Abused by Pizza Store Manager

Hi OZ,

I would like to get advice for the incident happened to me in on of pizza company's (don't want to say the brand name) store.
A long story in short… I got pizza company's voucher from another gift card company to use online order ( not a free voucher, I paid for that). I used those voucher (almost 11 times) to order pizza to pick up in same store which is close to my home. I went to store to pick up my order and the store manager told me that every time I got pizza for free (order total amount because $0 when use those voucher) and he will not make a pizza for my order. I tried to explain to him about voucher but he did not wants listen to me. He abused me verbally (used dirty words) and forced me to leave the store and he don't want to see me in the store again.
I have recorded entire conversation in my mobile phone for evidence.

Few highlights for you guys..

  1. Why the order shows as a free pizza in store order management system even I paid via voucher?
  2. As long as the order paid by anyway why did the store manager refused my order?
  3. Why did he abused me and forced me to leave the store? ( he was acted like a independent store owner)

I would like to get honest advise from your guys…
Can I sue a pizza company?
Can I take legal action against the store?
Where do I log a complaint?

Note: I have recorded entire conversation for evidence.

Thank you…

Poll Options

  • 216
    Can I log a complaint to pizza company about the incident?
  • 8
    Can I sue a pizza company (via fair work QLD or ACCC)?
  • 10
    Can I log a case in court ?

closed Comments

      • Hi there Ughh pug. Pizza for tea tonight?

    • Free pizza? You said it was a paid voucher before?

    • +4

      Obviously O.P feels aggrieved given he was treated with contempt even though he had a legitimate voucher he paid for.

      If I was in O.P's position:

      1. Contact franchise consultant and seek if rejection of voucher was a breach of franchising agreement. If it is, they will contact the franchisee. This is the most likely scenario of what will happen next.

      Most will stop there. If I still felt aggrieved:

      1. Seek formal apology from franchisee, either directly or from the franchise consultant. Show the video to the franchise consultant to prove the extent of the 'abuse'.

      2. As a last resort, post the video online.

      O.P most likely still feels aggrieved since the franchisee will not be reprimanded for the incident since the franchise consultant will only spend 1-2 mins over the phone with him.

      If I truly felt humiliated and abused, I would consider option 3 but only if other options were exhausted. Humiliation aside, denying someone a pizza has got to be the one of the most traumatic incidents that could to happen to you right? Not really, but i'd still be angry… and hungry.

      • +2

        but i'd still be angry… and hungry.

        Hangry!

      • +3

        If I was in O.P's position:

        1.Get over it and move on.

    • +2

      Next time, take a video of a person going off on you and then put it up on youtube, facebook, and twitter and hastag the company.
      Considering this person has used dirty words, you will then be in a position to go on and ruin that person's entire reputation, and make them infamous and unemployable for the next 1-5 years because you'll force that company into a position where they will have to consider firing him, a lot of the times places like this will do just that. That person then might then go into debt and be out on the street too as a bonus, as well as any dependents that they have.

      Or you might just forget about it, and move on with your life..

  • +3

    First option, do the same with a different store enjoy your pizzas.
    Second option is try a delivery option with a different name, maintain a copy of order upload to facebook page for not delivering. (Assuming he would not deliver)
    Third Option, split the orders into multiple ones with different names. Still use vouchers and pay minimum.

    If none of it works, politely send the video/audio to the Head office of the pizza chain (which I assume is a chain), wait for a week and upload it to their facebook page.

    you may be in for a surprise for a year long free pizza :) with T&C.

    If you are upset about the pizza shop owner abusing you, to piss him off, burn 100 copies of video and distribute it for free in front of his shop.

    Dont waste your energy, you are yet to have the pizzas.

    • +2

      Second option is try a delivery option with a different name,

      "Ned Isakoff"

  • +2

    OP, it's normally only an extra 5min drive to go to another store. Use that one to pickup from now on, not the one you're complaining about.

  • +21

    When I was in my teens I knew a bunch of people that worked at a particular pizza store and one thing I learnt very quickly was do not piss off people that handle your food if your going to eat it. Even if you are right. The things these people did to the pizzas of customers they did not like is downright disgusting.
    If I was you I would NEVER go back there, you may never know what your getting on your pizzas.

    • +2

      Right catch.. Thanks for that. I'll not to go the store again!

