"Always believe the reviews given online..."
 
This post is based on personal experiences and to voice out my unhappiness. I have moved on from this experience...

Bad Experience with Mambo Beach Club
Initially, I wanted to try Mambo Beach Club, but the whole coordination and proposal part was a horrifying experience.

Most disappointing part: contradicting proposals.
Initially, I was only able to guarantee a 30 pax min, to which they told me I would gain exclusive use to 3 cabanas with a minimum spending of $1500. After informing them that I would need to raise it up to 60 pax, I was told that it would be double the amount since I would require all 6 cabanas and will also be given exclusive use of the whole cabana area. After I had to raise my minimum to 70 pax, I told them I would raise my budget to $3500, which the 2nd coordinator then set that amount as the minimum spending for exclusive use of the whole cabana area. After which, I decided to reconfirm the amount again by whatsapp-ing him because he is not picking up calls and replying emails. He then told me it would be $6000 for the exclusive use of the whole cabana area. Shocked of the sudden huge increase, I gave him a call and he told me $3000 is for weekdays and $6000 for weekends. It has been made clear since the beginning of the whole discussion that my birthday will be held on a Saturday and it was stated in the proposal sent to me. Since they knew what day it was on, I am unable to find a reason why he would quote me a weekday price. Was I supposed to expect an additional $2500 charge if I had signed the proposal without confirming the price? It was at this point that I got worried of what are the many other mistakes that may occur on the event day if I were to hold my birthday at MBC. So I decided to give it a miss.

Now on to other points, communication with the restaurant was slow.
Despite sending follow-ups, MBC took at least a week to reply and upon reply, they made it obvious that they had not read the email. This was shown when I decided that the email process was too long and head down for a site meeting. During the site meeting, MBC continued talking about the first proposal when I have emailed them 3 times regarding some changes I will like to make.
Following the site meeting, I wrote them an email to thank them and to update on what was being discussed immediately in the afternoon on that day itself. There was no reply. 1 week later, I sent a follow up. Still no reply. I decided to Whatsapp the initial coordinator. He then told me that he was in Korea and unable to reply me. Given the benefit of doubt, maybe he flew immediately after the site meeting. He then hand over this event to his colleague.

Secondly, they do not read emails.
The team did not seem to communicate when the initial coordinator handed this event over to his colleague. The 2nd coordinator called me saying that the initial coordinator told him to call me because it was urgent. He then went on and asked me "so what did you want to talk about?". I questioned if he received the email, which he replied yes and then told me to hold on while he read it. The call was redundant as nothing was concluded nor did I receive any replies for my inquiries  Apparently, he expected me to be at my computer whenever he calls during lunch hours. Maybe he did not know I am working. Just maybe. Even when I told him I do not have the information with me now, he went on to ask "Can you open up the email now?". There were hardly any black and white/emails from them. Majority of them was me sending them an update of what had been conversed, which I did not receive much response until I told him to stop calling me because I will be busy during work and may not be able to pick up/will miss the call.

Thirdly. inflexibility.
As the available packages were not quite to my liking, I suggested to have some items swapped with similar priced item, which MBC constantly indirectly push them away but telling "Kindly take a look at the event brochure which has all the food and beverage packages which we are able to offer to your for your event.". To which, many times I have brought up asking "will it be possible for a customized package with the following items", but their replies always avoided that point. I thought perhaps there were too much information in the email, so I placed it in point form, but it was still being avoided. It was my last straw when I replied "As mentioned, I have looked through the brochure previously and felt that the packages were not suitable. I just wanted to check if it will be possible for you to propose a special package based on my preference but it seems like that will not be possible. Since that is the case, kindly advise on the following items..." He then replied me "For the free-flow, it will be the packages from the event brochure.". Can someone explain to me the link here.

I understand that I may be asking too much, but it will be nice to at least tell me that it will not be possible rather than turning me away,

Despite the many bad reviews online, I wanted to give it a try, but now I know. It is just not worth it.

Labels: 22nd birthday, personal

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