To expect a teeny bit better from a big name?

[KizzyBear]

Totally prepared to be told I AIBU and I know it's a first world problem but my DF purchased DP and I a £100 voucher for Marco Pierre whites steakhouse for us to treat ourselves due to me being in and out of hospital since the beginning of December with abnormal cells found on cervix turning out to be CGIN and other issues with my womb.
We finally got around to booking last night to kind of celebrate the end of a shitty few months and I've only just read the small print. It expired on 31st March
I called the restaurant to ask kindly if they would mind extending it due to circumstances the women that answered was kind and said that would be fine if I could send proof of results and hospital appointments (which I was happy to do.)
She's then gone of and spoken to the manager and manager has said point blank said no I should of told them this while it was going on. They now have £100 of my DF money and we have no amazing food
We've been a few times previously and I loved it, that's why he bought it.
So AIBU in thinking they could of extended it for extra 2 weeks? I know it's my fault for not reading the small print.

That is ridiculous! We were given a voucher for a very nice restaurant a year past Christmas and we have only just used it… we got another one this year that made us realise we hadn't used it. When we called restaurant they said it was perfectly acceptable as their was no time limit on their vouchers.

We got one of these for the Belfast restaurant a while back. I'm not sure what sort your DH got but mine bought this voucher which was £50 but had a value of £75 or something (effectively getting you £25 off the meal) and it had a c.3 month expiry date on it. We nearly got caught out too.

Honestly if you don't like the idea of twitter I'd email customer services and explain the situation and the manager's fucking ridiculous response. You're a few days out FFS, it's so mean spirited to be treating repeat (or indeed, any) customers like that.

there not their

If you complain on Twitter you usually get a response by DM.

I can't believe they asked for proof of your illness!! That in itself is disgraceful. I've often bought vouchers for meals at local hotels and restaurants, and although they've all had a 'use by' date, they have been very flexible with them. You might not have to go on Twitter, this one's got Daily Fail written all over it ..!

Very disappointing. Invite them
To see this thread.

A reasoned and calm email to the head person of wherever you bought the voucher from (the restaurant or a 3rd party) is most likely to get a response. It’s worked for me in the past. Be reasonable and disappointed rather than angry and confrontational. Good luck!

I would tweet and ask if they always require copies of private medical information.

You could also post on their TripAdvisor page www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186402-d2425213-Reviews-Marco_Pierre_White_Steakhouse_Bar_Grill-Birmingham_West_Midlands_England.html

The thing is I can boycott the place as I love it, so I'm second guessing myself over making a fuss as I actually want to eat there
If DF purchased the voucher would be have to email head office etc?

I can't that was meant to say

Op, are you planning on staying at Indigo hotel?
I stayed there last week. It was much better than the Malmaison.
BUT.... the reviews on TripAdvisor are not great for the MPW hotel based there.

restaurant not hotel

Awful company. My dd was treated badly there. My dh and I have been a couple of times and spent a lot of money. Never again.

Yes @ihatethecold it's the indigo DP has booked. We were flittering between the AC hotel and indigo.

It’s only the 4th April ffs!

The date on the voucher might be incorrect. This does happen occasionally.

You have the date of purchase and you have the length of time the voucher should last - check that these do match.

However I find their refusal indigestible - I'm not sure I'd want to eat there after such poor service and such an inhumane attitude! You should certainly tweet them!

Ay well we are definitely still going to be staying in Birmingham, if anybody has any recommendations for a restaurant near if I have no luck?

No you have the voucher and were making the arrangements, and you were the one that was asked to supply highly personal information in an attempt to be allowed the value of the gift voucher. If anything I think you've got more to complain about than your DP.

I know you enjoyed your last visits but if the one I went to is anything to go by, you can have much nicer meals elsewhere. It was just ok. I got steak with escargot and they only gave me two snails, one of which had to go to DH as I was trying not to be an arsehole and share. There's a whole world of lush restaurants out there!

I know a good Thai restaurant if you like Thai food ?

How soon in advance are you expected to book to get a table, anyway? If you'd left it til 15th March and they were fully booked until 1 April what are you meant to do?

One of the worst restaurant experiences of my life was at MPW off Sloane Sq. I complained at the time and got no where, I emailed after and got blanked. They have no right to view your confidential medical information. Anything you have sent already, email stating you expect it to be deleted by x date from all their systems with written confirmation to you or you will refer to the Information Commissioner. I agree with PP's tweet the life out of this one, get your £100 back and spend it in a restaurant worthy of your time, money and attention.

I already booked the table for 14th April last night.
I can't link so if anybody want to give a follow and retweet?

Tweet them! Honestly it's the best way to get complaints sorted.

Just say

I was really looking forward to eating at your ...... restaurant as I've had a horrible few months dues to health issues. My voucher went out of date 4 days ago, I called the restaurant and they told me if I provided proof of my medical appointments they would extend it. I was a little shocked that I'd have to provide confidential medical documents, but agreed. I was then told that it couldn't be extended & our £100 voucher is void. Very disappointed at your customer service to a loyal customer.

Possibly shortened a bit or done in 2 posts. It doesn't matter if you actually want to boycott them or not, they won't remember! Sometimes I find the only way to get complaints resolved is through Twitter. It's the only reason I have an account!