Senior Iguana's New Marketing Methods

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Senior Iguana's New Marketing Methods Do you really need the street corner barkers?

Posted 02 December 2009 - 07:23 AM (#1) Peaceful Loc

Group: Guests

For the third time in a row when I have walked past the new Senior Iguana location across from the plaza I have been "semi-accosted" by the waiters trying to get me to come in and eat.

I find this sort of action to be very intrusive and wish the owner would stop encouraging this type of behavior. It feels like these guys are trying to sell you a timeshare. Have people come in to your restaurant because of the food, ambiance and reputation. Sad to see this kind of behavior right from the start from a "new" restaurant. Hope it stops soon.

Posted 04 December 2009 - 10:24 PM (#2) Senor Iquanas

Group: Guests

Peaceful Loc, on 02 December 2009 - 07:23 AM, said:

Posted 04 December 2009 - 10:51 PM (#3) senor Iquanas

Group: Guests

I am sorry that you felt you were being accosted by my staff they are merely there to welcome people to the restaurant or to see if anyone needs assistance. I have told our staff that all I want them to do is explain to people what Senor Iquana's has to offer the people of Sayulita,such as great food North American and Mexican Cuisine, Courtyard Dining in the rear of a Full Bar area and a FREE call to Canada and the USA. while they dine.
Did you even stop to hear what they had to say? My staff does not pressure anyone to come and eat but to explain what we have to offer. I have seen the type of people that ignore us but wait till they have to call home then they may have wished they stopped. WE were # 1 with trip advisor last season in Bucerias and since opening in July at the river we have a great cliente of local and vacationers that have followed us to our new location at the Plaza.
So when you are hungry and want to eat freshly prepared food (nothing frozen) I would love to meet you and buy you a Margarita.
Sincerely
Senor Iquana's
Toro

Posted 05 December 2009 - 02:17 AM (#4) Boobala

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senor Iquanas, on 04 December 2009 - 10:51 PM, said:

You might want to rethink your dinner prices though. !80 pesos for Coconut Shrimp, given the casual atmosphere is a bit stiff while sitting in plastic chairs with no ocean view. You might want to rethink your prices given the economy and the competition. Breakfast prices are totally doable but the dinner prices.......too pricey for casual dining in MEXICO!

Posted 05 December 2009 - 01:27 PM (#5) onelove

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senor Iquanas, on 04 December 2009 - 10:51 PM, said:

C'mon Toro. You really want people to believe that your staff is out front for assistance? Clearly it's a marketing technique, plain and simple. Why not just skip the aggressive street corner marketing, save yourself the aggravation of angering potential customers, and put up some signs to advertise your promotions. Research has shown that a sign in front of a restaurant advertising your promotions is a much more effective marketing technique than a staff that stands in front soliciting customers from the sidewalk. Another proven marketing method is to keep the staff inside, and you (the management/owners) stand outside and introduce yourself to the passers by, handing them a coupon for whatever special promotion you are offering at the time. Much more classy when the solicitation comes from the top, and much more effective when a potential customer has the chance of meeting the management or owners.

If your food is as good as you claim, service as exceptional, and reputation as strong, then your restaurant shouldn't need sidewalk staff marketing. To most people it is a sign of desperation.

Out of curiosity, what "type" of people ignore your sidewalk marketing technique, and what "type" of people are receptive to them?

Good luck to you.

Posted 05 December 2009 - 08:07 PM (#6) psipsina

Group: Guests

I wonder why some people feel they are being semi-acosted at the entrance to Senor Iguanas.... I have never felt that way and have walked by several times...each time either no one was at the door (I was curious and peered in) or was greeted courteously by several new workers that I hadn't seen before while at the river palapa location. I agree, I don't like a 'time share' approach - we don't need that in Sayulita. While walking along the plaza on the south end late Friday afternoon I was approached with a menu by two, other, different restaurants' workers. At least they weren't as persistent as the beach 'hawkers' and smiled. Yet, I agree, I wish the restaurant signs and menus would speak for themselves.
The meals I've eaten at Senor Iguanas were tasty and filling; I recommend the restaurant to anyone wanting a more unusual fare along with the standard items. Prices seem to be in line with other restaurants - Sayulita is not cheap. I hope friendliness is not mistaken for 'hawking'.

