We're looking to have a "welcome dinner" for all guests of our wedding since many of them have never been to Florida. Originally, we were going to have it at my parent's home but they are a bit concerned about spacing so we decided to take a look at alternate venues.
They were very excited about the Winthrop Pole Barn on Bloomingdale and Providence in Brandon. I talked to the owner and the indoor chapel runs $250 on Monday - Thursday and $1600 on Friday - Sunday so they can captialize on brides. There's also an outdoor barn that's $250 any day and that's what we were interested in since we're doing a casual bbq.
I had talked to the owner several times and arranged for myself and Staci (DOC) to view the facility. First, the owner was late. Then he speeds up in his truck, keeps his foot on the brake and asks if we're waiting for him. I say yes, I'm the person who just called to say I was at the barn for the viewing. So instead of putting the truck in park and taking us on the tour, he continues to yell out of the window "what do you want to know?". SRSLY?!?
So I ask him if he's going to show us around or do I have to continue to yell at him through the truck window. I wasn't hostile and as a customer, I feel it's a valid question. He then storms out of the truck and proceeds to inform us that he's feeling that we're agitated and someone needs to apologize. I ignored that request as he proceeds to ask Staci if she's affiliated with Catering by the Family because he refuses to do any business with them. What?!? Why would you ask that? So finally he takes us to the chapel which is nothing more than a glorified playhouse. The entire inside is black with one single window. There's no kitchen and only 1 bathroom. The final straw (after glossing over the security issues... this is where a high school student was shot a few weeks ago) was the bathrooms for the outside barn. He says they were in the process of building some, but they got involved with other projects and never completed it. So Staci asked if they would be done by September and his response was "I don't know". You don't know?!?
At the end of the tour he shakes my hand and says he still feels like I'm agitated. I told the truth - I was. I felt he was unprofessional and his venue was unprepared. So he tells me to find another spot. Dude, I wouldn't give you change for a dollar much less rent your crappy venue.
Ugh.... sadly, he showed his butt for me and a event planner. I hope no one goes there.