....Can i get some FREE RIBS? ...HUH?

[Shotgun Petes]

So...last Saturday during dinner rush we had a line out the door and every table and booth seated. People were standing in line to order when in comes this lady pushing her way to the front of the counter. She loudly says "Hey can I get a "SAMPLE" of your ribs.
I have seen this loud obnoxious woman in here before, always wanting to try this and try that.
There were peolple already happily dining on our BBQ and more waiting to order, but here is this woman wanting a free sample of ribs!
I politely but carefully told her that we were way too busy and I was getting low on ribs so if she wanted any she would just have to buy some. She then says "Well how my friend 'sposed to know if she like them?"
I smiled and said place an order and you can get some ribs, but you need to get in the back of the line...and I cant promise you we wont sell out by the time you get to the front of the line...thank you...next person please.

How do you guys handle situations like this?
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Reverse flow smoker made by my dad "Shotgun Pete" Peters over 30 years ago!

"If you can't BBQ with the Big Dogs, back away from the Pit!"

SHOTGUN PETE'S BBQ SHACK
28 N Ninth St
COLUMBIA, MO
(Downtown across from The Blue Note)

[T00lman]

a size 13 in the backside
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1 bad azz d.o table
weber 22 1/2 x 2
some of its magic some of its tragic
#37 liar
1 wsm 18 1/2
1wsm 22 1/2

[daddywoofdawg]

tell her to go to the back of the line and when it's her turn then she can ask.
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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

[Harry Nutczak]

[MO Barbecue]

I hate the sample train, I'm 42 years old and have eaten in my fair share of restaurants, never once in my life have I asked to try a sample. Where does this even come from?!

[stingerhook]

I will try something if offered, but have never asked.
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Bass Pro R2D2
Weber Smokey Mountain
UDS (now MIA)
Square Chicken Cooker
Chargriller Barrel Grill
Stok Tower Grill

[lantern]

Same here. Only thing I've ever asked for samples of is sauces. I always thought the sampler appetizer platter was for sampling.

[Mr Tony's BBQ]

I think you handled it quite nicely! I also have used Harry's mcshizzle like response....I have even had one who regularly says even my slider is too much for her for dinner, I should just GIVE her a smaller pinch of meat for her dinner...I tell her to buy the small and eat twice on it....she walks away, but does come back and tries it again a week or so later,,,,Alzheimer's [?]
Just this week I posted my new shirts on FB that I had made for myself and workers, only to be barraged with requests for them on pages and thru PM's....I priced them at $15.00 because of the requests - turned out they only want them if their free, [except for a few current and past Ringers who said they'd put checks in the mail!!] ......go figure!
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Mr Tony's Kitchen http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67601
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[ceedubya]

[Slow Heat]

Maybe offer a sampler platter, I used to get this question when selling concessions and I started selling slider sandwiches. So when they ask for a pork sample I politely tell them we offer a slider as a sample for $X.XX if they really wanted it they buy it and if they were looking for a freebee they walk off.

[Greg_R]