Restaurant Refused to Accept Entertainment Voucher Due to COVID

cyrax83 on 19/06/2020 - 22:39
Last edited 19/06/2020 - 22:40

Went out to dinner tonight.

So I get restaurants and venues are wanting business at the moment. I signed up to the Entertainment Book today specifically for this dinner deal (X% off up to $30), but when I went to present after the meal they said they aren't accepting vouchers right now. When I asked why they said COVID.

COVID wasn't listed anywhere on the T&C's. It's a fairly busy restaurant too. If I had known (I did check the restaurant on the app before renewing the subscription), I wouldn't have activated today.

Already contacted Entertainment Book to get their thoughts, but what do you guys think?

The money isn't a big deal but they should be upfront about it in the T&C's if they aren't accepting right now?

Entertainment

Comments

  • contrafibularities on 19/06/2020 - 23:05
    +21

    Ask for you $ back from the Entertainment Book.

    • cyrax83 on 19/06/2020 - 23:38
      +4

      I'll report back when EB gets back to me

  • tomsco on 19/06/2020 - 23:12
    +7

    I’d be stubborn and just refuse to pay full price.

  • jimbobaus on 19/06/2020 - 23:24
    -3

    Fair enough.
    Venues are limited in how many people they can have seated etc and as such won’t be making the mind of money they normally would.
    I totally understand why they wouldn’t want to give discounts at this time.
    And we should as consumers do our bit to help them stay afloat.

    • Antares on 19/06/2020 - 23:39
      +30

      Shouldn't they make it clear to customers before they order their meal they aren't accepting vouchers then?
      Add a note at the entrance, or in the menu so people are aware before they spend money they wouldn't have expected to spend otherwise.

      • Nugs on 20/06/2020 - 06:43
        -1

        It's a new 'year' for EB, the restaurant should have waited to enrol
        .

        • spackbace on 20/06/2020 - 10:44
          +1

          It's a new 'year' for EB

          No, it's not, they started 1yr memberships like 6 months ago. 1yr starts from the point you sign up

          • Nugs on 20/06/2020 - 11:58
            +1

            @spackbace: We've only used the books, which have fixed dates.
            We chose not to renew this year.
            Surely the restaurant should 'pull' their membership if they are not going to honour the EB.

            • spackbace on 20/06/2020 - 20:10
              +1

              @Nugs: I don't know what contract they sign so I can't give advice that way, and don't call me Shirley 😉

      • jjjaar on 20/06/2020 - 08:41
        +2

        I always thought the customer had to show the voucher before ordering anyway? I usually mention it when booking or being seated to avoid any issues. It’s probably not what is required, but I have been burned before and would rather the clarity from the outset.

    • mrvaluepack on 21/06/2020 - 18:23
      +3

      I’m not a charity. Charge what you would normally charge and adhere to the marketing schemes you signed up for.

  • bettina44 on 19/06/2020 - 23:28
    +11

    I can understand why they don't want to accept it, maybe call in advance for good measure next time?

    Hospo is a very tough business, lots of which are small businesses owned by mum and dads not big conglomerates. If it was a merivale like venue I would have less empathy but for my local family restaurant I'd let it go.

    • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2020 - 00:02
      -3

      For this business, care factor 0.

    • moo on 20/06/2020 - 10:29
      +3

      Hospo is a very tough business, lots of which are small businesses owned by mum and dads not big conglomerates.

      What a cop out comment. The whole point for advertising via EB is to provide better exposure and bring in customers. You have to spend money to make money. Business 101.

      • whooah1979 on 20/06/2020 - 10:34
        -1

        Business 101 is not be in red. The shop is lucky to break even in this case.

        • moo on 20/06/2020 - 10:36

          So your logic is, the business would be better off without any customers being brought in via EB? Thus with the reduced turnover and patronage, they would be in black?

          • whooah1979 on 20/06/2020 - 10:43

            @moo: Yes. EB, Menulog, Uber eats, etc, is a way to get their foot in the door. We use them a lot and the shops always give us extras when we order directly from them. They make more money by not paying 40% to the platform and their drivers.

            • moo on 20/06/2020 - 10:47
              +1

              @whooah1979:

              Yes. EB, Menulog, Uber eats, etc, is a way to get their foot in the door. We use them a lot and the shops always give us extras when we order directly from them. They make more money by not paying 40% to the platform and their drivers.

              Interesting. Based on your rationale, why do you think they are using the likes of EB, Menulog, Uber eats then?

              • whooah1979 on 20/06/2020 - 10:57

                @moo: It is basically to get the word out to local residents that they can order directly from the shop. The shops are selling the food for free or next to nothing. The fees that these platforms charge is about three times of what Ebay charges.

                In short. Order directly from the shop over the phone or walk-in.

