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You shouldn't let your kids be so fussy.
mrssbeeston, Mon 30 Mar 2015
How ridiculous, why should they offer you compensation? If the franchises do not have food available, they are only liable if you bought something.
Gandalf the Grey, Sun 1 Feb 2015
I had to make an emergency stop here over the weekend as what I thought was a flat tyre was actually one that had blown out! I was helped by two men working in the Costa section of the Petrol station and I was amazed by how much help they gave me!
One guy - Gregory I think his name was, came out after hearing about what I thought was the air machine not working he patiently looked at the machine, put his own money in and tried to pump up my tyre and then discovered it had blown out and that's why the air wasn't going in! Any other person, I imagine would have left me at that point as I don't think these tasks are included in the job description, but he asked if I knew anyone who would be around (which I didn't as I was on my way home to Plymouth) and then went and got his manager - Andreous (possibly his name) who came out and changed the flat with my spare! They both went above and beyond today and restored my faith in human nature! I am so grateful to them for truly helping out a damsel in distress and thanks to them I got to see my sister for her birthday!
Kelly Martyr, Mon 1 Dec 2014
We visited the Exeter services on Monday 27 October and in an exchange of seats lost a shoe! If you have found a black,white and yellow Adidas trainer - right foot adult size 5. My son would be happy to have it returned as tired of hopping!!! Many thanks.
Samantha, Thu 30 Oct 2014
Wish i'd believed the bad reviews. Awful services! Baby changing facilities had potential but stank and were dirty. Main Costa area was manned by kids sat on the till area chatting about nights out. They closed up early meaning another Costa area (why two?) Colleague had to toast our sandwich!
familyof4, Fri 17 Oct 2014
speaking to a colleague tonight after a hard days work delivering goods to an unwelcome public whereupon he parks at a service station near Exeter jct30 that charges well over the price of an ordinary person, unknown to you he paid the price and got his meal voucher to the tune of £9.00 only to be told he cant have the meal that he wants or to the value that he wants because the franchise burger joint that he used has been told to limit the amount to what he can purchase ie less than the voucher price you know who you are and you know who you are the motorway chain that has placed the restrictions shame on you. when asked at the food place why it was a limit he was told (oh you are a lorry driver ) oh my doesn't that just say it all. had he been a bus driver he would have got his dinner for nothing as he has a bus load of livestock clogging up the bloody services but let me remind you people that run these services , you wouldn't have a job without the (oh you are just a lorry driver). wise up people this is going viral so as to screw you like you screw us . enjoy your retirement on the dole names have been omitted because like me lorry drivers will know what and who I am on about.
Anonymous, Tue 30 Sep 2014
I have been to a lot of service areas but have never been to one that bars you from using the seating area unless you have bought food from specified outlets, in this case, Burger King, Costa, EDC. So, if you buy from M&S or Greggs you are not allowed to use the indoor seating area. I do not call that service and it ought not to be allowed at a motorway service area.
Sheika, Tue 30 Sep 2014
Relying on your service station for topping up with fuel to get home last night, we were informed at about 10:45pm that the service was shut. The staff member then told us that the next fuel would be at Honiton, which we thought was highly unlikely, we found that indeed the service station at Honiton was shut. Luckily we found that a service station at Ilminster was still open so we were able to get home. Phoning to enquire about this situation today, I was told that the service was 24 hours and that the petrol station only shuts temporarily for 20-25 minutes to cash up. If the staff member had told us this we would have gone for a cup of coffee to return when it reopened. Could you please instruct your staff to explain this to customers in the future to avoid this stressful and needless experience.
John Holman, Thu 7 Aug 2014
I visited your service station on the M5 and was very upset I'd been traveling from Cornwall and always make this one of my stops usually my first and on Saturday the 5th of July your burger king had NO burgers no hot food and due to being with a diabetic person and two children who don't eat many kinds of food. I had to get the diabetic member of my party a chocolate bar. Sadly my kids refused to eat anything else. I feel that moto let me down and I feel that some kind of compensation is requested
Anthony Smith, Sun 6 Jul 2014
i haven't heard from you since my last desperate message. have you mended to disabled loo door? i need to know as i will need it in a weeks time.we go every month to padstow and stop at your place to have coffee etc. i need to know urgently if all is well.
