what would you do?

[dealsniffer]

ok so I went to Mcdonalds because I wanted to try their new chocolate raspberry pies. I need to stress that I did order pies. please don't judge me for going to Mcdonalds. lol I also ordered a mcdouble because I thought it sounded good. anyways I was charged for 2 muffins that apparently came to 2.18 plus tax somehow. I was given two muffins. I did not want 2 muffins because I don't like their muffins. So I caught it obviously right away because I saw them pack 2 muffins. I had already paid though so I asked to get it switched to the pies I had ordered. They took the muffins back and gave me 2 pies and said they are both the same price. I knew for a fact that is not true. I know 2 pies are 1.39 plus tax. anyways somehow they gave me .54 back which would mean that the muffins should have been 2.00. I know I know-it's only .18 and what ever tax but still-I think that a little bit here and there adds up. So I did the mcdonalds survey and said I was overcharged and it was a bit of a hassle to get the money back that I did. I also found the mcdouble to be pretty much straight grease which is no surprise so I didn't complain about that. it is mcdonalds after all.

Anyways I actually got a reply back that they are sorry and offered 2 free meals. I found that a bit overly generous since I was only overcharged a little. I would have been happy with a free pie. The thing is that I am not really a fan of the burgers because they are so greasy. I also have to tell them who I am so they can give the free meals. So they know I complained. So my first thought is whether they will spit in my food or sneak in a bug or something that I won't notice. Even if they wouldn't do that, I feel bad to take 2 free meals to make up for a very small problem with them. maybe that is what they hope?

so would you go for the free meals and go guilt free or would you not? if you have had a bad experience then do you even want to go back if you are offered another meal? or would you rather get your money back instead? I know that they want you to come back and continue to eat there so giving a free meal makes sense but I would rather get the money back to spend somewhere else. maybe they have a burger that isn't so greasy but I don't know. I feel conflicted.

[anisa]

well even if you won't use the meals, you can at least be happy that they took your concerns seriously enough to take note and then try to reach out to you in the name of good service.

you have to tell the restaurant how you were eligible for the free meals? oh that is just mean! i wouldn't be brave enough to do that. i'm surprised they don't just mail you a coupon.

i complained about a really crappy meal i got from there once, where it was totally their fault and they just shrugged it off when i showed them. i filled in the survey and never got anything

[dealsniffer]

Anisa you complained and never got anything? too bad you are not close by because I would let you be me so you could get the meals. lol
When I had a bad burger (it was missing stuff and tasted bad) at A&W and complained, they told me I could have a free meal and my name was on some board at A&W and I just had to let them know why I was there and they would give me the free meal. that was difficult even though it wasn't my fault the meal was bad.the hard part was that a manager hovered over the people making the meal to make sure they made it right. here I am standing there feeling like I made these people's day horrible and feeling bad.
when I complain-it isn't to get free stuff but just to let them know that something happened that wasn't right. That way they can fix it and deliver better service for the next person. if it is a place like A&W where I love their food then I don't mind taking the free meal to make up for the bad one.

[bargain_hunter_lola]

One time we went through McDonalds drive through on the way out of town (we lived in the country) and YES, we do occasionally eat Mcdonalds! I wont apologize or care what people think. lol.

Anyway, we ordered and got home to eat. The fries had SUGAR on them. Clearly someone messed up and put sugar instead of salt. I called and complained. We had to eat our burgers without fries, but not only that it's dangerous (if someone had diabetes or whatever).

They gave us 2 free meals, we just had to tell them it's on the board in the office. We went about 2 months later and asked and sure enough our meals were still there. They didn't know why or care how we got the free meals. They just rang them through and off we went.

Did I feel bad? Nope, not at all. I paid for a product and it wasn't provided. Did I think they would tamper with the food? Again nope, not at all. They couldn't care less why I got the free food and they were too busy to act even if they did care.

Even if you choose to not go back, at least they listened to your complaint and are trying to make things right. It's more than a lot of other companies or even locations do.

[Natalka]

You're lucky you got the meals - we, too, have complained and not gotten anything.

Don't worry about them doing something to your meals, they won't do that.

I find burgers like the McDouble, even their cheeseburgers to be greasy, too.
I usually order a Big Mac or a McChicken - much better!

(and I'm a big fan of their apple pies; I always get them there, not to eat that day, but one each day after, lol!)

[Judstir]

I'd say take the free meals...even if you don't use them yourself.

[SassyAshley]

I worked in the local pizza shop and had many friends work in many other fast food type places. These things happen something goes wrong, our Tim Horton's is notorious for messing up orders, nothing like ordering a plain bagel with cheddar to open the bag and find a whole wheat bagel with cream cheese. I have called many times to complain (yes I get a little cranky when someone messes up my breakfast, and it never fails it is always something I will not eat) and received free food. No one knows what the complaint was most places just assume they forgot to give you something and this is the compensation. I would not worry too much about them putting something in food.

[Kelly5]

I would just use the two coupons and move on with my life. Based upon other comments, McDonalds gives two coupons to certain complaints so I would just use them. Having now been in the USA for a few visits, it seems that most companies will do whatever they can to make a customer happy.

[i_forget]

You're lucky you got the meals - we, too, have complained and not gotten anything.

Don't worry about them doing something to your meals, they won't do that.

I find burgers like the McDouble, even their cheeseburgers to be greasy, too.
I usually order a Big Mac or a McChicken - much better!

(and I'm a big fan of their apple pies; I always get them there, not to eat that day, but one each day after, lol!)

I admire your restraint.

There is no way in heck that I would be able to wait a day, and then another day, to eat those apple pies.

[Natalka]

LOL, I never have room after eating fries and a burger! It drives my son nuts that I leave them to eat that way, too!

[tearlessnights]

Yes... take the free meals. Don't feel bad because its their job the make the customer happy.

My hubz had a hair in his poutine (which took about 30mins to make with nobody in line ) once at BK. He complained and we got 2 coupons for free meals. We have not ate at the same BK ever since...

[sweetmomma]

I have complained before too! A few years ago my DH and his friend went to grab our breakfast on the May long weekend. Seemed like the staff was all young and didn't take their job at all seriously and gave us stuff that we didnt ask for in place of other items. This was upsetting to us because our DS would only eat one item of the breakfast menu so naturally he was very upset. DH and his friend ordered the Big Breakfast and the contents weren't correct either. The breakfasts were over $40 so it wasn't cheap so I understand how losing money is upsetting as it isn't what you paid for.

I had to do the dirty work and call(DH won't do that)and they gave us a free meal which was sent in the mail. It made us customers a bit happier they tried to solve the issue. I would take it and enjoy the meals!

[dealsniffer]

thanks for all your input! I took my dad for lunch and my mom ended up coming as well so she ordered the 2 snack wraps and was going to pay for them and then they said they would just promo the whole order. well that was nice. My dad and I both got the angus burgers but they were nothing special. Nothing wrong with them-just didn't wow us or anything. I guess nothing really tops a Teen burger from A&W. lol
I do love the apple pies as well-oh wow they are good. the chocolate raspberry ones are ok. I think if they didn't have the pits then they would be better. chocolate cherry would be really yummy I think. Natalka there is no way I could have the will power to wait that long before eating them!