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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that they should open at 8am?!

45 replies

9amTrain · 09/07/2018 08:23

I like to go for a coffee or breakfast after work, the only cafe nearby is meant to be open at 8am but multiple times these past few weeks they've still been shut when I turn up around 8.15.

AIBU to think that either open on time, change your opening hours or put up a sign if it's a temporary thing?!

And AIBU in thinking that just because they may not be overly busy first thing in the morning, doesn't mean they should turn up when they want, ignoring the small handful who do (attempt to) go there?

OP posts:
Souledout · 09/07/2018 08:24

Email them.

Butterymuffin · 09/07/2018 08:26

Put a note through the door telling them they're losing custom.

Original poster
9amTrain · 09/07/2018 08:26

I tried that, they have no email or message facility on Facebook either.

I think I'll call them this afternoon when they should have managed to finally turn up to save wasting my time every morning...

OP posts:
missmouse101 · 09/07/2018 08:27

I agree, very unprofessional and annoying. I would enquire what their actual policy is?

Original poster
9amTrain · 09/07/2018 08:27

Oooh just checked again, they do have a contact page now! Have sent an email!

OP posts:
Daddystepdaddy · 09/07/2018 08:28

The owner may not know that the manager on duty is regularly opening up late. Try and get in touch with them.

AnastasiaVonBeaverhausen · 09/07/2018 08:28

They may have had issues with stock or something in the heat. Or be going through personal problems. Or staying open later as they've made more money that way. In a former life I ran a coffee shop. Sometimes we opened late for a variety of reasons, it was just life. If it's owner-run then they can just turn up when they want - it's their business! Their choice to lose custom
It's worth dropping them a line though as they may be on hols or doing something else and left someone else in charge who is taking the Mick.

Original poster
9amTrain · 09/07/2018 08:32

It's not them opening later itself that I have a problem with, it's that they have made no attempt to address it or warn people, seeing as it has happened frequently these past few weeks. If it was a one off I wouldn't (and didn't) say anything, but four failed attempts later... They should at least put a notice up, it's rude not to and shit customer service.

They also have multiple employees. I'm sure it's not about one person struggling to get there and open up, I think it's someone taking the piss.

OP posts:
AnastasiaVonBeaverhausen · 09/07/2018 08:33

Oh no note or anything?
Definitely email.

Original poster
9amTrain · 09/07/2018 08:35

Nope, if there was a note I'd be happy and just wait until it was back to normal. Each time there's been a few of us stood outside wondering what was happening.

Will report back with what they say!

How thrilling (Grin)

OP posts:
Slartybartfast · 09/07/2018 08:37

Staff cannot get out of bed in the morning?

Slartybartfast · 09/07/2018 08:38

perhaps staff are waiting for child care?

eeanne · 09/07/2018 08:40

Agree with Daddystepdaddy I worked at a coffee shop and the manager started showing up late for opening after he entered a new relationship. Staff had to stand outside sometimes in the cold as he had the keys to get inside, and customers would turn up and leave. Eventually it reached higher ups and he was sacked.

GahWhatever · 09/07/2018 08:45

Good on you for sending a message. As pp said, the owners may be unaware.
I had similar this weekend (irritated but nothing to be done): DD lost her PE kit on bus and we drove 30 mile round trip on Saturday to buy new stuff. Shop had decided to close for the afternoon (for the football match presumably) with no notice on the FB page, website or even on the door. Sometimes these things can't be helped but it was far too hot to drive all that way for no reason!

Original poster
9amTrain · 09/07/2018 08:46

@GahWhatever That's unacceptable, tbh. I'd be really annoyed about that!

OP posts:
Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 09/07/2018 08:49

Perhaps staff are waiting for childcare?? Confused

Slartybartfast · 09/07/2018 08:57

Perhaps staff are waiting for childcare?? confused

why are you confused?? Confused

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 09/07/2018 08:58

It’s a bit of a stretch? Most other places manage to open at the advertised time, I doubt all the staff are childfree.

Slartybartfast · 09/07/2018 09:02

I imagine they only have one keyholder

AjasLipstick · 09/07/2018 09:05

Slarty because OP has been more than once and found them closed and it's not acceptable. Waiting for childcare? What does that mean anyway?

More likely is that the owner is paying someone to open and they're not getting there on time.

Slartybartfast · 09/07/2018 09:06

idgaf tbh

Slartybartfast · 09/07/2018 09:06

take a flask op.
what first world problems boo hoo

AnnieAnoniMoose · 09/07/2018 09:07

☕️ coming between a woman and her caffeine isn’t smart business practice! Foolish, foolish people...

Loonoon · 09/07/2018 09:10

I agree it is annoying. This sort of unreliability is the reason small businesses often go under. It often isn’t their fault but if you know a chain will be reliably available when you need it rather than open based on the exigencies of child care/staffing/health as can be the case with smaller companies, it means the chain becomes your first port of call.

I admire you OP for taking the trouble to contact them. I would probably just shrug and go somewhere else instead.

NoFucksImAQueen · 09/07/2018 09:12

Who pissed on your cornflakes slarty?