complaining about a misleading advert

[johnk]

How do I make a complaint about a mis leading advert? I saw a sign in front of a restaurant yesterday Carvery £4-99 Monday- friday, £8-99 Sunday. As it was Monday I went in and ordered 2 meals. When I was presented with the bill it was for £8-99. After a long discussion and even showing the manager his 2 signs which made no mention of Bank Holidays he would not reduce the price. Can I complain to the office of fair trading or trading standards and recover the extra I paid?
Or would you say I was being unreasonable?
Any info or opinions would be welcome

[Mamyalynne]

If it is an independent then complain direct, if a chain then complain to head office.

[Mamyalynne]

Oh and you are not being unreasonable.

[bednobs]

was it a chain restuarant? If so complain to their head office

[bednobs]

i also think you are reasonable

[sherrardk]

Complain to the ASA - you can do it via the Internet.

[factor-fiction]

I think you have a complaint unless it was either explained to you when you ordered or it was set out on the menu.
Could the manager show anything inw riting which supported hs postion?

I had an issue once when a pub restaurant had a 2 for 1 offer Monday to Saturdays. We ate on a Saturday and were charged for 2 meals. When I reminded him of the Monday to Saturday offer he said " ah, that's not inclusive".

[Zeuhl]

of course you could have refused to pay at the time.

The police wouldn't be interested as long as you could show you were ABLE to pay the full amount. Your choice not to would make it a civil case.

[Zeuhl]

PS display signs outside restaurants probably aren't covered by ASA rules lol

[johnk]

I think it is an independent and i made my complaint but witout any result.
Factor, it was in the small print on the menu but I didn't read it!!
Zeuhl, that's what I should have done!

[johnk]

Sherrard, what's the ASA? do you have a link?

[factor-fiction]

advertising standards agency./authority. Just Google ASA

[ABerrant]

I do not believe that shopfront signs are within the remit of the ASA - a better course of action may be your local Trading Standards Office.

http://www.tradingsta...v.uk/advice/index.cfm

[B00]

If it had small print, im afraid you haven't got a leg to stand on. No matter who you complain to, it won't get you anywhere- sorry.

[askyourgran]

I noticed while we were out and about yesterday that pubs were displaying their Sunday lunch boards........ being a Bank holiday.

[Buenchico]

Signs displayed within, or around, business premises are not within the remit of the ASA:
http://www.asa.org.uk...ts-outside-remit.aspx
They are dealt with by the local Trading Standards Department. (That's part of the County Council, or Metropolitan/Unitary Authority, as appropriate, not the District Council).

However not all 'independent' pubs are as independent as they seem. They're often part of larger groups. Take a look at the small print at the very bottom of the back page of the pub's menu to see if there are any clues there as to who really owns the pub.

Chris

[JonnyBoy12]

Yes, I am with mamalynne on this one. If you write to Head Office and then threaten to blow up the entire restaurant, then you should get some action.

I was joking, by the way about the second bit. I have heard of cases like this and they could very well give you some vouchers for future meals.

Hope this helps.

[B00]

with all due respect Chris, i think it's pretty pointless johnk even bothering to check menus for who owns the restaurant.

There was small print advising that he'd be charged 8.99. Granted it might have been small enough to be missed at first glance, but if it was there nonetheless, the OP only has himself to blame for not double checking it.

[jno]

apparently the OFT is looking into similar situations

http://www.theregiste...ct_fairness_says_oft/