I recently had a disappointing experience at a restaurant. They had offered me a “Buy One, Get One” dinner promotion through the mail, which I decided to take advantage of.

As with most offers of this kind, I assumed I would have to actually dine inside the restaurant to be eligible to receive the free entree. However, I wanted take-out!

I read the coupon over and over a few times, making sure there were no stated restrictions. It didn’t say anything about not being valid on take-out orders, so I decided to go for it. I phoned in my order and a short 15 minutes later was at the restaurant to pick it up.

I suspected the staff might give me some grief. I was right. Although, when I pointed out that no restrictions were placed on the promotional deal, they shrugged and agreed to let me have the free entree.

They had to.

Still, I walked away annoyed. In truth, I wouldn’t have gone to that particular restaurant in the first place. It was only because I had received the coupon in the mail that I decided to give them my business on that particular night!

And isn’t that the point of a promotion?!?

Yet, the staff still had to push it, even though they were in the wrong. I don’t need that kind of hassle, especially when I’m patronizing YOUR business!

Let this be a lesson to all you business people out there: HONOR YOUR COMMITMENTS. OH, AND THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT! (Especially when they really are!)