So I’m in school the other day when I come across a flyer that reads:
“student discount list: local restaurant “X” 10% off”
So I call restaurant “X” for pick-up order and ask for a discount, when the lady tells me “thats dine-in only sir”
I say: “it doesn’t say that on the flyer, isn’t that bait & switch tactics?”
She says: “no I’m holding the contract with the university in my hand, Its their fault” (for printing the wrong info I’m guessing)
“I’ll call them and you need to also”
At this point I interrupt and say:" no thats your business, it’s between you and them" “and BTW if I ordered and didn’t mention this and was refused when I got there I wouldn’t be a happy patron”
I work in a restaurant and they won’t even give the employees a discount on to-go-orders because of the costs involved with the packaging. That may have been the reason they didn’t want to honor it on takeouts. Glad to hear they gave you the discount anyway.
I am sure some do, just to draw people in. I remember seeing something on a new show (Dateline?) about a computer store that advertised computer systems for $499, but would never have them in stock.
I don’t think that the “to go orders” cost much to process.
Rather, the restaurant stands to make up the discount on you if you’re sitting there eating your meal. Someone in the party might get an appetizer. Or dessert. Whatever.
I’d be willing to bet that the restaurant wasn’t trying to deceive you. I used to do ad layout for a free pub, and I kept a list of phrases for use at the bottom of coupons. In a small time operation like that, the business is usually approached by a sales rep who offers the coupon as way to prove the venue’s effectiveness. The rep throws together a rough on the back of a napkin, and beats the printer’s rep through the door by about ten minutes. You probably should call the University and complain. There are, apparently, people who will go to court over stuff ilke this, but I’ll bet that the filing fee in Small Claims would be more than the discount.
I wanted a take-away meal from my favourite pub once years ago. They said they didn’t do take-out. So I ordered a meal and then asked for a “doggie bag”. Got it packaged, then took it home and ate it.
I think you’re misunderstanding the term “bait & switch.” That means they advertise one thing to get you into the place, then talk you into getting something entirely different (and usually more expensive) instead. What you’re describing sounds like advertising something at one price, then saying you can’t have it at that price, which would be “false advertising.” Or saying you can’t have it because you’re you, which would be “discrimination.” (haha) Although, most restaurants say “dine-in only” on their coupons/ads so maybe it was supposed to have that and it is just an ommission.
