If I had a meal that was completely unsatisfactory, should I not be entiltled to a full refund?

Question

My partner and I went for a meal, the food was gritty, lettuce unwashed, bacon not cooked well enough, it was contrary to what was advertised. I took the food back and explained the problem, was told it would be sorted. However it came back exactly the same, it had just been transferred onto a different plate. Plus there was a long blonde hair in the food, to which the waitress acknowledged ownership. I had had enough and said I wanted a full refund, my appetite had vanished. I was utterly astonished when I was told that I couldnt have a refund, as we had eaten some of the "stock"!!!!! I am certain that I was entitled to my money back at the very least. Does anyone know if I have a legal right to a full refund?

Answer 1

Hi there Dado35, I had completely the same experience as you. And you have an extreme legal right to claim a full refund. I wrote a letter to the main director of the company. I simply stated what was wrong with the meal, that I regard this as totally unacceptable and I demanded a full refund. I made the director aware that I had consulted solicitors, I gave their name (even though I hadnt at that time), and they had advised me to write a letter of complaint in the first instance. I ended the letter by saying that I hoped that they would be courteous enough to honour my complaint by resolving the matter forthwith. The following week, I received a full refund.
Go for it and make your complaint! I wish you all the best! :o)

Answer 2

You have zero legal rights on ordering food and then eating it. Period end of story.


If you truely found a hair in your food you have EVERY RIGHT to get a replacement order. The server should apoligize profusely and a manager should be involved without you even asking.

Also if you found a hair or anything else in your food thats not suppose to be there, you have a right to be upset and disgusted.

A restaurant has the discretion of making things right for you and if they dont its in their best intrest to offer you a discount/refund. Some places will give you a percentage off your next meal when you return on you next visit if they dont make things right this visit.

That said, you will also notice you have little barganing power if you already paid the bill. If you feel disatisfied on how you were treated then ask for the manager and if that still leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth ask for the corporate address and number.

BTW, writing is more powerful then a phone call if you want things done.

A few other things to think about is how did you treat the employees? Were you an *** about things or understanding when you notified them of the situation?

If you kindly let them know that you relay didnt like and you would prefer something else or another one then things are greatly swinging your way. Tell them why you didnt like it as well but do it nicely.

Treat people how you want to be treated and they will bend over backwards for you usually.

One more note: A restaurant has all the legal power so if you ditch your check they can nab your liscense plate # and call the cops. Soon you will be asked by officers to pay your bill or go to jail. Most people pay the bill.

Last note: If you dont like the service and the food you have the power to tell everyone about it and not go back. Thats how you hurt the restaurant the most.

Answer 3

depends,, if you ate the other things on the plate than a full refund- no if you bought 3 things at the store and 1 was broken and returned it you would not get your money back for all 3,, bottem line is people think just because if you arent happy with the meal after they eat a large part of it they can get their money back,, and that is simply not true... i am a waiter and know the facts- i love to tell people no after thay have eaten a large part of the meal- people are picky eaters and love to complain and those people should not go out to eat ,, now for the hair true you are not legally entitled to your money back for the hair, if you ate a good amount of it.. but you can tell the health board or tell the manager you are going to call the health board and i promise you you will get your money back and a free meal,, but if you are smart dont eat the free meal because you are eating spit.. i have never donr this but have worked in many restaraunts over the years and whiney customers (not customers with real complaints) eat a lot of spit.

Answer 4

The way you described your experience makes me wonder if there was a manager on duty. As a manager myself I can't believe one would treat you that way. I would call that restaurant and ask to talk to the manager. It may be that you had some poorly trained employees handling your problem . If that is the case I bet the manager will give you a full refund and some coupons for your next few meals.

Answer 5

Let your local newspaper be aware of the problem. I am sure that they have some type of consumer division. If not, write a letter to the editor because that is some bad publicity of which they do not want.

Call the better business bureau and the attorney general's office consumer division of your state.

Call the health department and have them inspected.

That will teach them to mess with you or any other customer with foul food. This takes time and energy, so make sure you save a bunch of time and conserve some energy and make sure those folks do not know your address or a flat tire might be awaiting you in the morning. Sorry these things happen you yin your yang.

Answer 6

The fact that you apparently paid up front for your meal indicates that you got it at a fast-food place. So the meal cost what, less than $10, right? And for this you want to sue? Please--either you are stinkin rich and have nothing better to do than clog up the legal system "on principle" or you haven't really thought about the time and money involved in suing. I think a better option is to send a letter to the company's headquarters (customer service department), very calmly explaining the situation, attaching a copy of the receipt, and asking for a refund.

Answer 7

I agree that you deserved a full refund and then some. I am surprised that the manager didn't do that to try and make things right. I am not sure if you can legally get your money back, but if it is a chain restaurant you can try writing the home office and tell them your story. If it is locally owned and operated, you could write a letter to the owner or general manager. Good luck.

Answer 8

It would be different if you ate the whole meal and then complained, but you took the right steps as a consumer. If the manager refused to comp the meal, I would have asked for the name and number of the district manager to complain. I would have also taken down the name of the manager to report him/her as unprofessional. I had to do this once at a Burger King. They got my order wrong -3 times, so I asked for a refund (didn't eat any of the food) and the girl behind the counter couldn't have been more rude to me. I contacted BK headquarters and reported that store. I receiver a letter of apology, a promise that the problem would be dealt with, and a ton of free food coupons.

Answer 9

Amazing how people treat customers these days because the customer is totally putting food on thes people's plate. I wonder what place you live because know that where I live you can get your refund as legal as can be, call the cops and they'll swing clubs, all that (it's like watching cops and getting your refund).

Answer 10

Yes, that is pretty shocking treatment. At the very least, don't ever go back there. Usually when you have a valid complaint you will get a much better response than that.

You should have been given a refund.