Thirstymeeples Reviews 55

We visited Thirsty Meeples in Bath yesterday and, while the concept is fun, we left really disappointed due to the cost.

The cafe itself is clean with simple wooden tables and chairs. Toilets were also clean but the décor could do with some attention. Staff were helpful and friendly, and I saw one member of staff thoroughly clean the tables after each group left, which was good to see.

Unfortunately, there are a number of issues. Firstly, the prices are incredibly high. A very small latte cost £4.95 – gone in just a couple of sips. Crisps and popcorn were £4.90 each for a small tub, tasty but not great value. Over 3 hours, we ordered:
• 2 small lattes
• 2 milkshakes
• 2 cokes
• 1 tea
• 1 smoothie
• 2 crisps
• 1 popcorn

The total came to an eye-watering £80, and that’s without any proper food like sandwiches!

Games are a great idea, and we enjoyed trying titles we don’t own, but some were quite worn and a bit dirty (though complete, nothing missing).

The biggest issue is the £8 per adult cover charge. Even after spending over £40 on food and drinks, we were still charged this, which really pushed the bill up. In my view, if you’re ordering a decent amount, the cover charge should be waived or at least reduced.

The floors were also quite dirty – they really need a proper hot wash.

Overall, while it’s a nice concept and we had some fun, the pricing structure makes it somewhere we’d only consider for a very rare special occasion. Sadly, because of the cost, we wouldn’t return.

I had a confirmed booking for 11am today for my wife and I and two small children. The café was closed when we arrived. I telephoned the number provided but there was no answer. I telephoned the Bath establishment but got nowhere.
At 11.30am three staff finally entered the café but kept the door locked. I banged on the door to get their attention but this was ignored. Eventually a female member of staff came to the door. She was rude and refused to apologise. She kept saying ‘I don’t know who you are’, yet she was totally aware that she had a booking for 11am. Why else would a family be standing outside the door? When I asked her to apologise she accused me of standing too close to her and then denied us entry.
Disgusting behaviour.

Collector box of edge of eternities looked as though it had be opened and resealed due to a flap of cling film left over from the really bad sealing. Cards seemed to have chips on edges and the cards felt strange to the touch.

Well packaged delivered as expected for a great price and fair postage. Very happy boardgamer.

Appalling customer service. Cancelled my orders and removed my long built up loyalty rewards whilst also lying to me and trying to tell me false consumer regulations. Deserve to be shut down

Sadly what was a wonderful experience over many years has now been turned into very ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude by the staff and management. Not one smile, not one ‘can i help you with anything’ and worse still they lie about allocated table bookings and make you feel you unwelcome. They will argue that ‘you’ are rude but I have never had this experience anywhere in the last 10 years.

Wow. How to ruin a birthday. Go and spend £45 to sit at a cramped table, drink a bad coffee and be told by the exceptionally rude manager that 'that she not interested on your lessons in customer service'. Really unpleasant. My advice, get a board game, take it to a nice cafe and spend the money you save on cake.

To protect yourself, you should post a warning about the fake shop listing below.

The items I ordered plus delivery were a little more expensive than competitors, however unlike the competitors, the items were in stock and ready to be dispatched. In fact, I ordered late on Thursday evening and I had my items delivered on Monday. Brilliant service!
Games were as described, well packaged and not damaged in transit.
I would order from again!

Sadly there are no negative stars. Can’t order a product on line cos of demand. Was told you can get in store. Phoned in store told go online. Mentioned the problem. Oh I can’t see it but we might have it. If they do have it can you put it aside as I’m coming from far away. No.go to store. Open an hour late. Buy the product but ask a question the woman huffs like I’ve killed her dog and says we have a queue. Don’t open up late then. Rubbish does not cover it

Hi everyone,

I have decided to still give three stars as I have never had issues before in this facility and even this past week had great encounters with some of the staff.

But yesterday, after opening over two hours late (without any updates on any outlets), I went to retrieve a lost item. I was met with hostility and rudeness and it was even implied I was not truthful about a prior phone call. It was then said the item was not at the store, even though I had phoned the day before to be sure it was. It was a long trip with small baby to undertake but the manager did not seem to care about this. I had to stay firm in saying I called and I know it is here, had to prove I knew their phone number and show them I called. This discussion went on until a very kind younger employee helped me by texting ( I assume someone working the day before) and found my item right away.