Hilary, Sun 27 Apr 2014
i was was unable to open the door of your disabled lavatory on 8/4/14 [it was jammed]so I pulled the red alarm several times but was ignored and nobody came, I was at last released by a lovely lady [member of the public] to my great relief. It was really very scary! Please see to this ASAP.Thanks, Dr EH Horton
FED UP, Sat 12 Apr 2014
Stayed overnight here after paying the parking fee in the shop, on returning home a week later i had a summons stating i had parked without paying the fee, i was served with a £90 penalty. After reading a previous comment where this happened i kept my receipt and have informed the parking firm i will see them in court with proof of payment and credit card statement. This seems to be a scam operated at this service station as how many people keep their proof of payment. If staying here overnight keep your receipt as you will no doubt recieve a summons. Give this place a wide berth.
colin andrew, Tue 20 Aug 2013
Unfortunately my work requires that I regularly stop here, and I'm struggling to think of any positives whatsoever.. To give an idea of just how overzealous the parking regime is I'll provode an example. Last year I had my 94 year old mother down for a week. When we stopped there was a lone parking warden sat in his little hut, and it was absolutely chucking it down. As my mother had left her disabled badge in the boot I parked in the disabled bay, got out of the car, and politely asked the warden if I could retrieve the disabled badge once I had helped my mother in to the toilet. He agreed, and I took my mum inside. No more than 5 minutes had passed when we came back out to be greeted with a bright red parking ticket demanding the utterly ludicrous sum of two hundred and fourty pounds! Needless to say I tore it up and threw it away, and havent heard a whisper since... Don't be fooled by their parking tickets, they are not legally binding if they don't have a facial picture of you driving the car at the time! Other than that, air for your tyres costs the best part of a pound, a disposable cigarette lighter a mere one pound sixty! I've been heavily overcharged in my time, but this is nothing short of extortion. Avoid like the plague!
unhappy customer, Sat 1 Jun 2013
at last discovered a more robbing b????????? than a MP fell asleep in your lorry park over the 2 hrs now unemployed thank you very much
julian, Wed 15 May 2013
I called on 28/04/13 to break a long journey of 400 miles over two days. I'm a coeliac so rarely expect anything useful at mass catering establishments!!What a pleasant surprise I had. The staff couldn't have been more helpful and the meal was good value for money. The place was very busy but it was clean & welcoming. The washrooms were spotless. I tried calling the service manager'sphone number (as displayed). No answer on that or on any of three days over the next week or so. Wonder why that was the case? It would have been nice to pass on a couple of staff names as thanks for their excellent help -very much appreciated.John.
Mr John Hart, Mon 6 May 2013
As I have posted previously, I am a frequent visitor to these services due to locality. I have been impressed, more recently, with the standard of service. I went to Exeter services yesterday and found the servers very friendly and happy. The guy that served me was very polite and helped me with the menu, due to my friend only eating gluten free products. We were on our way to eat at Harry Ramsden's, but as it was closed due to a refurb to a bar/grill, sounds intersting, we headed for the main site. Our meals were fine, though we missed our Harry's regular fish and chip meal. My reviews of service stations are not based on price as they are all about the same, too expensive, but service and standard wise it was all good.I will post a review to share my opinions on the new Bar/Grill restaurant when I eat there.
