Holidaying in Australia is one slow, painful rip-off!

[Guest]

I swear I'm not going on holidays in this country ever again.

We just spent two weeks on the Gold Coast and while I expected to get gouged at the theme parks with $5 bottles of water and $10 dollar hot dogs, the level of service you receive from the local cafe's, resturants and general shops is woeful.

The wife and I booked a river cruise dinner through Brisbane only to find they over booked and had us sitting outside at a fold up card table. And the crew couldn't have given less of a shit if they tried. We waited an hour to be served entree's and another hour to get access to the seafood table. The resturants at the gold coast were not much better. The food was good but the service was complete shit.

I'm sick of "buying Australian" holidays only to be gouged and given third rate service. From now on I'm going where I'll get more value for money.

Chook.

[chook 56]

LOL
Chook.
We have been in business (small convenience) on the Gold Coast for a little over 3 years now.
Mate, you have nailed it! It is a Gold Coast/Brisbane thing. They give crap service & attitude at just about every place you go.
Don't get me started on suppliers!!!! If you see a good supplier on the Gold Coast, shoot him. He doesn't belong there.

Oh, by the way, we pride ourselves in giving great & friendly service. Probably why we are still in business, when others have gone by the wayside.
Better luck next time, but there are still a few good places.

Cheers

[Guest]

Come to Sydney.

[Kingbilly]

We found that at the Gold Coast too, eat at one of the many "worstaraunts" we called them. I basically get no enjoyment out of going up there. Except to attend Cafe Backwards.
You should have made arrangements to eat there Chook

When I was up in QLD recently we stayed up at the Sunshine coast, no thats entirely different. Great service and the people gave a shit.
In typical empty headed fashion I left a bag in a taxi we caught from the airport. The taxi company were great and the driver came back around 10-15 mins later (after calling me) and didn't ask for anything (no fare etc) but I did give him some cash as a thankyou.

The people where we hired a car, the people involved in the snorkeling trip we did, all really helpful, you should try up there next time.
I think the difference is people on the sunshine coast (while urgency not always important ) are there because they want to be wereas on the Gold coast alot of the people in the tourist industry its all about them. It seems they realise their customer base is not a returning customer base, but I think someone like you Chook 56 should do very well with your attitude being opposite.

[bigben]

im going to broadbeach in January for 10 nights doing the theme park scene with the kids.Im only praying the weather is fine.

[Guest]

Mate, holidaying in Aus is great, but the LAST place you wanna go is the Goldie, it's a farkin shithole.
It is targetted towards clueless international travellers who have more money than sense, is full of glitzy, fake shit, and boozed up bogan crims.
Sunshine Coast is better, but sadly slowly going the same way.
If you want a really satisfying holiday, get off the beaten track a bit. Plenty of nice spots up and down the east coast where you won't get reemed and will meet seem genuinely nice characters.

[Ray Stehr]

I go to the GC regularly and I always find the service great. Just goes to show that you can please some of the people etc

[Guest]

I agree, Aussie tripn aint cheap.

Im holidaying on Boracay Island atm, $1 beer, a really good sports bar, cheap food, beach at my door step and $25 hookers. You just can't find that at home.

[Guest]

I go to the GC regularly and I always find the service great. Just goes to show that you can please some of the people etc

Really? That surprises me given it's you. You normally love nothing better than a good whinge RC.

Chook.

[novice chook]

I don't mind the occasional trip up the GC but I find that short and sweet is best. A long weekend to watch the footy up there or something similar.

Because quite frankly, apart from the theme parks, there aint much to do up there. Especially if you hate shopping like I do.

I find that most of the regional country areas are great for service and hospitality.

NC

[Guest]

I like to run 21ks when I go to the GC