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

  • +5

    Funniest thread in a while.

    'Reputation'. lel

    • +9

      Yes - his 'reputation' is tattered and in pizzas

  • +1

    Have you actually spent ANY money in the store? Maybe order a second pizza, or a drink, or anything at all? Or just used the free vouchers?

    When I get a delivery hero voucher, I feel I nclined to order something extra.. It feels fair..

    • +3

      Lol the restaurant gets the full payment - it's DeliveryHero taking the hit.

      • I know that.. If I save $15 I'll spend maybe another $2-5.. More for the store anyway.

  • Sounds like Dominos vouchers redeemed through something like RewardsCentral with giftpay.

  • +11

    POST a pic of the the voucher please!!!!!

    Btw, thanks ozbargainers!

    I almost fell over laughing from some of the hilarious comments, especially the one that told the OP to take the matter to the FOOD COURT hahahaha!

  • +2

    Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation!

  • -6

    Bloody students

  • +8

    I side on OP's side for some reason. He/she may not be best at expressing his/her feelings on here.

    Reputation, I think its more like pride in this case, being told off in public for doing a legit transaction (in one way or another traded off to get the voucher/coupon). And the ways that he/she was being treated.

    Recording voice/ video has become a norm in Asia, any arguments arised will quickly get on youtube, forums and make the attacker become "famous"

    There should be no shame on how the vouchers are obtained! In fact , I suggest if it can be obtained with survey effort.
    1. Get all ozbargainers to do it, use the voucher to order OP a pizza. OP either eats it or gives it to homeless for more reputation!

    Win win

    • +1

      Infamous.

    • +1

      Recording voice/ video has become a norm in Asia

      This might be one of the reasons it is being judged a bit harshly. It's a bit like saying Americans sue people over any tiny thing as normal, so doing that in Australia should be fine. It is, at best, deaf to what is usual reasonable behaviour.

  • +1

    If its the Delivery Hero voucher youre talking about technically thats meant to be only used once as a new customer. But I guess basically whats happened I guess without knowing the particulars eg what place, voucher etc ur talking about, uv basically made him pissed cos hes making u a product for nothing and if he did that with everyone he wouldnt have a business. I dont know I say just grow a conscience feel bad n call it a day

  • +7

    ELEVEN free pizzas off one voucher/series of identical vouchers? Based on the store owner's reaction, it seems clear that you are pushing an interpretation of the fair use of these vouchers beyond what is reasonable. No wonder they are annoyed, and store managers just don't randomly get upset to that degree, so clearly you have left out some pertinent detail to have people side with you here. Do you also go to "all you can eat" restaurants and walk out with 5 doggie bags worth of food?

    It's people like this that keep lawyers employed producing thousand word terms and conditions that nobody can comprehend because they have to address all of all the loopholes that people seem to be constantly in search of.

  • +11

    OP is one of those customers, that all workers hate

  • +1

    OP - You learnt a valuable life lesson. if you want to try pull something like this to a retailer/store/food. Don't do it to a place that you frequent because there is a chance that you can get banned.

    Also I think it's a little unfair for the OP to hit the Same franchise store over and over. the least the OP could've done is spread it around and use the voucher on different franchises.

    • 'Pull something like' what exactly?

      • +4

        this, use free coupons excessively on one store.

        I once bought some coupons on ebay that entitled me to 30 free maccas cafe large coffees. 1 coupon = 1 coffee. person was selling 30 coupons. how he got 30 coupons and codes. I have no idea. no purchase in maccas necessary. this was a few years back.

        Unlike the OP. I was smart enough to not excessively use it in the one store because i know it would make me look bad or possibly being asked to not use them again.

  • +2

    Hey Sands,
    Can you please explain where you got the coupons from, and what you paid for them?
    And can you simply explain any reason you might think the manager might have been angry?

    I think if you answer these two honestly, people will support you to get a good resolution.

    • +3

      Yes, the OP needs to deliver more information, preferably wood-fired.

      Where is the OP anyway. Hope they haven't starved to death!

  • +2

    OP, as per Scrooge McDuck's comment at the beginning of this thread and if you fail to gain the satisfaction you seek from Pizza Company HQ, this could well end up in the Food Court.

    Even in matters much more serious than this (yes) and involving sweaty-teenager-spread food poisoning and pizza slicer death, juries have shown themselves highly susceptible to Cochran-esque strategy.
    "If the clear plastic food preparation glove doesn't fit, you must acquit."
    And they do.

