Cogic (Memphis: how much, hotels, shop)

[MemphisMeantime]

How do you feel about the COGIC convention leaving Memphis? Many in the Midsouth (especially in the food service industry) have been on several message boards complaining about how the "Saints" treated and tipped them. Several hotels said COGIC members were far too demanding in reduced room rates and other concessions.

Do you have personal experience, good or bad, with COGIC conventioneers? Are you happy, sad or indifferent about them heading to St. Louis?

[Pearlbob]

All experience has been bad. In speaking with customer service industry people over the years, they ALL feel the same (cab drivers, waiters, hotel employees, etc).

[revike]

I am COGIC and i'm glad for the change. My family have been traveling to memphis for years. We have been patrons of memphis hotels. The hotel we stayed in for 08 was awful, we had been supportin them for about 7 years. We had spiders in our beds, very dirty rooms, no towels in the bathroom, it took more than 12 hours for them to bring towels. And when we went to the front we got the "well we are booked" with attitude. Now this is a hotel by the airport we are paying 169.00 a night, but when we come in April we get the same room for 89.00. We moved downtown this year, the downtown room 102.00 a nite, during the november meeting it goes up to 249.00, but the service is really good, nice people "crown". During November meeting there are no hotels in memphis. Some people stay in missisippi and Arkansas.

I think its time for a change we have service in 5 different venues on sunday, no place is big enough. There arent that many hotels near where we have church, and not much parking.

My mother who was handicaped i stop to put her off close to the building and was harrased by the cops, i show him my mom and then its "ohh ok well let me know next time" ...Its thousands of people tryin to get intp the same place...COME ON!

We love memphis, it will always be our heritage and our Mecca. No love lost, but Its time for change.

[strumpeace]

Having been a waiter in Memphis for several years, all I can say is good riddance.

[MemphisMeantime]

Originally Posted by revike

We love memphis, it will always be our heritage and our Mecca. No love lost, but Its time for change.

Thanks for your reply. I think for both sides, it's time for a change. We'll see if the grass is greener for either or both.

[kingchef]

i have had extensive business dealings w/ this unbelievabily difficult group. if some of these folk are saints; i'm a diamond cutter! first, for seven long years, they never began any function on time. the earliest they began was 1 hour and 20 minutes beyond their contracted start time. their lastest---and last time to pull a deal on me---was an event that began three hours and eighteen minutes beyond the contracted time. after notifying them that their incessant tardiness was unacceptable, they were much more prompt when they realized that a $500.00 / hour charge was being enforced as outlined in their contract...it was amazing to watch the glory train speed up. too, the remaining events were no later than fifteen minutes beyond their contract times. in addition, following events did not involve my staff beyond the contracted service time---bishop and holy convocation
or not. these people, by and large, were the worst whiners, unruly, entitled, and down-right obnoxious christians w/ whom i ever had to associate. w/ them, it was a mentality of "how much for free---for real." they were so cheap they would not pay a nickle to see jesus. constantly reminding you about how much they spent in the community, blah, blah, blah. they would spend $250.00 on a hat the size of a small merry-go-round or a pair of shoes approximately the length of a canoe---covered with enough alligator to repopulate the everglades---but fail to drop $1.00 to service staff, who were literally run to death getting glasses of water at an event that had no contracted service staff. i say, "goodbye, fairwell, so long!" memphis can do better...and not have to be blackmailed by a second rate convocation of holy rollers.

[Smtchll]

What makes them think St. Louis, a city half the size, will be any better?

[bjh]

Originally Posted by strumpeace

Having been a waiter in Memphis for several years, all I can say is good riddance.

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

All experience has been bad. In speaking with customer service industry people over the years, they ALL feel the same (cab drivers, waiters, hotel employees, etc).

They even said this on the evening news!

[thenuegeye]

I think it was best for COGIC. Plus, Memphis has nothing to offer. Not sure what St. Louis has to offer either.

[TimtheGuy]

Originally Posted by Smtchll

What makes them think St. Louis, a city half the size, will be any better?

Actually the St. Louis metro is about 2x the size of the Memphis metro (think Memphis + Nashville).