grumpydog, Sun 3 Feb 2013
Hi how can I get an email address for a direct talk with with the owner of Exeter services as I have some enquirys
Many thanks dean
Dean, Tue 29 Jan 2013
I wonder if you have a Lost Property Department? I lost a small brooch when we stopped at your Services last Friday, 11th January 2012. Unfortunately I have been away since then and unable to report it, but wonder if anyone handed it in?I can give you a full description but have not got a photograph. It's value is more sentimental than anything, so I hope you can help. We usually stop at Exeter to break our journeys as your staff are usually very good there. Kind regards, Brenda Caraco
Brenda Caraco, Fri 18 Jan 2013
After going to the care section instead of burger king(big mistake), I asked for a sausage and egg bap and also a bacon and egg bap. After being asked 3 times what I wanted he still got it wrong and gave me just a sausage bap. Eventually after getting our food we found we had to pay another 25p for sauce, the cost of the food was enough without having to pay for sauce! The lad at the till then told us to go to burger king to get it for free. After sitting down we found that the tables were so sticky our arms were sticking to the table. My overall opinion was a very poor standard of service and hygeine. We will not be using these services again
gary scholes, Thu 19 Jul 2012
Not a coward, so re-submitting!Was very surprised that at 8am on a bank holiday weekend the place was like a dog toilet from the moment we got out of our car right up to the entrance into the inside. Also in the gents toilets there were at least 5 cubicles out of use. Very disappointed and avoided it on the way back from our holiday.And it really was that bad.
gary, Mon 11 Jun 2012
Was very surprised that at 8am on a bank holiday weekend the place was like a dog toilet from the moment we got out of our car right up to the entrance into the inside. Also in the gents toilets there were at least 5 cubicles out of use. Very disappointed and avoided it on the way back from our holiday.
Anonymous, Sat 9 Jun 2012
Its so rare to find a decent service station that has a baby feeding room and this one was absolutely lovely and after a very long journey it was very much needed. The whole place was very clean we left very pleased with all the facilities & staff.
Nina, Wed 22 Feb 2012
I would like to thank the staff at the restaurant who located my bag, with money, cards, phone etc and other personal info, safe after i mistakenly left it. the staff were really helpful and everything was returned safe.many thanks to them.
i did try and give a reward for their assistance but the supervisor declined.i will tip well on my next visit.
tina, Mon 9 Jan 2012
we stopped at this service station on our way to plymouth this morning wed 13th of july 2011 at 0730 .We had to wait whilst a member of staff wandered over to serve us this was a lady i ordered 2 normal breakfasts 1 full english breakfast plus 1 childs breakfast after saying what i wanted 3or 4 times she got it right ,then ordered a pot of tea and a latte coffee which we know is made of milk but it would have been nice to add a bit of coffee.the people that were behind us also had the same problems whilst ordering their food if that was what it could be called yes the eggs were cooked fresh but rock hard the toast my daughter had was burnt with no butter or marg same goes for the fried bread.i have eaten at a lot of service stations over my 51 years on this planet but i can say this was the worst i will not be stopping there ever again .
ivor richards, Wed 13 Jul 2011
As expected, after a long overnight journey to Cornwall, we stopped at Exeter for some breakfast, the prices are too high, the food was really badly prepared, the sausages were really dry, the eggs were great (they were cooked to order) the fried bread in my opinion could probably have broken a window if thrown (it was that hard). Being completely knackered, and in holiday mood I wasn't reayd to cpmplain at 7.00 in the morning, but will remember how bad it is on my next visit. I suggest if you are having a cooked breakfast ask for it freshly cooked each time.
Oh...anyone wanting petrol on their way to the south west should avoid Exeter services and travel only a couple of miles up the A38 as it's much cheaper.
kevin, Sun 19 Jun 2011
It’s run on behalf of moto who get a cut/fee/rent however you want to put it, so they support the extortion/bully boy tactics that go on. They know as well as some knowledgeable people that these charges are not legal but they allow a company to put on pressure in hope that a % pay up on first letter which they do. Service areas are well known for meeting areas and its not uncommon that business meets take place that could well take over two hours whilst spending money, in fact they use to have meeting rooms set up for this very thing. So people do spend more than two hours in there. As you can see from these comments Service areas do themselves no favours and whilst people start turning there back on these places and seek alternative venues then service areas will continue to price high cause they have to make there profits (millions and millions) from somewhere
dosser666, Sun 6 Feb 2011
I suppose everyone has different experiences everywhere they go , however as a frequent visitor to this particular service I find some of these comments a bit harsh. From what I can gather (from the big sign as you enter the car park) , the car park is owned by a company seperate from Moto and it clearly states that you only have 2 hours parking . I personally don't see why anyone would want to stay at a services any longer than that other than long haul drivers keen to catch up on kip . Its a bit like people who borrow money from companies accepting the extortionate rates of interest and mispayment fines , only to later complain that they are paying too much interest and that they were charged for missing a payment. You might think the rules are stupid but it is up to us to read signs and then make an informed choice as to using the companies service or not.
