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My Awful Pizza Hut Experience

Posted Fri February 22, 2008 12:00 pm, by . written to Pizza Hut, Inc.

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The other night, I ordered online and used a coupon for a $15.99 Large Super Supreme Pizza, light sauce, plus 10 Wings. Here is what we got:

1: One rock hard, cold pizza completely devoid of sauce, a handful of veggies tossed around for color, and a few chunks of chicken: I kid you not, the crust had cinnamon in it. A lot of cinnamon. I was starving because I'd been sick and hadn't eaten anything for two days been sick) so I did eat some, but then I spent most of the night studying the painting on the far wall of my bathroom, from my vantage point on the commode. My boyfriend was sick to his stomach too.

The box was poked full of holes. On the top, the bottom, the sides. Note: Someone with a large knife and a grudge against cardboard is working in one of your restaurants. I have photos if you'd like to see them.

2: Invisible wings: Not a wing in sight, and that's all I wanted. I did not want chicken-cinnamon pizza.

3: 3 little bottles of Pepsi, because they were out of the two-liters. (This was fine)

All for the low, low price of $25.

I called the manager who said something meaningful, like, "You should never order online." For some reason, this did not console me, so I clicked the "Contact Us" link on the company's website to do some griping. The site asked several questions, then I typed my grievances into a comment box. When I clicked "send" to register your complaint, nothing happened. A message popped up which said to stop entering invalid characters. After trying for about 45 minutes, I realized that the site considers letters of the alphabet invalid characters. So, I looked up the toll-free number and called.

A very nice girl listened to my tale of woe, and summoning all of her customer service training, empathized with me, and repeated my complaint back to me. "Ma'am, I'm so sorry that your order was wrong your pizza was cold and had no sauce and chicken on it and that you did not get your coupon. We'll have a member of the team call you tomorrow." It's now day two, and I haven't heard a word. She asked when the best time to call was, and I told them that it could be midnight- I didn't care. So I don't think that it's a time factor that's prevented anyone from calling.

You know, if during that very first call, the manager had said something empathetic, to the effect of, "Gosh, I'm sorry that this happened to you," I might have forgotten the whole deal. But nooooo. I'd been sick and hadn't eaten in quite a while, and this was a huge financial decision for us at this time in history. I've never cried over chicken wings before, but since the food they delivered tasted like the cook may have been suffering from an LSD flashback, I did get really upset. Throughout all of this, I was nice and polite, and thanked both the manager and the customer service rep profusely. I wish I'd gotten some kindness in return. All it would have taken was a phone call.

I just wanted to vent. I don't want anything at this point. I doubt I'll ever return, and if I do, it certainly won't be to the one I ordered from.


Reply



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by dulynoted Posted Fri February 29, 2008 @ 7:14 PM

While this whole experience was just plain nasty, I guess my only
question here is why after being ill for two days, why would you eat
something so heavy as pizza?

Reply
by MB McQueen Posted Mon February 25, 2008 @ 6:56 PM

I do believe in giving credit where it's due, so I wanted to give you
all an update. An area manager called me a little while ago. He was
very nice. He apologized for the five day delay in getting back to me
(I think they've been having "issues" with one of their
other stores).

He had no explanation for the holes in the box. He did say that it
sounds like we got the wrong pizza, the cinnamon taste was from the
fact that they must have used the same implement to cut the pizza as
they use to cut their cinnamon sticks. The winglessness was due to
computer error. He gave us a $25 credit and his cell phone number, in
case anything goes wrong when we try to use it.

Guys, I don't know anyone in this town. I'm fairly new here, so I
don't think this was a personal grudge. I also tip well, on top of the
delivery fee that they tack on to each order. So, I tend to agree with
whoever surmised that someone must really hate their job.

Again, thanks for all the great feedback! It made me feel a lot better
about this whole experience.

Reply


Fantastic! by ~Fiナ-la-ネea~ Mon February 25, 2008 @ 8:20 PM


MB McQueen, I hope you stick around by RedheadwGlasses Mon February 25, 2008 @ 9:10 PM


Yay! by Melissa Savelloni Tue February 26, 2008 @ 8:25 AM


I love to hear this! by StoicGrrl Wed February 27, 2008 @ 9:41 AM

by Melissa Savelloni Posted Mon February 25, 2008 @ 5:56 PM

Eww i hate pizza hut.

That aside, i kind of enjoyed reading your letter :)

Reply

by Cambion Posted Mon February 25, 2008 @ 12:54 PM

I strongly advise not patronizing Pizza Hut - everyone who works there
seems to be an imbecile, and almost every time I've ordered pizza from
them, they screwed the order up in one way or another.

You will probably find that the hole-in-the-wall type pizzerias will
give the best prices and the best service. Put bluntly, Pizza Hut
sucks lemons. Maybe when they start losing more and more patronage to
competent non-chain pizza places, they'll start caring more about how
much effort they put into customer service.

Reply
by rowantree Posted Mon February 25, 2008 @ 10:50 AM

You probably won't hear back from them. We've tried four times to eat
at our local Pizza Hut and all four times have encountered nothing but
problems. The last time I called to nicely complain that our order
was not right yet again, the kid on the other end of the phone
actually laughed. With so many other pizza places in our town, we
crossed Pizza Hut off our list for good.