    As for fast-food managers, sweaty or otherwise, they are, as a group, second only to El Chapo in being a law unto themselves.

    TL;DR?
    You will lose.

    Sure, you can appeal to the Super Supreme Court, but you will just end up penniless and begging for a counselling referral to Dr. Oetker.

    Go home, OP. Go home.

    Home as in your pizza-free place of residence, not as in your country of origin, Sandy.

    • +1

      What the fudge are you talking about willis?

      • Don't sweat the fudge, moo, mate.
        Even in the context of people who understand them, my comments on OzBargain have only ever had a 'niche appeal', at best.

        BTW, thanks, to you and the slightly less abbreviated moo for all of the milk. You know, to help make all of that fudge, mozzarella, and dodgy niche comments.

  • +4

    Been following this thread since 2 days.. Man, I've never been confused so much in my life.
    Want to feel for the OP, but he hasn't been opening up, not replying to comments, etc.
    Want to feel for the Store Manager, but swearing at customers is unacceptable, anywhere..

    Any good Vodka deals Ozbargainers???

    • +1

      If the OP has been honest, why would you want to feel for the store manager?

      The OP bought pre-paid pizza vouchers and redeemed them according to conditions. The head office supposedly confirmed that the store is getting the full amount despite a somewhat confusing $0 showing on receipt. All the store manager had to do was ask OP politely what was going on. He could then have confirmed with head office if still sceptical. His behavior is unacceptable and head office should give him an earful.

      Again, assuming this is what happened.

      • +5

        If the OP has been honest

        The OP hasn't been honest and has been caught out telling porkies. Plus is withholding crucial bits of information to complete the story. Why do you believe anything they say? Frankly I'm starting to question of the store manager even swore at them. OP took a switched on recording device to pick up pizzas, sounds like he was expecting trouble, or possibly even looking to start trouble for the purposes of financial gain. He could well have provoked an attack

        and redeemed them according to conditions

        Did the OP post a copy of the voucher and conditions that I missed??? Because he sure has been asked a thousand times and is withholding that information. I'd put money on the voucher saying "valid for one use per person" and the OP thought he'd be sneaky and buy 20. Or maybe something worse like finding a loophole and totally scamming the pizza store/site. Fact is until the voucher and conditions are provided to us no-one should be siding with either party.

        • +1

          I haven't seen any of these porkies. Lack of willingness to answer questions yes, which is suspicious for sure, but all we have is the OPs word for now. And there has been no other reason to doubt him that I've seen, except for him not answering when asked about the voucher details. This whole thread could be a troll thread for all we know, and it wouldn't surprise me, but if we are going to discuss it then we have to assume that this did indeed happen.

          So if we assume it happened as OP described it, then there is no excuse for how the store manager behaved. If he yelled at me in front of other customers, I would be extremely pissed. If any information is shown that it did NOT happen as he described it, then that's another story.

          Also, if I found a loophole and was intentionally abusing the system and then got caught out, I would consider it a good run and move on. Why create this thread and call head office etc? Makes little sense.

          But yes, if OP wants to provide some clarification, that would be very helpful.

        • @fruxo:

          If he yelled at me in front of other customers, I would be extremely pissed

          I don't want to be pedantic, but the OP never mentioned yelling. In fact the only time it has been mentioned in this whole thread is by jonathonsunshine. The OP only said he was verbally abused with "dirty words", and let's be honest the OPs lack of English skills is not the best. Maybe the store manager was congratulating him on another free pizza, saying "wow, what luck!".

          I suppose my point is we are all making assumptions here, people siding with the OP are making assumptions about his story, assumptions that aren't presented in the words written, and people siding against the OP are making assumptions about what's not written. The only thing we know for sure is that the truth is not to hand yet. It may never be.

          But yes, if OP wants to provide some clarification, that would be very helpful

          Agree 100%

  • +2

    I too think that the OP is not telling some vital informations. In fact he had disappeared to avoid telling it.

    1. What kind of vouchers, their conditions of use and how they were used.
    2. Did he verbally abuse the Manager first?
    • +3

      Problem is people post their problem with partial information or one sided story and seek advise here assuming that they'll get favorable response from community. But as soon as community ask them counter question or more detail, they just disappear.