      • +6

        It's probably too late. On the 5th pizza they might've started giving you extras, thinking you'd figure it out by the 7th. But the plan back fired cause you liked it (?) And came back for more. By the 10th pizza, they had enough and became confrontational.

        • +1

          Trust is most important with others until you get clashed :)

        • @surekumr:

          I'm sure he trust you loved those pizzas. You might as well continue ordering from the store.

          People always say "you get what you paid for", well, not in this case, you get more value from what you paid! Win

        • +1

          @gaurav1504:

          Beeotches vs Bastards

          31 - 3

        • @Scrooge McDuck:

          Never understand those people who announce/display their name/face while filming themselves doing these stupid things that can get you into trouble, legal or not, then upload to youtube????
          Which stupid tree did they fall down from. Same with the Walmart guy who filmed himself kicking and throwing iphones/ipads.

        • +3

          by the tenth pizza the cooks hand was too sore and calloused to knead out any more pizza bases

    • +7

      I can't speak to where you live… but in most places food tampering is a criminal offence that can land you with some serious jail time. and that doesn't even take into consideration that it's a PR nightmare for the business.

      I once suspended an employee for a week just for telling a friend who was ordering that they were going to spit in her food, as a joke. This is seriously a 0 tolerance type issue.

      • +1

        Where's your store? If you're nearby you have a new customer in me.

  • You have proven you were not wrong and was being hard done by. Get on with life. You don't want to feel upset and angry when you order your pizza every time. Enjoy eating it.

  • +21

    There is a possibility that the pizza store manager noticed that you are having too much pizza in your diet. Too much carbs.
    He could be one of those who are awkward in social situation and do not know how to tell you too much pizza aint good for you. He decided to make up an excuse to stop you eating pizza.

    As you left the store, "It is for your own good I am doing this." He thought.
    He cares.

    • +3

      This has to be the reason. What a sweet guy.

  • After everything is done, I don't know if I'd feel comfortable ordering pizza from the same shop again anyway…

    Has anyone seen the movie, 'Waiting'?
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348333/

    • +1

      If it was me, I definitely won't be going back. I have heard too many stories when the people that serve you food are upset with you!

      • absolutely, I've heard too many bad stores from friends in the industry.

        If I ordered a burger and there was a fingernail in it. I wouldn't be sending it back to the kitchen for a new burger. I'd ask for a refund and leave. Don't mess with the kitchen, you might not win.

  • +2

    Get over it precious. Anyway, too much pizza isn't good for you.

  • +8

    Surely you know that such promotions are intended for you to sample their goods in the hope of repeat business at full price. If you had the slightest bit of tact, youd go in once or twice a week so as not to draw the ire of the proprieter. Instead it sounds like you were living off pizza for a week or two. While within your rights it shows no shame and as suggested above, after the fifth day in a row you likely were given 'extra ingredients' or 'special sauce'.

    As for your sullied reputation, i dont think they are all laughing with you when they call you 'Pizza Boy' or something similar.

    • -7

      I didn't buy pizza every day, it could be monthly once. It's not a promotional voucher as I said that those are paid voucher by me.

      • +16

        So you are saying that you went only once a month for 6-8 months to buy pizza and he abused you on 8th/9th/10th month. How the hell store manager remember you as he would have hundreds of customer every week. I smell something fishy here…

        • +12

          Anchovies ?

        • -4

          It's not a rocket science. I have used my online account to order pizza so he could track my orders and he could use my mobile number too.

        • +2

          @surekumr: Why would he track you?

        • -1

          @cniminc: no idea mate!

        • +1

          @cniminc: the pizza van is actually filled with surveillance equipment, its a front!

        • +1

          @cniminc: puts on tin foil

          Don't talk too loud. The government is listening.

      • +1

        Then why'd you mention earlier than your reputation within the community for getting free pizza will be tarnished?
        "The store manager spoiled my reputation in my town that I got free pizza every time."
        Also, what exactly did the manager say to you? You still haven't answered that question.

        • +7

          I admit, I for one am one of those people who points at Surekumr on the path and whispers to all within earshot of "the man who uses free vouchers for food". I am truly sorry for bringing your standing in the community into question. Sadly the whole village is now aware of what devious methods you use to extricate free food!

          We do belong to the same "Village" right? "Let not the bad color be seen, it attracts them"

  • +16

    Wait, you have a "reputation" for getting free pizzas. But you paid for those vouchers…
    I think your new reputation will be liar liar pants on fire, as well as others…

    What an entertaining Friday morning

      • +26

        You've got a real attitude buddy.

