos.
After biting my tongue and making many concessions, just before making the deal, she breaks out with "so, you'll be cooking the vegan food on equipment that's never cooked meat right?"
I couldn't take it anymore. I was stunned silent.
I was beside myself and without thinking about it, my self respect kicked in and I hung up before I could tell her what I thought of her and her unnatural ways.
I hope she takes the hint and never calls me again and as a bonus, I hope she tells all of her vegan friends not to call a BBQ joint expecting a vegan meal.
I do agree... it was unprofessional and I learned a lesson. If there is a next time, I will tell the client right up front that the few vegetarian selections I have on my menu are their only choices.

Geronimo · Posted: Mar 06 2012 Post subject:

it is obvious (to me) that the only reason they called you (a bbq caterer) is because they (as most people) assumed bbq is the cheapest food out there. Shocked

I just booked one this morning that I have been working with for 3 months to "iron out" the details of EXACTLY what and HOW I was going to cook so she (the bride) can eat because of MANY food allergies she has.

She also has ONE vegan friend (must be very close to her) that she insists on a "special menu" for.

I did my homework and figured out how to prepare the food so the bride can eat it as well as everyone else. As far as the vegan friend, I was able to come up with something that was satisfying to her and was not real labor intensive for me.

Because of the "special" menu, I was able to tack on a few more dollars to make it all worth while on my end and everyone is happy.

Now I just have to teach the new owners of my company how to cook the "special menu" Shocked

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Virginiasmoke · Posted: Mar 06 2012 Post subject:

Just as an aside...
In the beginning of negotiations when it looked like I wasn't going to satisfy her requirements, I asked in a round about way "why not find a caterer that specializes in vegan and ask them to provide a simple non-vegan meal for the few guests that require it?"
Her response... "I don't want to insult them by asking them to provide food they have moral objections to." Shocked

I happen to have a deep dislike of the arrogance and feeling of superiority it must take to have a moral objection to certain foods that people choose to eat.
How spoiled does a person have to be where placing morality on food is even conceivable?

Bestiverhad · Posted: Mar 06 2012 Post subject:

I'm sure they're not all that way, but the Vegans I've dealt with in the past have been self righteous, condescending, a$$holes.
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Virginiasmoke · Posted: Mar 06 2012 Post subject:

Rest assured... they are ALL that way!

valleypigs · BBQ Fan Joined: 19 May 2007 Posts: 267 Location: Virginia

sometimes we get requests for a few vegetarian options for the guests that may not eat meat. My pat answer is that we can smoke some portabella caps for them and the beans can be vegetarian if we know ahead of time, but evetything is cooked in the smoker and will not satisfy any vegan. Normally, that works well and the port. caps are scarfed up before the veggie guests get to them??? Beans and slaw at that point I guess........

Geronimo · Posted: Mar 07 2012 Post subject:

daddywoofdawg · Posted: Mar 14 2012 Post subject:

we can do non-meat,of white meat only,but not the has to be picked and the northside during a full moon, ending on a day with an R in it.Sorry go hungry for a week and then tell me about what food you can eat!
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Poppa's PTL Club · Posted: Mar 15 2012 Post subject:

RodinBangkok · Posted: Mar 15 2012 Post subject:

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Mar 15 2012 Post subject:

Requesting equipment that has never cooked meat!

Do they request flatware at a restaurant that nobody else has ever used too?

When I have vegetarians or vegans complain that we do not offer more vegetarian friendly menu items, our statement is typically "You do realize we are a BBQ oriented business, right?" We can properly prepare and serve items to suit your needs, but there are some things we are simply unable to do.
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daddywoofdawg · Posted: Mar 16 2012 Post subject:

I vend alot of fairs and festivals,Once in a while I get asked if the beans are vegetarian,but the Muslims,and Jewish that don't eat pork don't stop and ask if the meat is kosher or has the beef been cooked on the grill the pork has.If it bothers them they just move on with out stopping.It's fine.but to call a Q joint and ask for a all vegan meat is just dumb.I wouldn't call a vegan ruant and ask for a all meat meal.
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Good BBQ is all smoke and beers!
The Dawghouse Custom vertical Gasser
Custom Made offset smoker
Char grill smoker
Weber kettle

Greg_R · BBQ Fan Joined: 24 Jun 2006 Posts: 118

PorkQPine · BBQ Fan Joined: 12 Feb 2009 Posts: 234

I get a number of calls for vegan items to go along with the BBQ and it is not a problem so cook vegan lasagna or other items in the oven and take to the event in a Cambro. Funny things happen when vegans see ribs. More than once the vegan items barely had anyone dig in, they mostly said that the ribs look so good they were going to be 'bad' today since it was a special event. Some haven't had meat in years. LMAO.

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Jun 06 2012 Post subject:

Holy Post resurrection Batman!!
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Just remember that the toes you may step on during your climb to the top will also be attached to the a$$es you'll be forced to kiss on your way back down!