I recently spent a few days in Paris, working doing reconnections and at Paris Photo. I will write about both experiences in separate articles, because it is worth it. They were beautiful experiences, and I had a fantastic time in Paris with wonderful people having an amazing time.. I´ve been going to Paris in autumn for the last 4 years , I love it at this time of the year. It is cold but not so cold, at least less cold than London. All of my journey experiences were great! The people, the food, the city, the healings, the photo exhibitions, the galleries, everything…except the last 20 minutes in Paris Gare du Nord Eurostar terminal , where I had a bad experience at the wine gourmet shop just before boarding the train. I would like to share this experience with you, so that you are aware when you travel and be careful because this can happen to anybody -maybe not to a greek who is probably used to it.
Running to catch Eurostar…in a hurry ..last minute shopping at the Eurostar gourmet wine shop “aeroboutique” …many people on the same situation…you buy, you pay, take the stuff, and run to the train…Too late when you open your bags in London or under the channel to discover that something is missing…
Luckily I heard my intuition and before boarding the train, I new something was wrong… I couldn´t find the receipt and in my head the sums of what I bought and what I paid didn´t match. I decide to go back to the shop because I hate it when people take advantage of me. The man stares at me as I walk in the shop …without saying a word he walks towards me and gives me a 500gm pot of dijon grain mustard…and he walks away …. at that moment I realise that he did not put the mustard in the bag…And I was not there for that reason! I just smiled and told him ” I think you did not give me my receipt and I want it”… he goes to the cashier and comes back with it. I see it, and of course there is an extra charge of 15.00 euros for some chocolates I did not buy and he did not give me. I tell him and he says nothing, and just gives me my 15.00 euros back…
I just smiled at him and shaked my head from side to side in disapproval.
I wonder how many times a day and to how many people do they do these kind of scams there…
I hate to complain, but it is our duty to make people see their mistakes and defend our rights, What if the owner of the shop is unaware of the fraud? Or what if he is also involved? Well at least they know that people are aware of what is going on…I contacted the manager who said that it was the first time that someone called to complain!.. Sure!! And he also said that it is impossible for the employers to take the stuff home because they check their bags on the way out .Then he promised that he will investigate on the mater and call me back. I wonder what is going on there.This is not a question of money but that of lying and bad behaviour which I can’t tolerate.
I have a Tourism management degree, and one of the most important things that I learned when I was studying was that that when you do not like the service in tourism business you should always complain… When I heard that for the first time I remember complaining to my teacher and saying “ Why? Isn’t it simpler to say nothing and not create problems as any complain won´t make a difference “ My teacher stared at me and said “ Rule number one in the tourist industry: You always complain and very strongly so that the owner, manager etc notice.If you do not they will never find out and their business will die slowly. It is your duty to complain so that they can improve their service.You will be doing them a favour”.
Marta in Paris – with with BRYAN ADAMS , rock singer, musician ,producer, activist and photographer …
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