The 40/40 Club

Review: I arrived at the 40/40 club with 3 friends for the New Year's Eve bash on 12/[redacted]/13. From the start, the staff was very unorganized and as a result very rude to the people on the line. I had been waiting on line for 30 minutes to then be told that I was on the wrong line. I was told to get on this line and the young lady who told me to move was very rude and stated "well you have to get off this line and get on the other one". We proceeded to move to the other line where we lost our place. There were a bunch of other people who were also complaining that they were being told to get into different lines. Shortly after midnight, a fight broke out between two girls (that were not in our group). My coat happened to be at the table where the fight took place. The 40/40 club took my coat and sent it out with the two young ladies who were fighting. Long story short, my coat was gone. The security guards (particularly [redacted] - who wouldn't give me his last name and Mike - who also wouldn't give me his last name) were very unprofessional and unremorseful and kept telling me to check the lost and found. After we checked the lost and found, the coat was not there. My friend spoke with the [redacted] who told her that I had to call him the next day to see if my coat was recovered. At this point, 50 minutes had passed and I had been outside with no coat on in 25 degree weather while we walked around to talk with different staff from the 40/40 club. As we tried to get back into the club, the security guards were treating us like we were the problem and would not let us go back into the club. They continued yelling at us (particularly [redacted]). At one point, the security guards (three of them) grabbed me and physically lifted me up and threw me away from the doors and told us that we could not go back in. I just wanted my coat back and it was very cold outside. The police happened to be passing by and came over to see what was going on. After seeing how disrespectful the 40/40 club staff were being to us, the police officer advised us to file a complaint. At the end of this all, we will never frequent the 40/40 club ever again. It is very disheartening to know that this is the way that this club treats its customers who paid to get into the club and also spent about $1000 in the club on food and beverages. The way we were treated was unacceptable. Our night was ruined. We discussed staying until the end before we arrived and ended up leaving hours earlier.

Fast forward, I called twice yesterday (1/**/2014) to speak to the manager and was finally told by James that I needed to “call back tomorrow morning at 10AM and speak to” Andrea”. He said that she is there from 10:00 to 4:00. I decided that instead of calling her, that it’s best if I just go there in person which is exactly what I did. My friend and I got there around 11:15 AM, but to no avail because the doors were locked. I called again and was able to speak to the manager “Andrea” and explained to her what had happened. She then transferred me to “[redacted]” who was working the coat check on the first floor that evening. By now this is like my 2nd time explaining the situation. Since my friend and I were already there waiting, [redacted] agreed to physically come to the club to check to see if she could find my coat. Long story short, she did find it, but the trouble I had to go through to get it back and being treated as though I was part of the altercation that occurred earlier was totally UNACCEPTABLE?! I am so done with the 40/40 Club.Desired Settlement: Refund

Business

Response:

After speaking with [redacted], our head of security and viewing the videotape of that night, [redacted] was extremely intoxicated and out of control. [redacted] was so inebriated her friends were unable to control her and our security was only able to do so much to avoid any further issues with [redacted] and her friends.

The reason [redacted] and her group of friends were escorted out of the club was because of [redacted]’s attempted assault of one of our security guards. [redacted] asked [redacted] and her friends to leave the venue numerous times, they refused to leave until they were told that the police would be called to escort them from the venue. While they did leave of their own volition, the police were still called due to the highly volatile state that [redacted] and her group of friends were in.

Because of her inebriated state, [redacted] lost her coat check ticket, which was why her coat wasn’t given to her at the end of the night. When she called and spoke with our [redacted], they were able to assist her and get her back to her on Thursday January [redacted].

There will be no refund issued because [redacted] and her friends paid for entry into the club and received the services that they paid for. They weren’t denied entry and as it was New Years Eve and it’s known popularity, there is an expected line for General Entry.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[I reject the response of the 40/40 Club in its entirety. I do not want or expect anything from the 40/40 Club, however, the facts as they stated are completely false. I am fully aware of how things played out that evening despite having a few drinks to celebrate New Years. My friends and I were having a wonderful time at the club ringing in the New Year up until a fight broke out.

It was a little after midnight and I went to get my coat from the 2nd floor coat check. It was four of us and I am very certain that our ticket numbers were numbers 68, 69, 70 and my number was 71. After retrieving my coat I sat down at the table near the bar where my friends and I were the entire night. I laid my coat on the seat right next to me. All of a sudden there was a big commotion with some girls at the same table and a fight broke out. I jumped up and got away from the table because I didn’t want to get hurt. Security personnel came over to break up the fight and escorted the women out and by the time security cleared my coat was gone. As security was in the midst of removing the individuals involved in the melee, my coat somehow got caught up in the mix. I was told by security to go to the coat check on the 1st floor because someone might have brought it to the lost and found. I went to the 1st floor coat check, but to no avail. My friends and I were explaining to security that I needed to continue looking for my coat, but they didn’t want to hear what I had to say. They were treating me as though I was part of the fight that broke out. After proceeding outside to speak to the security manager ([redacted]) he told me that I needed to leave. I tried to explain to him that I needed my coat back and he was very rude, disrespectful and unhelpful.

At this point we’re outside and had been outside for about 15-20 minutes with no coat on trying to get to the bottom of this. Keep in mind it was 20-something degrees that night and it was freezing?! Understandably so, I was very frustrated and angry that I wasn’t receiving the assistance that I needed.

