Customers always come first — that’s the conventional wisdom, but some restaurant owners have established some rules that may, instead, inconvenience the customers. For example, a sushi vendor in Pingtung does not offer takeouts, while a coffee shop in Kaohsiung prohibits photographing for commercial purposes. These businesses would rather disappoint some customers than sacrifice quality.
A fresh, delicious seared sashimi rice bowl. Delectable nigiri sushi plated in fine dining style. These are some of the mouthwatering offerings at this market spot, but they’re not available as takeaway.
Some customers that wished to take out have said things like: “Do you not know how to do business? Are you making too much money? Why are you being like this?”
Freshness is of upmost priority for sashimi prepared on the spot. That’s why this sushi vendor at Pingtung’s Huaqiao Market would rather disappoint some customers than compromise on quality.
Sushi vendor
I’ve had customers leaving the sashimi out at home for many hours, only to get an upset stomach and complain that the fish wasn’t fresh and that they got sick afterward. That doesn’t only affect me, but the whole market.
Customer
The owner is right to insist. Sashimi should be enjoyed fresh. Taking it out would affect the flavor.
At the same market, this fried chicken vendor makes orders only on demand, to achieve the freshest taste. That means that sometimes, customers have to wait 15 minutes for their food.
Fried chicken vendor
The thighs takes the longest to make, you’ll have to wait 15 minutes. It’s the franchisor’s insistence to give customers the best quality we can offer.
And it’s not just what’s on the plate the matters. The dining environment does, too. This coffee shop in Kaohsiung has fast become a social media hotspot. To prevent all the Instagramming from affecting other customers, photographing for commercial purposes is prohibited, and customers getting takeout have to wait for their orders outside.
Coffee shop owner
Our aisles are quite narrow, so waiting here by the cashier would affect other customers. We’ve put the new rule in place because we would have five or six customers for takeout at a time all waiting here and making the space really cramped.
Customer
There has to be a reason for such a rule. Otherwise the shop wouldn’t just restrict customers for the sake of it.
Though customers should come first when doing business, shops are now inconveniencing them just enough to ensure the quality of their products and services.
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