An Open Letter About NJ Businesses (Opinion)

Do you ever find yourself scrolling through local Facebook pages?

I'm a member of quite a few of them.  As a writer, they give me fodder for ideas about things to write about.

I also like reading people's reviews on the pages.  I love learning about new restaurants or businesses that are opening, and I even appreciate warnings about places that might not be great.

I'm not of the mindset that people should only post positive reviews.  I like hearing honest opinions.  In the end, I'll decide for myself.

However, this summer, I've noticed a trend that bothers me.  More and more, I'm seeing people leave "reviews" that seem more like attempts to inflict revenge on businesses for no reason other than to be mean.

Perhaps the economy makes people feel an extra sense of entitlement.

I get it.  When you pay a lot of money for something, you want it to be right.

But if a business gets it wrong, don't they deserve an opportunity to make it right before you take your complaint to Facebook?

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I saw an example of this yesterday, and to be transparent, I happen to know the owner of the business that was attacked.

The complaint was from someone who ordered a milkshake at a local ice cream shop, and she realized the clerk, a young kid, by the way, got the flavor wrong.

The person said when they brought the mistake to the clerk's attention, the clerk was "rude" and didn't handle the situation correctly.

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I don't know who this clerk was, but I do know that the business in question is family-owned and has been around for many years.

Each year they hire local kids, and for many, it's the kids' first job.  I have no doubt that they make mistakes.

I also know that when the owner (who is always on-site) is made aware of a mistake, she makes things right, AND corrects her employees.

The kids are learning, and get this, instead of sitting on the beach all summer, they're earning they're first paychecks.

How cool is that?

The person complaining never did talk to the owner.  Instead, they posted on Facebook, "warning" others about this business.

This is just one of many examples.

It's difficult enough to sustain a business in New Jersey.  Most are owned by hard-working people chasing the American dream.

The next time you encounter a problem at a local business, instead of rushing to put them on blast on Facebook, try talking to the owner.

My guess is most will try to make things right.