Went In for Rs 59 Pizza Deal, Walked Out with Rs 280 Tab?
Went In for Rs 59 Pizza Deal, Walked Out with Rs 280 Tab? Always Read the Fine Print
Mangaluru: Not reading that fine print can come back to haunt you, too. You’re not only agreeing to terms and conditions, but you’re potentially ignoring instructions that can hurt you and your wallet. The purpose of the fine print in advertising is to give you the unvarnished truth behind the breezy marketing claims made about a product or service. In some agreements, the disclaimers can run for pages, with wording that is so obscure and ambiguous as to be incomprehensible.
Being in US for over two decades I should have known about this marketing tactics better, before I went in Dominos Pizza Shack near Bendore Well, after noticing a huge sign posted which read Rs 59 pizza Mania Range deal while passing by that road- but there was a catch in that sign- in smaller letters it was mentioned “Conditions Apply”, which I missed to notice. Approaching the counter, the staff welcomed me in a polite gesture, and asked what I wanted. Pointing him at the Rs 59 offer posted on the sign board, I said I need two orders of that. Quickly he replied that Rs 59 deal was for small/tiny size veg pizza, which comes with one topping- guess what-ONION? If you need other veg topping you’ll have to pay Rs 69 for golden corn, capsicum or Rs 109 for loaded veg.
Oh no, for a meat lover, this deal won’t suit me- so I had to pick Rs 89 non-veg deal, which was small size pizza comprising of chicken sausage and cheese. At that moment I thought to myself, only if they had mentioned that Rs 59 offer was on small veg pizza, I wouldn’t have walked into the store. Trust me this is now these foreign fast food joints play games- I know it very well being in US, and these western franchises are using the same tactics here too. Oh well! While ordering my Rs 89 non-veg pizza deal, the staff asked me a few options, whether I would like my pizza in classic Hand tossed Crust or Fresh Pan Crust- but he suggested I go for the latter crust. Yes I said, but later found out they charged me Rs 20 extra for Fresh Pan Crust.
Then I decided to have one more small pizza at the price of Rs 129. Okay, with the freaking CGST of Rs 21.42 and SGST of Rs 21.42 on a sub-total of Rs 238.00- I ended up with a tab of Rs 280.84. I got attracted into this pizza shop by looking at the Rs 59 pizza mania deal- and just look what happened- my stinginess in order to grab couple of Rs 59 pizzas, ended up in me paying Rs 280.84 for two tiny size pizzas. The pizza place also advertises of pizzas at Rs 199 deal, but the problem is that when you order, you won’t get your choice of pizzas- instead you’ll have no option than to buy what they are offering for that price. Bah humbug!
But one should know that even though these fast food places advertise about their offers in big letters, you need to always watch for the fine print that is printed with terms and conditions or simply it will read “Conditions Apply”- and these conditions will nail you big time. Not only pizza or other fast food shops play these tactics, even other companies where, to make oneself aware of the specific terms, conditions, restrictions, limitations, etc., of an agreement, contract, or other document, which are often printed in very small type and thus easy to miss. For example, the terms of the loan look pretty good at face value, but be sure to read the fine print or you could find yourself in a heap of trouble down the line. I know reading the fine print can be tedious, but it’s always important to know what you’re getting yourself into.
And while I was about to finish this report last evening, an SMS from Pizza Hut popped up on my iPhone which read “Friday is Party Day@ Pizza Hut! Unlimited Pan Pizzas, Garlic Breads, @Rs249 only, all Fridays, all day-valid dine in only”. Out of curiosity I called Pizza Hut location at City Centre-Mangaluru- and just like Dominos where Rs 59 was for tiny size veg pizza, here at Pizza Hut I came to know that Rs 249 plus tax was for veg unlimited pizza, where as for non-veg is Rs 299 plus tax which adds to Rs 353 after tax. I said thanks, and hung up! Again my question is that why can’t these businesses mention on the messages/ads about the prices for both veg and non-veg- instead of taking the customers for a ride once they enter the shop.
So, there you have it. Always read the fine print (and don’t forget copyright laws too). Breaking out that magnifying glass might save you a hassle, a life, and a ton of money in the long run. And hey, if you’re having problems reading small print, the iPhone 7 now has the option to magnify for you. How cool is that? Now you have no excuses. Get to reading! And always READ THE FINE PRINT ON ADVERTISEMENTS THAT OFFER DEALS?
you learn by your misstakes…. Such missleading outlets shud be taken to task. if it was me i wud have given a yelling and tossed the piza on their heads
Thank you, dear Alfie, for your interesting article on the misconception of the commercial advertisements that can often misguide the public. It is true that in today’s marketing world, so many slogans and headlines can misguide the public and can end up paying more than we anticipated earlier. You have been living in Chicago, and if we are not mistaken you live in India as NRI. You are fully justified in your comparisons.
One thing to be noted by all of us while being in India either for a vacation or for a longer duration, we wish to have the best of value for our Dollar exchange in Indian Rupees, and yet still enjoy an American Domino Pizza at the lowest Indian Rupee conversion.
Tourists and non-resident Indians visiting India have a great contribution to make. They have to patronize the Indian products and services by being reasonable in their expectations for the best of Dollar conversions in India. Non-resident Indians and Tourists are the best sources that can help the Indian economy by paying a higher premium for all the best of advantages they gain by spending their Dollars in the prevailing Indian currency conversion.
We cannot get any pizza in America for Rs.280 with even a single topping. We cannot get out of any restaurant without paying at least a Dollar per each person as a tip for the waiter or the waitress. The only way we can enhance the standard of life in India is by giving a reasonable tip for every good service rendered. The disparity of the Per capita income between India and America is so vast, unless and until we start paying more to the Indian labor force their standard of life will never be changed. When we visit India from America we must realize that we are spending our American earned Dollars in India, and if we want the American quality of Dominos Pizza, or MacDonald Berger or Kentucky Friend Chicken, we have to be kind and considerate in paying a reasonable amount in the converted Indian Rupees in order to enjoy a fairly comparable American quality product in Mangalore, India.
Thank you very much, Alfie, for your kind understanding.
Domino effect.
WE INDIANS ALWAYS GO BEHIND THE BIG SALES ! OFFERS ! DISCOUNTS !
I TOO HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE LIKE THE AUTHOR HAD- ITS TRUE THESE FOREIGN AND EVEN SOME INDIAN FAST FOOD OR SUPER MARKETS ARE TRYING TO FOOL THEIR CUSTOMERS BY BIG ADS BUT ONCE YOU ARE IN THEIR BUSINESS THE STORY IS ALL DIFFERENT. THANKS MR DSOUZA FOR HIGHLIGHTING THIS IMP ISSUE SO OTHERS KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON.
GOOD GOING MANGALOREAN.COM
NOT ONLY THE FAST FOOD AND SUPER MARKETS!! FOR THAT MATTER OUR OUR POLITICIANS ARE TOO SMART TO PINCH THE VOTER BY FLOATING PROPAGANDA LIKE NETHRAVATHI DIVERSION/ COWS / CONVERSIONS / HINDU RASTRA ETC ETC BUT IN ACTUAL THERE IS NOTHING BUT THE POWER TO GAIN