Reply
by ddrew Posted Mon February 25, 2008 @ 7:50 AM

I stopped going to Pizza Hut! You order a large pizza and I think
there were only 6 mushrooms on the entire pizza, a few pieces of green
pepper, and very little sauce. They are very generous on the crust!!

I called the manager and they gave me a free one for next time. I
tried again about 2 weeks later, the same thing.....I'll go to another
pizza place:)

Reply

by MB McQueen Posted Sun February 24, 2008 @ 1:58 AM

Wow-- this is such a great site. Thanks for all of the comments! I
feel much better now.

I know that the tone of this is somewhat sarcastic, but really, since
they never followed through and contacted me, and I'm not seeking any
type of compensation, I felt that I should be able to do a little
venting. It's therapeutic, and it makes me happy that it made some
people laugh.

You guys take care. If there does happen to be any positive outcome,
I'll be sure to let you know.


Reply


Hysterical! by ~Fiナ-la-ネea~ Sun February 24, 2008 @ 8:20 PM


ps by ~Fiナ-la-ネea~ Sun February 24, 2008 @ 8:21 PM
by Melissa O Posted Sat February 23, 2008 @ 11:31 PM

This experience sounds terrible. I would suggest bypassing the entire
manager, customer service telephone number and trying to find a
general or regional manager via email. If not, send an email directly
to customer service. I have had success in the past by bypassing less
than stellar stores and going directly to the higher ups.

Reply

by All About the Branding Posted Sat February 23, 2008 @ 3:13 PM

This is one of things are so bad, you have to laugh.

OK, maybe not when it was happening... since it seems awful.

As someone else said, I'm normally against sarcasm, references to drug
use (without proof), and the tone used in this letter... but this is
one case where things were handled so poorly that I think it's
warranted.

From my read, someone had a problem with you... and not cardboard.
While there may have been so accidents, either someone specifically
hates you... or just plain hates their job and wanted to take it out
on anyone.

That said, since the online form and the complaint line also proved
unacceptable, it seems like there's got to be something more than
meets the eye. I can't put my figure on it, though.

Reply

by lissie Posted Sat February 23, 2008 @ 10:49 AM

i wrote a letter via pfb last week i think. i tried to order online
and it wouldnt let me , then i tried to call the store with the number
listed online and it was a fax machine. i tried to call another store
in the next town over and he said there was nothing he could do about
it. i finally ordered inferior pizza from another place that is crappy
because I really wanted pizza

Reply

by BellaSera Posted Sat February 23, 2008 @ 9:15 AM

I also loved your letter, but wow, your service sucked big time, and
that's a huge understatement. What stands out the most for me though
is not just that you had a poor experience but that Pizza Hut doesn't
seem to care, particularly the manager whose job it is to care.

And I have to agree with others who suggested perhaps this incident
stemmed from a disgruntled employee. The cardboard situation is just
creepy. [shudders] Apparently Michael Myers found a job at Pizza Hut.

I know you don't want anything, but I hope you do at least get
**something** to make up for this.

Reply

by Becks Posted Sat February 23, 2008 @ 7:18 AM

Wow! Sounds awful!

I enjoyed this letter -- really funny! Esp. the part about the cook
having an LSD flashback.

I think Pizza Hut has seriously gone downhill in recent years. I
refuse to eat there anymore. Last time I went, the pizza was awful and
the service incompetent.I agree that Papa John's is MUCH tastier!

Reply


by TrishMcCoy Posted Sat February 23, 2008 @ 4:13 AM

I'm so sorry this happened to you! I recommend you order from Papa
Johns from now on. They are the only pizza place I'll order from.
Stellar service and absolutely out of this world delicious food!

Reply
by Final Score: Boys-3, Girls-1 Posted Sat February 23, 2008 @ 12:39 AM

I can't tell you how much I love your letter. This is a fine piece of
writing in addition to be a letter that will get their attention.
I really enjoyed reading it, and I'm sorry your pizza sucked.

Reply
by Keith C Posted Sat February 23, 2008 @ 12:18 AM

I ordinarily would advise against sarcasm in a business letter. But
this one is so witty and entertaining, I think it actually
"works". I laughed out loud over the line "Note:
Someone with a large knife and a grudge against cardboard is working
in one of your restaurants."

At the same time, I find that more than a little disturbing. Were it
just a messed-up order, it would be one thing. But that, combined with
the mutilated box, and that (if I understood correctly) you and your
boyfriend got sick from it--makes me wonder if someone WAS in a bad
mood about something and decided to take it out on an unsuspecting
customer.

You said that you were sick prior, but hadn't mentioned your boyfriend
being sick. Did you indeed both get sick from the pizza?

Reply

Sick by MB McQueen Sat February 23, 2008 @ 1:43 AM

Unappetizing perhaps, but illness-inducing? by Keith C Sun February 24, 2008 @ 12:21 AM


I disagree. by Gino Sun February 24, 2008 @ 6:23 AM

Proof by Keith C Mon February 25, 2008 @ 5:14 PM

I Can't Link the Illness by MB McQueen Mon February 25, 2008 @ 11:06 PM


by Gino Posted Sat February 23, 2008 @ 12:02 AM

I chuckled a little too while reading your sad tale of woe.

