Where would you draw the line...

[Blader]

Well I've had many different encounters at fast food establishments that either caused me to go back, call them or say *fudge* it and never return. 

In Norman there was this Taco Cabana that was the worst.  I got home (didn't check the order before I left) and they forgot to put my wife's quesadilla in the bag.  So we have chips/queso/my food and nothing for her.  So I go back and go inside and wait for them to prepare the entire order again.  From then on I always check to make sure the entire order is present before I drive off.  If one of the items is made incorrectly I just say *fudge* it and eat it anyways though.

Another scenario was from an Arby's that served me a piece of chicken in my sandwhich that resembled the turkey from National Lampoon's Chirstmas Vacation.  Once I get home and see that nasty thing shriveled inside the skin like it was cooked an hour too long I got in my car and drove back.  Walked in and said I want my money back.  Dumb ass manager said, "why?".  I said because this chicken is dried up and nasty and I won't eat it.  Bitch had the nerve to say, "It looks fine to me."  I said, "Oh *goshdarn* really, here then eat it."  She lamented and said ok I'll give your money back, but tried to charge me for the drinks, saying I drank them already.  I said thanks and you are a *goshdarn* moran and I'll never eat here again.

Most of the time I just let it slide.

That happened to me once, when I tried to return a dead parrot I'd just bought.

[gleek]

Unless, I'm freaking starving and there's nowhere else to go, I won't usually go back ever. However, I will email corporate headquarters of the company and give the details: store address, time, how much they ripped me off. I'll also give them my name and address. Giving them your address serves two purposes. First, they'll know that you're a real person. Second, they'll know where to send a gift certificate. I've only formally complained about a franchise restaurant twice, and both times I received some sort of compensation.

[Uisce Beatha]

Why would you buy a dead parrot?

[Teed]

Interesting takes. (on not going back)

Not go back, and in give them no more business?  Or not got back, physically to gain merchandise paid for?

Not go back that night for what I paid for.  but claim it the next visit by having my name in the book.

[Uisce Beatha]

I have to relate my Hogi Yogi experience. 

As mentioned I'm pretty much anti-condiment.  No mayo.  No mustard.  No 'special sauce'.  On top of that I don't like pickles.  So I order a sandwich at a Hogi Yogi drive-thru.  I don't remember what it was but I said, "no mayo, no mustard, no pickles."  So what do I find when I get back to work?  A mayo, mustard and pickle sandwich.   

Now I understand that an order might be garbled in translation somehow but who the hell goes to a fast food joint for a mayo, mustard and pickle sandwich?  Wasn't there a red flag in there somewhere.  I'm pretty sure even my 12 year old son would ask, "are you sure about this?"

The reason I went there that day was because it's on the way and I was extremely busy at work.  I couldn't really leave again to get more so I tossed it and subsisted on coffee for the rest of the day.  I've never been back.  I think that's the only restaurant I've held firm on a commitment to never return.

[Seamus]

Why would you buy a dead parrot?

No no he's not dead, he's, he's restin'! Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue, idn'it, ay? Beautiful plumage!

[Aske]

im with UB in this,  i don't want sauce , condiments, or pickles , tomatoes or other *feces* on my sandwiches.  99% of the time we check the order because it's probably wrong.

[Seamus]

You may have expended more energy in this thread than you would have going back and having them get your order right.

I'm all for holding establishments (especially food) accountable, but I'm also wary of the loogie that may end up in my sandwich. If it's a condiment error I may have just wiped it off best I could and carried on (remembering my fear of loogies), now if it's a cooking error or everything is messed up, I'm going back.

Your time scenario would more deter me than anything, 5-10 minutes I'm going back, anything longer I'm not.

Your alcohol scenario would do me in, the more drunk I am, the quicker I'm munching that *feces* down, it probably wouldn't last the 5 minute ride home, even if the order is wrong.