The Happy Tart review

[Francis M]

We were flabergasted that the owner would not acknowledge a $50 e-gift card I purchased for my celiac wife. My wife tried to open it in the store and was informed there had been a system change and they could not find the record. No worries, she was told, just talk to management. Six months later, and numerous absurd back and forths, and the owner literally informs me there have been "bad actors", so she can't make good on this lost gift card. In other words, she accused me of lying and committing fraud... over $50! Please be careful with your orders and purchases here.

[trents]

Was the card itself lost or just the record or both?

[Francis M]

When my wife attempted to open the online card in the store with a cashier, it would not work. We then showed the owner the link to the card, the online receipt that I got upon purchase, and even my bank statement confirming the purchase. That did not satisfy her, since she said she needed the link to open to reveal the gift ID num. They even admitted they had a systems problem around that time.

[trents]

So there was no physical, plastic card involved, correct?

[Francis M]

Nope

[trents]

You would think any business would see the wisdom of honoring a $50 gift certificate on the basis of customer satisfaction alone, apart from any questions about software glitches.

[Francis M]

Absolutely my point with Kerrigan, the owner. She stood to secure many years of faithful patronage by simply inviting us in for a pastry or lunch. Or by simply producing another $50 e-card based on trust. We would have been highly satisfied. We are limited to a few restaurants in the area, and that would have been one. It was very disappointing, esp to my wife, to realize we can't patronize the place anymore.

[Scott Adams]

Is this the same restaurant?
https://www.facebook.com/TheHappyTartFallsChurch/

Is it too late to take this up with your credit card company? Normally you have a few months to do a chargeback with them. It seems very odd that they are taking this approach with someone who is likely to be a regular customer--not a good business-minded way of handling things!

[Francis M]

Thanks. Since the back and forth and promises of review and general stalling went on for more than six months, the credit company will no longer investigate. They have a cutoff of maybe six months.