The first clue would have been the pizza box that looks like a horror
movie prop. This could have been avoided by refusing the order from
the beginning.

I did learn something new, and "Velvet Elvis" along with
crocheted doll toilet paper cover will take a place of less prominence
in my bathroom decor.

I genuinely hope they get around to calling and I sincerely hope you
both are feeling better.

Reply

by StoicGrrl Posted Fri February 22, 2008 @ 11:22 PM

Nice. This letter honestly made me LOL a little. But like Red, I'm
also sorry you had this to deal with on top of being sick. I've had
the flu for a week, and trust me when I say I sympathize.

The manager telling you not to order online is just ridiculous. On
the rare occasion that we order Pizza Hut (like you, it's sometimes
kind of a financial decision for us these days too), I almost always
order online. My experience has been that they actually mess up the
order less often when you take out the possibility for human error on
my part and the person taking the order. I'm sure Pizza Hut will not
be thrilled to learn that their employee was telling customers not to
use an option that they have spent a great deal of time and money on!


I hope they get in touch with you. In my experience with retail and
as a customer, I have learned that the absolute worst thing you can do
is make a promise to follow up and then not do it. Good luck, and I
hope you feel better!

Reply

by SiotehCat Posted Fri February 22, 2008 @ 8:21 PM

Wow everyone at that location might have issues.

I only do online ordering when I am ordering Pizza Hut.I order at
least once a week and the location I order from has never had a
problem. I don't know how the cook was confused by your order, but if
they were, they should have called you. I have always been called when
they have had questions about my order. I think you should be
compensated, then I think you should visit a different location. I

Reply

Thanks for the feedback! by MB McQueen Fri February 22, 2008 @ 10:24 PM


by ♥Venice♥ Posted Fri February 22, 2008 @ 8:16 PM

There's something about the words "Pizza Hut" and
"cinnamon" that makes ME feel like I'm having an LSD
flashback!.. but that's besides the point.

It sounds like they used a dessert crust for your pizza, which would
be horrible. Actually the whole pizza sounds horrible, even the box!

The thing I liked most about your letter was your willingness to
cooperate if you had just received some honest concern and interest
instead of stock answers. I really felt that was the point of your
letter, and I completely agree.

I hope you're feeling better now.

Reply

Mmmm...Cinnamon Chicken Pizza by MB McQueen Fri February 22, 2008 @ 10:28 PM

Cinnamon chicken by Keith C Sat February 23, 2008 @ 12:23 AM

by RedheadwGlasses Posted Fri February 22, 2008 @ 8:09 PM

I'm torn -- your letter is hilarious but your experience was HORRID.
And why not order online? Does it make the employees angry or
something? I've ordered pizza online exclusively for a few years now,
and have had no problems at all. I think the employees (and manager)
of the store you ordered from needs anger management classes, a
prescription for Buspar or Zoloft, and maybe some drug testing.

I don't blame you for crying: Being sick (and taking the necessary
drugs to alleviate the symptoms) can make one weepy.

I think they owe you free pizza and wings every month for a year (but
from a different location).

Reply

Anger Management Classes Sounds Like a Great Idea by MB McQueen Fri February 22, 2008 @ 10:31 PM


heh thanks for the late-night smile ; ) by RedheadwGlasses Fri February 22, 2008 @ 11:52 PM

by The New and Improved Brenda Posted Fri February 22, 2008 @ 7:54 PM

What a horrible experience.

You should never order online? Why shouldn't you use something that
HIS employer offers? Because THAT store can't get it right? Geez what
a poor excuse.

I ALWAYS order pizza online if it's from a chain and I have never had
a problem! That manager should have apologized and offered some way to
correct the situation.

Reply


by calm Posted Fri February 22, 2008 @ 7:27 PM

I'm glad the woman you spoke to when you called the toll-free number
responded appropriately.

Other than that, this really is an appalling story. I don't think I'd
ever deal with that particular restaurant again. I'm sorry they
behaved that way, and I hope you ended up getting something good to
eat.

Reply


Re: My Awful Pizza Hut Experience by RowdyRetailer Fri February 22, 2008 @ 7:24 PM
by MB McQueen Posted Sat February 23, 2008 @ 1:41 AM

Actually, no. Of course, I'll always look from now on, but they've
never gotten it wrong before. I did ask the delivery guy where the
wings were, and said, "the order's wrong, and I don't want to pay
this much if I'm not getting the complete order." He showed me
the receipt, which had no coupon, and no wings. I asked him for the
manager's name, and asked him if I called, did I think we could work
it out. He said yes. So I did, but it didn't work out so well.

Reply

by bedbugsmomma Posted Fri February 22, 2008 @ 7:23 PM

I love this letter so very much! My husband used to manage a Pizza
Hut employeed by misfits(couldn't pay him enough to ever do it again)
and he too will love this letter!

Reply




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