AMC CLASSIC Havelock 6 — Local services in Havelock

I'm extremely disappointed with my experience at my local Carmike cinema 6 in Havelock NC. I been there 3x in the last 4 days. I always been beyond friendly with the staff and in a professional manner, joked with them, as I always been one to enjoy making others smile while getting to know them. Today I got confronted by an aggressive manager, who without introducing himself approached me and spat a few words before I knew what was going on. So that everyone knows the facts that led up to this, here it goes:

*Day 1 of the 3x's I've been there I went in to see Dr. Strange at the 10 o'clock show time. I left after 45min. I found myself having a hard time keeping my eye open and thought it was best to leave and call it a night. As I was leaving, the staff and I joked cause I didn't finish the movie.

*Day 2 I went in and they remembered me and joked again about me coming back and actually finishing a movie this time. Watched a different movie and finished it.

*Day 3. Today I went in and finished the movie Dr. Strange. As was in day 2, we joked again, and this time I was there to redeem myself... All went well until the end:

Watched the movie and when the credits started, I got up from about the middle of the row and preceded to walk out. One of the attendants was there by the last row as I was throwing my trash out and stated that there was, "two additional clips left and the end". So I sat at that last row, right in front of the attendant to watch these two clips she mentioned. After the first clip, there was nothing but a black back screen with white credits scrolling up. Since I was there to redeem my myself and succeeded, I decided to send a message to the mother of my son showing her the credits of the movie, just for smiles. I raised my phone for literally 3 seconds, not hiding a thing, not pirating, SITTING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE ATTENDANT, knowing I had nothing to hide, not causing any problems. This resulted in me getting Confronted by the manager, who did not identify himself until he said in a loud voice that he was, making a scene in front of other movie enthusiast, threatening to call the cops! THE COPS!? While his staff stood right there behind me treating me like some total stranger, that just walked in to illegally record this movie! The embarrassment of having to be followed out by him and the staff... I never experience such a displeasing and embarrassing moment before with any business and their staff. The lack of professionalism is disturbing.

This surely could have been handled in a much proper manner. Starting with, properly introducing oneself and asking to speak to one in private. Everything would have been disclosed and I'm sure both parties could have made light of the situation.

Sincerely, a very saddened customer.

P.S. I am a General Manager of a multi-million dollar retail store and we know, and take it to heart, that customers should always be treated with the upmost respect. I'm sadden it happened at my local movie theater as I'm one to always support my local community. Hopefully this changes soon before things get worse.

It's also sad that this is the first negative review I have ever written.

My hope with this review is that things may possibly change for the...

It is a clean theater and the staff is usually pretty friendly. Prices could be cheaper, but it's a movie theater. I took a star off because of the sound. It's not bad, but it's far from being great. The bass is VERY lacking and the surround effect is just okay. Also, the volume is kind of low compared to most theaters. I can almost always hear what's playing in the theater next to us which is annoying when you're trying to get immersed in a story line. I also took another star off because, IMHO, this theater has potential to be really great. There's nothing else to do in this town and that theater could get all the business in this area as far as entertainment goes. I say it's got potential because it doesn't have bucket or reclining seating, the arm rests don't even lift up; you don't really get your money's worth unless you go during discounted hours. But I've lived in this town long enough to know not to get my hopes up and to just drive to the next town if I want something really good. They win by default around here, which should be Havelock's motto. Why be the best when your the only one! Mediocrity for the win! I'll gladly drive to Raleigh to feel the bass.....

Update as of 8/21/2015 The rating next to 3 stars says, "It's okay" and that's just what this place is. The handle on the paper towel dispenser in the men's room has been broken since I first posted this review. This shows me a lack of attention to detail and that management thinks it's okay to have broken equipment for such a long time. I'm tempted to lower my rating to 2 stars, but not sure it would make a difference.

Update 3/27/2019 Since AMC has taken over, I haven't seen many changes. I was hoping for some upgrades or something...just a name change it looks like. Watched How To Train Your Dragon this past weekend in Auditorium 5. There's a giant scratch on the screen that's fairly annoying. Been there for a while now. The screens need updating for sure. They've finally fixed the handle for the paper towel dispenser though. This place is still fine for something to do, but is definitely missing the "experience" portion of seeing a blockbuster movie, and being that it's one of the few places around here to do something it's really missing an opportunity.

Update 2/20/22 Saw Uncharted tonight in Auditorium 1. Really enjoyed it. The projector messed up quite a bit and frames were jumping all over. The sound seemed better? Not sure. Still pretty bass anemic, but beggars can't be choosers in Havelock. The screen looks either really old or dirty. There's spots all over it and the top right corner looks to be coming apart. Also, the exit sign shines on the screen and is a bit distracting. Basically nothing's improved in a nearly 8 years. It's ok for something to do, but if you love immersing yourself in a story and the whole...

I never understood why people pirated movies until now...it is done to avoid dumps like this place. In the 26 years that I have been coming to this theater, I have never been as disappointed and disgusted as I am right now with this place. Ever since "AMC" took over this place has gone down hill. To sum up my frustration, here are my issues:

During our last visit, the A/C was not working in our auditorium. The thermostat read 85 degrees and I'm sure it was warmer with humidity as it was late June in eastern NC. I asked the manager if she knew about it and was told I should have been informed when buying the tickets...I was not. She gave me a half assed apology and kept going about her business. They could care less if the A/C was broken as long as idiots like me bought tickets. And after spending half my paycheck on food and drinks I figured my family and I would just have to endure. Contemplated giving myself an IV during the show as heat exhaustion set in quickly and I was only sitting in a seat.

The new drink machines are absolute garbage. On two separate occasions the internal ice machines were broken. Did that stop them from selling hot sodas to poor saps like me? Nope. They put a tiny sign on each machine that said, "No ice. Sorry". Not only that, half the damn sodas were sold out or unavailable anyways leaving you with the choice of diet Fanta orange or seltzer water.

The bathrooms look like places I've seen in abandoned buildings. Urine everywhere. Sinks broken. My wife said the women's room looked like a murder scene.

I have made the mistake of going to this place 3 times in the past year. Never again. I will go back to making the hour drive to Jacksonville to see a movie in a nice theater. Please don't waste your time and/or money with this garbage...