I haven't used Costa or the restaurant so cannot comment on these . The member of staff that served me in WH Smiths was pleasant and M and S was the same. My family do enjoy the Harry Ramsdens thats up behind the petrol station as we are reasonably local and its better than our local chippy .
My one gripe is the prices but like I said before , you know what you are getting , so no point in complaining when you still use it ....tell me a service station in the uk that doesn't charge more than the high street .
Grumpy Dog, Sun 6 Feb 2011
I would like to thank the Restaurant Supervisor, unfortunately I didn't get his name, for his help and patience with my dietary needs on a visit to Exeter last week. The roast chicken was lovely and the staff were very friendly and kind by helping me with my food to the table.
Harry, Fri 4 Feb 2011
I've been working in restaurants and coffee shops 10 years, I travel a lot and one of my hobbies my Porsche 911, I stopped in many coasta coffee and I've always seen that the service is slow, dirty tables and also the main counter the main unit aswell, when you look at the work environment in business can feel the atmosphere of tension, but go to Costa Coffee in exeter is a pleasure, all clean and fast service and you can appreciate a good work environment that makes a nice services and come back, I must say that Moto Costa Coffe Exeter is one of the best area in Uk.
businessman, Fri 4 Feb 2011
Stopped at this services and had some lunch in the resturant, brought a newspaper from whsmiths and stopped for fuel on way out and was very impressed with the customer service i recived, everybody is very friendly and the whole site was incredably clean. I would stop again and recomend to anybody passing.
The traveller, Fri 4 Feb 2011
As a disabled caravanner I have used this service area regularly over 19 years but no longer. As there are no bays for long vehicles for disabled drivers I have always used the coach park and always in the early hours of the morning like 13.00 hrs.Last year I stayed 2hrs 5 mins haiving displayed my pass.This normally allows 3 hrs parking. NOT AT EXETER. Yon are photgraphed in and out. You do not dispaly your blue pass while driving, only when you stop,so the Bully boys do not know you are a blue pass holder.I received an £80 fine like the other lady in the comments. I fought this through the car parking owners and won my case.Since the land was sold to a private company Moto do not control the car parking.AVOID EXETER AT ALL COSTS..
yvonne harvey, Sun 12 Dec 2010
to thoughs who cant read my comments. my spelling is awfull i know my commas i dont put in. and my full stops stop taking the piss cause ive got spelling proplams. i do know ok dorrsa or what you called this gos to any one.
j, Fri 12 Nov 2010
J Hall. Wow doesnt this just say it all.They just cant win at the services come on give credit were credit due if they are keeping the toilets tidy isnt that good you would really see a change if they only called in three times a day. Please be realistic and give proper constructive feedback if your going to leave any.
Dosser666, Fri 12 Nov 2010
we came in your services on the 10/11/2010. and i sat in the cubical for number two. and i saw the floor clean no mess at all then i heard the cleaner around even though its clean the cleaner still comes in. and i heard one of the clients say in the back ground its clean cant you see theres no mess. and i thought yeah its clean but they still keep coming in every five minutes so why dont they just come in morning dinner time. and evening in stead ov every five minutes if i had to do it every five minutes id be asking for more wages.so come on staff give your clients a break this is unfair every five minutes.
j hall, Thu 11 Nov 2010
Stopped off for a few minutes sleep at 3am on a loooong overnight drive to Cornwall. Slept longer than intended in the nearly empty carpark (perhaps 4 or 5 other cars).
Obviously more tired than I realised as I slept right through my alarm set for one hour and woke up 2 and a half hours. Used the toilets, bought a coffee, filled the car with petrol and continued on my way.