        • +19

          Yep. Starting to see the other side of the story here, and understanding why the OP was "abused"

        • +1

          Make sense now. I dont think OP even has a recording haha

  • +14

    Still waiting to find out about this 'Gift Card' and where you obtained it from…

  • +2

    I would send the recording to head office. It sounds like he shouldn't be involved in a franchise with that attitude, swearing at and banning a customer over a voucher he doesn't understand. You'll probably get some more vouchers as compensation. Recommend redeeming them at a different store. I'm sorry you had such a rough time just for trying to save some dough on dough.

  • +3

    I'd tell the owner you want an apology delivered in ten minutes or else… a free pizza.

  • +13

    OOT… but you need to polish up your English big time!!

  • +5

    Is is the guy you are talking about ?
    Pizza Manager

  • +21

    Toughen up, I get abused by my wife all the time and don't try and sue her.

    • +4

      So it's not just me? Phew

    • +14

      Do you get stuff for free that she normally charges for?

      • +1

        HAHA

      • +8
        • Hey That site is Crazy,,

          It was worth reading all through these comments just to find this link. and then go on to find this story..

          http://www.betootaadvocate.com/humans-of-betoota/man-gets-a-…

        • The quotes from the guy seem so relaxed about the fact his wife is an escort. He is more concerned about the refund in the article. haha.

        • +2

          @hahaboy: Betoota, QLD. Population: 0

          In the words of Media Watch,

          No one has lived in Betoota since 2004 when the town’s sole resident for 51 years, a Polish immigrant called Sigmund Remienko, sadly passed away at the age of 89.

          Yes, if you haven’t got there already The Betoota Advocate is a satirical website, run by a couple of unemployed Sydney journalism graduates with a talent for entertainment.

          ABC Media Watch calls out Channel Nine for plagiarising Outback newspaper
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2cew1QytIQ

  • +10

    I have recorded entire conversation

    Why were you recording the incident? Who picks up pizzas with their phone on record before walking in to the shop?

    • +7

      Not a bad idea actually. I might do that in the future, in case I need to sue them for putting on anchovies!

    • +10

      You mean you dont record your interactions with fast food places? I have a room full of usb sticks, cd's and even cassettes ( it dates back quite a while) of my drive though conversations with maccas, red rooster, chicken treat, burger king etc. just in case i need to present evidence - just like OP

      • burger king!

        my vinyls record Hungry Jacks and Kentucky Fried Chicken conversations thank you very much.

  • +1

    Was it the Domino's Bankstown Store. The Manager there is not very friendly. He had a go at me with the Tap King Voucher deal. I had to take it up with head office.

    • OP is in Brissy i guess..

    • +1

      Who was the Manager expecting, Lionel Ritchie ?

    • I've only had good experiences with Domino's Bankstown, but then again I don't really abuse vouchers.

      Each tho his own I guess.

  • Seriously, get these guys onboard. They'll sort that manager out.

    • -1

      or Mick "La Porcella" Gatto.

  • +6

    Op was verbally abused and humiliated. He wants the store manager to admit he was wrong and to apologise for his behaviour. Nothing wrong with wanting someone to take responsibility for their own actions/behaviour. The franchise consultant probably only told the store manager "those coupons are valid. Don't reject them again" and that was it. No accountability for his rudeness.
    A lot of people calling op immature and to toughen up would not say the same if it was themselves in the situation.

    • +10

      A lot of people calling op immature and to toughen up would not say the same if it was themselves in the situation.

      1) Who has the voice recorder handy on their phone so as to get an argument? How long did the argument go for that it necessitated recording it?
      2) Nowhere sells Dominos/Pizza Hut gift cards. OP still hasn't said what deal he was using to order the food.
      3) After getting a result, OP feels their reputation amongst their community has taken a hit.

      So you can see why the side that OP is portraying is definitely not the whole story.

      • +8

        1) Who has the voice recorder handy on their phone so as to get an argument? How long did the argument go for that it necessitated recording it?

        Me and others I know have a voice recorder app on our phones easily accessible should something arise. As soon as things start to sound nasty or looking to turn bad, it's not strange to start recording. It's only strange if one starts the recorder and then goes into a store, before anything has happened.

        2) Nowhere sells Dominos/Pizza Hut gift cards. OP still hasn't said what deal he was using to order the food.