Posted 07 December 2009 - 07:09 AM (#7) Clarinet

Group: Guests

No way to justify this Sr Iguana.

I am glad someone called your out. The street barkers are not just explaining what you have to offer, they are interrupting people's private conversations to intrude with "invitations" to come eat at your place. Sad to see this activity in Sayulita

If your place has such a nice courtyard, why do you set out chairs and tables in the street? Even if someone wanted to eat at your place, your illegal table/chair placements take up two public parking areas.

You claim to have been number one in Bucerias but I doubt you'll make the top 20 in Sayulita with these kinds of business behaviors.

Sr Iguana, do the right thing. Apologize and start behaving in a appropriate manner.

Posted 09 December 2009 - 10:51 AM (#8) cleanswipe

Group: Guests

this reply is intended for Peaceful Loc as well as Clarinet

My husband and I had the opportunity to be in your area the other day. While walking past Sr Iguna's we were greeted by very polite, curteous people. By no means could there greetings be judged as invasive, intrusive or rude.

My understanding is that they are new to this location and are trying to let everyone know exactly what they have to offer you. While walking in this area we were greeted by several other restaurants in the same manner. Have you called those establishments out on there behavior as well.

As for the chair sitting outside, the entire street seems to have chairs outside their buildings, so why does only this location get mentioned?

We are very pleased with the treatment and great food we received while at Sr. Iguanas and will return to their restaurant again. I also know from what they have told us that they have some wonderful plans for their establishment and can hardly wait to see them unfold. everyone.

My hopes for Sr. Iguana's is that this type of bantering be kept real and honest and that they not be signaled out which is what this thread appears to be doing.

They are not doing anything that a great number of other restaurants are doing as well, and the most important part is they are like everyone else trying to make an honest living. I believe for them this is all just growing pains as they are the new kids on the block and hopefully they will take the high road through all of this nonsense and the proof will be in what they rally do have to offer

"Apologise", I hope this was a miss print and that what your post meant to say is that you were apologising to them for your inappropriate behavior....

Everyone should go and experience what Sr. Iguana's has to offer and then make your own decision on what your experience was.

I wish them nothing but Luck

Posted 09 December 2009 - 09:04 PM (#9) shellynjeff

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Well Said Cleanswipe

Chill people....move on already.

thread dead

Posted 23 January 2010 - 01:16 PM (#10) sierra lee

Group: Guests

shellynjeff, on 09 December 2009 - 09:04 PM, said:

Well Said Cleanswipe

Chill people....move on already.

thread dead

My family just spent the week in Sayulita, and happened to go to Senior Iguana's, no one was outside, and no one pressured us to go inside. My daughter and I sat down to a great lunch (fabulous shrimp burritos) the owner took the time to come up and introduced himself and offer any assistance that we needed. He told us about his policy for phone calls and internet and was quite gracious to us. He even went as far as to allow us to use one of his pyrex dishes (our place didn't have any) to cook a meal that evening. We went back for happy hour and appetizers....still a very good experience. New restaurants take time to get out the kinks and let people know who they are, I agree chill out people, give them a break

Posted 08 February 2010 - 03:55 PM (#11) BigBob

Group: Guests

What ever they tried did not work, because they went out of business. Again I feel alot of the businesses will be closing their doors after this, semi-slow season. Which also will be good for Sayulita, because for every business that closes one opens.

Senor Iguanas is now Cocina Economa:)

To many restaurants over priced menu and no customer service and average food.

Posted 08 February 2010 - 11:40 PM (#12) Boobala

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BigBob, on 08 February 2010 - 03:55 PM, said:

I am pretty sure they couldn't make it because the rent there is so incredibly high. It's a shame that in recent years landlords have become so greedy that it's almost impossible for new businesses to keep their doors open.