Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Increase in scammers (people fishing for free stuff)?

This is topic Increase in scammers (people fishing for free stuff)? in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=002536

Posted by Carey Barber (Member # 1586) on 10-07-2011, 08:10 PM:

This may be my imagination, but I swear that the number of people putting forth 'complaints' in a rather transparent attempt to get free stuff has been on the increase...

I am amazed that 1) people can find a 'problem' when one does not really exist and 2)that people are actually brazen enough to come right out and say "what are you going to give me". That just makes it even more obvious that they are only trolling for freebies. It astounds that people simply expect a company to fork over free items.

Now...I have no problem taking care of people or compensating for a real problem. I have no problem handing out passes, coupons, refunds, etc. to help correct a mistake we made. But some of these people fishing for freebies really are the scum of the earth.

Whenever someone actually has the nerve to say 'so what are you going to give me' I am simultaneously disgusted and shocked.

Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 10-07-2011, 08:37 PM:

There seems to be a "sense of entitlement" amongst the masses. The "Generation of Swine" which Hunter S.Thompson wrote about over 20 years ago have produced more piglets.

Posted by Michael Brown (Member # 890) on 10-08-2011, 10:38 PM:

I one was working at a box office counter and had someone come in to see a film that we had had to cancel for some reason or another.

He actually said "What do I get?"

Fair enough if he had already bought a ticket and had been in the cinema already and we had to stop a show. But compensation from just walking in from the street? A little bit much.

I'm sure we must have a "Show times can be subject to change...." type disclaimer on our website somewhere.

Posted by Carey Barber (Member # 1586) on 10-08-2011, 11:16 PM:

quote: Michael Brown
someone come in to see a film that we had had to cancel for some reason or another.

He actually said "What do I get?"

Heck, at least with that one you could argue the guest was inconvenienced. If that show was advertised at some point, and that guy drove all the way to the theatre, then he has been inconvenienced.

I should say that I am one of those types who is ready to give out passes, refunds, coupons, etc. even under questionable circumstances. I feel the need to mention this tendency because, if *I* think it is ridiculous to demand or give compensation then it really must be pretty ridiculous.

Edited to correct pathetic grammatical errors...

Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 10-08-2011, 11:19 PM:

@Michael: I had this happen a few days ago, but the customer showed up for something we had to cancel before we had had a chance to update our web site or recording. Since they had to drive 30 minutes to get to us, I felt fine giving them free passes.

It would be different if the change had been a day or two previously.

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 10-09-2011, 08:29 AM:

You're always going to get people fishing for comps. The last Cinema I worked in had CCTV everywhere so we would ask for the time they purchased their ticket so we could see exactly what their visit was like. That usually sorted out the legitimate concerns.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 10-09-2011, 01:02 PM:

quote: Carey Barber
but I swear that the number of people putting forth 'complaints' in a rather transparent attempt to get free stuff has been on the increase

... one of the results of a weak economy....

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 10-09-2011, 03:51 PM:

Customer: It's my Birthday, what do I get?
Me: How old are you?
Customer: Never mind.

For real!

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 10-09-2011, 04:18 PM:

Well known local car dealer : "So, what do you do for a living?"

Me : "I'm projectionist/Duty manager at the XYZ Arthouse Cinema"

Well known local car dealer : So, do I get free tickets?"

Me : "Sure, do I get a free car?"

I didn't get a car so he never got free tickets.

Dillweed.

Posted by Bruce Hansen (Member # 281) on 10-09-2011, 04:34 PM:

I don't like the sound of your post, you need to buy me dinner. Hurry up, I starving. [beer]

Posted by Carey Barber (Member # 1586) on 10-09-2011, 04:47 PM:

So...have any of you observed an increase in this behavior in recent years? Or, am I just imagining things?

(NOTE: I used to spend much more time in the booth so maybe I was just out of touch. But, I have also worked at other locations that did not seem to have quite as much a problem with this)

And for those who have been in the business for multiple decades...Was this a common phenomenon 10, 20, 30 years ago?

Posted by Sam Graham (Member # 2889) on 10-09-2011, 05:37 PM:

(Customer): "What do I get?"

(You): "Here's a gift card for a competitor. Go see something there. If I ever catch you in here again, I will have you charged with trespassing."

Posted by Edward Havens (Member # 4715) on 10-09-2011, 09:50 PM:

It's not a new phenomenon, but it has gotten worse during our most recent financial crisis.

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 10-10-2011, 09:27 PM:

Damn Gypsys...

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 10-11-2011, 11:46 AM:

quote: Sam Graham
(Customer): "What do I get?"

(You): "Here's a gift card for a competitor. Go see something there. If I ever catch you in here again, I will have you charged with trespassing."

Ah Sam...tis the joy of running your own place. [thumbsup]

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 10-11-2011, 01:36 PM:

We literally never have anyone ask for a freebie. I suppose it's the small town thing. Even people who have to leave for an unexpected work call (doctors and such) seem almost embarrassed to accept a free ticket when we offer it to them.

Posted by David E. Nedrow (Member # 4981) on 11-12-2011, 01:57 PM:

quote: Mike B
We literally never have anyone ask for a freebie. I suppose it's the small town thing.

Same here. Though encapsulated by Columbus, Grandview Heights, OH, still is small town-ish. Everybody pretty much knows, or recognizes, everyone else.

People often won't take the passes we offer in the case of even the most minor problem. If we have ANY projection issue that impacts the sound, picture, or auditorium, we offer comps on their way out of the auditorium.

Once, we even gave out "boisterous Russian" passes to make up for a group of Russians who we asked to leave KING'S SPEECH because they wouldn't be quiet. In fact, someone just redeemed one of those for PUSS IN BOOTS.

-David

Posted by Jake Spell (Member # 5294) on 11-12-2011, 06:59 PM:

Iv had someone refuse passes and then call the theater and leave a message complaining about the poor quality (had a brain wrap, fixed and rewound in about 5 min) saying that it took half an hour and ruined their experience and that there wasnt anyone available after the show even though I was apologizing to EVERY customer as they left with a hand full of passes just in case anyone wanted them.

Posted by Michael Putlack (Member # 6523) on 11-19-2011, 08:37 PM:

Usually, if we have to cancel a show for whatever reason and someone is genuinely upset but not fishing for anything, I'll offer them a coupon for a free popcorn on their next visit and that usually makes their day even though they didn't get to see the movie.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 11-19-2011, 08:49 PM:

I assume you mean cancelling the show before they bought a ticket right?

Posted by Melanie Loggins (Member # 6454) on 11-20-2011, 04:36 PM:

I had a couple walk in this weekend with two stubs. Said someone gave them to them and told them, "Use these. They're already paid for." I'm just glad the couple was too honest to recognize a good scam when they saw one.