  • Around Christmas last year, a few mates and I had amassed something like 20 Dominos vouchers each, which entitled us to a free pizza, and 2 free garlic breads DELIVERED, using methods discussed in this competition here. We mostly used them at one local store, and surprisngly they not once asked us where we got the vouchers from, even after using multiple in one night for free delivered pizzas. But I wouldn't have been surprised if they had got angry at us, and we would have stopped using them there and given them away to friends living elsewhere. Either way, it was a good time of free pizzas for parties and what-not, although ethically questionable.

  • Hi guys,

    I'm not disappearing and hidden from the comments. Sorry guys, couldn't reply on each and every commands on this discussion.
    

    Anyway I received a call from the pizza company's communications manager and she told that the company ha been taking this
    incident very seriously. I'm waiting for further update from pizza company. I'll let you know later with brief of the incident
    ( I mean order pizza via online until I came out from store)…

    • +4

      You still have not answered few questions:

      Can you please explain where you got the coupons from, and what you paid for them?
      And can you simply explain any reason you might think the manager might have been angry?

      • I got those vouchers from my company as a complement (but the company has paid for those vouchers); I think the store manager could see my order as free pizza order instead of discounted order. I tried to explain to him but he did't wants listen to me.

        • +12

          I got pizza company's voucher from another gift card company to use online order ( not a free voucher, I paid for that)


          I got those vouchers from my company as a complement (but the company has paid for those vouchers);

          See, this is why we can't give you a proper response to your questions, because your story is so full of holes that keep changing

        • And this as well

          No.. it was a different voucher every time. I paid for those vouchers.

        • +1

          @Spackbace: Guys,

           In pizza company point of view these vouchers paid by me because I'm user of the voucher. 
          

          I got this voucher from my company anyway my company paid for that.

        • +4

          @sands:

          I paid for those vouchers. <> my company paid for that.

        • @cniminc: It doesn't matter that where the vouchers came from. The problem is using the voucher.

        • +10

          @sands: cheese, do you work for the pizza company in question? This whole thread is becoming a confusing pizza work! Olive to help people but you seem to be frozen on the idea of retribution, which is the crust of the situation. I tip my hut to your tenacity, but i think you need to move on if you want pizza mind. this ham-fisted attitude and inability to think outside the box has already hurt your reputation - which is now in pizzas, and seems to have dominoed to deliver the sauce of your anguish.

        • +4

          Considering OP's English skills, by saying "I paid for those vouchers" he most likely means that the vouchers are not freebies from the Pizza Co, but someone has paid for them. For all intents and purposes, it does not really matter who originally paid for the vouchers.
          Ultimately, OP has mentioned that the Pizza Head Office has confirmed that the voucher is valid and that it took the incident very seriously. He could have lied about it, but why would he? For God sake, he was asking if there is a chance to take this case to a court!! If there is no truth in the story, he would be the one bashed in the court.

          For people believing that something fishy is going on, instead of pushing and accusing him, can you actually suggest any proper solution in a civilised society? Eg something that involves a real life mediation between multiple parties (without involving high-cost court) so that all parties can present evidence and argue openly? ACCC mediation? small tribunal?

          A lot of people keep pushing OP to divulge the details of those voucher. It is obvious that he does want to provide the details for whatever reasons. OP, can you tell the reason why you want to keep it a secret?

  • +3

    @cniminc How about stop trying to belittle the guy on the little details until he tells the whole story? Yes he said he paid for them; yes it turns out it was the company that paid for them. So whats the point of repeating the same statement over and over again? You want him to send you a letter or apology?

    Try asking questions to the answer that will be helpful instead of rehashing what he said. You aint being an internet hero

    • -2

      No, i m not internet hero. I m pressing that OP is changing his/her stand on origin and value that he paid for vouchers.

      • +2

        Are you the Delivery Hero?

        • -1

          Yes but don't expect any vouchers from me.

  • +6

    I dislike liars more than I dislike full price pizza.

  • +2

    Okay so what I can ascertain here is that @sands worked for a company. As perhaps incentives? They give out free pizza vouchers in order to meet quota. Maybe he's in sales, market research perhaps? So @sands meets quota and gets maybe a couple of pizzas every month. He uses them once, twice now more than a few times, manager is sick of the site of them and has kicked up a fuss.

    If that's the case maybe things are all above board and maybe we should be giving the OP the benefit of the doubt. I'd still like to know more details but the best thing to do now is go to the source of the vouchers. Forget about the apology and just hope you can still use these vouchers.

  • +3

    This incident starting to sound very ….. Fishy

    • Maybe anchovies?