                • kyle on 20/06/2020 - 12:51

                  @whooah1979: People don't want to talk to the restaurant or walk in and value the convenience of ordering on a website or app.

                  • whooah1979 on 20/06/2020 - 18:39

                    @kyle: You're right. OP did just that. How did that work out for them?

  • Choc0 on 19/06/2020 - 23:36

    Did the business clearly inform you that you couldn't use the voucher when you made your booking?

    • cyrax83 on 19/06/2020 - 23:38
      +1

      No, I didn't say I was using a voucher at the beginning nor did they mention no entertainment vouchers when I booked

      • buckster on 20/06/2020 - 12:22

        Did you ask them if they were accepting them?

        • swimmingtoad on 20/06/2020 - 19:25
          +9

          The point of EB is you dont have to tell them in advance.

          • buckster on 20/06/2020 - 19:39
            -1

            @swimmingtoad: Common sense would make it worth asking giving most businesses are going through exceptional circumstances

    • cyrax83 on 20/06/2020 - 00:44
      +8

      But you don't have to?

    • ProlapsedHeinous on 20/06/2020 - 04:32
      +22

      They signed up to the EB program, even with the changes in environment it's not the customers responsibility to check. The correct thing to do would have been to take it on the chin, accept the voucher and make sure that everyone is asked up front for future bookings. Now it's left a bad taste in the customers mouth and that's bad for business. How are some of these places still in business with this type of nonsense.

    • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 20/06/2020 - 19:38
      +1

      The OP paid for a service and since the store isn’t in voluntary admission, etc. then they should honour the service the OP paid for.

  • Cybella on 20/06/2020 - 00:27
    +8

    I understand businesses need to make money in these tough times, but a note inside the menu or a sign on the table would at least alert patrons so they can at least decide whether to dine or not.

  • whooah1979 on 20/06/2020 - 04:29

    Do they legally have to honour vouchers?

    • Prince K on 20/06/2020 - 09:28
      +2

      Businesses do sign a written contract with Entertainment for how long the vouchers are valid for (1 financial year)

      • whooah1979 on 20/06/2020 - 10:37
        -3

        The shop may have breached their contract with EB. However, that doesn’t mean that they did something unlawful by not accepting a voucher as payment.

        • Prince K on 20/06/2020 - 10:39
          +1

          I never said it was unlawful? Not sure you’re telling me or answering your own question

        • moo on 20/06/2020 - 10:51
          +1

          Since we have now ventured into the legal territory. Let’s look at the facts. According to:

          https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/advertising-promotions/fal…

          It makes no difference whether the business intended to mislead you or not. If the overall impression left by a business’s advertisement, promotion, quotation, statement or other representation creates a misleading impression in your mind—such as to the price, value or the quality of any goods and services—then the behaviour is likely to breach the law.

          Bait advertising
          Bait advertising takes place when an advertisement promotes certain (usually ‘sale’) prices on products that are not available or available only in very limited quantities. It is not misleading if the business is upfront in a highly visible, clear and specific manner about the particular product ‘on sale’ being in short supply or on sale for a limited time.

          What are your thoughts.. given that you said they haven’t done anything unlawful.

          • whooah1979 on 20/06/2020 - 11:01
            -2

            @moo: That link is about misleading advertising. Has the shop published an ad that is misleading?

            • Cheapskate Paul on 20/06/2020 - 20:09

              @whooah1979: If you read it again you will see that it's about "a business’s advertisement, promotion, quotation, statement or other representation".

              • whooah1979 on 20/06/2020 - 20:17

                @Cheapskate Paul: Op have the right to make a complaint to their state’s consumer affairs if they think that the shop is responsible for the “advertisement, promotion, quotation, statement or other representation".

                • SnakeCasablanca on 21/06/2020 - 19:06
                  +1

                  @whooah1979:

                  if they think that the shop is responsible for the “advertisement

                  It is absolutely clear that they are responsible for it. They signed up with the EB voluntarily.

      • spackbace on 20/06/2020 - 10:43
        +1

        (1 financial year)

        Not any more, memberships are for a year from signing up

  • Meho2026 on 20/06/2020 - 05:23
    +20

    If this happened before COVID19, it would've been totally unacceptable and I would be totally encouraging you to fight it, not now though.

    I reckon you request a refund for your Entertainment Book membership given you signed up based on a deal Entertainment Book advertised but couldnt be honoured.
    Beyond that, forget it.

    Its been in the news headlines for weeks that a lot of businesses arent viable with the reopening restrictions.

    Its not reasonable to expect the Entertainment Book to be up to date and current after the last few months, some of the restaurants in there have probably already closed permanently.

    We are on the brink of a business and employment disaster with hospitality one of the worst affected industries.
    If you can afford to out for dinner right now pay whats asked and if your not prepared to, then stay home.