I've now been sent a very threatening letter from a company called CP Plus demanding I pay them £80 or £50 if I give them my money before a certain date!!! I can see no moral justice in this demand. The carpark was almost empty. I have cost MOTO nothing - in fact they made money on the very expensive coffee and fuel I bought.
Having googled 'CP Plus' I see that they are well known for this kind of thing. I am appalled that this kind of extortion is allowed by MOTO. This is the last time I will ever spend any money in one of their establishments.
I see the forums on www.moneysavingexpert.com has advice on what to do with any communication from CP Plus.
Doug
Mr Doug Mills, Thu 28 Oct 2010
I´m having trouble following that John, could you add a fewe commas and full-stops.
stephen, Mon 13 Sep 2010
we are very disgusting about these toilets cleaners in every five minutes and they arent clean even every five minutes and even when its busy they still wash the floor though theres a slipper sign i still think somebody could still slip and you meant be sued with heath and safety and thoughs toilets are to be use to the bottom that shutter you have got at the bottom should not be shut at all cause up the top you have olny there cubicals at the front of the toilets if all them are used and some one as a mishap on your floor there and then i dont think the cleaners would be very pleased we have visted other services and they havent got any shutters on there bottom toilets they use the hole toilet not half the toilet
john hall, Sun 5 Sep 2010
we pulled in to use the toilet and my friend was taken ill all of suddenley he fell ill i had to call the ambulnce and he got taken to a+ e he was addmitted in to hospital for four days and charged for parking the car but a charity payed for our parking unfortnley they did not refund the charitys money back which i think is really disgusting as we all pay for everything these days any person can fall ill and end up in hospital and you also had a letter to proof he was in hospital so why charge ill people when they go in to hospital
I know that Moto have an appeals process for anyone who feels they shouldn't have received a parking notice. If you or someone you know has been a customer or fallen asleep and a parking notice has been issued, log onto the moto web site and get in touch with them. They also have a duty manager available who can deal with any customer concerns or queries before you leave site.
Heather, Wed 11 Aug 2010
i pulled in to get some fuel and was horrified at the price when asking the cashier how they could charge such high prices i was told " they got to pay my f***ing wage,s and if people don,t like it f*** em " . after driving down the road to exmouth i found the same fuel brand 12 pence cheaper . so yes the services are ripping us off and proud of it
jack jonson, Tue 20 Jul 2010
I have just recieved a parking ticket from this dump of a site because a friend was delayed in meeting us a little over 2 hours how disgusting that you fine someone for having a rest during a 6/7 hour journey I will never visit this site again unless it becomes wasteland ( i wish)
mr perry, Wed 7 Jul 2010
At first sight the toilets appeared quite clean as the floors were wet. However if the cleaner just flops her mop across the floor it might clean up urine etc. but not much else. While seated I had a close look at the tile joints in my cubicle, they were really very dirty and don´t seem have been given a thorough cleaning for some considerable time. Don´t the supervisors see these things?
stephen, Mon 21 Jun 2010
My son and his family were on their way to the ferry at Plymouth and his car broke down. They had to get the RAC out to fix it, this took over the alloted time he was allowed to park for free. He was fined. This is ridiculous as he could not move because his car would not move until mended. I can understand that they do not wish unlimited stays but surely they can be sensible about situations like this.
L>MacInnes, Sat 19 Jun 2010
I understand that some parking restriction is necessary in order to stop cars being left at the service area for longer periods, however an 80 pound fine after two hours is totally unacceptable.
stephen, Thu 17 Jun 2010
There was a rather sulky looking youngster clearing the tables who clearly wasn´t enjoying himself. He didn´t wipe the tables he cleared and 50% of the cleared tables had crumbs or food droppings on them or were generally grubby. I don´t like to sit at a dirty table. There were supervisors all over the place with noteboards in their hands, don´t they see this?
Stephen, Thu 17 Jun 2010
terrible, should be pulled down, medicore service at night, food is not edible, cooked and left to dry out on hotplate, only visit if requested by passengers, far better to take breakes at taunton deane. they seem to let anything park in coach bays.....dangerous
keith sutton, Sun 30 May 2010
Boycott this service station. I have used this facility for years, always bought meals and spent money in the shops and petrol station. Unbenown to me, they began charging for parking over 2 hours!!! Safe to say I won't ever trouble a Moto establishment again.
