What are you SUPPOSED to do if you are ripped off in a Fast Food Joint?

Question

http://www.yahoo.com/s/929946

Ok. The guy in the above story didn't get what he PAID for. He called 911 over a sandwich. That seems frivolous at first, but if he was trying to leave the store before paying for additional 'toppings' wouldn't the STORE have called 911? He could have been charged with shoplifting if the 'error' was on his part.

So if the situation is reversed, what is the charge under law? If you paid an extra dollar for something that the store didnt give you, IS THAT A CRIME or not?

What is the correct action to take if you are still standing in the store and the clerks are refusing to correct the problem? You have the sandwich and the receipt and they DO NOT MATCH.

In the less serious case, If you are allergic to pepper and they give you a useless sandwich loaded with pepper and refuse to exchange it, whats your immediate recourse? It might appear just as frivoulous to carry a 12" sandwich as 'evidence' to the nearest police station.

The essence of this entire video clip above is that the customer has no PRACTICAL legal recourse for such a 'frivolous' matter, but the store does. Something doesnt seem right with that.

Answer 1

get your food back tell them it was a mistake

Answer 2

It's a dollar, people make mistakes, consider the source, and move on.  

In my own opinion, the manager (or whoever called 911) went too far.   Most companies nowadays will give you what you want because they want your return business.  If they s***w up your order (which has happened to me many times), they'll replace it for you at your word.  It is idiotic that someone called 911 over a patron not paying a few extra dollars.  It wastes the company's, police, and patron's time, and it also loses a customer.  Many of the restaurant managers I've worked for, conduct business with the thought in mind that 'bad word of mouth travels faster than good'.  On this I tend to agree with them as much as it may disagree with the person waiting on the offended customer, and with company policies.  Reputable companies are that for a reason; they've been loyal and trusting to the customers.  Not all customers are "screwed" as you put it.  It is the ones who do things like this that are the poor companies.

It is trivial and frivolous.  

"BUYER BEWARE!"

Answer 3

You ask to talk to the manager.  If that doesn't work talk to the home office, those fast food restaurants are franchises and can lose their franchise with too many complaints.  If that doesn't work call the better business bureau and file a complaint.  911 is not an option unless the disagreement becomes a peace disturbance or worse.

I have been called to those places for such incidents.  I have also been called to those places for "food tampering", a real charge.  That is when someone puts something into your food that is not a regular ingredient.  

Answer 4

I've found complaining to management to be very effective.

Answer 5

I guess i would use the camera feature on my phone to take photos of the evidence(the incorrect sandwiches) and file in small claims court. This is more of a civil contractual matter than a crime. i don't think the store purposefully committed fraud. that would be a crime....although it could be a hate crime the guy was black..

Answer 6

I think you missed the point.He called 911, not just the police. There is a NON emergency line for every Police Department.  911 is for EMERGENCIES only!

Answer 7

lol where is the justice???  and they say the customer is always right...

You tell them "IM GOING TO WRITE A LETTER!!" or you call headquarters.  Headquarters will do whatever to make you happy.  Just ask them for the number to central office. He has to give it to you or he's in some trouble.

Answer 8

If my order is wrong, I mention it to the counter staff.  If they don't fix it, ask to speak to the manager on duty.  If he/she won't fix it, then I raise my voice a bit (not to shouting, but so that others can hear) and inform the manager that because of the mistake and their unwillingness to correct it, I will be leaving and never returning.  I also inform them that I will be contacting the chain's HQ to report the problem, and I will be actively encouraging my friends to join me in the boycotting effort.  I then hold true to my word and never go to that business again.

I have done this in the past.  Once was a McDonalds in Clinton, SC just off I-26.  And I did it right in front of 3 police officers.  They screwed up my order and would not fix it.  I demanded a full refund, got it, and left.  I did raise my voice so I know the officers heard it, but I never threated violence.  I just wanted my money back.  The officers never said a thing, and I left with my money.  I have never been back.

A dollar is not worth the police.  But it is worth a boycott.

Remember not to become belligerent, physically threatening, or use obscenities.  That will likely have the police get involved.