    • mrvaluepack on 21/06/2020 - 21:23
      -1

      Its natures way of rebalancing the economy. Weed out the weak unprofitable businesses. As a business owner, if you cant adapt and survive 1 month with out cashflow, you shouldn't be in business.

  • spoonman169 on 20/06/2020 - 07:51
    +1

    Pretty sure the law states they have to have a sign explaining that they aren't accepting such coupons until further notice before you enter and order.

    • whooah1979 on 20/06/2020 - 08:48
      +1

      Interesting. Can you please provide a link?

  • redforever on 20/06/2020 - 10:34
    +4

    https://www.entertainment.com.au/member-information/covid-19…

    Even entertainment book's advice is to check with the restaurant if they are accepting vouchers when booking.

    • whooah1979 on 20/06/2020 - 10:39

      so call you favourite restaurant, and ask them if they are accepting our vouchers when you book.

    • thatonethere on 20/06/2020 - 11:20
      +5

      One particular friend we have dinner with always uses an EB. He finds it best to tell them upfront. Otherwise there can be a scene if it is presented at the bill.

      Most places don't do the sums when they sign up for EB and have fantasies of repeat customers. However most EBers just use the coupon and never return.

    • Maxxiz on 23/06/2020 - 18:13

      FAIR TRADING!!
      ACCC!!

      eyeroll

  • Nutrino on 20/06/2020 - 12:03
    +1

    I would sue them for damages, businesses like these should be shut down. Disgraceful. Im on your side op.

  • bettina44 on 20/06/2020 - 19:18
    +1

    so many karens here damn

    • moo on 20/06/2020 - 19:33

      Hehe, better stop looking into the mirror then.

      • bettina44 on 22/06/2020 - 23:04
        -3

        Typical karen behaviour there, bitching about other people being karens when they are in fact the karens themselves.

  • bobwokeup on 21/06/2020 - 22:57

    I sort of understand if it was a paper voucher but I get the impression it was a digital membership?

    • cyrax83 on 22/06/2020 - 01:08

      Digital

      • bobwokeup on 22/06/2020 - 10:16
        +1

        I don’t understand how they can say no. They aren’t saying no to credit card payments as they’re COVID safe. The digital EB is also hands free so COVID safe. What am I missing?

        • cyrax83 on 22/06/2020 - 13:59

          They have taken a hit financially, hence don't want to give the discount due to business impact from COVID.

          • bobwokeup on 22/06/2020 - 16:14

            @cyrax83: I figured that was the only other option. If you had asked them if they accepted them you might not have gone at all. I wonder what they would say if you said you’re not coming due to not allowing the voucher to be used.

  • samfisher5986 on 23/06/2020 - 16:07
    +3

    This is where Entertainment book has completely screwed up in my opinion.

    1. They allowed many of their restaurants and business's to quit Entertainment book without giving existing membership holders something in return, like an extension.

    2. They knew we couldn't use the vouchers for many months, we had nothing in return

    3. They knew that once we could use the vouchers, it was not very appropriate to do so,they didn't pause our memberships and put our remaining time to be used in 3-6 months.

    4. They sold new memberships with heavy discounts to put additional pressure on restaurants/businesses

    They don't care about anyone but profits. They knew this was going to be a problem from the start but they don't care that our vouchers have become useless.

    • leiiv on 23/11/2020 - 16:37

      I have not seen this "heavy discounts". How much was it at the lowest price?

      • samfisher5986 on 23/11/2020 - 16:42

        I can't remember, I think $10-20 discount with a free offer on top.

  • Maxxiz on 23/06/2020 - 18:12

    When the deals were submitted to the Entertainment book, I'm sure they weren't anticipating COVID.
    Most hospitality venues are struggling hard financially after having severely limited or no trading for 3 or so months.
    Don't be that guy.

    • cyrax83 on 23/06/2020 - 19:46
      +3

      But then why have the deal up on Entertainment Book then? It's misleading practice and falsely getting people to:

      1. Subscribe to Entertainment Book membership (around $70/yr), and
      2. Get reservations for diners under false pretenses

      Surely they should contact EB to remove their venue if they aren't offering it anymore. It's digital so there is no reason it can't be paused or changed.

    • bobwokeup on 23/06/2020 - 21:14
      +1

      What about holders of the Entertainment Card that are doing it rough?? Shouldn't the restaurant want some money from people rather than people not going out?

  • SirFlibbled on 27/06/2020 - 00:07
    +1

    They're within their rights to withdraw the offer but they need to put up a sign to inform you that they have before you order.

  • abetastic on 11/03/2023 - 16:38
    -1

    Hey @cyrax83 any update from EB? I had the same issue with a resturant and was wondering if it was worthwhile reporting to EB.

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