Paul Finch, Mon 24 May 2010
is there a power hookup for tour busses? 16amp maybe?
steve watson, Fri 2 Apr 2010
Heather, Thu 1 Apr 2010
Is there a lost property contact please? I lost a pair of Ralph Lauren prescription sunglasses on Sunday afternoon at the services
Ruth Hartley, Mon 15 Mar 2010
Dirtiest toilets of any services i have used, or maybe twas just this day. hmmmm
Graham, Fri 29 Jan 2010
No Marmalade or Jam on site, and according to very laid back members of staff,( to point of not careing)hadent been any for around 2 weeks.Also windows near exet to decking area were filthy, also cobwebs
Lorna Handford, Sun 27 Dec 2009
i am disgusted, i am disabled and i stopped at these services as i have done for years. i stopped because i needed a friend to drive down and assist me for personal reasons. i have now been sent a £80 fine for parking more than two hours, beware! i have since been back to look after recieving my ticket. the signs about parking are not at eye level nor are they obvious, there are no ticket machines, the carpark is an absolute con designed to rip off everyone regardless!
dawn, Mon 19 Oct 2009
keep hold of your receipts for overnight parking as when you get home you may find you get a parking charge notice.We were told by a member of staff to keep hold of ours as this happens alot
carol, Tue 18 Aug 2009
Very useful comments people, very helpful as myself and the rest of the FRV crew are planning a road trip to lands end, prob guna stop off en-route, thanks for the info!
Bulge, Fri 30 Jan 2009
I am not complaining about your services just the arcade hunting machine that young people can shoot at wildlife on the screens, not a very good role playing service is it and the use of a guns in todays climate
dee, Thu 29 Jan 2009
In general a good services,the best on the M5 Motorway, in my opinion and probably in anyone elses. The services has a multitude of good facilities, in particular an M n S and a play area. Usually stop here enroute to Newquay, CORNWALL.
James Kelly, Thu 11 Dec 2008
M&S simply food is good but everything else is pretty bad. Toilets disgusting and in dire need of a complete overhaul.
Anonymous, Fri 28 Nov 2008
Large services, but covers both directions, so tends to be busy in summer. Stop there every year en route to Cornwall. Mega loo-queues for the ladies and we only tried the café once before deciding that we'd lose at least 45 minutes queuing, so now take picnics. Good picnic space and dog turd areas clearly signposted. In good weather the playground is a great way of letting the kids work off their frustrations from a long journey. Could use more covered areas outside if the British summer does its usual trick of providing liquid sunshine, however.
Adrian Chell, Wed 17 Sep 2008
queues where huge not enough staff prices were high
lisa hoggart, Mon 1 Sep 2008
not proper 24 hour, most facilities shut off peak, food at night inedible, had food poisoning several times, never prepared for large influx of passengers overnight, bet wait half hour if northbound and visit the friendlier, cleaner roadchef at taunton deane
keith sutton, Fri 15 Aug 2008
It is the best services i have ever been too and it should have 1000 burgers.
Harry, Sun 27 Jul 2008
Outside play area for kids, not fantastic but gets them in the fresh air and can run off a bit of steam!
Sarah, Sun 14 Jan 2007
Cash machines out the front now charge 1.80 as they are no longer maintained by NatWest.
Alex, Fri 29 Dec 2006
It's now got a M&S "Simply Food" (or whatever they call it) as well.
Helpful Hint: there's a Sainsbury's with a restaurant and petrol station off the A30 a bit further west (A377 junction: take the A377 to Exeter and Crediton, and filter *left* at the traffic lights).
James Wilkinson, Mon 11 Sep 2006
good services usally stop there on the way to cornwall
Anonymous, Thu 3 Aug 2006
Long queues for ladies toilets at peak times. With lots of coaches using the facilities this MSA gets totally overloaded. Long queues for everything. Needs more of everything.
Merryterry, Wed 7 Jun 2006
Exeter Services M5 is a 1 burger rated service area.
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