What can I do about Outback Steakhouse situation...?

Question

I was in there last month and had brought my mom and kids to dinner. The waitress brought our check and we split the bill. I paid $30 w/ a $6 tip. I received my bank account statement on the 11th of this month and noticed I was charged twice from Outback - one for $30 and once for $36. I knew how much I had in my bank account and knew I could only spend at max, $38 on my meal... the second charge of $36 over-drafted my account and I was charged an additional $32 for overdraft so in all, I was charged $98 on my part - for a total of $134 for a $60 meal. I sent an email to the location about this and they told me they would get back to me. They never did, and I wrote another email - which was also never replied back to. I wanted to figure this out, and apparently they are not willing to help. WHat should I do about this situation?

P.S. The service was absolutely horrible and the food sucked as well, but I didn't tell em that - I felt bad for her being a bad server so we gave her a decent $12 tip... bad idea...

Answer 1

You need to have a copy of your statement which includes the overdraft fee from the bank.

Then take it down to the Olive Garden in question, IN PERSON, and make sure that you go when the general manager [call first] is there, and ask to see the general manager. Email will not work in this circumstance.

Show him/her your bank statement, and politely but firmly insist that the money that is owed to you is returned, including the bank fees.

Be aware that it should take 3-5 business days for the credit to show up in your account, and there's nothing Olive Garden can do about that. They won't give you cash, since the money was originally deposited into their credit card account, and that's where the credit will have to originate from as well.

You shouldn't have any trouble; Olive Garden is a well-known and well-respected chain, and it won't benefit them in any way to challenge you or refuse to help. You're much more likely to be given the business card from the manager with a free meal for all the parties involved on top of your credit into your bank account.

Be sure to tell them about the quality of the service, but again, be polite.

If you continue to assume that they don't want to help you, you'll be making a mistake, and cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Answer 2

You need to "dispute" the charges at the bank and they will charge the restaurant back.The restaurant will not be able to produce proof for any charges you authorized with your signature.I would then call the restaurant and notify them of the dispute.

Answer 3

Contact your bank and dispute the charges. Go talk to manager or gen partner at restaurant and explain you have been trying to resolve with no luck and how long it has taken, and the overdraft fee.  Then ask them to refund your money immediately.  Explain as well that there were food issues and service issues but you generally do not complain so therefore you paid and left and now you have been overcharged. What they did was ran first total and closed it out, charging your account, and then when they reposted with tip the closit it again, therefore resulting in 2 charges OR they accidently charged you twice, or they charged someone selse food accidently to you

Answer 4

calling the bank and explaining the situation is the first step.  they will not waive it, but it shows to them that you were not the irresponsible one.  they will likely believe you, since both of the charges will have been at the same time- and who typically charges their account twice at one sitting?

next would be to speak with the manager.  go in person so that they can see how concerned you are.

they will definitely give you your money back as well as the overdraft fee, and will probably give you meal vouchers as well.

make sure to take the bank statement to the outback.

Answer 5

Call the Manager. You can find out who that is online.

I had a bad experience last fall at one in FL. The waitress was horrible. She called me by my nickname used by my family member as I came back to the table from the restroom. (CREEPY)  Rolled around in the floor while taking our order, then never listened to anything I said to her. She kept pushing london broil, and I told her I didn't want that. I told her what I wanted and the B****  brought the D*** London Broil anyway. I was so pissed. I'll never go back there.

Answer 6

I would have went to the same restaurant with a copy of bank statement and demanded to speak to the manager so they could correct the situation.  If the manager would not correct it I would ask for the cooperate office phone number and let them handle the situation.  I would also let my bank know about the situation so that the overdraft charges can be waived.

Good luck!

Answer 7

I agree with what others have said...go in person.  I bet they will take care of it immediately.  Ask to speak to a manager about the situation.  

Answer 8

E-mails don't work.  You need to go there in person.  If it's too much trouble to go in person, you are stuck with the debit transactions.  You can even try calling the store and talk to a manager.  Next time, use a credit card.  Credit card companies can easily reverse the charges if you did not authorize it.  

Answer 9

You need to call the restaurant and speak to the manager. Then call one closest to you and ask for the district manager's and corporate offices too.  Tell them you aren't angry with their restaurant but you've have trouble with another.  DON'T tell them at your local restaurant your story, it's none of their business.

http://outback.com/locations/

Answer 10

Same thing happened to my daughter at a different restaurant.  She went back physically and spoke to the manager and it was taken care of right away (with gift certificates added in for her trouble).  You can also call the bank and tell them what happened and they should be able to reverse the charges.  

Answer 11

You should be clearing this up with the bank as it was an over charge by Outback.