Importantly, the manager did not apologise for this at all. Neither for opening hours late where customers (and beer suppliers) had to wait in the heat, nor for implying I was lying or any other snarky remarks made. This was the last straw and reason to write this review today. Mistakes can happen and I know people have bad days, but apologies cost nothing.

I am very grateful for the young employee who helped me in the end, therefore still giving two stars. She was kind and took initiative.

I have bought dozens of games and spent hundreds of pounds here over the years and been a satisfied customer.

On the first occasion I had to take one back (in the same mint, shrink-wrapped new condition, approx 2 weeks after purchasing) to get a refund I was told that wasn't possible and I was only offered store credit. That is very anti-consumer, and, I don't think it is legal. In any case, TM have lost a loyal customer as I definitely won't be buying games from there in future. The staff themselves were professional and nice.

Worst kind of unfriendliness I experienced in Oxford. I had visited Thirsty Meeples with a friend but hadn’t had the time back then to sit and enjoy. Since then I kept telling my daughter about it and we were looking forward to the opportunity. Today, I took her there just to show the treasure of board games. The lady at the cashier desk asked if we need anything and I asked about a game my daughter likes. She said they didn’t have it. Then I asked if I could have a look at other games in the library and she said we have everything online and you can’t go in. I was just meaning to have a look and feel of the place for my daughter and it was not really that busy, there were several empty tables in addition to the reserves ones. This was very unkind and i hope it’s not a company policy to throw customers out.

Trying to cancel a pre-order because I am relocating for work, but all attempts to contact Thirsty Meeples are ignored.

Update, about 15 minutes after posting this review my pre-order was cancelled. I've updated to 3 stars giving them the benefit of the doubt that they missed my previous emails.

Ordered a few games now so wanted to write a review as they are great. Ordered White Castle and delivered very quickly and excellently packaged. Thanks and will be using again soon 👍

The very polite and hard working staff of the Oxford shop seem to be treading on eggshells the two times I've visited and been served by the elder bottle-redhead woman I assume is the manager since the other staff seem petrified of her.

The first time I was told that me and my partner weren't allowed to browse the games, the second time a straightforward order became a very rude encounter. Simply put, we won't be returning

When I asked politely for an update about when I would receive a refund I received this response

The refund time is down to your bank's processing speed, we have no control over this and are not informed as to when it happens. Banks advise to allow 1-3 days for refunds to be processed. There is nothing we can our end to expedite this.

TM

First of all I politely suggest that at the very least the company starts with

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your email

Even if they don’t mean it. It’s a start. Secondly they could consider using my actual name.

Secondly, I politely suggest they put a line at the end saying something along the lines of

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thirdly, If they state on their website that you can contact them in this email, I suggest they act on it first time.

Fourthly, I would recommend they make the telephone number clear on their website rather than me having to do a google search to find it.

I am not a huge fan of Amazon but they can get things delivered to you door the next day and the postage is often free. I understand that small companies will find it difficult to compete but the customer service at TM really is appalling

Placed on a cramped table in a corner where a table shouldn’t be with not enough room to sit at - even though we had pre-booked. Then moved to a larger table but that was stuck at the back of the cafe behind a partition wall which isn’t the best atmosphere and where it was very busy and noisy with large groups. So after being in the cafe for about 10 minutes and having played nothing or eaten anything we changed our mind as they couldn’t provide a suitable table. We were also just having a bad day tbh and needed creature comforts. They insisted on charging us the table fee - which is disappointing - there’s upholding the rules and then there’s having common sense to bend them when a customer is clearly not happy. The staff proceeded to be quite rude and all gang up on us when I questioned the logic in charging us! Given that we’re fairly regular visitors and that now A: I’m put off going back, and B: won’t recommend to others - was it really worth the £12 …?

First time ordering with them. My order was shipped on the same day as it was placed and I received it two days later, as expected, using their free delivery option. The game was in excellent condition and had been well packaged.

Next day delivery. We'll packed and at a great price. Great service.