Bad christmas meal

paddyrg

£25 back is pretty fair - it's well over a third off, and it was still a meal out on Christmas Day. I wouldn't get silly over how much it had spoiled the specialness of the day or anything, as clearly the kitchen staff and pub has a far crappier day than you did, and if missing ingredients spoiled Christmas for your family, then that's pinning a huge amount on a meal just to make a day right.

unholyangel

Was entertainment provided? Was the contract just for a meal?

To get a more accurate idea of whether their offer is fair, we really need to know what was promised versus what was provided.

If it was a christmas night which the meal was only a part of and the only complaint was a few meals not being as described, the compensation is more than adequate imo.

If however it was only for a christmas meal, I'd push for £30-35 each.

sheramber

We had a bar meal at a local hotel. The waitress brought the teapot for tea at teh end of the meal but no cups or milk.

Eventually we managed to catch someone's eye and pointed this out. She brought cups but no milk.

Again after another delay we managed to find someone and get some milk. By that time the tea was cold and we had to ask for fresh tea.

My husband wrote a letter of complaint to the owner.

We received a hand written apology, delivered in person, thanking us for advising them and offering us a free meal. He said he would use our letter as a customer service lesson as he is always stressing to staff the importance of good customer service.

When we went for that meal we were shown into the dining room rather than the bar. There was one other table occupied - by the owner and some guests.

We had a very enjoyable evening and an excellent meal.

mumps

Have they got a facebook page? If so I would go on there as if they are a big chain they will have customer service people monitoring it and you will get a better response.

mumps

paddyrg wrote: »

£25 back is pretty fair - it's well over a third off, and it was still a meal out on Christmas Day. I wouldn't get silly over how much it had spoiled the specialness of the day or anything, as clearly the kitchen staff and pub has a far crappier day than you did, and if missing ingredients spoiled Christmas for your family, then that's pinning a huge amount on a meal just to make a day right.

Ingredients missing from the starters and the mains having to be taken away is poor. The fact that the staff had a crappier day than the OP isn't the OPs problem. She didn't get what she paid for.

GreatBeyond

sheramber wrote: »

We had a bar meal at a local hotel. The waitress brought the teapot for tea at teh end of the meal but no cups or milk.

Eventually we managed to catch someone's eye and pointed this out. She brought cups but no milk.

Again after another delay we managed to find someone and get some milk. By that time the tea was cold and we had to ask for fresh tea.

My husband wrote a letter of complaint to the owner.

We received a hand written apology, delivered in person, thanking us for advising them and offering us a free meal. He said he would use our letter as a customer service lesson as he is always stressing to staff the importance of good customer service.

When we went for that meal we were shown into the dining room rather than the bar. There was one other table occupied - by the owner and some guests.

We had a very enjoyable evening and an excellent meal.

You should send this in to the Sunday Post :beer:

unholyangel

mumps wrote: »

Ingredients missing from the starters and the mains having to be taken away is poor. The fact that the staff had a crappier day than the OP isn't the OPs problem. She didn't get what she paid for.

And the business in question has acknowledged that and offered just shy of a 40% refund.

What figure would you say is acceptable?

GwylimT

This isn't a Harvester by any chance is it? A few of my friends went to one for xmas dinner and their experience seems to be the same, even down to the missing croutons and stuffing!

melanzana

It is now January, Christmas is over. I personally would be grateful for the refund, and move on.

Everyone has a bad day. Everyone.

At least the OP didn't have to fight for a refund it was promptly offered.

I accept that the meal was not ideal by any stretch, but is it really worth fighting for an extra fiver?

Lesson learned. Christmas Day can be hit and miss for food.

Aura

My friend caught food poisoning at a Christmas party and it killed her.