gift Certificate Dilemma

[dulaney0330]

Has anyone heard of a one time policy on a gift certificate?

My husband and I went to dinner to celebrate our 1 year anniversary, with a gift certificate to Treaty of Paris, from his parents.

We ordered a lot of food but we added it all up and it came to about $65-70.00. The gift certificate was for $100.00. When we were finished, the waiter said "its all taken care of, (which sounds bad already) and both my husband and I felt like it wasn't the right thing.

He approached the waiter and asked if we received anything back. My husband asked, "is it a one time policy?" (which perhaps he would have been better not asking) and the guy responded, "one time policy."

Thing is, my brother in law went to the same restaurant back in October 2009 and they received a receipt and carry over cash.

My husband called the restaurant back but they closed. They do not open again to Thursday.

I am just having a hard time because I feel like we've been cheated. Maybe it it is a one time policy but it doesn't make sense. What if we only spent $30.00? Would we not get money back?

I don't like sitting here thinking that we got ripped off. And we cannot do anything to Thursday. I have a high priority of justice and I have to make it right because I feel so passionate about people getting away with wrongs.
Of course, I feel disappointed in myself. Thoughts like, "you should have said something. Why did you listen to your gut? You need to be more assertive."
thoughts?

[ssandra]

I think you and your husband got exactly what your parents (in-law) wanted to give you, which is a nice meal to celebrate an important date for you guys.

All the rest... irrelevant in my eyes. Why let the great memory be spoiled by something like 30 dollars that you didn't have before, and now still don't have?

[dulaney0330]

Originally Posted by ssandra

I think you and your husband got exactly what your parents (in-law) wanted to give you, which is a nice meal to celebrate an important date for you guys.

All the rest... irrelevant in my eyes. Why let the great memory be spoiled by something like 30 dollars that you didn't have before, and now still don't have?

True, and it was a lovely meal. I finished the rest of it tonight and I am thankful for it.

That being said, it is still not fair. We still could go there for a nice breakfast, for free with left over cash.

If they lied, I want that recognized and admitted. My in laws paid $100.00 for our dinner, not $70.00 Even if its not our money, my father in law works hard for it and thats what matters.

[Angela]

A $100 restaurant gift certificate is not for a dinner with a value up to $100. It's for $100 -- like cash. The restaurant owes you the difference as change.

I wouldn't feel bad about it, but I'd treat it the same way I would if I paid $100 or a $70 meal and they didn't give me my change.

I would approach the manager, and let him know that the waiter made a mistake, and that I would appreciate his rectifying it. If he's absolutely unwilling to give a cash refund, another gift certificate for the balance would satisfy me.

[dulaney0330]

Originally Posted by Angela

A $100 restaurant gift certificate is not for a dinner with a value up to $100. It's for $100 -- like cash. The restaurant owes you the difference as change.

I wouldn't feel bad about it, but I'd treat it the same way I would if I paid $100 or a $70 meal and they didn't give me my change.

I would approach the manager, and let him know that the waiter made a mistake, and that I would appreciate his rectifying it. If he's absolutely unwilling to give a cash refund, another gift certificate for the balance would satisfy me.

Thanks, Angela.

You're right and unfortunately, we knew this last night, but we didn't press it. We were trying to be polite and nice. The waiter was very nice and calm about it and we fell for it.

We will try again on Thursday and I hope it's all worked out!

[dulaney0330]

My husband finally spoke with the manager and there is no one time policy. Apparently, the waiter was new and did not know what to do. The supervisior did not know the policy either so they figured to just say it was a one time policy.

They are going to reinburse us and hopefully we will have another free meal next week.

[noitcefrep]

Happy to see it has been resolved. Presuming they told the truth, I'm also happy that it was a genuine mistake instead of an attempt at scamming someone. Sounds like you were polite and nice during the entire ordeal, which would make it unfortunate if they took that to their advantage to pull wool over your eyes.

Enjoy your breakfast there

[xfactor]

Originally Posted by dulaney0330

True, and it was a lovely meal. I finished the rest of it tonight and I am thankful for it.

That being said, it is still not fair. We still could go there for a nice breakfast, for free with left over cash.

If they lied, I want that recognized and admitted. My in laws paid $100.00 for our dinner, not $70.00 Even if its not our money, my father in law works hard for it and thats what matters.

I think you are both right and wrong. On the other hand it's good you're worried about wasting your dad's money, but on the other hand I think you're taking this whole money issue a little too seriously. Even if you wouldn't get that refund - relax. Don't let anything spoil your life - especially if it's money.

[dulaney0330]

Originally Posted by xfactor

I think you are both right and wrong. On the other hand it's good you're worried about wasting your dad's money, but on the other hand I think you're taking this whole money issue a little too seriously. Even if you wouldn't get that refund - relax. Don't let anything spoil your life - especially if it's money.

Its about justice, fairness and receiving payment. hopefully, the supervisior and the new waiter will remember the gift certificate dilemma!

[dulaney0330]

Originally Posted by noitcefrep

Happy to see it has been resolved. Presuming they told the truth, I'm also happy that it was a genuine mistake instead of an attempt at scamming someone. Sounds like you were polite and nice during the entire ordeal, which would make it unfortunate if they took that to their advantage to pull wool over your eyes.

Enjoy your breakfast there

Thank you!

[Angela]

Feels good to make a stand for yourself, without feeling bad or kittywompus, doesn't it!

[Gene]

Originally Posted by dulaney0330

Its about justice, fairness and receiving payment. hopefully, the supervisior and the new waiter will remember the gift certificate dilemma!

For myself I ask the question would I rather be right or would I rather be happy. There was a time when if I were honest I would have answered I want to be right because I am right and how dare they make a mistake or cheat me.

I surrender, I do not need or desire to be right when it requires so much energy that I am unable to enjoy my life and the events like your dinner. I might have asked about the change later but would release the outcome even before asking since I prefer to be happy.

Thirty dollars does not a crisis make for me. YMMV. Congratulations on your decision to ask for clarification from the management.

[xfactor]

Originally Posted by dulaney0330

Its about justice, fairness and receiving payment.

You've just made a darn nice slogan for a law firm!

[xfactor]

Originally Posted by Gene

I surrender, I do not need or desire to be right when it requires so much energy that I am unable to enjoy my life and the events like your dinner. I might have asked about the change later but would release the outcome even before asking since I prefer to be happy.

Thirty dollars does not a crisis make for me. YMMV. Congratulations on your decision to ask for clarification from the management.

Agree completely. If asking back for 30 bucks someone owes you will make you unhappy - just let them have those 30 bucks!