Albemarle Baking Co — Restaurant in Charlottesville

I had seen the ad in the Cville magazine for this bakery and was very interested in purchasing a "Princess Cake" which I hear ABC is famous for. Last week, I called twice and both times the voice on the other end answered "Hello?" I said I was calling to try and reach Albemarle Baking Company. The voice replied "Nope!" I confirmed with the person I had reached that the number I had called matched the number I was calling AND that it matched the number in their ad and on their website. I was then hung up on.

I called again today and got the same response. I started to explain that I wanted to order a cake, but was hung up on.

I had a friend call the same number from her cell phone and low and behold, she reached the SAME PERSON. But, this time, the phone was answered "Albemarle Baking Company."

You see, I was calling from my office and I suspect they saw the name on caller ID. Perhaps they thought I was trying to do business? Well, in this case, I was trying to order a cake...FOR PERSONAL USE.

Albemarle Baking Company, how dare you be so rude? You cannot run a business by pretending you are not who you say you are, because you suspect the caller has other reasons for calling you. That is bad business and very sketchy to say the least. YOU HAVE LOST A POTENTIAL CUSTOMER.

Shame on you. I will NEVER call you again and I will make sure to tell all of my friends not to buy from you, either. There are plenty of other bakeries in town and I will buy from them....never from you.

Very...

4.5 stars for the cakes and 1 for the customer service, which lends the final three stars for my experience at ABC. The store is renowned for its cakes, bread, and pastries, which is well demonstrated by the variety of pastry choices you can find in the store. They have seasonal cakes (Raspberry Wonder for summer and The Shenandoah for fall) that speak for the chef's creativity.

The problem with my experience was how the staff (or at least the ones I interacted with) seemed to treat customers based on their looks. I arrived before an older gentleman, yet was nonchalantly 'pushed over' from my counter so that they could use it for him (while the other counter is open anyway). The gentleman drove a Cadillac and appeared very familiar with the store (I only visited the store to get cakes on special occasions). The staffs also have trouble with foreign-sounding names and lack the courtesy skill to maneuver through the situation. While subtle, I felt unappreciated as a customer. If you appear white and/or wealthy (regular patrons or dress/drive nicely), your service will be prioritized.

Update: I appreciate that the owner reached out to me to learn more about my perspectives from this particular visit. Albeit this experience may have been an honest mistake by the staff due to variable factors (such as busy hour, unclear customer arrival order, and others), I hope the staffs would be more mindful in their interactions with both regular and...

Went to pick up some Yule logs for a Christmas business party. About 5 people in line, so I get in the back. As it moves another 5 people get in line. When it’s my turn I step up to the register and the young man running the register looks over my shoulder and asks “next in line?” I said I am? He then looks at the guy behind me and says “sir can I help you?” And the guy steps in front of me. Then the other cashier helps the lady behind that guy probably assuming I wasn’t in line due to the guy completely ignoring me. Finally the third cashier helped me after I literally waved and said excuse me I’m in line! I don’t know what this kids problem with me was, but he legitimately looked over my shoulder and yelled next in line like I didn’t exist. And there was no possible way this was a mistake. I was 6 inches from the counter standing right in front of the register like every other customer ahead of me did. Insanely rude and disrespectful.

The baking here is second to none. But after being treated that way I’ll have to reconsider who we use for our...