Horse Ranch #3
No photos because…
we definitely won’t be going here!
Today I called horse ranch #3 to set up a tour. A woman answers:
“Hello, Rochester Hills Stable.”
“I’m looking to get more information on riding lessons for my daughter and to schedule a tour.”
“How old is your daughter?”
“She’ll be 10 in May.”
“We offer 30 minute private lessons until she learns to post and can steer a horse on her own. Then she’ll go into group lessons.”
“Will she be learning how to care for a horse and responsibility?”
“No. She can go to day camp this summer and learn all about that.” [read: you can spend $400 for one week to learn something that she really needs to learn every single time she rides a horse!]
“So, she won’t be tacking up her own horse or grooming or anything.”
“No. There isn’t enough time for them to do that and learn to ride.” [never mind that other stables have the riders groom/tack up before and after their designated riding lesson time.]
“Oh, I thought before lessons, they would tack up.”
“That wouldn’t be very safe. We can not have them grooming or tacking the horses. We’ve been providing lessons since the 60’s. Safety is important.” [said in a snarky, patronizing tone as if I am some simpleton who knows nothing]
“Um… ok. What times do you do lessons?”
“We conduct lessons after 4pm during the weekdays and on the weekends.”
“So you don’t have lessons during the day?”
“Of course not. The kids are in school.” [scoffs on the phone when telling me this... I am a simpleton you know]
“Well, not my daughter. She is homeschooled.”
“We simply do not have enough children to offer daytime lessons.” [another snarky tone... yea, and with that attitude, you won't ever... ]
I want to say: “Do you realize how big the homeschool community is here?? Your competitor has 5 daytime group lessons running right now with approx. 5 kids in each group. With your condescending attitude, I am surprised you have stayed in business since the 60’s.” [Rochester Hills is one of the richest cities in MI.]
But instead I say:
“OK, Thank you.” [click]
Yea… can ya tell I got my feathers ruffled a bit? My pet peeve is being talked down to. Patronized. UGH! She sits on the toilet just like me…
We have one more place that I am going to call tomorrow. Hopefully, it will go better. :)
By cbmrj777 on Apr 8, 2008 in Kayla
Right choice. No #3.
Mental P Mama | Apr 8, 2008 | Reply
wow, that’s some attitude isn’t it? How does a place like that stay in business? Hope the next one goes better!
kacey | Apr 8, 2008 | Reply
Kacey, unfortunately, that attitude is the prevailing one around here. We’ve been here 4 years and it is only certain people I’ve met through the homeschool and various parenting groups that have been friendly. Most are rude, snarky, and down-right snobbish. Coming from the deep south where Southern hospitality is not just a stereo-type, this attitude is hard to stomach.
cbmrj777 | Apr 8, 2008 | Reply
Wow, she was rude–definitely right choice in not picking #3. Hopefully the next one goes much better.
TIG | Apr 8, 2008 | Reply
What a shame! Hope your next one goes better than Ms. Snarkaholic’s place.
Kate | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply