Ripped off by Pizza Express?

[Middleoftheroad]

On sunday four of us used a 2 for 1 voucher (see image). We were given a few of these vouchers at a previous meal and also used one last time we went for 8 of us - the voucher doesnt specify a limit on people.

On Sunday I checked first with the waitress that voucher was okto use and she said yes.

I left the restaurant a few mins early to get the car. Hubby paid and was told he could use voucher only for 2 people. He was also charged for tap water. I had specifically asked for free tap water for dh and kids and i had coke. In short meal cost 10 more than calculated.

Emailed manager and hes calling me back. Am I in a strong position to complain?

That voucher expired in August!

I would never assume a voucher like that could be used for more than 1 couple. I'm sure it would say 'half price' if it could be applied to more than 1 couple. Saying 2 for 1 really is 2 meals for the price of 1 and not 8 meals for the price of 4.

However, I do agree that tap water should be free and not charged extra but I'm happy to pay for it if they provide ice and lemon as they had to take the time to prepare the drinks which if they didn't charge you for then the staff would be working for free.

Says 28th August

You are lucky they let you use it for 2 people

I imagine it was an example voucher.

DOH! 😕Sorry thats an old one. Can assure you the one we used on Sun did say Sep (i checked). Maybe IABU looking at these replies and should leave it?

Tap water didn't have lemon etc. Think it was couple of quid. I'm just shocked as I thought tap water was free in restaurants (dc don't drink pop).

I would email the CEO of pizza express & politely complain.

Did you just have 1 voucher? You should really have had 1 voucher for each couple to get the offer for all of you

I think you should definitely query the tap water. Pizza Express does not charge for tap water, so the person calculating the bill must have charged you for a different drink.
Given that the 2 for 1 vouchers didn't specify the number that could be used in one transaction and the member of staff also led you to believe that was ok, it is worth mentioning it very politely. I wouldn't 'complain' as such. Just mention that you were surprised that you couldn't use them - you were mislead by a staff member.
It's likely they will offer you money off your next meal.

If Odin's right, I'm amazed. It would never occur to me that this was a deal for pair of diners. If it says 3 for 2 on books in Waterstones I'd buy 6 and expect to pay for 4. This doesn't read any differently.

But, I probably wouldn't assume it applied to child meals - did they order from the main menu?

On the terms and conditions it's usually clear you need one voucher per couple. I don't use the paper ones but the ones on the app are the same. Did you read the back of the voucher?

I would assume the tap water was a mistake and politely query it.

Do they serve alcohol? If so they should provide free tap water although they can charge for a glass to get around that