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 ???