Squeaky wheel....

[captpackrat]

A week or so ago, I complained to McDonald's about how their employees could only get my coffee order correct 25% of the time (they're up to 40% now).  Today I found in my mailbox a letter of apology and a bunch of coupons.   One free large sandwich, one free Dollar Menu item and 2 free medium "Extra Value" meals.

I guess if they're free, then they're an extra Extra Value.

The coupons have shiny color-shifting foil and a notice to the restaurant to verify the authenticity of the coupon with the foil seal.  I guess they had a problem with counterfeit coupons?

Continuing to look through the fine print, it says "Prices may vary".  I didn't know that the price of free could vary.

Comments

[bluedeer.livejournal.com]

Actually, I had a problem with a local McD's that would often screw up my orders at the Drive-through, only finding out after I got home about the mistake. I complained today, and the guy I complained to, said he'd talk to the manager, because apparently, when kids are working there, friends of those kids would come in to the place and then try to get free food out of their friends by claiming they didn't get orders right and stuff...basically hassling someone to get free food. So they are rather cautious...but not stingy about giving free food to make up to someone for a screwed up order. I got a free extra value meal to replace the one that was missing. As a matter of fact, McD's is probably the ONLY place that's actually tried to make up for a mistake by doing something like that instead of going 'Oop, well, sorry, that's too bad.' For all McD's downsides, I'd have to say trying to make things right is probably one of their strong points.

[captpackrat.livejournal.com]

I've generally had pretty good luck with complaints being resolved, but then again, I also tend to escalate things past line employees. If it's fairly minor, like an occasional incorrect order, I ask to speak to the manager. They usually offer a free replacement for the item.

For gross incompetence, like repeated wrong orders, I take it up with their corporate headquarters. They tend to give out coupons by the handful. I guess they figure if you've taken the time to write them, you're probably pretty steamed and they're at risk of losing a customer. I've only had to do this this 3 or 4 times, but they've all resulted in 3-5 coupons for free stuff.