Last evening, my wife and me finally go a chance to catch up on the 'King's Speech'. There were very few multiplexes screening a late evening show and fortunately 'Fun Cinemas' , Cunningham road, the closest to where I stay did. So promptly booked my tickets online through 'BookMyShow.com', which I must say is quite a good, simple and quick experience and my defacto choice for online booking. I only hope they come out with Android app soon to book tickets on the go.
Coming back, I have been to Fun cinemas quite often but in the past. This time around too nothing much had changed. Fun cinemas is known for being affordable in comparison to the other Multiplex brands in Bangalore, with a convenient central location and ample parking in the mall as well as in the neighbourhood. However it does not really promise much of an experience. Having said that what I was not prepared was for was the foul odour of its screening halls.
Having spent 200 bucks on the so called gold class seats, the least one can expect on a sparse weekday showing is a clean smelling hall and seats. The seats had a foul odour to them that one just has to be experienced rather mouldy and damp..... I won't be surprised if they have a few bloodsucking bugs in there as well.
This kind of experience is something I could expect in a run down old theatre of yore in the hinterland that charges 30 bucks for a 'balcony' seat...but not from a national chain. Wonder where the marketing and customer service folks focus on? Wake up, focus on the entire brand experience especially at the core of it ...Its all good to launch a loyalty program, have witty on screen one liners, clubbing popcorn sales with ticket bookings, personal seat service, ....... but if the basics such as a clean and pleasant smelling seat and hall cannot be provided, the experience is lost on the customer. I may now have to think twice before booking for a show there...