  • +5

    Even if this store accepts your vouchers going forward, it may be wise to go somewhere else, as the store manager may still be pissed resulting in your free pizzas getting a few extra special toppings that you may be unaware of.

  • +1

    You must have ordered a anchovies pizza hold the cheese.

    • mate and I did that once.. best damned pizza we'd ever eaten.. manager put on extra anchovies thinking we were a couple of deadheads, but we both love anchovies and even though it gave us cat's bum mouth while eating it.. was worth the salt intake. Went back the next week but he wouldn't make another (understandable, the amount of anchovies he'd used the first time must've cost a small fortune!).

  • +1

    what state are you in.

    only legal to record something in QLD and WA without consent….

    seriously buy some eggs and egg the joint and move on

    • +1

      Not quite right in QLD and VIC if you are a party to the private conversation the use of a "Listening Device" is not restricted.

      In WA you must have the permission of all of the principal parties or be one of the principal parties and be recording for the protection of your interests.

      OP is in QLD.

  • +4

    I've already made up my mind that I'm sympathetic to Sand's side based on what I've read so far. But the only reason I keep hanging on reading this thread is I'm desperate to know the full details of the vouchers. It's like a major cliff hanger.

    I believe these must be valid vouchers because the franchise consultant confirmed they are legit. So please please please Sands, just tell us all the damn details of the vouchers. How you got them, how they work, what their terms and conditions are. At least if you told us they're only available to employees of X company, then I could put my mind at ease that I'm not missing out on some huge bargain.

  • +1

    No Pizza For You!

  • Sounds like you're saying the store is part of a franchise? Go to the franchisee (dominos/pizza hut/whatever it was) website and put a complaint in there. You'll firstly receive another voucher, though on top of this the store manager will be updated on how he/she is required to honor such vouchers under his/her franchise license. Ontop of this, I'm sure they'll get quite a speech about being friendlier with customers.

  • Would this happend to be a phut in the mt gravatt region?

  • -3

    "I got pizza company's voucher from another gift card company" I don't quite understand what you mean, with that statement. Is it a gift card for the same pizza company you ordered from, or a gift card from another pizza company? If it's from another pizza company, then the opposing company doesn't have to honour it (unless they say they will.) If it's a gift card for the same company you're ordering from, then it seems like they're obliged to honour it. -Unless, for example, there is a disclaimer, saying the card is only valid to use at participating stores.

  • +1

    "I got this voucher from my company anyway my company paid for that.", "I got pizza company's voucher from another gift card company". The mystery is finally solved…

    You work for the gift card company.

  • +2

    Sad to say, I've been a member here for almost what, 7 years? and the forums are polluted with idiots trying to find judgmental support and legal aid to assist in their one-sided stories.

    If you have an issue with prospects to seek legal action, contact Legal Aid. We don't want to listen to one-sided stories then answer your stupid question as to:

    Can I sue a pizza company?

    So if member98978 says, Yes. Will you proceed?

    Judging by your English and the fact you used 20 (free) vouchers to buy pizzas ultimately does not put you in a great position to "sue" a Pizza company.

    Your story has more holes than a strainer. "I used a free voucher for a pizza from another company which gave it to me as a complement".
    Why don't you contact this "other company" and tell them the voucher didnt work. Why don't you face the store manager and ask him to give you the reasoning why he refused to serve you rather than seek legal advice here?

    This is no different to the other goose woman who said something around 'I forgot to pay for Coles/Woolies shopping trolley worth $300, then i remembered in the carpark and thought, I can't be bothered. Is this ok'?

    May God have mercy on your soul

    • +9

      I don't think he would actually be able to sue. Lawyers probably wouldn't want to waste their time with this!

      But…

      Judging by your English

      Only people with a good command of the English language are able to use the court system?

      and the fact you used 20 (free) vouchers to buy pizzas ultimately does not put you in a great position to "sue" a Pizza company.

      If the vouchers were legitimately issued and used, why not? What's the difference between vouchers that he paid for himself, and vouchers that were paid for by someone else?

      Your story has more holes than a strainer.

      He certainly isn't explaining himself well. It could have something to do with his English.
      It would also definitely help if we knew the T&Cs of the vouchers.

      Why don't you face the store manager and ask him to give you the reasoning why he refused to serve you

      Er, did you read his original post?

