[Resolved] Lunchalot.com Service Issues

dexxl on 14/01/2014 - 12:08
Last edited 23/12/2014 - 22:37 by 1 other user

MOD: Remove defamatory remark. OP has also received full refund from Lunchalot. See follow up comment.

The restaurants that you supposedly book at have never heard of lunchalot.com and will not honour your booking, even less the entitled discount that you prepaid money for.

1st experience - Casablanca. They knew nothing of lunchalot and have never heard of any discount scheme. Lunchalot antagonisingly sent me an email asking how much I 'enjoyed' my meal and added credits towards bogus booking of restaurants with discounts. Looking at the listing of Casablanca the following day after lunchalot had apparently clarified with the restaurant, their discount went from the promised 50% to 25%.

2nd experience - Fratelli. Again made a booking with was not honoured.

3rd experience - Iceworks bar. 1st booking, the restaurant was closed even though lunchalot had a listing for them. I made a booking for the following day and the booking was NOT honoured. AGAIN.

4th experience - Casablanca again. After the first round, I was sure that I would get a table at Casablanca despite the MUCH LOWERED discount which lured me to join lunchalot in the first place. AGAIN THE LUNCHALOT BOOKING WAS NOT HONOURED.

I have demanded a full refund of fees which I have paid to lunchalot, which they are 'working on' and have not replied since my email 10 days ago. Now I have no more communication from lunchalot.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!

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Comments

  • fertiliser on 14/01/2014 - 12:20
    +7

    fool me once, etc..

  • davidem on 14/01/2014 - 12:50
    +5

    Thank you for the warning, OP

  • lisss on 14/01/2014 - 12:56

    Thats disgusting! Thanks for the warning…

  • Chux on 14/01/2014 - 13:14
    +1

    If it's a scam it's pretty damn elaborate when they have a promo video on their website with Mikey Robins as a spokesperson…

  • DrStinge on 14/01/2014 - 14:35
    +1

    Things missing from the site:

    • ABN
    • Contact Phone Number
    • No Business Name on WHOIS (Private)

    ABR search;

    Eh.. interesting case. The facebook page has 2.5k likes and there seems to be people genuinely satisfied with their service. Odd.

    • Janko on 14/01/2014 - 21:39
      +3

      I see they have a second Facebook page to the one you mention, founded only last month.

      It currently has 5058 likes—these guys should teach marketing.

      Pity they can't hide their like graph, which shows 5067 likes came in on the 24/12/13.

      But at least they hid the 'most popular country' statistic.

      • Moots on 15/01/2014 - 14:49
        +1

        Fiverr.com - 5,000 FB Likes for $5.

        • Store Replunchalot @ Lunchalot on 15/01/2014 - 21:04

          Hi Janko,

          I am a representative from lunchalot.

          You will notice our facebook page is Facebook.com/lunchalotclub, the one that links in from our website. If you go to our website lunchalot.com this is the one we promote.

          We have 2.5k genuine likes that we have built up over time with genuine customers.

          We have reported the "impostor" page via Facebook and it will be taken down shortly.

          We do not have any involvement with the "impostor" page which has stolen our messaging and property, thank you for bringing it to our attention.

          If you would like to discuss this any further or have any further comments please email [email protected].

          Thanks, lunchalot.

        • DrStinge on 16/01/2014 - 17:58
          +11

          Strange that someone would go out of their way to make a fake page about your business only to give correct links to the site..

        • lisss on 25/01/2014 - 19:39
          +2

          Rep, maybe you should address the OP's complaint instead of posting an implausible excuse about your fake FB page…

  • hello007 on 15/01/2014 - 15:07

    I'm a Lunchalot member who uses the site frequently and always search for the best discounts available.

    However, before I book, I always call the restaurant first and ask to ensure the discounts apply etc and that they will honour them.

    I also ask for the first name of the staff member and pre-negotiate any requirements I may be seeking.

    Never had any problem with this approach.

    Lunchalot is not perfect, but I'm satisfied with the service.

    A quick phone call by the complainant above before going to the restaurant would have avoided most of the above problems.

    Whenever I deal with any info-tech delivered solution, I always call to double check to avoid any concerns.

    To headline the service as a scam is quite unfair and unreasonable.

    I am not associated with Lunchalot in any way other than as a paying member. It has a valid place in the Australian restaurant and dining scene and, like any business, deserves the chance to grow and improve.

    • Store Replunchalot @ Lunchalot on 15/01/2014 - 21:05

      Thank you for your feedback hello007, we really appreciate it and we're still working every day to build a bigger and better program for our members.

      Many thanks for your support.

    • snook on 15/01/2014 - 23:41
      +9

      I think that dexxl has a reasonable complaint and to headline gives everyone else warning that the same thing could happen to them.

      If they won't honour the deal, I don't see how ringing them to see if they'll honour it makes a scrap of difference - advertised on their website but not available in reality is the message i'm getting from dexxl.

      And then the rep comes in here but doesn't address dexxl's issues at all. That is extra odd.

      Edit: this isn't the first time i've read mixed reviews about lunchalot and i will avoid them.

    • djones145 on 16/01/2014 - 20:43
      +1

      when u called the place beforehand, did you get many that said they don't honor or have never heard of lunchalot?

  • whytie on 16/01/2014 - 17:59
    +9

    Hi Dexxl, Can you please email me about your experiences. I am on [email protected] Many thanks

  • Doey21 on 16/01/2014 - 20:53

    Were the bookings acknowledged by the restaurant but the discounts refused; or did the website never attempt to make a booking in the first place?

  • dexxl on 17/01/2014 - 09:51
    +4

    I received a call from the international sales director of Lunchalot with an apology for their service and their lack of customer support. Lunchalot has refunded the money I have paid to be a member and will keep me as a member for the next 12 months free of charge. After planning dates and being made a fool of twice, it is unlikely that I will continue to even try what they claim to offer. But I appreciate their efforts in mending the cost of money and time.

    To Lunchalot: If the services you claim are legit, you need to dramatically increase your quality checks. YOUR CUSTOMERS DO NOT WORK FOR YOU and ARE NOT your quality checkers. Don't wait til our plans get ruined and complains received before you take action, it only leaves a filthy impression of your company in our mind.

    • stemcell on 17/01/2014 - 18:32

      Was his name Kim Dotcom?, I think they pooped their pants after whytie asked you to email him…bad press can be costly but I see all it cost them was 1 annual membership which if it was me I would have told them where to shove it.

  • snook on 17/01/2014 - 11:24

    think lunchalot is just australian, not international.

    'lunchalot.com is Australia’s half price dining club!'

  • CuteChocobo on 10/12/2014 - 19:13

    Sorry for bumping this up again. Just wondering hows everyone's experience with Lunchalot so far?
    I am very tempted, but this thread scared me!

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