AMC MovieWatcher Scam

Here is a nasty feedback comment I sent to AMC Theater regarding their otherwise excellent loyalty program called MovieWatcher. You can get a free card, they don't spam you, and you get discounts on movies and food purchases. There was no down side. Or was there?

One problem at the theatre I go to in Ontario is that they are constantly forgetting to credit points to my account. I get a printed receipt with the points on them and the next time I go to a movie and get a card, it shows the same total. They've forgotten again.

Here's what I said, and it's much milder than what I should have said:

Is this the fifth or sixth time I've had to complain about points failing to be posted to my card? Once is an error, twice is amusing, three times is incompetence, six times is fraud.

No organization of your size can "fail" this many times without it being a company policy to cheat customers out of the rewards. If this has happened to me this many times, it must be happening countless times to other customers daily. This kind of insidious, petty theft by your company just shows how much disregard you have for your customers.

Unlike previous times where I politely asked you to investigate the problems with this theatre, I no longer believe this is an accident. I believe this is deliberate theft. Frankly, I don't care if you find this harshly worded. I don't have any respect for thieves.

Don't waste your time replying to this message. I'll go back to the theatre and straighten it out there. And I won't even ask you for compensation for wasting my time since I'm sure you just factor that in as a loss to your overall program of deceit.

Update: And AMC's personalized response:

Dear MovieWatcher Member,

Thank you for contacting AMC MovieWatcher.

At AMC, our guests deserve the best possible movie going experience-which is why we believe you choose AMC to see your favorite films. We want to thank you for coming to our theatres!

Let us know in person. If your experience was enjoyable, then we've done our jobs well and our theatre managers would love to hear from you. Likewise, if you believe AMC has let you down in some way, our managers would appreciate the opportunity to speak personally with you to address any concern immediately. When you are visiting a theatre, don't hesitate to ask for a manager.

Send us a letter. If you'd like to write to us, please send your letter to:

AMC Theatres
P.O. Box 725489
Atlanta, GA 31139-9923

Call our 24/7 guest services toll-free number -
1-877-AMC-4450 (877-262-4450).

AMC chooses these forms of communication with our guests because they have proven to be the most meaningful and effective.

Please let us know if you have any additional questions.

See you at the movies!

Did you get that last part, assuming your weren't laughing so hard the tears in your eyes didn't blur the text too much, "AMC chooses these forms of communication with our guests because they have proven to be the most meaningful and effective."

Wow! These folks are pathetic.