      This is no different to the other goose woman who said something around 'I forgot to pay for Coles/Woolies shopping trolley worth $300, then i remembered in the carpark and thought, I can't be bothered. Is this ok'?

      How did you come to that conclusion?

      Someone buys pizza vouchers and gives it to him. He uses them.
      vs
      Someone puts groceries into their cart and walks out.

      You really think they're the same?

      • Only people with a good command of the English language are able to use the court system?

        That's not what I said, if you can't articulate yourself clearly, it does not provide you any aid in the court of law

        If the vouchers were legitimately issued and used, why not?

        No-one here on this board, has seen the T&Cs of the voucher that he/she is being intentionally vague on. As such, no-one here can give legal advice or EVEN suggest to file a complaint.

        You don't know if the T&Cs say:
        * One use only
        * Time restrictions, date restrictions (weekends, public holidays, etc)
        * Pizza type restrictions,
        * etc
        He may have well used the 11 times and got through by chance until the manager picked up. Posts like this should be deleted unless the person is able to prove conditions.

        How did you come to that conclusion?
        I made the connection between his one-sided story seeking legal aid and the woman who sought emotional aid for her one-sided story in trying to convince herself she's still a victim. The scenarios are different, the concepts were the same.

        • +3

          That's not what I said, if you can't articulate yourself clearly, it does not provide you any aid in the court of law

          That's when you rely on lawyers. Yes it's unlikely to happen, but that wasn't the point.

          No need for BIG BOLD TEXT. You're assuming just as much as everyone else.

          Some people assume the vouchers aren't valid and he's scamming the pizza company. Others assume the manager isn't aware of how the vouchers work.

          In any case, a store manager shouldn't be losing their temper at customers.

          Posts like this should be deleted unless the person is able to prove conditions.

          It looks like the OP is concerned about defamation action.

          I made the connection between his one-sided story seeking legal aid and the woman who sought emotional aid for her one-sided story in trying to convince herself she's still a victim. The scenarios are different, the concepts were the same.

          If you re-read your original post, you'll see that's a bit of a stretch as you never mentioned anything about legal aid vs emotional aid and being a victim. Maybe you should have added that explanation in.

        • -1

          @eug:

          No need for BIG BOLD TEXT. You're assuming just as much as everyone else.

          There is not even 1% assumption in my bold text. Please re-read it before you hasten to reply

          It looks like the OP is concerned about defamation action.

          Interesting. So post a one-sided story full of holes, request advice on whether to proceed legal action or file a complaint, whilst unable to provide any evidence of his/her position with relation to the T&C of this voucher. Makes sense? only to idiots siding with OP

        • +3

          @frostman:

          There is not even 1% assumption in my bold text.

          It's not in your bold text. It's in the rest of your post. You're assuming he's hiding something. That could very well be the case - but you're still making an assumption just like the rest of us.

          idiots trying to find judgmental support
          your stupid question
          Makes sense? only to idiots siding with OP

          Calm down, relax. No need to get so worked up over a forum post, even if the OP really is misusing coupons. None of us know the truth yet, so until the OP posts more definite info, this should be in the "undecided" camp.

          You suspect he's leaving out some very important details, which could very well be true. But you're also calling him an idiot who asks stupid questions when you don't have all the info yourself.

        • -1

          @eug:

          Calm down, relax. No need to get so worked up over a forum post, even if the OP really is misusing coupons. None of us know the truth yet

          Oh really? So why did 201 people Vote the + sign which states: Can I log a complaint to pizza company about the incident?

          How did these 201 people vote yes without seeing anything more than what he typed? Have you seen the problem yet?

          Oh…i see, I forgot this part…

          Note: I have recorded entire conversation for evidence

          Ok mate..please sue the Pizza shop ASAP. you're in the right

        • +4

          @frostman:

          Oh really? So why did 201 people Vote the + sign which states: Can I log a complaint to pizza company about the incident?

          Clicking a button doesn't mean they know the truth.

          You've been here for 7 years - surely you would have realized by now that plenty of people click + on deals without making sure it really is a deal.

          There aren't 201 people posting here defending the OP either.

  • wait, what are you suing for again???? :P

  • +6

    Mods; close this thread and end this madness.

    This Pizza Mogul's story is Hut and miss.

  • +3

    Look being abused like that, if it happened without good cause, is not on. I'd ask for a refund for the vouchers, never use that store, and perhaps that franchise again, depending on circumstances and move on. That said OP should write a book to recoup his loses: How I ruined the joy of eating pizza.

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