        It's true that he hasn't answered that. It could be because he doesn't want this deal to get ozbargained and he lose his cheap pizzas or his coupons were free to begin with. It doesn't matter though because the franchise consultant said that the vouchers were legit. Whether it was free or not, he still should've been able to use them without being treated rudely.

        3) After getting a result, OP feels their reputation amongst their community has taken a hit.

        I feel that op doesn't have a good grasp of English. His "reputation being ruined" sounds silly but I believe he meant he was humiliated in front of others.

        • I feel that op doesn't have a good grasp of English.

          I agree on that but

          I don't accept his apology. What about the incident happened to me? The store manager spoiled my reputation in my town that I got free pizza every time.

          So op feels humiliated for not being able to get free pizzas anymore?

        • +3

          @Ughhh:
          That's a case of his poor English. He was humiliated and shamed for always getting free pizzas…that he's an uber cheapskate.

        • Completely agree with what @tikei said. Doesn't matter where he gets the coupon. As long as its valid they should accept it.

        • -1

          @tikei:

          The way I see it is he's known by his friends to always get free pizzas, something he's proud of, just like when you go up to pay $2 for something and everyone else pays full price. Now that the pizza store refuses to accept his order, he has lost that reputation.

          It could really be both ways, cause of the poorly written text.

          No need to neg just because I read it differently, unless we get a better confirmation from op, who knows.

        • @Ughhh:
          I didn't neg you

        • +3

          @Ughhh: That's not how I read it at all. My understanding is that the store manager accused OP of never paying for food, essentially branded OP a thief, despite OP having paid beforehand for the vouchers.

    • +2

      Even if this is 'resolved,' I wouldn't ever order there again if I was the OP. I wouldn't eat something prepared by people who have axe to grind. Also, we haven't seen or heard this footage, assuming that it was 'abuse' and humiliating. I'm also curious why he had the foresight to bring a voice recorder, then come here asking if he has grounds to sue.

      • I'll not order any pizza with that pizza company but I don't leave them until I get response from pizza company for this incident.

  • +8

    It is not illegal to covertly record any conversation that you are a party to in Queensland. Op is within his rights to record the conversation wtihout telling anyone else involved in it.

    Queensland Invasion of Privacy Act 1971 Part 4 Section 43 subsection 2(a)
    https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/I/InvasO…

    • what about victoria?

      • My understanding is that Victoria is the same as Queensland - i.e. if you are a party to the conversation then it is legal to record without the consent of other parties.

        Surveillance Devices Act (Vic) 1999 Part 2 Section 6 subsection 1
        http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTOb…

        • -2

          Victoria is not the same as Queensland.

          Surveillance Devices Act (Vic) 1999 Part 2 Section 6 subsection 1

          Subject to subsection (2), a person must not
          knowingly install, use or maintain a listening
          device to overhear, record, monitor or listen to a
          private conversation to which the person is not a
          party, without the express or implied consent of
          each party to the conversation.

        • +2

          @Baysew:

          to which the person is not a
          party

        • @PBG:

          Did someone say party?

        • +1

          @PBG: I wish to plead guilty in the Food Court.

        • @Baysew: No soup for you!

  • Just out of curiosity did you take a friend with you and then not have money to buy different food once rejected by pizza manager?

  • +2

    were you already expecting problems seeing you were secretly taping the outcome?

  • +7

    There is clearly something the OP isn't telling, us why would you buy a gift card then exchange it at face value for a pizza?(which no-one pays full price for anyway), why not just pay with cash/card? Seems they are deliberately leaving out facts to paint themselves in a favourable light.

  • Yes, sue them for defamation. Brisbane is a pretty small town and everyone knows everyone else, so getting your pizzas for nothing is bound to ruin your reputation. Fair Work, ACCC, log a case in court? People have NFI the cost of starting a court action. Go see a Solicitor, then a Barrister and you will soon be up for $30,000 just to start things off.

  • -1

    Thank you for valuable feedback guys. I have received all call from pizza company and advised that this incident has been forward to the state manger for further action.

    • +14

      Why aren't you answering the actual important questions?
      - Why did you record the conversation
      - At what point did you commence recording the conversation?
      - Where did you purchase the vouchers?
      - What exactly did the store manager say?
      - Do you really believe that anyone else in the store, community, city, state, (profanity) anywhere really gives two shits about you arguing with the pizza store? If this is in sunnybank, no one's going to recognise you anyway.
      edit - LOL at "(profanity)"

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