FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Can you depend on a server's recommendation?
Old Sep 30, 2015 | 12:28 pm
  #80  
dchristiva
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
Programs: Honestly, I've been out of the travel game so long that I'm not even sure. Maybe Marriott Gold?
Posts: 10,677
Originally Posted by KoKoBuddy
Sure there are the exceptions to the rule. But generally speaking when someone's income is commission based, they will recommend the expensive item over the cheap item.

Do a little experiment. Next 10 times you dine out, ask what do you recommend. Then look at where in the cheap-expensive line the recommendation falls. I'll bet good money 8/10 times it will be in the top 25%.
We'll agree to disagree. This has not been my experience. I frequently ask for recommendations on wine, entrees, electronics, household goods, appliances, etc. My question has almost always been met with more questions. "What flavors do you like?" "What have you tried that you liked before?" "What features are important to you?" "How big is the room where the TV is going?" "How big is your yard?" THOSE are the kinds of questions that should be asked before someone gives a recommendation. And it's so easy to challenge someone when they simply "recommend" the most expensive item. "Really? It's the most expensive one. It's THAT good? Why? How does it compare to X, which is $Y cheaper?" Push back a little if you think it's a BS recommendation.

Maybe I just shop/eat/drink at establishments that offer better service. Maybe I'm just lucky. But I don't think servers immediately jump to the most expensive item on the menu (or even one of the most expensive items). Restaurants thrive on repeat guests and referrals. Good servers don't jeopardize that.
dchristiva is offline