Money making scheme of this restaurant
By marisriel
@marisriel (1156)
Philippines
January 28, 2009 8:07pm CST
We celebrated my husband's birthday last night on Dad's restaurant. It was a restaurant offering buffet meals featuring Dad's steak and american food, Saisaki (japanese food) and Kamayan (Filipino food). I can't say anything negative about the food, because they were awesome and we really enjoyed the buffet and the desserts. What I'm ranting about is this. When we had just taken our seats on the reserved table and the waiter gave our drinks, we were very delighted that they had given us stuff toys, they were cute. We thought that they were free, considering that the last time we walked in that restaurant, maybe two years ago, the stuff toys were free if you purchase drinks because the buffet meal does not include drinks. When it was our time to get the bill, we totally got a higher bill than we expected, and when checked the bill, it was because of the stuff toys that they gave us. We didn't have a choice but to pay. When we got home and was talking about it, we found on the internet that there were already lots of victims of this scheme. So I thought, it will be useful to check a restaurant before you eat. It will save you from unexpected expenses especially if you are on a tight budget.
2 people like this
5 responses
@rsa101 (38115)
• Philippines
29 Jan 09
Wow that is a different gimmick huh... Well I guess it is better to ask them about it before really taking it and assuming it for free. I really think it should be free since they give it when you have not asked for it and never ordered it in the meal. I think if I were the owner of these restaurant I would not put it as a separate billing but would include that as added cost in the food maybe you would not notice that.
@marisriel (1156)
• Philippines
29 Jan 09
I don't know if the owner of the restaurant knew of this scheme. We were actually looking for ways to let the owner know somehow if he knew of this.
1 person likes this
@ag_abscruzmd (2283)
• United States
29 Jan 09
Hi! Thanks for this information. I remembered always treating my family to a buffet at Saisaki at the Alabang Town Center when I take my vacation in the Philippines. We like the food choices, although the last time I went there this June, some of the choices were on the oily side. That would really make a person feel full faster. Well, as for the scheme, I guess the management needed to boost the revenue of the restaurant. Times are hard. It is not right, though. It is pathetic in my opinion. I would definitely complain and not pay for the stuffed toys. At least a lesson is learned and you have shared your experience with us.
Happy myLotting!
1 person likes this
@marisriel (1156)
• Philippines
29 Jan 09
Yes, I agree. That's why I'm trying to write it on every site that I can write to so others will be informed.
@oyenkai (4394)
• Philippines
29 Jan 09
It's really annoying that they do not inform us about it first before giving it. There are actually two kind of bottomless iced tea - one comes with a free stuffed toy and one is just drinks. It's not really for free because you have to pay for it.
You could have given the stuffed toys back and not paid for it and argue that you never asked for it anyway.
Thanks for the response on my discussion!
1 person likes this
@x0xpinkyx0x (673)
• Brazil
29 Jan 09
That's awful, but couldn't you give the toys back and say you didn't ask for it so you wouldn't have to pay for it. I wouldn't pay for something if I didn't ask for it. Anyway better luck next time, so you don't get charged for stuff you didn't buy.
1 person likes this
@marisriel (1156)
• Philippines
29 Jan 09
I was hoping we did that when we were still on the restaurant. But maybe because of the hype and the celebration thing, we didn't bother picking an argument with the management and the staff. I just take it as a lesson learned that night.
