DJ A.
Yelp
Sure the cave is "spectacular", as many of the reviews and pictures attest to, but I must have come across the same horrible attendants some other reviewers have.
We arrived about 10 minutes before our scheduled time, but apparently the group was ready to go and we were being rushed as the lady came running over to our vehicle almost immediately. She tore into us about what we couldn't bring, a vague laundry list of items. One such item was my wife's purse which is no larger than her hand extended on all sides. We asked the universal question, "why", and got the pathetic, "it's the rules", reply. As someone who has worked in a public facing leadership position for many long years, you never just tell a customer "it's the rules", you explain the premise behind it to help bring about understanding and mutual respect. She was having none of that, as her rudeness swelled.
We explained that it is bad practice to leave items in a vehicle, which is ripe for a break-in, even when hidden. At any rate, all obvious objectionable items were put back in the vehicle. We are now just a few minutes removed from our arrival and this lady then goes and tells a tour group apparently waiting down a flight of stairs (as far as I could tell), to go ahead and that my wife and I could catch the next tour, it still being 6 minutes until the scheduled time. I explained that we purchased tickets for the 3pm slot and asked why the tour was leaving before the scheduled time, as my wife needed to use the restroom. (Of which there are only nasty porta potties.) She said that it would only be 30 minutes.
Almost an hour later, we are still waiting with just a handful of others. At this time, my wife and I had already been debating leaving because of the bad vibes and nasty attitudes. A different lady came over and was cordial for a few moments until she saw me take a sip of my small water bottle I pulled from my back pocket. For the record, it's been in the 90s for days here and this tour involves climbing hundreds of stairs. This lady informs me that there is no water allowed on the tour. I thought she was joking. I could understand food and soft drink, but water? This cannot be real. Yet again, no explanation or cause given for such an asinine rule that has now surpassed ludicrous status.
She proceeds to state, "it's just policy", to which we muster, "what is your policy on refunds" and promptly left. But not before seeing a sign that explicitly states that small purses were ok. Who do these clowns think we are? We'll be doing a chargeback, as their customer service is absolute garbage. Too bad, I was looking forward to the tour, after reading many reviews that appeared to demonstrate that this was the best alternative to the Mammoth Cave tours, of which we had already done a couple and had a fabulous experience, as well as were able to bring our bags and water. We will not be back and such poor service reflects on the entire region. Shame.
