I need to Vent!

[ems_mom]

OK, this is trivial in the grand scheme of things but, I am really annoyed by last night's dinner experience.

We wanted to use a groupon for a downtown (on the water) establishment. I love groupons, have used them frequently without problems.

This place, Bo Brooks, offered a $50 groupon for $25, so essentially half off. All well and good.

Well, not so much. We were told we couldn't use it indoors (as others were) but only outside at the "tiki" bar. I put the word in quotes because (having been to Hawaii and Key West) it was/is anything but. But our groupon, supposedly, is only good here - at these 8 metal tables - so we persevere.

OK, a little windy, a little dirty, but I guess the groupon gives us no choice. WE LOVE CRABS! But given the empty tables around us, we have an inkling the news won't be good.

So, no crabs with the groupon. And no entrées either. Apps and sandwiches only. But get this, they are half-price anyway, every night from 4-6 PM (we arrived at 5:15 pm) and all night on Tuesdays (yes we were there last night!)

So we didn't use our groupon, (per our server's advice), sat outside at a dirty metal table facing the dock, not the water, and had 2 glasses of wine, one truly awful crab pretzel and 2 crab cake sandwiches (OK, cold roll-nothing to write home about) for $40+...we left $50.00.

For what? This was as awful a dining out experience as it gets. First, we were told a complete lie about our groupon, we had to sit outside and it was windy, and we couldn't order what we wanted! We only stayed because it has been so long we had a night out. My husband loves the water and we spend most weekends at the beach. This was new and different (and my fault) so we stayed.

Never again. We were definitely taken advantage of...We've been to Hawaii twice so thats 30+days and never treated so poorly.

So, to summarize, Bo Brooks in Baltimore sucks...don't go there.

 

[ems_mom]

OK, maybe it should be one long paragraph...but I would feel so much better if someone, anyone? would agree with me. Bueller? Anyone?

 

[swanmom]

Groupon is a relatively new company that is very aware that, at this critical point in their development, reputation is everything. If consumers trust them and their vendors, the site will take off! If they start getting bad-mouthed by consumers or their vendors make the customers feel like 'second class' citizens, they are sunk. And they know that both good and bad news travels fast on the internet. I would contact groupon and let them know of your experience. It may not result in a refund for you (since you did eat), but you can bet they will let their vendor know (and maybe future guests will be treated better.) Sorry you had such a difficult time on your night out!

 

[Mermaid02]

Never been there so I'll take your word for it. I would however have them show me those points (no inside seating, no crabs etc) as they were printed on the coupon. Trust me- I would NOT have been sitting outside freezing, eating nasty sandwiches. And WHEREVER you got your "groupon" I would call them and tell them about your experience.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would have walked out of the restaurant if they said they would not honor the coupon.

 

[ems_mom]

We didn't use the groupon! Our server basically told us it would be throwing our cash away. He strongly suggested coming back - so now I have a little conspiracy theory in the mix. They drew us in with the groupon - we've spent another $50.00 OOP, and need to go back to use the $25 for $50.00 groupon. And reading that other people were told a totally different story does not make my wallet feel better!

 

[NHdisneylover]

I have never heard of groupons but I agree it sounds like you were not treated well (isn't the point of coupons generally to bring a new person in in the hopes that they like you and will return)? It seems liek this place is totally failing in this respect.

Personally, I would have either asked to see a manager and ironed out the concerns then and there or else gone elsewhere for the dinner out. At the very least, once your server recommended not "wasting" the coupon why didn't you asked to be reseated inside since you were not using it?
Anyway, I am sorry your night was not so fun.

 

[Creativebeth]

so what's a 'groupon'? Is it a coupon?

 

[disneyfans95]

So don't go back

 

[Piglets Mommy]

so what's a 'groupon'? Is it a coupon?

Yes, but you pay for it in advance. So essentially, now they are out $50 for a crappy meal and $25 for the Groupon they bought. This is why I shy away from these types of deals unless I am familiar with the establishment and their policies. I ran into issues with restaurant.com certificates in a similar situation to this. (many restaurants in our area just stopped accepting the certificates)

 

[robinb]

I'm a little confused why you didn't use the Groupon anyway once you had already fulfilled the requirements and you didn't plan to go back .

BTW, I would be really mad if I got to a place and they suddenly started adding restrictions that are not spelled out in the coupon. I might actually email Groupon about it. Like the PP says, their reputation is on the line too.

 

[dislaney]

You should have used the groupon! Now you have to go back or your out the $25? I wouldn't go back if it was that bad but I guess you do what works for you. Sorry you had such a bad experience.

 

[suzannews]

Never again. We were definitely taken advantage of...We've been to Hawaii twice so thats 30+days and never treated so poorly.

What does Hawaii have to do with being treated poorly?



I would have asked for a manager from the beginning and asked to see where the rules are printed. Are you able to get your money back for the coupon?

 

[RadioNate]

I'm confused as to why you didn't use the Groupon. You fulfilled their twisted requirements so you might as well have used it. I just would have given them the $50 certificate and called it a night.


I really think you need to contact Groupon and explain the situation. The original posting says valid at the Restaurant or Tiki Bar. Were you there during happy hour? The only restriction I see is that it can't be used with happy hour pricing. There is a simple way around that but I digress.

I think a manager needs to be involved here as well as Groupon since their servers obviously don't know what they are talking about.

ETA - just reread the OP and it seems they were there at Happy Hour which was listed in the restrictions. But the inside v outside thing is really bugging me and not right per the original offer.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I'm a little confused why you didn't use the Groupon anyway once you had already fulfilled the requirements and you didn't plan to go back .

BTW, I would be really mad if I got to a place and they suddenly started adding restrictions that are not spelled out in the coupon. I might actually email Groupon about it. Like the PP says, their reputation is on the line too.

Maybe she can get a refund. If she still has the Groupon, she'd have a better chance of getting anything resolved. If she used it, they would probably tell her that since she was able to use it, she is not due a refund. I think she did the right thing.

 

[crashbb]

I'm also confused as to why you didn't use the Groupon.

The goupon wasn't for 50% off of your meal - it was for $50 (the half off bit is that you only spent $25 to get it). The fact that your sandwiches were on sale makes no difference. Your Groupon would have just been like handing over $50 in cash/on your credit card. It appears that you may have lost a few dollars (since it was the tip that brought it to $50 and gift cards don't always cover tips), but no more than that.

Groupons *can* be great (I often use them), but you really have to read the fine print on the website before purchasing.

 

[LuvLDM]

What does Hawaii have to do with being treated poorly?

I don't understand the Hawaii reference either??? odd

 

[daisyduck123]

I don't understand the Hawaii reference either??? odd

Another person here in the dark about the "Hawaii" reference.

 

[phorsenuf]

I don't understand the Hawaii reference either??? odd

Another person here in the dark about the "Hawaii" reference.

Make that 3.

 

[Missy1961]

Make that 3.

Make that 4.