In reference to the 40/40 Club claiming that I “attempted assault” on one of the security guards is a total fallacy?! Let me reiterate again: It was freezing outside and here I am outside in 20-degree weather with no coat (and a very thin top on) so yes, of course I am going to be a little ticked off. I come to YOUR establishment with a coat and now I am leaving without one. My main concern was to get back inside to look for MY coat and was not allowed to do so. [redacted] and I were talking to the female cop who happened to be there on the scene and SHE was the one who suggested that we file a complaint. Furthermore, I was physically put in a straight jacket hold and removed by 3 security guards in the corridor right by the side door. See pictures of my bruises attached.

I am appalled with the lack of respect that my friends and I received that evening. A simple apology would’ve have been sufficient, but I guess you’re not even capable of doing that. Like I said earlier I don’t want or expect anything from you. All I wanted to do is state the facts?!]In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by The 40/40 Club regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Review: New Year’s Eve 12/**/13 at the 40/40 Club in New York City, was supposed to be a celebration of the New Year 2014. However, this was not the case.

To begin with my friends and I purchased 4 tickets for the general admission of $82.69 each, totaling $330.76. Also, [redacted] was supposed to be hosting the event and that was not the case. This was very disappointing, due to the fact, that the sole purpose of going to the event was due to [redacted] hosting or making some type of appearance (please see complaint #[redacted] which was filed with your office yesterday). In addition, my friend‘s coat was misplaced and the entire ordeal of how the situation was handled was very unprofessional and despicable. Customers are supposed to be treated with courtesy and compassion none of which was showed at the 40/40 club on New Year’s Eve 2013 (please see complaint # [redacted] filed yesterday).

1Desired Settlement: The business has a responsibility to its customers to provide what is advertised online for their event. If that is not provided the customer should be compensated in a way that satisfies, such as with a refund and an apology. Also, to treat its customers with professionalism at all times in handling of situations.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by The 40/40 Club regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Review: In response to an e-mail solicitation from the 40/40 Club that singer/actress Rihanna was hosting a New Year's Eve party at the 40/40 Club ([redacted]), my friends and I purchased four $70 general admission tickets. After taxes and other surcharges, each ticket came to a final cost $82.60, for a total cost of $330.76 for four tickets. In addition to indicating that Rihanna was hosting the event, the flyer indicated that the ticket price included entry into the Club, a midnight toast and New Year’s Eve party favors. While we did not expect that Rihanna would perform, we purchased our ticket with the expectation that she, as Host, would at the very least conduct a countdown into the New Year, or in some way address the attendees and thank them for coming to the event because the invitation clearly states as follows:

"RIHANNA is TAKING OVER The 40/40 Club New Year's Eve! It's About To be LEGENDARY!

We Told You We Had A Surprise For You!

RIHANNA Is TAKING Over The 40/40 Club on New Years Eve!

You Don't Want To Miss This Party! Get Your Tickets Now!

RIRI IS TAKING OVER. 40/40 CLUB. RIHANNA NYE 2014”

Rihanna did not address the attendees at all. We have no idea whether she was in the club at all that night. There was no midnight toast and we did not receive New Year’s Eve party favors. None of the representations made on the flyer were satisfied.

Furthermore, the service was absolutely terrible. Bartenders were inconsistently pricing identical drinks and keeping change. One of my friend’s coat was misplaced and the lack of assistance in recovering it and the unprofessionalism of the staff was astounding. The incident involving my friend’s coat is further outlined in Complaint #[redacted]which was filed with your office today.

The 40/40 Club is guilty of unfair and deceptive practices by way of false advertising and misrepresentation. The invitation clearly implied that Rihanna would be in attendance—there are no disclaimers otherwise. Additionally, at the event, Rihanna’s lack of participation was not addressed. When someone “host” an event, at some point said host acknowledges their guests. If Rihanna was in attendance and did not wish to address her guests, contingency measures should have been in order so that at the very least a pre-made video (similar to those done on televised New Year’s Eve broadcasts) was played thanking those in attendance and wishing them a Happy New Year.

If Rihanna was not affiliated with the event, my friends and I would not have purchased tickets. The e-mail advertisement promoting her association with the event was the sole motivation for us to purchase the tickets. We purchased the tickets with the expectation that she would at the very least, make an appearance.

Thank you.Desired Settlement: Refund for total amount spent to event, $330.76.

Business

Response:

In response to [redacted]’s complaint about New Year’s Eve at the 40/40 Club with Rihanna, New Year’s Eve is a busy night for almost all venues and is something that we look forward to every year. We can’t speak as to why [redacted] didn’t see Rihanna, as there are photos of Rihanna at the 40/40 Club online. When marketing the event to the general public, we never said that Rihanna would be addressing the crowd or that she would be conducting the countdown, but that she would be ringing in the New Year with us, which she did. There are not only photos on Rihanna’s own Instagram page, but there are also pictures of Rihanna with some fans lucky enough to get photos with her. We can’t control how long or how Rihanna chooses to celebrate in our venue, but she was there and did host. In terms of party favors, we purchase over 2000 party favors for New Years Eve for our guests to utilize during the night - again there are photos on bot h our Instagram and Facebook with guests who clearly have New Years party favors (hats, tiaras, noise makers, etc.) In terms of [redacted]’s friends coat, our staff always try to be professional and courteous to each of our guests, as we believe in strong customer service from start to finish. If our staff fell short of that during [redacted]'s visit, then we sincerely apologize for that.

In terms of a refund, we will not be issuing a refund to [redacted] as Rihanna did host our New Year’s Eve celebration and we never said in our advertising that she would be holding the countdown.