One Love Bus Response to Bella Donna Overpricing

[vincent]

First and foremost one must understand the reason for the One Love Bar Tour

It part of a movement recapture the glory the West End community once had and;
To spread the love to the ordinary/marginalize folks struggling to make ends meet in a very hostile hospitality industry by actually holding them by the hand

I am conscious that the responsible thing to do (if one cares and is aware of sustainable community development) is to factor these folks in the equation
These folks (for them to succeed) must adjust and most don’t have the tools, knowledge and other necessary resources

Bella Donna for example is very ordinary, trying hard to survive and maintain some dignity
My investigation suggest that because Bella has to be making and tending to pizza in her very ordinary kitchen , very basic oven too , doesn’t have a camera or other means to monitor happenings in the bar, where a new staff (that oftentimes don’t calculate well and lack basic service training) is tending to the visitors

The true is that (although Bella is far from been perfect) it is not her policy to overcharge

She has taken full responsibility and has agreed to refund all those who were overcharged and will;
Place a bold price list for all to see

Her rest room facility offered to guest is now among the cleanest on the tour as oppose to a years ago when I could not say the same thing (measured improvement observed)
Bella has shown remorse

In my books everyone deserves a second chance when they show remorse

Without a bias she has this uniquely Italian/Jamaican flavored pizza that is getting good reviews

One love

Lenbert

[jcjcnj]

Great post. Thanks.

[yetta]

Agree...we all are only human. Second chances are fi sure. Being a strong supporter of the West End...I applaud any effort to make every likkle ting irie. Keep the Love Bus rolling and bring the good times on!!! Much respect for following up on things.

[Prism]

Bella Donna was one of my favorite places on the tour. Lots of character to the establishment and she is a sweetheart. I am glad that she will still be part of the tour.

And a BIG thank you Lenbert. You are the Best

[HarryS]

I was on one of the bus crawls where they were charging $5 a beer, and the bartender couldn't have been any slower... but the location is nice, the pizza was good (if not anything like NY pizza) and we chatted with Bella Donna for a minute and she seemed like a nice woman. I would go back, just wouldn't pay so much.

I also understand the need to make a buck and survive, these businesses need not only to treat visitors well but need to do some marketing! Web sites, better signage, promotions, that kind of thing. When I'm in Negril I always try to find a new place I'd never heard of, and it's easy. Negril is covered in bars, hotels and restaurants that get absolutely no publicity and have no web presence, and in some cases hardly have a sign in front of their business.

Does Bella Donnas rent rooms? When I asked to use the restroom I was taken to what looked like a hotel room that was very nice, and the bathroom was nice and clean.

[Jamerican71]

I liked Bella Donna's place and thought all the staff was great. On our August Bar Crawl I thought the pizza was free and it wasn't until I returned to the states that I was told otherwise.

I just hate how folks travel to Jamaica and are constantly looking for the cheapest in everything they eat, drink and do. Who cares if you pay $5 for a Red Stripe.....come to the DMV area and you will pay $6+ for an import. I have no idea how much was "over charged" but I'm sure those same folks would have paid more back home for fresh pizza.

It's a free service to be driven to several bars so who cares if you pay extra on drinks and food.

[swaptrex]

See you in 2 weeks Lenbert!

[Flipadelphia26]

Speak for yourself. I am always looking for the cheap beer/pizza etc whether I am at home or not.

In Philly, a lot of bars have what is known at the "Citywide Special" $5 Shot and a beer. :-D

[Custer]

I really enjoyed Bella Donna's as well when we were there in November. We did pay the $5/beer....whatever, her courtyard was beautiful and so was she. We would gladly go back.

[gerryg123]

Gotta keep it real here. As a single repeat tourist with a scooter, I get around a lot in Negril, and Bella Donna was not honest with me -- and it was not even during a pub crawl. Though I did not make a big deal about it, she shorted me on a meal deal. I had paid in advance for spaghetti with MEAT sauce and a veggie side -- 15 dollars or 1500j I think -- and when I arrived later in the day, all I got was spaghetti with tomato sauce and bread. No meat, no veggie.

It was not fair, and it was not what we had agreed upon, and I told her so right at the time. Bella Donna offered no compensation, but since it was minor (and the food was GOOD), I let it go. But she did lose a potential lifetime customer that day, and I think it's only fair to bring it up since the rightfulness or her pricing (and the subject of refunds) and her integrity has been put out there.

Not a BIG deal, but something I remember .....