To want to complain to TGI's Head Office ???

[cjones2979]

It's my 30th birthday on Wednesday and I had decided to go out for a meal with family. After deciding on TGI Fridays, I called them to book and told them there were possibly going to be 12 of us. They told me that they need a £5 per head deposit for 10 people or more which I felt was a bit cheeky as it is a Wednesday night after all, not a weekend and does not mention this on their website! They refused to back down and also refused to take deposits for just the extra people seeing as they don't need a deposit if there were only 9 going. I said I would get back to them with definite numbers.

After speaking to everyone, 2 people (MIL & FIL !!!!) pulled out, so I called TGI's to let them know. Was a bit sneaky & said there were 9 definites, possibly 10 to get out of paying the deposit, as I didn't have time to get round to everyone to get their deposits & don't really have enough money myself to pay it on their behalf.

This weekend 3 more people have decided to come, so I called TGI's this morning to let them know and was told that I need to pay £65 deposit. I reluctantly agreed but said that on the night, each couple would like their own bill as some people are driving and it is not fair to make them chip in for those who are drinking etc, and that DH & I would like the £65 deposit taken off of our bill. I was told that they cannot do this, they can only do 1 bill for the whole table because it (and I quote) "is too much like hard work with separate bills"!!!! They offered to give me a calculator so we can all work out our own costs at the end of the night. I explained that surely it was harder work for them to take separate payments (some cash, some card) against 1 bill, rather than separate bills but they seem to think not. They offered to refund my deposit on the night rather thn taking it off of the total bill, but as this can take up to 5 days to go back into my account I am not happy to do this PLUS pay for my share of the meal.

Anyway, I have now told them to poke it, and have booked with Frankie & Bennies who have not asked for deposit & are quite happy for everyone to have their own bill.

TGI's have now lost a lot of business that night and I am fuming that they seem not to give a toss, so I am seriously considering complaining to head office.

AIBU ???

[Nancy66]

yes I think you are being unreasonable.

Individual bills? why couldn't you just have worked it out between you?

[CybilLiberty]

They obviously don't need your business. I have never heard of a restaurant wanting a deposit for a large booking before. TGI's are crap IMO.

[pinkthechaffinch]

YANBU,
I'd be fuming at their attitude too.

[CybilLiberty]

But FWIW I agree with nancy, you should sort out your own bill

[cjones2979]

"Individual bills? why couldn't you just have worked it out between you?"

Because there are 13 of us and we want to enjoy our night, have a few drinks & not have to worry about working out the bill. IMO I don't see the problem with them issuing separate bills. They would if we were 6 separate couples/families sitting at 6 separate tables, so what difference does it make with us all sitting together ??? Also, TBH, when we are spending as much money as we are likely to spend, why shouldn't we have separate bills if thats what we want ??

Cybil - I agree !! Well, their loss !!

[cjones2979]

Thanks pinkthechaffinch, glad someone understands where I'm coming from.

Cybil - X posts there, I was saying I agree to your comment about them not needing our business & that they are crap, not that we should work out our own bill. No-one would have to work out the bill if they just did 6 separate bills as if we were sitting separately. I really don't see the problem with asking that. We're not asking them to work our bill out !!

[vjg13]

The TGI near us just got the lowest (no stars) council hygiene rating YUKK!

[TheCrackFox]

Nancy is right. I can guarantee you that if you all have individual bills the food will come out at different times. The billing machine is linked to the kitchen so it will end up that each bill will be treated separately by the chefs.

[notpickedanameyet]

YANBU and def write to head office.

Send them your Frankie and Bennies receipts to point out how much they lost.

On a Wednesday night I think they should be glad of your business.

[woozlet]

F&Bs is much better than TGIs Oh and yanbu.

[cjones2979]

Yeah you're right F&B's is much better than TGI's. Dunno why I didn't think of them first.

[eekamoose]

I would complain.

I hope you have a very happy birthday (it has been quite epic, hasn't it, what with who is coming and who isn't, but very pleased to see you have a nice big number of people coming after all).

BUT

I must just say this

PLEASE do not have a burger at Frankie & Bennies. Cos they are truly awful.

[LaurieFairyCake]

But then they have to know who is in the couple which is dead irritating when the whole table orders drinks on an ongoing basis through the meal.

[boyraiser]

I can't see why it should be beyond TGI's ken to be able to take orders for groups of 2 or 3 people who happen to be sitting around a large table, get the food out more or less simultaneously, and not d*ck you round with requests for deposits etc.

At the end of the day, if someone is prepared to pay their inflated prices for what passes as "cooking" at their gaff, they should bloody well be crawling over hot griddles to get your custom.

YANBU, hope you have a better time at F&B.

[boyraiser]

Surely you just allocate a table number to each couple and ask them to stipulate which table they are when they want to add something to their bill.

[pjmama]

I think expecting separate bills is unreasonable. You could have had one bill for the food, split 13 ways and told everyone to buy their drinks from the bar - not that complicated. Asking for a deposit on a wednesday is a bit much though.

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, plenty of other restaurants willing to take your money

[cjones2979]

boyraiser - that was my point exactly, give us all a number & then we order drinks on that number, not that hard huh?!!

[cjones2979]

eekamoose - You're right, this birthday has been one big drama !!!! I am never going to try to organise anything ever again

[hercules1]

I think yabu actually. I can't imaging anyone at TGIs will be that bothered by the loss of your business.

[CHOOGIRL]

Think your dinner is the least of their problems. See here You've had a lucky escape imo

[CHOOGIRL]

Happy birthday by the way - tis my birthday too

[cjones2979]

Wow Choogirl, jusr read that report....yuck !! I definitely have had a lucky escape !! Happy Birthday to you too.

[edam]

eek (or should that be squeak?). I've seen what environmental health inspectors are prepared to pass - if they close somewhere down, it must be bloody stomach churning!

[Doodlez]

vjg13 - was that the one in Cheadle? If not, then they have two restaurants with the lowest rating possible. Put me off, tbh.

[vjg13]

Yes it was Doodlez.